ARTICLE I. INTRODUCTION

30.1.10 Statement of intent.

The intent of this chapter is to promote and protect the public health, safety, peace, comfort, convenience and general welfare. It is adopted for the following more particular purposes:

(a) To assist in providing a definite comprehensive plan for sound and orderly development, and to guide and regulate each development in accordance with the general plan and the objectives and standards set forth therein;

(b) To protect and improve the established character and the social and economic stability of agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial and other areas of Gilroy;

(c) To provide light, air, privacy and convenience of access to property; and to promote safety from fire and other dangers;

(d) To prevent overcrowding of land and undue congestion of population;

(e) To regulate the location of buildings and the use of buildings and land so as to prevent undue interference with existing or prospective traffic movements on public thoroughfares;

(f) To prezone unincorporated territory adjoining the city for the purpose of determining the zoning that shall apply to such property in the event of subsequent annexation to the city. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.1.20 Short title.

This chapter shall be known and referred to as the “Gilroy Zoning Ordinance.” (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.1.30 Application of the Zoning Ordinance.

The Gilroy Zoning Ordinance is intended to apply to all lands, buildings and structures, regardless of ownership, within the incorporated area of the City of Gilroy. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)

30.1.40 Relationship of the Zoning Ordinance and the general plan.

(a) The general plan is a comprehensive, long-range, general policy statement for the entire community. The general plan designates appropriate locations and densities for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, public, and open space uses. In comparison, the Zoning Ordinance is a specific statement of permissible uses of land by zoning district designed to control the use, type, bulk, height, space and location of buildings and land. The Zoning Ordinance is the primary tool by which the city implements the policies of the general plan. The Zoning Ordinance is intended to be applied to the city based on land use designations established in the general plan.

(b) The Zoning Ordinance shall be consistent with the general plan of the City of Gilroy. Where inconsistencies do exist, the general plan shall control the use and development of such land until such time as the city council revises the Zoning Ordinance to achieve consistency. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13; Ord. No. 2019-08, § 1, 10-7-19)

30.1.50 Fee schedule.

The city council shall from time to time establish, by resolution, a schedule of fees for requests for any amendment or procedure pertaining to this chapter. No action shall be taken on any application until all applicable fees have been paid in full. Fees collected for applications shall not be refunded unless the planning director determines that the application is unnecessary, invalid, or inappropriate. (Ord. No. 2013-08, § 2 (Exh. A), 8-5-13)