Martinez City Zoning Code

Preserve the semi-rural atmosphere and the balance of residential and agricultural land uses in Alhambra Valley.

Allow development that is compatible with existing agricultural, residential and open space uses.

Preserve and enhance both the natural and man-made environment in Alhambra Valley.

Restrict development in environmentally sensitive areas.

Enhance watercourses and associated riparian habitat to their natural state to restore water quality, wildlife diversity, aesthetic values and recreation opportunities.

Minimize air, water, noise and soil pollution in Alhambra Valley.

Minimize soil erosion and runoff throughout Alhambra Valley.

Protect historical and archaeological resources.

Provide adequate levels of public services within Alhambra Valley. Ensure new public facilities are sensitive to the natural setting.

Encourage and enhance agriculture and maintain and promote a healthy and competitive agricultural economy in Alhambra Valley.

Minimize and resolve conflicts between agricultural and urban uses.

Preserve and protect areas of identified high scenic value including scenic ridgeways, scenic routes (Alhambra Valley Road, Reliez Valley Road and a portion of Vaca Creek Road), and valley gateways (intersection of Alhambra Valley Road and Vaca Creek Road and Reliez Valley Road and Alhambra Valley Road).

AV/R-20 Single Family District. The purpose of the district is to reserve land for the construction, use and occupancy of detached single-family development. Minimum lot size is 20,000 square feet.

AV/R-40 Single Family District. The purpose of the district is to reserve land for the construction, use and occupancy of detached single-family development. Minimum lot size is 40,000 square feet.

AV/A-5 Agriculture District. The purpose of the district is to reserve land for agricultural uses and supporting operations, including detached single-family residential uses. Minimum lot size is 5 acres.

AV/PD Planned Development District. The purpose of the district is to allow for large-scale integrated residential development with a cohesive design. The Planned Development District is intended to allow diversification in the relationship of various uses, buildings, structures, lot sizes and open space while insuring substantial compliance with the applicable standards and regulations.

Permitted and conditional uses. The allowable land uses for the AV/R-20, AV/R-40 and AV/A-5 Districts shall be as specified in Table 1. Uses are designated in Table 1 as follows:

Uses not listed in Table 1 are prohibited in all Alhambra Valley Districts.

In addition to the land use permit required by Table 1, special provisions related to certain land uses may apply, and Design Review may also be required for certain uses in compliance with Section 22.29.100, Alhambra Valley Districts—Design Review. Where the last column in Table 1 (Specific Use Regulations) includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use. Provisions in other sections of this zoning ordinance may also apply.

Allowed uses within the AV/PD District. The following uses are allowed in the AV/PD District: those land uses permitted by an approved Planned Development Permit, which are in harmony with each other, serve to fulfill the function of the Planned Development District, and are consistent with the general plan; and a detached one family dwelling unit on each legally established lot and the accessory structures and uses normally accessory to it; provided, however, that no use, building or facility that has been authorized by and is consistent with a Planned Development Permit or associated approval, such as a use permit or subdivision map, shall be considered a non-conforming use.

Prohibited uses. The following uses shall not be permitted within the Alhambra Valley Districts:

Additional one family dwelling. An additional one family dwelling unit shall be allowed, subject to use permit approval and based upon net lot area requirements as follows:

Lighting. Installation of free standing exterior light fixtures with a height of seven feet or more above the finished grade of the parcel requires use permit approval, as set forth in Chapter 22.40, Conditional Uses—Use Permits. The following additional finding is required: glare and annoyance to adjacent property owners shall be minimized to the greatest degree possible by sensitive fixture placement, use of shielded and downcast lighting and low wattage lamps.

Keeping of animals.

Christmas tree farms. A use permit application for a Christmas tree farm shall include a site plan indicating parking areas and circulation, planting and landscaping areas, existing and proposed structures, and plans and elevations to indicate architectural type.

Minimum lot area. The minimum net lot area shall be as specified in Table 22.29.060.A.

Minimum site area. The minimum site area per dwelling unit shall be as specified in Table 22.29.060.B, and as further regulated for sites of ten percent or greater slope, by Section 22.29.080, Hillside Development.

Minimum lot depth and width. The minimum lot depth and minimum lot width (average) shall be as specified in Table 22.29.060.C.

Minimum yards. The minimum front yards, side yards, and rear yards shall be as specified in Table 22.29.060.D. For setback requirements for animal structures, see Section 22.29.060.G, Animal Structures.

Floor area ratio. The maximum floor area ratio ("FAR") shall be as specified in Table 22.29.060.E.

Maximum height. No single-family dwelling or other structure permitted in the Alhambra Valley districts shall exceed two and one-half stories or 35 feet in height.

Off-Street parking requirements. Chapter 22.36 (Off Street Parking and Loading Facilities) shall apply within the Alhambra Valley districts, excluding Sections 22.36.082 and 22.36.084, which shall not apply within the Alhambra Valley districts. Parking requirements for the AV/A-5 district shall be the same as the R-40.0 district. Each parking space shall be entirely outside the required setbacks of the primary structure.

Animal structures.

Purpose. In addition to the purposes prescribed in Section 22.29.010 for the creation of the Alhambra Valley Districts, the requirements of this Section are intended to promote the stability of the Alhambra Valley's rural residential character by restricting the potential introduction of incongruous urban streets and subdivisions.

Street standards. One of the principal features of the rural appearance of Alhambra Valley's existing rural neighborhoods is the manner of existing street improvements; which are generally relatively narrow streets, without curbs, gutters, sidewalks or subsurface storm drains. Retention and continuance of the rural street standards appears to be an essential element in the preservation of Alhambra Valley's rural residential character. Therefore, within the boundaries of the Alhambra Valley Districts, property owners are exempted from the otherwise normal requirement for street and related improvements as prescribed in Sections 21.08.010 through 21.08.180 and 21.08.200. Requirements for subdivisions and street improvements shall generally be limited to the preservation and continuance of the established infrastructure, as deemed necessary for the public health, safety or welfare by the City Engineer.

Criteria and standards for subdivision approval. The review authority shall consider the Goals and Principals of the Alhambra Valley Design Guidelines, as adopted by separate Resolution of the City Council of the City of Martinez, as well as the criteria and guidelines listed below, in its consideration of a Subdivision application:

Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to regulate development on hillside areas within the Alhambra Valley Districts, in order to avoid potential geotechnical hazards and to preserve the scenic view from the valley floor.

Applicability. This Section shall apply to any residential development requiring Design Review or Subdivision approval on parcels with any areas of 10 percent slope or greater within the Alhambra Valley Districts, as determined by the applicant's preparation of a Slope and Hazard Area Map as described in Section 22.33.020, Hillside Development Regulations—Maximum Allowable Density Calculations.

Maximum allowable density. The maximum allowable density of residential units on properties governed by this Section shall be as prescribed in Section 22.33.020, Hillside Development Regulations—Maximum Allowable Density Calculations, subject to the Exemptions, Exclusion and Conditions of Section 22.33.30, and the following:

Criteria and guidelines for permit approval.

Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to regulate activities within and adjacent to Protected Creekbeds in order to:

Applicability. This Section shall apply to any parcel with a Protected Creekbed or a creek setback, as shown on Figure 1 (see map following this section), Protected Creeks. Within the Alhambra Valley Districts, Protected Creekbeds are defined as follows:

Creek setbacks.

Creek preservation and enhancement plan.

Criteria and guidelines for permit approval. The applicable review authority shall consider the criteria and guidelines listed below, in its consideration of an application regarding property subject to this Section.

Applicability.

Application and approval required. Applications for Design Review pursuant to this Section shall be made as prescribed by Section 22.34.040, and may be appealed as prescribed by Sections 22.34.050-23.34.070.

Criteria, standards and guidelines. The Design Review approval authority shall render a decision based upon the following Criteria and Standards and shall also consider the Goals and Principals of the Alhambra Valley Design Guidelines, as adopted by resolution of the City Council, in its consideration of a Design Review application.

Findings and decision. The review authority may approve a Design Review application only after making the following findings.

Design review. Design Review shall be as prescribed in Section 22.29.100 of this Chapter; and

Fences. Notwithstanding the requirements and limitations prescribed in Section 22.34.090, Fences Walls and Hedges, the following exceptions and design standards shall apply:

Purpose. This Section is included in the zoning regulations to enhance and encourage agricultural operations within the Alhambra Valley Districts and provide residents with proper notification of such agricultural uses. Where non-agricultural land uses extend into agricultural areas or exist side by side, agricultural operations can be the subject of nuisance complaints, resulting in detrimental impacts on farming. However, it is intended that through mandatory disclosures, purchasers and users will better understand the impact of living near agricultural operations and be prepared to accept attendant conditions as the natural result of living in or near rural areas.

Compatibility standards.

Agricultural standards.