A. 
Purpose. This chapter establishes standards for the design and layout of subdivisions. The standards include, but are not limited to requirements for the minimum dimensions of new parcels and blocks, the relationship of proposed parcels to the driveways, and streets that provide access to them. The purpose of these standards is to ensure, through careful site evaluation and design, the creation of new parcels that are compatible with existing neighborhoods, the natural environment, the health and safety of city residents, and are consistent with the policies of the general plan.
B. 
Applicability of Design Standards. The requirements of this chapter apply to subdivisions, and conditional certificates of compliance, in addition to all applicable requirements of the Buellton zoning ordinance (Title 19 of this code). In the event of conflicts between the provisions of this title and the provisions of the zoning ordinance, or any other applicable provision of this code, the most restrictive provisions shall control.
(Prior code § 18.08.010; Ord. 94-16, 1994)
The size, shape and arrangement of new parcels shall conform to the provisions of this section, or with any general plan policy, zoning regulation (Title 19 of this code), or other city ordinance applicable to a proposed subdivision.
A. 
Minimum Lot Area. The minimum area for new parcels shall be as required by the zoning ordinance, except as otherwise provided by this section.
1. 
Calculation of Area for Smaller Parcels. When calculating the area of a lot or parcel to determine compliance with this section, the zoning ordinance or general plan, the following shall be deducted from the gross area of any parcel:
a. 
An easement for the purpose of access, whether vehicular or non-vehicular, through the lot; however, the area of an easement, exclusively for the purpose of constructing and maintaining construction slopes, may be included when calculating lot area.
b. 
An easement for an open drainage course, whether a ditch, natural channel or floodway.
2. 
Specific Minimum Lot Area Requirements—Condominiums. The minimum lot area requirements of the zoning ordinance shall not apply to condominiums and condominium conversions, but shall apply to the creation of the original parcel or parcels that are the location of the condominium or conversion.
B. 
Size and Shape. The size and shape of new parcels shall be as required by the zoning ordinance, except as otherwise provided by the following.
1. 
Lot Width. New parcels shall be designed to have a minimum width of 50 feet, except that each parcel on a turnaround, cul-de-sac or curved street, where the side lot lines are diverging from the front to the rear of the parcel, shall have a minimum width of 60 feet, or the width required by the zoning ordinance, whichever is greater, measured at the front setback line required for the main building by the zoning ordinance.
2. 
Lot Depth. No new parcel shall have a depth less than 80 feet, or a depth greater than three times the average width of the lot when the lot has a width of less than 250 feet.
3. 
Location of Lot Lines.
a. 
Orientation to Streets. The side lot lines of all parcels shall be at right angles to the center line of the street, and radial or approximately radial to curved streets.
b. 
City Limits. No parcel shall be designed so as to be divided by the city's corporate boundary.
c. 
Relationship to Easements. Lots shall be designed so that lot lines conform to existing or planned easements unless such easements are relocated to conform with the proposed lot pattern.
4. 
Flag Lots. Flag lots or parcels with access to the abutting street by a strip or segment that is part of the lot or parcel may be approved when necessitated by topography or other special condition, provided that the main portion of the lot shall satisfy the provisions of this section for length, depth, area and design. In no case shall the access strip be less than 20 feet in width nor more than 600 feet in depth. Improvements shall be constructed within the strip as provided by Chapter 18.10 of this title.
C. 
Parcel Configuration. The layout of proposed parcels and streets shall be designed to use land efficiently, mitigate environmental impacts, and minimize site disturbance in terms of cuts and fills, the removal of significant vegetation.
1. 
Double-Frontage Lots. Parcels with streets along both the front and rear lot lines shall be prohibited, except when necessitated by topographical or other physical conditions or where access from one of the roads is prohibited.
2. 
Block Length. Blocks shall be no longer than 1,300 feet, unless existing conditions warrant an exception (Section 18.02.530).
(Prior code § 18.08.020; Ord. 94-16, 1994)
Proposed subdivisions shall be designed to provide adequate access from each new parcel to a city street. Street systems to be constructed with new subdivisions shall be designed as provided by this section.
A. 
Access to Subdivision. Every subdivision shall be designed to have access to a city street. Access shall be provided by:
1. 
The subdivision abutting a street, where the length of the subdivision along the street, the street right-of-way, and the width of the right-of-way will accommodate the construction of all road improvements required by this section and Section 18.10.150 of this title; or
2. 
The subdivision being connected to a city street by a nonexclusive right-of-way easement for street, utility, and appurtenant drainage facilities purposes, where the easement shall be:
a. 
Offered for dedication;
b. 
Unencumbered by any senior rights that might serve to restrict its proposed use; and
c. 
Of a width and location to accommodate the construction of all improvements required by this section and Section 18.10.150 of this title.
Private roads are allowed only as provided by subsection D of this section.
B. 
Access to New Parcels. Parcels within a proposed subdivision shall be provided access as follows:
1. 
City Street Access Required. Each parcel within a proposed subdivision shall be provided access by being located on an existing city street or a new city street designed and improved as provided by subsection C of this section and Section 18.10.150 of this title, or to a private road if allowed by subsection D of this section.
2. 
Access Denial. When a state highway or a street classified as a major arterial in the circulation element of the general plan passes through or abuts a proposed subdivision, direct access to the highway or arterial shall not be permitted from proposed parcels. Reservation strips shall be dedicated to the state or city, as appropriate, where required to control access over certain lot lines over the ends of street stubs.
3. 
Frontage Roads. When lots are proposed to front on a major arterial or state highway, the review body may require the subdivider to dedicate and improve a service or frontage road separate from the arterial or highway.
4. 
Alleys. When parcels are proposed in areas zoned commercial or industrial, the subdivider may be required to dedicate and improve alleys at least 20 feet wide at the rear of the parcels.
C. 
Design and Improvement of Proposed Streets. New streets proposed or required within a new subdivision or adjacent to a new subdivision shall be located and designed as follows, and as provided by Section 18.10.150 of this title:
1. 
Alignment. The alignment of streets shown on a tentative map shall be:
a. 
Consistent with the circulation element of the general plan, where applicable; and
b. 
Located so as to be in alignment with existing adjacent streets by continuation of their centerlines, or by adjustments by curves; and
c. 
As required by the city engineer.
2. 
Right-Of-Way and Surfaced Width. The width of the right-of-way and improved surface of streets shown on a tentative map shall be as required by Section 18.10.150 of this title.
3. 
Access to Unsubdivided Property. When a proposed subdivision abuts vacant land that is designated by the general plan for future subdivision and development, the review body may require that streets to be constructed with the proposed subdivision be extended to the boundary of the property to provide access to the future development.
4. 
Improvements to Existing Streets. When an existing city street provides access to, passes through, or is contiguous with a proposed subdivision, the review body may require dedication of additional right-of-way and/or improvements to be made to the city street if they determine that the proposed subdivision will create the need for such improvements, or where the subdivider otherwise agrees to the improvements.
5. 
Length of Loop and Dead-End Streets. The maximum length of a loop street shall be 1,200 feet. A proposed subdivision shall not be designed with a dead-end street having a length from the first intersecting through street greater than 600 feet, except for private roads. The maximum length of a private dead-end road, including all dead-end roads accessed from that dead-end road, shall not exceed 800 feet, regardless of the number of parcels served. Maximum length shall be measured from the edge of the roadway surface at the intersection that begins the road, to the end of the road surface at its farthest point.
6. 
Street Names. All streets within a proposed subdivision shall be named, and the names shall be approved by the review body. Duplication of existing names within the same area shall not be allowed in a new subdivision unless the street is an obvious extension of an existing street.
D. 
Private Roads. Private roads are allowed as provided in this section. Private roads shall not be permitted except where the council determines that a private street system will adequately serve the proposed subdivision, will not be a substantial detriment to adjoining properties and will not disrupt or prevent the establishment of an orderly circulation system in the vicinity of the subdivision.
1. 
Maintenance Requirements. Provisions satisfactory to the city attorney shall be made for lot owners association or other organization to assume responsibility for the maintenance of private roads and ownership of the street rights-of-way of any major or parcel subdivision.
2. 
Design and Improvement Standards. Private roads shall be designed and improved as set forth in subsections B and C and Section 18.10.150 of this title for a city-maintained road.
3. 
Security and Conditions. The commission and/or council may require any guarantees and conditions it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this title pertaining to private roads. Private roads and easements providing access to parcels within a subdivision shall be located and shown on the parcel map.
E. 
Alternative Circulation Systems. Proposed subdivisions shall be designed to provide rights-of-way for pedestrian paths, bikeways and multiple use trails consistent with the circulation element of the general plan, where the review body determines that the alignment of such systems shown in the general plan can be feasibly accommodated within the subdivision, and that such a system is needed because of the characteristics of the proposed subdivision.
(Prior code § 18.08.030; Ord. 94-16, 1994)
All proposed subdivisions shall be designed to provide for future passive natural heating or cooling opportunities as provided by this section, where determined by the review body to be feasible, except for condominium projects that consist of the subdivision of airspace in an existing building when no new structures are added.
A. 
Heating. Examples of passive or natural heating opportunities in subdivision design include design of lot size and configuration to permit orientation of a structure in an east-west alignment for southern exposure.
B. 
Cooling. Examples of passive or natural cooling opportunities in subdivision design include the design of lot size and configuration to permit orientation of a structure to take advantage of available shade or prevailing breezes.
In determining the feasibility of providing for future passive or natural heating or cooling opportunities in subdivision design, the review body shall give consideration to local climate, terrain, the configuration of the parcel to be divided, and to other design and improvement requirements required by this title. Providing such heating or cooling opportunities shall not result in reducing allowable densities or the percentage of a lot which may be occupied by a building or structure pursuant to the zoning regulations applicable at the time the tentative map is filed.
(Prior code § 18.08.040; Ord. 94-16, 1994)