The ordinance codified in this title is enacted pursuant to Section 17 of Article XI of the Constitution and the general laws of the state of California.

(Ord. 1988-229 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 1988: Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6100), 1967)

The zoning ordinance codified in this title is adopted to promote and protect the public health, safety, peace, morals, comfort, convenience and general welfare and for the accomplishment thereof is adopted for the following more particularly specified purposes:

A.

To guide, control and regulate the future growth and development of the town in a manner consistent with the general plan;

B.

To protect the established "rural" quality and the stability of private and public areas within the town and assure the orderly and beneficial development of such areas;

C.

To prevent overcrowding the land and prevent undue congestion of population;

D.

To maintain Portola Valley as a major open space preserve;

E.

To obviate the menace to the public safety resulting from the locating of buildings, and the use thereof, and the use of land, in such manner as to cause interference with existing or prospective traffic movements on said streets;

F.

To preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the town;

G.

To provide adequate light, air, privacy and convenience of access to property;

H.

To minimize silting of drains and drainage channels;

I.

To secure safety from fire, inundation and other danger;

J.

To protect the community against excessive storm water runoff, soil erosion, earth movement, earthquake, and other geologic hazards.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6101), 1967)

This zoning title established various districts within the town within some, all or none of which it is lawful, and within some, all or none of which it is unlawful, to erect, construct, alter, or maintain certain structures or to carry on certain trades or occupations, or to conduct certain uses of land or structures; within which the bulk of buildings shall be limited; within which certain open spaces shall be required; and consisting further of additional appropriate regulations to be enforced in such districts as set forth in this title.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6103 (A)), 1967)

In their interpretation and application, provisions of this title shall be held to be minimum requirements, except where they are expressly stated to be maximum permitted conditions. However, more restrictive requirements may be required when necessary to meet the criteria for approving any specific application. The administering body or individual shall evaluate any proposal against conditions on the site for which an application is proposed and conditions on surrounding sites to help ensure the project is compatible with the natural and manmade environment. Such evaluation may result in more restrictive requirements.

(Ord. 1995-285 § 1 Exh. A (part), 1995: Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6103 (B)), 1967)

It is not intended to impair, or interfere with any private restrictions placed upon property by covenant or deed; provided, however, that where this title imposes greater restrictions upon the use of structures, or premises, or upon the heights of structures or requires larger yards, or other open spaces than are imposed or required by such private restrictions, the provisions of this title shall control.

(Ord. 1995-285 § 1 Exh. A (part), 1995)

Whenever any provision of this title and any other provision of law, whether set forth in this title or in any other law, ordinance, or resolution of any kind, impose overlapping or contradictory regulations over the use of land, or over the use or bulk of buildings or other structures, or contain any restrictions covering any of the same subject mater, that provision which is more restrictive or imposes higher standards or requirements shall govern.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6103 (C)), 1967)

Except as otherwise provided in this title:

A.

Land or structures in any district shall hereafter be used only for the purposes listed in this title as permitted in that district and in accordance with the regulations established in this title for that district and in accordance with any conditions and requirements which may have been established in connection with the authorization of any variance or the granting of any conditional use permit.

B.

No structure shall be erected, reconstructed, relocated or structurally altered to have a greater bulk or higher proportion of parcel coverage than permissible under the limitations set forth in this title for the combining district in which the structure is located. If already greater than the maximum permitted it shall not be further increased.

C.

No planting shall hereafter be installed which is inconsistent with the provisions of this title.

D.

No open space, off-street parking space, or loading space existing or provided hereafter about any structure shall be reduced below the minimum requirement hereinafter set forth for such open space, parking space, or loading space. If already less than the minimum requirements it shall not be further reduced.

E.

No open space, off-street parking space, garage space or loading space existing or hereinafter provided for a structure or use and necessary to meet or partially meet the requirements of this title shall be considered as providing al or part of the open space, off-street parking space, garage space, or loading space required for any other structure or use on any other parcel except as permitted in Chapter 18.60 for the joint or collective use of parking space.

F.

No parcel held under one ownership as of August 17, 1967 shall be reduced in dimension or area so as to be smaller than required by this title. If already less in dimension or area the dimension or area shall not be further reduced.

G.

No parcel created contrary to the requirements of the subdivision ordinance, or amendments thereto, shall be used for any principal use.

(Ord. 1979-166 § 5, 1979; Ord. 1969-99 § 5, 1969; Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6106), 1967)

The provisions of this title, to the extent permitted by law, shall apply to all public bodies, districts and agencies of the federal, state, county and municipal governments.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6106.1), 1967)

The categories of uses in Sections 18.02.090 through 18.02.120 are established and defined for the purpose of providing uniform administrative procedures for issuing permits or otherwise authorizing individual uses within the several categories.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6107), 1967)

Regular principal uses are uses permitted as principal uses as a matter of right and without special authorization in the districts where so listed. The establishment of any regular principal use is subject only to the obtaining of a zoning permit and conformance to requirements of this title and such other regulations and laws as may be applicable.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6107.1), 1967)

Conditional uses are those uses which are allowed as principal uses in the districts where so authorized by the district regulations only when and if a conditional use permit is granted therefor in accordance with the procedures and requirements set forth in Chapter 18.72.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6107.4), 1967)

Accessory uses are those related secondary uses necessary or incidental, appropriate and subordinate to the operation and enjoyment of the principal use of the parcel or structure on which located in the districts where so authorized by the district regulations. No use in any district shall be permitted as an accessory use which is not qualified as set forth in this section, or which constitutes in effect a conversion of a principal use to one not permitted in that district.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6107.5), 1967)

Any use not authorized in any district by Chapters 18.10 through 18.32, 18.36 and 18.40 as a regular principal use, conditional use, or accessory use is prohibited unless and until so authorized in accordance with the procedures and requirements of Chapter 18.38.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6107.9), 1967)