The city council has determined that the spirit, character, and history of the city are reflected in the historic structures located within the city, and that in the face of ever increasing pressures of modernization, locally-significant historic structures are threatened with alteration, removal, or demolition. Locally-significant historic structures are those residential structures constructed prior to 1925. This part is enacted on the basis of public policy that supports the preservation of locally-significant residential structures within the city and the need to provide incentives for owners to continue to occupy and maintain locally-significant historic structures as "bed and breakfast" facilities within appropriate areas of the city.
These locally-significant historic structures represent the city's unique historical, social and cultural foundations and should be preserved as living parts of community life and development in order to build a greater understanding of the city's past and give future generations the opportunity to appreciate, understand and enjoy the city's remaining historic heritage.
This chapter is intended to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare by:
A. 
Integrating the preservation of locally-significant historic structures into the public and private land use management and development process at appropriate locations within the city.
B. 
Encouraging preservation and complimentary new development within the existing "Old Town" area of the city.
C. 
Preserving diverse architectural styles reflecting the city's history and encouraging a more livable urban environment.
D. 
Stabilizing neighborhoods through the preservation of locally-significant historic structures.
E. 
Encouraging the rehabilitation and continued use of existing structures, rather than their demolition, as bed and breakfast facilities at appropriate locations within the city.
F. 
Preserving, protecting, and enhancing streetscapes and locally-significant historic structures.
(Ord. 1598)
A. 
Any use permitted or conditionally permitted in the underlying base district.
B. 
The following use subject to issuance of a conditional use permit and approval of a site development plan: bed and breakfast facility.
(Ord. 1598)
A. 
Base District Uses. The uses specified in Section 11.3.05.010.A: Permitted Uses are permitted in the Residential Conservation Overlay Zone subject to the standards enumerated in the underlying base district zoning provisions.
B. 
Overlay Zone Use. The uses specified in Section 11.3.05.010.B are permitted in the Residential Conservation Overlay District subject to compliance with the following standards:
1. 
Structure Qualifications. A residential structure may qualify for such use if it meets either of the following standards:
a. 
Is a residential structure constructed prior to 1925.
b. 
Is a residential structure that has been reconstructed to replicate a previously existing residential structure that was constructed prior to 1925 on the same lot.
2. 
Minimum Lot Size. The subject property shall have a minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet.
3. 
Owner/Operator Requirement. The recorded owner of the property shall be the operator of the bed and breakfast facility and reside on the premises. No resident managers shall be allowed to operate a bed and breakfast facility.
4. 
Maximum Stay. The maximum stay for any occupants of a bed and breakfast facility shall be 10 consecutive days within a 30-day period.
5. 
Maximum Number of Guestrooms. The maximum number of guestrooms shall not exceed 6 for any separate bed and breakfast structure.
6. 
Check-In/Check-Out Hours. Guests shall check in and out only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
7. 
Single Kitchen on Property. There shall be only one kitchen within each separate structure. The kitchen shall not be remodeled into a commercial kitchen. No cooking facilities shall be permitted in the guestrooms.
8. 
Food Service Restricted. Breakfast shall be served to registered overnight lodgers only. No other meals shall be served. Incidental food and beverage service to registered overnight lodgers is permitted.
9. 
Apartments Prohibited. Bed and breakfast facilities shall not have a separate apartment on the subject property.
10. 
Interior Stairways Required. There shall only be interior stairways to serve all habitable living spaces within the entire dwelling, including any basement or attic areas, except as may be approved through the conditional use permit process pursuant to Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits to preserve the architectural integrity of an existing structure.
11. 
Record Keeping. Each bed and breakfast facility operator shall keep accurate financial records and a current guest register including names, addresses and dates of occupancy of all guests. Upon reasonable notice such information shall be available for examination by city officials and auditors.
12. 
California Existing Building Code. Any exterior alteration made to a bed and breakfast facility for the rehabilitation, restoration, or relocation of such structure shall be made according to the current California Existing Building Code.
13. 
Additional Housing Units Prohibited. No bed and breakfast facility shall be located in an attached dwelling unless said interior is modified to eliminate any attached dwelling units, exclusive of the resident operator living unit.
14. 
Allowable Area for Rental Units. Bedroom rental units shall not occupy more than 60% of the living space of the subject structure.
15. 
Required Number of Parking Spaces. A minimum of 1 off-street parking space shall be provided for each guestroom, and a minimum of 1 off-street parking space shall be provided for the resident owner.
16. 
Required Type and Location of Parking Spaces. Required off-street parking shall be provided within a garage for the owner's unit only; guest parking spaces may be provided in a carport, driveway, or open parking area.
a. 
Where feasible, parking areas shall be provided at the rear or side of the property, but in no case shall parking be provided within the established front yard.
b. 
When unenclosed parking spaces are located next to a residence, the unenclosed parking spaces shall be screened and maintained with dense planting or other appropriate screening to buffer the parking area from abutting properties.
c. 
No more than 25% of said required parking may be located upon a separate parcel as specified in Section 11.4.20.025.B: Property on Which Parking and Loading Must be Provided. Said parking to be provided on a separate parcel shall require conditional use permit approval, including a parking management plan, prior to any utilization of said parking areas. Upon reasonable notice such off-site parking availability may be confirmed by visual inspection by city officials.
d. 
The required on-site parking requirements for a bed and breakfast facility may be met by the provision of additional on-street parking spaces as a result of the closure of existing curb cuts, not to exceed a maximum of 1 space.
17. 
Sign Standards. Signage shall be limited to a single sign affixed to the structure not exceeding 6 square feet in area identifying the name of the establishment. No internally illuminated or luminous tube signs shall be permitted. External lighting is permitted and shall be turned off no later than 10:30 p.m.
18. 
Incidental Sales of Goods and Services. Incidental sales of goods and services shall be permitted, but shall be limited to registered guests only.
19. 
Private Reception Standards. No receptions, private parties, or similar activities for which a fee is paid shall be permitted.
20. 
Compliance with Other Agency Requirements. All requirements of the Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Health Department shall be met, except as may be modified in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 12 of this subsection.
21. 
Compliance with Municipal Code Provisions. Bed and breakfast facilities shall be subject to the same use and occupancy taxes levied for motels and hotels within Title 4: Revenue and Finance, and Title 5: Business Licenses and Regulations of the Seal Beach Municipal Code.
22. 
Americans with Disabilities Act. All structures shall fully comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
23. 
Property Tax Abatements Prohibited. The property owner agrees to not seek any property tax abatements that may be applicable in federal, state, or local law.
24. 
Addition to Structure Limitations. Any addition to a structure shall constitute no more than 50% of the total square footage of the original floor plan as provided by as-built plans of the existing structure, verified through review of site development plans and field inspections.
25. 
Conversion to Multifamily Dwelling Prohibited. A bed and breakfast facility shall not be permitted to be converted to a multifamily dwelling as defined in Chapter 11.6.05: Terms and Definitions.
(Ord. 1598)
The RC-O District includes additional regulations and uses over and above the base zoning of a particular property to encourage preservation of existing locally-significant residential structures. To permit orderly development and preservation of these locally-significant residential structures, the following standards shall apply:
A. 
Relocated Structures. Relocated structures shall comply with current open space, bulk, and yard standards of the base zone.
B. 
Exception. Relocated structures may be permitted without a variance approval for side yard setbacks as long as a minimum 3-foot side yard setback is maintained and the deviation does not exceed 25% of the size of the setback required by the base zoning provision. Relocated structures exceeding the height and main building envelope requirements shall be permitted without modification to the structure in order to preserve the historical significance and architectural integrity of the structure.
(Ord. 1598)
The adoption of the RC-O Overlay District in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 11.5.15: Legislative Actions and Chapter 11.5.10: General Procedures of this title to a specific property shall be required before any property in the RC-O District may be developed or used for the purpose set forth in Section 11.3.05.010: Permitted Uses, of this chapter.
(Ord. 1598)