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Moorpark City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

36 STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC ZONES AND ZONE TYPES

§ 17.36.010 Standards for all zones.

A. 
Development Criteria. Factors such as the following may be considered in establishing permit conditions and in determining appropriate intensity of development, including residential densities, for the site of a proposed project. The following is not to be construed to be an all-encompassing list of criteria:
1. 
Air quality impacts;
2. 
Biological resources, including flora, fauna and ecological system;
3. 
Circulation of people and goods, including impacts on existing parking and circulation systems, traffic safety and emergency access;
4. 
Contribution of the development to the stock of affordable housing;
5. 
Cultural resources, including archaeological, historical and Native American resources;
6. 
Energy—impacts on energy sources;
7. 
Erosion and flood hazards;
8. 
Fire hazards;
9. 
Geology and soils;
10. 
Health—impacts on human health;
11. 
Infrastructure available to serve the development, and impacts on existing infrastructure (water, sanitation, electricity, natural gas, fire and police protection, recreational facilities, schools and the like);
12. 
Land—unique natural land features and natural resources;
13. 
Noise—increase in noise levels;
14. 
Orderly development principles;
15. 
Paleontology;
16. 
Population growth inducement;
17. 
Relationship of the site to surrounding properties;
18. 
Scenic highways;
19. 
Seismic hazards;
20. 
Soil stability;
21. 
Solar access;
22. 
Topography;
23. 
Vegetation—impacts on unique native, ornamental or agricultural plant populations;
24. 
Visual quality;
25. 
Water—degradation of quality or reduction in supply; and
26. 
Crime prevention issues such as: building security, adequate lighting, defensible space, etc.
B. 
Sewage Disposal. Sewage disposal for all requested uses and structures shall be provided by means of a system approved by the Environmental Health Division and the Division of Building and Safety.
C. 
Fire Protection. Dwellings shall meet all fire protection requirements of the Ventura County fire protection district, including all requirements for construction within high fire hazard area as set forth in the city building code.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)

§ 17.36.020 Standards for open space, agricultural and residential zones.

A. 
General Standards. The following standards shall apply to development in all O-S, A-E and R zones:
1. 
Except as otherwise provided in this title, there shall not be more than one principal residential structure on any lot. Not more than two dwellings of any type shall be constructed on any lot in the R-2 zone.
2. 
No accessory structure other than an accessory dwelling unit, temporary mobile home/recreational vehicle during construction or a farm worker dwelling may be used for human habitation.
B. 
Commercial Vehicles Prohibited in Residential Zones. It is unlawful for any person to park or leave standing a commercial vehicle having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more (excluding vehicles dedicated for handicapped use) on any private or any public property in a residential zone, when the parking is not connected with work or service to a property which reasonably requires the presence of the commercial vehicle in the residential zone, or for more than the time reasonably necessary to carry out such work or service to the property.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)

§ 17.36.040 Standards for commercial zones.

A. 
The following standards shall apply to development in all commercial zones:
1. 
Enclosed Building Requirements. All uses shall be conducted within a completely enclosed building, unless the use is specifically listed in Chapter 17.20 as an outdoor use or is one which must be located outdoors in order to function.
2. 
Lighting. There shall be no illumination or glare from commercial sites onto adjacent properties or streets which may be considered either objectionable by adjacent residents or hazardous to motorists. Flashing lights are strictly prohibited.
3. 
Undergrounding of Utilities. Utility lines, including electric lines of less than 67 kilovolts (kv), communications, street lighting and cable television, shall be placed underground by the applicant, who shall make the necessary arrangements with the utility companies for the installation of such facilities. This requirement may be waived by the director of community development where it would cause undue hardship or constitute an unreasonable requirement, provided that such waiver is not in conflict with California Public Utilities Commission rules, requirements or tariff schedules. This section shall not apply to utility lines which do not provide service to the area being subdivided. Appurtenant structures and equipment such as surface-mounted transformers, pedestal-mounted terminal boxes and meter cabinets may be placed above ground. Utility lines of greater than 67 kv shall not be required to be undergrounded unless otherwise identified in a utility underground district.
4. 
Retail Establishments. Retail establishments may include accessory wholesaling, but not wholesale distribution centers.
5. 
Processing Standards. Not more than five employees shall be involved in the permitted manufacturing, processing or packaging of products. Such activities shall be permitted in commercial zones only as accessory to a principal retail use.
6. 
Performance Standards. Development in commercial zones is subject to the performance standards of this title.
B. 
Outdoor Storage. Outdoor storage of materials and equipment shall be permitted in the C-P-D zone only when approved as part of an entitlement, provided that such storage area shall be completely screened from view from any adjoining property or roadway by a solid wall or fence at least six feet in height and shall be appropriately landscaped and maintained in good condition. (The director of community development shall determine the actual height based upon field inspection of the site. In no case shall the stored material exceed the height of the screen wall.)
C. 
Accessory Businesses in C-O Zone. In the C-O zone, accessory barber shops, beauty shops, coffee shops and newsstands may be located in an office building, provided that there are no entrances direct from the street to such businesses, no signs or other evidence indicating the existence of such businesses visible from the outside of any such office building, and provided that such building is of sufficient size and character that the patronage of such businesses may be expected to be furnished substantially or wholly by tenants of the office building.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)

§ 17.36.050 Standards for industrial zones.

A. 
The following standards shall apply to development in all industrial zones:
1. 
Undergrounding of Utilities. Utility lines, including electric lines of less than 67 kv, communications, street lighting and cable television, shall be placed underground by the applicant, who shall make the necessary arrangements with the utility companies for the installation of such facilities. This requirement may be waived by the director of community development where it would cause undue hardship or constitute an unreasonable requirement, provided that such waiver is not in conflict with California Public Utilities Commission rules, requirements or tariff schedules. This section shall not apply to utility lines which do not provide service to the subject parcel or project. Appurtenant structures and equipment such as surface-mounted transformers, pedestal-mounted terminal boxes and meter cabinets may be placed aboveground. Utility lines of greater than 67 kv shall not be required to be undergrounded unless otherwise identified in a utility underground district.
2. 
Private Streets. Private streets may be built as part of an industrial development, in accordance with Chapter 17.32.
3. 
Industrial Performance Standards. Industrial performance standards are the permitted levels of operational characteristics resulting from processes or other uses of property. Continuous compliance with the following performance standards shall be required of all uses, except as otherwise provided for in these regulations:
a. 
Objectionable Factors. The following shall be maintained at levels which are appropriate for the zone and geographic area and are not objectionable at the point of measurement when the use is in normal operation:
i. 
Smoke, odors, vapors, gases, acids, fumes, dust, dirt, fly ash or other forms of air pollution;
ii. 
Noise, vibration, pulsations or similar phenomena;
iii. 
Glare or heat;
iv. 
Radioactivity or electrical disturbance. The point of measurement for these factors shall be at the lot or ownership line surrounding the use.
b. 
Hazardous Materials. Land or buildings shall not be used or occupied in any manner so as to create any fire, explosive or other hazard. All activities involving the use or storage of combustible, explosive, caustic or otherwise hazardous materials shall comply with all applicable local and national safety standards and shall be provided with adequate safety devices against the hazard of fire and explosion, and adequate firefighting and fire suppression equipment in compliance with Ventura County fire prevention regulations. The burning of waste materials in open fires without written approval of the fire department is prohibited.
c. 
Liquid and Solid Wastes. Liquid or solid wastes discharged from the premises shall be properly treated prior to discharge so as not to contaminate or pollute any watercourse or groundwater supply or interfere with bacterial processes in sewage treatment. The disposal or dumping of solid wastes, such as slag, paper and fiber wastes, or other industrial wastes shall not be permitted on any premises.
d. 
Exceptions. Exceptions to these regulations may be made during brief periods for reasonable cause, such as breakdown or overhaul of equipment, modification or cleaning of equipment, or other similar reason, when it is evident that such cause was not reasonably preventable. These regulations shall not apply to the operation of motor vehicles or other transportation equipment unless otherwise specified.
B. 
M-1 Zone. The following regulations shall apply to the M-1 zone:
1. 
Uses involving the following kinds of activities and elements are not considered appropriate in the M-1 zone:
a. 
High temperature processes;
b. 
Yards for the storage of materials;
c. 
Storage of chemicals in excess of that needed as accessory to the main use;
d. 
Explosives in any form;
e. 
Obnoxious or dangerous gases, odors, fumes or smoke;
f. 
Assembly line construction operations.
2. 
Predominant activities and operations shall be enclosed within buildings, except as otherwise provided in this title. The director of community development is authorized to determine the reasonable application of this provision in cases of operation hardship or other showing of special circumstances.
3. 
Multitenant buildings are permitted, provided that the building is designed to appear as a single building with a unified design.
4. 
Principal buildings constructed of metal are not permitted. Accessory buildings constructed of metal shall have exterior surfaces of a stainless steel, aluminum, painted, baked enamel or similarly finished surface. All metal buildings designed for industrial or commercial uses in the industrial zones shall meet the following design guidelines:
a. 
Environment. All metal buildings shall be architecturally compatible with the surrounding buildings as to shape, exterior materials and details, size, shape and location of windows and doors, distance between buildings and orientation to streets.
b. 
Building Form.
i. 
Single uninterrupted wall panes shall be softened with the use of staggering vertical walls, roof overhangs, pilasters and deep reveals at construction joints.
ii. 
Large rectangular forms shall be softened with curved corners.
iii. 
Contrasting colors, patterns, textures and finishes shall be used to add variety and interest to metal structures.
iv. 
Other materials such as masonry, brick, concrete or wood can be combined attractively to define scale.
c. 
Windows and Doors. Recessed openings shall be used to provide contrast by varying patterns of shades, sunlight and depth.
d. 
Roofs.
i. 
A variety of roof shapes and forms shall be utilized to add character and diversity.
ii. 
Appearance of roofs shall be improved with the use of steeper roof slopes and integrated fascias, darker colors, concealed fasteners, and other treatments.
iii. 
Mechanical equipment shall be screened with parapet walls, mechanical recesses, or other means.
5. 
Accessory outside storage shall be confined to the area to the rear of the principal building or the rear 2/3 of the property, whichever is the more restrictive, and screened from view from any property line by appropriate walls, fencing, earth mounds or landscaping.
6. 
Off-street parking spaces may be located within required setbacks from streets under certain circumstances; see Section 17.24.060(C).
C. 
M-2 Zone. The following regulations shall apply to the M-2 zone:
1. 
The same criteria given for the M-1 zone (subsection (B)(1) above) apply to the M-2 zone, except that the latter allows uses which may involve moderate levels of noise, small-scale assembly-line processes and light metal work.
2. 
Principal buildings constructed of metal shall be faced along any street side with masonry, stone, concrete or similar material, such facing treatment to extend along the interior side yards of such building a distance of at least 10 feet. The metal portion of the principal building and all metal accessory buildings shall have exterior surfaces constructed or faced with a stainless steel, aluminum, painted, baked enamel, or similarly finished surface.
3. 
Outside storage and operations yards shall be confined to the area to the rear of a line which is an extension of the front wall of the principal building and shall be screened from view from any street by appropriate walls, fencing, earth mounds or landscaping. Outside storage located in a required yard shall not exceed a height of 15 feet.
4. 
Off-street parking spaces may be located within required setbacks from streets under certain circumstances; see Section 17.24.060(C).
D. 
Minimize Impact on Adjacent Uses. To minimize adverse impacts on adjacent uses and enhance the visual characteristic of the area, all industrial uses shall adhere to lighting design standards required in Section 17.30.065 and utilize masonry walls or landscape screens as required in Section 17.24.040(E).
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)

§ 17.36.060 Standards for overlay and special purpose zones.

A. 
Standards and Procedures for Planned Community (P-C) Zone.
1. 
Special Standards. In addition to the specific development standards required in Section 17.24.020, the following shall also apply in the P-C zone:
a. 
Adequate separation of different types of uses shall be maintained in order to provide for landscaping and screening, and to avoid potential adverse impacts from one use on another due to noise, lighting, odors, vibration and the like.
b. 
The following uses are permitted in the P-C zone:
i. 
Crop production;
ii. 
Growing, packing, storage and preliminary processing of crops, where no structures are involved;
iii. 
Produce stands (see Chapter 17.28);
iv. 
The keeping of animals, provided that a conditional use permit shall be obtained from the planning commission for any structures for animals.
The addition of any other uses is not permitted unless a specific use zone which permits or conditionally permits the proposed use is adopted for the subject area. The requested zone must be in conformance with the adopted preliminary development plan.
c. 
Trash enclosures shall be protected from animals and architecturally screened in such a manner as to conceal their contents from public view.
2. 
Procedure and Conditions for Permits.
a. 
An application for rezoning to P-C shall include a preliminary development plan indicating the location and approximate acreage of all residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and other uses, proposed residential densities, site topography and a general circulation plan.
The zone change and preliminary development plan shall be approved concurrently by the city council and said plan shall be incorporated into the rezoning ordinance. All subsequent permits shall be in compliance with the approved preliminary development plan. Any changes to an approved preliminary development plan which are deemed by the director of community development to be substantial shall be subject to the same procedural requirements as the original zone change to P-C.
b. 
An application for rezoning to P-C shall also include the following maps and reports:
i. 
Maps indicating geological conditions, areas subject to flooding and fire hazard areas.
ii. 
Soils reports, prepared by a licensed soils engineer, indicating the suitability of the site for its proposed use.
iii. 
Reports that describe the existing systems, services and community facilities in and around the project area, including vehicular circulation systems, sewer and water systems, flood control systems, community facilities (e.g., schools, parks, recreation, library and community services) and community services (e.g., law enforcement, fire suppression, health and welfare services). The reports for these systems, facilities and services shall state the name of the responsible agency, present capacity of the system, present level of demand or use of the system, planned additions to capacity and anticipated load resulting from the proposed development.
iv. 
Reports that describe the proposed systems, services and community facilities to be constructed or provided by the applicant. The reports shall state the name of the agency that will assume responsibility, proposed capacity of the system, and projected demand of the entire project upon completion.
v. 
Reports that describe the cost revenue relationships for proposed public services and utilities (e.g., sewer and water), and community services.
vi. 
The submission of any of the maps and reports described in this section may be waived, or their content reduced, at the discretion of the director of community development, if such maps or reports are deemed unnecessary.
B. 
Standards and Procedures for Specific Plan (SP) Zone—Special Standards. In addition to the specific development standards required in Section 17.24.020 and subsection A of this section, the city may require additional standards, procedures and conditions as determined to be appropriate by the city.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)