The purpose of setbacks, open space and landscaping requirements is to assure that an effective separation is provided between properties and uses to foster compatibility, identity, privacy, light, air, ventilation and visual relief. All setbacks required by the zoning ordinance shall be calculated from the boundary lines separating two lots and from the public right-of-way after any dedications are made.
(Prior code § 3-1-C-1; Ord. 605-88 § 3)
A. 
All setback areas shall be fully landscaped with lawn, trees, shrubs, etc., and shall be permanently maintained in a neat and orderly manner free of waste and debris. All landscaping shall consist predominately of plant material, except for necessary walks and drives.
B. 
The front setback area and street side setback area on corner lots of residential properties shall consist predominantly of plant material, except that synthetic turf shall be allowed to cover up to fifty percent of the required landscaping area visible from the public right-of-way, as permitted in Section 17.44.017. Landscape plan approval by the community development director is required for any landscaping wherein the plant material covers less than half of the front setback area or street side setback area on corner lots, except for legally required walks and drives.
C. 
Plant material selected shall be suitable for the given soil conditions. Plant selection shall take into consideration water conservation through appropriate use and groupings of plants that are well adapted to particular sites and to particular watering needs, climatic, geological and topographical conditions. To the greatest extent possible, landscape material shall consist of drought-tolerant plants.
D. 
Landscaping shall be maintained in a healthy condition and complementary to neighboring buildings and properties. Minimum maintenance standards shall include, but is not limited to: lawns which are watered and trimmed to a uniform height, flowers and ground covers which are healthy and uniform in their appearance, shrubs and trees which are trimmed and pruned to retain their health, and all areas shall be free of noxious weeds, as that term is defined by the California Food and Agriculture Code Section 5004.
E. 
Neglected or improperly maintained landscaping is not permitted. This shall include, but is not limited to: dead or weed infested vegetation; vegetation dying as a result of physical damage, disease, insect infestation, or lack of water; vegetation likely to harbor rodents, vermin, insects, or other nuisances; vegetation which overhangs, impedes or obstructs vehicular traffic on any sidewalk, street, or other public right-of-way.
F. 
Decorative design elements, such as fountain, sculpture, planters, rocks or other similar elements may be permitted where they are: (1) integral parts of a landscape plan; (2) are limited to less than half of the setback area; and (3) are well maintained at all times.
G. 
Required vehicular accessways and pedestrian walks shall be permitted in landscaped areas. No setback area visible from the public right-of-way shall be completely paved or covered with stones, brick or similar hard surface, except for legally required walks and drives.
H. 
Except as permitted by Section 17.44.020 of this chapter, and as otherwise permitted by this code, every required front, side and rear yard setback area shall be open and unobstructed from the ground to the sky.
I. 
No materials or equipment, as defined in Section 8.24.040 of this code shall be stored within any setback area visible from a public right-of-way, except as permitted by Section 17.72.090 of this title.
J. 
Uncovered patios may extend a maximum of ten feet into any front setback and shall require a permit by submitting a plot plan to the community development department. To be approved, the patio must be an integral part of a landscape plan and consist of decorative material such as stamped and/or stained concrete or block pavers. When installing such a patio adjacent to a driveway, an open work railing or raised planter shall be provided to separate the patio from the driveway. The height of open work railing shall be at least twelve inches, but not more than forty-eight inches; the height of a raised planter shall be at least twelve inches, but not more than thirty inches.
(Prior code §§ 3-1-C-1.1, 3-1-C-1.2, 3-1-C-1.3; Ord. 605-88 § 6; Ord. 665-90 § 5; Ord. 960-06 § 24; Ord. 1006-07 § 1; Ord. 1118-16 § 4)
A. 
Synthetic turf may be permitted in all setback areas of residential use properties as a substitute for majority live plant material provided it meets the standards contained in this section and if all landscaping areas consisting of synthetic turf meet the landscaping standards contained in Section 17.44.015.
B. 
Landscape Plan Approval Required Prior to Installation. A landscape plan must be submitted to the community development department for review and approval prior to installation of synthetic turf. The landscape plan must include dimensions and details of the landscaped area, including both the proposed synthetic turf area as well as the live plant material landscaped areas. The landscape plan shall also describe the specific type of synthetic turf to be installed, and whether such synthetic turf requires infill. This requirement is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other requirements under the Lawndale Municipal Code requiring submission of a landscaping plan, including site plan review and design review.
C. 
Required Materials.
1. 
Synthetic turf shall be of a type known as cut pile infill and shall be composed of polypropylene, polyethylene, or a blend of polypropylene and polyethylene fibers stitched onto a polypropylene or polyurethane meshed or hole-punched backing. Hole-punched backings shall have holes spaced in a uniform grid pattern with spacing not to exceed four inches by six inches on center.
2. 
The color of the synthetic turf must replicate real live grass (i.e., green).
3. 
The synthetic turf must have a minimum blade length (pile height) of one and one-fourth inches.
4. 
The use of petroleum based products is prohibited, except as otherwise expressly allowed in this section.
D. 
Maximum Coverage. Synthetic turf must not exceed fifty percent of the required landscaping area. Live plant material or drought tolerant landscaping must be no less than fifty percent of the required landscaping area where the remaining landscaping is proposed to be synthetic turf. The use of indoor/outdoor carpeting, and/or synthetic shrubs, flowers, trees and vines instead of synthetic turf and/or live plant material is prohibited.
E. 
Warranty and Fire Resistance. The product must have a minimum eight-year warranty and be fire resistant.
F. 
Installation Requirements.
1. 
Prior to installation of synthetic turf, all existing sprinkler systems, including piping, valves and sprinkler heads, no longer in use must either be capped or removed. Similarly, all existing landscaping must be removed where the synthetic turf will be located and a minimum of three inches of soil excavated.
2. 
The turf area shall be leveled, with a crushed stone sub base (such as decomposed granite) added to establish a foundation and facilitate drainage for the turf. The stone sub base shall be a minimum of three inches in depth and be compacted to ensure proper drainage. There must be a solid barrier buffer, such as a concrete mow strip, bender board, or similar material, between the synthetic turf and live plant material or soil.
3. 
A permeable geotextile (weed barrier) must be provided to prohibit the growth of weeds. This barrier may either be incorporated into the synthetic turf or be installed as a separate layer.
4. 
The synthetic turf must be placed in patterns that emulate real grass. Seams must be glued and stapled to minimize tears. The synthetic turf must be securely fastened to the ground.
5. 
Installation of synthetic turf in residential setback areas and visible side setback areas must be performed by a contractor with a valid contractor's license who holds all permits and licenses necessary to conduct business in the city.
G. 
Infill Requirements. Infill medium shall be required unless the particular type of synthetic turf installed is designed specifically for use without infill. For synthetic turf requiring infill, manufacturer-approved infill mixtures shall be used. Infill must be brushed into the fibers of the synthetic turf to ensure that the turf will remain in place and upright. Infill medium must not consist of ground rubber or crumb rubber.
H. 
Appearance and Maintenance Requirements.
1. 
Synthetic turf must be installed and maintained to effectively simulate the appearance of a well-maintained, natural turf lawn. Synthetic turf must be maintained in a green, fadeless condition, free of weeds, stains, debris, tears, holes, depressions, ruts, odors, and looseness at edges and seams. No edges shall be exposed.
2. 
Damaged or worn areas in synthetic turf surface must be repaired, or removed and replaced, in a prompt manner that results in the consistent appearance with the existing synthetic turf. Synthetic turf must be removed and replaced once it is unable to be maintained as required.
I. 
Parking Prohibited. Vehicle parking on synthetic turf is prohibited.
(Ord. 1118-16 § 5)
A person shall not build, add, alter, expand or extend any portion of a building or structure into any required setback or yard area, except as follows:
A. 
Cornices, eaves, belt courses, sills, buttresses or similar features may extend a maximum of four feet into any required setback; provided that in no event may they be closer than two feet to any side or rear property line.
B. 
Fireplace structures not wider than eight feet, measured parallel to the building wall of which they are apart, may extend a maximum of two feet into any required setback; provided that in no event may the fireplace be closer than three feet to any side or rear property line.
C. 
Fire escapes may extend a maximum of three feet into any required side or rear setback; provided that in no event may the fire escape be closer than three feet to any side or rear property line.
D. 
Uncovered porches, platforms or landing places which do not extend above the level of the first floor may extend a maximum of six feet into any front setback; provided that an open work railing not more than forty-eight inches in height may be installed or constructed on any such porch, platform or landing place.
E. 
Covered porches may extend not more than four feet into the required front setback.
F. 
Bay windows may not extend more than four feet into a required front setback and not more than two feet into a required side or rear setback, provided the bay window is a minimum of eighteen inches above ground level and provided that in no event shall the bay window be closer than two feet to any side or rear property line.
G. 
Awnings may extend a maximum of four feet into any required setback, provided that in no event may the awning be closer than three feet to any side or rear property line.
H. 
Unenclosed stairways, steps or ramps may extend a maximum of thirty inches into a required front setback area.
I. 
Guard railings around permitted porches, stairways, steps or ramps are allowed, provided that they do not exceed forty-eight inches in height.
J. 
Swimming pools, spas and jacuzzis may occupy a portion of a required rear setback, provided that the outer wall of the pool, spa or jacuzzi shall be a minimum of five feet from any side or rear property line. Where a swimming pool is located in an interior court or yard in conjunction with multiple-family dwellings, the minimum distance between the outer edge of the pool and the exterior wall of any building shall be ten feet.
K. 
Filters, heating systems, pumps, air blowers or other similar mechanical equipment installed to service a pool, spa or jacuzzi may be located in a required side or rear setback, provided that the noise level shall not exceed forty dBA CNEL as measured from the property line of the property on which such equipment is located.
L. 
Air-conditioning equipment not wider than eight feet measured parallel to the building wall of which it is part, may extend a maximum of two feet into a required side or rear yard setback, provided that in no event shall it be closer than three feet to a side or rear property line. The noise level of such equipment shall not exceed forty dBA CNEL as measured from the property line of the property on which such equipment is located.
M. 
Open parking spaces may encroach into the required side yards as permitted by Chapter 17.72 of this title.
N. 
Planter boxes or masonry planters not exceeding thirty-six inches in height may extend into any front setback a maximum of four feet.
O. 
Fences, walls and hedges not exceeding six feet in height in any required side or rear setback or forty-eight inches in height in any required front setback area as permitted by Chapter 17.48 of this title.
P. 
Within residential zones, unenclosed patios or gazebos of which the roof structures do not extend above twelve feet in height from the building pad elevation may encroach into a corner lot side yard adjacent to the street, but in no case shall the encroachment be within three feet of such side yard property line.
For the purpose of this section, "unenclosed" means a structure open on all sides excepting only the required structural members.
(Prior code § 3-1-C-2; Ord. 605-88 § 3; Ord. 851-98 § 1; Ord. 960-06 § 25)
Canopies are permitted in setback areas only as provided by this section:
A. 
Canopies are only permitted in the side setback areas for a period not to exceed seventy-two hours.
B. 
Canopies in the front setback area are only permitted to remain for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours.
C. 
Canopies are permitted in rear yards. However, canopies in the side setback area of a rear yard are only permitted to remain for a period not to exceed seventy-two hours.
D. 
"Canopy" means a device which is of either canvas, or other material, which may be stretched or placed upon a frame, including any tent device whose purpose is to provide shelter to, or exclude direct rays of the sun from, a vehicle or personal effects. This subsection shall not apply to any device or structure which is attached to a building and constructed pursuant to a valid building permit.
E. 
A violation of this section is punishable as an infraction pursuant to Section 1.08.030 of this code or punishable as a misdemeanor pursuant to Section 1.08.020 of this code or shall be abated in compliance with Chapter 8.24 of this code.
(Ord. 969-06 § 13; Ord. 1020-09 § 16)
Sheds are permitted in setback areas only as provided by this section:
A. 
One shed per lot is permitted in the rear setback area or the side yard set back area;
B. 
Sheds are prohibited in the required front yard setback;
C. 
All sheds must be screened from view by a solid wall, fence or landscaping, not to exceed the height allowed by this code;
D. 
The shed must be well maintained, located more than six feet from any other structure and no less than three feet from any property line;
E. 
The dimensions of the shed cannot exceed ten feet in height, and neither its length nor its width is greater than twelve feet;
F. 
For the purposes of this section a "shed" includes, but is not limited to, a freestanding or movable storage unit commonly used for the storage of tools, equipment or similar items. Shipping/freight containers and temporary portable storage containers are not sheds;
G. 
A violation of this section is punishable as an infraction pursuant to Section 1.08.030 of this code or punishable as a misdemeanor pursuant to Section 1.08.020 of this code or shall be abated in compliance with Chapter 8.24 of this code.
(Ord. 969-06 § 14; Ord. 1020-09 § 17; Ord. 1043-10 § 2)
A. 
Shipping/freight containers shall not be placed upon properties within residential zones except as allowed under subsection B of this section for use as a temporary portable storage container or unless such container (1) is incorporated into or integral to the design or structural element of a residence and (2) complies with all applicable zoning and building code regulations.
B. 
Temporary portable storage containers are permitted in setback areas subject to compliance with all of the following conditions:
1. 
One temporary portable storage container is permitted on residentially zoned property for a period not to exceed seven calendar days and not more than two times in a calendar year;
2. 
A permit shall be obtained from the community development director prior to the placement of a temporary portable storage container on any residential property;
3. 
The dimension of a temporary portable storage container shall not exceed ten feet in height and one hundred twenty square feet in area;
4. 
Temporary portable storage containers are permitted in front yard, rear yard, or within the side yard setback areas as long as the containers are located more than six feet from any structure and no less than three feet from any property line;
5. 
Temporary portable storage containers shall not block or obstruct any required exists, parking spaces, and/or any driveways used for access to multiple dwelling units or emergency access;
6. 
Refuse and/or debris shall not be stored in, against, on or under any temporary portable storage containers;
7. 
Temporary portable storage containers shall not be stacked on top of each other or upon any other structure;
8. 
Temporary portable storage containers shall not be used for human and/or animal habitation;
9. 
Temporary portable storage containers shall not be used for the storage of combustible or flammable materials; and
10. 
Temporary portable storage containers shall not be used for the storage or repair of automobiles.
C. 
In the event of an extenuating circumstance that necessitates the use of a temporary portable storage container for more time than is allowed under subsection B, a written request for a time extension may be filled with the community development department before the expiration of the time authorized under subsection B. Upon the receipt of a written request, a time extension not to exceed sixty calendar days may be granted by the community development director.
(Ord. 1043-10 § 3)
A. 
A building or structure shall not be erected or maintained on a lot or parcel of land which abuts a highway having only a portion of its required width dedicated and where either no part of, or less than half of, such dedication would normally revert to such lot or parcel of land if the highway were vacated, unless the yards provided and maintained in connection with such building or structure have a width or depth of that portion of the lot or parcel of land needed to complete the highway width, plus the width or depth of the yards required on the lot or parcel of land by this chapter, if any.
B. 
This section does not require a yard of such width or depth as to reduce the buildable width or depth of a lot to less than forty feet. The commission, upon request, shall determine the required street width. This section applies to all zones and applies whether this chapter requires yards or not.
(Prior code § 3-1-C-3)
In all zones, building lines are established parallel to the centerline of every major and secondary highway equal to the setback, if any, otherwise required by this chapter or any other ordinance, plus:
A. 
Forty feet from the centerline of every secondary highway;
B. 
Fifty feet from the centerline of every major highway.
(Prior code § 3-1-C-7)
In all zones on the intersections of any highways with highways on which Section 17.44.080 imposes any building line or setback, a person shall not use any building or structure, except as permitted within a setback of Section 17.44.020(A), within those triangles formed by the intersections of the setback lines on such highways for a distance of seventeen feet from such intersection on each of such lines and a line connecting the ends of such lines. If there is no setback line on one of such highways the property line shall be substituted.
(Prior code § 3-1-C-8)