Pleasanton City Zoning Code

For properties zoned PUD, the basic site requirements shall be established in conjunction with the approval of the final development plan as set forth in Chapter 18.68.

Properties in the C, MU, O and I districts may be subdivided for purposes of lease, sale or finance without regard to the basic site requirements for the applicable district when all of the following are met:

Required front, side and rear yards shall be measured as the minimum horizontal distance from the property line of the site or street right-of-way line to a line parallel thereto on the site; provided that where a specific street plan has been adopted by the city council, site area and required yards shall be measured from the plan line, and no provision of this chapter shall be construed to permit a structure or use to extend beyond such line; and provided further, that where a site abuts on a street having only a portion of its required width dedicated or reserved for street purposes, site area and required yards shall be measured from a line drawn on the boundary of the additional width required for street purposes abutting the site.

No site shall have less than 35 feet of frontage.

On an irregular site, required yards shall be measured in the manner prescribed by the zoning administrator.

On a lot having a width that exceeds its depth and which is served by an access corridor, the longer dimension may be considered the depth for purposes of measuring front, side and rear yards.

The calculation of residential units based on dwelling units per acre of a site in a R-1, R-M, M-U, or C-C district shall be rounded down to the whole unit if under 0.9 and rounded up where 0.9 and over, provided that all other applicable yard, open space, bulk, and parking restrictions are met.

In the R-1-6,500, R-1-7,500, R-1-8,500 and R-1-10,000 districts, for each one-foot difference in elevation greater than 10 feet between points A and B as described in this chapter, the minimum required site area shall be increased by 10 percent except that a site in excess of 13,000 square feet shall not be required in the R-1-6,500 district, a site in excess of 15,000 square feet shall not be required in the R-1-7,500 district, a site in excess of seven-teen thousand square feet shall not be required in the R-1-8,500 district, and a site in excess of 20,000 square feet shall not be required in the R-1-10,000 district.

In the R-1-20,000 and R-1-40,000 districts, for each one-foot difference in elevation greater than 20 feet between points A and B, as described in this chapter, the minimum required site area shall be increased by 10 percent.

On any lot point A is a point at which either projected side lot line intersects the edge of the street pavement as shown on a preliminary or tentative subdivision map or on plans approved by the city engineer or the existing pavement or traveled way. Point B is a point on the lot on an arc 100 feet distant from point A with the greatest difference in natural grade.

On a site having a difference in elevation of more than 10 feet between points A and B as described in this chapter, the natural grade shall not be disturbed or natural vegetation removed on more than 5,000 square feet if the site is in the R-1-10,000 district or more than 7,000 square feet if the site is in the R-1-20,000 or R-1-40,000 districts, provided that vegetation other than trees more than six inches in diameter may be removed from additional area if replaced by planning of equal coverage and ground-holding ability, and provided that vegetation may be removed from additional area in accord with a plan approved by the board of design review to thin out excessively heavy growth in order to foster improved growth conditions, to remove diseased plant material, or to eliminate a hazardous condition.

All properties placed in a hillside planned development (H-P-D) district shall be developed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 18.76 of this title.

The minimum front yard for a garage, carport or off-street parking space required to serve a dwelling in the R-1-6,500, R-1-7,500, R-1-8,500, R-1-10,000, and RM districts shall be 23 feet in order to accommodate a car outside the garage, carport or parking space without encroaching upon the sidewalk, provided that where a garage or carport entered parallel to the street from which it has access, the front yard for the garage or carport may be 15 feet.

In the R-1-6,500, R-1-7,500, R-1-8,500 and R-1-10,000 zoning districts, the front yard setback shall be a minimum of 20 feet for those properties where it can be shown through city records to the satisfaction of the community development director that the home was initially constructed with a minimum of 20-foot front yard setback.

Where sites comprising 40 percent of the frontage in an R district on a block are improved with buildings, the minimum front yard shall be the average of the minimum front yard depths for structures other than garages or carports on each developed site in the district on the block. In computing the average, a depth 10 feet greater than the minimum required front yard shall be used for any site having a greater yard depth.

No solid fence, brick and screen block walls, chainlink fence, hedge, or other screen planting in a required front yard in all zoning districts other than the R-1-20,000, R-1-40,000, and A districts shall exceed a height of 30 inches. Open fencing such as wrought iron, split rail, picket style, or other similar types of open fencing may be located in a required front yard, provided that the open fence maintains a maximum height of 42 inches. In conjunction with the open fence, a solid base of brick or split face block up to a height of 18 inches may be constructed so long as the total fence height does not exceed 42 inches, and decorative columns, caps, or pilasters up to a height of 48 inches, generally separated by a distance of six feet may be constructed. "Open picket style fencing" is defined as fencing which consists of narrow vertical boards, generally three inches to four inches in width, and with a minimum of 33 percent of the fence area being open.

Higher decorative structures or planting screens incorporated into an identifiable landscaping scheme may be located in a required front yard, provided that:

No solid fence, chainlink fence, hedge, or other screen planting in a required front yard in the R-1-20,000, R-1-40,000, or A district shall exceed a height of 30 inches, except that wrought iron, split rail, or other similar types of open fencing may be permitted by the zoning administrator. Such fencing shall be permitted if it meets the following criteria:

Where the main structure on a site encroaches into the required front yard, a fence in conformance with Section 18.84.090(G) of this chapter may occupy the required front yard, provided that the fence does not encroach any further into the required front yard than the main structure.

On the street side of a corner lot the side yard shall not be less than twice the depth of the minimum side yard prescribed for the district, except that a side yard in excess of the required front yard depth shall not be required, and a side yard less than 10 feet shall not be permitted.

On a reversed corner lot the minimum rear yard may be not less than the minimum side yard prescribed for the district if the side yard adjoining the street is not less than the required front yard on the adjoining key lot, or 15 feet, whichever is greater.

Where the side or rear lot line of the site of a use other than a residential use in a district other than an R district adjoins an R district, the minimum side or rear yard shall be 10 feet greater than the minimum yard prescribed in the zoning schedule of this chapter; provided, that where the side or rear lot lines of a site in an I-G district adjoins an R district, the minimum side or rear yard shall be 50 feet.

On the side street of a corner lot, the minimum side yard for a garage, carport, or off-street parking space required to serve a dwelling in an R district shall be 20 feet; provided, that if the garage, carport or off-street parking space is entered parallel to the street, the minimum side yard shall be the same as the side yard otherwise required on the site.

At the time of the initial construction, principal structures in the R-1-8,500, R-1-7,500, R-1-6,500 and RM-4,000 districts may encroach into otherwise required rear yards to within 15 feet of the rear lot line; provided, that there remains a single unobstructed open space with an area equal to 120 percent of the area obtained by multiplying the required rear yard dimension by the minimum lot width prescribed for these zoning districts. This unobstructed open area may be located in a side yard and/or in the area between the principal structure and the rear lot line and shall have a minimum dimension of not less than 15 feet.

Additions to principal structures in the R-1-8,500, R-1-7,500, R-1-6,500 and RM-4,000 districts may encroach into otherwise required rear yards to within 15 feet of the rear lot line, provided that there remains a single unobstructed open space with an area equal to 80 percent of the area obtained by multiplying the required rear yard dimension by the minimum lot width prescribed for these zoning districts. This unobstructed area may be located in a side yard and/or in the area between the principal structure and the rear lot line and shall have a minimum dimension of not less than 15 feet.

No structure referred to in this section projecting into the required rear yard shall exceed one story in height.

Fences, walls, and hedges not over six feet in height, walks, driveways and retaining walls may occupy a required side or rear yard, except that solid fences, walls, and hedges in the side yard on the street side of a corner lot may not exceed a height of 30 inches, and open fencing, such as wrought iron, split rail, picket style, or other similar types of open fencing, may not exceed a maximum height of 42 inches. In conjunction with the open fence, a solid base of brick or split face block up to a height of 18 inches may be constructed so long as the total fence height does not exceed 42 inches, and decorative columns, caps, or pilasters up to a height of 48 inches, generally separated by a distance of six feet may be constructed. "Open picket style fencing" is defined as fencing which consists of narrow vertical boards, generally three inches to four inches in width, with at least 33 percent of the fence area being open to view. No such structure or hedge shall pose a traffic sight obstruction. In the C-S, C-A, I-P and I-G districts, fences as high as eight feet may be allowed in conjunction with outdoor storage areas. The upper two feet of such fences may contain barbed wire. Permission of the zoning administrator shall be required for such over height fences and may be denied if the zoning administrator determines the appearance of such fencing would conflict with the purposes of this title or if such fencing would be detrimental to the public health or general welfare.

In the R-1-6,500 and R-1-7,500 districts, fences, walls and hedges not over six feet in height may be located to within five feet of the side property line on the street side of a corner lot between the rear property line and a point set back 15 feet from the front corner of the residence closest to the side street.

Fences, walls and hedges greater than six feet but not over eight feet in height may occupy a required side or rear yard upon approval by the zoning administrator.

In a R-1 district, at the time of initial construction, main structures two stories or greater in height shall be separated by a distance of at least 20 feet; provided, however, portions of two structures, only one of which is two stories or greater in height, shall be separated by at least 17 feet. For structures with upper floors set in or out from lower floors, separation shall be measured separately from each story. Additions to the main structure may be constructed with the same separation as the existing first floor, provided that the addition does not encroach any farther into the separation than the existing main structure. All additions to the main structure which exceed 10 feet in height shall be subject to design review pursuant to Section 18.20.010 of this title. Accessory structures two stories or greater in height shall be separated by a distance of at least 20 feet from any structure two stories or greater in height; accessory structures two stories or greater in height shall be separated by a distance of at least 17 feet from one-story structures. For purposes of this section, separation shall be measured from the wall of one structure to the wall of the other structure excluding architectural projections.

In an RM district, no structure shall exceed the height of a sloping plane 15 feet in height at the interior of the minimum required side yard prescribed in Table 18.84.010 of this chapter[1], and sloping away from the side property line five feet for each additional 15 feet in height.

In an R district, the distance between a main structure and an accessory structure on the same site shall not be less than six feet, except that accessory structures in the rear yards or in one side yard may be closer than six feet if all the requirements of the building and fire code are met and if such structures are not closer than three feet to any side or rear property line.

Architectural Projections. Architectural projections, including eaves, awnings, louvers, and similar shading devices; sills, belt courses, cornices, and similar features; and flues and chimneys may project not more than four feet into a required front yard, rear yard, or side yard on the street side of a corner lot, and not more than two feet into any other required yard, provided that the distance between an architectural projection and side or rear property line shall not be less than three feet.

Oriel or Bay Windows. Oriel or bay windows may project not more than three feet into a required front yard, rear yard, or side yard on the street side of a corner lot, provided that the aggregate width of oriel or bay windows shall not exceed 50 percent of the length of the wall in which they are located, and the width of any individual oriel or bay window shall not exceed 10 feet.

Porches and Steps. Unroofed porches, steps, decks, and terraces may come to a point not closer than 12 feet to a front property line, or may project not more than eight feet into a required front yard or side yard on the street side of a corner lot, or to a point not closer than three feet to an interior side or rear property line, provided that the height, including railings, shall not exceed six feet above the grade of the ground at the property line.

Balconies over Six Feet Aboveground. Balconies, decks, terraces, and other similar unroofed structures at a height, including railing, more than six feet above the level at which a yard must be provided, may project not more than eight feet into a required front yard or rear yard and five feet into any other required yard, provided that they shall not reduce any yard to less than five feet except on the street side of a corner lot. Such structures shall be cantilevered or supported only by necessary columns. A balcony or deck projecting from a higher story may extend over a lower balcony or deck.

Open Stairways. Open, unenclosed fire escapes and fireproof outside stairways may project into any required yard not more than four feet, provided that no yard shall be reduced to less than three feet.

Covered Front Porches And Covered Patios. Covered front porches attached to a main structure may come to a point not closer than 12 feet from the front property line, provided that the covered front porch is designed to be an integral part of the home, is open on three sides, has a minimum depth of eight feet, and has a minimum width of 10 feet. Porch eaves shall project no more than an additional 24 inches into the required front and/or side yard setback areas.

Covered patios attached to a main structure and enclosed on more than one side may project not more than eight feet into a required rear yard and five feet into a required side yard within 35 feet of the rear lot line, provided that the required side yard shall not be reduced to less than five feet. Covered patios attached to a main structure and open on three sides may come to within five feet of the rear property line and three feet from the side property lines of the property within any residential zone.

Underground Structures. Covered underground structures may project without limit into any required yard, provided that they shall not have a height of more than two and one-half feet and provided that their surfaces are landscaped.

Architectural building elements such as towers, cupolas, and similar structures, and appurtenances such as spires, chimneys, elevator and stairway enclosures, building-mounted flagpoles, screens for rooftop equipment, and similar structures covering not more than 10% of the ground area covered by the structure may be erected to a height of not more 15 feet above the height limit prescribed by the regulations for the district in which the site is located, with design review approval specified under Chapter 18.20 of this title.

Except as otherwise allowed by this title, subject to design review approval specified under Chapter 18.20 of this title, freestanding appurtenant structures such as water tanks, fire towers, flagpoles, monuments, and similar structures; residential radio and television aerials and antennas; receive-only antennas; may be erected to a height of not more than 65 feet or not more than 25 feet above the height limit prescribed by the regulations for the district in which the site is located, whichever is less.

The height and location of commercial radio and television aerials, antennas, and transmission towers shall be subject to design review approval specified under Chapter 18.20 of this title, and shall be based on a visual analysis demonstrating that views of the aerial/antenna/tower are minimized or are substantially screened from residential land uses, the I-580 and/or I-680 rights-of-way, or other sensitive land uses such as parks, schools, or major streets, and shall be based on an engineering analysis justifying the height of the proposed aerial/antenna/tower. Any parabolic dish mounted on the aerial/antenna/tower shall be less than two feet in diameter. The base of the aerial/antenna/tower and any switching facility located at the base that is visible to the public shall be architecturally treated and/or screened from view utilizing on-and/or off-site vegetation or other approved screening mechanism.

Wire-carrying power distribution poles and transmission towers and communication poles located in any zoning district shall not be subject to the height limits prescribed in the district regulations.

For innovation-based businesses in the C-R(p), O, I-P, I-G, PUD-C (Johnson Drive Economic Development Zone Area only), PUD-C-O, PUD-I, PUD-I/C-O, and PUD-MU Districts, the maximum height for new buildings shall be:

For innovation-based businesses in the Hacienda PUD Area, the maximum height for new buildings shall be:

In an R district, Class I and Class II accessory structures may be located in a required rear yard or a required interior side yard within 35 feet of the rear lot line, provided that the distances to lot lines shall not be less than prescribed in Section 18.84.010 of this chapter, except that Class II accessory structures may be constructed to the property line, but not attached to the fence, and provided that in the aggregate no more than 500 square feet or 10 percent of the area of the required rear yard, whichever is greater, shall be covered by structures other than garages or carports in an RM-2,500, RM-2,000 or RM-1,500 district. Accessory structures located in required side or rear yards shall not be closer to a main structure or any other accessory structure than the distance prescribed in Section 18.84.100 of this chapter. The minimum distance between an accessory structure containing a habitable room and a side or rear lot line shall be the same as the minimum required side yard for a main structure on the same site.

An accessory structure located not closer to a property line than the distance required for a main structure on the same site may adjoin or may be separated from a main structure, provided that if directly opposite walls in either structure have a main entrance to a dwelling unit or a window opening into a habitable room, the space between the structures shall be as prescribed in Section 18.84.100 of this chapter.

No accessory structure shall be located either within a front yard or, unless adequately screened from view from the street as determined by the zoning administrator within the area between the front yard and the front of a structure in an R district.

Swimming pools shall comply with the applicable Class II accessory structure regulations of this title and in addition shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 20.55 of this code.

Accessory dwelling units shall comply with the regulations in Chapter 18.106 of this title.

Accessory structures exceeding 10 feet in height shall be subject to design review pursuant to Section 18.20.010 of this title.

Location Standards for Pools and Spas.

Each dwelling unit in the RM, C-C and MU districts shall have group or private usable open space as prescribed in the zoning schedule codified in Table 18.84.010 of this chapter[1], provided that in the RM district each dwelling unit shall have private usable open space of at least the minimum area specified by subsection C of this section. Group and private usable open space may be combined to meet the requirements. Each square foot of private usable open space shall be considered equivalent to two square feet of group usable open space and may be so substituted. All required usable open space shall be planted area, or shall have a dust-free surface, or shall be water surface, provided that not less than 10 percent of the required group usable open space at ground level shall be landscaped with trees and other plant materials suitable for ornamentation. No required usable open space shall be located in a parking area, driveway, service area, or required front yard, or shall have a slope greater than 10 percent.

Group usable open space shall have a minimum area of 300 square feet and a rectangle inscribed within it shall have no dimension less than 15 feet. Required usable open space may be located on the roof of an attached garage or carport, but not more than 20 percent of the required space shall be located on the roof of a building containing habitable rooms.

Private usable open space located at ground level shall have a minimum area of 150 square feet and a rectangle inscribed within it shall have no dimension less than 10 feet. The minimum area of aboveground-level space shall be 50 square feet and a rectangle inscribed within it shall have no dimension less than five feet. Private usable open space shall be adjacent to, and not more than four feet above or below the floor level of the dwelling unit served. Not more than 50 percent of ground-level space may be covered by an overhang, balcony, or patio roof. Aboveground-level space shall have at least one exterior side open above railing height.

Private, ground-level, usable open space on the street side of a structure shall be screened from the street.

Usable open space shall be permanently maintained by the owner in orderly condition.

Except as specified in a use permit authorizing a conditional use, no truck or bus larger than one-ton capacity and no trailer longer than 25 feet shall be parked or stored on a site.

No off-street parking space provided in compliance with Chapter 18.88 of this title shall be located in a required front yard or in a required side yard on the street side of a corner lot.

Except as specified in a use permit authorizing a conditional use, no more than one vehicle, other than automobiles, shall be stored on a site in an R-1 or RM-4,000 district, except in an enclosed garage.

No vehicle shall be parked or stored except in conformity with the requirements of Section 18.84.110 of this chapter.

No trailer, camper or boat shall be parked or stored in a front yard; provided, however, that in addition, a trailer, camper or boat may not be parked or stored in the side-street side yard of a corner lot.

No trailer, camper or boat shall be parked or stored in the area between the front yard and the front of a structure or in a side yard, unless adequately screened from view from the street as determined by the zoning administrator.