Shafter Zoning Code § 10.10 Purpose and Intent (CA)

It is the purpose and the intent of the general development standards to ensure that new land uses and development will contribute to and be compatible with existing and future development in the surrounding vicinity in a manner which will enhance the quality of life for City residents, employers and visitors. It is further intended, that all proposed development is consistent with the goals, policies, objectives and implementation programs of the General Plan.

The standards contained in this Chapter apply throughout the City in each district and, as appropriate, for all land uses and development. Rather than repeat these regulations and standards throughout this Title, they have been compiled in this Chapter.

10.20 APPLICABILITY

The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to any land division or land use application which authorizes, or would authorize by its approval, new construction, new land uses, or the substantial modification of an existing structure or land use. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply in addition to all applicable standards or regulations for the zone district in which the use or structure is located.

10.30 ACCESSORY STRUCTURES

Accessory Structures within Residential Districts
- a. Accessory Structure

Except as provided below, all accessory structures, whether attached or detached, shall meet all site development standards applicable to the main structure as required by the zone district in which the main structure is located.

b. Canopies/Patio Covers/Roofs

Canopies/patio covers, roofs, eaves, roof projections, awnings, and similar adjacent architectural features attached to the main building or connecting the main building to an accessory building, may extend into a required rear or interior side yard, provided that the portions of such structures extending into the yard:

(1) Shall not exceed 15 feet in height, project closer than 30 inches to an interior side lot line, project closer than 30 inches to a rear lot line where the rear yard setback is five (5) feet, or project closer than five (5) feet to a rear lot line where the rear yard setback is fifteen (15) feet.
(2) Shall be entirely open on at least three sides excluding the necessary supporting columns; except that a roof connecting a main building and an accessory building shall be open on two sides.

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c. Ground Mounted Mechanical Equipment

Ground mounted equipment, including but not limited to air conditioning compressors, evaporative coolers and pool equipment; if fully enclosed, may be permitted in any rear or interior side yard setback. If fully enclosed, said equipment may project a maximum of four (4) feet into the required rear yard setback, and a maximum of two (2) feet into the required interior side yard setback, but shall be prohibited from projecting into the required front or street side yard setbacks.

d. Roof Mounted Mechanical Equipment

All roof mounted mechanical equipment, including but not limited to air conditioning compressors, evaporative coolers and pool equipment shall be located on the rear portion of the roof ridgeline in such a manner as to be screened from public streets. On commercial property, said mechanical equipment may be placed forward of a ridge line provided screening for the equipment has been approved. Industrial property is exempt from this provision.

e. Detached Accessory Structures
- (1) A detached accessory structure may be located within five (5) feet of interior side yard or rear yard, provided that such a structure less than 120 square feet. The structure cannot be located closer than thirty (30) inches to an interior side property line or to a rear property line unless constructed in accordance with the requirements of the California Residential Code for fire-resistant construction.
- (2) Accessory buildings shall have a maximum height of eight (8) feet if within ten (10) feet or less to an interior or rear lot line.
- (3) Accessory buildings shall have a maximum height of fifteen (15) feet if located more than ten (10) feet from an interior or rear lot line; provided, however, that the accessory building is no higher than the main structure.
f. Projections into Yards

Porches, steps, and other architectural features, such as eaves, awnings, chimneys, balconies, stairways, wing walls, and bay windows may project a maximum of thirty (30) inches into any required front, rear, or side setback area.

Accessory Structures: Nonresidential Districts
a. Accessory structures shall not be located within the “building frontage,” as defined in Section 1.190 of this Title.

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b. Accessory structures shall meet all of the setback requirements for the associated main buildings;
c. Eaves, roof projections, awnings, and similar adjacent architectural features may project into the City right-of-way subject to receiving an approved encroachment permit from the City Engineer.
d. Fireplaces, chimneys, bay windows, balconies, fire escapes, exterior stairs and landings, and similar architectural features may project into required building setback areas a maximum distance of thirty (30) inches, provided that all such features in any one setback shall not occupy more than 25 square feet of that required building setback area.
e. Flues, chimneys, antennas, elevators and other mechanical equipment, spires, bell towers, or similar architectural, utility, or mechanical features may exceed the height limit of the land use district in which it is located by not more than 25 percent, provided that such feature shall not be used for habitable space and appropriate screening is provided for mechanical equipment when possible.
f. Ground and wall mounted equipment incidental to industrial, commercial or office development shall be appropriately screened with solid walls and/or landscaping. Such equipment shall not be located in front of a building and any screening provided shall be architecturally compatible with adjacent architecture and materials.
g. Roof-mounted equipment shall be used only for the building upon which it is mounted.
h. Roof-mounted equipment shall be screened from public view to the extent practicable, as follows:
- (1) All roof screens must be solid and continuous. Equipment may be covered by continuous grills or louvers.
- (2) Roof screens shall be sheathed in a matching or complimentary material to the exterior building material and may include metal panels, aluminum, copper, ceramic tile, or other surface as approved by the Planning Department.
- (3) Mechanical plants and distribution networks shall be located in a manner that is compatible with the affected building.