Article 2 — Commercial Districts — Santa Maria Zoning Code

Section 12-33.201. Applicability. ¶

The performance standards set out in this article apply to all uses established within the CPO, CC, C-1, C-2 and FS districts. Determinations of degree of compliance shall be made by the Zoning Administrator.

(Prior Code § 10-98.1)

Section 12-33.202. Exterior design requirements. ¶

(a) All exterior wall elevations of buildings facing on streets are to have architectural treatment. No building surface fronting on a street shall be a flat, void surface, without architectural treatment.
(b) All roof-mounted mechanical equipment or duct work which projects vertically more than one and one-half (1-1/2) feet above the roof or roof parapet is to be screened by an enclosure which is detailed consistently with the building design.

(Prior Code § 10-98.1(a))

Section 12-33.203. Landscape design: Generally. ¶

(a) Use of Artificial Materials. The use of artificial trees, flowers, bushes or vines as fulfillment or partial fulfillment of the landscape provisions is prohibited. Artificial landscape material is defined as any man-made decoration consisting of plastics, paper, processed wood or any synthetic material.
(b) Sprinkler Systems. Sprinkler systems shall be provided for all landscape areas, except as approved by the Zoning Administrator.

Section 12-33.204. Front yard. ¶

Areas utilized for parking, storage, or loading when located in the front yard shall be screened, modulated or integrated from view of access streets, freeways, or adjacent properties. This may be accomplished by employing any combination of the following techniques:

(a) Lineal masses or shrubs. This method requires use of shrubs that will achieve a height of four to six feet within three years. Minimum size of five gallons is required.
(b) Lineal or group masses or major scale trees. This method requires use of trees that will ultimately provide foliage that is visible above the roofline from within the total site.
(c) Lineal or group masses of smaller scale trees. This method requires uses of trees that will ultimately provide foliage or shade patterns on either horizontal or vertical planes.

(d) Earth mounding and landscaping with ground cover and lineal masses of shrubs. (Prior Code § 10-98.1(b)(2))

Section 12-33.205. Side and rear yard. ¶

Landscaping in these areas shall consist of the following:

(a) Trees shall be planted adjacent to structures where possible to provide visual relief, to soften and aid in balancing architectural elements of design. For each side and rear exterior elevation where trees can be provided the quantity shall be equal to one tree for each 30 feet of exterior wall length. Minimum size of plant material shall be 15 gallons.
(b) All unpaved areas shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs or ground cover.
(c) Undeveloped areas proposed for future expansion shall be kept in a weed-free condition. Such areas may be planted with appropriate ornamentals, to include ground cover, shrubs and/or trees.

(Prior Code § 10-98.1(b)(3))

Section 12-33.206. Loading areas. ¶

Loading areas when required by this title or proposed by a developer shall be designed or so located as not to be visible from adjacent streets. (Prior Code § 10-98.1(c))

Section 12-33.207. Refuse collection areas. ¶

(a) All outdoor refuse collection areas shall be visually screened from access streets and adjacent properties by a complete opaque screen.
(b) No refuse collection areas shall be permitted within the front yard setback area or front building setback area.

(Prior Code § 10-98.1(d))

Section 12-33.208. Parking. ¶

(a) The parking requirements as set forth in this section are as prescribed by present City standards. The landscaping requirements for parking lots are intended to screen and soften the visual exposure of bleak asphalt and cars, and to create continuity between parking facilities and the businesses served.
(b) The typical parking lot landscaping (Figure 4, following page) shall serve as a guide in the development of parking lot landscape design.
- (1) All areas not specifically used for vehicle parking or access shall be landscaped with trees, shrubbery and ground cover. Trees at least equal in number to one per each 12 parking stalls or fraction thereof shall be provided in all parking areas. Minimum size shall be 15 gallons.
- (2) Parking shall be provided at the side or rear of the proposed structures when practicable.
- (3) Parking requirements, i.e., number of spaces, size and configuration, shall be provided per City standards.
- (4) Landscape plans for commercial parking areas shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator.

(Prior Code § 10-98.1(e))

Section 12-33.209. Signs. ¶

It is recognized that every business needs good identification to serve the public effectively. The intent of these provisions is to stipulate general design criteria which call for a designed sign program that relates to the total sign, thus creating better visual effects and continuity in signing, which in turn will protect each business investment by assuring to the maximum degree possible the most effective identification of each business in accord with its individual site and architectural design.

(a) Signs visible from the exterior of any building shall be designed to maintain a consistent continuity and harmony with the architecture and design of the proposed development. An overall sign program for each shop or use within the proposed development shall be shown on elevations of the building to be constructed. Such signs shall be in conformity with sign standards for the zone in which the facility is to be constructed.
(b) Signs shall be included as an integral part of the building design. Signs shall be secondary to the architecture of the building and shall avoid dominating the site or overwhelming the building.
(Prior Code § 10-98.1(f)(1))

Section 12-33.210. Lighting. ¶

(a) Parking lot lighting fixtures are to be shown on the site plan. Their design shall be compatible with architecture to be used in the proposed development.

(b) Walkway light fixtures are to be in scale with the overall design concept of the project. (Prior Code § 10-10.1(f)(2))

Section 12-33.211. Outdoor storage. ¶

(a) All exterior storage areas and service yards, loading docks and ramps, electrical cage enclosures or storage tanks, are to be screened from view from the access streets, freeways and adjacent properties by a fence, wall or mature landscape material.
(b) All outdoor storage shall be visually screened from access streets, freeways and adjacent properties. The screening shall form a complete opaque screen up to a point eight feet in vertical height, but need not be opaque above that point. The outdoor storage shall be meant to include all company-owned or company-leased and company-operated motor vehicles, with the exception of passenger vehicles.

(c) No outdoor storage shall be permitted within the front yard or the front yard setback area. (Prior Code § 10-10.1(f)(3))