Chapter 21.08 — GENERAL PROVISIONS

The regulations specified in this title shall be subject to the general provisions and exceptions set forth in this chapter.

(Prior code §9-125)

• A. Accessory uses and buildings appurtenant to a permitted use shall be allowed only when constructed concurrent with or subsequent to the main buildings.

• B. Wrecking yards, junkyards, surplus yards, auto dismantling yards and secondhand stores, where merchandise is displayed or stored outside an enclosed building, shall be enclosed within a solid fence of uniform texture of not less than six feet in height. Not more than six rebuildable automobiles, identified as offered for sale as used automobiles, may be displayed outside the fenced area or building at any one time, regardless of the number of businesses being conducted independently at the location.

If any vehicle is so displayed for a period of thirty days and it shall not have been sold during that time, it shall not be considered to be a rebuildable automobile and it must thereafter be stored within the fenced enclosure.

1. No material shall be stored or piled so as to extend higher than fence height at any point nearer than six feet from the fence. Beginning at a line parallel to the fence and six feet within it, material may be piled an additional one foot in height for each additional two feet in distance from the fence.

2. Where vehicles not suitable for resale are stored or held for wrecking or dismantling, one may be stacked or piled on top of another at the fence to a two-car maximum limit, even though the top of the second vehicle may extend higher than six feet; provided, that vehicles so stacked at the fence cannot be other than passenger vehicles. The term passenger vehicle shall not include trucks, buses, pickups, vans, carryalls, or any other vehicles the primary intended use of which was for other than transportation of persons.

• C. For purposes of this title, facilities for public utilities include, but are not limited to, electrical substations, communication equipment buildings and towers, service yards, gas regulator stations, meter lots, pumping stations which are accessory to existing gas or oil pipelines, and water wells; and such uses are permitted in A-2 and all R districts; provided, that such use is demonstrated in connection with the approval of a use permit, to be properly located without detriment to or in conflict with the agricultural or residential usage of property so zoned within the vicinity. Public utility transmission and distribution lines, both overhead and underground, are permitted in all districts without limitation as to height, but metal transmission towers are subject to all yard requirements as other structures. However, routes of proposed electrical transmission lines (including height, and placement of towers), shall be submitted to the planning commission for review and recommendations prior to the acquisition of rights-of-way therefor, when such lines are not within a public street or highway.

tation as to height, but metal transmission towers are subject to all yard requirements as other structures. However, routes of proposed electrical transmission lines (including height, and placement of towers), shall be submitted to the planning commission for review and recommendations prior to the acquisition of rights-of-way therefor, when such lines are not within a public street or highway.

• D. Commercial cannabis activities as authorized by this title and Chapter 6.78 of the Stanislaus County Code shall be located and operated in compliance with all the requirements of Chapter 6.78 of the Stanislaus County Code and any other local requirements, and state laws and regulations, applicable to commercial cannabis activities.

1. Public notification required for the consideration of any discretionary action authorized by this title for the permitting of commercial cannabis activities shall be provided at a distance of six hundred feet from the boundaries of the project site, unless a greater distance is required by adopted county policy or state requirement.

2. Any discretionary action taken for the permitting of a commercial cannabis activity shall be subject to a finding by the decision making authority that the establishment, maintenance, and operation of the proposed use will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, and general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of the use and that it will not be detrimental or injurious to property and improvements in the neighborhood or to the general welfare of the county.

(Prior code §9-125(a); Ord. CS 1205 §1, 2017)

• A. Chimneys, elevators, communication towers, mechanical appurtenances, monuments, spires, campaniles, public and quasi-public buildings may be permitted in excess of height limits for the various districts, provided a use permit shall first be obtained in each case. Flagpoles are permitted without height limitations and conventional television antennas, not over sixty feet in height, are permitted in all districts.

• B. As to height limits, specific reference is made to Title 17 of this code. Applications for a permit under Title 17 may be a part of an application under this title.

• (Prior code §9-125(b))

When a legally created lot has less than the minimum required area or width as set forth in any of the residential zones contained in this title, or in a precise plan, such lot shall be deemed to have complied with the minimum lot area and width as set forth in any such zone. The lot shall qualify for only one single-family residence and only when the lot is of sufficient area to comply with all requirements for sewage disposal and water supply as determined by the department of environmental resources and that all applicable building setbacks are met. (Prior code §9-125 (c)(1); Ord. CS 274 §1, 1988; Ord. CS 1290 §1, 2021)

Unless the minimum building site area for the various districts is greater, as provided by this title, a minimum area for one single-family dwelling which is not connected to sanitary sewer, but served by a public water supply, or to public sewer and not to public water, shall be twenty thousand square feet. Where there is no connection to either sanitary sewer or public water, the minimum building site for a single-family dwelling shall be not less than one acre or greater if required by the county department of environmental resources. For other uses without sanitary sewers, and/or public water, the minimum building site shall be that established by the board of supervisors or planning commission as a condition to any use or other approval required. (Prior code §9-125 (c)(2); Ord. CS 1290 §2, 2021)

• A. Architectural features such as cornices, eaves, and canopies may extend not exceeding three feet into any required yard.

• B. Whenever an official plan line has been established for any street, required yards shall be measured from such line, and in no case shall the provisions of this title be construed as permitting any encroachment upon any official plan lines.

• C. Uncovered porches and paved terraces may extend not exceeding three feet into any required side yard and not exceeding six feet into any required front yard.

• D. Accessory buildings which are detached or attached to the main building shall comply in all respects with the requirements of this title applicable to the main building. The accessory building shall not be located within five feet of any alley or within five feet of the side line of any adjacent lot or in the case of a corner lot to project beyond the front yard required on the adjacent lot.

• E. Truck loading docks shall be so located that all vehicles entering or leaving the premises to load or unload may be driven in a forward direction without the necessity of the vehicle entering or leaving the premises in reverse gear, and that no portion of any such vehicle will stand or protrude on or into the public right-of-way while loading or unloading.

• F. On the following specified highways, no structure (excluding, however, open wire fences, electroliers without attached advertising signs, utility poles and solid fences or screen plantings not more than three feet in height) shall be located closer to the highway center line than as indicated:

  1. State Highway No. 33, ninety-five feet from the railroad right-of-way line;

  2. Kiernan Avenue, between McHenry Avenue and Broadway Avenue, seventy feet;

  3. Santa Fe Avenue, one hundred feet from the railroad right-of-way;

  4. McHenry Avenue, between the city of Modesto and the Stanislaus River, seventy-five feet;

  5. State Highway No. 108, between McHenry Avenue and the city of Riverbank, seventy-five feet; and between the city of Riverbank and the Tuolumne County line, seventy feet.

• G. Where lots abut streets on the front and rear, and vehicle access to the street in the rear is restricted, solid fences or screen planting, not exceeding eight feet in height, may be located on the rear property line.

• H. Vision Clearance for Corner Lots. In all zones which require a front yard, no obstruction to view in excess of three feet in height shall be placed, built, parked or allowed to grow on any corner lot within a triangular area formed by the street, property lines and a line connecting them at points twenty-five feet from the intersection of the street lines, except that street trees are permitted which are pruned at least eight feet above the established grade of the curb so as not to obstruct clear view by motor vehicle drivers.

(Prior code §9-125(d); Ord. CS 9, 1983; Ord. CS 663 §39, 1998; Ord. CS 984 §1, 2007)

Any swimming pool, as defined within this title, when used as a private swimming pool in any zone, shall comply with the following requirements:

• A. Such pools shall be used solely for the enjoyment of the occupants of the premises on which they are located and their guests and not for instruction, unless don in compliance with Chapter 21.94 regarding home occupations, or parties when fees are paid therefor;

• B. Pools shall not be located closer than three feet from any side or rear property line. No pool shall be located closer than the minimum depth required for the front yard or the street side yard of a corner lot. Distances from other structures shall be governed by the Uniform Building Code;

• C. Lot coverage by a swimming pool shall not be considered in calculating the maximum lot coverage for buildings;

• D. Filter and heating systems for swimming pools may encroach into a side or rear yard provided there remains a net two feet clear adjoining passageway past the equipment. Distances between heating systems and building, including door and window openings shall be governed by the requirements of the current building codes, as well as manufacturer's requirements;

• E. Whenever a construction permit is issued for construction of a new swimming pool at a private, single-family home, it shall be equipped with safety features as required by the California Health and Safety Code , including any future amendments to that code.

• (Ord. CS 778 §1, 2001)

Within the adopted sphere of influence of any city where a use or sign is permitted by the regulations of the zoning district in which it is located, or when a use permit, rezoning or other approval has been granted, any signs to be installed in connection with such use shall be permitted, consistent with any applicable sign regulations of that city. (Prior code §9-125(e); Ord. CS 419 §1, 1990)

Monuments shall be permitted in all districts subject to the approval of the planning and community development director, except for customary and usual monuments within a cemetery or enclosed building, which are permitted without review. However, if in the opinion of the director, a monument subject to his/her approval may cause substantial public controversy or adversely affect the public health, safety, peace, or morals, a use permit shall be required to establish such monument. (Ord. CS 449 §1, 1991)

Within the LAFCO adopted sphere of influence of any city or in areas of specific designation created by agreement between county and city, where any discretionary approval is required for any project, the project, except agricultural uses and churches, shall not be approved by the county unless it has first received written approval by the city. No development request within the sphere of influence or area of specific designation of any incorporated city shall be approved unless it is consistent with agreements with the city which are in effect at the time of project consideration. (Ord. CS 414 §1, 1990; Ord. CS 457 §1, 1991)

No use shall be conducted on any premises in such a manner as to cause an unreasonable amount of noise, odor, dust, smoke, vibration, electrical interference, or other nuisance condition detectable off the site.

(Ord. CS 1181 §1, 2016)

Chapter 21.12. DEFINITIONS

Note: Prior history: Prior Code § 9-102 and Ords. NS 926 and NS 988.

For the purpose of this title, certain terms used in this title are defined as follows:

All the words used in the present tense shall include the future tense; all words in the plural number shall include the singular number, and all words in the singular number shall include the plural number, unless the natural construction of the wording indicates otherwise. The word "lot" includes the word "plot"; the word "building" includes the word "structure" and the word "shall" is mandatory and not directory. The word "county" as used in this title means Stanislaus County, California; the words "board of supervisors" means the board of supervisors of the county; the words "planning commission" means the planning commission of the county; and the words "county boundary" means the boundary of the county and/or the boundary of any incorporated municipality within the county. The words "planning director" mean the director of planning and community development of the county.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Agriculture" means the tilling of the soil, the raising of crops, horticulture, viticulture, small livestock farming, dairying, aquaculture, or animal husbandry, including all uses customarily incidental thereto but not including slaughterhouses, fertilizer yards, bone yards or plants for the reduction of animal matter or any other industrial use which is similarly objectionable because of noise, odor, smoke, dust or fumes.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 1020 § 1, 2007)

"Agricultural processing" means the act of changing an agricultural product (fruits, nuts and vegetables, but not including animals) from its natural state to a different form, such as grapes to wine, apples to juice or sauce, etc. Incidental activities such as packing, sizing, polishing, hulling and the like, shall not be considered to be agricultural processing for the purposes of Section 21.20.030(H) .

(Ord. CS 424 §3, 1991)

"Agricultural service establishment" means a business engaging in activities designed to aid production agriculture. Service does not include the provision of tangible goods except those sold directly to farmers and used specifically to aid in production of farm animals or crops. Nor does service include any business which has the primary function of manufacturing products. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS. 1020 § 2, 2007)

"Aircraft" means any contrivance used or designed for navigation of, or flight in, the air (including helicopters and ultralights).

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Airport" means any area of land or water, including areas elevated on a structure, which is used, or intended for use, for the landing and take-off of aircraft. "Airport" also includes appurtenant areas which are used, or intended for use, for airport buildings or other airport facilities or rights-of-way, and all airport buildings and facilities located thereon. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Agricultural service airport" means an airport which is primarily used by aircraft engaged in spraying, dusting, fertilizing and seeding of agricultural land or crops. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Private airport" means a privately owned airport for the personal use of the tenant or owner of record not open to the general public and not used for any crop dusting operations. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Public airport" means a publicly or privately owned airport open to the general public. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Temporary agricultural service airport" means an airport which is exclusively used by aircraft engaged in spraying, dusting, fertilizing and seeding of agricultural lands or crops, five or less days per year, having no permanent structures or appurtenances for aircraft and no fixed-based aircraft. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Alley" means any public thoroughfare, not exceeding thirty feet in width for the use of pedestrians or vehicles which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Apartment" means a room or suite of two or more rooms which is designed for, intended for or occupied by one family doing its cooking therein. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Boardinghouse" means a dwelling, other than a hotel or a residential care home, wherein lodging and meals for five or more persons is provided for compensation. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Building" means any structure having a roof supported by columns or by walls and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of any person, animal or chattel. When any portion thereof is completely separated from every other portion thereof by a masonry division or fire wall without any window, door or any other opening therein, which wall extends from the ground to the upper surface of the roof at every point, then each such portion shall be deemed to be a separate building. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Accessory building" means a subordinate building, the use of which is incidental to, and reasonably related to, a main building on the same lot or to the primary use of the property. Signs and fences are not to be considered as accessory buildings. A "detached" accessory building shall be one that does not have a common wall with the main building on the same lot. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Main building"" means a building in which is conducted the principal use of the lot upon which it is situated. In any "R" district, any dwelling, excluding an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit, shall be deemed to be a main building upon the lot upon which the same is situated. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"Business or commerce" means the purchase, sale or other transaction involving the handling or disposition (other than is included in the term "industry" as defined in this chapter) of any article, substance or commodity for profit or livelihood, including, in addition, office buildings, offices, shops for the sale of personal services, garages, outdoor advertising signs and outdoor advertising structures, automobile camps, automobile courts, and recreational and amusement enterprises conducted for profit, but not including junkyards. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Campground" means land or premises used or intended to be used, let or rented for occupancy by campers traveling by automobiles or otherwise, or for temporary occupancy by or of trailers, recreational vehicles (RVs), or movable sleeping quarters of any kind. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Carnival" means a traveling or itinerant commercial amusement enterprise consisting of sideshows, vaudeville, games, merry-go-rounds or other mechanical amusement devices temporarily located within the county. A carnival shall not be construed to include or mean a festival or amusement. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Carport" means an accessible and usable covered space of not less than nine feet by nineteen feet that is open on at least two sides and can be used for the parking of automobiles off the street. The edge of the roof line shall be considered the vehicle opening for the purposes of determining setback.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Circus" means a traveling or itinerant commercial amusement enterprise utilizing an enclosure of any kind, but usually circular or rectangular, partially surrounded by seats, used for exhibitions of horsemanship, acrobatic performances, acts of clowns, feats of animal training or the like, temporarily located within the county.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Commercial cannabis activity" means the commercial cultivation, possession, manufacturing, processing, storing, laboratory testing, labeling, transporting, distribution, or sale of medicinal or nonmedicinal cannabis or a medicinal or non-medicinal cannabis product. For the purposes of this title, "commercial cannabis activity" does not include the activities defined in Section 11362.1 and Section 11362.2 of the California Health and Safety Code. All commercial cannabis activities shall be operated in compliance with all the requirements of Chapter 6.78 of the Stanislaus County Code. (Ord. CS 1205 §2, 2017)

"Confined animal facility" means a confined animal facility as defined by state or federal statute and regulations adopted by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. (Ord. CS 861 §1, 2003)

"Day care center" means a dwelling or building or structure in which persons not of the immediate family are provided with care for compensation for a portion of the day not exceeding twelve hours in any twenty-four-hour period. A day care center shall not include twenty-four-hour care and shelter. Any child day care facility other than a family day care home is a day care center, including infant centers, preschools, and extended day care facilities.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. 663 §1, 1998)

"Density bonus" means a density increase over the otherwise maximum allowable gross residential density, or other incentives, concessions, waivers, or reductions of development standards of the applicable zoning district as per California Government Code Section 65915 et seq. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 1169 §2, 2015; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"District" means a portion of the unincorporated territory of the county within which certain uses of land, premises and buildings are permitted and certain other uses of land, premises and buildings are not permitted and within which certain yards and open spaces are required and certain building site areas are established and certain height limits are specified for buildings, all as set forth and specified in this title.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Dwelling" means the use of a building, or portion thereof, exclusively for living space including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation as defined by the California Building Code (Title 24).

(Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"Accessory dwelling" or "accessory dwelling unit (ADU)" means a dwelling which provides independent living space for one or more persons and is located on the same parcel on which one or more dwellings are located. An accessory dwelling may be detached from, within, or attached to a dwelling. An accessory dwelling shall be considered secondary and subordinate to a dwelling unit otherwise permitted on the parcel. An ADU as under Chapter 21.74 of this title shall be limited in size and shall have a separate exterior entrance, cooking facilities that provide equal to or greater accommodations as an efficiency kitchen, and independent bathroom and bathing facilities. (Ord. CS 1290 §3, 2021; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

“Junior accessory dwelling” or “junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU)” means an ADU that is no more than five hundred square feet in size and contained entirely within or attached to an existing dwelling unit, which includes a separate exterior entrance and cooking facilities that provides equal to or greater accommodations as an efficiency kitchen and may include independent bathroom and bathing facilities, or may share bathroom facilities with the attached dwelling unit. For purpose of use, a JADU shall be considered a type of ADU as regulated under Chapter 21.74 . (Ord. CS 1290 §4, 2021; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"Single-family dwelling" means a detached dwelling designed for and occupied exclusively by one family. "Single-family dwelling" shall include a dwelling that is utilized for the purposes of providing transitional housing or supportive housing as defined in this chapter. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 1169 §3, 2015; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"Two-family dwelling (duplex)" means a detached dwelling designed for and occupied exclusively by two families living independently of each other. "Two-family dwelling (duplex)" shall include a dwelling that is utilized for the purposes of providing transitional housing or supportive housing as defined in this chapter.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 1169 §4, 2015; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

“Multi-family dwelling” means a dwelling designed for and occupied exclusively by three or more families living independently of each other. "Multi-family dwelling" shall include a dwelling that is utilized for the purposes of providing transitional housing or supportive housing as defined in this chapter.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 1169 §5, 2015; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"Group dwelling” or “dwelling group" means a group of two or more detached or semi-detached dwellings occupying a parcel of land in one ownership. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

“Dwelling unit,” as the term is used independent of “accessory,” “junior accessory,” “single-family,” “two-family (duplex),” “multi-family,” or “group,” means a single living space, attached or detached, designed for occupancy by one family. The maximum number of dwelling units per acre shall be based on a net acre calculation unless gross acre is specified. (Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"Efficiency kitchen" means a cooking facility which includes all of the following: a sink with a maximum waste line diameter of one and one-half inches; a cooking facility with appliances that do not require electrical service greater than one hundred twenty volts, or natural or propane gas; and a food preparation counter and storage cabinets. (Ord. CS 1290 §5, 2021)

"Emergency shelter" means housing with supportive services for homeless persons that is limited to occupancy of six months or less by a homeless person. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay. This definition is established pursuant to the provisions of California Health and Safety Code Section 50801(e) and shall include other interim interventions as per Government Code Section 65583 . This also includes “low barrier navigation center” which is a housing-first, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing. “Low barrier” means best practices to reduce barriers to entry, including allowing partners, pets, storage of personal items, and privacy such as partitions around beds in a dormitory setting or in larger rooms containing more than two beds, or private rooms. This does not include temporary emergency shelters whose purpose is to intermittently house individuals who have lost their housing due to a

community-wide disaster as defined in California Government Code Section 8680 (the California Disaster Assistance Act). (Ord. CS 1169 §6, 2015; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

“Agricultural employee housing” means employee housing for agricultural workers, as defined by California Labor Code Section 1140.4 , consisting of beds in group quarters or dwelling units on a parcel. For the purposes of this definition, agricultural employees may be employed full time or on a seasonal basis, as set forth in California Health and Safety Code Sections 17000 through 17062.5 . (Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"Family" means one or more persons occupying a premises and living as a single unit, as distinguished from a group occupying a hotel, club, fraternity or sorority house. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

“Family day care home” means a home that regularly provides care, protection, and supervision for fourteen or fewer children under eighteen years of age, in the provider’s own home, for periods of less than twenty-four hours per day, while the parents or guardians are away, and is either a large family day care home or a small family day care home as defined in California Health and Safety Code Sections 1597.30 to 1597.622 . The use of a dwelling unit as a small or large family day care home is considered accessory to the residential use of property.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 663 §2, 1998; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

Note: Former § 21.12.230, Farm labor camp, adopted by Ord. CS 106, was repealed by Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025.

"Garage" means an accessible and usable covered space of not less than nine feet by nineteen feet for the parking of automobiles off the street. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Public garage" means any premises, used for the storage or care of self-propelled vehicles or where any such vehicles are equipped for operation or repair, or kept for remuneration, hire or sale. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

§ 21.12.260. Garage sales, yard sales, moving sales, patio sales and similar uses.

"Garage sales, yard sales, moving sales, patio sales and similar uses" means the retail sales of used or secondhand goods or merchandise in connection with a lawfully existing dwelling unit on property within any zoning district, provided that:

• A. No such sale shall be conducted upon the same premises for more than three consecutive days nor on more than two separate occasions within any one calendar year;

• B. No such sale shall result in the use of more than two unlighted signs not exceeding three square feet each in area. The signs to be displayed only on private property with the consent of the owner thereof and only during such times as the garage sale is actually being conducted. This definition includes similar sales commonly referred to as patio sales, yard sales, etc.

• (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Height of building" means the vertical distance from the grade to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof or to the deck line of a mansard roof or to the average height of the highest gable of a pitch or hip roof.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Home occupation" means a use conducted in a dwelling unit or accessory building which is clearly incidental and subordinate to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes. Such use shall not be considered to be incidental and subordinate unless all of the criteria outlined in Chapter 21.94 are met.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Industry" means the manufacture, fabrication, reduction or destruction of any article, substance or commodity or any other treatment thereof in such a manner as to change the form or character thereof.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Junk" means and includes, but is not limited to, surplus materials, secondhand material, any damaged, discarded, obsolete, salvaged, scrapped, worn out, wrecked or dismantled object, thing or material composed in whole or part of asphalt, brick, carbon, cement, plastic or other synthetic substance, fibre, glass, metal, paper, plaster, plaster of Paris, rubber, wool, terra cotta, cotton, cloth, canvas, organic material or other substance requiring reconditioning or rebuilding in order to be used for its original purpose.

(Ord. CS 471, 1991)

"Junkyard" means the use of more than two hundred square feet of the area of any parcel, lot, or contiguous lots or parcels for the storage or keeping of junk, or for the dismantling or wrecking of automobiles or other vehicles or machinery.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 471, 1991)

"Kennel" means a place where five or more dogs or cats over four months of age are kept for commercial or noncommercial purposes. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Living space" means the heated or cooled (conditioned) space within a building utilized for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, or bathing. Square footage of a living space shall be measured from the outside surface of exterior walls and shall not include unconditioned space such as a garage, basement, attic, or utility closet.

(Ord. CS 1290 §7, 2021)

"Lot" means land occupied or to be occupied by a building and its accessory buildings, or by a dwelling group and its accessory buildings, together with such open spaces as are required under the provisions of this title, having not less than the minimum area required by this title for a building site in the district in which the lot is situated, and having the principal frontage on a street. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Corner lot" means a lot situated at the intersection of two or more streets, or bounded on two or more adjacent sides by street lines. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Interior lot" means a lot other than a corner lot.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Lot area" means the total horizontal area included within lot lines. The area shall be the net acreage unless otherwise specified. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Lot depth" means the average distance from the street line of the lot to its rear line measured in the general direction of the side lines of the lot. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Lot frontage" means that portion of a lot abutting a public street. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Lot lines" means the lines bounding a lot as defined in this chapter.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Lot width" means the distance between the side lines of a lot measured at the building setback line. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Rear lot line" means that line of a lot which is generally opposite the lot line along the frontage of the lot. In cases in which this definition is not applicable, the planning commission shall designate the rear lot line.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

“Mixed use” means a development that combines two or more land uses, such as residential, commercial, office, institutional, or recreational, on the same parcel. The uses may be located within the same building in a vertical arrangement or in separate buildings, consistent with the standards established by this title.

(Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"Mobile home park" means a lot or parcel of land which is used exclusively for the parking thereon of ten or more mobile homes for a rental charge, or for rent or lease of mobile homes, and for appurtenant facilities for the exclusive use of the occupants such as laundry, restrooms, recreation and storage facilities, and mobile home or office facility for the owner or manager. For mobile home parks of twenty-five spaces or more, there may be maintained a dwelling unit for the owner or manager

This definition is for zoning purposes only and shall not be construed to affect the definition of mobile home parks in the State Mobile Home Parks Act (Health and Safety Code Section 18200 , et seq.) or to affect enforcement of the provisions of the Act.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"Mobile home" means a structure that meets the definition of a manufactured home as defined by Section 18007 the California Health and Safety Code. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 1290 §8, 2021)

"Monument" means anything constructed, erected, shaped or placed in remembrance of a person or event; excluding anything which draws attention, whether intended or not intended, to a commercial enterprise.

(Ord. 449 §2, 1991)

"Motel" means a building or buildings containing guest rooms or apartments with automobile storage space serving such rooms or apartments provided in connection therewith, which group designed, intended or used primarily for the accommodation of automobile travelers; including groups designed as auto cabins, motor lodges, and by similar designations. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Nonconforming use" means a building or land occupied by a use that does not conform to the regulations for the district in which it is situated. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Outdoor advertising sign" means any card, cloth, paper, metal, painted glass, wooden, plaster, stone, or other sign of any kind or character whatsoever, placed for outdoor advertising purposes on the ground or on any tree, wall, bush, rock, post, fence, building, structure or thing whatsoever. The term "placed" as used in the definitions of "outdoor advertising structure" shall include erecting, constructing, posting, painting, printing, tacking, nailing, gluing, sticking, carving, or otherwise fastening, affixing, or making visible in any manner whatsoever. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Outdoor advertising structure" means any structure of any kind or character erected or maintained for outdoor advertising purposes, upon which any outdoor advertising sign may be placed, including outdoor advertising statuary.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Parcel" means any lot or portion of land which has been legally separated from another parcel or portion of land in accordance with the California Subdivision Map Act. (Ord. CS 1290 §9, 2021)

"Parking space" means an accessory and usable space on a building site with access for the parking of automobiles that shall be of a size at least as large as required in the county improvement specifications as adopted by the board of supervisors from time to time. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Planned street line" means the street line of any street, road or highway at its ultimate width as defined or delineated within the circulation element of the county general plan. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Production agriculture" means agriculture for the purpose of producing any and all plant and animal commodities for commercial purposes.

(Ord. CS 1020 §3, 2007)

"Racing homing pigeons" means a pigeon trained to return home from a distance and which is identified by a nonremovable seamless band issued by a nationally recognized racing homing pigeon association.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

“Recreational vehicle” means any vehicle as defined by Section 18010 of the California Health and Safety Code. The use of a recreational vehicles for human habitation shall not be permitted in any zoning district, except as allowed for temporary use in accordance with Section 21.100.050 . (Ord. CS 1290 §10, 2021; Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"Residential care home" means a dwelling or building, or structure in which seven or more persons not of the immediate family are provided with food, shelter and care for compensation, but not including hospitals, clinics or similar institutions devoted primarily to diagnosis and treatment of disease or injury.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

An establishment engaged in selling goods to the ultimate consumer. The allowed area of a retail store shall include both the interior space within the structure and any outdoor area use to display or store goods for sale. (Ord. CS 896 §1, 2004)

"Rooming house" means a dwelling, building or structure (other than a residential care home) occupied by five or more persons who have agreed to pay a specific rent for a specific space as distinguished from guests subject to innkeepers liability. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Single-room occupancy housing" or “SRO housing” means a building that includes multiple singlerooms used exclusively for living space, which include independent or shared cooking and bathing facilities. Each SRO unit shall have a maximum occupancy of two persons. SRO housing may be utilized as a rooming-house, residential care home, transitional shelter, or permanent supportive housing.

(Ord. CS 1408, 12/9/2025)

"Small livestock farming" means the raising or keeping of more than a combined total of twelve chicken hens, turkeys or twelve pigeons (other than defined in Section 21.12.500 ) or twelve similar fowl or twelve rabbits or twelve similar animals, or four permanent standard beehives. "Small livestock farming" as used in this title shall not allow for the keeping, in any quantity, of roosters, quacking duck, geese, guinea fowl, peafowl, worms (except for personal use), or any other small domestic animal determined by the planning director to have the potential to cause a nuisance. The keeping of animals in quantities less than described above is permitted in any district. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984; Ord. CS 1202 §1, 2017)

"Small wind energy system" means a wind energy conversion system consisting of a wind turbine, a tower, and associated control or conversion electronics, which has a rated capacity that does not exceed the allowable rated capacity under the Emerging Renewables Fund of the Renewables Investment Plan administered by the California Energy Commission and which will be used primarily to reduce onsite consumption of utility power. "Tower height," as it pertains to such systems, means the height above grade of the fixed portion of the tower, excluding the wind turbine. (Ord. CS 798 §2, 2002)

"Private stable" means an accessory building or space where horses are kept for the private use of the owner and guests. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Public stable" means a building other than a private stable for the commercial rental, training, or boarding of horses. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Street" means a public or private thoroughfare which affords the principal means of access to abutting property including avenue, place, way, drive, lane, boulevard, highway, road and any other thoroughfare except an alley as defined in this chapter. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Street line" means the boundary between a parcel and the abutting street. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Structural alterations" means any change in the supporting member of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, or girders.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Structure" means anything constructed or erected, the use of which required location on the ground or attachment to something having location on the ground; including, but not limited to, buildings, fences, walls, and free-standing signs. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Supportive housing" means housing with no limit on length of stay that is occupied by the target population, as defined in California Government Code Section 65582(g) , and that is linked to on- or off-site services that assist the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and, when possible, work in the community. This definition is established pursuant to the provisions of California Health and Safety Code Section 50675.14(b)(2) and California Government Code Section 65582(f) . (Ord. CS 1169 §7, 2015)

"Surface mining" means processes for the commercial removal of minerals from the surface of the earth.

(Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Swimming pool" or "pool" means any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over eighteen inches deep. "Swimming pool" includes in-ground and aboveground structures and includes, but is not limited to, hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and non-portable wading pools.

(Ord. CS 778 §2, 2001)

"Tasting room" means a facility in which agricultural products grown or processed on the premises may be tasted and sold. A restaurant, where complete meals are served and consumed, shall not be considered to be a tasting room.

(Ord. CS 424 §4, 1991)

"Transitional housing" and "transitional housing development" means buildings configured as rental housing developments, but operated under program requirements that call for the termination of assistance and recirculation of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at some predetermined future point in time, which shall be no less than six months from the beginning of assistance. This definition is established pursuant to the provisions of California Health and Safety Code Section 50675.2(h) and California Government Code Section 65582(h) . (Ord. CS 1169 §8, 2015)

"Use" means the purpose for which land or a building is designed, arranged, or intended or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Accessory use" means a use incidental and accessory to the principal use of a lot or a building located on the same lot as the accessory use. Any agricultural use in any R-A district shall be deemed to be an accessory use to the use of the property for residential purposes. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Vehicle storage yard" means any location consisting of parcel(s) or lot(s) where three or more vehicles (as defined by Section 670 CVC), or vessels (as defined by Section 651 of the Harbors and Navigation Code), or combinations of both, which are disabled, under repair or restoration, and/or vehicles or vessels which are not currently registered with the State Department of Motor Vehicles are stored. For purposes of this section, a vessel and a trailer designed to carry a vessel that are used together as one unit shall count as one vehicle or one vessel. (Ord. CS 471, 1991; Ord. CS 759 §1, 2001)

Establishments engaged in selling merchandise to retailers; to commercial, industrial, farm, or professional business users; or to other wholesalers; or acting as agents or brokers in buying merchandise for selling merchandise to such persons or companies. Includes such establishments as: agents, merchandise or commodity brokers, commission merchants, assemblers, merchant wholesalers stores primarily selling electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning and equipment. (Ord. CS 896 §2, 2004)

Stores that emphasize the packing and sale of products in large quantities or volumes, some at discounted prices, where products are typically displayed in their original shipping containers. Sites and buildings are usually large and industrial in character. Patrons may be required to pay membership fees.

(Ord. CS 896 §2, 2004)

"Yard" means an open space other than a court on the same lot with a building, which open space is unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward. In measuring a yard, as provided in this title, the line of a building shall be deemed to mean a line parallel to the nearest lot line drawn through the point of a building or the point of a dwelling group nearest to such lot line, exclusive of the respective architectural features enumerated in Chapter 21.08 as not to be considered in measuring yard dimensions or being permitted to extend into any front side, or rear yard, respectively, and the measurement shall be taken from the line of the building to the nearest lot line; provided however, that if any official plan line has been established for the street on which the lot faces or if any future width line is specified therefor by the provisions of this title, then the measurement shall be taken from the official plan line or the future width line to the nearest line of the building. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Front yard" means a yard extending across the front of the lot between the inner side yard lines and lying between the front line of the lot and the nearest line of the building. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Rear yard" means a yard extending across the full width of the lot and lying between the rear line of the lot and the nearest line of the building. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)

"Side yard" means a yard between the side line of the lot and the nearest line of the building and extending from the front line of the lot to the rear yard. (Ord. CS 106 §1, 1984)