§ 1500-06

A.

Ranchette (RAN). The RAN District is intended to provide for large lot residential uses and small farms within rural portions of Sutter County outside of the Yuba City and Live Oak spheres of influence. Given potential impacts to agricultural lands and operations, as well as a General Plan Land Use policy, new allocations of this district are not permitted. Undeveloped areas with existing RAN zoning may develop in accordance with the regulations established herein, however, no future allocation of RAN zoning will be permitted. Lot line adjustments between existing Ranchette lots are allowed consistent with existing development standards, however, no further subdivision of existing Ranchette lots is permitted. The RAN District allows 0.1 to 0.3 dwelling units per gross acre (3 to 10-acre parcel size).

B.

Estate Residential (ER). The ER District is intended to provide for large lot single family homes and related uses. This district is to be applied to areas located within existing rural communities, new Rural Planned Communities, and unincorporated areas within the Live Oak sphere of influence and both the existing or possible future Yuba City sphere of influence. To avoid the premature conversion of agricultural lands and inefficient land use patterns, the amount of Estate Residential land use allocated within the County is limited in accordance with the General Plan and Section 1500-06-030(A), Estate Residential Rezoning. The ER District implements the General Plan Estates Residential (ER) land use designation, allowing 0.3 to two dwelling units per gross acre (0.5 to 3-acre parcel size).

C.

Single-Family Residential (R-1). The R-1 District is intended to provide for single-family residential neighborhoods and related uses within suburban and urban areas with adequate services and amenities to

support a desirable and stable living environment. The R-1 District implements the General Plan Low Density Residential (LDR) land use designation, allowing two to eight dwelling units per gross acre.

D.

Two-Family Residential (R-2). The R-2 District is intended to provide for a variety of small lot single-family and two family (duplex or halfplex) residential neighborhoods and related uses within suburban and urban areas with adequate services and amenities to support a desirable and stable living environment. The R-2 District implements the General Plan Low Density Residential (LDR) land use designation, allowing two to eight dwelling units per gross acre.

E.

Neighborhood Apartment (R-3). The R-3 District is intended to provide for a variety of medium density attached and detached residential housing types, potential mixed use development, and related uses within suburban and urban areas with adequate services, transportation options, and amenities to support a desirable and stable living environment. The R-3 District implements the General Plan Medium Density Residential (MDR) land use designation, allowing 8.1 to 20 dwelling units per gross acre.

F.

General Apartment (R-4). The R-4 District is intended to provide for a variety of high density multiple-family housing types, potential mixed use development, and related uses within urban areas with high levels of services, amenities, multi-modal access, and proximity to jobs and services to support a desirable and stable living environment. The R-4 District implements the General Plan High Density Residential (HDR) land use designation, allowing 20.1 and above dwelling units per gross acre.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

Table 1500-06-1 identifies the allowed use types for Residential Districts. Use types are defined in Article 3. Uses not specifically listed may be permitted by the Director pursuant to Section 1500-03-030. For findings relating to flood standards, see Article 25.

Table 1500-06-1: ALLOWED USE TYPES - RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

Agricultural Product Sales

Oil and Gas Extraction and InjectionWells - - - - - -

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

A.

Estate Residential Rezoning. Prior to rezoning new ER District lands, the Board of Supervisors shall find consistent with applicable General Plan policies that:

1.

There is a market demand for the use;

2.

Existing ER Districts have been substantially built out;

3.

The use can be adequately served by services and infrastructure available at the time of project approval (either community or individual water and wastewater systems); and

4.

The use is compatible with adjacent and nearby uses.

B.

Wayside Stands. A Wayside Stand is subject to the following conditions:

1.

One Wayside Stand shall be permitted per parcel.

2.

A Wayside Stand shall not exceed 400 square feet of floor area, and may include up 50 square feet of floor area for the sale of prepackaged food and/or drinks.

3.

Adequate provision shall be made for off-street parking and safe ingress and egress to the adjacent street.

4.

Parking spaces for Wayside Stands need not be paved, striped or otherwise improved, but shall be treated to minimize dust and the tracking of mud onto public roadways.

5.

All structures and off-street parking shall not be located in any required front or side yard setback, and shall not obstruct visibility for motorists.

C.

Commercial Stables. Commercial Stables are subject to the following conditions:

1.

Storage or stockpiling of manure, silage and animal matter shall occur in a manner which minimizes odor and vector nuisances to the greatest extent practicable, based on current industry practices.

2.

Measures shall be incorporated to protect pollutants from entering in creeks, streams, drainage ditches or groundwater supplies.

3.

All other feasible measures shall be incorporated to control odor, dust, noise, and waste disposal so as not to constitute a nuisance or a hazard;

Manufactured Homes in Residential Districts

1.

Eligibility. A manufactured home may be used as a permanent residence in any Residential district subject to the following eligibility requirements:

a.

The manufactured home is certified under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Act of 1974.

b.

The density on the lot on which the manufactured home is located does not exceed that permitted by the General Plan.

c.

The manufactured home is placed upon a permanent foundation approved by the Building Division.

d.

The manufactured home is less than ten years old from the date of manufacture to the date of installation.

e.

The manufactured home complies with all development standards and other requirements of the corresponding Residential zoning district.

f.

All necessary licenses, tags, permits and approvals have been obtained from the State of California and Sutter County.

2.

Performance Standards. A manufactured home within a Residential district shall comply with the following performance standards:

a.

Prior to the issuance of any necessary permit(s), the applicant shall acknowledge, by signature, receipt of the performance standards as set forth in this section and agreement to meet such standards.

b.

The area between the bottom of the manufactured home and the ground shall be fully enclosed on all sides with solid, non-transparent skirting. A solid concrete or masonry perimeter foundation, solid skirting materials similar to the exterior material covering of the structure, or other solid skirting materials customarily found on conventional residential structures shall be used.

c.

The manufactured home shall bear the tag or shield of approval of the California State Department of Housing and Community Development in accordance with the Health and Safety Code.

d.

Standards of this section shall be completed prior to issuance of an occupancy permit for the manufactured home.

E.

Clustered Residential. On lots smaller than the base minimum parcel size, the clustering of residential units in the ER and R-1 Districts may be permitted with approval of a use permit as an alternative to conventional subdivision design in order to facilitate the preservation of environmentally sensitive areas (e.g., wetlands and special-status species habitat), productive agricultural lands, and important cultural and scenic resources; facilitate innovative development concepts; provide increased open space which may include active and passive recreation features; reduce infrastructure requirements by reducing the length of streets and water and sewer lines; and further implement the goals and policies of the General Plan. Clustered residential developments shall include a minimum of 50 percent of the project area preserved in open space. Gross residential density shall be in compliance with the adopted General Plan land use designation for the property. The County may consider allocation of increased residential units to a clustered residential project to encourage the preservations of unique environmental and open space resources.

F.

Truck-Tractor Parking. The parking of one truck-tractor on a lot in the ER, RAN and R-1 Districts is subject to approval of a Use Permit and the following standards:

1.

The truck-tractor shall be owned by the resident of the property who resides in the dwelling.

2.

Only minor truck-tractor maintenance, such as oil/air filter changes, lubrications, detailing, is permitted on the property.

3.

The truck-tractor shall be parked entirely on private property; parking in the public right-of-way, or front yard setback shall not be permitted. The driveway and parking area for the truck-tractor shall be paved or an alternative all weather surface.

4.

The truck-tractor shall not enter the property after 11:00 p.m. and shall not leave the property before 6:00 a.m. on weekdays and 7:00 a.m. on weekends.

5.

The parking of inoperable truck-tractors on-site is prohibited.

6.

An application filed for a Use Permit under this subsection shall include the specific routes to be used, which minimize travel on non-truck routes, a detailed reason/purpose for the request and any hardship that prevent parking the truck-tractor elsewhere.

7.

Trailers for truck-tractors shall not be parked on the property or the street.

G.

Animal Keeping. Animal husbandry including the keeping of animals such as cattle, horses, goats, sheep, hogs, chickens, rabbits, birds, etc. is permitted in the RAN, ER, and where the Agriculture Combining District has been applied. Within the Agriculture Combining District, the keeping of large animals such as cattle, horses and hogs shall be permitted at a density of two such animals per 10,000 square feet of lot area. The area of any lot used for the keeping of large animals shall be located outside those areas utilized for sewage disposal. The keeping of smaller animals is subject to the following standards:

1.

Domestic Pets. In the ER, R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 Districts, up to any total combination of four dogs, cats or other similar and common household pets are allowed. No limitation on the number of domestic pets is applied to the RAN District. Except for in the ER and RAN districts, no hoofed animals are permitted in the Residential Districts, except up to two pot bellied pigs are allowed as pets.

2.

Hens and Similar Animals. Up to ten hens (no roosters), rabbits, guinea pigs or similar small animals for home enjoyment or consumption are allowed in the R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 districts, subject to item three below.

3.

Maintenance and Operations. All keeping of domestic pets and hens shall comply with all of the following maintenance and operational standards:

a.

Odor and Vector Control—All outdoor animal enclosures, including but not limited to pens, coops, cages and feed areas shall be maintained free from litter, garbage and the accumulation of fecal matter, so as to discourage the proliferation of flies, other disease vectors and offensive odors. Each property shall be maintained in a sanitary manner.

b.

Containment—All animals shall be effectively contained on the property, and shall not be allowed to run free on any parcel in a separate ownership or in a public right-of-way.

H.

Guest Cottages. Guest Cottages are subject to the following standards:

1.

One detached guest cottage is permitted per lot. Both the primary unit and guest cottage shall comply with requirements of the Environmental Health Division for septic systems as those requirements exist at the time of the addition of the guest cottage.

2.

A guest cottage shall maintain the setback and coverage requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.

3.

The design and exterior finish of a guest cottage shall be reasonably similar to and compatible with the existing primary residence in height, form, architectural style, color, exterior materials, and roofing color, pitch, eaves, materials and design.

The floor area of a guest cottage shall not exceed 500 square feet.

I.

Manufactured Home Parks. All manufactured home parks shall meet all of the following requirements:

1.

Manufactured Home Park Area. The minimum site area for a manufactured home park is ten contiguous acres.

2.

Exterior Boundary Treatment.

a.

Setbacks: All structures within a manufactured home park shall be setback a minimum of 20 feet from adjacent property lines and 25 feet from any public street or road right-of-way adjoining the property.

b.

Landscaping. The required setback areas shall be maintained with landscaping.

c.

Walls and Screening. The County may require walls, fencing, landscaping or other elements to provide a buffer for adjacent properties. Walls, fencing and other screening elements shall typically be a minimum of six feet in height. The specific height, location, construction and type of materials for such elements shall be conditioned as part of the Use Permit or Administrative Permit required for Manufactured Home Parks per Table 1500-06-1.

3.

Individual Manufactured Home Space Development Standards.

a.

Space Area. Average of 3,000 square feet, and in no case less than 2,500 square feet.

b.

Minimum Space Setbacks. Minimum setbacks shall be measured from the edge of space lines and internal streets as follows:

i.

Front. Ten feet

ii.

Side, Interior. Five feet

iii.

Side, Corner. Ten feet

iv.

Rear. Five feet

c.

Projections into Setbacks. Eaves, stairways, awnings, hitches, necessary appurtenances for utility services and similar elements may project into any required setback a maximum of two feet.

d.

Separation between Manufactured Homes. No portion of a manufactured home or attached accessory structure shall be closer than ten feet to another manufactured home or attached accessory structure.

e.

Maximum Site Coverage. The manufactured home and accessory structures shall not cover more than 75 percent of the manufactured home space.

f.

Number of Homes per Site. Not more than one single-family manufactured home may be placed on a manufactured home space.

4.

Skirting. The area between the bottom of the manufactured home and the ground shall be fully enclosed on all sides with solid, non-transparent skirting. A solid concrete or masonry perimeter foundation, solid skirting materials similar to the exterior material covering of the structure, or other solid skirting materials customarily found on conventional residential structures shall be used.

5.

Materials. The exterior and roofing of the manufactured home and any associated garage or carport shall be of similar materials customarily used in conventional residential structures.

6.

Roof Overhang. The roof of the manufactured home shall have eave and gable overhangs (measured from the vertical side of the structure) not less than that customarily found on conventional residential structures.

7.

Parking. On-site parking shall be provided as required in Article 20 (Parking and Loading).

Manufactured Home Park Streets.

a.

Required Access. All manufactured home spaces shall have direct access to an internal private street located within the manufactured home park. There shall be no direct access from a manufactured home space to a public street or alley.

b.

Street Width. All internal streets shall be a minimum of 25 feet in width, exclusive of required parking areas.

c.

Paving. All internal streets shall be paved in conformity to County standards.

d.

Curb and Gutter. Installation of curb and gutter may be required if deemed necessary for drainage purposes.

9.

Adjacent Public Streets. Encroachments to public streets shall be in conformity with County Standards. Concrete curbs and gutters may be required adjacent to all public streets or highways.

10.

Utilities. All manufactured home spaces shall be served by water (including fire flow and hydrants), sewer, drainage, and electric services in accordance with the requirements and standards of the County and/or applicable service providers.

11.

Landscaping. All common open space shall be maintained with landscaping.

12.

Common Recreation Areas. Common recreation areas and facilities shall be provided for use by tenants and their invited guests. The size of such areas shall be at least 5,000 square feet, plus 100 square feet for each manufactured home space. Such required space may be divided into several locations, but no single location shall contain less than 1,000 square feet. The recreation areas may contain community club houses, swimming pools, tot lots, picnic areas, barbeque areas, game courts, dog run areas and similar facilities.

13.

Other Common Facilities. Manufactured home parks may include an office, laundry rooms, meeting rooms, screened storage facilities, resident car washing areas and other facilities which are clearly incidental and

subordinate to the primary use.

14.

Transient Spaces. Not more than ten percent of the manufactured home spaces in a manufactured home park may be used for transient use. Spaces reserved for transient manufactured homes shall be so designated as part of the Use Permit or Administrative Permit required for Manufactured Home Parks per Table 1500-06-1. The development standards of this section shall fully apply to sites reserved for transient manufactured homes. Manufactured homes may occupy designated transient manufactured home space for a period of not more than 90 days.

15.

State Tag. All manufactured homes shall bear the tag or shield of approval of the California State Department of Housing and Community Development in accordance with the Health and Safety Code.

16.

Conditions of Approval. As part of the Use Permit or Administrative Permit required for Manufactured Home Parks per Table 1500-06-1, the approving authority may prescribe additional conditions of approval when it is determined that such conditions are reasonably necessary to insure the protection of the character of neighboring properties, compatibility with neighboring land uses, and protection of the health, safety, and general welfare of persons living within and adjacent to the manufactured home park.

J.

Family Day Care, Large. Large Family Day Care Facilities are subject to the following standards:

1.

Written consent of the property owner is required when the property is leased or rented.

2.

One off-street parking space located outside the front and street side yard setback shall be provided in addition to the number required for the existing use.

3.

The operator shall provide evidence of a valid license to operate issued by the Department of Social Services.

4.

Written approval shall be provided by the Sutter County Environmental Health Division, Sutter County Building Division, and the appropriate fire service agency.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

1500-06-040 - Development Standards

Table 1500-06-2 identifies the development standards and allowed exceptions to those standards for Residential Districts. Allowed use types and associated structures shall comply with the following in addition to any other applicable requirements of this Zoning Code:

NOTES:

1.

Measured at the front property line except for lots located on the turnaround of a cul-de-sac where measured at the front yard setback line.

Measured from edge of adopted right-of-way. Where right-of-way is not recorded, setback shall be measured from edge of right-of-way assuming adopted County Design Standards for functional classification of the roadway and existing centerline of road.

3.

Measured from property line. Does not apply the zero-lot-line or common wall housing types.

4.

Measured from property line.

5.

Measured as the vertical distance from the average level of the highest and lowest point of that portion of the lot covered by the building, to the highest point of the building roof, ridge, or parapet wall. Where the building has been elevated above the defined flood elevation for purposes of providing for flood protection, the building height shall be measured from the lowest habitable floor elevation.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

The following landscaping criteria shall be required of all residential development unless otherwise determined by the County as not applicable or appropriate based on a particular project's use, scale, location or other distinct circumstance:

A.

R-2, R-3, and R-4 Districts. A minimum of one tree for each 30 feet of street frontage shall be planted within each required front and street side irrigated landscape setback. A variety of tree and plant species shall be incorporated as selected from the Landscape Plant Materials List maintained by the Development Services Department. Not more than 25 percent of any planter or landscaped area may be covered with hard surfaces such as gravel, landscaping rock, artificial turf, decorative concrete or other impervious materials. Bus shelters are excluded from this limitation.

B.

All Residential Districts. Required trees shall be a minimum 15-gallon size at time of planting and planted in accordance with County standards. Trees and shrubs shall be planted so as to minimize impacts to sidewalks or individual driveways and away from leach lines as specified on the Landscape Plant Materials List maintained by the Development Services Department.

C.

Water Efficiency. All applicable development in the County shall comply with the current Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance prepared by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), as required by the California Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (Government Code Section 65591 et seq.). If conflicts occur between the Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance and this Zoning Code or other County regulations, the more restrictive shall apply.

D.

Completion of Landscape Requirements. All landscaping shall be installed consistent with approved plans and specifications, in a manner designed to promote and maintain healthy plant growth. Landscaping shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this Chapter upon the following:

1.

All of the required landscaping is installed in conformance with the requirements and standards; or

2.

An agreement is on file with the County which may include a financial deposit which guarantees that the required landscaping shall be installed within a reasonable period of time after issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy. At such time as the landscaping is completed a final certificate of occupancy may be issued.

E.

Maintenance. All plant materials shall be maintained by the property owner in good growing condition and shall be free from physical damage or injury arising from lack of water, chemical damage, insects, and diseases. Plant materials showing such damage shall be replaced with the same or similar species from the Landscape Plant Materials List maintained by the Development Services Department. Planting areas shall be kept free from weeds, debris, and undesirable materials that may be detrimental to safety, drainage or appearance. Any shrubs, trees, or other foliage which, in the opinion of the Director, obscures safe sight distance from driveways and corners shall be trimmed by the property owner to a condition satisfactory to the Director.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

A.

Intent. The Design Checklist (Table 1500-06-3) specifies the County's requirements for the design of new multi-family residential development projects. The Checklist is not intended to dictate a specific style or look for a particular project, but rather define the general elements of project design appropriate to the type and character of development anticipated within Sutter County. The intent is to ensure consistency and fairness in the design review process; promote high quality and functional design; ensure compatibility between adjacent uses; and create an aesthetically pleasing living environment.

B.

Design Review Required. Approval of a Minor Design Review application for multi-family uses of less than 20 units and a Design Review application for multi-family uses of 20 units or more is required in accordance with Section 1500-25-040. All of the individual design criteria included on Table 1500-06-3 shall be required of projects subject to Design Review approval, unless otherwise determined by the County as not applicable or appropriate based on a particular project's use, scale, location or other distinct circumstance.

Additions to existing residences and new or the expansion of existing residential accessory buildings shall not require Design Review.

C.

Sphere of Influence. In addition to Table 1500-06-3, multi-family residential development proposed within a City's Sphere of Influence shall comply with the adopted multi-family design criteria, landscape requirements and development standards of the adjacent City, to the extent determined applicable and appropriate by the County.

D.

Flexibility in Implementation. The Design Checklist is intended to be flexible in its implementation. Alternatives to the Design Checklist may be considered by the Director if it is determined to provide an equivalent design approach. Given the wide range of circumstances and potential design solutions, creativity is encouraged to satisfy the intent of the individual criteria incorporated.

E.

Design Checklist.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

Article 7 - Commercial and Employment Districts Chapter - 1500-07