Wasco City Zoning Code
Division 1
Land Use Code Applicability
The zoning ordinance of the city of Wasco is adopted to promote and protect the public health, safety, and welfare through the orderly regulation of land uses. Its regulations are imposed to:
A. Provide the economic and social advantages resulting from an orderly planned use of land resources;
17.10.010 Citation.
This title shall be known as, and may be cited and referred, to as, the “zoning ordinance of the city of Wasco.” (Ord. 706 § 3 (Exh. A), 2019).
17.10.020 Purposes of the zoning ordinance.
The zoning ordinance of the city of Wasco is adopted to promote and protect the public health, safety, and welfare through the orderly regulation of land uses. Its regulations are imposed to:
A. Provide the economic and social advantages resulting from an orderly planned use of land resources;
B. Guide development so that it is consistent with the city of Wasco general plan;
C. Prescribe and apply zoning districts of a number, size and location deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of the city of Wasco general plan and this title;
D. Regulate the size and use of lots, yards and other spaces;
E. Regulate the use, location, height, bulk and size of buildings and structures;
F. Regulate the intensity of land use;
G. Regulate the density in residential areas to conform with the general plan;
H. Establish requirements for off-street parking;
I. Regulate signs and billboards;
J. Maintain and enhance significant environmental resources;
K. Provide for the enforcement of the regulations of this title. (Ord. 706 § 3 (Exh. A), 2019).
17.10.030 Applicability.
This title shall apply, to the extent permitted by law to all property in the incorporated boundaries of the city of Wasco whether owned by private individuals, firms, corporations or organizations; by the city of Wasco or its agencies; by the county of Kern or its agencies; by the state of California or its agencies or political subdivisions; by the United States or any of its agencies. Any governmental agency shall be exempt from the provisions of this title only to the extent that such property may not be lawfully regulated by the city of Wasco. (Ord. 706 § 3 (Exh. A), 2019).
17.10.040 Compliance with the ordinance.
A. It is unlawful for any building or structure to be moved, erected, altered, enlarged, or rebuilt that does not strictly conform to the provisions of this title, except as may be otherwise authorized by Chapter 17.60 relating to nonconforming uses and standards.
B. It is unlawful for any lot, parcel, yard, open space, or land to be used for any purpose not specifically permitted by this title.
C. Any use not specifically permitted by the provisions of this title is prohibited.
D. No department, official, or employee of the city of Wasco vested with the duty or authority to issue permits or licenses for buildings, structures, or uses subject to the requirements of this title may or shall issue a permit or license in conflict with the provisions of this title; any permit or license issued in conflict with any provisions of this title shall become null and void from its beginning. No permit or license may or shall be issued by any department, official or employee of the city of Wasco for any building, structure; or use subject to the requirements of this title on a parcel of land where the department, official, or employee is aware that a violation of this title exists. (Ord. 706 § 3 (Exh. A), 2019).
17.10.050 Relationship to other regulations and requirements.
This title and the provisions thereof shall amend and supersede all prior related ordinances to the extent that any of the provisions of a previous ordinance are in conflict with the provisions of this title, but only to the extent and insofar as the same are in conflict therewith. (Ord. 706 § 3 (Exh. A), 2019).
17.10.060 Legal parcel.
The use of land or the construction of a new structure shall only be permitted on parcels that have been legally created in compliance with Title 16, Subdivisions, and the Subdivision Map Act. Legal nonconforming parcels may be used or developed in compliance with Chapter 17.60, Nonconforming Uses and Structures. (Ord. 706 § 3 (Exh. A), 2019).
17.10.070 Buildings under construction.
Any building or structure for which a building permit has been issued prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title may be completed and used in accordance with the plans, specifications, and permits on which said building permit was granted, if construction is commenced within sixty days after the issuance of said permit and is diligently pursued to completion. (Ord. 706 § 3 (Exh. A), 2019).
17.10.080 Validity.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this title is for any reason declared to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this title. The city council hereby declares that it would have adopted this title and each section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the section, that any one or more sections, subsections, clauses, phrases, or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional. (Ord. 706 § 3 (Exh. A), 2019).
17.10.090 Repeals.
The repeal, amendment or modification of any prior ordinances of the city of Wasco shall not affect any pending prosecutions for violation of any ordinances repealed, amended, or modified. (Ord. 706 § 3 (Exh. A), 2019).