Part II — DISTRICTS AND DEVELOPMENT TYPES
Chapter 16.203 — MIXED-USE DISTRICTS
Vallejo Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Vallejo
16.203.01 - Purpose and applicability. ¶
This chapter establishes the use regulations and site development standards for the mixed-use zoning districts. The purposes of the mixed-use districts are as follows:
NMX Neighborhood Mixed Use: The NMX Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations for neighborhood-serving mixed-use areas along the primary commercial corridors of Tennessee Street, Solano Avenue, Springs Road, Broadway, Sonoma Boulevard as well as other areas. Design and development standards will ensure that development at neighborhood nodes, as identified in the General Plan, is appropriately scaled to ensure the physical form relates to and does not overwhelm adjacent single-family residential neighborhoods.
DMX Downtown Mixed Use: The DMX Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations to implement the Downtown Vallejo Specific Plan that will promote a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented place that seamlessly integrates Downtown with the waterfront. A broad range of permitted uses are allowed to provide flexibility in the use of space. Standards for physical form will create an urban character in Downtown, with minimal setbacks and views into ground floor space to activate frontages.
WMX Waterfront Mixed Use: The WMX Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations for a waterfront mixed-use district that will allow waterfront shopping and services, and other activities and residential development implementing the Vallejo Waterfront Planned Development Master Plan (Waterfront PDMP). Design and development standards will create a pedestrian-oriented environment that seamlessly integrates the waterfront with downtown. Public access to the shoreline must be provided where development is adjacent to the Mare Island Strait, as consistent with the Bay Conservation Development Commission requirements.
(Ord. No. 1879 N.C.(2d), § 3(Exh. A), 3-11-2025)
16.203.02 - Development regulations.
The Table below prescribes the development standards for the mixed-use districts. The numbers in each illustration below refer to corresponding regulations in the "Fig #" column in the table.
A.
WMX Exceptions. Waterfront PDMP supersedes these regulations in the event of a conflict unless preempted by state requirements.
TABLE 16.203-A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS: MIXED-USE DISTRICTS
| FIG # | DISTRICT | NMX | DMX | WMX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOT AND DENSITY | ||||
| Minimum/Maximum Density | 16/30 (if General | 30/90 (if General Plan | 30/90 (if General Plan | |
| (units/net acre) | Plan is | is District- | is District- | |
| Neighborhood | Downtown/Waterfront) | Downtown/Waterfront) | ||
| Commercial) | - | - | ||
| - | 16/50 (if General Plan | 16/50 (if General Plan | ||
| 25/50 (if General | is Central Corridor) | is Central Corridor) | ||
| Plan is | ||||
| Business/Limited | ||||
| Residential) | ||||
| Minimum Lot Size (sq. ft.) | 5,000 | n/a | n/a | |
| Minimum Lot Width (ft.) | 50 | n/a | n/a | |
| Maximum Non-Residential | 2.0 | 3.0 (if General Plan is | 3.0 (if General Plan is | |
| Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | Central Corridor) | Central Corridor) | ||
| - | - | |||
| 6.0 (if General Plan is | 6.0 (if General Plan is |
DistrictDistrictDowntown/Waterfront) Downtown/Waterfront)
| District- Downtown/Waterfront) |
District- Downtown/Waterfront) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUILDING PLACEMENT | ||||
| Setback and build-to lines for | Commercial and Mixed-Use Development (ft.) | |||
| ① | Street Frontage | 0 Setback | 0 Setback Build-to line of 10 feet |
0 Setback |
| ② | Interior Side | 0 Setback, where | abutting R District | |
| ③ | Rear | 5 Setback, where | abutting R District | |
| ④ | Corner Build Area (ft.) | Buildings must be located in accordance with the required setbacks within 30 ft. of the front and exterior side property lines. Public plazas may be at the street corner provided buildings are built to the edge of the public plaza |
||
| BUILDING HEIGHT | ||||
| ⑤ | Building Maximum Height (stories) |
5 | 8 | Per Waterfront PDMP |
| Building Maximum Height (ft.) |
75 | 102 | Same as above | |
| ⑥ | Building Minimum Height (ft.) | n/a | n/a | Same as above |
| GROUND FLOOR MINIMUM HEIGHT (FT.) | ||||
| ⑦ | Ground Floor Residential Uses |
n/a | 12 | 12 |
| ⑦ | Ground Floor Non- Residential Uses |
15 | 15 | 15 |
| ⑧ | First Floor Ceiling Height, Non-Residential Uses |
12 | 12 | 12 |
| ⑨ | Parking Podium | Maximum height of a parking podium visible from the street is 9 ft. from fnished grade |
||
| OPEN SPACE | ||||
| Residential | ||||
| Minimum Private Open Space (sq. ft. per unit) |
60 | 60 | 60 | |
| Minimum Common Open Space (sq. ft. per unit) |
150 | 150 | 150 | |
| ADDITIONAL STANDARDS | ||||
| Fences and Walls | See Chapter 16.505,Fences, Walls, and Screening |
|||
| Lighting | See Chapter 16.506,Lighting and Glare |
|||
| --- | --- | --- | ||
| Of-Street Parking and Loading |
See Chapter 16.508,Of-Street Parking and Loading |
|||
| Measurement | See Chapter 16.104,Rules For Measurement |
|||
| Projections into Required Yards |
See Section 16.501.07,Projections Into Required Yards |
|||
| Height Exceptions | See Section 16.501.05,Height Exceptions |
|||
| Additional Landscaping regulations |
See Chapter 16.504,Landscaping |
(Ord. No. 1879 N.C.(2d), § 3(Exh. A), 3-11-2025)
16.203.03 - Additional regulations. ¶
A.
Mixed-Use Development. A combination of permitted commercial uses may be established in the same building or on the same lot as a residential use subject to compliance with all applicable requirements for the use and the development intensity. A minimum of fifteen percent of non-residential space on the ground floor is required along street frontage (does not include alley).
B.
Minimum Required Active Commercial Uses on Frontages. Development in mixed-use districts with more than one hundred linear feet of frontage shall provide the following minimum ground-floor street frontage for active commercial uses (that have regular customers throughout the day e.g., retail shops, restaurants).
a.
NMX District. Thirty percent on the primary frontage and twenty percent on secondary frontages.
b.
DMX District. Forty percent on the primary frontage and thirty percent on secondary frontages.
C.
Reductions When Allowed. The minimum required active use on secondary frontages may be reduced if the director finds that (1) the proposed use has unique operational characteristics where the required active use is incompatible, such as in the case of a movie or live theater, and (2) street facing walls exhibit architectural relief and detailing that enhance the pedestrian environment.
D.
Pedestrian Entrances and Paths.
a.
Entrances. All non-residential activities located at the street level shall provide one direct at-grade entrance from the public right-of-way for each street frontage exceeding fifty feet.
i.
Where such frontages exceed one hundred feet, one entrance shall be provided for each one hundred feet of frontage or portion thereof.
ii.
Separate pedestrian entrances for a single tenant must be at least twenty-five feet apart.
iii.
Recessed entrances shall not exceed feet in width and the face of a door or gates shall be within fifteen feet of the lot line.
b.
Pedestrian Paths. In shopping centers and mixed-use development, each commercial tenant space shall be accessible from an abutting public street by a pedestrian path that is at least six feet wide or as required by the city engineer, whichever is greater.
i.
The path shall be continuous, clear of obstructions, easily identifiable as a pedestrian path, and visually distinguishable from other hardscaping.
ii.
Pedestrian paths shall be separated from vehicular access areas by wheel stops, curbs, landscaping, or other physical barriers, except when crossing driveways or aisles.
iii.
Pedestrian paths and sidewalks connecting building entrances to the street and public sidewalks shall be continuous, clear of obstructions, easily identifiable, and visually distinguishable from surrounding concrete or hardscape areas.
iv.
Pedestrian paths and sidewalks must be separated from parking area by wheel stops, curbs, landscaping, or other physical barriers.
E.
Additional Residential Density. See Chapter 16.214, Affordable Housing Incentives, for provisions regarding additional density for affordable housing development.
F.
Street Preservation. Existing public right-of-way shall be preserved. Public right-of-way shall not be eliminated or abandoned, unless substantial public benefits are provided, such as a new park, a community garden or a trail on pedestrian passages.
G.
Street Frontage Improvements. New development shall provide street frontage improvements consistent with standards and as required by the city engineer in accordance with the following:
a.
Between the property line and curb.
i.
Sidewalks. Sidewalks shall be provided if none exists or if the existing sidewalks are in poor condition and shall require approval by the city engineer.
ii.
Street Furniture. Trash receptacles, benches, bike racks, and other street furniture shall be provided.
iii.
Streetlights. Pedestrian-scaled streetlights not to exceed fourteen feet in height, including attachments from which banners may be hung, shall be provided.
iv.
Street Trees. Shade trees shall be planted no more than thirty feet on center. Tree guards shall be provided. Trees shall be a minimum of fifteen gallons in size, and at least ten percent of the required trees shall be twenty-four-inch box size or larger.
b.
Interior from Property Line. Except where occupied by a building or necessary for parking access, the street frontage, for a depth of ten feet from the property line, shall be utilized for pedestrian circulation or active outdoor uses, including, but not limited to outdoor dining; paved for public uses so that it functions as part of a wider public sidewalk; or improved with landscaping, public art, and/or pedestrian amenities, such as outdoor seating.
H.
Building Orientation and Entrances.
a.
Buildings shall be oriented to face public streets.
b.
Building frontages shall be generally parallel to streets, and the primary building entrances shall be located on or within twenty feet of a public sidewalk. The director may grant exceptions to this standard in the DMX and WMX Zoning Districts for uses with unique needs.
c.
Entrances located at corners shall generally be located at a forty-five-degree angle to the corner and shall have a distinct architectural treatment, such as angled or rounded corners, arches, and other architectural elements.
d.
Entrances to residential units shall be physically separated from the entrance to commercial uses and clearly marked with a physical feature incorporated into the building or an appropriately scaled element applied to the facade.
I.
Building Transparency. Required Openings for Non-Residential Uses. Exterior walls facing and within twenty feet of a front property line on any primary street shall include windows, glass doors, or other openings for at least sixty percent of the building wall area located between two and one-half and seven feet above the level of the sidewalk. (See Figure 16.203-A)
a.
Maximum Length Without Openings. No wall may run in a continuous plane for more than twenty-five feet or forty percent of a building's facade without a window or other opening. If a lot has more than one street frontage, this standard applies to the primary frontage. The director may approve alternatives to the building transparency requirement if the director finds that:
i.
The proposed use has unique operational characteristics where providing the required windows and openings is incompatible, such as in the case of a movie or live theater; or
ii.
Street-facing building walls will exhibit architectural relief and detail and will be enhanced with landscaping in such a way as to create visual interest at the pedestrian level.
b.
Design of Required Openings. Openings fulfilling this requirement shall have transparent glazing and provide views into work areas, display areas, sales areas, lobbies, or similar active spaces, or into window displays that are at least twenty-four inches deep and set into a wall. Windows that provide visibility into storage areas, vehicle parking areas, utility areas and display cases attached to outside walls do not qualify.
c.
Exceptions for Parking Garages. Multi-level garages are not required to meet the building transparency requirement of this section. Instead, they must be screened and treated, consistent with the requirements of Chapter 16.508, Off-Street Parking and Loading.
d.
Alternatives Subject to Director's Approval. Alternatives to the building transparency requirement may be approved if the director finds that (1) the proposed use has unique operational characteristics where providing the required windows and openings is incompatible, and (2) street-facing building walls will exhibit architectural relief and detail and be enhanced with landscaping in such a way as to create visual interest at the pedestrian level.
J.
Building Design and Articulation. The following standards apply to commercial and mixed-use development.
a.
Design of Street-Facing Facades. In order to make streets more attractive to pedestrians, the street-facing facades of new development shall incorporate the following design features at the ground-floor level:
i.
Articulated facades at the ground floor street frontage, which may include such measures as indentation in plane, change of materials in a complimentary manner, sensitive composition and juxtaposition of openings
and solid wall and/or building frame and projecting elements such as awnings and marquees to provide shade and shelter;
1.
Exterior lighting which provides for a secure nighttime pedestrian environment by reinforcing entrances, public sidewalks and open areas with a safe level of illumination which avoids off-site glare.
2.
Residential uses at the ground floor street frontage shall incorporate planted areas, porches, front stairs and/or other elements that contribute to a pedestrian environment. Pedestrian-oriented design elements may also include street furniture or other seating surfaces on private property and design amenities scaled to the pedestrian such as awnings, drinking fountains, paseos, arcades, colonnades, plazas, noncommercial community bulletin boards, public or private art and alternative paving materials in areas of pedestrian access. When provided, storefront security grates or grilles shall be located inside exterior windows, shall be retractable into pockets or overhead cylinders, and shall be completely concealed when retracted.
b.
Vertical Relationship. Buildings shall be designed to have a distinctive base (ground floor level), middle (intermediate upper floor levels), and top (either top floor or roof level). Cornices, balconies, roof terraces, and other architectural elements should be used, as appropriate, to terminate rooflines and accentuate setbacks between stories.
c.
Windows.
i.
Window frames shall be inset at least two inches from the face of the building to enhance shadow-lines around the opening.
ii.
Snap-in vinyl mullions between double pane glass are prohibited. If a divided light appearance is desired, mullions must be made of dimensional material projecting in front of the panes on both the inside and outside of the window.
iii.
Exceptions may be granted by the director to accommodate alternative window design complementary to the architectural style of the structure.
d.
Building Details.
i.
Building facades shall include building projections or recesses, doorway and window trim, and other details that provide architectural articulation and design interest.
ii.
All applied surface ornamentation or decorative detailing shall be consistent with the architectural style of the building.
iv.
Each side of the building that is visible from a public right-of-way shall be designed with a complementary level of detailing.
v.
A unified palate of materials shall be used on all sides of the building.
K.
Building Design Near Interstate Highway 80. For any site that is fully or partially located within two hundred feet of the right-of-way line of an Interstate Highway, buildings shall be designed with four-sided architecture where each exterior wall is designed with the same building articulation and the same quality of exterior materials as the primary facade.
L.
Roof Articulation. Buildings exceeding forty thousand square feet in floor area shall be designed with staggered rooflines, shaded roof decks, or other forms of architectural articulation.
M.
Pedestrian Access on Large Sites (Over five acres).
a.
Internal Connections. A system of pedestrian walkways shall connect all buildings on a site to each other, to on-site automobile and bicycle parking areas, and to any on-site open space areas or pedestrian amenities.
b.
Circulation Network. Regular connections between on-site walkways and the public sidewalk and other planned or existing pedestrian routes and trails shall be provided. An on-site walkway shall connect the primary building entry or entries to a public sidewalk on each street frontage.
c.
Adjacent Properties. Direct and convenient access shall be provided from commercial and mixed-use projects to adjoining residential and commercial areas to the maximum extent feasible, while still providing
for safety and security.
d.
Transit. Safe and convenient pedestrian connections shall be provided from transit stops to building entrance.
i.
Interior Pedestrian Walkway Design.
1.
Walkways shall have a minimum clear, unobstructed width of six feet, where feasible, but at least four feet, shall be hard-surfaced, and paved with concrete, stone, tile, brick, or comparable material.
2.
Where a required walkway crosses driveway, parking areas, or loading areas, it must be clearly identifiable through the use of a raised crosswalk, a different paving material, or similar method.
3.
Where required walkway is parallel and adjacent to an auto travel lane, it must be raised or separated from the auto travel lane by a raised curb at least four inches high, bollards, or another physical barrier.
N.
Shopping Centers. Shopping centers containing twenty-five thousand square feet or more of floor area are subject to the following standards and criteria for approval.
a.
Entry Plazas/Passenger Loading Areas. A plaza shall be provided at the entry to each anchor tenant that provides for pedestrian circulation and loading and unloading. Entry plazas and passenger loading areas shall include unique, decorative paving materials, adequate seating areas, and provision of adequate shade from the summer sun, and attractive landscaping including trees or raised planters. Entry plazas with features described under paragraph 4(c) below may be counted toward the public plaza requirements.
b.
Location of Parking Areas. Surface parking lots shall be located to provide users with maximum access to buildings within the shopping center without moving their vehicles either behind or to the side of buildings. Parking areas shall not be located between buildings and any primary street.
c.
On-Site Public Plazas. Privately-owned, publicly accessible outdoor plazas for the use of customers and visitors shall be provided at a rate of five square feet per one thousand square feet of floor area, up to one thousand five hundred square feet for required outdoor plazas.
i.
Location. Public plazas shall be visible from a public street, or from on-site areas normally frequented by customers, and shall be accessible during business hours.
ii.
Amenities. On-site privately-owned public outdoor space shall include benches or other seating, and the ground surface shall be landscaped or surfaced with high-quality paving materials. Amenities shall be provided that enhance the comfort, aesthetics, or usability of the space, such as shade trees and other landscaping, shade structures, drinking fountains, water features, public art, and performance areas.
d.
Design Criteria. In order to receive approval for a shopping center, the director or the planning commission, whichever has final approval authority, shall find that all of the following criteria have been met.
i.
Integrated Theme. Buildings and structures exhibit an integrated architectural theme that includes similar or complementary materials, colors, and design details.
ii.
Site Entrance. The driveway entrance provides an organizing element to the site design with features such as a landscaped entry corridor or a divided median drive separated by a landscaped center dividing island.
iii.
Building Entrances. Building entrances to anchor tenants and other large stores are prominent and inviting. The architectural details of building entrances are integrated with the overall building design in terms of materials, scale, proportion, and design elements.
iv.
Vehicular Circulation. Safe, convenient vehicular circulation is provided within the development through an appropriate system of internal vehicular circulation routes based on a hierarchy of driveway aisles and cross routes. Where pedestrian circulation routes cross vehicular traffic aisles and driveways within a development, there are clearly delineated crosswalks that include clear sight lines, adequate warning signage, adequate lighting, and protective barrier posts or similar features at walkway entrances.
v.
Cart Corrals. Adequate, convenient cart corrals are provided near building entrances and throughout the parking areas.
vi.
Lighting. A combination of attractively designed and located lighting fixtures, including low pole lights, ground-mounted fixtures, light bollards, and architectural lighting provides interesting compositions for
outdoor lighting, as well as a safe, secure environment.
vii.
Shade Areas. Pedestrian areas, such as walkways, building entrances, and gathering areas, are adequately shaded from the summer sun through such techniques as the careful placement of trees and landscaping, trellis structures, projecting canopies, covered walkways, arcades, porticos, building orientation, and similar techniques.
O.
Public Access for Shoreline Development. Any development abutting or within one hundred feet of the San Pablo Bay, the Napa River, Mare Island Strait, or the Carquinez Strait shall provide public access to and long the shoreline consistent with state and Bay Conservation and Development Commission requirements, and shall include in-water access where feasible, consistent with General Plan Policy NBE-4.1.
P.
Build-to Line. Buildings in the DMX District shall be constructed at the street frontage or the build-to line for at least sixty percent of the building frontage, or as required by the DTSP. At least two-thirds of the area between the building and lot line shall be paved so that it functions as a wider public sidewalk. This requirement may be modified or waived by the director upon finding that:
a.
Substantial landscaping (60% of area or more) will be located between the build-to line and ground floor residential units to soften visual impact of buildings;
b.
Entry courtyards, plazas, entries, or outdoor eating and display areas will be located between the build-to line and building, provided that the buildings will be built to the edge of the courtyard, plaza, or outdoor dining area; or
c.
The building will incorporate an alternative entrance design facing the street that conforms to adopted design guidelines.
Q.
Required Setbacks for Residential Uses.
a.
Front Setbacks. Buildings that are entirely residential and portions of buildings with residential uses on the ground floor may be setback up to eight feet from the street lot line. The setback must be landscaped, but up to one third of the setback area can be hard surfaced for pedestrian or bicycle access. Vehicle access is not allowed through the setback unless the frontage provides the only access to the residential portion of the site.
b.
Interior Side and Rear Setbacks. In order to provide light and air for residential units, the following minimum setbacks apply to any building wall containing windows for residential units and facing an interior side or rear setback area.
i.
For any wall containing windows, a setback of at least five feet shall be provided.
ii.
The required setbacks apply to that portion of the building wall containing a window and extending three feet on either side of the window.
R.
Height Limitations and Exceptions. In order to encourage more development along corridors, regardless of district, however acknowledging and preserving existing single-family residential areas, a height limit and landscape buffer is proposed as follows:
a.
Daylight Plane Required Adjacent to Residential Districts. Buildings shall not extend above a plane starting at twenty-five feet in height directly above the property line abutting any residentially zoned parcel, or where there is an alley, the centerline of the alley, and from that point, extending in at a forty-five-degree angle from vertical toward the interior of the site. The twenty-five-foot height measurement shall be taken from the same reference grade as determined for the subject site pursuant to Chapter 16.104, Rules for Measurement.
b.
Architectural Features. A parapet wall, cornice or sloping roof or solar energy system may project up to four feet above the height limit. Uninhabited roof structures that screen mechanical equipment and elevator penthouses are not included in the measurement of building height. Mechanical equipment shall be integrated and architecturally designed to match the building and not visible from adjacent streets.
c.
Corner projections. If the project site is on a corner site that is greater than fifteen thousand square feet, a tower or other projecting architectural elements may extend up to twelve feet above the top of a primary roof, provided that the square footage of the element(s) does not total more than fifteen percent of the building footprint. The area above the uppermost permitted floor of the element(s) shall not be habitable space. The composition of the tower element shall be balanced, where the width of the tower has a proportional relationship to the height of the tower.
i.
The tower element shall be proportional to the rest of the building.
ii
The tower element shall not be stepped back more than one foot at any point.
iii.
The maximum horizontal dimension of the tower element shall not exceed one hundred feet.
iv.
Fenestration at the base of the tower shall be greater than the top.
v.
The roof shall include architectural detailing, such as a cornice or eave.
d.
Landscaped Buffer Required. A landscaped area at least four feet in width planted with evergreen shrubs shall be installed along the rear property line adjacent to any residential district to create a sound barrier and privacy screen. Shrubs shall be a minimum of five feet in height at the time of installation.
S.
Wide Buildings. Any building over sixty feet wide shall be broken down to read as a series of buildings no wider than sixty feet each. Increases in the maximum building width and length may be approved through design review if recesses, offsets, or other architectural articulation modulate a "box-like" appearance.
T.
Building Projections. The maximum width of any projection, including bay windows, is ten feet, and the total of all projections along a building face shall not be more than ten feet wide or twenty-five percent of the building frontage, whichever is greater.
U.
Residential Landscaping and Open Space. Where residential uses are provided, both common and private residential open space must be provided.
a.
Minimum Dimensions.
i.
Private Open Space. Private open space located on the ground level (e.g., yards, decks, or patios) shall have no horizontal dimension less than ten feet. Private open space located above ground level (e.g., balconies) shall have no horizontal dimension less than six feet.
ii.
Common Open Space. The minimum horizontal dimension is twenty feet.
b.
Usability. A surface shall be provided that allows for outdoor living and/or recreation. Such surface may be any practicable combination of lawn, garden, flagstone, wood planking, concrete, or other serviceable, dust-free surfacing. The maximum slope shall not exceed ten percent.
c.
Accessibility.
i.
Private Open Space. The space shall be accessible to only one dwelling unit by a doorway to a habitable room or hallway.
ii.
Common Open Space. The space shall be accessible to the living units on the lot. It shall be served by any stairway or other accessway qualifying as an egress facility from a dwelling unit.
V.
Non-residential Landscaping and Open Space. All portions of the building site, exclusive of structures, parking areas, recreational uses, driveways and walkway, shall be landscaped.
(Ord. No. 1879 N.C.(2d), § 3(Exh. A), 3-11-2025)
Chapter 16.204 - COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
16.204.01 - Purpose and applicability. ¶
This chapter establishes the use regulations and site development standards for the commercial zoning districts. The purpose of the commercial zoning districts is to:
A.
Provide for the orderly, well-planned, and balanced growth of commercial districts.
B.
Encourage a mix of uses that promote convenience, economic vitality, fiscal stability, and quality of life in Vallejo.
C.
Promote pedestrian- and transit-oriented, medium and high-density multi-family housing, mixed-use commercial centers at appropriate locations.
D.
Establish design standards that improve the visual quality of development and create a unified, distinctive, and attractive character in commercial districts.
E.
Provide appropriate buffers and transition standards between commercial and adjacent residential neighborhoods.
More specifically, the purposes of the individual commercial zoning districts are as follows:
NC Neighborhood Commercial: The NC Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations for neighborhoods in which limited retail commercial goods and services are provided on small sites to meet the day-to-day needs of local residents.
CC Central Corridor Commercial: The CC Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations for community serving mixed-use areas along the Sonoma Boulevard Central Corridor and areas subject to the Sonoma Boulevard Specific Plan. Land uses include mixed-use with housing, medium and high density residential or non-residential uses at street level, subject to design and development standards to promote a mixed-use and pedestrian orientation.
WC Waterfront Commercial: The WC Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations for areas along the waterfront that provide waterfront-related retail and service uses and visitor accommodations in building forms appropriately scaled to the waterfront. Public access to the shoreline must be provided where development is adjacent to the Napa River, Mare Island Strait, or Carquinez Strait. No residential uses are allowed.
RC Regional Commercial: The RC Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations for sites that provide general retail, services, and commercial recreation and entertainment for local residents as well as consumers and visitors from the region. Design and development standards will accommodate autooriented uses and require buffering and transitions to adjacent residential neighborhoods.
(Ord. No. 1879 N.C.(2d), § 3(Exh. A), 3-11-2025)
16.204.02 - Development regulations. ¶
The Table below prescribes the development standards for the commercial districts. The numbers in each illustration below refer to corresponding regulations in the "Fig #" column in the table.
TABLE 16.204-A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS: COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
| TABLE 16.204-A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS: COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS | TABLE 16.204-A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS: COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS | TABLE 16.204-A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS: COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS | TABLE 16.204-A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS: COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS | TABLE 16.204-A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS: COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS | TABLE 16.204-A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS: COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIG # | DISTRICT | NC | WC | CC | RC |
| LOT SIZE AND DENSITY | |||||
| Minimum/Maximum Density (units/net acre) |
16/30 (if General Plan is Neighborhood Commercial) - Max. 12 (if General Plan is Primarily Single-Family) |
n/a | 16/50 (if General Plan is Central Corridor) - 25/50 (if General Plan is Business Limited Residential) - 30/50 (if General Plan is District- North Gateway) |
n/a (if General Plan is Retail/Entertainment) - 25/50 (if General Plan is Business Limited Residential) |
|
| Minimum Lot Size (sq. ft.) | n/a | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | |
| Minimum Lot Width (ft.) | n/a | 50 | 50 | 100 | |
| Maximum Non-Residential Floor Area Ratio (FAR) |
2.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 - 3.0 (if General |
1.5 - 2.0 (if General Plan |
|
| Plan is Central Corridor) |
is Business/Limited Residential) |
||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| BUILDING PLACEMENT AND SETBACKS | |||||
| Minimum Front Setback, Residential Development |
0 | n/a | 0 | ||
| ① | Street Frontages | 0 | 0;-10 where abutting R District | ||
| ② | Interior Side | 0; -10 where abutting R District |
5;-10 where abutting R District | ||
| ③ | Rear | 0; -10 where abutting R District |
5;-10 where abutting R District | ||
| BUILDING HEIGHT | |||||
| ④ | Building Maximum Height (stories) |
3 | 3 | 8 | 8 |
| ⑤ | Building Minimum Height (ft.) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| ⑥ | Ground Floor Residential Uses | n/a | n/a | 12 | 12 |
| ⑥ | Ground Floor Non-Residential Uses |
15 | 15 | 15 | n/a |
| ⑧ | Parking Podium | Maximum height of a parking podium visible from the street is 9 ft. from fnished grade |
|||
| GROUND FLOOR MINIMUM HEIGHT | |||||
| Ground Floor Residential Uses | 12 | n/a | 12 | 12 | |
| Ground Floor Non-residential Uses |
15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
| ⑦ | First Floor Ceiling Height, Non- residential Uses |
12 | 12 | 12 | 15 |
| OPEN SPACE | |||||
| Residential | |||||
| Minimum Private Open Space (sq. ft. per unit) |
60 | n/a | 60 | 60 | |
| Minimum Common Open Space (sq. ft. per Unit) |
200 | n/a | 200 | 200 | |
| ADDITIONAL STANDARDS | |||||
| Fences and Walls | See Chapter 16.505,Fences, Walls, and Screening |
||||
| Lighting | See Chapter 16.506,Lighting and Glare |
||||
| --- | --- | --- | |||
| Of-Street Parking and Loading | See Chapter 16.508,Of-Street Parking and Loading |
||||
| Measurement | See Chapter 16.104,Rules for Measurement |
||||
| Projections into Required Yards | See Section 16.501.07,Projections Into Required Yards |
||||
| Height Exceptions | See Section 16.501.05,Height Exceptions |
||||
| Landscaping | See Chapter 16.504,Landscaping |
A.
Required Side and Rear Yards for Residential Uses. In order to provide light and air for residential units, the following minimum setbacks apply to any building wall containing windows for residential units and facing an interior side or rear yard.
1.
For any wall containing windows, a setback of at least five feet shall be provided.
2.
For any wall containing living room or bedroom windows, a setback of at least ten feet shall be provided.
3.
The required setbacks apply to that portion of the building wall containing a window and extending three feet on either side of the window.
B.
Daylight Plane Required Adjacent to Residential Districts. Buildings shall not extend above a plane starting at twenty-five feet in height directly above the property line abutting any residentially-zoned parcel, or where there is an alley, the centerline of the alley, and from that point, extending in at a forty-five-degree angle from vertical toward the interior of the site. The 25-foot height measurement shall be taken from the same reference grade as determined for the subject site pursuant to Chapter 16.104, Rules for Measurement.
C.
Architectural Features. A parapet wall, cornice, sloping roof or solar energy installation may project up to four feet above the height limit. Uninhabited roof structures that screen mechanical equipment and elevator penthouses are not included in the measurement of building height. Mechanical equipment shall be integrated and architecturally designed to match the building and not visible from adjacent streets.
D.
Corner Projections. If the project site on a corner site that is greater than fifteen thousand square feet, a tower or other projecting architectural elements may extend up to twelve feet above the top of a pitched roof, provided that the square footage of the element(s) does not total more than fifteen percent of the building footprint. The area above the uppermost permitted floor of the element(s) shall not be habitable space.
1.
The composition of the tower element shall be balanced, where the width of the tower has a proportional relationship to the height of the tower.
2.
The tower element shall be proportional to the rest of the building.
3.
The tower element shall not be stepped back at any point.
4.
The maximum horizontal dimension of the tower element shall not exceed one hundred feet.
5.
Fenestration at the base of the tower shall be greater than the top.
6.
The roof shall include architectural detailing, such as a cornice or eave.
E.
Landscaped Buffer Required. A landscaped area at least four feet in width planted with evergreen shrubs shall be installed along the rear property line adjacent to any residential zoning district to create a sound barrier and privacy screen. Shrubs shall be a minimum of five feet in height at the time they are planted.
F.
Upper Story Limitations. For the RC and CC Zoning Districts, the maximum allowable number of stories shall not exceed three within fifty feet of an RLD District.
(Ord. No. 1879 N.C.(2d), § 3(Exh. A), 3-11-2025)
16.204.03 - Additional regulations.
A.
Mixed-Use Development. A combination of permitted commercial uses may be established in the same building or on the same lot as a residential use subject to compliance with all applicable requirements for
the use and the development intensity. A minimum of fifteen percent of non-residential space on the ground floor is required along street frontage (does not include alley).
1.
Minimum Required Active Commercial Uses on Frontages. Development in commercial districts with more than one hundred feet of frontage shall provide the following minimum ground-floor street frontage for active commercial uses (that have regular customers throughout the day e.g., retail shops, restaurants).
a.
CC District. Forty percent on the primary frontage and thirty percent on secondary frontages.
b.
NC District. Thirty percent on the primary frontage and twenty percent on secondary frontages.
B.
Reductions When Allowed. The minimum required active use on secondary frontages may be reduced if the director finds that (1) the proposed use has unique operation characteristics where the required active use is incompatible, such as in the case or a movie or live theater, and (2) street facing walls exhibit architectural relief and detailing that enhance the pedestrian environment.
C.
Pedestrian Entrances and Paths.
1.
Entrances. All non-residential activities located at the street level shall provide one direct at-grade entrance from the public right-of-way for each street frontage exceeding fifty feet.
a.
Where such frontages exceed one hundred feet, one entrance shall be provided for each one hundred feet of frontage or portion thereof.
b.
Separate pedestrian entrances for a single tenant must be at least twenty-five feet apart.
c.
Recessed entrances shall not exceed twenty-five feet in width and the face of a door or gates shall be within fifteen feet of the lot line.
2.
Pedestrian Paths. In shopping centers and mixed-use development, each commercial tenant space shall be accessible from an abutting public street by a pedestrian path that is at least four feet wide. The path
shall be continuous, clear of obstructions, easily identifiable as a pedestrian path, and visually distinguishable from other hardscaping.
a.
Pedestrian paths shall be separated from vehicular access areas by wheel stops, curbs, landscaping, or other physical barriers, except when crossing driveways or aisles.
b.
Pedestrian paths and sidewalks connecting building entrances to the street and public sidewalks shall be continuous, clear of obstructions, easily identifiable, and visually distinguishable from surrounding concrete or hardscape areas.
c.
Pedestrian paths and sidewalks must be separated from parking area by wheel stops, curbs, landscaping, or other physical barriers.
D.
Additional Residential Density. Additional residential density may be approved, as set forth in Chapter 16.214, Affordable Housing Incentives.
E.
Street Preservation. Existing public right-of-way shall be preserved. Public right-of-way shall not be eliminated or abandoned, unless substantial public benefits are provided, such as a new park, a community garden or a trail on pedestrian passages.
TABLE 16.204-B: BUILDING FORM STANDARDS: COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
| FIG # | DISTRICT# | NC# | WC# | CC# | RC# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⑩ | Maximum Length of | 10 for ground | 25 for upper | 20 for ground | 50 |
| Blank Wall (ft.) | foor, | foors | foor, | ||
| 25 for upper | 25 for upper | ||||
| foors | foors | ||||
| ⑪ | Bay Window Projections (ft.) |
Max. 3 ft. from primary facade and min. 12 ft. above sidewalk grade | |||
| --- | --- | --- | |||
| ⑫ | Awnings & Overhangs (ft.) |
Min. 4 ft. from primary facade and 8 ft. above sidewalk grade | |||
| ⑬ | Awning Setback from Curb |
Min. 2 ft. clear |
F.
Street Frontage Improvements. New development shall provide street frontage improvements in accordance with the following:
1.
Between the Property Line and Curb.
a.
Sidewalks. Sidewalks shall be provided if none exists or if the existing sidewalks are in poor condition, as determined by the City Engineer/Public Works Director.
b.
Street Furniture. Trash receptacles, benches, bike racks, and other street furniture shall be provided, as determined by the approving body.
c.
Streetlights. Pedestrian-scaled streetlights not to exceed fourteen feet in height, including attachments from which banners may be hung, shall be provided.
d.
Street Trees. Shade trees shall be planted no more than thirty feet on center. Tree guards shall be provided. Trees shall be a minimum of fifteen gallons in size, and at least ten percent of the required trees shall be twenty-four-inch box size or larger.
2.
Interior from Property Line. Except where occupied by a building or necessary for parking access, the street frontage, for a depth of ten feet from the property line, shall be utilized for pedestrian circulation or active outdoor uses, including, but not limited to outdoor dining; paved for public uses so that it functions as part of a wider public sidewalk; or improved with landscaping, public art, and/or pedestrian amenities, such as outdoor seating.
G.
Building Orientation and Entrances.
1.
Buildings shall be oriented to face public streets.
2.
Building frontages shall be generally parallel to streets, and the primary building entrances shall be located on or within twenty feet of a public sidewalk. The director may grant exceptions to this standard for uses with unique needs.
3.
Entrances located at corners shall generally be located at a forty-five-degree angle to the corner and shall have a distinct architectural treatment, such as angled or rounded corners, arches, and other architectural elements.
4.
Entrances to residential units shall be physically separated from the entrance to commercial uses and clearly marked with a physical feature incorporated into the building or an appropriately scaled element applied to the facade.
H.
Building Transparency Required for Non-Residential Uses. Exterior walls facing and within twenty feet of a front or street side property line shall include windows, glass doors, or other openings for at least sixty percent of the building wall area located between 2.5 and seven feet above the level of the sidewalk.
1.
Required Openings. No wall may run in a continuous plane (See Table 16.204-B: Building Form Standards: Commercial Districts) without a window or other opening. If a lot has more than one street frontage, this standard applies to the primary frontage.
2.
Design of Required Openings. Openings fulfilling this requirement shall have transparent glazing and provide views into work areas, display areas, sales areas, lobbies, or similar active spaces, or into window displays that are at least twenty-four inches deep and set into a wall. Windows that provide visibility into storage areas, vehicle parking areas, utility areas and display cases attached to outside walls do not fulfill this requirement.
3.
Exceptions for Parking Garages. Multi-level garages are not required to meet the building transparency requirement of this section. Instead, they must be screened and treated, consistent with the requirements of Chapter 16.508, Off-Street Parking and Loading.
4.
Alternatives through Director's Review. Alternatives to the building transparency requirement may be approved if the director finds that:
a.
The proposed use has unique operational characteristics where providing the required windows and openings is incompatible, such as in the case of a movie or live theater; and
b.
Street-facing building walls will exhibit architectural relief and detail and will be enhanced with landscaping to create visual interest at the pedestrian level.
I.
Building Design and Articulation. Commercial and mixed-use buildings shall provide adequate architectural articulation and detail to avoid a bulky and "box-like" appearance subject to the following standards.
1.
Vertical Relationship. Buildings shall be designed to have a distinctive base (ground floor level), middle (intermediate upper floor levels), and top (either top floor or roof level). Cornices, balconies, roof terraces, and other architectural elements should be used, as appropriate, to terminate rooflines and accentuate setbacks between stories.
2.
Windows.
a.
Window frames shall be inset at least two inches from the face of the building to enhance shadow-line around opening.
b.
Snap-in vinyl mullions between double pane glass are prohibited. If a divided light appearance is desired, mullions must be made of dimensional material projecting in front of the panes on both the inside and outside of the window.
c.
Exceptions may be granted by the director to accommodate an alternative window design that is consistent with the architectural style of the structure.
3.
Exterior Building Materials and Colors.
a.
A unified palette of materials shall be used on all sides of buildings.
b.
Colors shall be used to help delineate windows and other architectural features to increase architectural interest.
4.
Building Details.
a.
Building facades shall include building projections or recesses, doorway and window trim, and other details that provide architectural articulation and design interest.
b.
All applied surface ornamentation or decorative detailing shall be consistent with the architectural style of the building.
c.
Each side of the building that is visible from a public right-of-way shall be designed with a complementary level of detailing.
5.
Roof Articulation. Buildings exceeding forty thousand square feet in floor area shall be designed with staggered rooflines, shaded roof decks, or other forms of architectural articulation.
J.
Pedestrian Access on Large Sites (Over five acres).
1.
Internal Connections. A system of pedestrian walkways shall connect all buildings on a site to each other, to on-site automobile and bicycle parking areas, and to any on-site open space areas or pedestrian amenities.
2.
Circulation Network. Regular connections between on-site walkways and the public sidewalk and other planned or existing pedestrian routes and trails shall be provided. An on-site walkway shall connect the primary building entry or entries to a public sidewalk on each street frontage.
3.
Adjacent Properties. Direct and convenient access shall be provided from commercial and mixed-use projects to adjoining residential and commercial areas to the maximum extent feasible, while still providing for safety and security.
4.
Transit. Safe and convenient pedestrian connections shall be provided from transit stops to building entrances.
5.
Interior Pedestrian Walkway Design.
a.
Walkways shall have a minimum clear, unobstructed width of six feet, where feasible, but at least four feet, shall be hard-surfaced, and paved with concrete, stone, tile, brick, or comparable material.
b.
Where a required walkway crosses driveway, parking areas, or loading areas, it must be clearly identifiable through the use of a raised crosswalk, a different paving material, or similar method.
c.
Where a required walkway is parallel and adjacent to an auto travel lane, it must be raised or separated from the auto travel lane by a raised curb at least four inches high, bollards, or other physical barrier.
K.
Shopping Centers. Shopping centers containing twenty-five thousand square feet or more of floor area are subject to the following standards and criteria for approval.
1.
Entry Plazas/Passenger Loading Areas. A plaza shall be provided at the entry to each anchor tenant that provides for pedestrian circulation and loading and unloading. Entry plazas and passenger loading areas
shall include unique, decorative paving materials, adequate seating areas, and provision of adequate shade from the summer sun, and attractive landscaping including trees or raised planters. Entry plazas with features described under paragraph 4(c) below may be counted toward the public plaza requirements.
2.
Location of Parking Areas. Surface parking lots shall be located to provide users with maximum access to buildings within the shopping center without moving their vehicles either behind or to the side of buildings. Parking areas shall not be located between buildings and any primary street.
3.
On-Site Public Plazas. Privately-owned, publicly accessible outdoor plazas for the use of customers and visitors shall be provided at a rate of five square feet per one thousand square feet of floor area, up to one thousand five hundred square feet for required outdoor plazas.
a.
Location. Public plazas shall be visible from a public street, or from on-site areas normally frequented by customers, and shall be accessible during business hours.
b.
Amenities. On-site privately-owned public outdoor space shall include benches or other seating, and the ground surface shall be landscaped or surfaced with high-quality paving materials. Amenities shall be provided that enhance the comfort, aesthetics, or usability of the space, such as shade trees and other landscaping, shade structures, drinking fountains, water features, public art, and performance areas.
4.
Design Criteria. In order to receive approval for a shopping center, the director or the planning commission, whichever has final approval authority, shall find that all of the following criteria have been met.
a.
Integrated Theme. Buildings and structures exhibit an integrated architectural theme that includes similar or complementary materials, colors, and design details.
b.
Site Entrance. The driveway entrance provides an organizing element to the site design with features such as a landscaped entry corridor or a divided median drive separated by a landscaped center dividing island.
c.
Building Entrances. Building entrances to anchor tenants and other large stores are prominent and inviting. The architectural details of building entrances are integrated with the overall building design in terms of materials, scale, proportion, and design elements.
d.
Vehicular Circulation. Safe, convenient vehicular circulation is provided within the development through an appropriate system of internal vehicular circulation routes based on a hierarchy of driveway aisles and cross routes. Where pedestrian circulation routes cross vehicular traffic aisles and driveways within a development, there are clearly delineated crosswalks that include clear sight lines, adequate warning signage, adequate lighting, and protective barrier posts or similar features at walkway entrances.
e.
Cart Corrals. Adequate, convenient cart corrals are provided near building entrances and throughout the parking areas.
f.
Lighting. A combination of attractively designed and located lighting fixtures, including low pole lights, ground-mounted fixtures, light bollards, and architectural lighting provides interesting compositions for outdoor lighting, as well as a safe, secure environment.
g.
Shade Areas. Pedestrian areas, such as walkways, building entrances, and gathering areas, are adequately shaded from the summer sun through such techniques as the careful placement of trees and landscaping, trellis structures, projecting canopies, covered walkways, arcades, porticos, building orientation, and similar techniques.
L.
Public Access for Shoreline Development. Any development along San Pablo Bay, the Napa River, Mare Island Strait, or the Carquinez Strait shall provide public access to and along shoreline consistent with state and Bay Conservation and Development Commission requirements, and shall include in-water access where feasible, consistent with General Plan Policy NBE-4.1.
(Ord. No. 1879 N.C.(2d), § 3(Exh. A), 3-11-2025)
Chapter 16.205 - OFFICE AND MEDICAL DISTRICTS
16.205.01 - Purpose and applicability. ¶
The purposes of the Office "O" and Medical "M" Zoning Districts are to:
A.
Provide sites for medical and office uses at appropriate locations.
B.
Encourage a mix of compatible uses within these districts including multi-family residential development.
C.
Establish design standards that improve the visual quality of development and create a unified, distinctive, and attractive character in these districts.
D.
Provide appropriate buffers and transition standards between these districts and adjacent residential neighborhoods.
More specifically, the purposes of the individual O and M Zoning Districts are as follows:
O Office: The O Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations for areas having an employment focus, but also supporting a mix of uses, especially business supportive uses. Residential-only development and office development with a residential component are allowed as major uses if design and compatibility standards are met.
M Medical: The M Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations for areas with a concentration of medical facilities and supporting commercial services can be provided without the encroachment of incompatible uses. Design and development standards will ensure land use compatibility and appropriate buffers and transitions to adjacent residential neighborhoods.
16.205.02 - Development regulations. ¶
Table 16.205-A: Development Standards : Office And Medical Districts, prescribes the development standards for the O and M Zoning Districts. Additional regulations are listed in the right-hand column. Chapter numbers in this column refer to other chapters of the Zoning Code and individual letters refer to sections that directly follow the table. The numbers in each illustration below refer to corresponding regulations in the "#" column in the table.
TABLE 16.205-A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS: OFFICE AND MEDICAL DISTRICTS
| FIG # | DISTRICT | O | M | ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOT AND DENSITY STANDARDS | ||||
| Minimum/Maximum Density |
16/30 | 16/50 | ||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Minimum/Maximum Density for Business /Limited Residential General Plan Designation |
16/50 | n/a | ||
| Minimum Lot Size (sq. ft.) |
5,000 | 10,000 | ||
| Corner Lots | 6,000 | 10,000 | ||
| ① | Minimum Lot Width (ft.) | 50 | 50 | |
| ② | Corner Lots | 60 | 60 | |
| BUILDING FORM AND LOCATION | ||||
| ③ | Maximum Height (ft.) | 75; 35 within 50 ft. of an R District |
75: 35 within 50 ft. of and R District |
See Section 16.501.05,Height Exceptions |
| Ground Floor Minimum (ft.) | ||||
| ④ | Ground Floor Commercial Uses |
15 | 15 | See Section 16.501.07,Projections Into Required Yards |
| ⑤ | First Floor Ceiling Height, Commercial uses (ft. clear) |
12 | 12 | |
| Minimum Setbacks (ft.) | ||||
| ⑥ | Front | 15 | See Section 16.501.07,Projections Into Required |
|
| ⑦ ⑩ | Interior Side | 5 plus 2 ft. for each story over 2 |
Yards | |
| ⑧ | Street Side | 10 | ||
| ⑨ ⑩ | Rear | 10, 15 adjacent to R District |
||
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) |
2.0 | 1.0 | See Chapter 16.104,Rules for Measurement |
|
| OPEN SPACE | ||||
| Minimum Private Open Space (sq. ft. per unit) |
40 (A) | n/a | See Chapter 16.505,Fences, Walls, and Screening and Chapter 16.504,Landscaping |
|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Minimum Common Open Space (sq. ft. per Unit) |
150 (A) | n/a | ||
| LANDSCAPING | ||||
| Minimum Amount of Landscaping (% of site) |
25 | See Chapter 16.504,Landscaping |
||
| Street Trees (ft. frontage) | 1 per 30 ft. of frontage (A) |
|||
| ADDITIONAL STANDARDS | ||||
| Fences and Walls | See Chapter 16.505,Fences, Walls, and Screening |
|||
| Lighting | See Chapter 16.506,Lighting and Glare |
|||
| Of-Street Parking and Loading |
See Chapter 16.508,Of-Street Parking and Loading |
|||
| Parking Lot Landscaping |
See Chapter 16.504,Landscaping |
A.
Additional Development Standards. All development in the O and M Zoning Districts is subject to the following standards.
1.
Mixed-Use Development. A combination of permitted commercial uses may be established in the same building or on the same lot as a residential use subject to compliance with all applicable requirements for the use and the development intensity. A minimum of fifty percent of non-residential space on the ground floor is required along street (not alley) frontage.
2.
Landscaping. A minimum of twenty-five percent of the site must be landscaping. The minimum required landscaped area may be reduced to twenty percent of site area when the site includes an area with minimum dimensions of thirty feet by thirty feet planted with at least one large-canopy tree. At least fifty percent of the ground area within this space must planted with ground cover plants and the remainder may be hard-surfaced for use by pedestrians.
3.
Public Improvements.
a.
Sidewalks. Sidewalks shall be provided if none already exist or if the existing sidewalks are in poor condition.
b.
Street Furniture. Trash receptacles, benches, bike racks, and other street furniture shall be provided.
c.
Streetlights. Pedestrian-scale streetlights shall be provided.
d.
Street Trees. Shade trees shall be planted no more than thirty feet on center. Tree guards shall be provided. Trees shall be a minimum fifteen gallons in size, and at least ten percent of the required trees shall be twenty-four-inch box size or larger.
e.
Orientation of Primary Building Entrance. The primary building entrance shall face or be oriented to within forty-five degrees of or parallel to the street frontage.
f.
Building Articulation. Building facades shall include building projections or recesses, doorway and window trim, and other details that provide architectural articulation and design interest.
g.
Exterior Building Materials. A unified palette of materials shall be used on all sides of buildings. Exterior building materials shall be stone, brick, stucco, and concrete block, painted wood clapboard, painted metal clapboard or other quality, durable materials.
4.
Pedestrian Access on Large Site (Over ten acres). On-site pedestrian circulation and access must be provided in compliance with the following standards.
a.
Internal Connections. A system of pedestrian walkways shall connect all buildings on a site to each other, to on-site automobile and bicycle parking areas, and to any on-site open space areas or pedestrian amenities.
b.
Circulation Network. Regular connections between on-site walkways and the public sidewalk shall be provided. An on-site walkway shall connect the primary building entry or entries to a public sidewalk on each street frontage.
c.
Transit. Safe and convenient pedestrian connections shall be provided from transit stops to building entrances.
d.
Interior Pedestrian Walkway Design.
i.
Walkways shall have a minimum unobstructed width of six feet and shall be hard-surfaced.
ii.
Where a required walkway crosses driveway, parking areas, or loading areas, it must be clearly identifiable through the use of a raised crosswalk, a different paving material, or similar method.
iii.
Where a required walkway is parallel and adjacent to an auto travel lane, it must be raised or separated from the auto travel lane by a raised curb at least four inches high, bollards, or other physical barrier.
5.
Truck Docks, Loading, and Service Areas. Truck docks, loading areas, and service areas must be screened and not visible from public streets. Drop-off areas may be located at the primary building entry.
Chapter 16.206 - INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
16.206.01 - Purpose and applicability. ¶
The purpose of the Industrial "I" Zoning Districts is to:
A.
Designate adequate land for businesses, manufacturing and industrial operations, and related storage, distribution and services supporting industry in the city;
B.
Maintain and strengthen the city's economic and fiscal resources and provide employment opportunities for residents of the city and surrounding communities.
C.
Establish appropriate development and design standards and buffering requirements to protect adjacent uses and ensure land use compatibility; and
D.
Minimize the impacts of industrial development on adjacent residents.
More specifically, the purposes of the industrial zoning districts are as follows:
IL Limited Industrial: The IL Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations for a diverse range of light industrial and supportive uses as well as limited office and live/work uses. This district is primarily intended to accommodate industrial and flex space types of development.
IG General Industrial: The IG Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations for a broad range of industrial activities, including general industrial, heavy industrial, manufacturing and supportive ancillary offices. This district is intended for activities that may potentially generate more noise, hazards and truck traffic than those in the IL district and establishes buffering and transition standards for any adjacent residential uses. Uses in this designation may also utilize rail and ships to transport materials and manufactured goods.
16.206.02 - Development regulations. ¶
Table 16.206-A: Development Standards : Industrial Districts, prescribes the development standards for industrial districts. Additional regulations are denoted in a right-hand column. Chapter numbers in this column refer to other chapters of the Zoning Code, while individual letters refer to sections that directly follow the table. The numbers in each illustration below refer to corresponding regulations in the "#" column in the associated table.
TABLE 16.206-A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS : INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
| FIG # | DISTRICT | IL | IG | ADDITIONAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGULATIONS | ||||
| BUILDING FORM AND LOCATION | ||||
| ① | Maximum Height (ft.) | 45 | 75 | See Section 16.204.03.A, |
| Mixed-Use Development | ||||
| and Section 16.501.05, |
||||
| Height Exceptions | ||||
| Minimum Setbacks (ft.) (B) | ||||
| ② | Front | 10 | 10 | See Section 16.501.07, Projections Into Required Yards |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ③ | Interior Side | 0; 15 where abutting an R district |
0; 15 where abutting an R district |
|
| ④ | Street Side | 10 | 10 | |
| ⑤ | Rear | 0; 15 where abutting an R district | See Section 16.501.07, Projections Into Required Yards |
|
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) |
2.5 | 2.0 | ||
| BUILDING FORM AND LOCATION | ||||
| Fences and Walls | See Chapter 16.505,Fences, Walls, and Screening |
|||
| Lighting | See Chapter 16.506,Lighting and Glare |
|||
| Of-Street Parking and Loading |
See Chapter 16.508,Of-Street Parking and Loading |
|||
| Parking Lot Landscaping | See Chapter 16.504,Landscaping |
16.206.03 - Additional regulations. ¶
A.
Mixed-Use Development. A combination of permitted industrial or commercial uses may be established in the same building or on the same lot as a live/work use in the IL Zoning District, subject to compliance with all applicable requirements for the use and the development intensity. A minimum of fifty percent of nonresidential space on the ground floor is required along street frontage (street does not include alley).
B.
Transitional Standards. Where an industrial district adjoins an R Zoning District, the following standards apply:
1.
The maximum height is thirty-five feet within fifty feet of an RLD Zoning District, and forty-five feet within fifty feet of an RMD and RHD Zoning Districts.
A landscaped planting area, a minimum of ten feet in width, shall be provided along all residential zoning districts boundaries, with trees planted at a minimum interval of twenty feet.
C.
Perimeter Landscaping. A perimeter planting strip of at least five feet shall be provided along all arterial streets and street frontages that are adjacent to mixed-use and residential zoning districts.
D.
The following additional improvements are required:
1.
Public Improvements.
a.
Sidewalks. Sidewalks shall be provided if none already exist or if the existing sidewalks are in poor condition.
b.
Streetlights. Pedestrian-scale streetlights shall be provided.
c.
Street Trees. Shade trees shall be planted no more than thirty feet on center. Tree guards shall be provided. Trees shall be a minimum fifteen gallons in size, and at least ten percent of the required trees shall be twenty-four-inch box size or larger.
2.
Orientation of Primary Building Entrance. The primary building entrance shall face or be oriented to within forty-five degrees of or parallel to the street frontage.
a.
Building Articulation. Building facades shall include building projections or recesses, doorway and window trim, and other details that provide architectural articulation and design interest.
b.
Exterior Building Materials. A unified palette of materials shall be used on all sides of buildings. Exterior building materials shall be stone, brick, stucco, and concrete block, painted wood clapboard, painted metal clapboard or other quality, durable materials.
3.
Pedestrian Access on Large Site (Over ten acres). On-site pedestrian circulation and access must be provided in compliance with the following standards.
a.
Internal Connections. A system of pedestrian walkways shall connect all buildings on a site to each other, to on-site automobile and bicycle parking areas, and to any on-site open space areas or pedestrian amenities.
b.
Circulation Network. Regular connections between on-site walkways and the public sidewalk shall be provided. An on-site walkway shall connect the primary building entry or entries to a public sidewalk on each street frontage.
c.
Transit. Safe and convenient pedestrian connections shall be provided from transit stops to building entrances.
d.
Interior Pedestrian Walkway Design.
i.
Walkways shall have a minimum unobstructed width of six feet and shall be hard-surfaced.
ii.
Where a required walkway crosses driveway, parking areas, or loading areas, it must be clearly identifiable through the use of a raised crosswalk, a different paving material, or similar method.
iii.
Where a required walkway is parallel and adjacent to an auto travel lane, it must be raised or separated from the auto travel lane by a raised curb at least four inches high, bollards, or other physical barrier.
E.
Truck Docks, Loading, and Service Areas. The outermost point of the truck docks, loading, and service areas are not permitted within fifty feet of the boundary of an R Zoning District.
Chapter 16.207 - PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICTS
16.207.01 - Purpose and applicability. ¶
The purposes of the parks, recreation, and open space and the resource conservation zoning districts are to:
A.
Provide land for development of parks and recreational facilities, consistent with the general plan, and;
B.
Ensure design compatibility between public uses and adjacent residential neighborhoods.
The specific purposes of the parks, recreation, and open space and the resource conservation zoning districts are as follows:
PROS Parks, Recreation and Open Space: The PROS Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations for parks, recreation and open space areas allowing for recreational activities and/or natural resource preservation.
RCN Resource Conservation: The RCN Zoning District is intended to create and establish regulations to preserve remaining open spaces in their natural state and protect valuable resources. More specifically, this district is intended for undeveloped publicly owned lands, visually significant open lands, water areas, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. These areas are set aside as permanent open space preserves and may include trails, trail heads, and other facilities for low-impact public recreational uses. This district includes wetlands, mudflats, creek corridors and other natural preservation areas, as well as private lands deedrestricted for open space preservation.
16.207.02 - Development regulations. ¶
Table 16.207-A: Land Use Regulations - Parks, Recreation And Open Space, And Resource Conservation Districts, prescribes the development standards for PROS and RCN Zoning Districts. Additional regulations are listed in the right-hand column. Chapter numbers in this column refer to other chapters of this Zoning Code. The numbers in each illustration below refer to corresponding regulations in the "#" column in the associated table.
TABLE 16.207-A: LAND USE REGULATIONS - PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE, AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
| FIG | DISTRICT | PROS | RCN | ADDITIONAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGULATIONS | ||||
| LOT SIZE; BUILDING FORM AND LOCATION | ||||
| Minimum Lot Size | 10,000 sq. ft. | n/a | ||
| Minimum Lot Width (ft.) |
n/a | n/a | ||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ① | Maximum Height (ft.) | 35 | n/a | See Section 16.501.05, Height Exceptions |
| ② | All Setbacks and Bufers (ft.) |
50 | ||
| LANDSCAPING | ||||
| Minimum % of Site | 20 (A) | n/a | See Chapter 16.504, Landscaping |
|
| Street Trees | 1 per 30 sq. ft. of frontage | n/a | ||
| Parking Lot Landscaping |
See Chapter 16.504, Landscaping |
16.207.03 - Additional regulations. ¶
A.
Landscaping. A minimum of twenty percent of the site must be landscaped.
B.
Truck Docks, Loading and Service Areas. Truck docks, loading areas, and service areas must be located at the rear or interior sides of buildings and screened, and not visible from public streets or residential neighborhoods.
C.
Any development along San Pablo Bay, the Napa River, Mare Island Strait, or the Carquinez Strait shall
provide public access to and along the shoreline consistent with state and Bay Conservation and Development Commission requirements, and shall include in-water access where feasible, consistent with General Plan Policy NBE-4.1.
Chapter 16.208 - PUBLIC AND SEMI-PUBLIC DISTRICT
16.208.01 - Purpose and applicability. ¶
The purposes of the Public and Semi-Public "PS" Zoning District are to:
A.
Provide land for development of public, cultural and institutional uses that provide services to the community;
B.
Create and establish lower use regulations developments and for a public and semi-public facilities public utilities, and other community facilities; and
C.
Ensure design compatibility between public uses and adjacent residential neighborhoods.
The specific purpose of the PS Zoning District is as follows:
PS Public and Semi-Public District: The PS Zoning District is intended to regulate areas that provide governmental and quasi-governmental services and supportive services.
16.208.02 - Development regulations. ¶
Table 16.208-A: Development Standards - Public And Semi-Public District, prescribes the development standards for the PS Zoning District. Additional regulations are denoted in a right-hand column. Chapter numbers in this column refer to other chapters of the Zoning Code. The numbers in each illustration below refer to corresponding regulations in the "#" column in the associated table.
TABLE 16.208-A: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS - PUBLIC AND SEMI-PUBLIC DISTRICT
| FIG # | DISTRICT | PS | ADDITIONAL | ADDITIONAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REGULATIONS | ||||
| LOT SIZE; BUILDING FORM AND LOCATION | ||||
| Minimum Lot | 10,000 sq. ft. | |||
| Size | ||||
| Minimum Lot | n/a | |||
| Width (ft.) | ||||
| ① | Maximum Height | 45; 35 within 50 ft. of an R District | See Section | 16.501.05,Height |
| (ft.) | Exceptions | |||
| Minimum Setbacks (ft.) | ||||
| ② | Front | 10; when adjacent to an R district, | See Section | 16.501.07,Projections |
| the front setback is the same as that | Into Required Yards | |||
| of the R district | ||||
| ③ | Side | 10 - street side; 5 interior side, plus 2 ft. per story for buildings over two stories adjacent to an R District |
||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | |
| ④ | Rear | 10; 15 adjacent to an R District | ||
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) |
1.0 | |||
| LANDSCAPING | ||||
| Minimum % of site |
30 (A) | |||
| Street Trees | 1 per 30 ft. of frontage | See Chapter 16.504,Landscaping |
||
| Parking Lot Landscaping |
See Chapter 16.504,Landscaping |
16.208.03 - Additional regulations. ¶
A.
Landscaping. A minimum of thirty percent of the site must be landscaping. The minimum required landscaped area may be reduced to twenty percent of site area when the site includes an area with minimum dimensions of thirty feet by thirty feet planted with at least one large-canopy tree. At least fifty percent of the ground area within this space must be planted with ground cover plants and the remainder may be hard-surfaced for use by pedestrians.
B.
Truck Docks, Loading and Service Areas. Truck docks, loading areas, and service areas must be located at the rear or interior sides of buildings and screened and not visible from public streets or residential properties.
Chapter 16.209 - PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
16.209.01 - Purpose and applicability. ¶
This chapter establishes regulations for planned development zoning districts that allow for one or more properties to be developed under a plan that provides for better coordinated development and incorporates development standards crafted to respond to site conditions in order to:
A.
Provide flexibility by allowing diversification in regulations such as building relationships, setbacks, height limitations, lot sizes, types of structures, parking and the amount and location of open space;
B.
Ensure substantial compliance with and implement the land use and density policies of the general plan and any applicable specific plan;
C.
Provide for efficient and cost-effective public facilities and services;
D.
Allow for creative and experimental approaches to land development projects that incorporate design features that are more sensitive to site conditions including the application of new technologies or the innovative application of existing technologies relating to resource conservation;
E.
Facilitate projects that provide greater amenities than would likely result from conventionally planned development; and
F.
Protect public health, safety, and general welfare without unduly inhibiting developers attempting to secure the advantages of modern large-scale site planning for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes.
These provisions shall apply for:
Development in Areas Subject to Existing Master Plans. Properties located in approved subdivisions or within the boundaries of an area subject to an existing master plan and/or planned development unit plan and meet the following criteria shall comply with the development standards of the applicable master plan and/or planned development unit plan if:
1.
Located within one of the following five areas:
a.
Garthe Ranch
b.
Glen Cove
c.
Hiddenbrooke
d.
Mare Island
e.
Northgate (Residential)
2.
Located in a planned development zoning district;
3.
Processed as a planned development unit plan, part of a master plan.
Waterfront and Vallejo Station Planned Development Master Plan. Projects within the WMX Zoning District and as specified in the Waterfront and Vallejo Station Project Planned Development Master Plan (PDMP) and accompanying Waterfront Design Guidelines (collectively, the "Waterfront PDMP/design guidelines") for the waterfront area (the "waterfront area") shall be prepared consistent with the Waterfront PDMP/Design Guidelines, the Disposition and Development Agreement (the "DDA") between the city of Vallejo (the "City") and the developer of the waterfront area (the "developer"), and the development agreement between the city and the developer. Pursuant to the DDA, the city and the developer are obligated to timely appeal decisions of the design review board regarding development review permits for major projects, as determined by the director, to the city council.
"DDA") between the city of Vallejo (the "City") and the developer of the waterfront area (the "developer"), and the development agreement between the city and the developer. Pursuant to the DDA, the city and the developer are obligated to timely appeal decisions of the design review board regarding development review permits for major projects, as determined by the director, to the city council.
PD Planned Development. PD Zoning Districts shall be noted on the zoning map by the designation "PD". PD districts must be consistent with the general plan land use designation in which they are located.
16.209.02 - Land use regulations. ¶
No use other than an existing use is permitted in a PD Zoning District except in accordance with a valid planned development plan. Any permitted or conditional use authorized by the Zoning Code may be included in an approved planned development plan consistent with the general plan land use designation(s) for the property. Where a proposed land use is encompassed by the definition of the PD district's permitted use types but conflicts with the statement of purposes for this district, the proposed land use will not be permitted.
16.209.03 - Development regulations. ¶
A.
Establishment. The development standards for a PD Zoning District shall be established as provided in Section 16.610, Planned Development Districts.
B.
Minimum Area. The minimum area of a PD Zoning District shall be four contiguous acres; however, the city council may approve a district smaller than four acres if it finds that rezoning to PD would provide greater benefits to the general welfare of Vallejo's residents and property owners than development under any base zoning district due to the unique characteristics of the site or the proposed use.
C.
Residential Unit Density. Except where a density bonus is granted in compliance with the requirements of Table 16.209-A: Density Bonuses For Planned Development Benefits, or the city's density bonus regulations for affordable housing and childcare pursuant to Chapter 16.214, Affordable Housing Incentives, the total number of dwelling units in a PD Zoning District shall not exceed the maximum number permitted by the general plan density for the total area designated for residential use, excluding areas devoted to public and private streets.
1.
Densities may be mixed within the area included in the approved PD Plan.
2.
The planning commission may authorize density bonuses that exceed the ranges specified in the general plan as provided in the following table.
D.
Other Development Regulations. Minimum lot area, yard requirements, building heights, and other physical development standards shall be as prescribed by the PD Plan.
TABLE 16.209-A: DENSITY BONUSES FOR PLANNED DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS
| TABLE 16.209-A: DENSITY BONUSES FOR PLANNED DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS | TABLE 16.209-A: DENSITY BONUSES FOR PLANNED DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS |
|---|---|
| BENEFIT PROVIDED | DENSITY BONUS |
| Open space and/or recreation facilities for use by nonresidential as well as residents of the planned unit development. |
Two dwelling units/acre of open space or 10,000 sq. ft. of approved recreation facilities |
| Provision of low or moderate-income housing, as defned by the housing element of the general plan. |
See Section 16.214,Afordable Housing Incentives |
| Interior pedestrian trails or bicycle paths connecting with designated city trails and paths. |
One dwelling unit per 1,000 ft. of paved pathway. |
| Senior citizen housing at locations consistent with General Plan. |
One dwelling unit per every 2 units provided. |