Chapter 17 of the municipal code shall be known and cited as the "zoning ordinance of the city of Rohnert Park" or "zoning ordinance."

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

The zoning ordinance is adopted to protect and promote the public health, safety, peace, comfort, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare. More specifically, the zoning ordinance is adopted in order to achieve the following objectives:

A.

To implement the goals, objectives, policies and programs of the Rohnert Park general plan, and to manage future development and growth consistent with that plan;

B.

To ensure that development creates a harmonious, convenient, workable relationship among land uses;

C.

To promote the stability of existing land uses which conform to the general plan;

D.

To ensure that public and private lands ultimately are used for the purposes that are most appropriate and most beneficial for the city as a whole;

E.

To facilitate the location of community facilities and institutions where they can best serve the city's residents;

F.

To facilitate the development of housing opportunities to meet the needs of all segments of the community and foster an equitable jobs/housing balance;

G.

To promote commercial and industrial activities in order to provide employment and strengthen the city's tax base;

H.

To protect and enhance the image of the city as a safe environment in which to raise a family; and

I.

To safeguard and enhance the appearance of the city to reflect and maintain the aesthetic values important to its residents as they relate to such factors as setbacks, quality design, and enhanced landscaping.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

The zoning ordinance shall consist of a zoning map designating certain districts and a set of regulations controlling the uses of land, the density of population, the uses and locations of structures, the appearance of certain uses and structures, the areas and dimensions of sites, the location, size, and illumination of signs, and requiring the provision of on- and off-site improvements.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

In the interpretation of this title:

A.

The provisions shall be held to the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare.

B.

It is not intended to repeal, abrogate, annul, or interfere with any existing ordinance of the city, except as is specifically repealed herein; provided, that where this title imposes greater restrictions upon the use of land or structure or the height or bulk of structures, or greater areas or dimensions of sites, than is imposed or required by an existing ordinance, this title shall control.

C.

These standards are not intended to deprive any party of the private property rights that would normally be enjoyed by that party, rather they are intended to help protect the same rights by equal application to all properties.(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

All properties within the boundaries of the city of Rohnert Park shall be subject to the provisions of this title.

A.

Private projects.

1.

No land, building, or structure shall be developed, used, constructed, or altered except in conformance with the provisions of this title.

2.

No use that requires a permit, license or approval under the provisions of this title shall be made, continued, established or operated until the permit, license or approval is finally granted, and all conditions of the permit, license or approval have been complied with, performed and completed.

3.

No use that requires a permit, license or approval under the provisions of this title shall be established or operated in violation of, or contrary to, any terms or conditions of the granted permit, license or approval.

B.

Private projects on public lands.

Unless otherwise exempted, private projects on federal, state, county, or city land shall be subject to the provisions of this title, including private projects on land owned by any combination of these agencies, or by a private person for the benefit of any such governmental agency.

C.

Public projects.

Public projects proposed by the city shall be reviewed by the planning commission if referred to the commission by the city council. Unless otherwise exempted, public projects proposed by other public agencies shall be subject to the provisions of this title.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

An application for any permit, license or approval submitted pursuant to this title shall not be accepted as complete for processing under this title unless it is consistent with the general plan; however, the concurrent filing of a general plan amendment application with an amendment to a zoning district or the provisions of this title shall be allowed. In any case where there is a conflict in regulation between this title and the general plan, the general plan shall prevail.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

A.

Establishment of zoning districts.

The city of Rohnert Park shall be divided into land use zoning districts consistent with the General Plan. The following districts are established:

(1)

Residential Districts.

R-R: Rural Residential District

R-E: Estate Residential District

R-L: Residential-Low Density District

R-M: Residential-Medium Density District

R-H: Residential-High Density District

(2)

Commercial Districts.

C-O: Professional/Administrative Office District

C-N: Neighborhood Commercial District

C-R: Regional Commercial District

(3)

Industrial Districts.

I-L: Limited Industrial District

(4)

Mixed Use Districts.

M-U: Mixed Use District

(5)

Public/Institutional.

PI: Public/Institutional District

(6)

Open Space and Recreational Districts.

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

OS-EC: Open Space for Environmental Conservation District

(7)

Special Districts.

PD: Planned Unit Development District

SP: Specific Plan District

B.

Adoption of zoning map.

The boundaries of the zoning districts established pursuant to this section of this title are delineated upon that certain map entitled "Zoning Map of the city of Rohnert Park" or "zoning map". The zoning map, together with all legends, notions, references, boundaries, and other information thereon, is hereby incorporated into this title by reference.

A copy of the current zoning map shall be kept on file with the city clerk and planning director and shall be made available to the public. Changes in the boundaries on any district shall be made by ordinance pursuant to Section 17.25.070 of this title, and shall be reflected on the zoning map.

C.

Zoning District boundaries.

The following rules shall apply for determining the boundaries of any district on the zoning map:

1.

Where boundaries are indicated as approximately following street or alley lines or other identifiable property or boundary lines, such lines shall be construed to be the district boundary. Where boundaries are indicated as within a street or alley, the center lines thereof shall be construed to be the district boundary.

2.

District boundaries shall follow along property lines or center lines of rights-of-way, wherever feasible. If a district boundary line divides or splits a lot or parcel of land of less than 12,000 square feet of area, the entire lot or parcel shall be deemed to fall within the zoning district in which the preponderance of such lot or parcel lies. Where said preponderance cannot be determined, such lot or parcel shall be deemed to fall entirely within the more restrictive zoning district. In the case of parcels in excess of 12,000 square feet, and in all cases where the methods of determination of this section are inappropriate, the boundaries shall be determined by scaling the location of such boundaries as shown on the zoning map and the regulations applicable within each district shall apply to each portion of the site situated in a separate district.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

If any provision of this title and the application thereof is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such a decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this title.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

If ambiguity arises concerning any aspect of this title, the planning and community development director shall interpret same. Should the planning and community development director's ruling be disputed, the matter shall be referred, upon written request, to the planning commission for clarification. Written requests received by the planning and community development director shall be placed on the next available planning commission agenda as a non-public hearing item. A fee to request an interpretation by the planning commission may be set by the city council.

(Ord. 695 § 3, 2003)

Marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana processing, marijuana delivery, and marijuana dispensaries as defined in Chapter 8.30 are expressly prohibited in all districts.

(Ord. No. 896, § 4(Exh. A), 2-9-2016)