Note: Editor's note: The ordinance codified in this chapter
is NOT part of the Laguna Beach certified Local Coastal Program.
This zone is intended for low-density, single-family residential
development within the Three Arch Bay community. Its purpose is to
maintain, enhance and promote the unique character of this area, particularly
with respect to mass, scale, architectural character, privacy and
ocean view preservation, and protection of ocean bluffs and other
environmentally sensitive areas.
(Ord. 1187 § 2(6), 1989; Ord. 1578 § 1, 2013)
Buildings, structures and land in the Three Arch Bay zone shall
be used, and buildings and structures shall hereafter be erected,
designed, structurally altered or enlarged only for the following
purposes:
(A)
Single-family dwelling;
(C)
Other uses the planning commission deems, after conducting a public
hearing, to be similar to and no more obnoxious or detrimental to
the health, safety and welfare of the neighborhood than the permitted
uses.
(Ord. 1187 § 2(6), 1989; Ord. 1578 § 1, 2013)
Family day care home, large, may be permitted in the Three Arch Bay zone, as provided in Section 25.10.005.
(Ord. 1187 § 2(6), 1989; Ord. 1578 § 1, 2013)
The development standards as set forth in the R-1 zone shall
apply in the Three Arch Bay zone with the exception of the following:
(A)
Yards.
(2)
Front Yard. Single-story garages may be constructed five feet from the front property line, if the garage has an automatic garage-door opener, or vehicular entry to the garage is from the side and the topographic condition for a reduced building setback provided in Section 25.50.004(E)(1) exists on the site.
(3)
Side Yard. The width of each side yard shall be not less than five
feet.
(4)
Rear Yard.
(a)
Each lot shall maintain a rear yard of not less than twenty-five
feet.
(b)
For building sites with less than twenty feet in grade difference
between front and rear lot lines, and less than one hundred feet in
length, the minimum setback distance shall be twenty-five percent
of lot depth.
(c)
See Section 25.44.050(F) for setback restrictions on coastal lots.
(B)
Permitted Projections. Eaves, cornices, chimneys, window seats, balconies,
patios and decks in excess of thirty inches above the finished grade
including patio and deck covers, and other similar architectural features
may project a maximum of two and one-half feet into required yards.
In addition, chimneys may project beyond the height limit to the minimum
extent required by the Uniform Building Code.
(C)
Building Site Coverage. The maximum building site coverage (BSC)
on any residential lot is between thirty-five and forty-four percent.
The actual percentage allowed is calculated by the following formula:
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Building Site Coverage (%)
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= 35 +
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(6,499-A) x 9
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1,499
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Where BSC = Building Site Coverage (percentage)
|
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A = Residential Lot Area (square feet)
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(1)
Where a lot is determined to be six thousand four hundred ninety-nine
square feet or greater the building site coverage shall not exceed
thirty-five percent. Those lots that have less than five thousand
one square feet in area shall not exceed forty-four percent in building
site coverage. This requirement may be modified by the design review
board when necessary due to neighborhood development patterns or view
preservation.
(2)
On bluff-top coastal lots, the net area of the lot shall be considered
in calculating the maximum building site coverage allowed. For the
purpose of defining building site coverage, a "bluff line" is that
line which separates the buildable pad from the bluff top. The "bluff
top" shall be defined as an incline greater than the slope of the
buildable pad. The "bluff face" is defined as that portion of bluff
which slope is forty-five degrees or greater from horizontal, and
whose top is ten or more feet above mean sea level. The net area of
the lot is the area that extends from the side corner property lines
along the bluff line to the front corner property lines.
(3)
The maximum building site coverage and floor area allowed on site
includes the square footage of all enclosed space of the main building
and accessory structures such as garages, guesthouses, storage facilities
and all other similar types of accessory structures including carports
and covered patios, whether attached or detached.
(a)
New detached accessory structures and additions to existing detached
accessory structures of the type listed above are prohibited.
(b)
Except on oceanfront sites, storage area may be allowed within and
below the existing building footprint and will not be counted toward
the maximum allowable floor if it meets the following criteria: a
maximum of one hundred fifty square feet area with structural floor
system, a maximum of six-foot clear vertical ceiling height, no more
than one switched light, one duplex outlet, no windows and only one
interior access door. Oceanfront site means any lot, parcel of land
and/or legal building site recognized by the city that is located
adjacent to the ocean, including, but not limited to, lots or parcels
located along the shoreline, on and/or immediately adjacent to beaches.
And on oceanfront bluffs including oceanfront bluff top lots.
(4)
Street easements that either bisect or extend across any portion
of a parcel shall be excluded from building site coverage calculations.
(D)
Floor Area. The maximum floor area allowed on a residential lot shall
not exceed one and one-half times the maximum building site coverage
(BSC) percentage established for the lot.
(E)
Building Stringline.
(1)
All coastal lots are subject to a stringline setback. The building
stringline averages the setback of oceanfront buildings on both adjacent
sides of coastal lots and is defined as follows: The stringline setback
shall be depicted as a line across a parcel that connects the oceanward
ends of the nearest adjacent walls of the main buildings on adjacent
lots. Posts or columns that extend to grade from upper story decks,
balconies, stairways and other types of similar features shall not
be used to define the building stringline criteria.
(a)
In the event that there is no applicable stringline on adjacent oceanfront
lots, the setback shall be at least twenty-five feet from the top
of an oceanfront bluff.
(b)
Only in such cases where the design review board determines that
the stringline is significantly more restrictive than the twenty-five
foot setback may the board modify the required building setback, provided
it determines that unique conditions relating to landform, lot orientation
or excessive building setbacks on an adjacent property prevent or
severely restrict residential development that otherwise meets the
intent of the zoning code.
(2)
In the event that there is no applicable stringline on adjacent oceanfront
lots, the setback shall be at least twenty-five feet from the top
of an oceanfront bluff.
(3)
In no case shall the bluff-top setback be less than twenty-five feet.
(4)
Building Projections and Accessory Structures.
(a)
Balconies, patios or decks in excess of thirty inches above the finished
grade, including patio deck covers and other similar architectural
features may project a maximum of five feet beyond the applicable
building setback, but in no case shall such projections be closer
than ten feet to the top of an oceanfront bluff.
(b)
Decks, patios and other similar improvements that are thirty inches
or less above finished grade shall not encroach closer than ten feet
to the top of an oceanfront bluff.
(c)
Pools and spas shall not encroach closer than twenty-five feet to
the top of an oceanfront bluff nor shall its accessory equipment be
any closer than ten feet to the top of the bluff.
(F)
Building Height Standards.
(1)
No new building, additions to existing buildings or structures in
this zone shall have a height greater than permitted under the following
table when measured from the finished or natural grade, or the finished
floor of the existing residence, whichever is more restrictive.
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Slope in Percent
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Height Permitted
(in feet)
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|---|---|
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0 to 15
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19
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15+ to 20
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21
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20+ to 25
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23
|
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25+ to 30
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25
|
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30+ to 35
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27
|
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35 and over
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29
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Except on oceanfront sites, lots with a slope of zero
to fifteen percent, height in excess of nineteen feet may be allowed
if all of the following conditions are met: a lower-level living area
addition is beneath and within the footprint of an existing living
space; the roof lines above the same are not modified; and the proposed
lower level floor height as vertically measured to the finish floor
immediately above does not exceed eleven feet, with a maximum ceiling
height of nine feet, as long as the total height does not exceed thirty-six
feet. Oceanfront site means any lot, parcel of land and/or legal building
site recognized by the city that is located adjacent to the ocean,
including, but not limited to, lots or parcels located along the shoreline,
on and/or immediately adjacent to beaches. And on oceanfront bluffs
including oceanfront bluff top lots.
 |
(2)
In addition to subsection (F)(1), building height shall be limited to the following in order to preserve ocean views within Three Arch Bay.
|
Rear Lot Line above Street
(slope in percent)
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Height Permitted above Rear Lot Line
(in feet)
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|---|---|
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0 to 5
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19
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5+ to 10
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18
|
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10+ to 25
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15
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25+ to 30
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14
|
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30+ to 35
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13
|
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35 and over
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12
|
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Through Lot
(slope in percent)
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Height Permitted above Upper Property Line (in feet) See also Section 25.44.050(A)(1)(b)
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|---|---|
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0 to 5
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19
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5+ to 10
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18
|
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10+ to 15
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17
|
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15+ to 20
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16
|
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20+ to 25
|
15
|
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25+ to 30
|
14
|
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30+ to 35
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13
|
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35 and over
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12
|
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Rear Lot Line below Street
(slope in percent)
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Height Permitted above Upper Property Line
(in feet)
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|---|---|
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0 to 5
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19
|
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5+ to 10
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18.5
|
|
10+ to 15
|
18
|
|
15+ to 20
|
17.5
|
|
20+ to 25
|
17
|
|
25+ to 30
|
16
|
|
30+ to 35
|
15
|
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35 and over
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14
|
(G)
Parking Standards. The provisions of Chapter 25.52 shall apply, unless otherwise provided herein. Four off-street parking spaces are required; two spaces shall be covered and two spaces may be uncovered. The uncovered spaces may be located within the front yard or on Three Arch Bay property which abuts the street if a license agreement to do so is entered into by the applicant and Three Arch Bay Association.
(I)
Fences, Walls and Hedges.
(1)
The maximum height for fences and walls shall be six feet, except
within the required front yard, where it shall be kept to a maximum
of forty-two inches and thirty-six inches clear horizontal for multiple
wall assemblies. On street-to-street lots, the maximum height for
a fence or wall shall be forty-two inches and thirty-six inches clear
horizontal for multiple wall assemblies within any required yard adjoining
a street. Street-to-street lots between Encino and Callecita are exempt
from this provision.
(2)
On vacant lots only, the height of a fence, wall, latticework or
screen shall be measured from the top of the structure above the street
directly adjacent, or above the natural grade immediately adjacent,
whichever allows the higher structure. The height limit shall also
apply to the height of a retaining wall, the purpose of which is to
create an artificial yard.
(3)
On developed lots only, where the difference in finished grade between
proposed and adjacent property is more than two feet in height, a
maximum height of eight feet shall be maintained from the lowest grade
elevation at every point along the wall or fence. In no case shall
an adjacent property be exposed to a retained-fill wall, wall or fence
or any combination of these elements in excess of six feet in height.
 |
(Ord. 1187 § 2(6), 1989; Ord. 1223 § 1, 1991; Ord. 1416 § 13, 2002; Ord. 1578 § 1, 2013)
Intent and Purpose. It is the intent and purpose of this section
to establish design review standards and controls over private development
in the Three Arch Bay residential community. It is recognized that
there are unique design aspects inherent in the community appearance
that need to be preserved and enhanced. These design criteria will
be utilized for all projects in this zone reviewed by the city. Applicants
should note that prior to city review, the Three Arch Bay Community
Association will conduct its own plan review. The Association will
submit a letter of comment to the city for its consideration and review
prior to city approval of the applicant's plans. The adoption of these
design criteria will guide and ensure that all future growth contributes
to a preservation of the community character.
(A)
While individuality of architectural style should be achieved, the
design should conform to the established small-scale building character
which is sensitive to existing topography and view preservation.
(B)
All designs shall protect the privacy and views of neighboring properties
especially in side and rear yard areas by providing architectural
relief from large blank walls by proper placement of windows, porches,
architectural pop-outs and other similar features.
(C)
The minimum roof pitch on any building or structure shall be 3:12.
Flat roofs and roof decks are prohibited.
(D)
Roof-mounted solar collectors shall not be visible from any street
view; the solar collector shall not exceed the ridge elevation of
the roof.
(E)
All development shall strive to be compatible with surrounding homes
and the community with respect to architectural character, style,
scale, mass and color.
(F)
Walls and fences should tie directly to the main building, enclosing
only active use areas. Both wood and wrought iron fencing can be used
when the material and color are compatible with the main building.
(G)
All landscape and hardscape plans shall address the functional aspects
of landscaping such as drainage, erosion prevention, wind barrier,
shade, sound absorption, dust abatement and reduction of glare.
(1)
Landscaping, as required, shall be provided in accordance with the
community design and landscape guidelines as adopted by Resolution
No. 89-104 and as hereafter amended.
(2)
All residential and landscaping design shall preserve surrounding
views of the ocean and, whenever possible, utilize trees and other
vegetation to complement this viewshed.
(Ord. 1187 § 2(6), 1989; Ord. 1578 § 1, 2013)
A geologic and soils report shall be prepared by a registered
geologist and/or soils engineer and shall be submitted with all applications
for development on a coastal lot or vacant lot. These reports shall
be in accordance with Title 14 of this code.
(Ord. 1187 § 2(6), 1989; Ord. 1578 § 1, 2013)
