Title 10Division II — ZONING DISTRICTS REGULATIONS

Chapter 10.20 — OPEN SPACE AND PUBLIC DISTRICTS

Sausalito Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Sausalito

§ 10.20.010. Specific purposes.

In addition to the general purposes established in SMC § 10.10.030 (Title and purpose), the specific purposes of the open space and public zoning districts are as follows:

  • A. To preserve existing City-owned open space and parks; and

  • B. To provide guidelines for development and use of facilities on City- and Federally owned lands.

  • (Ord. 1167 § 2, 2003)

§ 10.20.020. Additional purposes.

The additional purposes of each open space and public district are as follows:

Open Space (OS):

  • A. To preserve and protect open space lands within Sausalito;

  • B. To limit allowable land uses to low intensity public recreational uses and critical public facilities; and

  • C. To limit development of structures to accessory structures necessary to support the primary permitted uses.

Public Parks (PP):

  • D. To conserve and protect existing and future public parks and recreational facilities;

  • E. To encourage long-term maintenance and enhancement of parks and recreational facilities; and

  • F. To ensure that parks and recreational uses are compatible with adjacent uses and the character of the area in which they are located.

Public Institutional (PI):

  • G. To provide locations for public facilities to provide needed services to the community; and

  • H. To ensure public facilities are compatible with adjacent uses and the character of the area in which they are located.

Open Area (OA):

  • I. To ensure the retention of certain open water areas and shoreline areas for water-oriented activities in conformance with the general plan for Sausalito; and

  • J. To enhance the natural and scenic qualities of the waterfront and accommodate the needs

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§ 10.20.020

§ 10.20.030

of navigation. (Ord. 1167 § 2, 2003)

§ 10.20.030. Allowable land uses.

Table 10.20-1 (Land Uses Allowed in Open Space and Public Districts) outlines the uses that are allowed in each open space and public district. The notations indicate whether each use is permitted or requires one of two discretionary use permits, as indicated in the legend. Blanks indicate the use is not allowed in that particular district. The last column identifies sections of the Zoning Ordinance where additional requirements are found and apply to the land use, including those from Chapter 10.44 SMC (Specific Use Requirements). Additional requirements may also be applicable.

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Table 10.20-1
LAND USES ALLOWED IN OPEN SPACE AND PUBLIC DISTRICTS
Open Space Public Zoning Districts*
Land Use OS PP PI OA See SMC
Manufacturing and Processing Uses
Cottage industry CUP Chapter 10.88 SMC
(Definitions)
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly Uses
Community centers CUP CUP
Libraries and museums CUP P
Parks and playgrounds P P P
Piers, docks and floats for P P CUP
pleasure craft
Schools – elementary P
Schools – specialized MUP P
education and training
Temporary uses and events P P P SMC § 10.44.310
(Temporary uses and
events)
Resource and Open Space Uses
Local open space P
National recreation areas P
Retail Trade
Restaurants CUP
Service Uses
Boat rentals and sales CUP
Child day care centers CUP SMC § 10.44.100 (Child
day care)
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§ 10.20.030

§ 10.20.040

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Table 10.20-1
LAND USES ALLOWED IN OPEN SPACE AND PUBLIC DISTRICTS
Open Space Public Zoning Districts*
Land Use OS PP PI OA See SMC
Government offices and P
facilities
Offices, temporary MUP MUP MUP SMC § 10.44.280 (Offices,
temporary)
Marine equipment sales CUP
Public safety facilities P
Public utility facilities, minor MUP MUP
Public utility facilities, major CUP CUP
Transportation and Communication
Wireless communications CUP CUP CUP CUP Chapter 10.45 SMC
facilities (Standards and Criteria for
Wireless Communications
Facilities)
Ferry landing and terminal P
Harbor and marina facilities CUP SMC § 10.44.140 (Harbor
and marina facilities)
Moorings P P MUP SMC § 10.44.150 (Open
Water Moorings)
Pipelines and transmission MUP MUP
lines
* Zoning permit required for all uses Chapter 10.52 SMC
P Permitted use
MUP Minor use permit required Chapter 10.58 SMC
CUP Conditional use permit required Chapter 10.60 SMC
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(Amended during 2013 reformat; Ord. 1167 § 2, 2003)

§ 10.20.040. Site development requirements.

Table 10.20-2 (Site Development Standards – Open Space and Public Districts) establishes parcel requirements and site development standards for the open space and public districts. Minimum standards are provided for parcel size, lot width and setbacks. Residential density, floor area ratio, building coverage and height limit are maximum amounts allowed. Specific uses may be subject to additional specific standards. In addition, certain standards vary depending on the applicable situation. Refer to noted sections. The following sections also apply:

  • A. Minimum Lot Size. New parcels proposed in a subdivision shall also comply with applicable provisions of SMC Title 9 (Subdivisions). Existing parcels which do not meet the minimum lot area or width requirements specified by this section may be developed in accordance with the development standards outlined in Table 10.20-2 (Site Development

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§ 10.20.040

§ 10.20.040

Standards – Open Space and Public Districts); provided, that the subject parcel has been legally created.

  • B. Setbacks. Setbacks will only be required where the subject parcel is adjacent to a residential zoning district. Additional requirements for setbacks between structures on the same site, and setbacks in other situations, are established by Chapter 10.40 SMC (General Development Regulations), including SMC § 10.40.080 (Exceptions to required setbacks) and Chapter 10.44 SMC (Specific Use Requirements) for certain specific land uses.

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Table 10.20-2
SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS – OPEN SPACE AND PUBLIC DISTRICTS
Standard OS PP PI OA See SMC
SMC § 10.40.030
(Minimum parcel
Minimum Parcel Size N/A N/A N/A 6,000 s.f. standards)
Minimum Setbacks
Front 50 feet N/A N/A N/A SMC § 10.40.070
Side 30 feet 5 feet1 10 feet1 10 feet (Setbacks and yards),
SMC § 10.40.080
Rear 30 feet 15 feet1 20 feet1 20 feet (Exceptions to required
setbacks) and Chapter
10.44 SMC (Specific Use
Requirements)
Maximum Floor Area Ratio 0.10 N/A N/A 0.10 SMC § 10.40.040 (Floor
area ratio)
Maximum Building 10% N/A N/A 10% SMC § 10.40.050
Coverage (Building coverage limits)
Maximum Building Height 32 feet 32 feet 32 feet 32 feet SMC § 10.40.060 (Height
requirements)
Notes:
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1 Required only when located adjacent to residential district.

  • (Ord. 1167 § 2, 2003)

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