Sebastopol Municipal Code Ch. 12.28 Construction and Installation of Sidewalks, Curbs and Gutters

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the City of Sebastopol that sidewalks, curbs, gutters, drainage facilities and paving be installed along the street line or lines of any lot or parcels where approval has been given for the construction or erection of any dwelling or other building in accordance with the provisions of this chapter or any other ordinance of this City.

The provisions of this chapter are minimum requirements and whenever any ordinance or resolution or determination by the City of Sebastopol requires additional improvements of a higher degree or grade, such ordinance or resolution or determination shall control. In the event there is a conflict with the terms of this chapter and SMC Title 16, Subdivisions, the requirements of this chapter shall prevail.

No building permit shall be issued for any new construction or replacement of any existing residential or commercial building unless plans include provisions for the installation of curb, gutter and sidewalk, drainage facilities (such as curb inlet and storm drain piping) and street paving from lip of new gutter to edge of existing paving, or replacement of existing curb, gutter and sidewalk, drainage facilities, and paving except as otherwise provided in this chapter. For the purpose of this section, the construction of automotive vehicle parking lots and any other improvement to buildings or real estate shall constitute an improvement for which a building permit shall be required. No occupancy permit for any building shall be approved or issued unless the required public improvements have been installed and the same have been accepted by the City Engineer. Upon such acceptance the City Engineer shall notify the Building Department of this acceptance. SMC 12.28.050 shall be applicable to the issuance of the building permit.

All work or improvements shall conform to grades established or approved by the City of Sebastopol or by its authorized agent or officer. All work and improvements shall conform to standard specifications of the City of Sebastopol subject to administrative variations authorized by law.

This chapter shall not require installation of any particular improvement of curb, gutter, or sidewalk, drainage facility and street paving if any one of the following conditions exist:

A. The parcel is zoned R-A (residential – agricultural) and is one-half acre or larger and has 100 feet of frontage or more.

B. Where there are unusual or extraordinary circumstances due to grade, drainage, lack of sufficient dedicated public right-of-way, or such other unusual conditions as may be determined by the City Council, and such installation of improvement is not feasible at the present time, the City Council, upon recommendation of the City Engineer, may, by resolution, determine that none or only a part of the above described improvements shall be required along a designated portion of a specific street or may authorize the delay of construction of such improvements to such time as determined by the City.

C. Where the existing curb, gutter and sidewalk meet current City standards and are in good repair as determined by the Public Works Director.

D. Modifications for the installation of curbs, gutters and sidewalks, including size, location, specifications, and standards where such modifications are appropriate to preserve the natural environment, protect trees, allow reasonable access, and for such other reasons as may be determined by a resolution of the City Council. (Ord. 1153 § 2, 2025)

A fee of $25.00 shall be paid for the processing of any application for an exception hereunder at the time of making said application. A separate fee shall be required for each separate building permit affected.

The Building Inspector of the City of Sebastopol shall withhold final inspection and approval of any improvements, including public utility connections to any building or dwelling unless there has been compliance with this chapter.

The provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to any work performed by the City either through its employees or by any contractor performing work for and on behalf of the City.

Ordinance No. 616 adopted April 16, 1973, is herewith repealed.