Lake Forest City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 9
04 GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 9.04.010 Purpose and objective of Zoning Code.
This title shall be known as "The Zoning Code." The Zoning Code is adopted pursuant to Section 11 of Article XI of the Constitution of the State of California, in compliance with Title 7 of the Planning and Zoning Law of the Government Code, for the purpose of promoting the health, safety and general welfare. The Zoning Code is adopted in order to achieve the following objectives:
A.
To enhance and implement the General Plan;
B.
To provide a guide for the growth and development of the City in accordance with the Government Code;
C.
To secure for the citizens of Lake Forest the social and economic advantages resulting from an orderly planned use of its land resources;
D.
To encourage, classify, designate, regulate and segregate the users of land, buildings and structures to serve the needs of agriculture, commerce, industry, residences and other purposes in appropriate places;
E.
To establish conditions which will allow all of these land uses to exist in harmony within the community;
F.
To prevent the overcrowding of land, to avoid undue concentration of population and to maintain a suitable balance between structures and open spaces;
G.
To lessen congestion on streets and to promote a safe, efficient traffic circulation system;
H.
To ensure that adequate off-street parking and loading facilities will be installed and maintained;
I.
To facilitate adequate provisions for community utilities, such as transportation, water, sewage, schools, parks and other public requirements;
J.
To protect and enhance real property values;
K.
To promote the stability of existing land uses and to protect them from incompatible and harmful intrusion.
(Ord. 176 § 1, 2007)
§ 9.04.020 Applicability.
A.
Duplicated Regulation. Whenever any provision of the Zoning Code and any other provision of law, whether set forth in this Code or in any other law or ordinance, impose overlapping or contradictory requirements, or certain restrictions covering any of the same subject matter, that provision which is more restrictive or imposes higher standards shall control, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Zoning Code. In no case shall a resolution supersede or overrule an ordinance. However, a discretionary permit approved per Section 9.184.010 may have more restrictive site development standards than specified in an enabling ordinance. Where specifically allowed by the enabling ordinance, a discretionary permit may have less restrictive site development standards.
B.
Indeterminate Applicability. When the provisions of this Zoning Code, or a planned community or specific plan text, do not clearly define or designate a use within a specific category, when the nature or characteristics of a use are such that the use could be included within more than one definition, and when there is some uncertainty as to which regulations are applicable in a specific instance, the Director shall determine which regulations are applicable. Whenever reference is made to any regulations of this Zoning Code, the reference applies to all amendments and additions now or hereafter made. Uses, structures, conditions, and situations that are not addressed in a planned community or specific plan text, but are addressed in the Zoning Code, shall be governed by the Zoning Code.
C.
Private Agreements. The Zoning Code is not intended to abrogate, annul, or impair any easement, covenant, or other agreement between parties, except that where the Zoning Code imposes a greater restriction or higher standard than that required by such agreement, the Zoning Code shall control.
D.
Separability. If any portion of the Zoning Code is, for any reason, declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or ineffective in whole or in part, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have enacted the Zoning Code and each portion thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more portions be declared invalid or ineffective.
E.
Conformity With the Zoning Code Required. Except as otherwise allowed by Section 9.188.010, "Nonconforming Uses," or as authorized by variance, no uses or structures shall be established, substituted, expanded, constructed, altered, moved, maintained, or otherwise changed, and no lot lines shall be created or changed, except in conformity with the Zoning Code.
F.
Validity. The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans and specifications shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any provisions of this Code. The issuance of a permit shall not prevent the Director from thereafter requiring the correction of violations of this Code or of any other ordinance of the City. Notwithstanding any provision in this Code to the contrary, any use of land, operation, or business that is in violation of State and/or Federal law shall be prohibited in all planning areas, districts, or zones within the City.
G.
Road Right-of-Way. Within dedicated public and private road rights-of-way, all uses and structures shall be subject to the land use regulations of the Zoning Code and applicable planned communities and specified plans, except for the following:
1.
Any structure owned or operated by the City; and
2.
Any use, including, but not limited to, construction and improvements, instigated or continued by the City; and
3.
Any structure, use, or improvement owned and used by a public utility holding a franchise issued by the City pursuant to the provisions of the Franchise Act of 1937, Public Utilities Code Section 6201 et seq., or by another public entity providing water, sewer, or flood control services within the City.
H.
Land Owned by or Leased to the City.
1.
Land owned in fee by the City or land leased to the City, except road right-of-way areas, is subject to all the land use regulations of the Zoning Code and applicable planned communities and specific plans. However, where a discretionary zoning permit is required, a site development permit processed per Section 9.184.010 shall suffice.
2.
The City Council may deviate from the provisions of (H)(1) above during an emergency.
3.
The City Council may exempt the City from all the land use regulations of the Zoning Code, planned communities and specific plans at a public hearing, noticed per Section 9.184.010, on the intended exemption if the proposed project is part of a General Development Plan, Master Plan or other capital improvement plan which has been reviewed and approved by the Director with respect to planning and environment concerns.
(Ord. 176 § 1, 2007)
§ 9.04.030 Definitions.
A.
The meaning and construction of words and phrases as set forth herein shall apply throughout this Code, except where the context of such words or phrases clearly indicates a different meaning or construction.
B.
The following general rules of construction shall apply to the textual provisions of the Zoning Code:
1.
The specific shall supersede the general.
2.
In the case of any difference of meanings or implication between the text of the provision and any caption or illustration, the text shall control.
3.
"Shall" is mandatory. "May" is discretionary.
4.
Words used in the present tense include the future, and words used in the singular include the plural, and the plural the singular, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.
5.
Unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, the following conjunctions shall be interpreted as follows:
6.
All public officials, bodies, and agencies to which reference is made are those of the City of Lake Forest unless otherwise indicated.
C. "City" "Days" "Director" "General Plan" "Government Code" "State" "Zoning Code"
General Terms.
means the City of Lake Forest including any special district governed by the City Council.
included within a specific time period do not include the day action was taken but include all subsequent days unless the last day falls upon a Saturday, Sunday, or upon a legal City of Lake Forest holiday, in which case the next business day shall be the last day of the time period.
means the Director of Community Development, City of Lake Forest, or authorized agent or representative.
means the Lake Forest General Plan.
means the California Government Code.
means the State of California.
means the Zoning Code of the City of Lake Forest, including zoning district maps and planned Community Development plan maps and texts adopted and incorporated therein.
D. Abutting: Accessory Building: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU): Accessory Structure: Accessory Structure, Attached: Accessory Structure, Detached: Accessory Use: Actual Construction: Administrative Office: Adult Business: Adult Day Program: Advertising Device/Display: Agricultural Mineral: Agriculture: Alcohol Sales, for Off-Site Consumption: Alley: Ambulance Dispatch Facility: Animal Clinic or Hospital: Animal Hospital, Livestock: Apartment: Apiary: Area per Unit: Area Plan: Area, Project Net: Assembly of Component or Finished Products: Assembly, Commercial: Assembly, Non-Commercial: Athletic Club: Athletic Facility, Indoor: Athletic Facility, Outdoor: Attached Buildings and Structures: Auction House: Auto Broker, with No Vehicles On-Site: Automated Teller Machine (ATM): Automobile Fueling Station: Automobile Sales and Rentals, with Two or Fewer Vehicles On-Site: Automobile Sales and Rentals, with Three or More Vehicles On-Site: Automobile Fueling Station: Automobile Wholesale, with No Vehicles On-Site: Automobile Wrecking and Salvage Yard: Auto Repair, Heavy: Auto Repair, Light: Bar, Cocktail Lounge: Barber and Beauty Shop: Basement: Batting Cages (Indoor): Bedroom: Billiards Parlor: Boarding House: Brewery: Building: Building Height: Building, Main: Building Site: Building Site Area: Building Site Coverage: Building Site, Panhandle or Flag: Building Site, Through: Business Park: Caretaker: Caretaker Quarters: Carport: Cart, Push Cart: Car Wash: Catering Facility: Cellar: Cemetery: Centerline:1. 2. 3. 4. Child Day Care Facility: Christmas Tree Sales Facility: Churches, Temples, Religious Institutions, and Other Places of Worship: Civic or Government Use: Club: Club/Meeting Hall: Commercial: Commercial Coach: Commercial Extraction: Commercial Filming: Commercial Recreation, Indoor: Commercial Recreation, Outdoor: Community Apartment Project: Community Event: Community Facility: Composting Facility: Concrete Batch Plant: Condominium: Conference Center: Conservation Area: Construction Trailer: Contractor Storage Yard: Convalescent Home: Conversion Project: Copy Service, Large: Copy Service, Small: Cyber Café: Day Care Center: Detached Buildings and Structures: Digital Entertainment:1. 2. 3.
Distribution Facility: Dog Daycare: Domicile: Donation Center, Attended: Donation Collection Boxes or Box: Drive-Through: Driveway: Driveway Approach: Dry Cleaning and Laundry: Dry Cleaning and Laundry Plant: Duplex: Dwelling, Multifamily: Dwelling, Single-family: Dwelling Unit: Easement: Educational Institution: Emergency Health Service Facility: Emergency Shelters (Health and Safety Code Section 50801(e)): Employee Housing: Employer-Sponsored Child Care Center: Enclosed Use: Entertainment: Esports: Family: Family Day Care Home: Family Day Care Home, Large: Family Day Care Home, Small: Farmer's Market: Feature Plan: Financial Institution: Floor Area, Gross: Floor Area Ratio: Fortune Telling: Freight Terminal and/or Transfer Station: Fundraiser: Funeral Home: Garage: Golf Course: Grade, Ground Level: Grazing: Gross Project Area: Guesthouse: Habitable Room: Health Club: Height: Heliport: Helistop: Home for the Aged: Home Occupation: Hookah Lounge: Horizontal Mixed-Use: Hospital: Hotel: Housing Element Sites Inventory: Industrial Park: Instructional Studio: Internet Café: Kennel: Kiosk: Kitchen: Landfill, Sanitary: Large Family Day Care Home: Late-Night Use: Laundry Facility, Coin Operated: Laundry Plant: Library: Limited Home Rental: Live Entertainment: Live/Work Units: Living Area: Lodging or Lodgings: Long-Term: Lot: Lot, Mobilehome: Low-Barrier Navigation Center:1. 2. 3. 4.
Main Building(s): Manufacturing: Marijuana Testing Lab: Massage Establishment:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Master Plan of Arterial Highways: Master Plan of Drainage: Materials Recovery Facility: Mausoleum: Medical Office: Mining: Minisatellite Wagering Facility: Mixed-Use: Mobilehome:1. 2. Mobilehome Development: Mortuary: Motel: Movie Theater: Multifamily Dwelling/Residence: Museum: Nightclub: Nonconforming Use/Structure/Site, Legal: Nursery: Nursing Home: Office, Administrative, Business or Professional: Office, Medical: Open Space: Open Space, Common: Open Space, Pedestrian: Open Space, Private: Open Space, Usable: Outdoor Dining: Outdoor Display: Outdoor Storage: Outdoor Vending: Park: Parking Accessway: Parking Structure: Patio: Patio, Enclosed: Pawnbroker: Personal Care Service: Pet Grooming: Pet Shop: Pharmacy: Physician: Planned (Unit) Development:1. 2. Playground: Power Supply Facility: Precise Plan of Highway Alignment: Primary Caregiver: Project Net Area: Public Agency: Public Utility: Pumpkin Sales: Qualified Patient: Quarrying: Recreational Vehicle Storage: Recycling Collection Facility, Accessory: Recycling Collection Facility, Major: Recycling Collection Facility, Minor: Rental, Repair and Storage Yards for Construction, Farming and Industrial Vehicles/Equipment: Resale Shop: Research, Testing and Development Labs: Residential Care Facility: Residential, Multifamily: Residential, Single-Family: Restaurant: Restaurant, with Bar: Rest Home: Retail Business: Retail Business, Internet: Reverse Vending Machine: Rezone Sites: Riding and Hiking Trails: Right-of-Way: Rooming House: Scenic Highway: School, Commercial or Vocational: School, Public or Private: Secondhand Dealer: Self Storage: Senior Citizen: Senior Citizen Housing: Service Business: Setback: Shooting Range, Indoor: Shooting Range, Outdoor: Shopping Center: Short Term: Short-Term Rental: Sign: Single-Family Dwelling/Residence: Single Housekeeping Unit:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Single-Room Occupancy (SRO): Single Season Agricultural Sales: Site: Site Coverage: Site Development Permit: Smog Check: Smoke Shop: Smoking Lounge: Solid Waste Transfer Station: Specialty Automotive Repair or Service: Stable, Commercial: Stock Cooperative: Storage: Storage Container: Storage of Automobiles, Trucks, Trailers, Boats, Motorcycles and Other Types of Vehicles and Equipment: Street: Structure: Studio for Motion Picture, Video, Audio and Television Recording: Supportive Housing: Surface Mining: Swap Meet, Flea Market: Swim Facility: Target Population: Tattoo Studio: Temporary Commercial Building: Testing Laboratories and Facilities: Theatre: Thrift Store: Towing Facility: Transitional Housing: Transitory-Lodging Use: Ultimate Right-of-Way: Use: Use Permit: Utility, Public or Private: Vehicle Washing Facility: Vehicular Accessway: Vending Machine: Vertical Mixed-Use: Veterinary Office: Vocational School: Warehouse: Welding Shop: Wholesale Business: Wholesale Nursery: Wine Tasting: Winery: Wing Wall:
Definitions.
Have a common boundary except that parcels having no common boundary other than a common corner shall not be considered abutting.
A subordinate building located on a building site, the use of which is customarily ancillary to that of a main building or to the use of the land.
See Section 9.146.050.
A structure, as defined herein, that is incidental and subordinate to the principal building on the property. Includes patio covers, gazeboes, pergolas, arbors, storage sheds, fountains, built-in barbeques, statues/sculptures, media walls, freestanding fireplaces, playhouses, play equipment, greenhouses, pool houses, and similar structures. Accessory structures, as defined herein, do not include Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) regulated under Section 9.146.050 of this Code.
Any accessory structure, as defined herein, that is not a detached accessory structure.
An accessory structure, as defined herein, that is separated from any other structure or building by a minimum of 30 inches.
A use incidental, related, appropriate, and clearly subordinate to the main use of the lot or building, which does not alter the principal use of the subject property. Must not comprise more than 15% of total floor area of principal use.
The actual placing of construction materials in their permanent position fastened in a permanent manner, except that where a basement is being excavated such excavating shall be deemed to be actual construction or where demolishing or removal of an existing building or structure has been begun preparatory to rebuilding, such demolition or removal shall be deemed to be actual construction, providing in all cases that actual construction work be diligently carried on until the completion of the building or structure involved.
See "Office, Administrative, Business or Professional."
A business establishment or concern that as a regular and substantial course of conduct operates as an adult retail store, adult motion picture theater, adult arcade, adult cabaret, adult motel or hotel, adult modeling studio; or a business establishment or concern which as a regular and substantial course of conduct offers, sells or distributes "adult-oriented material" or "sexually oriented merchandise," or which offers to its patrons materials, products, merchandise, services or entertainment characterized by an emphasis on matters depicting, describing, or relating to "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" but not including those uses or activities which are preempted by State law. Operational standards and requirements are found in Chapters 5.10 and 9.08.
As defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1502(a)(2), any community-based facility or program that provides care to persons 18 years of age or older in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of these individuals on less than a 24-hour basis.
See "Sign."
Any mineral substance, mixture of mineral substances or mixtures of mineral and organic substances produced, labeled and sold as a soil additive which does not require licensing by the State of California as a fertilizer pursuant to the California Agricultural Code, Title 3, Agriculture.
The production, keeping or maintenance of plants and/or animals, including, but not limited to, crops, livestock, orchards, nursery, and ornamental plants.
The retail sale of alcohol, including, but not limited to, beer, wine, malt beverages and distilled spirits, in original sealed containers for consumption off the premises where the alcohol is sold, in accordance with a Type 20 or 21 Alcoholic Beverage Control license.
A public or private way not more than 20 feet wide permanently reserved as a secondary means of access to abutting property.
A facility whose primary function is to provide vehicle transport for wounded, injured, or sick persons or animals. The facility typically operates 24 hours a day and may provide onsite accommodations for employees.
A place where animals no larger than the largest breed of dogs are given medical and surgical treatment. A facility primarily for treatment of outpatients and where only critical patients are kept longer than 24 hours. No boarding of animals shall be permitted. Operational standards for Animal Clinics and Hospitals are found in Section 9.146.020.
A place where livestock (horses, cows, etc.) and small animals are given medical or surgical treatment. Boarding of animals shall be incidental to such hospital use.
See "Dwelling, Multifamily."
A place where beehives of honey bees are kept.
See Section 9.184.020.
See "Project Net Area."
The process of putting together a number of components or parts to make a machine or other product.
Facilities for meetings of commercial (for-profit) organizations or groups, includes professional counseling of large groups (seven or more persons per room).
Facilities for meetings of non-commercial organizations or groups, including incidental education, but not including private schools, churches, temples, religious institutions or other places of worship, as defined in this section.
See "Health Club."
An indoor facility for sports training, games, matches or tournaments, including, but not limited to, gymnasiums, ice rinks, roller rinks, gymnastics, volleyball. May include vending machines and snack bars.
An outdoor space walled, marked, or designated for playing various sports. May include vending machines and snack bars.
Two or more buildings or structures which are physically connected with a wall, roof, deck, floor, bearing or support structures, trellises, architectural features, or any other structure, fixture or device that exceeds 30 inches in height above the finished grade.
A business that conducts public or private auctions for the commercial sale of new and/or secondhand merchandise to the highest bidder.
A vehicle dealer, who engages in the business of brokering a vehicle. Brokering is an arrangement under which a vehicle dealer provides the service of arranging, negotiating, assisting, or effectuating the purchase of a vehicle, not owned by the broker. An auto broker does not have any vehicles on-site and does not have the ability to sell a vehicle. If an auto broker does have vehicles on-site, see "Automobile Sales and Rentals."
A freestanding kiosk or wall-mounted machine, hosted by a financial institution which receives deposits and dispenses cash to customers. May be an accessory use to a financial institution.
A retail place of business engaged primarily in the sale of motor fuels; may include light auto repair and/or retail sale of convenience goods.
A retail or wholesale use involving the sale or rental of new or used automobiles, light trucks, or motorcycles but which only has two or fewer such vehicles on-site at any time. Does not include sale of panel trucks, vans, trailers or recreational vehicles, accessory service, washing, or repair.
A retail or wholesale use involving the display and sale, lease, or rental of new or used automobiles, panel trucks or vans, trailers, motorcycles or recreational vehicles. May include repair, service and washing conducted as an accessory use.
A retail place of business engaged primarily in the sale of motor fuels and supplying those incidental goods and services which are required in the day-to-day operation of automotive vehicles; may include convenience store.
A vehicle dealer who is exclusively involved in the sales of vehicles between licensed dealers and does not have any vehicles on-site. If a wholesale dealer does have vehicles on-site, see "Automobile Sales and Rentals."
A business where two or more vehicles, not in running condition, or parts of vehicles, are wrecked, dismantled, or disassembled and sold to the public.
A service place of business engaged primarily in substantial repair, such as major body or paint work and transmission and engine repair, of automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, and RVs.
A commercial business specializing in minor repair and service of automobiles, motorcycles, and light trucks. May include engine tuning, lubrication, tire service and sales, component installation. Does not include autobody repair, painting or engine rebuilding.
A premises used primarily for the dispensing of alcoholic beverages by the drink for on-site consumption with a valid Type 40, 42, 48 or similar License from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
See "Personal Care Services."
A story partly underground and having more than one-half (½) of its height above the ground level grade.
See "Commercial Recreation, Indoor."
Any habitable room other than a kitchen, a dining room or a living room.
Any commercial establishment that has more than two billiard tables and/or pool tables, where the general public is allowed to play therein, whether or not any compensation is charged for the use of such tables.
A dwelling unit, other than a hotel, that is used in whole or in part to provide short-term or long-term lodging for compensation under multiple separate written or oral agreements. A boarding house is a transitory-lodging use.
A commercial manufacturer of beer with a Type 23 or similar license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
A structure having a roof supported by columns or walls.
The apparent height of a building relative to the surrounding ground area. See Section 9.144.050.
See "Main Building."
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land, which was established in compliance with the building site requirements of this Code.
See Section 9.144.020.
The relationship between the ground floor area of the building or buildings and the net area of the site. The net area shall be computed by deducting from the gross site area any ultimate street rights-of-way together with all rights-of-way and all easements that prohibit the surface use of the site in question. Unenclosed post-supported roofs over patios and walkways, unenclosed post-supported eave overhangs and swimming pools shall not constitute buildings for the purpose of this definition.
A building site wherein the only vehicular access to the site is by way of a corridor or vehicular accessway, which serves no other property, is less than 40 feet wide and is more than 40 feet long.
A building site having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets.
An area zoned for mixed industrial, office and related uses which is planned and maintained as a unit, wherein the development of any property and the conducting of any permitted use is subject to stringent performance and site development standards which include setback regulations and the installation and maintenance of common areas, parking, lighting, landscaping and screening.
A person who lives on the premises for the necessary purposes of managing, operating, maintaining, or guarding the primary use or uses permitted on the premises.
Living quarters for the housing of a caretaker(s) and the family of the caretaker who live in the same premises.
A roofed structure, or a portion of a building which is open on two or more sides, for the parking of automobiles belonging to the occupants of the property.
Any device designed to be moved by human power (or towed by motor vehicle to the outdoor vending location) including any pushcart, wagon, or other wheeled container or conveyance. Pushcarts shall be no greater than four feet wide, eight feet long, and six feet high, excluding any umbrellas. Subject to operational standards and requirements in Chapter 9.182.
A commercial building, premises, or portions thereof, used for the business of washing motor vehicles. Includes automated or self-wash facilities. May include detailing.
A commercial kitchen where food is prepared for delivery, serving, and/or consumption off-site. May include storage and preparation of food serving goods and accessories (such as tables, linens, trays). Tasting and sampling may be an accessory use. Does not include onsite restaurant and may be accessory to conference center.
A portion of a building partly or wholly underground and having more than one-half (½) of its height below the ground level grade. A cellar shall not be considered a building story.
A place where human and/or animal remains are interred and memorialized.
A line as described in the first situation that applies in the following instances:
A section line, half section line or quarter section line whenever a mapped highway is plotted on the "Master Plan of Arterial Highways" along a section, half section or quarter section line.
A line shown as a centerline on a map entitled "Precise Plan of Highway Alignment," and any amendments thereto.
A line shown as a centerline on a recorded tract map, an approved record of survey map or a parcel map.
A line in the center of the ultimate street right-of-way.
As defined by California Health and Safety Code section 1596.750, "[A] facility that provides nonmedical care to children under 18 years of age in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of the individual on less than a 24-hour basis. Child day care facility includes day care centers, employer-sponsored child care centers, and family day care homes."
A temporary facility used for the sale of Christmas trees and Christmas decorations. Must comply with standards in Section 9.144.070.6.
A structure that is used primarily for the exercise of religion and related religious activities.
A building or area housing offices and/or support facilities for any seat of federal, state, county, city or district agency providing services to the general public.
An association of persons for some common purpose but not including groups organized primarily to render service which is customarily carried on as a business.
A facility used by an association of persons organized for a common purpose; generally includes facilities for assemblies and meetings.
A business operated or carried on primarily for financial gain.
See "Temporary Commercial Building."
The removal or displacement of sand, gravel, rock, aggregate, earth, clay or similar materials conducted for financial gain. See also "Mining."
Filming of commercials, motion pictures, television programs or videos for commercial purposes.
A use or activity where the primary intent is to provide amusement, pleasure, diversion, exercise or other resource affording relaxation and enjoyment which is operated for financial gain. Typical uses include, but are not limited to, rock climbing facilities, indoor bounce houses, and arcades. Includes establishments where food and beverages are sold as a secondary or ancillary use.
A use or activity where the primary intent is to provide amusement, pleasure, diversion, exercise or other resource affording relaxation and enjoyment which is operated for financial gain. Typical uses include, but are not limited to, batting cages and miniature golf courses. Includes establishments where food and beverages are sold as a secondary or ancillary use.
A project in which an undivided interest in the land is coupled with the right of exclusive occupancy of any apartment located thereon.
A fundraiser or other event sponsored by commercial or non-commercial interests including, but not limited to, car wash, run/walk, or carnival/festival.
A public or private noncommercial use established primarily for the benefit or enjoyment of the population of the community in which it is located including, but not limited to, homeowner association clubhouses and facilities.
A facility that accepts garden, wood, and other organic waste to reprocess into soil additives, wood chips or other products.
A manufacturing facility where materials for concrete are mixed either before or during transport to a construction site; may include ancillary office use and truck parking and storage.
An estate consisting of an undivided interest in common in a parcel of real property together with a separate interest in space in a residential, industrial or commercial building on such real property, such as an office or store or multifamily dwelling. A condominium may include, in addition, a separate interest in other portions of such real property.
A facility used for conventions, conferences, seminars, weddings and similar events which may contain accommodations for food preparation and eating, recreation, entertainment, resource facilities, meeting rooms; may be designed to house large assemblies of people or serve as a location for large-scale exhibits of merchandise. Does not include accommodations for sleeping.
Lands which require preservation in a natural state, together with those other compatible uses such as passive recreation; limited active recreation; area required for scientific study and interpretation; and those public service facilities and utilities required for public safety, health and welfare.
A modular building or trailer placed on a construction site for use as a contractor's office. Operational standards found at Section 9.144.070.2.
Outdoor area used by construction industries for storage of vehicles, tools, and equipment.
A facility licensed by the State Department of Health Services which provides bed and ambulatory care for more than six patients with postoperative convalescent, chronically ill or dietary problems and persons unable to care for themselves; including persons undergoing psychiatric care and treatment both as in-patients and outpatients but not including persons with contagious diseases or afflictions. Also known as nursing home, convalescent hospital, rest home, or home for the aged.
An apartment house, multiple or group dwelling, existing, under construction or for which building permits have been issued, which is proposed for conversion to a residential condominium, community apartment, residential stock cooperative or planned development; or an existing mobilehome park which is proposed to be convened to a mobilehome condominium project, a mobilehome stock cooperative project, a mobilehome planned development or a conventional mobilehome subdivision.
A service commercial or industrial use greater than 5,000 square feet, which provides copy, printing, shipping, blueprinting, binding, photo processing, and related services.
A service commercial use of up to 5,000 square feet, which provides copy, printing, blueprinting, photo processing, shipping and related services.
See "Digital Entertainment."
As defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1596.76, "[A]ny child day care facility other than a family day care home, and includes infant centers, preschools, extended day care facilities, and school age child care centers." It is a subcategory of "child day care facility." Day care center includes an employer-sponsored child care center.
Two or more buildings or structures that are each structurally independent and freestanding and not connected by walls, roofs, floors, decks, supports, trellises, architectural features or any other structure, fixture or device that exceeds 30 inches in height above the finished grade.
An establishment whose primary business is entertainment, that provides more than four computers and/or electronic devices to its users for compensation, including, but not limited to, memberships, for any or all of the following activities:
Playing video games;
Internet Access; and
Access to other computer software programs.
The term " digital entertainment" shall also include a "cyber cafe," "internet cafe," and "esports." Digital entertainment does not include businesses where personal computer access is incidental to the permitted use, schools, educational tutoring, or public agencies. |
A business which stores goods and materials prior to their delivery to retail outlets or their sale to other businesses.
See "Kennels."
An individual's legal residence and permanent home. A domicile is not lodging, which is only a temporary residence. (See "Lodging.") A dwelling unit that is rented by a person on a month-to-month, or longer, basis is presumed to be the renter's domicile if the renter has no other legal residence or permanent home. Indicia of legal residency include, but are not limited to, evidence that the resident uses the street address for government identification purposes, such as a driver's license, and for tax-filing purposes.
An attended facility for the collection of re-usable goods for distribution, sale or reuse, that is not attached to or part of a thrift store..
Any metal, plastic, cardboard or wooden box, bin, container, trailer, accessory structure, or similar facility located outside of an enclosed building or in a parking lot or other public area of a private property, provided by a person, organization, or collection center for the primary purpose of receiving or storing donated salvageable personal property, which includes household goods, clothing, textiles, toys, and other similar small items that are left unattended without an on-site operator.
Any facility that performs transactions or provides a service to a customer who drives up to a facility window in a designated lane and remains in the vehicle.
A vehicular passageway for the exclusive use of the occupants of a property and their guests. A driveway shall not be considered as a street.
A designated area between the curb or traveled way of a street and the street right-of-way line that provides vehicular access to abutting properties. When vehicular access to a building site is provided by way of a common driveway, the driveway approach is the line of intersection where the individual driveway abuts the common driveway.
A service business which provides for the deposit and pick up of laundry and dry cleaning by customers, for processing either on premises or at a dry cleaning and laundry plant.
A central processing facility for cleaning of clothing and fabrics collected from and returned to patrons and to dry cleaning and laundry agencies. No customers are served on site.
A permanent building containing two dwelling units.
Two or more dwelling units on the same legal parcel of land.
One dwelling unit per legal parcel of land.
One or more rooms, only one of which is a kitchen, with internal circulation in a building or portion thereof, that are designed and used for occupancy by one single housekeeping unit for living and sleeping purposes. It includes a mobilehome if the mobilehome bears an insignia of approval issued by the California Department of Housing and Community Development or a housing seal number from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. (See "Single Housekeeping Unit.")
A recorded right or interest in the land of another, which entitles the holder thereof to some use, privilege or benefit in, on, over or under said land.
Private or public elementary or secondary schools, colleges or universities qualified to give general academic instruction.
See "Hospital."
Housing with minimal supportive services for homeless persons that is limited to occupancy of six months or less by a homeless person. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay.
Has the same meaning as in California Health and Safety Code Section 17008(a), as that section is amended from time to time.
As defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1596.771, "[A]ny child day care facility at the employer's site of business operated directly or through a provider contract by any person or entity having one or more employees, and available exclusively for the care of children of that employer, and of the officers, managers, and employees of that employer." An employer-sponsored child care center is a type of day care center.
Roofed and contained on all sides by walls which are pierced only by windows, vents, or customary entrances and exits.
Every form of live entertainment, performance, show, pageant, or act, including, but not limited to, all forms of live music, singing, live disc-jockey-hosted music, karaoke sing-alongs, concerts, performance of a play, act, scene, sketch, burlesque, revue, pantomime, dancing including, but not limited to, dancing by patrons, floor show, dramatic or poetic reading, performance art, physical demonstrations, fashion shows or modeling, any combination of the aforementioned, or any other act or exhibition in which one or more persons perform or participate for the purpose of entertaining, amusing, arousing, or otherwise diverting and gaining the attention of patrons, guests, or invitees at an entertainment establishment. Operational standards and requirements are found in Chapter 5.36.
See "Digital Entertainment."
One or more persons occupying a dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit. (See "Single Housekeeping Unit.")
As defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1596.78(a), "[A] home that regularly provides care, protection, and supervision for 14 or fewer children, in the provider's own home, for periods of less than 24 hours a day, while the parents or guardians are away, and is either a large family day care home or a small family day care home."
As defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1596.78(b), a family day care home "for seven to 14 children, inclusive, including children under the age of 10 years who reside in the home, as set forth in Section 1597.465 [of the California Health and Safety Code] and as defined in [Department of Social Services] regulations."
As defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1596.78(c), a family day care home "for eight or fewer children, including children under the age of 10 years who reside at the home, as set forth in Section 1597.44 [of the California Health and Safety Code] and as defined in [Department of Social Services] regulations."
The retail sale or exchange of handcrafted merchandise, food, and produce from temporary spaces/stalls/booths by one or more individual vendors.
See Section 9.184.020.
A business engaged in a full spectrum of monetary transactions such as banking, lending, and savings and loan.
The total horizontal floor area of all floors of a building, including the exterior walls thereof, measured in square feet; excepting that for commercial, professional and administrative office or industrial buildings or building complexes, areas used in common such as covered malls, walkways, patio areas and entries open to and directly connecting with outside areas shall not be included when calculating off-street parking requirements.
Numerical value obtained by dividing the gross floor area of all buildings located on a building site by the building site area.
The telling of fortunes, forecasting of future events or furnishing of any information not otherwise obtainable by the ordinary process of knowledge, by means of any occult or psychic power, faculty, or force, including, but not limited to, clairvoyancy, clairaudience, cartomancy, phrenology, spirits, tea leaves or other such reading, mediumship, seership, prophecy, augury, astrology, palmistry, necromancy, mind-reading, telepathy, or other craft, art, cards, talisman, charm, potion, magnetism, magnetized article or substance, crystal gazing, or magic, of any kind or nature.
A place where goods and materials are transferred between modes of transportation. Does not include transfer of solid waste or materials recovery facility.
See "Community Event."
A facility used for funerals, may include mortuary as defined herein.
A building, or a portion of a building, used primarily for the parking of motor vehicles.
A facility used for playing golf, usually improved with tees, greens, fairways, hazards and accessory uses such as, but not limited to, driving range, clubhouse, food service, maintenance buildings, pro shops.
The average elevation, determined by averaging the elevations of four or more points as necessary, at the building site boundary line where it is less than five feet from the building or at five feet outside the perimeter of the bearing or foundation line of building.
The act of pasturing livestock on growing grass or other growing herbage, or on dead grass or other dead herbage existing in the place where grown, as the principal sustenance of the livestock so grazed.
All of the land area included within a plan for a development project excepting those areas designated as existing public and private road right-of-way.
A detached building having no kitchen facilities, which is used primarily for sleeping purposes for members of the family occupying the main dwelling and their nonpaying guests.
Any room usable for living purposes, which includes working, sleeping, eating, cooking or recreation, or a combination thereof. Any structure or room used for habitable purposes shall be a part of a dwelling unit with internal circulation unless otherwise excepted by this title. A room designed and used only for storage purposes is not a "habitable room."
A commercial facility providing equipment designed to promote or improve the health of its clients (such as weights and treadmills). These facilities may also provide instructional classes and personal training services.
See Section 9.144.050.
An identifiable area on land or water used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of helicopters. May include refueling, storage, and overnight maintenance.
An identifiable area on land or water used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of helicopters. Does not include storage or overnight maintenance.
See "Convalescent Home."
An occupation conducted as an accessory use within a dwelling unit. See Section 9.146.060.
An establishment where patrons purchase, smoke, or share tobacco or shisha from a hookah, pipe, or other smoking apparatus.
Development that incorporates two or more different use categories alongside one another, either in one mixed use building, or as a two or more separate buildings on one parcel.
A facility licensed by the State Department of Health Services providing clinical, temporary or emergency service of a medical, obstetrical, surgical, or mental health nature to human patients.
Any building or portion thereof with six or more guest rooms or guest suites that are used to provide short-term lodging in exchange for compensation. A hotel is a transitory-lodging use.
The list of Lake Forest sites in Tables A and B in Appendix A of the adopted City of Lake Forest's 2021-2029 Housing Element.
An industrially zoned area wherein the permitted uses are planned, developed, managed, and maintained as a unit, with common off-street parking provided to serve all uses on the property.
A commercial facility providing instructional classes, such as, but not limited to, dance, martial arts, personal training, tutoring, music, and fine arts where instructors provide one-on-one or small-group instruction.
See "Digital Entertainment."
Any nonresidential property where four or more dogs, or four or more cats, over the age of four months, are kept or maintained for any purpose, except veterinary clinics and hospitals, pet stores, and property for which an animal permit has been issued. Includes dog day care.
A small structure used to house quick sales and services to walk-up customers.
A room or part of a building with permanent provisions for cooking or other food preparation, such as permanent connections for water, wastewater, electricity, gas, or ventilation to serve cooking appliances.
An area designed and used for the disposal of solid waste on land by spreading it in layers, compacting it and covering it daily with soil or other approved cover material.
See "Family Day Care Home, Large."
A commercial or industrial use that is open to patrons at any time between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m.
A commercial establishment where clothes can be washed and dried by patrons using coin operated machines.
See "Dry Cleaning and Laundry Plant."
A facility, generally operated by a governmental, institutional, or special district, in which collections of books and various reference materials, printed or electronic media are housed for public use.
The rental of a person's entire domicile for up to three periods of fewer than 30 consecutive days in a calendar year. It is an exception to the general definition of "Transitory Lodging Use."
See "Entertainment."
A single unit consisting of the following two components: (1) a commercial/office, or industrial use; and (2) a residential use. A resident of the live/work unit must occupy both components; the components shall not be occupied separately.
The interior habitable area of a dwelling unit, including basements and attics, but not including a garage or any accessory structure.
A temporary residence or place to live, which includes sleeping accommodations. Lodging is not a domicile because the former is a temporary residence and the latter is a permanent one. (See "Domicile.")
For a period of more than 30 days.
Any area identified as a lot or parcel on a recorded final map, parcel map, record of survey recorded pursuant to an approved division of land, certificate of compliance or lot line adjustment. A lot is not necessarily a building site.
See "Mobilehome Lot [Development]."
As defined by California Government Code Section 65660(a), "a Housing First, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing. 'Low barrier' means best practices to reduce barriers to entry, and may include, but is not limited to, the following:
The presence of partners if it is not a population-specific site, such as for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, women, or youth.
Pets.
The storage of possessions.
Privacy, such as partitions around beds in a dormitory setting or in larger rooms containing more than two beds, or private rooms."
Should this Code's "Low-Barrier Navigation Center" definition conflict with Government Code Section 65660(a), the Government Code definition prevails. |
The building(s) containing the main or principal use(s) of the premises, or occupied for the purpose of operating or administering the main or principal use(s).
The mechanical or chemical transformation of materials or substances into new products, including such processes as creation of component parts and substances, blending, and packaging. May include food production facilities. Products manufactured at a site may be demonstrated, sold or tested at the site as an accessory activity.
A laboratory, facility, or entity that offers or performs tests of marijuana or marijuana products and that is both of the following:
Any establishment having a fixed place of business where any individual, person, firm, association, partnership, corporation, joint venture, limited liability company, or combination of individuals that engages in, conducts, carries on, or permits to be engaged in, conducted, or carried on for consideration, massages, baths, or health treatments involving massages or baths as regular functions. The term "massage" also includes the following businesses, callings, or occupations:
Acupressure;
Anatomy care;
Body wrap;
Holistic health center or practitioner;
Holistic therapy;
Hydro therapy;
Public bath;
Sauna;
Sports massage;
Stress management center;
Toxic herbal massage; or
Massage parlor.
Operational standards and requirements are found in Chapter 5.07. |
A component of the Transportation Element of the Orange County General Plan designating adopted and proposed routes for all commuter, secondary, primary and major highways within the City of Lake Forest.
Refers to an engineering report outlining the drainage facilities needed for the proper development of a specific area of the City, and duly adopted by the City Council.
A processing facility that accepts recyclable materials from collection facilities, other material recovery facilities, or the public, processes the materials into resalable condition, and markets the materials to companies to reuse. Does not include solid waste transfer station or concrete recycling facility.
A building enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons, usually located within a cemetery.
A building, site or tenant space specifically for use by health care professionals for human outpatient services including, but not limited to, medical doctors, walk-in medical clinics, dentists, and chiropractors. Diagnosis, X-ray and laboratory, or surgical facilities may be provided on site, but overnight care may not be provided.
The process of obtaining sand, gravel, rock, aggregate, clay, or similar materials from an open excavation in the earth for financial gain, but not including the removal of minerals extracted by underground methods.
Pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 19410.7, a location where satellite wagering on horse races may be conducted, provided that the wagering occurs in an area that is restricted to those who are 21 years of age or older.
A parcel of land or building or structure with one or more different uses that may include, but are not limited to, residential, commercial, office, industrial, public facilities, or recreational uses. This designation allows for vertical segregation of compatible uses by floors whereby such uses share the same building or lot, or horizontal segregation of uses, where compatible uses are located next to each other.
A structure transportable in one or more sections, designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation system. "Mobilehome" does not include recreational vehicle, commercial coach, noncommercial coach or factory-built housing.
A trailer coach designed to be used without a permanent foundation and which is in excess of eight feet in width and in excess of 40 feet in length.
Any area or tract of land used to accommodate mobilehomes for human habitation, and includes mobilehome accommodation structures. Includes mobilehome parks and mobilehome subdivisions. See Section 9.176.010.
A building where human remains are kept and prepared prior to cremation or burial, may be combined with funeral home.
See "Hotel."
See "Dwelling, Multifamily."
A facility, open to the public, used to exhibit works of art, displays of historic or scientific objects or memorabilia.
An establishment where music, dancing, or entertainment is featured, with or without meals and/or dispensing of alcohol.
A use/structure/site that was lawfully established in compliance with the zoning regulations that were applicable to the property at the time the use/structure/site was established, but which does not presently comply with the existing regulations of the zoning district within which it is located. See Section 9.188.010.
A retail or wholesale establishment where plants are cultivated and sold to the public. May include sale of gardening equipment and accessories. Does not include the sale of marijuana plants or products (see Chapter 9.10).
See "Convalescent Home."
A facility where general services, managerial, creative, administrative, and clerical functions of a business or industry are conducted; includes professional counseling and tutoring of individuals and small groups (up to six persons per office/room); excludes retail sales.
See "Medical Office."
Any parcel or area of land or water, public or private, which is reserved for the purpose of preserving natural resources, for the protection of valuable environmental features, or for providing outdoor recreation or education. For purposes of measuring the amount of open space, it does not include public/private road right-of-way areas, driveway and parking areas not related to recreational uses, any buildings, building setback areas, or the required space between buildings, and surface utility facilities. "Open space" may include structures and impervious surfaces as identified in "Open Space, Usable."
A usable open space within a residential or mixed-use development reserved for the exclusive use of the residents of the development and their guests. Common open spaces may be located at grade or above grade and may consist of spaces that are recreationally programmed such as roof-top gardens, conversation pits, BBQs, pools, spas, etc.
Pedestrian open space areas in a mixed-use development such as plazas, parklets, and walkways that provide connectivity.
The exterior area dedicated to the exclusive use and enjoyment of a specified residential unit i.e., outdoor yards, decks and/or balconies.
Open space without any slopes in excess of 20%. Such open space may include structures and impervious surfaces such as tot lots, swimming pools, basketball courts, tennis courts, picnic facilities, and green-belts with walkways or bicycle trails.
An area which provides outdoor tables and chairs for use by restaurant patrons.
Accessory or ancillary display of goods for sale outside of an enclosed structure.
Accessory or ancillary storage of materials, equipment, or goods related to an on-site business.
The sale or offering for sale outdoors on private property of any goods or merchandise to the public from a cart, pushcart or wagon. Operational standards and requirements found in Section 9.182.010.
Land designated and used by the public for active and/or passive recreation.
A vehicular passageway that provides access and circulation from a street access point into and through a parking lot to parking aisles and between parking areas.
A building of two or more levels designed and used for the parking of vehicles.
A nonhabitable detached or attached structure with a solid or open roof used for recreational and outdoor living purposes. Patio includes a California room, trellis, gazebo, or similar structure.
A patio that is wholly enclosed by walls, windows, or other material, either transparent or opaque, so as to prevent unobstructed ingress and egress to the structure.
A person, firm or corporation engaged in conducting, managing or carrying on the business of pawnbroking or the business of lending money for him or herself or any other person, firm or corporation upon personal property, pawns or pledges, or the business of purchasing articles of personal property and reselling or agreeing to resell such articles to the vendors or their assignees at prices agreed upon at or before the time of such purchase, per the regulations of Section 5.02.030.
Service commercial uses, including, but not limited to, barber shop, beauty shop or salon, nail salons and similar uses, and licensed acupuncturists practicing within the scope of their State license. Personal care service does not include massage establishments.
Any premises where animals are groomed, brushed, clipped or bathed on a commercial basis. Does not include overnight boarding of animals. Must meet standards in Section 9.146.030.
A person or facility engaged in the sale or trade of live animals on a commercial basis. Must meet standards established in Section 9.146.030.
A retail establishment for dispensing of prescription medication operated in compliance with FDA and California Board of Pharmacy licensing. Does not include dispensing of marijuana (see Chapter 9.10).
See Section 5.24.020.
A subdivision of separately-owned lots, parcels or areas, other than a community apartment, a condominium, or a stock cooperative project, having either or both of the following features:
Lots, parcels or areas owned in common by the owners of the separately owned lots, parcels or areas.
Power to enforce any obligation in connection with membership in the owners association or any obligation pertaining to the beneficial use and enjoyment of any portion of, or any interest in, either the separately- or commonly-owned lots, parcels or areas.
An active recreational area with a variety of facilities including equipment for younger children as well as court and field games.
Electrical equipment which generates, transforms or converts electricity used to provide primary or back-up power to a cable system or similar broadband communication system (such as a transformer, generator or other types of power converters or supplies).
A plan, supplementary to the Master Plan of Arterial Highways, which establishes the highway centerline and the ultimate right-of-way lines and may establish building setback lines.
See Section 9.10.010.
All of the land area included within a plan for a development project excepting those areas designated for public and private road rights-of-way, schools, parks, and other uses or easements which preclude the use of the land therein as part of the development project.
The United States, the State of California, the City of Lake Forest, any city within said county, or any political subdivision, district or agency thereof.
See "Utility, Public or Private."
A temporary facility used for the sale of Halloween pumpkins and related decorations. Must comply with standards in Section 9.144.070.8.
See Section 9.10.010.
The process of removing or extracting stone, rock, or similar materials from an open excavation for financial gain.
A facility intended for indoor or outdoor storage of recreational vehicles in designated secured spaces for a fee. Vehicles may not be occupied. Recreational vehicles defined in Section 12.04.030.
An indoor facility, located within less than 15% of the floor area of a grocery store or other retail establishment, used for acceptance of source-separated recyclable materials such as glass, plastic, and aluminum containers from the public and may include reverse vending machines. Recyclable materials are defined in Section 16.01.135. If any portion of the facility is outside, see "Recycling Collection Facility, Minor."
An outdoor or indoor facility for acceptance of recyclable materials from the public or commercial/industrial businesses which may include permanent structures, processing equipment, reverse vending machines, kiosk units and storage containers. Recyclable materials are defined in Section 16.01.135.
An outdoor or indoor facility for acceptance of source-separated recyclable materials such as glass, plastic, and aluminum containers from the public and may include reverse vending machines, kiosk units, and storage containers. Recyclable materials are defined in Section 16.01.135. For any facilities that include collection of recycling materials from commercial/industrial businesses or include any processing equipment, see "Recycling Collection Facility, Major."
A business which stores tools, implements, or other construction, farming or industrial equipment. May include rental to individuals or businesses on a temporary basis for a specified fee. Does not include automobile rental.
See "Pawnbroker and Second Hand Dealer."
Uses engaged in research, analysis, development and/or testing of a product or products, excluding marijuana (see Marijuana Testing Lab).
An intermediate care facility/developmentally disabled-habilitative or an intermediate care facility/developmentally disabled-nursing, as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1250; a congregate living health facility, as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1250; a community care facility, as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1502; a residential care facility for the elderly, as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1569.2; a residential care facility for persons with chronic life-threatening illness, as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1568.01; an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility, as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 11834.02; a pediatric day health and respite care facility, as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 1760.2; or a family care home, foster home, or group home serving persons with mental health disorders or other disabilities or dependent and neglected children under California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5116.
See "Dwelling, Multifamily."
See "Dwelling, Single-Family."
A commercial establishment whose principal activity is the preparation, service, and consumption of food and beverages.
A commercial establishment whose principal activity is the preparation, service, and consumption of food and beverages. May include serving of alcoholic beverages by the drink with a valid Type 41 or 47 license from Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
See "Convalescent Home."
The selling of goods, wares or merchandise directly to the ultimate consumer.
The selling of goods or merchandise on the Internet where advertising is primarily on the Internet, orders are placed remotely (via the Internet, email or by telephone), and the goods or merchandise are sent or delivered directly to the ultimate consumer through mail or a package delivery service.
An automated mechanical device which accepts one or more types of empty beverage containers including, but not limited to, aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles and issues a cash refund or redeemable credit slip with a value not less than the redemption value determined by the State. May be part of a recycling collection facility.
Sites identified in Table B of the Housing Element Sites Inventory. These sites were identified by the City to be re-zoned to allow residential uses to accommodate its remaining RHNA.
A trail or way designed for and used by equestrians, pedestrians and cyclists using nonmotorized bicycles.
An area or strip of land, either public or private, on which an irrevocable right of passage has been recorded for the use of vehicles or pedestrians or both.
See "Boarding House."
Any highway designated a scenic highway by an agency of the County, State or Federal government.
A commercial education facility providing instructional classes, including but not limited to traffic school and training for specific trades.
See "Educational Institution."
A business engaged in buying, selling, trading, taking in pawn, accepting for sale on consignment, accepting for auctioning or auctioning secondhand personal property.
A building or buildings containing various size storage compartments wherein each compartment is offered for rent or lease to the general public for the private storage of materials excluding materials sold at the facility or delivered directly to customers. Also known as mini-storage.
A person 55 years of age or older.
A residential development consisting of at least 35 dwelling units which is developed for, or substantially rehabilitated or renovated for, senior citizens.
An establishment primarily engaged in providing assistance, as opposed to products, such as bookkeeping and repair services. Does not include personal care services.
The required distance between a structure and a property line or an ultimate right-of-way line of any public or private street.
A specialized facility designed for firearms practice and/or training, enclosed by four walls and a roof.
A specialized outdoor facility designed for firearms practice and/or training.
A commercial area, or group of commercial establishments planned, developed, managed and maintained as a unit, with common off-street parking provided to serve all uses on the property.
For a period of 30 or fewer days.
A dwelling unit or portion thereof that is used to provide short-term lodging for compensation under a single oral or written agreement. But it does not include a limited home rental or the short-term lease-back of a seller's domicile to the seller. A short-term rental is a transitory-lodging use.
Any structure, housing, device, figure, statuary, painting, display, message placard, or other contrivance, or any part thereof, which is designed, constructed, created, engineered, intended or used to advertise, or to provide data or information in the nature of advertising, for any purpose. Religious symbols, such as a cross, Star of David, and others, are not considered to be signs for purposes of this chapter. Standards and regulations are found at Chapter 9.164.
See "Dwelling, Single-Family."
Use of a dwelling unit in a way that satisfies each of the following criteria:
The residents have established ties and familiarity and interact with each other.
Membership in the single housekeeping unit is fairly stable as opposed to transient or temporary.
Residents share meals, household activities, expenses, or responsibilities.
All adult residents have chosen to jointly occupy the entire premises of the dwelling unit and they each have access to all common areas.
If the dwelling unit is rented, each adult resident is named on and is a party to a single written lease that gives each resident joint use and responsibility for the premises.
Membership of the household is determined by the residents not by a landlord, property manager or other third party.
The residential activities of the household are conducted on a nonprofit basis.
Residents generally do not have separate entrances or separate secured food-storage facilities such as cabinets or refrigerators.
The household is strictly resident-run; there is no care or supervision provided by a third-party or a paid resident manager at the dwelling unit or on the property.
A building with a common entrance containing a cluster of at least five rental units which provide sleeping and living facilities for one or two persons where kitchen and/or bathroom facilities may be shared. The units shall have a minimum of 100 net square feet of space for a single occupancy and 120 square feet for two person occupancy. The calculation for net floor space in the sleeping area includes built-in cabinets, sinks, and closets, but excludes toilet compartments. A unit larger than 225 square feet shall be deemed an efficiency dwelling unit and not a single-room occupancy (SRO).
A temporary facility for the sale of a single, seasonal agricultural product not grown on site. Must comply with standards in Section 9.144.070.9.
See "Building Site."
See "Building Site Coverage."
Also known as "Site Plan." See Section 9.184.020.
See "Auto Repair, Light."
A commercial establishment that sells tobacco and related accessories and paraphernalia. Does not include smoking on-site. Nor does it include dispensing of marijuana (see Chapter 9.10).
An establishment where patrons purchase and smoke tobacco, cigars, pipes, etc. Does not include the dispensing or smoking of marijuana (see Chapter 9.10).
A centralized facility where solid waste is transferred from small collection vehicles and loaded into larger vehicles for hauling to the final disposal site. Does not include materials recovery facility.
See "Auto Repair, Light or Heavy."
Any property where equines are sheltered or fed on a commercial basis.
A corporation which is formed primarily for the purpose of holding title to, either in fee simple or for a term of years, improved real property, if all or substantially all of the shareholders of such corporation receive a right of exclusive occupancy in a portion of the real property, title to which is held by the corporation, which right of occupancy is transferable only concurrently with the transfer of the share or shares of stock or membership certificate in the corporation held by the person having such right of occupancy.
The keeping or maintaining of goods at the same location for a period of time in excess of 72 hours.
A temporary commercial building that may include containers or pre-fabricated buildings designed for the temporary storage and/or shipping of goods.
A facility for indoor or outdoor storage of vehicles in designated secured spaces for a fee. Vehicles may not be occupied. May include recreational vehicle storage as defined herein.
A public or private vehicular right-of-way, other than an alley or driveway, including both local streets and arterial highways.
That which is erected or constructed having a fixed location and is more than 30 inches above the finished grade. An edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner. A mobilehome, except when used as a temporary use with its weight resting at least partially upon its tires, is a structure for the purposes of this definition.
A facility specially equipped for broadcasting radio or television programs, recording music, or filming motion pictures.
As defined by California Government Code Section 65650(a), "housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target population, and that is linked to on-site or off-site services that assist the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving their health status, and maximizing their ability to live and, when possible, work in the community." Should this Code's "Supportive Housing" definition conflict with the California Government Code definition of this term, the Government Code definition prevails.
See "Quarrying."
The retail sale or exchange of new, handcrafted, or secondhand merchandise from temporary spaces/stalls/booths by one or more individual vendors.
A public or private pool facility for aquatic sports, performances, and/or recreation, may include accessory uses such as dressing rooms.
As defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 50675.14(b)(3)(A)-(B), "persons, including persons with disabilities, and families who are 'homeless,' as that term is defined by Section 11302 of Title 42 of the United States Code, or who are 'homeless youth,' as that term is defined by paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 12957 of the Government Code. Individuals and families currently residing in supportive housing meet the definition of 'target population' if the individual or family was 'homeless,' as that term is defined by Section 11302 of Title 42 of the United States Code, when approved for tenancy in the supportive housing project in which they currently reside." Should this Code's "Target Population" definition conflict with the California Health and Safety Code definition for this term, the California Health and Safety Code definition prevails.
A business which inserts pigment under the surface of the skin of a human being, using a needle or otherwise, to produce an indelible mark or figure visible through the skin by qualified individuals per applicable State and/or County licensing and/or registration policies.
A modular or other temporary building for industrial, professional, or commercial purposes.
See "Research, Testing and Development Labs."
A facility used by and for the performing arts, does not include movie theatre.
A retail store and related donation facilities engaged primarily in the sale of secondhand clothing, shoes, apparel, toys, and standard household goods, including furniture, fixtures, and small household appliances, and the collection of those goods for resale. "Thrift store" does not include the sale of large household appliances such as refrigerators or stoves, the sale of cars or anything automotive-related, pawnbrokers, attended donation centers, or donation collection boxes.
A business which provides services such as towing of disabled vehicles, storage of towed vehicles, and roadside assistance. Limited automotive repair and servicing of fleet vehicles may be an accessory use.
As defined by California Government Code Section 65582(j), "buildings configured as rental housing developments, but operated under program requirements that require the termination of assistance and recirculating of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at a predetermined future point in time that shall be no less than six months from the beginning of the assistance." Should this Code's "Transitional Housing" definition conflict with the California Government Code definition of this term, the Government Code definition prevails.
The use of any structure or portion of a structure to provide lodging in exchange for compensation on either: (a) a short-term basis (regardless of the number of rental agreements); or (b) a long-term basis under multiple agreements. Boarding houses, hotels, and short-term rentals are examples of transitory-lodging uses. But a limited home rental is an exception to this definition and is not a transitory-lodging use.
The right-of-way shown as ultimate on an adopted precise plan of highway alignment, or the street rights-of-way shown within the boundary of a recorded tract map, a recorded parcel map or a recorded PC development plan. The latest adopted or recorded document in the above cases shall take precedence. If none of these exist, the ultimate right-of-way shall be considered the right-of-way required by the highway classification as shown on the Master Plan Arterial Highways. In all other instances, the ultimate right-of-way shall be considered to be the existing right-of-way, in the case of a private street, and the existing right-of-way, but not less than 60 feet, in the case of the public street.
The purpose for which land or building is occupied, arranged, designed or intended, or for which either land or building is or may be occupied or maintained.
Also known as a "Conditional Use Permit." See Section 9.184.020.
An agency that, under public franchise or ownership, or under certificate of convenience and necessity, or by grant of authority by a governmental agency, provides the public with electricity, gas, communications, transportation, water sewage collection, or other similar service.
See "Car Wash."
A private, nonexclusive vehicular easement affording access to abutting properties.
An automated mechanical device which, in exchange for coins, currency or electronic payment, dispenses merchandise or other small articles, including, but not limited to, beverages, snacks, water, digital media (DVDs), lottery tickets, and/or toys. Merchandise may not include any product otherwise prohibited by any provision of this Code.
Development that segregates two or more types of land uses, each on separate floors (e.g., residential, commercial, office, public facilities, or recreation) in a single building in a vertical configuration.
See "Animal Clinics and Hospitals."
See "School, Commercial or Vocational."
A building, or portion thereof, used primarily for the storage of goods and materials.
An industrial business which specializes in the fusing of metal.
Businesses which store large stocks of goods and sell them in bulk quantities to retail outlets. Sales to the general public do not occur on site.
See "Nursery."
A retail establishment where wine can be sampled. May be accessory to a wholesale or retail winery with a Type 02 or similar license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
A commercial manufacturer of wine with a Type 02 or similar license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
An architectural feature in excess of six feet in height which is a continuation of a building wall projecting beyond the exterior walls of a building.
(Ord. 176 § 1, 2007; Ord. 195 § 2, 8-1-2008; Ord. 243 § 2, 2012; Ord. 250 § 1, 2013; Ord. 252 § 1, 2013; Ord. 257 § 1, 2013; Ord. 275 §§ 2—4, 2015; Ord. 276 § 1, 2015; Ord. 282 § 3, 2016; Ord. 289 § 3, 2016; Ord. 297 § 1, 2017; Ord. 298 § 1, 2017; Ord. 302 § 15, 2018; Ord. 331 § 5, 2020; Ord. 333 §§ 6, 7, 2020; Ord. 334 §§ 4, 8, 2020; Ord. 354 § 3, 2022; Ord. 356 § 4, 2022; Ord. 361 § 4, 2023; Ord. 362 § 4, 2023; Ord. 363 §§ 4—6, 2023; Ord. 374, 2/4/2025; Ord. 378, 6/17/2025)
§ 9.04.040 Scope of the Zoning Code and adoption of zoning district maps.
This title includes zoning maps, general provisions, special regulations and a set of general district regulations limiting and controlling the uses of land, the density of population, the uses and locations of structures, the height and bulk of structures, the areas and dimensions of sites; the size, height and location of signs; the installation and maintenance of screening and landscaping; the control of vehicular access and the requirement of off-street parking and loading facilities. In addition, this title includes planned Community Development plans, including maps and texts adopted by ordinance. Sectional district maps, precise plan and specific plan maps, oil field maps, district-C maps, flood insurance rate maps, flood boundary and floodway maps, and all other maps that were officially adopted pursuant to or as an amendment to Section 9.04.040 prior to the effective date of Ordinance No. 2142 are included within the term "zoning district map," and all such maps and all subsequently adopted zoning district maps are and shall be a part of this section.
(Ord. 176 § 1, 2007)
§ 9.04.050 Establishment of districts and interpretation of district boundaries.
The City of Lake Forest is hereby divided into zones or districts, as set forth in Title 9 of this Code, as determined and defined by officially adopted zoning maps. Each zoning district map showing the classifications and boundaries of districts shall, upon adoption in the manner required by the Planning and Zoning Law, be a part of this title.
Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts shown on an official zoning district map, the following rules shall apply:
A.
Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streets, highways or alleys shall be construed to follow such centerlines;
B.
Boundaries indicated as approximately following the right-of-way lines of streets, highways, or alleys, shall be construed to follow such the right-of-way line shall be construed as moving with the right-of-way line;
C.
Boundaries indicated as approximately following shorelines shall be construed to follow such shorelines, and in the event of change of the shoreline, shall be construed as moving with the actual shoreline; boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streams, rivers, canals, lakes or other bodies of water, of flood control channels shall be construed to follow such centerlines;
D.
Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be construed to follow such lot lines;
F.
Where a street or alley is vacated or abandoned, the regulations applicable to the property to which it is reverted shall apply to such vacated or abandoned street or alley;
G.
In case any further uncertainty exists, the Planning Commission shall determine the location of boundaries.
(Ord. 176 § 1, 2007)