The regulations specified in this title shall be subject to the general provisions and exceptions set forth in this chapter.
(Prior code §9-125)
A. 
Accessory uses and buildings appurtenant to a permitted use shall be allowed only when constructed concurrent with or subsequent to the main buildings.
B. 
Wrecking yards, junkyards, surplus yards, auto dismantling yards and secondhand stores, where merchandise is displayed or stored outside an enclosed building, shall be enclosed within a solid fence of uniform texture of not less than six feet in height. Not more than six rebuildable automobiles, identified as offered for sale as used automobiles, may be displayed outside the fenced area or building at any one time, regardless of the number of businesses being conducted independently at the location.
If any vehicle is so displayed for a period of thirty days and it shall not have been sold during that time, it shall not be considered to be a rebuildable automobile and it must thereafter be stored within the fenced enclosure.
1. 
No material shall be stored or piled so as to extend higher than fence height at any point nearer than six feet from the fence. Beginning at a line parallel to the fence and six feet within it, material may be piled an additional one foot in height for each additional two feet in distance from the fence.
2. 
Where vehicles not suitable for resale are stored or held for wrecking or dismantling, one may be stacked or piled on top of another at the fence to a two-car maximum limit, even though the top of the second vehicle may extend higher than six feet; provided, that vehicles so stacked at the fence cannot be other than passenger vehicles. The term passenger vehicle shall not include trucks, buses, pickups, vans, carryalls, or any other vehicles the primary intended use of which was for other than transportation of persons.
C. 
For purposes of this title, facilities for public utilities include, but are not limited to, electrical substations, communication equipment buildings and towers, service yards, gas regulator stations, meter lots, pumping stations which are accessory to existing gas or oil pipelines, and water wells; and such uses are permitted in A-2 and all R districts; provided, that such use is demonstrated in connection with the approval of a use permit, to be properly located without detriment to or in conflict with the agricultural or residential usage of property so zoned within the vicinity. Public utility transmission and distribution lines, both overhead and underground, are permitted in all districts without limitation as to height, but metal transmission towers are subject to all yard requirements as other structures. However, routes of proposed electrical transmission lines (including height, and placement of towers), shall be submitted to the planning commission for review and recommendations prior to the acquisition of rights-of-way therefor, when such lines are not within a public street or highway.
D. 
Commercial cannabis activities as authorized by this title and Chapter 6.78 of the Stanislaus County Code shall be located and operated in compliance with all the requirements of Chapter 6.78 of the Stanislaus County Code and any other local requirements, and state laws and regulations, applicable to commercial cannabis activities.
1. 
Public notification required for the consideration of any discretionary action authorized by this title for the permitting of commercial cannabis activities shall be provided at a distance of six hundred feet from the boundaries of the project site, unless a greater distance is required by adopted county policy or state requirement.
2. 
Any discretionary action taken for the permitting of a commercial cannabis activity shall be subject to a finding by the decision making authority that the establishment, maintenance, and operation of the proposed use will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, and general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of the use and that it will not be detrimental or injurious to property and improvements in the neighborhood or to the general welfare of the county.
(Prior code §9-125(a); Ord. CS 1205 §1, 2017)
A. 
Chimneys, elevators, communication towers, mechanical appurtenances, monuments, spires, campaniles, public and quasi-public buildings may be permitted in excess of height limits for the various districts, provided a use permit shall first be obtained in each case. Flagpoles are permitted without height limitations and conventional television antennas, not over sixty feet in height, are permitted in all districts.
B. 
As to height limits, specific reference is made to Title 17 of this code. Applications for a permit under Title 17 may be a part of an application under this title.
(Prior code §9-125(b))
When a legally created lot has less than the minimum required area or width as set forth in any of the residential zones contained in this title, or in a precise plan, such lot shall be deemed to have complied with the minimum lot area and width as set forth in any such zone. The lot shall qualify for only one single-family residence and only when the lot is of sufficient area to comply with all requirements for sewage disposal and water supply as determined by the department of environmental resources and that all applicable building setbacks are met.
(Prior code §9-125 (c)(1); Ord. CS 274 §1, 1988; Ord. CS 1290 §1, 2021)
Unless the minimum building site area for the various districts is greater, as provided by this title, a minimum area for one single-family dwelling which is not connected to sanitary sewer, but served by a public water supply, or to public sewer and not to public water, shall be twenty thousand square feet. Where there is no connection to either sanitary sewer or public water, the minimum building site for a single-family dwelling shall be not less than one acre or greater if required by the county department of environmental resources. For other uses without sanitary sewers, and/or public water, the minimum building site shall be that established by the board of supervisors or planning commission as a condition to any use or other approval required.
(Prior code §9-125 (c)(2); Ord. CS 1290 §2, 2021)
A. 
Architectural features such as cornices, eaves, and canopies may extend not exceeding three feet into any required yard.
B. 
Whenever an official plan line has been established for any street, required yards shall be measured from such line, and in no case shall the provisions of this title be construed as permitting any encroachment upon any official plan lines.
C. 
Uncovered porches and paved terraces may extend not exceeding three feet into any required side yard and not exceeding six feet into any required front yard.
D. 
Accessory buildings which are detached or attached to the main building shall comply in all respects with the requirements of this title applicable to the main building. The accessory building shall not be located within five feet of any alley or within five feet of the side line of any adjacent lot or in the case of a corner lot to project beyond the front yard required on the adjacent lot.
E. 
Truck loading docks shall be so located that all vehicles entering or leaving the premises to load or unload may be driven in a forward direction without the necessity of the vehicle entering or leaving the premises in reverse gear, and that no portion of any such vehicle will stand or protrude on or into the public right-of-way while loading or unloading.
F. 
On the following specified highways, no structure (excluding, however, open wire fences, electroliers without attached advertising signs, utility poles and solid fences or screen plantings not more than three feet in height) shall be located closer to the highway center line than as indicated:
1. 
State Highway No. 33, ninety-five feet from the railroad right-of-way line;
2. 
Kiernan Avenue, between McHenry Avenue and Broadway Avenue, seventy feet;
3. 
Santa Fe Avenue, one hundred feet from the railroad right-of-way;
4. 
McHenry Avenue, between the city of Modesto and the Stanislaus River, seventy-five feet;
5. 
State Highway No. 108, between McHenry Avenue and the city of Riverbank, seventy-five feet; and between the city of Riverbank and the Tuolumne County line, seventy feet.
G. 
Where lots abut streets on the front and rear, and vehicle access to the street in the rear is restricted, solid fences or screen planting, not exceeding eight feet in height, may be located on the rear property line.
H. 
Vision Clearance for Corner Lots. In all zones which require a front yard, no obstruction to view in excess of three feet in height shall be placed, built, parked or allowed to grow on any corner lot within a triangular area formed by the street, property lines and a line connecting them at points twenty-five feet from the intersection of the street lines, except that street trees are permitted which are pruned at least eight feet above the established grade of the curb so as not to obstruct clear view by motor vehicle drivers.
(Prior code §9-125(d); Ord. CS 9, 1983; Ord. CS 663 §39, 1998; Ord. CS 984 §1, 2007)
Any swimming pool, as defined within this title, when used as a private swimming pool in any zone, shall comply with the following requirements:
A. 
Such pools shall be used solely for the enjoyment of the occupants of the premises on which they are located and their guests and not for instruction, unless don in compliance with Chapter 21.94 regarding home occupations, or parties when fees are paid therefor;
B. 
Pools shall not be located closer than three feet from any side or rear property line. No pool shall be located closer than the minimum depth required for the front yard or the street side yard of a corner lot. Distances from other structures shall be governed by the Uniform Building Code;
C. 
Lot coverage by a swimming pool shall not be considered in calculating the maximum lot coverage for buildings;
D. 
Filter and heating systems for swimming pools may encroach into a side or rear yard provided there remains a net two feet clear adjoining passageway past the equipment. Distances between heating systems and building, including door and window openings shall be governed by the requirements of the current building codes, as well as manufacturer's requirements;
E. 
Whenever a construction permit is issued for construction of a new swimming pool at a private, single-family home, it shall be equipped with safety features as required by the California Health and Safety Code, including any future amendments to that code.
(Ord. CS 778 §1, 2001)
Within the adopted sphere of influence of any city where a use or sign is permitted by the regulations of the zoning district in which it is located, or when a use permit, rezoning or other approval has been granted, any signs to be installed in connection with such use shall be permitted, consistent with any applicable sign regulations of that city.
(Prior code §9-125(e); Ord. CS 419 §1, 1990)
Monuments shall be permitted in all districts subject to the approval of the planning and community development director, except for customary and usual monuments within a cemetery or enclosed building, which are permitted without review. However, if in the opinion of the director, a monument subject to his/her approval may cause substantial public controversy or adversely affect the public health, safety, peace, or morals, a use permit shall be required to establish such monument.
(Ord. CS 449 §1, 1991)
Within the LAFCO adopted sphere of influence of any city or in areas of specific designation created by agreement between county and city, where any discretionary approval is required for any project, the project, except agricultural uses and churches, shall not be approved by the county unless it has first received written approval by the city. No development request within the sphere of influence or area of specific designation of any incorporated city shall be approved unless it is consistent with agreements with the city which are in effect at the time of project consideration.
(Ord. CS 414 §1, 1990; Ord. CS 457 §1, 1991)
No use shall be conducted on any premises in such a manner as to cause an unreasonable amount of noise, odor, dust, smoke, vibration, electrical interference, or other nuisance condition detectable off the site.
(Ord. CS 1181 §1, 2016)