Pittsburg City Zoning Code
SECTION XXI
A MAIN STREET OVERLAY DISTRICT
§ 1 PURPOSE.
The purpose of the Main Street Overlay Zoning District is to foster a strong viable downtown as a commercial business, civic, residential and cultural center with its own unique identity and provide a mechanism to establish special land use regulations, standards, or procedures in a defined area with unique land use, site planning, or building design. Specifically:
a.
Implement the city’s Main Street Plan and achieve specific land use and design objectives.
b.
Encourage development that exhibits the physical design characteristics that promotes pedestrian-oriented storefront-style shopping.
c.
Encourage rehabilitation and re-use of both existing buildings and historic buildings.
d.
Promote new infill residential and nonresidential development in a planned format.
e.
Accommodate mixed-use buildings and parcels with neighborhood-serving retail, service and other uses on the ground floor and residential units above the nonresidential space.
(Ordinance 756-11 adopted 9/12/11; Ordinance 940-22 adopted 6/13/2022; Ordinance 958-23 adopted 1/9/2023)
§ 2 ESTABLISHMENT.
The Main Street Overlay Zoning District is established in conjunction [with the] existing zoning plan of the City. Except as modified by the overlay zoning district, the provisions of the existing zoning plan shall apply to all development within the boundary of the designated area. In the event the regulations conflict, the applicable overlay zoning regulations shall prevail.
(Ordinance 756-11 adopted 9/12/11; Ordinance 940-22 adopted 6/13/2022; Ordinance 958-23 adopted 1/9/2023)
§ 3 LOCATION OF DISTRICT.
The extent and limits of the Main Street Overlay Zoning District shall be defined and modified by the following description, and is hereby subject to the Main Street Overlay Zoning District regulations and requirements contained in this section.
The Main Street Overlay District is established according to the map attached to this Ordinance.
(Ordinance 756-11 adopted 9/12/11; Ordinance 940-22 adopted 6/13/2022; Ordinance 958-23 adopted 1/9/2023)
§ 4 BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRED.
Prior to construction of any improvements within the Main Street Overlay District, a building permit must be issued by the City of Pittsburg. All construction must comply with existing City of Pittsburg building codes. All proposed usage must comply with the City of Pittsburg zoning ordinance, or as amended by the City of Pittsburg Planning and Zoning Commission to meet the stated purposes of the Main Street Overlay Zoning District.
(Ordinance 756-11 adopted 9/12/11; Ordinance 940-22 adopted 6/13/2022; Ordinance 958-23 adopted 1/9/2023)
§ 5 FACADE DESIGN IN THE MAIN STREET OVERLAY DISTRICT.
All facade changes in the Main Street Overlay District shall require the issuance of a building permit by the City of Pittsburg and approval from the Main Street Board.
a.
Building facade.
New construction and improvements that face a public street shall conform to the following design criteria:
i.
New Construction. The front facade that face[s] a public street and included side used as entrance by the public, shall be constructed of similar materials and meet and match the historic character of existing buildings in the district. Shall conform to the approval of Main Street Design Committee.
ii.
On all building facade new construction and improvements, the use of bare metal, aluminum and metal siding, metal panels, plastic, and mirrored glass shall be prohibited unless for the use of windows with the Main Street Board approval.
iii.
The covering of original building materials is not allowed. Synthetic stucco, panelized brick, and aluminum and vinyl siding materials are prohibited.
b.
Side or Rear Facade Design.
Wherever a side or rear facade is visible from a public street, the facade new construction and improvements shall be in accordance with the following design criteria:
i.
On all new construction at least 30% of the facade shall consist of windows. On all facade improvements, no original windows shall be covered or replaced.
ii.
On all building facade new construction and improvements, the use of bare metal, aluminum and metal siding, metal panels, plastic, and mirrored glass shall be prohibited.
iii.
The covering of original building materials is not allowed. Synthetic stucco, panelized brick, and aluminum and vinyl siding materials are prohibited.
c.
Nonconforming Facades.
A nonconforming facade is any facade within the district on the effective date of this article which is prohibited by, or does not conform to the requirements of these regulations. Qualifying nonconforming facades may continue provided:
i.
The facade is properly maintained.
ii.
It is not structurally altered except as required to meet building code requirements.
iii.
It is not expanded or altered in any manner.
iv.
Any damage does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the estimated replacement cost.
v.
If facade is changed, or if an owner applies for a facade grant, the resulting facade shall conform to current standards.
(Ordinance 756-11 adopted 9/12/11; Ordinance 940-22 adopted 6/13/2022; Ordinance 958-23 adopted 1/9/2023)
§ 6 SIGNAGE.
Signage shall comply with the standards below, in addition to the existing provisions of the zoning ordinance.
a.
Purpose.
Signs shall be for the purpose of identifying businesses only. No permanent signs displaying advertising or promotions are permitted (exempting historic wall paintings), other than those relating to the primary use of the property. Lettering, signage, and displays describing a business’s general goods or services may be permitted in storefront windows only.
b.
Design.
The overall design of all signage shall adopt the decorative features of the building, utilizing complementary materials and colors. No signs shall be painted on the building (exempting historic wall paintings).
c.
Sign Permits.
i.
No permanent sign shall be erected in the Main Street Overlay District without first obtaining a permit.
ii.
In addition to obtaining any required building permit, every applicant for a permanent sign shall submit to the Main Street Board complete information on all aspects of the proposed signage, dimensions, design, color, materials, content, purpose and placement. The submittal shall consist of a completed sign application form, construction plans, and a sample set of the proposed materials and/or paint colors. Any other documentation including photographs and catalogs, which may further support the application, are encouraged to be included.
d.
Temporary Signs.
A permit for the placement, erection or installation of all banners shall be required before placement, erection or installation. Banners are allowed for special events only. Only one banner per facade is allowed and can be displayed no longer than 30 days.
f.
Mounting and Placement
i.
Signs shall be mounted or erected so they do not obscure the architectural features or openings of the building.
ii.
Sandwich board signs shall be allowed in the district but shall not exceed twenty square feet in size per sign face.
iii.
No sign or portion of sign shall extend above the principal roof line at the top of the building face.
g.
Window Signage.
i.
No Handwritten or painted signs are allowed in storefront windows except for the advertisement of events, holidays or promotions. No handwritten or painted window signage can be used as permanent signage for advertising a business or residence.
ii.
Only 10% of the square footage of the windows may be used for temporary signs and can be displayed no longer than 30 days.
h.
Nonconforming Signs.
[4] A nonconforming sign is any sign permanently affixed to the ground or a building within the district on the effective date of this article which is prohibited by, or does not conform to the requirements of these regulations. Temporary or portable signs shall not be afforded nonconforming status. Qualifying nonconforming signs may continue provided:
(Ordinance 550 adopted –/–/–; Ordinance 682-06, sec. III, adopted 2/13/06; Ordinance 940-22 adopted 6/13/2022; Ordinance 958-23 adopted 1/9/2023)
§ 7 CANOPIES IN THE MAIN STREET OVERLAY DISTRICT.
Canopies shall be permitted on buildings. Prior to construction or repair of an canopy, a building permit must be issued by the City of Pittsburg and approval from the Main Street Board.
a.
Canopies must meet historic character of the building on which it is constructed.
b.
Canopies must be made from wood, metal or similar materials.
c.
Prior to canopy construction and repairs a construction plan must be submitted to the Main Street Board for approval.
(Ordinance 550 adopted –/–/–; Ordinance 682-06, sec. III, adopted 2/13/06; Ordinance 940-22 adopted 6/13/2022; Ordinance 958-23 adopted 1/9/2023)
§ 8 TINTING OR FOIL IN THE MAIN STREET OVERLAY DISTRICT.
No aluminum foil, or similar materials shall be placed on windows that will obstruct internal view of the store, unless approved by the City of Pittsburg Building Inspector and Main Street Board.
a.
For Residential Use: Windows will be allowed to have dark tint only to provide privacy with prior approval from the City of Pittsburg Building Inspector and Main Street Board.
(Ordinance 550 adopted –/–/–; Ordinance 682-06, sec. III, adopted 2/13/06; Ordinance 940-22 adopted 6/13/2022; Ordinance 958-23 adopted 1/9/2023)
§ 9 RESIDENTIAL USE REGULATIONS.
a.
Residential use shall be allowed in the Main Street Overlay District.
b.
Building Permit required prior to home occupation.
c.
Interior/Exterior Building Site Plan and Residential Use submitted to Main Street Board for approval prior to home occupation.
d.
Residential Use and construction must meet the 2006 International Building Codes and fire safety codes prior to home occupation.
e.
Each Residential Unit is required to have no less than one (1) full bathroom.
f.
A Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.
g.
One-Family Residential Use for home occupation will be allowed. This provision does not include Zoning R1 multiple uses, and only use shall be One-Family Residential.
h.
Multifamily Residential Use for home occupation will be allowed. This provision does not including Zoning R3 multiple uses, and only use shall be for home occupation.
k.
No more than two (2) family pets per dwelling. Pet owners will have to clean up after pets.
(Ordinance 550 adopted –/–/–; Ordinance 682-06, sec. III, adopted 2/13/06; Ordinance 940-22 adopted 6/13/2022; Ordinance 958-23 adopted 1/9/2023)