Chapter 17.11
ZONING DESIGNATION SUMMARY

Sections:

17.11.010    Purpose.

17.11.020    Zoning Designation Summary.

17.11.010 Purpose.

In addition to the objectives outlined in Division 1, General Procedures, the agriculture, residential, commercial and industrial zones are established to achieve the following purposes:

A.    To reserve appropriate areas for the continuation of existing farms and ranches, residential living at a broad range of dwelling unit densities; for office uses, retail stores, service establishments, and wholesale businesses, offering commodities and services required by residents of the City and its surrounding market area; for industrial uses and the protection of these areas from intrusion by dwellings and other inharmonious uses consistent with the Santa Clarita General Plan and with sound standards to preserve public health, safety and welfare.

B.    To minimize traffic congestion and to avoid the overloading of public services and utilities by preventing the construction of buildings of excessive bulk or number in relation to the land area around them.

C.    To facilitate the provision of utility services and other public facilities commensurate with anticipated population, dwelling unit densities and service requirements.

D.    To promote high standards for site planning, architecture and landscape design for development within the City of Santa Clarita while preserving the City’s historical and natural resources such as oak trees, river areas and ridgelines.

E.    To protect residential and commercial uses from noise, odor, dust, smoke, light intrusion, truck traffic and other objectionable influences and to prevent fire, explosion, radiation, and other hazards incidental to certain industrial activities.

F.    To ensure adequate light, air, privacy and open space for each dwelling and to provide sufficient open space around commercial and industrial structures to protect them from hazard and to minimize the impact of commercial and industrial operations on nearby residential zones.

G.    To encourage commercial and industrial uses to concentrate for the convenience of the public and for a more mutually beneficial relationship.

H.    To allow development within each of the zones beyond the midpoint density or intensity only when the development exceeds the minimum requirements of the zone and is found to provide substantial benefit to the immediate area or to the community which could not have been achieved otherwise.

17.11.020 Zoning Designation Summary.

A.    A (Agriculture) Zone. This zone is specifically intended to allow for the continuation of existing agricultural, farming and ranching uses within the planning area. Development in this zone is limited to one single-family home per legal lot and associated farm labor housing. Lot sizes are intended to be a minimum of eighty (80) gross acres. The uses in this zone are expected to include commercial farming, commercial raising of animals, repair and maintenance of farm equipment, storage of agricultural products, and other similar uses related to the operation of a farm or ranch.

B.    RE (Residential Estate) Zone. This zone is intended to ensure that the rural character of certain portions of the planning area are maintained. Residential development is expected to consist of large custom single-family homes on uniquely configured lots which are designed to be sensitive to topographic and environmental considerations. The minimum lot size is two (2) gross acres. The keeping of horses and related animals as an accessory use is generally found in this zone.

C.    RVL (Residential Very Low Density) Zone. This zone is intended for large custom single-family homes with a maximum density of one dwelling unit per gross acre. This zone will permit the rural character of a number of existing neighborhoods to be maintained. The keeping of horses and related animals as an accessory use is generally found in this zone.

D.    RL (Residential Low Density) Zone. This zone is intended for single-family detached homes at a density of up to two and two-tenths (2.2) dwelling units per gross acre. The keeping of horses and related animals as an accessory use may be found in this zone.

E.    RS (Residential Suburban) Zone. This zone corresponds to the single-family detached tract home at a density of up to five and no tenths (5.0) dwelling units per gross acre. Additional uses are permitted that are complementary to, and can exist in harmony with, a residential neighborhood.

F.    RM (Residential Moderate) Zone. This zone corresponds to small groupings of attached dwellings such as duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes with a density of up to eleven and no tenths (11.0) dwelling units per acre. This zone is also consistent with typical densities for mobilehome parks. Additional uses are permitted that are complementary to, and can exist in harmony with, a residential neighborhood.

G.    RMH (Residential Medium High) Zone. This zone corresponds to grouped housing such as townhomes, triplexes, fourplexes and larger group housing at a density up to twenty and no tenths (20.0) dwellings per gross acre. Private recreation amenities are provided on-site as well as private common open space. Additional uses are permitted that are complementary to, and can exist in harmony with, a residential neighborhood.

H.    RH (Residential High) Zone. This zone permits group housing similar to the residential medium high zone at a density up to twenty-eight and no tenths (28.0) dwellings per gross acre. Private recreation amenities are provided on-site as well as private common open space. Additional uses are permitted that are complementary to, and can exist in harmony with, a residential high density development.

I.    CTC (Commercial Towne Center) Zone. This zone permits a wide range of retail, service, and related activities which are of a community and regional nature and are located in and around a large regional shopping center.

J.    CC (Community Commercial) Zone. This zone is intended for retailing and service uses of a community-wide nature that attract people from beyond the immediate neighborhood. The zone will typically include at least one or two (2) major users and shall not be construed to be an allowance for a proliferation of small, multi-tenant convenience commercial centers located on corners and in strip commercial fashion along the City’s commercial streets.

K.    CN (Commercial Neighborhood) Zone. This zone is intended for small neighborhood shopping centers located in close proximity to residential areas. More intensive commercial uses are generally not permitted.

L.    CO (Commercial Office) Zone. This zone is intended primarily for offices and professional services. Retail and service uses may be considered on the ground floor of such development; however, this shall not be construed to permit commercial centers or large single-tenant retail stores. Commercial office developments are generally located in centers or as individual buildings along major and secondary highways.

M.    VSR (Visitor-Serving/Resort) Zone. This zone is for uses serving visitors to Magic Mountain Amusement Park, the colleges, the national forests, Castaic Lake Recreation Area and other visitor-attracting areas within the Santa Clarita Valley or as a stopping-off point for travelers. It may also be used to designate areas which serve the hotels, motels and recreation areas.

N.    BP (Business Park) Zone. This zone is for clean industry, offices related to industrial usage, research and development, limited commercial, and warehousing uses, including the provision of employee recreation opportunities. Development in campus-like settings and near major traffic corridors is anticipated. Industrial activities which have a retailing or wholesaling function that is related to industrial activities are permitted.

O.    IC (Industrial Commercial) Zone. This zone permits commercial uses that are compatible with existing and expected uses, quasi-industrial and light industrial activities; encourages the provision of employee recreation opportunities; and acts as a transitional zone.

P.    I (Industrial) Zone. This zone is for a limited range of commercial uses and existing industrial and manufacturing uses in the City outside of business parks. Clean industry and light to medium manufacturing is permitted, including research and development, and the provision of employee recreation opportunities is encouraged. (Ord. 05-1 § 2, 1/25/05)