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Title 12 — Zoning

Chapter 12 — 25A. H HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT

Santa Maria Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-07 · Santa Maria

Section 12-25A.01. Intent.

  • (a) The H (historic overlay) district is intended to encourage but not mandate the preservation of architecturally significant structures by permitting relaxed development standards such as parking requirements and setbacks in recognition of the preservation of architectural features, which are no longer commonly used in design practice and considered important to the social fabric of the community. The district is designed to accommodate various types of uses such as professional and administrative offices, home occupations, and limited light commercial activities (such as antique stores, hair dressers, barbershops, art galleries and studios, and bed and breakfast) and other uses, which are compatible with the structure and the adjacent neighborhood.

  • (b) The requirements and procedures set out in this chapter are designed and intended to be applied in such a manner as to provide maximum design flexibility to the property owner, or developer, yet allow the City to encourage but not mandate design features that are consistent with the building's architecture and arrangement of uses within the project. The "H" designation may combine with the various zones called out in the provisions of this title.

  • (Ord. 99-05)

Section 12-25A.02. Permitted uses.

  • (a) The following uses are permitted in the H districts, providing the use is allowed in the underlying zoning district, and subject to approval of a planned development permit or a conditional use permit:

    • (1) Single-family residences;

    • (2) Change of use of existing buildings;

    • (3) Minor additions to existing buildings;

    • (4) Additions to existing parking or landscape areas;

    • (5) Accessory structures and uses.

  • (b) Any use permitted in any of the following districts may be permitted in the H district in accordance with the following regulations. The symbol "H" shall be combined with the following district designations and land so designated may be used as follows:

    • (1) R-1/H, R-2/H and R-3/H may permit residential uses, using as a guide the zoning regulations set forth in the underlying district, subject to the provisions and limitations of the approved H zoning overlay district. Densities are as established by the land use element of the General Plan.

    • (2) CPO/H, C-1/H and C-2/H may permit commercial and office uses, using as a guide the zoning regulations set forth in the underlying district, subject to the provisions and limitations of the approved H zoning overlay district.

  • (Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

Section 12-25A.03. Initiation.

The adoption of a rezoning amendment to the zoning ordinance applying the provisions of this chapter to any property shall be initiated in the following manner:

  • (a) Where the Planning Commission determines that the best interest of the community will be secured by application of H district standards so that the highest and best quality development may be achieved in accordance with provisions of the adopted land use element of the City.

  • (b) When the property owner or his designated agent files an application with the Community Development Department for rezoning, together with the required filing fee, as determined by resolution of the Council, and with a preliminary development plan as described in this chapter.

  • (Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

Section 12-25A.04. Development plan approval: Required.

The development plan process is required to allow a change in use or to establish a new use in order to promote orderly, attractive and harmonious development within those areas covered by historic overlay district. Any development proposal pursuant to the historic overlay district and primary zoning designation shall be subject to first receiving approval of a development plan from the Planning Commission of the City as provided in this title.

(Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

Section 12-25A.05. Development plan approval: Purpose.

The development plan process is established in order to promote orderly, attractive and harmonious development within those areas covered by the historic overlay district. Any development proposal pursuant to the historic overlay district and primary zoning designation shall be subject to first receiving approval of a development plan from the Planning Commission of the City as provided in this title.

(Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

Section 12-25A.06. Development plan approval: Permit application and hearing.

For the procedure on filing an application and setting the public hearing, see Sections 12-35.203 through 12-35.208.

(Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

Section 12-25A.07. Development plan approval: Findings.

For the required findings, see Sections 12-35.206, 12-35.207 and 12-35.208. (Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

Section 12-25A.08. Development plan approval: Effective date.

For the effective date of the Planning Commission action, see Section 12-35.209. (Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

Section 12-25A.09. Development plan approval: Appeals.

For filing of appeals, see Section 12-35.211.

(Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

Section 12-25A.10. Development plan approval: Expiration and extension.

For expiration and extension, see Section 12-35.212. (Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

Section 12-25A.11. Development plan approval: Revocation.

For revocation procedure, see Section 12-35.213.

(Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

Section 12-25A.12. Modification or enlargement of structures.

For the procedure regarding modification or enlargement of structures, see Section 12-35.214. (Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

Section 12-25A.13. Preexisting development plans.

Any approved development plans existing at the date of adoption of the ordinance from which this section derives shall continue to remain valid, until amended or expired, according to the regulations stated in this title.

(Ord. 91-17 § 1 Exhibit D, eff. 10/3/91)

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Contents — Santa Maria Zoning Code
Santa Maria Zoning Code
  1. Title 12 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. Chapter 12-1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    2. Chapter 12-2 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Chapter 12-3 — DISTRICTS AND MAP
    4. Chapter 12-4 — OS OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
    5. Chapter 12-5 — RA RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
    6. Chapter 12-6 — R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    7. Chapter 12 — 6A. A RSL-1 SINGLE-FAMILY SMALL LOT RESIDENTIAL D…
    8. Chapter 12-7 — R-2 MEDIUM-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    9. Chapter 12-8 — R-3 HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    10. Chapter 12-9 — RMH RESIDENTIAL MOBILE HOME PARK DISTRICT
    11. Chapter 12 — 9A. MOBILEHOME PARKS
    12. Chapter 12-10 — CPO COMMERCIAL OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE …
    13. Chapter 12-11 — CC CONVENIENCE CENTER DISTRICT
    14. Chapter 12-12 — C-1 CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
    15. Chapter 12-13 — C-2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    16. Chapter 12 — 13A. HC HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    17. Chapter 12-14 — FS FREEWAY SERVICE DISTRICT
    18. Chapter 12-15 — M-1 LIGHT MANUFACTURING DISTRICT
    19. Chapter 12-16 — CM COMMERCIAL/MANUFACTURING DISTRICT
    20. Chapter 12-17 — M-2 GENERAL MANUFACTURING DISTRICT
    21. Chapter 12-18 — PF PUBLIC FACILITIES AND INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT
    22. Chapter 12-19 — SP SPECIFIC PLAN ZONING DISTRICT
    23. Chapter 12-20 — AS-I AIRPORT SERVICE I ZONE
    24. Chapter 12-21 — AS-II AIRPORT SERVICE II ZONE
    25. Chapter 12-22 — AS-III AIRPORT SERVICE III ZONE
    26. Chapter 12-23 — CZ CLEAR ZONE DISTRICT COMBINING REGULATIONS
    27. Chapter 12-24 — AA AIRPORT APPROACH DISTRICT
    28. Chapter 12-25 — PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT
    29. Chapter 12 — 25A. H HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT
    30. Chapter 12-26 — INTRUSIONS INTO YARDS
    31. Chapter 12-27 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
    32. Chapter 12-28 — BUILDING SITES
    33. Chapter 12 — 28A. CLEARING AND MAINTAINING VACANT BUILDING SITES
    34. Chapter 12 — 29A. LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES IN SINGLE-FAMILY…
    35. Chapter 12 — 29B. COTTAGE FOOD OPERATIONS
    36. Chapter 12-30 — MOVING BUILDINGS
    37. Chapter 12-31 — NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES, LOTS AND PARKING
    38. Chapter 12-32 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
    39. Chapter 12-33 — COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    40. Chapter 12-34 — SIGNS
    41. Chapter 12-35 — USE AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
    42. Chapter 12-36 — VARIANCES
    43. Chapter 12-37 — ANNEXATION
    44. Chapter 12-38 — AMENDMENTS
    45. Chapter 12-39 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
    46. Chapter 12-40 — ENVIRONMENT
    47. Chapter 12-41 — INTERPRETATION AND APPEALS
    48. Chapter 12-42 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
    49. Chapter 12-43 — OUTDOOR DISPLAY OF MERCHANDISE
    50. Chapter 12-44 — LANDSCAPE STANDARDS
    51. Chapter 12-45 — REGULATION OF ADULT BUSINESSES
    52. Chapter 12-46 — RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS, STOCK COOPERATIVES, …
    53. Chapter 12-48 — DENSITY BONUS
    54. Chapter 12-49 — MIXED-USE PROJECTS
    55. Chapter 12-50 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
    56. Chapter 12-51 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    57. Chapter 12-52 — EFFICIENCY UNIT PROJECTS
    58. Chapter 12-53 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS
    59. Chapter 12-56 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS

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