Cerritos City Zoning Code

Adjacent to 183rd Street. The setback of any buildings or structures (excluding perimeter block walls and decorative fences) shall be a minimum of thirty feet as measured from the face of the street curb.

Adjacent to the San Gabriel River Freeway (Interstate 605). The setback of any building or structures (excluding perimeter block walls and decorative fences) shall be a minimum of five feet; provided, that the average setback is a minimum of twelve feet.

Adjacent land uses east of the area development plan. The setback of any buildings or structures (excluding perimeter block walls and decorative fences) shall be a minimum of thirty-five feet, as measured from the adjacent easterly property line.

Architectural Features. Features such as balconies, awnings, and eaves may encroach into the setback area no more than five feet.

Adjacent to Interior Roads. There shall be a minimum setback of five feet from an interior roadway.

All buildings and structures within the area development plan shall adhere to a unified architectural design theme. Such theme shall integrate mass, height, materials, colors, textures, and character for the purpose of maintaining a consistent scheme throughout the area development plan.

A minimum of forty percent of the combined area of all building elevations, excluding the area of window, door, and balcony openings, shall be faced with enhanced materials including, but not limited to: brick, natural stone (granite, limestone, marble, sandstone, etc.), wood/simulated wood, and/or other enhanced materials deemed comparable by the department of community development.

All buildings shall maintain four-sided architecture, by which enhanced architectural detailing, building projects, and offsets are incorporated on all building elevations in order to create visual interest and depth. Design elements shall be creatively repeated on all building elevations in order to foster a unified architectural motif throughout the development.

Articulation. Architectural articulation elements shall be provided to differentiate unique elements of project design through the inclusion of architectural detailing, colors and materials, and similar design elements.

Development standards and architectural detailing provisions shall apply to all building elevations within the area development plan.

Entrances. Building entrances should be clearly defined and easily accessible for area development plan residents.

Architectural accent lighting shall be incorporated to further enhance building elevations, while maintaining the standards set forth in subsection (16) of this section.

Awnings, shade structures, and site amenities shall be designed to complement the architectural design theme of the development and shall be uniform in style and design. Site amenities, including site furniture and barbecue areas, shall be routinely maintained, and/or replaced as necessary and shall be subject to city approval.

Trellises and pedestrian arbors shall be designed in order to enhance the architecture of the development or provide screening of units from adjacent uses and shall be subject to city approval.

Windows and Doors. Windows and doors should complement architectural design and assist in the articulation of entrances and individual units.

All aspects of design, material and color shall be subject to the approval of the department of community development to ensure that the general design of residential development conforms to the purpose and intent for the area development plan.

In order to provide for a measure of architectural harmony, all roofs shall be consistent in architectural style, color, and design.

Building Hierarchy. Mixed-use buildings shall be designed to differentiate between the uses with the bottom level(s) containing a defined base; followed by a middle or body; and a top, cornice, or parapet cap. Commercial and office uses will occupy the bottom level(s) with residential uses above. Residential uses shall occupy at least fifty percent of the total floor area of a mixed-use building. Each level shall be differentiated with the inclusion of at least two of the following, and in accordance with the standards stated herein:

Ground-Floor Character. Permitted uses located on the ground-floor shall be designed in such a manner as to be engaging and inviting for pedestrians walking within the development area.

Ground-Floor Building Entries and Building Heights.

Ground-Floor Transparency.

There shall be at least one off-street parking space for each studio dwelling unit, one and one-half off-street parking spaces for each one-bedroom dwelling unit, and one and three-quarters off-street parking spaces for each two-bedroom unit.

There shall be at least one-quarter off-street parking space for each dwelling unit provided for visitors of residential development. Deviations from the on-site parking requirements may be granted by the department of community development based upon a parking management analysis demonstrating adequate shared on-site parking within the area development plan with appropriate access, circulation, and security.

Exterior parking spaces shall be at least nine feet by twenty feet or eleven feet by twenty feet for spaces adjacent to a landscaped area or wall, and shall be arranged in a manner that will not impair the traffic safety of any unit in the development. Parking structure spaces shall be at least nine feet by eighteen feet and shall be arranged in a manner that will not impair the traffic safety of any unit in the development.

Drive aisles shall be not less than twenty-five feet in width for two-way traffic. All drive aisle widths shall be subject to approval by the Los Angeles County fire department.

Parking shall be designed in accordance with a parking management plan subject to city approval. Parking management plans shall indicate the location and allocation of parking stalls for individual residential units, visitors, and for physically handicapped designated spaces. The plan shall also include means for addressing and minimizing the visibility of vehicles from public view, including vehicles parked on roof levels of parking structures above the height of residential buildings and/or architectural treatments.

Parking structures or parking garages shall have vehicle access ramps fully contained within the structure so that they are fully screened from public view by residential buildings and/or architectural treatments. Parking structures and vehicle access ramps shall not be apparent from the exterior of the development.

Roof levels of parking structures shall be fully screened from public view from the exterior of the development. Light fixtures and large vehicles located on roof levels of parking structures shall maintain a low profile and shall not be visible. Screening elements must be decoratively enhanced to blend with surrounding roof elements and architectural treatments.

All parking spaces and driveway aprons within parking structures shall be constructed of concrete, whereas roadways may be constructed of asphalt in accordance with city standards. Drive aisles into and around the area development plan shall have enhanced decorative paving at key drive aisle intersections and major vehicular access points, subject to city approval.

All parking shall be arranged so that vehicles accessing or serving the dwelling units are not required to back onto a public street.

All walls or fences shall be of decorative concrete, brick, block or decorative wrought iron, or a combination of the above. The design of walls and fences and the selection of landscape materials shall be completed in a manner that complements the design theme of the development area. All walls and fences shall be coordinated to convey as a common theme in terms of design, color, materials, and location. The design, color, material and location of walls and fences shall be subject to the approval of the department of community development.

Decorative walls and fences shall be entirely contained within private property line boundaries of the development area; provided, that the minimum setback distance for such walls or fences shall be at least eight feet from the face of the street curb along 183rd Street.

A sidewalk measuring a minimum of five feet in width shall be installed along all collector or arterial streets. All new internal sidewalks and/or pathways must be constructed at a minimum width of five feet with adequate lighting consistent with the standards found in subsection (16) of this section.

Lighting shall be designed to provide safety and security and shall serve to unify and enhance the general appearance of the residential development. All lighting shall be installed in accordance with a city-approved lighting plan and a photometric plan. The lighting plan shall examine the degree to which exterior lighting affects adjacent uses and shall consider the light source, level of illumination, and hours of illumination. The photometric plan shall depict the anticipated light levels generated by all exterior lights located on adjacent properties and immediately beyond the residential development boundaries. Both plans shall be subject to city approval and shall ensure that light fixtures and illumination levels do not adversely impact aesthetics and architectural elements of the development.

The installation of lighting fixtures that complement and are compatible with the overall architectural design if the area development shall be required.

The down-lighting, up-lighting, or spotlighting of specimen trees, decorative walkways, and enhanced pedestrian sidewalks shall be required.

Accent lighting shall be designed and integrated into the architecture of the buildings, with an emphasis on inset light fixtures in lieu of externally mounted light fixtures, to showcase key architectural features of the buildings and landscaping and shall be subject to the approval of the department of community development.

No light shall direct or deflect glare to residential unit interiors, streets, or adjacent uses. Special attention shall be provided to ensure that illumination shall not have a negative environmental impact on the land uses surrounding the area development plan.

The pattern, form and relationship of public and private open spaces and the design of landscaping shall be developed to complement the permitted land use and the architectural design of buildings within the area development plan. Dense shrubs, trees, and landscape screens shall be utilized to provide screening and enhance residential development along arterial street frontages and adjacent uses.

A comprehensive landscape design that includes designs for a variety of open space areas shall utilize trees and shrubs of variable heights, with a variegated grouping pattern of trees, shrubs, and groundcover.

A minimum of sixty percent of the area development plan not covered by buildings or structures shall be landscaped, open space, or used for parking purposes. A majority of the landscaping shall be within visible open areas.

Special attention shall be given to the landscape design along the northern boundary of the area development plan. Dense shrubs, trees, and landscape screens shall be encouraged in order to provide screening and enhance and soften residential development along the freeway frontage.

All landscaped areas shall be provided with an automatic irrigation system as approved by the department of community development.

A greenbelt system linking buildings and residences with common activity areas and private recreation areas shall be provided. The greenbelt system shall be linked by sidewalks and/or pathways.

Landscaping shall be designed in accordance with a landscape plan subject to city approval. Landscaping plans shall be designed and prepared by a licensed landscape architect in the state of California. Landscape architectural plans shall indicate the location of turf, trees, shrubs, walkways, fences, and/or other decorative features. The landscape architect shall also prepare an irrigation plan to convey the use of an automatic/permanent irrigation system and a hardscape plan identifying proposed surface treatments. Furthermore, the landscape architect shall prepare a lighting plan and planting plan identifying the location and placement of light fixtures and all proposed plant material. The planting plan shall also include a legend to identify the botanical names (genus and species) of all proposed plant material as well as recommended quantities, spacing requirements, and plant sizes.

Any and all revisions or modifications to landscaped or common areas shall be subject to city approval. Dead, dying, or diseased landscapes shall be replaced per the original city approved landscape plan and alternative plant materials or deviations from the original city approved landscape plan shall be prohibited.

The entrance to each residential development shall be designed to clearly signify arrival at a distinctive residential development. Decorative entrance features and/or architectural elements, including, but not limited to, decorative walls, planters, fountains, landscape lighting, specimen trees, and enhanced decorative surfacing of sections of the roadway and walkways leading into the development area shall be required as approved by the department of community development.

When a precise plan that provides for private and public open spaces, common parking areas or common facilities is approved, such approval shall be conditioned upon the preservation and maintenance of such spaces, areas, or facilities for the purposes indicated in the precise plan. Common areas and facilities shall be maintained for the area within the precise plan, including all areas between buildings and the face of street curbs along 183rd Street. All perimeter walls and decorative fences shall be properly maintained, including routine painting, washing, and/or replacement of broken elements or fixtures. The replacement or maintenance of amenities and facilities as a result of weathering or damage shall be completed to match the originally approved architectural design and style of the development.

One or a combination of the following methods of administering such spaces, areas, or facilities may be utilized:

The developer shall submit evidence to the department of community development of the manner in which it will comply with the requirements of this section. The approving authority may, at any time, require the establishment of a maintenance district that permits the city to provide for maintenance in the instance that the home-owners’ association or other controlling body or person fails to provide for the maintenance at a level of quality prescribed in the document approved by the approving authority.

The developer shall be required to install and stub fiber optic conduits to each dwelling and to locations throughout the precise plan to provide for service to common areas.

Air Conditioning and Filtration Systems.

Attic Ventilators.

Elevators.

Trash facilities, including trash chutes, trash receptacles, or bins, shall be located entirely within parking or residential structures and screened from public view at all times except during scheduled trash pick-up times in accordance with a city-approved solid waste plan. Trash storage and facility areas shall be designed in accordance with a solid waste plan. The solid waste plan shall identify the location of trash facilities and/or storage areas and should identify on-site scheduled trash pick-up times. Trash facility maintenance shall be monitored and managed by a property management company or association of the residential development. If additional screening measures are necessary, the type and design of said screening shall be subject to the approval of the department of community development. In addition, trash facilities shall not interfere with fire department access to residential buildings and/or public open space or common areas and are subject to approval by the fire department prior to development.