Chapter 18.36
CONSERVATION REGULATIONS

Sections:

18.36.010    Purposes.

18.36.020    Conservation guidelines.

18.36.010 Purposes.

The provisions of this chapter shall be known as the conservation regulations. The purpose of these provisions is to implement the General Plan’s air quality and energy element by encouraging the conservation of nonrenewable energy resources and water resources, to facilitate the utilization of alternative, renewable energy resources, including wind and solar energy, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and reduce the urban heat island effect of development. [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1); Ord. 15-002 § 58.]

18.36.020 Conservation guidelines.

A. Circulation and Transportation.

1. Subdivisions, planned unit developments, and large scale commercial developments shall be designed to encourage energy conserving transportation practices while discouraging unnecessary automobile use. Applications for site development plan approval of these developments shall include pedestrian and bicycle circulation systems which are orderly, well-maintained, and convenient to use. Nonresidential development which requires more than one hundred (100) parking spaces shall post as reserved spaces approximately five percent (5%) of the total spaces in preferred locations (shortest pedestrian route after accessible parking spaces) for carpools, vanpools, and alternate fuel vehicles to encourage use of these modes of transportation.

2. Developments including civic, commercial and industrial use types shall provide bicycle racks for the use of their employees and the persons they serve. Apartment complexes which do not provide storage facilities for each unit shall also provide bicycle racks for the tenants and visitors. Sizing of bicycle storage shall meet LEED guidelines to the extent feasible.

3. Nonresidential developments which include more than one hundred (100) employee parking spaces should include ancillary employee services, such as cafeterias or other food sources, banking facilities, or child care, to reduce the number of midday vehicle trips generated by the development.

B. Efficient Use of Solar Energy.

1. Subdivision and residential planned developments shall be designed to the maximum extent possible so that dwelling units are oriented to the south to permit maximum exposure to the winter sun for solar heating. When necessary in order to achieve a southerly orientation for individual dwelling units, the Planning Commission, upon application for conditional use permit as provided by Chapter 18.25 DMC, may waive minimum yard requirements.

2. Buildings, landscaping, vegetation, fences, and other solar screens should be located and sited to the minimum extent possible so that they do not preclude or discourage the use of solar energy in adjacent properties and buildings. Where necessary, the Planning Director may require submission of a map showing shadows cast by solar screens, including landscaping and vegetation at maturity, for 12:00 noon (solar time) on December 21st.

3. Exterior clothes drying facilities shall not be prohibited in subdivisions and shall be provided in apartment house and condominium developments.

4. Exterior active and passive solar energy collectors and ancillary equipment shall not be prohibited in subdivisions, apartment houses, and condominiums.

C. Landscaping.

1. All vegetation and landscaping required by the zoning regulations shall employ drought resistant species.

2. Tree selection should consider the Sacramento Tree Foundation’s Air Quality Beneficial Volatile Organic Compound List, or comparable. When all other factors are equal, trees with the highest rating for air quality benefits should be selected.

3. Refer to the State’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) [Ord. 13-008 § 2; Ord. 13-009 § 2(1).]