Division I: Introductory Provisions
Chapter 18.01
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE ZONING CODE
Sections:
18.01.040 Relationship to the General Plan.
18.01.060 Responsibility for administration.
18.01.010 Title.
Title 18 of the Dixon Municipal Code shall be known and cited as the “Dixon Zoning Code,” “Zoning Code of the City of Dixon,” “zoning code,” or “code.” [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.01.020 Authority.
The Dixon Zoning Code is adopted pursuant to the authority contained in Cal. Gov’t Code § 65850. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.01.030 Purpose.
The purpose of this code is to implement the City’s General Plan and to protect and promote the public health, safety, peace, comfort, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare. More specifically, the code is adopted to achieve the following objectives:
A. Provide standards for the orderly growth and development of the City, and guide and control the use of land to provide a safe, harmonious, attractive, and sustainable community.
B. Achieve the arrangement of land uses depicted in the Dixon General Plan, consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan.
C. Enhance the appearance of the City and promote high-quality design.
D. Preserve and enhance the quality of life and character of residential neighborhoods.
E. Promote economic growth and the creation of jobs.
F. Facilitate the appropriate location of community facilities, institutions, transportation, and parks and recreational areas.
G. Allow for public participation in government decision-making regarding land use and development in a manner consistent with State law.
H. Define duties and powers of administrative bodies and officers responsible for implementation of the code. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.01.040 Relationship to the General Plan.
This code implements the goals and policies of the Dixon General Plan by regulating the use of land and structures within the City. This code and the General Plan shall be consistent with one another. Any permit, license, or approval issues pursuant to this code must be consistent with the General Plan and all applicable specific plans. In any case where there is a conflict between this code and the General Plan, the General Plan shall control. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.01.050 Applicability.
A. Applicability to Property. This code shall apply, to the extent permitted by law, to all property within the corporate limits of the City of Dixon and to property for which applications for annexation and/or subdivisions have been submitted to the City of Dixon, including all uses, structures, and land owned by any private person, firm, corporation or organization, or the City of Dixon or other local, State or Federal agencies. Any governmental agency shall be exempt from the provisions of this code only to the extent that such property may not be lawfully regulated by the City of Dixon.
B. Minimum Requirements. The provisions of this code shall be minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, and general welfare. Where this code provides for more discretion on the part of a City official or body, that discretion may be exercised to impose more stringent requirements than set forth in this code as may be necessary to promote orderly land use development and the purposes of this code.
C. Compliance with Regulations. No land shall be used, and no structure shall be constructed, occupied, enlarged, altered, demolished, or moved in any zone, except in accordance with the provisions of this code, including the development and performance standards herein, and any permit issued pursuant hereto. The temporary or transitory nature of a use does not exempt it from this requirement.
D. Conflicting Regulations. The regulations of this code and requirements or conditions imposed pursuant to this code shall not supersede any other regulations or requirements adopted or imposed by the Dixon City Council, the State of California, or any Federal agency that has jurisdiction by law over uses and development authorized by this code. All uses and development authorized by this code shall comply with all other such regulations and requirements. Where conflict occurs between the provisions of this code and any other City ordinance, chapter, resolution, guideline, or regulation, the more restrictive provisions shall control, unless otherwise specified.
E. Private Agreements. This code shall not interfere with or annul any recorded easement, covenant, or other agreement now in effect; provided, that where this code imposes greater restriction than imposed by an easement, covenant, or agreement, this code shall control. City of Dixon shall not be responsible for monitoring or enforcing private agreements.
F. Prior Ordinance. The provisions of this code supersede all prior ordinances codified in this title and any amendments. No provisions of this code shall validate any land use or structure established, constructed, or maintained in violation of the prior zoning code, unless such validation is specifically authorized by this code and is in conformance with all other regulations.
G. Effect on Previously Approved Projects and Projects in Progress.
1. Building Permit. Any building or structure for which a building permit has been issued may be completed and used in accordance with the plans, specifications, and permits on which said building permit was granted, provided at least one (1) inspection has been requested and posted for the primary structure on the site where the permit is issued and provided construction is diligently pursued. No extensions of time except as provided for in the building code shall be granted for commencement of construction, unless the applicant has secured an allowed permit extension from the Planning Division.
2. Previously Approved Land Use Authorization. This zoning code shall not interfere with, repeal, abrogate, or annul any previously granted land use authorization. All allowances, requirements, and conditions of approval of previous land use authorizations shall apply until the applicable review authority specifically repeals the allowance, requirement, or condition.
3. Land Use Authorization in Process. An application for a discretionary land use authorization that has been submitted or accepted by the Planning Division as complete for processing prior to the adoption of this code or any applicable amendment shall be processed according to the requirements of this zoning code or the prior code upon written request from the project applicant.
H. Application During Local Emergency. The City Council may authorize a deviation from a provision of this code during a local emergency declared and ratified under the Dixon Municipal Code. The City Council may authorize a deviation by resolution without notice or public hearing. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.01.060 Responsibility for administration.
The zoning code shall be administered by the Dixon City Council, Planning Commission, and Community Development Director as established in Chapter 18.20 DMC, Planning Authorities. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.01.070 Severability.
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this code is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code. The Dixon City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this code, and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase thereof, regardless of the fact that any or one (1) or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]
18.01.080 Fees.
The City Council shall establish by resolution, and may amend and revise from time to time, fees for processing the discretionary entitlement applications and other permits authorized or required by this code. All fees shall be paid at the time an application is filed, and no processing shall commence until the fees are paid in full. [Ord. 24-002 § 5 (Exh. A).]