Taft City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 3
SPECIAL ZONE DISTRICTS
6-3-1: DOWNTOWN TAFT SPECIFIC PLAN (DTSP) ZONE DISTRICT:
(A) Purpose And Intent:
1. The purpose and intent of the Downtown Taft Specific Plan (DTSP) Zone District is to encourage mixed use development and create a thriving, healthy, balanced community and an economically diverse downtown economy. This is achieved by outlining goals, objectives, policies, and standards regarding the character of land uses and development within Downtown Taft.
2. The provisions of this section establish procedures that provide for residential, commercial and/or industrial, mixed-use developments. These provisions permit the clustering of units, the mixing of land use and building types, and the formulation of specific development standards and design criteria that respond to the particular features or conditions affecting a site. In effect, the DTSP zone district sets the standards of development independent of other zone districts specified in this title.
(B) Use Regulations:
1. Chapter 3 - Land Uses, of the Downtown Taft Specific Plan (adopted by Ordinance) identifies those land uses or activities that may be permitted, or conditionally permitted in the DTSP zone districts, subject to the provisions of this title and the general plan.
2. All development within this zone district must comply with the approved Downtown Taft Specific Plan.
3. Should the Downtown Taft Specific Plan be silent on a proposed land use or development standard, then the provisions of this title shall apply, at the discretion of the planning director. (Ord. 849-22, 12-6-2022)
6-3-2: COMMUNITY FACILITIES (CF) ZONE DISTRICT:
(A) Purpose And Intent:
1. The general plan outlines the goals, objectives and policies establishing the location and character of public, quasi-public and institutional land uses and activities within the city.
2. It is the purpose of this section to provide regulations that implement those goals, objectives and policies of the general plan and to assure the availability and adequacy of lands suitable for future public, quasi-public and institutional facilities, uses and activities.
(B) Use Regulations: Table 3.A of this section identifies those land uses or activities that may be permitted, or conditionally permitted in the CF zone district, subject to the provisions of this title and the general plan. Table 3.A of this section also depicts the permit procedure and the type of approval required by which each listed land use or activity may be permitted in said community facilities zone district. (Ord. 768-08, 8-19-2008)
TABLE 3.A
USES PERMITTED WITHIN COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT
USES PERMITTED WITHIN COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT
To view Table 3.A Uses Permitted Within Community Facilities District, click HERE
Legend:
P = Permitted subject to consistency assessment
C = Permitted subject to approval of a conditional use permit
X = Prohibited
Use | Condition Of Use |
Use | Condition Of Use |
Accessory uses: | |
Accessory uses and structures located on the same site as a permitted use | P |
Other accessory uses and structures located on the same site as a use permitted subject to a conditional use permit | C |
Community facilities uses: | |
Agricultural uses, such as grazing, field crops, truck gardening, berry and bush crops, flower gardening, wholesale nurseries when used to buffer airport related uses | P |
Air museum | P |
Aircraft associated activities (when associated with an airport operation) including aerial crop dusting and spraying enterprises; aerial firefighting enterprises; aerial photo and surveying; air carrier, commuter and scheduled air taxi operations; air shows, fly-in events, aircraft wash and wax operations; car rental; flying school or flying club; administrative and classroom facilities; professional offices; hangars and tiedown spaces for aircraft storage or parking; sale of aviation petroleum products; sale, rental or service of aircraft parts, avionics, instruments or other equipment; taxicabs, buses, limousines and other ground transportation facilities | P |
Aircraft related manufacture, repair, maintenance, rebuilding, alteration or exchange of aircraft parts | P |
Airport, if not located within the boundaries of the Taft-Kern County Airport, including airfields, helicopter field or port, landing and takeoff runways and taxiways, buildings, improvements and activities primarily related to the operation of an airport facility, such as hangars, air passenger terminal buildings, operation tower, fuel storage and refueling facilities, maintenance, security and public safety facilities | C |
Ambulance service (includes air ambulance) | P |
Animal shelters | C |
Auditoriums | C |
Cellular and microwave communication facilities | C |
Cemeteries | C |
Churches, synagogues, mosques and temples | C |
Cultural activity structure or events | C |
Day nursery, nursery schools and childcare facilities per state law | C |
Education institutions (including public or private vocational schools) | P |
Fire station, fire training facility and police station | P |
Fireworks stand, subject to section 6-12-17 of this title | P |
Hospitals | C |
Medical marijuana dispensaries | X |
Packaging and packing of products for air transport | P |
Post offices | P |
Preparation of chemical fire retardants as required for aerial firefighting | C |
Public libraries and museums | P |
Public parks and recreation facilities (public or private) | P |
Public utilities and public service substations, drainage sumps, reservoirs, pumping plants and similar installations, not including public utility offices | P |
Public utility services offices | P |
RTC, CCF, prisons | C |
Recreation uses, such as parks, golf courses, golf driving range and similar uses involving the open use of land without structures or improvements when used to buffer airport related uses | C |
Recreational facilities, such as zoos, country clubs, tennis and swim clubs, golf courses and private ranges, equestrian centers, with incidental limited commercial uses commonly associated and/or directly related to the primary recreational use | C |
Recycling facility | C |
Residential care facility | C |
Restaurants (refer to section 6-12-5 of this title): | |
Bona fide restaurant or food service establishment not serving alcoholic beverages | P |
Nonbona fide restaurant or food service establishment serving alcoholic beverages, including upgrading an existing ABC license (e.g., beer and wine license to a hard liquor license) | C |
All public buildings and grounds not otherwise mentioned herein | P |
Temporary uses: | |
Temporary uses (subject to the provisions of section 6-2-10 of this title, and issuance of a temporary use permit) | P |
Other uses similar to and no more objectionable than the uses identified above may be permitted subject to approval by the planning commission | |
(Ord. 768-08, 8-19-2008; amd. Ord. 782-10, 4-6-2010)
(C) Development Standards:
1. General Requirements: The minimum property development standards for all land, buildings and structures constructed or placed within the community facilities (CF) zone district shall be equivalent to the requirements of the zone districts of adjacent properties. When there is a conflict between adjacent zone districts and the CF zone district, the project assistance team shall make the final determination as to the applicable development standards to be applied. The decision of the project assistance team may be appealed to the planning commission in accordance with the provisions of section 6-2-19 of this title.
2. Special Requirements:
(a) Where off street parking areas are situated such that they are in a visual corridor, as may be defined in a precise plan adopted by the city council, screening, such as a wall or earthen berm two feet (2') in height, shall be erected between the street right of way and parking areas.
(b) Except as otherwise permitted, a street side building setback area shall be used only for landscaping, pedestrian walkways, driveways or off street parking.
(c) Except as otherwise permitted, required rear and interior side building setback areas shall be used only for landscaping, pedestrian walkways, driveways, off street parking or loading, storage of materials (when provided in accordance with the provisions of this title), recreational activities or facilities, and similar accessory activities. (Ord. 768-08, 8-19-2008)
6-3-3: AIRPORT APPROACH HEIGHT (H) OVERLAY ZONE DISTRICT:
(A) Purpose And Intent: The airport safety regulations are established to provide greater safety to both aviators and the general public by setting requirements for land use compatibility reviews within designated areas as set forth in part 1, chapter 4, section 4.14 of the Taft-Kern County Airport land use compatibility plan of the county of Kern.
(B) Permitted Uses: Permitted uses in an H zone district are those uses permitted by the base district within which the H zone district is combined.
(C) Uses Permitted With Conditional Use Permit: Uses permitted with a conditional use permit in an H zone district are those conditional uses permitted by the base district within which the H zone district is combined.
(D) Prohibited Uses: Prohibited uses in an H zone district are those uses prohibited by the base district within which the H zone district is combined.
(E) Minimum Lot Size: Minimum lot size requirements in an H zone district shall be in compliance with the requirements of the base district within which the H zone district is combined.
(F) Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit: Requirements for minimum lot area per dwelling unit in an H zone district shall be in compliance with the requirements of the base district within which the H zone district is combined.
(G) Yard And Setbacks: Yard and setback requirements in an H zone district shall be in compliance with the requirements of the base district within which the H zone district is combined.
(H) Height Limits: The height of structures, trees and/or other objects in the H zone district shall in no case be less restrictive than the requirement of part 77 of the federal aviation regulations of the federal aviation administration (FAA), department of transportation, or of any corresponding rules or regulations of the FAA, as amended. When there is conflict between the regulations of the combined, the regulations of the FAA shall prevail. When there is no such conflict, the permitted height shall be in accordance with the requirements of the base district within which the H zone district is combined.
(I) Minimum Distance Between Structures: The minimum distance between structures in an H zone district shall be in compliance with the requirements of the base district within which the H zone district is combined.
(J) Parking: Parking requirements in an H zone district shall be in compliance with the requirements of chapter 14 of this title.
(K) Signs: Sign requirements in an H zone district shall be in compliance with the requirements of chapter 15 of this title.
(L) Landscaping: Landscaping requirements in an H zone district shall be in compliance with the requirements of the base district within which the H zone district is combined.
(M) Location Requirements:
1. The airport safety regulations apply to the Taft Airport and any future airports that may be established in the city.
2. The area subject to airport safety regulations is the "airport influence area" as determined by the Kern County Airport land use compatibility plan.
(a) An airport influence area, as determined by the Kern County Airport land use compatibility plan, ALUCP (refer to table 2A of ALUCP compatibility criteria and figure 4-66 map "Taft-Kern Airport buffer zones").
(b) In all other cases, the applicable area may include all that area as defined in the federal aviation regulations, part 77 (FAR part 77), which depicts imaginary surfaces for "objects affecting navigable airspace", as applicable to the specific FAA approved airport layout and approach plan, as well as the state of California's "Airport Land Use Planning Handbook". In the event FAR requirements or the state's handbook change, the most current provisions shall apply.
(N) Findings: The planning director shall determine that all of the following are true prior to approving any land use application or issuing any development permit within the airport safety review areas, as defined by the Kern County Airport land use compatibility plan. If the findings cannot be made, a conditional use permit shall be required. Such conditional use permit shall find that the proposed use will not adversely affect the safety of persons residing, working or traveling within the review areas, or affect the viability of the airport, prior to approval of the project.
1. The proposed use is consistent with the general plan, zoning ordinance and the Kern County Airport land use compatibility plan.
2. The proposed use does not involve the storage or dispensing of volatile or otherwise hazardous substances that would endanger aircraft operations and public safety.
3. The proposed use does not attract a large concentration of birds, produce smoke, generate electrical interference, reflect glare or light, or emit radio transmissions that may endanger aircraft operations.
4. The proposed use promotes the public interest to provide for the development of the public use airport and the area around the airport in such a manner, among other things, to comply with the noise standards adopted pursuant to the general plan and the provisions of section 6-11-18 of this title, and to prevent the creation of new noise and safety hazards.
5. The proposed use enhances the protection of public health, safety and welfare, by ensuring the orderly expansion of the airport and the adoption of land use measures or development standards that minimize the public's exposure to excessive noise and safety hazards within the area around the airport to the extent that such areas are not already devoted to incompatible uses.
6. The proposed use will not adversely affect safe air navigation, airport operations or interfere with airport communications.
7. The proposed use complies with the development standards specified by this section.
(O) Development Standards: When a land use is proposed within an area governed by this section, the following standards and criteria shall apply:
1. Proposed structures and the normal mature height of any vegetation shall not exceed the height limitations provided by the requirements of federal aviation regulations (FAR), part 77, or with the requirements of this section. Existing topographic elevations, as compared to the elevation of the centerline of the runway (primary surface), shall be considered in determining the permitted height of an affected structure.
2. Proposed uses shall be consistent with the general plan, this title and the Kern County Airport land use compatibility plan.
3. The proposed use or the structure shall not reflect glare, emit electronic interference or produce smoke that would endanger aircraft operations.
4. All heliports shall be constructed pursuant to FAA advisory circular 150/5390-1B.
5. The provisions of the California "Airport Land Use Planning Handbook" shall be met. (Ord. 768-08, 8-19-2008)
6-3-4: DRILLING ISLAND (DI) ZONE DISTRICT:
(A) Purpose And Intent: The purpose of the drilling island (DI) district is to designate single lots and relatively small areas within the boundaries of final map subdivisions and mobilehome parks that contain productive or potentially productive petroleum resources to promote the development of such resources in a manner compatible with surrounding development. Uses in the DI zone district are limited to petroleum and gas exploration, production and transportation, and to compatible open space and recreational uses.
(B) Permitted Uses: The following uses and all others determined to be similar to these uses, pursuant to section 6-1-9, "Determination Of Similar Use", of this title, are permitted in the DI zone district:
Oil or gas exploration pursuant to section 6-10-5, "Development Standards And Conditions", of this title.
(C) Uses Permitted With Conditional Use Permit: The following uses are permitted in the DI zone district upon obtaining an approved conditional use permit:
1. Parks:
(a) Any such park shall be "passive" with improvements limited to landscaping, picnic tables and/or barbecue facilities.
(b) A sign shall be in accordance with the provisions of section 6-15-3, "Sign Standards", of this title, stating that the site is in a DI zone district and is subject to future drilling and production activities.
(c) Mineral rights owners of the subject property shall be given notification of an application for a conditional use permit in accordance with the provisions of section 6-2-15, "Public Hearing And Notification Procedures", of this title.
2. Parking lots:
(a) A sign, in accordance with section 6-15-3, "Sign Standards", of this title, stating that the site is in a DI zone district and is subject to future drilling and production activities.
(b) The mineral rights owners of the subject property shall be given notification of the application for a conditional use permit in accordance with the provisions of section 6-2-15, "Public Hearing And Notification Procedures", of this title.
3. Recreational vehicle or boat storage, when contiguous to and for the benefit of an adjacent residential development. (Ord. 768-08, 8-19-2008)
4. Drainage sump, provided that mineral rights owners have been given written consent. (Ord. 782-10, 4-6-2010)
(D) Prohibited Uses: All other uses not permitted by subsections (B), "Permitted Uses", and (C), "Uses Permitted With Conditional Use Permit", of this section, are prohibited in the DI zone district.
(E) Minimum Lot Size: No portion of any lot within the DI zone district shall contain less than two and one-half (21/2) gross acres in size.
(F) Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit: There is no requirement for minimum lot area per dwelling unit in the DI zone district since dwelling units are not permitted.
(G) Yards And Setbacks: Pursuant to section 6-10-5, "Development Standards And Conditions", of this title, no oil or gas well shall be drilled within one hundred feet (100') of the right of way of any public highway, proposed public highway, official plan line, or specific plan line in the DI zone district.
(H) Height Limits: Height limits in the DI zone district are as follows:
1. None on derricks and other equipment used during the exploration and drilling phase of development.
2. Pumping units shall not exceed thirty five feet (35') in height.
(I) Minimum Distance Between Structures: Minimum distance between structures in the DI zone district shall be as provided in section 6-10-5, "Development Standards And Conditions", of this title.
(J) Parking: There is no minimum requirement for parking in the DI district; provided, however, that all vehicle parking and maneuvering areas shall be treated and maintained with oiled sand or a similar dust binding material as approved by the public works director.
(K) Signs: The following signs are permitted in the DI district in accordance with the requirements of chapter 15, "Sign Regulations", of this title:
1. Directional signs, warning signs and identification signs, not to exceed two (2) square feet each in accordance with the provisions of section 6-15-9, "Public Safety Signs", of this title.
2. Temporary real estate signs advertising the property for sale or rent, not to exceed six (6) square feet each, excluding the area of any vertical and/or horizontal support members, in accordance with the requirements of section 6-15-6, "Temporary Signs", of this title.
(L) Landscaping: Landscaping in the DI zone district shall be approved by the project assistance team.
(M) Special Review Procedures And Development Standards: All drilling and other hydrocarbon development activity in the DI district shall be carried out in accordance with the standards and procedures set forth in section 6-10-5, "Development Standards and Conditions", of this title.
(N) Implementation Measures:
1. Upon cessation of drilling and/or producing operations in drilling islands, the city will consider initiating zone changes for such drilling islands to zoning districts compatible with surrounding land uses, provided the owner/operator demonstrates proper abandonment and cleanup in accordance with DOGGR regulations.
2. Nonpetroleum related discretionary projects proposed on abandoned oil fields will be required to demonstrate that abandonment and cleanup have taken place in compliance with regulations administered by DOGGR. (Ord. 768-08, 8-19-2008)
6-3-5: PETROLEUM EXTRACTION (PE) OVERLAY ZONE DISTRICT:
(A) Purpose And Intent: The purpose of the petroleum extraction (PE) zone district is to designate lands containing productive or potentially productive petroleum resources to promote the development of such resources in a manner compatible with surrounding development. The PE zone district may be applied only to those areas that are zoned residential suburban (RS) or general commercial (GC). The uses allowed and the regulations established by the PE zone district shall be in addition to the regulations of the base district with which the PE zone district is combined.
(B) Permitted Uses: The following uses and all other uses determined to be similar to these uses pursuant to section 6-1-9, "Determination Of Similar Use", of this title are permitted in the PE zone district:
1. Wells for the exploration for and development and production of oil or gas or other hydrocarbon substances if the well or wells are located more than three hundred feet (300') away from any existing dwelling or existing building utilized for commercial purposes, excluding those premises utilized solely for storage of equipment, material, household goods or similar material.
2. Deepening or redrilling, within the existing well bore, of any well used for the production or development of oil, gas or other hydrocarbon substances, or the replacement of any production facility which did not require a conditional use permit on the date drilling began or the date the facility was installed.
3. Drilling of a replacement well when the original well did not require a conditional use permit, and when the original well has not been abandoned in accordance with California division of oil, gas and geothermal resources regulations and drilling of a replacement well commences within one year of the conclusion of abandonment procedures, and the replacement well is located within twenty feet (20') of the original well or is farther from any existing dwelling or commercial building than the original well.
4. Uses permitted by the base district with which the PE zone district is combined.
(C) Uses Permitted By Conditional Use Permit: The following uses and all other determined to be similar to these uses, pursuant to section 6-1-9, "Determination Of Similar Use", of this title are permitted in the PE zone district subject to securing a conditional use permit in accordance with the provisions of section 6-2-5, "Conditional Use Permit", of this title:
1. Wells for the exploration for and development and production of oil or gas or other hydrocarbon substances if the well or wells are located within three hundred feet (300') to any existing dwelling or existing building utilized for commercial purposes, excluding those premises utilized solely for storage of equipment, material, household goods or similar material.
2. Conditional uses permitted by the base district with which the PE zone district is combined.
(D) Prohibited Uses: All other uses not permitted by subsections (B), "Permitted Uses", and (C), "Uses Permitted By Conditional Use Permit", of this section, or accessory thereto, or of uses not permitted in the base district, with which the PE zone district is combined, are prohibited in a PE zone district.
(E) Minimum Lot Size: Minimum lot size requirements in a PE zone district are per the requirements of the base district with which the PE zone district is combined.
(F) Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit: Requirements for minimum lot area per dwelling until in a PE zone district are per the requirements of the base district with which the PE zone district is combined.
(G) Yards And Setbacks: Yard and setback requirements in a PE zone district are as follows:
1. No oil or gas well shall be drilled within one hundred feet (100') of the right of way of any existing or proposed public highway or street, official plan line or specific plan line.
2. All other uses permitted by the base district shall conform to the yard and setback requirements of the base district with which the PE zone district is combined.
(H) Height Limits: Height limit requirements in a PE zone district are as follows:
1. No height limit on derricks and other equipment used during the exploration and drilling phase of development.
2. Pumping units shall not exceed thirty five feet (35') in height.
3. All other uses permitted by the base district shall conform to the height limits of the base district with which the PE zone district is combined.
(I) Minimum Distance Between Structures: Requirements for minimum distance between structures in a PE zone district are as follows:
1. Per the requirements of chapter 10, "Oil And Gas Production", of this title.
2. All other uses shall comply with the base district with which the PE zone district is combined.
(J) Parking: Parking requirements in a PE zone district are as follows:
1. No minimum requirement for drilling and production activities; provided, however, that all vehicle parking and maneuvering areas shall be treated and maintained with oiled sand or a similar dust binding material.
2. All other uses permitted by the base district shall conform to the requirements of the base district with which the PE zone district is combined.
(K) Signs: The following signs are permitted in a PE zone district in accordance with the requirements of chapter 15, "Sign Regulations", of this title:
1. Directional signs, warning signs and identification signs in connection with oil, gas or other hydrocarbons drilling and development operations not to exceed two (2) square feet each in accordance with the provisions of section 6-15-9, "Public Safety Signs", of this title.
2. Signs permitted by the base district with which the PE zone district is combined.
(L) Landscaping: Landscaping requirements in a PE zone district are per the requirements of the base district with which the PE zone district is combined.
(M) Special Review Procedures And Development Standards: All drilling and hydrocarbon development activities in a PE zone district shall be carried out in accordance with the standards and procedures set forth in section 6-10-5, "Development Standards And Conditions", of this title. (Ord. 768-08, 8-19-2008)