Chapter 17.100 — FLOOR AREA RATIO

The intent of this chapter is to establish regulations for measuring floor area to determine the floor area ratio (FAR) for development within the Town of Yountville. The intent of the FAR requirements is to limit building massing while encouraging the implementation of open space for new developments, both commercial and residential. (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

The floor area of a development shall be calculated using the sum of the gross areas of the enclosed floors of a building or buildings measured from the centerline of the exterior wall or bottom plate or from the centerline of party walls separating such buildings. Interior portions of buildings with a minimum of 100 square feet of open area and 16 feet or more of clear open area from the floor to the ceiling shall be regarded as an assumed second floor that shall be included as floor area for the purpose of calculating FAR. (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

The following shall not be included in floor area calculations:

• A. Garages and Carports.

  1. For single-family residential parcels in the RM District and in the H District for lots of 5,000 square feet or greater, a sliding scale exemption of up to 400 square feet for garages located on the rear half of the parcel in direct proportion to the amount of the garage located on the rear half of the parcel,

  2. For single-family residential parcels in the H District for lots less than 5,000 square feet, an exemption of up to 200 square feet,

  3. For duplex parcels in the RM and H Districts, same as subsection (A)(1) above,

  4. For multifamily parcels, a sliding scale exemption of up to 200 square feet per unit in direct proportion to the amount of the garage located on the rear half of the parcel;

• B. Uncovered areas used for off-street parking spaces or loading areas and accessways and maneuvering aisles relating thereto;

• C. Trash and recycling enclosures and screened areas used for trash, recycling, and storage;

• D. Areas which qualify as usable open space under Title 17 of the Yountville Municipal Code;

• E. Accessory dwelling units;

• F. Enclosed Auxiliary Structures. A combined exemption of up to 100 square feet is allowed

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Town of Yountville, CA

ZONING

§ 17.100.030

§ 17.100.040

for all enclosed auxiliary structures on a residential lot and located in the rear yard and screened from right-of-way view, excluding garages, carports, and accessory dwelling units;

• G. Unenclosed auxiliary structures such as swimming pools, spas, and related equipment; built-in kitchens, BBQs, fireplaces, and similar equipment; and gazebos or pergolas, or similar unoccupied structures;

• H. The following enclosed building features: interior staircases (shall be counted on one floor only), basement levels and nonhabitable attics (as defined in the California Building Code) and second-floor nonhabitable area that is open to the first floor if under 16 feet in height;

• I. Architectural features; and

• J. Architectural elements. (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

• A. Incentive for Affordable Housing. The following FAR bonuses for single-family lots of 8,000 square feet or less may be approved through a Master Development Plan for five or more single-family lots in projects that provide more than the minimum number of affordable units required by Chapter 17.160; however, not more than 25% of the total number of lots in the project may be 6,500 square feet or larger. The affordability of such units shall be evenly distributed among the three affordability categories, except if a higher proportion of lower-income units are proposed.

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----- Start of picture text -----
Percentage of Affordable Units Maximum FAR per Single-Family Lot
20 0.275
21 0.30
22 0.325
23 0.35
24 0.375
25 0.40
----- End of picture text -----

• B. Incentive for Commercial Uses. Allowable FAR increases for commercial or mixed-use projects may be granted as regulated by Chapter 17.178, Commercial and Mixed-Use Development Incentives, of this title.

• (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

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Town of Yountville, CA