Zoning is the process by which the city of Rohnert Park is divided into "districts" identified by particular land use types, such as residential, commercial, and industrial. Section 17.06 of the Zoning Ordinance includes a description of the land use districts and identifies what types of uses would be allowed in each area. Subsequent sections explain how such uses are to be developed and operated. The locations of these districts are shown on an official map of the city, which is referred to as the "Zoning Map."

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

The Zoning Ordinance is the document that establishes the various zoning districts, identifies those uses that may be allowed in each district, and provides the regulations and standards that pertain to the development and operation of those uses. In the city of Rohnert Park, the Zoning Ordinance is found in Title 17 of the Rohnert Park Municipal Code. In Rohnert Park there are seventeen zoning districts, categorized as follows (with the densities allowed in each residential district indicated in parentheses):

A.

Residential.

R-R: Rural Residential District (up to 2 units per acre)

R-E: Estate Residential District (up to 2 units per acre)

R-L: Residential-Low Density District (4-6 units per acre)

R-M: Residential-Medium Density District (6-12 units per acre)

R-H: Residential-High Density District (12-30 units per acre)

B.

Commercial.

C-O: Professional/Administrative Office District

C-N: Neighborhood Commercial District

C-R: Regional Commercial District

C.

Industrial.

I-L: Limited Industrial District

D.

Mixed Use.

M-U: Mixed Use District

E.

Public/Institutional.

P-I: Public/Institutional Zoning District

F.

Open Space and Recreational.

OS-ARM: Open Space for Agriculture and Resource Management District

OS-EC: Open Space for Environmental Conservation District

G.

Other.

P-D: Planned Development District

SP: Specific Plan District

H.

Overlays.

MHP: Mobile Home Park Overlay District

O: Office Overlay District

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

The "heart" of the Zoning Ordinance is Chapter 17.06—Land Use Regulations. This chapter presents the city's zoning districts in a series of tables, divided by land use type (e.g., residential, commercial, mixed use, industrial.) The tables are set up with the zoning districts displayed along the top of the columns and the land uses down the left side of each table. To find out if a certain land use is permitted in a district, locate the use on the appropriate zoning district table and read across the row to the right. If a letter appears in one or more of the columns, the use is either permitted or requires a separate approval prior to its operation (see below). If a letter does not appear in the row, the use is not permitted in that district. Some of the uses have additional requirements that are indicated by a number and/or a Code citation, and these requirements are listed in the Land Use Footnotes (Chapter 17.07) section that follows the land use tables.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

If a letter appears in the column for a given use, the use is one that may be allowed in that zoning district. A "P" indicates that the use is permitted and no formal review is required. A "C" indicates that the use requires approval of the planning commission; there would be a public notice and a public hearing before the Commission. An "A" indicates an administrative approval by the Planning Director or a Zoning Administrator; there would be a public notice and the decision could be appealed to the planning commission. A "Z" indicates zoning compliance; these are uses (e.g., home occupations) that, if they meet certain criteria outlined in the footnotes, are approved and there is no notice or appeal process. A "T" is for a temporary use that would either be seasonal (e.g., Christmas tree lot) or would last less than two years (e.g., construction trailer); there would be no notification or appeal. An "I" indicates uses that are allowed when incidental to a primary use.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

The "Development Standards" section of the zoning ordinance (Chapter 17.10) contains this information. A table is provided that lists various development standards along the top of the columns and the zoning districts down the left side of the table. To determine what standards apply to each district, find the district on the left and then read across the columns to the right to read the standards. Footnotes follow the table that further explain the standards. This chapter also contains information on allowable projections into yard setbacks (e.g., balconies and patios) and the placement of accessory structures, such as tool sheds and detached garages.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

This information is contained in the "Fence, Wall, and Landscape Standards" section of the zoning ordinance (Chapter 17.14.) This section also contains information on landscaping requirements for various developments.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

The "Performance Standards" section of the zoning ordinance (Chapter 17.12) contains this information. These standards are intended to help protect the public health and safety and to minimize a given land use's impacts on surrounding uses and the greater community.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

The "Off-Street Parking Standards" and "Off-Street Loading Standards" sections of the zoning ordinance (Chapters 17.16 and 17.17) contain this information. Tables located within this section give the parking requirements for various land uses by category (e.g., residential, public and semi public, commercial/retail/office, industrial), with dimensional and development standards following these tables.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

Chapter 17.27 contains the signage regulations for the city of Rohnert Park. These regulations indicate the amount of signage allowable for projects in each zoning district, the proper locations for such signage, how temporary signage may be used, and other requirements pertaining to this topic.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

The other sections of the Zoning Ordinance explain the City's Growth Management Program, the Development Agreement Procedure, Mobile Home Park Conversion requirements and procedure, and Administrative and Enforcement Procedures. The latter contains information on the permits that may be required for some operations, such as conditional use permits, site plan and architectural review for new and modified developments, and administrative permits. This section also explains the City's Code Enforcement Procedures.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

Planning Staff is available to discuss the Zoning Ordinance and its proper use and interpretation, as well as to review projects to determine their compliance with the Ordinance. Staff can also review the Zoning Map to determine the zoning district designation for a given property. Planning Staff can be visited at the City Offices located at 130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA, or can be reached by phone at (707) 588-2236. The Zoning Ordinance, the Zoning Map and related materials are also available on the city's website,
www.rpcity.org.

(Ord. No. 812, § 2, 1-27-2009)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 812, § 2, adopted Jan. 27, 2009, deleted § 17.01.090 in its entirety and enacted new provisions to read as herein set out. Prior to amendment, § 17.01.090 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. 695 § 3, 2003.