Part 1. General Provisions

Chapter 18.05
PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION

Sections:

18.05.010    Title.

18.05.020    Purposes.

18.05.030    Organization of zoning regulations.

18.05.010 Title.

This title of the municipal code shall be known and cited as the zoning ordinance. A copy of the zoning regulations and the zoning map, together with a record of all amendments, shall be kept on file by the city clerk. (Ord. 710 § 35-1.1, 1996; 1991 code § 35-1.1)

18.05.020 Purposes.

The broad purposes of the zoning ordinance are to protect and promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to implement the policies of the City of Pleasant Hill General Plan. More 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 the economic stability of existing 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. Ensure that service demands of new development will not exceed the capacities of existing streets, utilities, or public services.

F. Authority. This zoning ordinance is enacted based on the authority vested in the city by the state of California, including but not limited to the state constitution; the planning and zoning law (Government Code § 65000 et seq.); and the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq.). (Ord. 970 § 3, 2024; Ord. 710 § 35-1.4, 1996; 1991 code § 35-1.4)

18.05.030 Organization of zoning regulations.

Part 1:	General Provisions establishes the overall organization and applicability of the regulations and includes use classifications.
Part 2:	Base District Regulations specify the land uses permitted or conditionally permitted in each residential, commercial and industrial zoning district, and include special requirements, if any, that are applicable to specific uses. Base district regulations also include development standards to control the height, bulk, location and appearance of structures on development sites, and requirements for landscaping.
Part 3:	Overlay District Regulations modify base district regulations for specific purposes. The overlay district enables the city to designate historic districts and cultural resources.
Part 4:	Regulations Applying in All Districts include supplemental site development regulations, parking and loading requirements, sign controls, and provisions for nonconforming uses, structures, and signs.
Part 5:	Administration contains detailed procedures for the administration of the zoning ordinance, including requirements for development plans, planned unit developments (including hillside PUDs), precise plan districts, tree removal permits, minor exceptions, reasonable accommodations, zoning permits, use permits, sign permits, variances, architectural review, development agreements, amendments to the ordinance and zoning map, appeals of zoning decisions and calls for review, and enforcement.
Part 6:	General Terms includes a list of terms used in the ordinance, with cross-references, and definitions for general terms; it also includes rules for measurement of distances, heights, lot widths, depths and areas, and setback averaging.

(Ord. 890 § 2, 2015; Ord. 710 § 35-1.6, 1996; 1991 code § 35-1.6)