Chapter 15.04

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sections:

• 15.04.010 Purpose.

• 15.04.020 Interpretation.

• 15.04.030 Exceptions to chapter.

• 15.04.040 Inapplicable to buildings in construction. 15.04.050 Effect of previous zoning regulation.

This title is adopted pursuant to the planning and zoning law of the California Government Code to promote the health, safety and general welfare and to achieve the following objectives:

• A. To enhance and implement the general plan.

The Sierra County Code is current through Ordinance 1146, passed June 2, 2026.

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• B. To provide a guide for the growth and development of Sierra County in accordance with the general plan.

• C. To secure for the citizens of the county the social and economic advantages resulting from an orderly planned use of its land resources.

• D. To encourage, classify, designate, regulate and segregate the uses of land, buildings and structures to serve the needs of agriculture, commerce, industry, residences and other purposes in appropriate places.

• E. To establish conditions which will allow all of these land uses to exist in harmony within the community.

• F. To prevent the overcrowding of land, to avoid undue concentration of population, and to maintain a suitable balance between the structures and open spaces.

• G. To lessen congestion on streets and to promote a safe, efficient traffic circulation system.

• H. To insure that adequate off-street parking and loading facilities will be installed and maintained.

• I. To facilitate adequate provisions for community utilities, such as transportation, water, sewage, schools, parks and other public requirements.

• J. To protect and enhance real property values.

• K. To promote the stability of existing land uses and to protect them from incompatible and harmful intrusions.

• L. To protect and preserve the stability of fish and wildlife populations for the enjoyment of present and future generations. (Ord. 409, eff. 7/5/73; Prior code § 86100)

In interpreting and applying the provisions of this title, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public safety, health, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare. It is not intended by this title to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easements, covenants or other agreements between parties; provided, however, that where this title imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises or upon height of buildings, or requires larger space than is imposed or required by other ordinances, rules or regulations, or by easements, covenants or agreements, the provisions of this title shall govern. (Ord. 409, eff. 7/5/ 73; Prior code § 86102)

The provisions of this title shall have no application to pipelines, regulators, meters and appurtenances, insofar as the state of California or the Public Utilities Commission has preempted the field or passed specific laws or binding regulations concerning the county, excluding buildings, directly or indirectly for service to the public or any portion

The Sierra County Code is current through Ordinance 1146, passed June 2, 2026.

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thereof by persons, firms or corporations. Said persons, firms or corporations shall first obtain a franchise from the county. (Ord. 409, eff. 7/5/73; Prior code § 86103)

Nothing contained in this title shall require any change in the plans, construction or designated use of a building for which a building permit has heretofore been issued and upon which actual construction has begun. “Actual construction” means the actual placing of construction materials in their permanent position fastened in a permanent manner, except that where a basement is being excavated such excavating shall be deemed to be actual construction or where demolishing or removal of an existing building or structure has been begun preparatory to rebuilding, such demolition or removal shall be deemed to be actual construction, providing in all cases that actual construction work be diligently carried on until the completion of the building or structure involved. In no case shall actual construction exceed the two-year time limit of the original building permit. (Ord. 409, eff. 7/5/73; Prior code § 86104)

Any structure, use, variance, plan, use permit, building permit, etc., granted under provisions of Ordinances 369, 371, 378 or 401 shall be valid in accordance with the provisions and conditions under which it was originally approved. (Ord. 409, eff. 7/5/73; Prior code § 86105)