This chapter is and shall be cited as the “Zoning Chapter of the city,” hereafter referred to as “this chapter.”

(`61 Code, § 25.01.1) (Ord. 915, passed 6-20-2000)

   (A)   This chapter carries out the policies of the city’s general plan by classifying and regulating the uses of land and structures within the municipal boundaries of the city. This chapter is adopted to protect and to promote the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of residents and businesses in the city.

   (B)   More specifically, the purpose of this chapter is to:

      (1)   Provide standards for the orderly growth and development of the city that will assist in maintaining a high quality of life without causing unduly high public or private costs for development or unduly restricting private enterprise, initiative or innovation in design;

      (2)   Encourage the uses of land designated by the general plan and avoid conflicts between land uses;

      (3)   Maintain and protect the value of property;

      (4)   Conserve and protect the natural resources of the city;

      (5)   Protect the character, and social and economic stability of residential, commercial and industrial areas; and

      (6)   Create a comprehensive and stable pattern of land uses upon which to plan transportation, water supply, sewerage and other public facilities and utilities.

(`61 Code, § 25.01.2) (Ord. 915, passed 6-20-2000)

   (A)   This chapter is enacted based on the authority vested in the city by the state, including but not limited to the State Constitution; California Government Code Title 7, Division I (Planning and Zoning Law) and Division II (Subdivision Map Act); California Public Resources Code §§ 21000 et seq., California Environmental Quality Act; and the Health and Safety Code.

   (B)   This chapter is the primary tool used by the city to carry out the goals, objectives and policies of the city’s general plan. The City Council intends that this chapter be consistent with the general plan and that any land use or development approved in compliance with this chapter will also be consistent with the city’s general plan.

(`61 Code, § 25.01.3) (Ord. 915, passed 6-20-2000)

   This chapter applies to all land uses and development within the city, as follows:

   (A)   Compliance with the following requirements is necessary for any person or public agency to lawfully establish a new land use or structure or to replace any land use or structure:

      (1)   The proposed use of land or structure shall be a permitted use within the district for which it is proposed or a use for which a use permit or administrative use permit has been previously approved;

      (2)   The proposed use of land or structure, or division of land shall satisfy all applicable requirements of this chapter, including but not limited to minimum street frontage, lot area, height limits, required yard and street setbacks, parking standards, residential density, sign standards, building coverage, landscaping and the like; and

      (3)   Prior to commencing any use, any land use permit or other approval required by this chapter shall be obtained and any applicable conditions of approval shall be satisfied.

   (B)   Building permits may be issued by the Community Development Department only when the proposed land use and/or structure satisfy the requirements of division (A) above.

   (C)   Any subdivision of land within the city occurring after the effective date of this chapter shall be consistent with the minimum lot size and dimension requirements, and all other applicable requirements of this chapter and Chapter 20 of this code.

   (D)   (1)   An existing land use is lawful and not in violation of this code only when operated and maintained in compliance with all applicable provisions of this chapter. However, the requirements of this chapter are not retroactive in their effect on a land use that was lawfully established before this chapter or any applicable amendment became effective.

      (2)   Any alteration, expansion or modification to an existing use shall comply with all provisions of this chapter, specifically including Article XVII of this chapter.

   (E)   Nothing in this chapter eliminates the need for obtaining any other permits required by the city, or any permit, approval or entitlement required by other chapters of the city code or the regulations of any city department or by any county, regional, state or federal agency.

   (F)   After the effective date of this chapter or any applicable amendment, all permits or licenses issued by the city shall be in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Any permit or license issued in conflict with this chapter shall be void.

(`61 Code, § 25.01.5) (Ord. 915, passed 6-20-2000; Am. Ord. 939, passed 5-20-2003; Am. Ord. 1018, passed 9-3-2013)

   This chapter shall be administered by the City Council, Planning Commission, Technical Advisory Committee and the Community Development Department.

(`61 Code, § 25.01.9) (Ord. 915, passed 6-20-2000; Am. Ord. 939, passed 5-20-2003; Am. Ord. 1018, passed 9-3-2013)

   The zoning plan consists of the establishment of various districts within the incorporated territory of the city. Within those districts certain uses of land and/or buildings may be lawful or unlawful as set forth in this chapter.

(`61 Code, § 25.01.10) (Ord. 915, passed 6-20-2000)

   Whenever conflict occurs between the provisions of this chapter and any other provisions of the law, the more restrictive of the provisions shall apply.

(`61 Code, § 25.01.11) (Ord. 915, passed 6-20-2000)

   If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable, the decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this chapter and each article, section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid.

(`61 Code, § 25.01.13) (Ord. 915, passed 6-20-2000)

   Zoning standards may be adopted by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. 926, passed 5-1-2001)