18.16.280 Performance Standards.
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish performance standards that are intended to ensure that uses and activities are conducted in a manner that protects the public health and safety and do not produce adverse impacts on surrounding properties or the community at large.
B. Applicability. The standards contained in this section shall apply to all uses and activities in all zoning districts within the City of Larkspur. Applicants for proposed projects may be required to provide evidence that all of the applicable standards will be satisfied by the project prior to its approval. If necessary, the City may retain a professional expert or designated regulatory agency to assist in assessing the possible impacts of a proposed use or activity, with any costs incurred by the City to be paid by the applicant, business owner, or property owner.
C. Noise Standards. No use or activity shall create noise levels that exceed the standards outlined in Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 9.54.
D. Odor, Particulate Matter, and Air Contaminant Standards.
1. No continuous, frequent, or repetitive odors are permitted that are perceptible at or beyond adjacent property lines. An odor detected no more than fifteen (15) minutes in any one-day period shall not be deemed to be frequent or repetitive for purposes of this regulation.
2. No dust or particulate matter shall be emitted that is detectable at or beyond adjacent property lines by a reasonable person without instruments.
3. Exhaust air ducts shall be located or directed away from abutting residentially zoned properties.
E. Design Standards. Projects shall be subject to design review per Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.64. Particular emphasis shall be placed on any adopted design guidelines. Projects shall also conform to specific design standards included in area and specific plans, and/or preliminary or precise development plans, as applicable.
F. Fire Hazard Standards. The storage, use, transportation, or production of products that, either in the raw or finished state, constitutes a fire hazard as defined by the Fire Marshal or Chief Building Official shall be subject to applicable fire codes, and to approval of the Fire Department. Fire Department personnel or other City staff may, without prior notice, visit and observe operations on a site, and any directives issued by said personnel shall be satisfied in a timely manner.
G. Liquid and Solid Waste Standards. The use, handling, storage, or transportation of waste materials, including hazardous wastes, shall comply with the provisions of the California Hazardous Materials Regulations and any other applicable laws. Discharge at any point into a public or private sewage disposal system, stream or other waterway, or onto the ground, of any material that could contaminate any water supply or otherwise cause the emission of dangerous or offensive elements is prohibited. No exceptions are allowed unless in accordance with regulations, licenses, or approvals of the various local and state agencies having jurisdiction over such activities.
H. Sidewalk and Street Tree Standards. Sidewalks, curbs, and gutters shall be provided on public streets when required by the Public Works Director. Street trees shall be provided in accordance with the regulations of Larkspur Municipal Code Sections 12.16.010 and 12.16.020.
I. Construction Standards.
1. During the construction of a project, the construction site shall be secured by temporary fencing.
2. All portions of the construction site shall be watered as necessary to reduce emissions of dust and other particulate matter, and all stockpiles shall be covered. Public streets shall be kept dirt-free to the satisfaction of the Public Works Director.
3. All construction and transport equipment shall be muffled in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, and the noise standards of Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 9.54. Construction and transport equipment shall be operated so as to minimize exhaust emissions, and all trucks and construction equipment should be running only when necessary.
4. Hours of construction and grading activities shall be as stipulated in Larkspur Municipal Code Sections 9.54.060(E) and 15.20.190*.
5. All water runoff from construction sites shall be controlled to the satisfaction of the Public Works Director, and in accordance with the Regional Water Quality Control Board standards.
6. At the end of construction, local road surfaces shall be returned to preconstruction condition to the satisfaction of the Public Works Director.
J. Property Maintenance Standards. All properties in the City of Larkspur shall, at all times, be maintained by their respective owner(s) in reasonable good order, to maintain public health and safety.
K. Screening of Activities and Mechanical Equipment.
1. All exterior mechanical equipment, except window air conditioners, shall be screened from public view to the extent feasible, including from adjacent properties. Equipment to be screened includes, but is not limited to: heating and/or air conditioning units, water tanks, valves, backflow protection devices, and transformers. See Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.51 for regulations regarding the screening of communication facilities.
2. Screening materials may be solid concrete, wood, or other opaque material, or a combination of fence/wall and landscaping, and shall effectively screen mechanical equipment to the extent feasible so that it is not readily visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property, as approved by the Community Development Director.
3. Activities requiring outdoor storage must be screened from view to the extent feasible. Machinery or equipment, which, because of size and/or function, cannot practically be installed within an enclosed building, shall also be screened to the extent feasible.
*Section 15.20.150 was repealed by Ord. 432.
(Ord. 1069 § 5, 2023; Ord. 1062 § 14, 2022; Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 953 § 1(21), 2007)