Palo Alto City Zoning Code

   The several classes of general districts into which the city is divided are designated as follows:

(Ord. 5460 § 15, 2019: Ord. 5123 § 4, 2011: Ord. 4964 § 8 (part), 2007: Ord. 4642 § 34, 2000: Ord. 3890 § 2, 1989: Ord. 3663 § 4, 1986: Ord. 3536 § 42, 1984: Ord. 3519 § 1, 1984: Ord. 3512 § 1, 1984: Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

   In addition to the classes of general districts set forth in Section 18.08.010, the following combining districts are established and designated:

 

(Ord. 4964 § 8 (part), 2007: Ord. 4869 § 32, 2005: Ord. 4642 §§ 35, 40, 2000: Ord. 4016 § 7, 1991: Ord. 3905 § 5, 1989: Ord. 3890 § 3, 1989: Ord. 3497 § 1, 1983: Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

   Reference within this title to residential districts generally and as a grouping, includes all districts identified in this section. Where references are made to more restrictive or less restrictive residential districts, such references shall apply sequentially between the most restrictive and the least restrictive.

 

   (a)   The boundaries of districts established by this title shall be shown upon the zoning map. The zoning map, and all amendments, changes, and extensions thereof, and all legends, symbols, notations, references, and other matters shown thereon, shall be a part of this title.

   (b)   The zoning map, as currently effective, and a record of all amendments, changes, and extensions thereof, shall be maintained as public record in the office of the building official.

   (c)   The boundaries of each district as shown upon the zoning map, or amendments thereto, are adopted by the ordinance codified in this title, and the specific regulations established in this title for each general district and combining district, and all other regulations applicable therein as set forth in this title are established and declared to be in effect upon all lands included within the boundaries of each and every district as shown upon the zoning map.

(Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

   All lands now or hereafter included within the incorporated territory of the city, which lands are not included within a general district shown on the zoning map of the city or are not shown as prezoned to a general district in accord with applicable provisions of this title, shall constitute R-1 single-family residence districts.

(Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

   The following rules shall apply in the determination of the boundaries of any district shown on the zoning map.

   (a)   Where boundaries are indicated as approximately following street and alley lines, or other identifiable boundary lines, such lines shall be construed to be the district boundary. Where such boundaries are indicated as within street and alley lines, or within identifiable rights-of-way or creeks, the centerline thereof shall be construed to be the district boundary.

   (b)   In unsubdivided property, and where a district boundary divides a lot, the location of the district boundary, unless the same is indicated by dimensions, shall be determined by use of the scale appearing on the zoning map.

   (c)   A symbol, or symbols, indicating the classification of property on the zoning map shall in each instance apply to the whole of the area within the district boundaries.

   (d)   Where a public street, alley, or right-of-way is officially vacated or abandoned, the regulations applicable to abutting property shall apply equally to each half of such vacated or abandoned street, alley, or right-of-way.

   (e)   Should any uncertainty remain as to the location or meaning of a boundary or other feature indicated upon the zoning map, said location or meaning shall be determined by the building official.

(Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

   Wherever it is found, pursuant to Section 18.08.060, that a lot or site is divided by the boundary between districts, the provisions of the zoning regulations applicable within each district shall apply to each portion of the site situated in a separate district.

(Ord. 3048 (part), 1978)

   The PCE Director shall have the authority to interpret whether a land use is similar to other permitted or conditionally permitted land uses listed in any Zoning District. Such interpretations may be appealed in accordance with Section 18.77.070(f). Staff shall prepare a quarterly information Report to the Council summarizing all final interpretations made under this section.

(Ord. 5373 § 7, 2016)