Norco City Zoning Code

Protect and enhance the buildings, structures, landscaping, natural features and areas which are representative of important aspects of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, architectural, or natural history.

Protect and enhance the settings and environment which preserve these buildings, structures, landscaping, natural features, and areas.

Protect, stabilize, and enhance property values, neighborhoods, and communities.

Enhance economic prosperity, including facilitating the eligibility of properties for financial benefits and promoting tourist trade and interest.

Foster public understanding of the history, aesthetics, and identity of the City as reflected in its buildings, structures, landscaping, natural features, and areas.

Promote public education through the preservation and interpretation of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, architectural, or natural history.

Promote the involvement of the City's diverse neighborhoods in the historic preservation process.

Ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

Initiation. Consistent with the purposes of this chapter, procedures for establishing a HPOZ may be initiated by the City Council upon recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission or upon submission to the City of a petition supporting such an overlay zone signed by at least 75 percent of the property owners within the proposed district, as recorded on the most recent rolls of the Riverside County Assessor.

Historic Resources Survey. A historic resources survey, including all of the minimum components listed below, shall be completed by a professional who meets the Secretary of Interior's qualifications to determine the viability and boundaries of the proposed HPOZ. The applicant shall be responsible for funding the survey. Previous surveys may be used or modified as necessary to meet all the minimum components below:

Concentration of Resources. For an area to qualify as a HPOZ, at least 50 percent of the buildings must be certified to be contributing elements.

Boundaries. Boundaries shall be drawn so as to encompass a clear concentration of contributing elements and reflect the historic context of the proposed HPOZ.

Modification of Previously Certified Historic Resources Survey. Modifications, including boundary changes, re-surveys, partial re-surveys, and minor corrections of a previously certified historic resources survey shall be processed as follows:

Repeal of a HPOZ. The repeal of a HPOZ may be initiated and processed, subject to the same procedures for establishing a HPOZ, when one or more of the following conditions apply:

Application. Application for approval of a HPOZ shall be made on such forms as established by the Cultural Resources Administrator and accompanied by such fees as established by resolution of the City Council.

Certification of Historic Resources Survey. The historic resources survey shall be submitted to the Cultural Resources Administrator for certification. In consultation with a professional meeting the Secretary of Interior's professional qualifications, the Cultural Resources Administrator shall review the survey for compliance with the standards of this chapter and shall require revisions as necessary for this purpose.

HPOZ Designation Meeting Date. Upon the filing of a complete application, the matter shall be set for consideration before the Historic Preservation Commission. The date of such meeting shall be not more than 60 days from the date of filing of a complete application.

HPOZ Designation Meeting Notice. The Cultural Resources Administrator shall cause notice of the date, time, place and purpose of the meeting before the Historic Preservation Commission to be given by at least one publication of a notice in a newspaper having general circulation in the City not less than 10 days prior to the date of such meeting and by depositing in the United States mail, at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting, a notice addressed to the owner(s) or other person(s) having legal custody and control of the properties within the proposed HPOZ area and to owners of real property within a minimum radius of 300 feet of the exterior boundaries of the proposed HPOZ area, or within the minimum radius that is required such that a minimum of 25 property owners will be notified. The last known name and address of each owner as shown on the records of the Riverside County Assessor may be used for this notice. Failure to send any notice by mail to any property owner where the address of such owner is not a matter of public record or the nonreceipt of any notice mailed pursuant to these regulations shall not invalidate any proceedings in connection with the proposed designation.

HPOZ Meeting. A public meeting shall be conducted before the Historic Preservation Commission at the time and place so fixed and noticed. Subsequent to the Historic Preservation Commission meeting, a public hearing shall be conducted before the Planning Commission for a recommendation, and then before the City Council for final decision on the HPOZ application.

HPOZ Designation Investigation. The Historic Preservation Commission shall cause to be made by any of its own members or by the Cultural Resources Administrator such investigation of facts bearing upon such application as in the opinion of the Commission or Administrator will serve to provide the necessary information to assure Commission action consistent with the intent and purposes of this chapter.

HPOZ Public Meetings. The Historic Preservation Commission at a public meeting shall forward to the Planning Commission for consideration at a public hearing its recommendation and findings in writing regarding the designation of a HPOZ, in whole or in part, based on the criteria set forth in this chapter and the facts presented in connection with the application. The recommendations of the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission shall be forwarded to the City Council for consideration at a public hearing. The City Council, on the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission, shall make the final determination as to whether the purposes of this chapter are met by such designation.

HPOZ Designation Ordinance. A HPOZ shall be designated by an ordinance of the City Council, which provides facts and findings based on the criteria for designation as set forth in this chapter. The Council shall adopt the ordinance by a majority of the members present and voting. Subsequent to adoption by the City Council, the HPOZ shall be defined on the City's zoning map.

Notice of HPOZ Designation. Notice of the designation of a HPOZ by the City Council shall be transmitted to all City departments, the Assessor and the Recorder of Riverside County, and any other departments and governmental agencies the Cultural Resources Administrator deems appropriate. Each City department and division shall incorporate the notice of designation as a HPOZ into its records, so that future decisions or permissions regarding or affecting any HPOZ made by the City or an official of the City will have been made with the knowledge of the HPOZ designation, and in accordance with the procedures set forth in this chapter. The City Clerk shall record all designating ordinances in the Office of the Riverside County Recorder.

Design. The design shall be compatible with the prevailing design of the contributing elements in the HPOZ, including colors, materials, and architectural style.

Height, Bulk, and Massing. The height, bulk, and massing shall be similar to and reflective of the prevailing height, bulk, and massing of the contributing elements of the HPOZ.

Placement and Orientation. The placement and orientation shall be similar to that prevailing among the contributing elements in the HPOZ, including doorways, fenestration, entrances, vehicular access, parking, and setbacks.

Lot Coverage. Lot coverage shall be similar to the prevailing lot coverage in the HPOZ.

Grading. Grading shall be designed so as to preserve the natural features of the land and to maintain the views toward, and integrity of, the contributing natural features in the HPOZ.

Site Improvements. Site improvements, including walls, walkways, lighting, statuary, water features, and the like, shall be designed so as to be compatible with those associated with prevailing contributing elements in the HPOZ.

Landscaping. Plant materials, layout, placement, and design shall be compatible with the landscaping associated with the prevailing contributing elements in the HPOZ.

Signs. Signs shall be of materials, design, colors, style, and types that are compatible with the prevailing contributing elements in the HPOZ.

Design. Noncontributing elements may represent a wide variety of design styles. Generally, it is preferred that alterations be respectful of the original style of the noncontributing element. Where integrity has been disturbed by past alterations, consideration should be given to the restoration of the original style of the building if this is feasible.

Height, Bulk, and Massing. To the extent that height, bulk, and massing are being altered, the alterations shall be compatible with the height, bulk, and massing of the prevailing contributing elements of the HPOZ.

Placement and Orientation. To the extent that placement and orientation are being altered such shall be similar to that prevailing among the contributing elements in the HPOZ, including doorways, fenestration, entrances, vehicular access, parking, and setbacks.

Lot Coverage. Lot coverage shall not be increased if doing so is incompatible with the prevailing lot coverage in the HPOZ.

Grading. Grading shall be designed so as to preserve the natural features of the land and to maintain the views toward, and integrity of, the contributing natural features in the HPOZ.

Site Improvements. Site improvements or alterations to existing site improvements, including walls, walkways, lighting, statuary, water features, and the like, shall be designed so as to be compatible with either the existing noncontributing element or those associated with prevailing contributing elements in the HPOZ.

Landscaping. Plant materials, layout, placement, and design shall be compatible with either the existing noncontributing element or the prevailing landscaping associated with the contributing elements in the HPOZ.

Signs. Signs shall be of materials, design, colors, style, and types that are compatible with either the existing noncontributing element or the prevailing contributing elements in the HPOZ.