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La Canada Flintridge
City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 11

36 GENERAL REGULATIONS AND AREA REQUIREMENTS

§ 11.36.010 Buildings moved.

No building or structure shall be moved from one lot or premises to another unless such building or structure shall thereupon be made to conform to all the provisions of this code relative to buildings or structures hereafter erected upon the lot or premises to which such building or structure shall have been moved, and shall be made to conform to the general character of the existing buildings in the neighborhood or better.
(LACC Ord. 1494 § 702, 1974)

§ 11.36.020 Buildings converted or altered.

No building or structure existing at the time of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter or any amendment thereof which is designed, arranged, intended for or devoted to a use not permitted in the zone in which such building or structure is located, shall be enlarged, extended, reconstructed, built upon or structurally altered unless the use of such building or structure is changed to a use permitted in the zone in which such building or structure is located.
(LACC Ord. 1494 § 703, 1974)

§ 11.36.030 Temporary housing in disaster areas.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, where an existing residence is damaged or destroyed by a major disaster such as fire, flood or earthquake so declared by the Governor of the state of California during the previous six months, a mobilehome may be used as a residence on the same lot or parcel of land by the owner and his or her family for a period not to exceed one year. This section authorizes only the temporary replacement of a damaged or destroyed residence and not an increase in the number of living quarters permitted on the property.
(LACC Ord. 1494 § 705.5, 1974)

§ 11.36.040 General prohibition.

A person shall not use or cause or permit to be used any building, structure, improvement or premises located in any zone described in this code contrary to the provisions of this code.
(LACC Ord. 1494 § 706, 1974)

§ 11.36.050 Investigative powers of commission.

Every member of the commission, the director, and authorized representatives may enter any premises, building or structure at any reasonable hours for investigation or inspection as to whether or not any portion of such premises, building or structure, is being used in violation of this code. Every person who denies or prevents, obstructs or attempts to deny, prevent or obstruct, such access is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(LACC Ord. 1494 § 707, 1974)

§ 11.36.070 Required area reduced by public use.

If a lot or parcel of land has not less than the required area and after creation of such lot or parcel of land a part thereof is acquired for a public use other than for highway purposes, in any manner including dedication, condemnation or purchase, and if the remainder of such lot or parcel has not less than 80% of the area indicated by the number which follows the zoning symbol, such remainder shall be considered as having the required area.
(LACC Ord. 1494 § 722, 1974)

§ 11.36.080 Required area reduced for highway purposes.

If a lot or parcel of land has not less than the required area, as defined in Section 11.01.030, and after the creation of such lot or parcel of land a part thereof is acquired for highway purposes exclusively, in any manner including dedication, condemnation or purchase, and if the remainder of such lot or parcel has not less than 75% of the required area, then such remainder shall be considered as having the required area, provided the remaining portion of said lot or parcel of land has an area of not less than 2,500 square feet, or an area as is otherwise provided herein. The director, without notice or hearing, may approve a reduction of lot area to 75% of the required area where the remaining parcel would have less than 2,500 square feet, but not less than 2,000 square feet, where topographic features, subdivision design or other conditions create an unnecessary hardship or unreasonable limitation making it obviously impractical to comply with the stated minimum.
(LACC Ord. 1494 § 722.3, 1974)

§ 11.36.090 Required width reduced by public use.

If a lot or parcel of land has not less than the required width and after the creation of such lot or parcel of land a part thereof is acquired for public use in any manner including dedication, condemnation or purchase, if the remainder of such lot has an average width of not less than 40 feet, such remainder shall be considered as having the required width.
(LACC Ord. 1494 § 722.5, 1974)

§ 11.36.100 Required area to be in accordance with zoning densities.

A lot or parcel of land having less than the minimum square footage provided for in the zoning on said property shall not be considered to have the "required area" necessary for the erection, construction or use of a building or structure if:
A. 
The lot or parcel of land is vacant; and
B. 
The owner or person having a right of possession of said lot or parcel is also the owner or has a right of possession to any contiguous parcel or property.
(Ord. 28 § 1, 1977)

§ 11.36.110 Area or width diminished by public use.

Where a building or structure is lawfully located on property acquired for public use (by condemnation, purchase or otherwise) such building or structure may be relocated on the same lot or parcel of land, although such building or structure is existing as a nonconforming use or although the area or width regulations of this code or both cannot be complied with. Where any part of such building or structure is acquired for public use, the remainder of such building or structure may be repaired, reconstructed or remodeled, with the same or similar kind of materials as used in the existing buildings.
(LACC Ord. 1494 § 736, 1974)

§ 11.36.120 Reduction of lot area or width.

Except a conveyance for public use or as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person shall not divide any lot or parcel of land, and shall not convey any lot or parcel of land or any portion thereof, if as a result of such division or conveyance the area or average width of any lot or parcel of land is so reduced, or a lot or parcel of land is created, which lot or parcel of land has an area or average width less than:
A. 
Sufficient so that the number and type of structures on such resulting lot or parcel of land comply with the provisions of this chapter;
B. 
The required area, or required width of the applicable zone.
(LACC Ord. 1494 § 737, 1974)

§ 11.36.130 Rescission.

Any deed of conveyance, sale or contract to sell made contrary to the provisions of this chapter is voidable at the sole option of the grantee, buyer or person contracting to purchase, his or her heirs, personal representative, or trustee in insolvency or bankruptcy within one year after the date of execution of, the deed or conveyance, sale or contract to sell, but the deed of conveyance, sale or contract to sell is binding upon any assignee or transferee of the grantee, buyer or person contracting to purchase, other than those above enumerated, and upon the grantor, vendor or person contracting to sell, his or her assignee, heir or devisee.
(LACC Ord. 1494 § 738, 1974)

§ 11.36.140 Residential air quality.

New multifamily residential development or redevelopment that is located within 1,500 feet of the Interstate 210 or State Route 2 freeways, or Foothill Boulevard, shall include the following mitigation measures to address potential air quality health risks exist for future residents of those developments:
A. 
Vegetation barriers at least ten feet wide shall be planted between residential development and freeways. The design and species of plants used in the vegetation barriers shall follow guidance described in the Environmental Protection Agency's July 2016 document "Recommendations for Constructing Roadside Vegetation Barriers to Improve Near-Road Air Quality."
B. 
Fixed windows shall be installed on the side of residential buildings facing freeways or Foothill Boulevard, as allowed by the building and fire code.
C. 
Central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems shall include high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters (MERV-13 or higher). Property owners shall develop a maintenance plan to ensure the filtering system is properly maintained.
D. 
Outdoor air intake systems for HVAC systems shall be located as far away as possible from freeways and Foothill Boulevard.
E. 
Balconies shall be avoided or limited on the side of residential buildings facing the freeways and Foothill Boulevard.
F. 
Multifamily residential developments or mixed use developments that include multifamily units located immediately adjacent to freeways shall include sound walls along the property line adjacent to the freeway.
(Ord. 513-U § 14, 2023; Ord. 515 § 13, 2023)

§ 11.36.150 Permitted lower income housing.

A. 
The director shall prepare and maintain an official list of lots that meet the requirements of California Government Code Section 65583.2(c) and (h), a copy of which shall be available in the office of the director and the city's website.
B. 
Residential development that includes at least 20% of the units as housing affordable to lower income households shall be permitted on lots that meet the requirements of California Government Code Section 65583.2(c) or (h).
(Ord. 513-U § 14, 2023; Ord. 515 § 13, 2023)