Division I. General Provisions
Chapter 18.04
PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION1
Sections:
18.04.040 Organization of zoning regulations.
18.04.010 Title.
PMC Title 18 may be cited as the “zoning ordinance of the city of Pittsburg” or “zoning ordinance.” [Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990.]
18.04.020 Components.
The zoning ordinance includes the following components:
A. Provisions dealing with the administration, interpretation and enforcement of the zoning ordinance;
B. Regulations, known as the zoning regulations, establishing classes of zoning districts, governing the use of land and the placement of buildings and improvements within districts, and establishing performance standards;
C. A map or set of maps, known as the zoning map, delineating the boundaries of zoning districts within the city. [Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990.]
18.04.030 Purpose.
The purpose of the zoning ordinance is to protect and promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to implement the policies of the city general plan. Specifically, the zoning ordinance is intended to:
A. Provide a precise guide for the physical development of the city in order to:
1. Preserve the character and quality of residential neighborhoods,
2. Foster convenient, harmonious and workable relationships among land uses, and
3. Achieve the arrangement of land uses described in the general plan;
B. Promote economic stability of existing land uses that are consistent with the general plan and protect them from intrusions by inharmonious or harmful land uses;
C. Prevent excessive population densities and overcrowding of land or buildings;
D. Ensure the provision of adequate open space for light, air and fire safety;
E. Permit the development of office, commercial, industrial, and related land uses that are consistent with the general plan, in order to strengthen the city’s economic base;
F. Conserve and enhance the city’s architectural and cultural resources;
G. Conserve and enhance key visual features of Pittsburg’s setting, including the riverfront and major ridgelines, consistent with the general plan;
H. Require adequate off-street parking and loading facilities, and promote a safe, effective traffic circulation system;
I. Ensure that service demands of new development will not exceed the capacities of streets, water and utilities, and other public services;
J. Encourage a built environment of the highest design and architectural quality. [Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990.]
18.04.040 Organization of zoning regulations.
A. Structure of Regulations. The zoning regulations consist of:
|
Division I |
– |
General Provisions |
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Division II |
– |
Administration |
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Division III |
– |
Base District Regulations |
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Division IV |
– |
Overlay District Regulations |
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Division V |
– |
General Land Use Regulations |
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Division VI |
– |
Enforcement |
B. Types of Regulations. These types of zoning regulations control the use and development of property:
1. Administrative Provisions. Administrative provisions contain procedures for the administration of zoning regulations, including requirements for design review; public hearings on ordinance amendments, zoning approvals, use permits, and variances; development agreements; amendments to the ordinance; appeals of zoning decisions; and enforcement. These regulations appear in Division II.
2. Land Use Regulations. Land use regulations specify land uses permitted or conditionally permitted in each zoning district. These include special requirements applicable to specific uses. Land use regulations for base zoning districts appear in Division III; land use regulations for overlay districts appear in Division IV. Performance standards which govern special uses in the various land use districts appear in Division V.
3. Development Regulations and Standards. Development regulations and standards control the height, bulk, location, and appearance of structures on sites intended for development. Development regulations for base zoning districts appear in Division III; development regulations for overlay districts appear in Division IV. Development regulations and performance standards, applicable in more than one class of base or overlay district, appear in Division V. These include such matters as parking and loading regulations, mobile home park conversions, and site development regulations. [Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990.]
For statutory provisions relating to local planning, see Government Code § 65100 et seq.; for the provisions pertaining to the adoption and administration of zoning laws and ordinances and their implementation, see Government Code § 65850 et seq.