Chapter 9-02
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sections:

9-02.010    Title.

9-02.020    Applicability.

9-02.030    Effect of code.

9-02.040    Consistency with general plan.

9-02.050    Status of existing planned developments and specific plans.

9-02.060    Interpretations.

9-02.070    Minor deviations.

9-02.080    Community Development Director.

9-02.090    Consistency with all laws.

9-02.010 Title.

This title shall be known as the zoning and development code of the city of Laguna Hills, California. In short form it may be referred to as the Laguna Hills development code. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-01.010)

9-02.020 Applicability.

The provisions of this code shall apply to each and every property, person, agency, association, business, government, and district, whether private, public or quasi-public, within the jurisdictional boundaries of the city of Laguna Hills, California. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-01.030)

9-02.030 Effect of code.

The standards, criteria, policies and requirements contained within this code shall be considered the minimum necessary to promote the health, safety and welfare of the city. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-01.040)

9-02.040 Consistency with general plan.

This title serves as one of the tools to implement the goals, policies and strategies contained in the city’s general plan. Consistency is provided through the adoption of zoning districts that are consistent with general plan land use designations. Table 9-02.A, set out at the end of this chapter, addresses zoning consistency for the city. Consistency is also provided through adoption of special standards and guidelines, explanatory and directive, that relate to general plan programs such as community identity and aesthetics. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-01.050)

9-02.050 Status of existing planned developments and specific plans.

Previous planned community regulations, adopted by the county of Orange as development regulation for those planned communities, are superseded by the regulations and standards contained within this title. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-01.060)

9-02.060 Interpretations.

The Community Development Director shall interpret the provisions of the development code when questions related to meaning arise. Interpretations shall be issued in written form and maintained for reference. Interpretations will serve as a measurement of the need to perform a development code amendment when a significant number of interpretations in a specific area occur. Decisions of the Director may be appealed to the City Council. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-01.070)

9-02.070 Minor deviations.

The Community Development Director shall have the authority to grant minor deviations to this code related to any development standard referenced by this code except density, floor area ratios or parking. The authority granted by this section shall be limited to a reduction or an increase of any standard by ten percent or less. Greater deviations shall require approval of an appropriate zoning variance or use permit. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-01.080)

9-02.080 Community Development Director.

A Community Development Director appointed by the City Manager shall administer the development code, consistent with federal, state and local law, and shall in addition carry out the designated duties and responsibilities prescribed by this title. (Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part): prior code § 9-01.090)

9-02.090 Consistency with all laws.

Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, any use, entitlement, authorization, license, or permit allowed or issued under this title, including without limitation any accessory or ancillary use, shall be consistent with applicable state and federal law. Any permit, license, entitlement, or authorization issued in conflict with the provisions of controlling state or federal law, or the provisions of this title, shall be null and void. (Ord. 07-1 § 1, 2007)

 

Table 9-02.A
GENERAL PLAN/ZONING CONSISTENCY

General Plan Land
Use Designation

Zoning District
Applicable

Zoning District Abbreviation

Residential

 

 

Estate residential
0-3.5 DU/AC

Estate residential

ER

Low density
3.0-6.5 DU/AC

Low density residential

LDR

Medium low density
6.5-12.5 DU/AC

Medium low density residential

MLDR

Medium density
12.5-18.0 DU/AC

Medium density residential

MDR

High density
18.0-30.0 DU/AC

High density residential

HDR

Commercial

 

 

Office/professional
0.50 FAR

Office professional

OP

Village commercial (Refer to Chapter 9-24 of this title for development intensity)

Village commercial

VC

Freeway commercial
0.40 FAR

Freeway commercial

FC

Community commercial
0.35 FAR

Community commercial

CC

Mixed Use

 

 

Neighborhood mixed use
0.38 FAR (including a maximum of 0.08 residential FAR for projects including residential uses)

Neighborhood mixed use

NMU

Mixed use 0.38 FAR

Mixed use

MXU

Public/Institutional

 

 

Public/institutional
1.0 FAR

Community/private institution

C/PI

Open Space

 

 

Parks

Parks

OS-1

Open space

Drainage facilities
Landscape corridors

OS-2
OS-3

Planned Community

 

 

Planned community

Planned community

PC

Planned community residential
24.0 DU/AC in an individual project

Planned community residential

PCR

(Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh A (part)))