The purpose of these provisions is to clarify and amplify regulations applying throughout the City, and to set forth other regulations applying to certain areas. The supplemental general development regulations apply to all zones and all uses of land unless otherwise stated. When two or more conflicting regulations apply to the same property, the more restrictive shall apply. Violation of these provisions is a violation of the Zoning Code.

(Ord. No. 03-03, § 5(18.30.010), 4-16-2003)

(a)

Grading and excavation operations are permitted in all districts including specific plan areas, in compliance with the regulations of Chapter 10.06, Grading Code. When such operations involve the extraction or relocation of more than 5,000 cubic yards or more than 500 cubic yards if on a building site with slopes greater than 15 percent, such operations are also subject to the approval of a site development permit application. (The total number of cubic yards shall be the larger of cut, including any export, or fill, including any import.) A site development permit is not required under the following conditions:

(1)

Grading and excavation conducted in compliance with approved sand and gravel extraction operations or tentative tract maps. This shall not exempt future grading for custom lots.

(2)

Grading and excavation conducted in compliance with an approved use permit.

(3)

Emergency grading to correct recent acts of nature.

(b)

No zone change or discretionary permit shall be approved for property on which a violation of the provisions of Chapter 10.06, Grading Code, exist, including work performed not in accordance with approved grading plans, unless conditioned to require such violation to be corrected or mitigated to the satisfaction of the Building Official prior to the issuance of any building permits.

(Ord. No. 03-03, § 5(18.30.350), 4-16-2003)

When a building site abuts and enjoys a right of vehicular access to or from a local street or arterial highway, no building permit and no certificate of use and occupancy shall be issued for any use, except single-family dwellings, until the right-of-way for such street or highway has been dedicated to or vested in the City of Laguna Woods. The dedicated or vested right-of-way shall be improved with installation of paving, curbs, gutters, drive approaches, sidewalks where required and street drainage, in compliance with the provisions and specifications of "Standard Plans," as amended. However, if at the time of development of the property, the Director finds that the installation of such improvements is physically inappropriate prior to commencement of development of the property, the property owner may enter into an agreement with the City of Laguna Woods guaranteeing the installation of such improvements within a specified time. The City may require a faithful performance bond, a cash deposit, a letter of credit, or such other means that will guarantee the completion of such improvements.

(Ord. No. 03-03, § 5(18.30.400), 4-16-2003)

(a)

When a building site is located within the boundaries of an adopted master plan of drainage, no building permit and no certificate of use and occupancy shall be issued for any use except single-family dwellings until drainage fees pertaining to the gross area of the site have been paid in the amount set forth in the drainage fee schedule adopted by the City Council in conjunction with the adoption of such master plan of drainage.

(b)

At the discretion of the City Council, dedication of rights-of-way, actual construction, installation or design by a registered civil engineer of improvements described in such adopted master plan of drainage, or any combination thereof, may be accepted in lieu of the payment of the aforementioned fees. The funds derived from the drainage fees imposed hereby shall be utilized only for the construction of local drainage facilities for the disposal of surface and stormwaters from the local drainage area in which such building or land is located.

(Ord. No. 03-03, § 5(18.30.450), 4-16-2003)

Except as otherwise limited, where ground surface slopes down from the street providing vehicular access to a building site, an elevated driveway connecting the dwelling and garage with the street may be installed within the setback area in compliance with the following provisions:

(1)

The ground surface elevation of the building site along a line 20 feet from and parallel to the street right-of-way line shall be a minimum of at least five feet lower than the street elevation.

(2)

The maximum width of the driveway shall be 20 feet.

(3)

A handrail not exceeding 3½ feet in height may be installed along the edges of the driveway.

(4)

A stairway may be constructed from the driveway to the ground surface.

(Ord. No. 03-03, § 5(18.30.300), 4-16-2003)