Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code shall be
known and cited as the “South San Francisco Zoning Ordinance,”
“Zoning Ordinance of the City of South San Francisco,”
“Zoning Ordinance,” or “Ordinance.”
The South San Francisco Zoning Ordinance is adopted pursuant
to the authority contained in Section 65850 of the California Government
Code.
(Ord. 1646 § 2, 2022)
The purpose of this Ordinance 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 Ordinance is adopted to achieve the following objectives:
A. To
provide a precise guide for the physical development of the City in
a manner as to progressively achieve the arrangement of land uses
depicted in the South San Francisco General Plan, consistent with
the goals and policies of the General Plan.
B. To
foster a harmonious, convenient, and workable relationship among land
uses and ensure compatible infill development, consistent with the
General Plan.
C. To
support economic development and job creation.
D. To
provide for the housing needs of all economic segments of the community.
E. To
promote high quality architecture and design, consistent with the
General Plan.
F. To
promote the stability of existing land uses that conform with the
General Plan, protecting them from inharmonious influences and harmful
intrusions.
G. To
promote a safe and efficient traffic circulation system, foster the
provision of adequate off-street parking and off-street loading facilities,
bicycle facilities and pedestrian amenities, enhance walkability,
and support a multi-modal transportation system.
H. To
facilitate the appropriate location of community facilities, institutions
and parks and recreational areas and facilitate pedestrian and bicycle
facilities between such spaces.
I. To
protect and enhance real property values.
J. To
safeguard and enhance the appearance of the City.
K. To
further resilience to sea level rise through building and site design.
L. To
define duties and powers of administrative bodies and officers responsible
for implementation of the Ordinance.
(Ord. 1646 § 2, 2022)
A. Organization of Regulations. This Ordinance consists of seven
divisions:
1. Division I: Title, Zoning Districts, and Rules
2. Division II: Conventional District Regulations
3. Division III: Form-Based District Regulations
4. Division IV: Overlays and Plan Districts
5. Division V: Citywide Standards
6. Division VI: Administration and Procedures
7. Division VII: Uses and Definitions
B. Types of Regulations. Four types of zoning regulations control
the use and development of property:
1.
Land Use Regulations. These regulations
specify land uses permitted, conditionally permitted or specifically
prohibited in each zoning district, and include special requirements,
if any, applicable to specific uses. Land use regulations for conventional
base zoning districts are located in Division II ("Conventional Base
Zoning Districts") and land use regulations for form-based zoning
districts are located in Division III ("Form-Based Zoning Districts").
Land use regulations for overlay districts and specific plan districts
are in Division IV ("Overlay and Specific Plan Districts"). Certain
regulations, applicable in some or all of the districts, and performance
standards which govern special uses, are in Division V ("Citywide
Standards").
2.
Development Regulations. These
regulations control the height, bulk, location and appearance of structures
on development sites. Development regulations for conventional base
zoning districts are located in Division II ("Conventional Base Zoning
Districts") and development regulations for form-based zoning districts
are located in Division III ("Form-Based Zoning Districts"). Development
regulations for overlay districts and specific plan districts are
located in Division IV ("Overlay and Specific Plan Districts"). Certain
development regulations, applicable to some or all districts are in
Division V ("Citywide Standards"). These include regulations for specific
uses, development and site regulations, performance standards, parking,
sign, antennas and wireless communications and nonconforming uses.
3.
Administrative Regulations. These
regulations contain detailed procedures for the administration of
this Ordinance, and include common procedures, processes and standards
for discretionary entitlement applications and other permits. Administrative
regulations are in Division VI ("Administration and Procedures").
4.
General Uses and Terms. Division
VII ("Uses and Definitions") provides a list of use classifications
and a list of terms and definitions used in the Ordinance.
(Ord. 1646 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1656, 6/12/2024)
Any permit, license or approval issued pursuant to this Ordinance
must be consistent with the South San Francisco General Plan and all
applicable specific plans. In any case where there is a conflict between
this Ordinance and the General Plan, the General Plan shall prevail.
(Ord. 1646 § 2, 2022)
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 building inspection has been requested and posted for the
primary structure on the site where the permit is issued, and provided
construction is diligently pursued and completed within six months
of permit issuance. Any building or structure for which a Planning
Permit has been issued may be completed and used in accordance with
the plans, specifications and permits on which said Planning Permit
was granted, provided that Planning Permits shall expire if no Building
Permit is granted within two years, with an option to request a time
extension not exceeding one year beyond the initial two-year period
unless otherwise governed by an adopted Development Agreement by the
City Council. As used in this section, "Planning Permit" shall include
any Precise Plan, Use Permit, Variance, Design Review, Site Clearance,
or other approval or entitlement for development and/or use of property
as required by the City. No extensions of time except as provided
for in the
California Building Code shall be granted for commencement
of construction, unless the applicant has secured an allowed permit
extension from the Planning Division.
(Ord. 1646 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1656, 6/12/2024)
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase
of this Ordinance 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 Ordinance.
The South San Francisco City Council hereby declares that it would
have passed this Ordinance, and each section, subsection, sentence,
clause and phrase thereof, regardless of the fact that any or one
or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared
invalid or unconstitutional.
(Ord. 1646 § 2, 2022)
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 Ordinance. 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. 1646 § 2, 2022)