The purpose of this chapter is to provide flexibility in the application of selected site development regulations where minor adjustments are needed. Administrative exceptions shall only be granted for the site development standards cited in Section 17.56.020 (Authority). Administrative exceptions granted shall be compatible with adjoining uses and consistent with the purposes of this title and the specific zoning district in which the subject property is situated.
(O2003-12)
The Community Development Director shall approve, conditionally approve or deny applications for administrative exceptions. The following types of administrative exceptions to site development standards may be allowed:
A. 
Accessory Building Height. In any residential district, the maximum height of a detached accessory structure limited to 15 feet (subsection A) may be increased to a maximum 18 feet where necessary to provide a gable or slope roof to match the roof pitch of the principal dwelling.
B. 
Yards. The minimum RT, RI and RS district side and rear yards may be decreased by not more than 10% for additions to existing principal buildings where the proposed yard is in character with the surrounding neighborhood and where such decrease will not unreasonably affect abutting sites.
C. 
Attached Rear Yard Garages. Attached garages may be located within five feet of the rear property line, as an alternative to providing a separate detached garage where such location will not unreasonably affect abutting sites. Such space shall be specifically designed for garage space and shall not be used for living space. Within the rear yard, the garage shall not exceed the detached accessory structure height limit.
D. 
Tandem Garage. A residential tandem garage may be permitted when the single-family detached home requires five or more parking spaces and the tandem configuration avoids a three-car elevation.
E. 
Soscol Overlay District Administrative Exceptions.
1. 
Building height limits may be increased as described in the Soscol Guidelines Chapter II to provide an appropriate gable or other non-shed sloped roof or subsurface parking, or (north of Clay Street) to take advantage of the river frontage.
2. 
Building or parking setbacks may be reduced as described in the Soscol Guidelines Chapter II if the reduced setback helps reinforce the street edge and improve the appearance of the streetscape. This exception does not apply (as described in the Guidelines) along the west Silverado Trail frontage where a 24-foot setback is required as a Caltrans reserve for future widening.
3. 
Piers and columns for fences may be permitted higher than 42 inches as described in the Soscol Guidelines Chapter III if the added wall/fence column or pier height contributes to the architectural design quality of the frontage.
F. 
Napa River/Napa Creek Flood Protection Project Limitation Exceptions. Certain uses, activities, projects or proposals fully described in Section 17.52.300(C)(2) may receive a written determination of approval by the Community Development Director after consultation with the flood project manager.
G. 
Expansion or Alteration of Nonconforming Structures. An existing nonconforming building wall in a side or rear yard or side setback may be extended as noted in Section 17.52.320 if the building extension in the yard/setback is minor; there are no reasonable alternatives, and neighbor privacy is not compromised.
H. 
Minor Adjustments to :PD Ordinance Standards. When adopted, a :PD may describe minor modifications to PD standards that may be handled as exceptions and the findings to be applied.
(O2003-12; O2004 9; O2005 11)
General regulations applicable to the administrative exception process, including application, review time frame, processing fees, environmental review, processing of multiple applications, the effective date of permit, approval to run with the land, extensions, amendments, revocation, new application following denial and expiration are found in Chapter 17.68.
(O2003-12)
All plans, drawings, specifications and other information pertaining to a proposed project provided by an applicant in connection with any application for an administrative exception, and any and all representations, whether written or oral, made by the applicant either to staff or to any city decision maker, in an application or during any part of the permit review process, shall automatically be deemed a part of such project, and a condition of entitlement by operation of law, if such entitlement is approved or granted.
(O2003-12)
The Community Development Director may approve an application for an administrative exception if findings are made consistent with the circumstances described in Section 17.56.020.
(O2003-12)
No public notice or hearing shall be required. The Community Development Director shall prepare a written decision that shall contain the findings of fact upon which such decision is based and conditions of approval, if any. The decision shall be mailed to the applicant.
(O2003-12)
Appeals of decisions on administrative exceptions shall be filed within 10 calendar days of the decision on the permit, or if the 10th day is a weekend or city holiday, the deadline is extended to the next working day. Appeals shall be filed and processed in accordance with Chapter 17.70 (Appeals).
(O2003-12; O2004 9)