Watsonville Municipal Code Part 23 EM-SS—Seismic Safety District

The purpose of the Seismic Safety District is to implement the Seismic Safety Element of the General Plan and the Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zone Act and to reduce the loss of life, injury, and damage to public and private property and government costs for disaster relief associated with geologic hazards.

(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)

The EM-SS overlay district shall be combined with the underlying district currently in effect. The EM-SS overlay district shall be designated by the use of the letters EM-SS following the underlying zoning designation.

(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)

The provisions of the EM-SS District shall be in addition to those of the underlying district. If any of the regulations of the underlying district are less restrictive than the regulations of the EM-SS overlay district, then the regulations of the EM-SS District shall govern.

(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)

(a) Permitted uses. All uses allowed in the underlying district, with the exception of those listed in subsection (b) of this section as conditional uses, shall be permitted subject to the regulations of the EM-SS District.

(b) Conditional uses. Critical structures (see reference material for definition) shall not be permitted in the Zayante Fault Zone or the “A” Liquefaction Zone unless a Special Use Permit is granted in accordance with the underlying district regulations. In addition to the findings required, the Zoning Administrator or Commission shall find that alternative locations not subject to geologic hazards are not available and that the proposed use is vital to the provisions of necessary public services before such use is approved.

(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)

Geologic reports shall be in sufficient detail to meet the criteria and policies established by the State Mining and Geology Board for individual parcels of land. Geologic reports shall be required prior to development as follows:

(a) Zayante Fault Zone. Permit applications for subdivisions, minor land divisions, critical structures, and structures for human occupancy other than building permit applications for a single-family wood frame dwelling not exceeding two (2) stories within the Zayante Fault Zone shall be accompanied by a geologic report.

(b) “A” Liquefaction Zone. Permit applications for subdivisions, minor land divisions, critical structures, and structures for human occupancy other than building permit applications for a single-family wood frame dwelling not exceeding two (2) stories within the “A” Liquefaction Zone shall be accompanied by a geologic report.

(c) “B” Liquefaction Zone. Permit applications for critical structures within the “B” Liquefaction Zone shall be accompanied by a geologic report.

The Planning Director may waive a requirement for a geologic report if sufficient geologic information is on file.

Geologic reports shall be reviewed for adequacy, if necessary, by a geologist retained by the City. Based on the geologic report, the decision-making body shall determine the specific geologic hazard at the site and shall evaluate the suitability of the proposed use in relation to the hazard. In granting any permit, the decision-making body shall attach such conditions as may be deemed necessary to fulfill the purposes of the district. Such conditions may include, but shall not be limited to, alternative locations of structures, special foundation design, and special structural design or equipment which will facilitate restoration of utility service in the event of displacement. A permit shall be denied if the decision-making body finds that the site is unsuitable for the proposed use because of geologic hazards which cannot be mitigated.

(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)

No structure for human occupancy subject to the geologic report requirement shall be permitted within fifty (50') feet of the tract of an active or potentially active fault. Critical structures, other than major utility transmission lines, shall be permitted within 100 feet of the tract of an active or potentially active fault. These setback requirements may be waived only if the geologic report has satisfactorily demonstrated that the fault is inactive.

(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)

Alterations or additions to any structure permitted in the Seismic Safety District, the value of which does not exceed fifty (50%) percent of the value of the structure, shall be exempt from the regulations of the Seismic Safety District. Structural alterations or additions to any structure requiring a Use Permit under this district shall be subject to the regulations of this district.

(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)