The development regulations and standards contained herein have been established to provide criteria for the development of the planning areas within specific plan No. 2. Implementation of the regulations and standards set forth in this section are intended to ensure that future development is coordinated and consistent with the goals and policies of specific plan No. 2 and the city's general plan.
The following standards provide for the arrangement, development, and use of residential neighborhoods, open space areas, school and park sites designated as public-institutional areas, and future state highway right-of-way or dedication areas. Application of these regulations and standards is intended to encourage the most appropriate use of the land, create a harmonious relationship among land uses, and protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the community.
Certain development requirements generally are included as conditions of approval for subdivisions and development permits and may not be contained in the development regulations and standards for specific plan No. 2 or in the city's municipal code and subdivision ordinance. Such development requirements include, but are not limited to: on-site lighting standards, fixtures, lumen levels, coverage mounting and pole height; street lighting standards; front yard landscaping; bus shelters; quantities and sizing of trees and shrubs; general review/approval of landscaping and irrigation plans; review and approval of conditions, covenants and restrictions; requirements for homeowner property associations; rain gutters; yard drains; trash and recycling enclosures; slough wall for slopes adjacent to street rights-of-way; and concrete driveways.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)
Words and terms
used in the specific plan No. 2 development regulations and standards shall have the same definitions as given in the city of Moorpark Municipal Code, including Title 17, Zoning.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)
These development regulations and standards regulate all development within the specific plan No. 2 area. The following general provisions apply to all zone districts within the specific plan area.
A. 
The city municipal code shall regulate development in specific plan No. 2, except as modified by the regulations and standards contained herein. In such cases where the specific plan No. 2 development regulations and standards conflict with those in other sections of Title 17 of the city of Moorpark Municipal Code, the specific plan No. 2 development standards shall apply.
B. 
The establishment and changes of the zone district classification on land in the specific plan No. 2 area shall be as described in this section and shall be adopted by an ordinance amending the city zoning map in the manner set forth in Chapter 17.44. The zone districts for specific plan No. 2 shall be consistent with the specific plan land use plan, Exhibit 4, and Section 17.16.070, specific plan (SP) zone, which requires the use of the SP suffix for property that is subject to a specific plan.
C. 
All land use entitlements and permits issued within the specific plan No. 2 area shall be consistent with specific plan No. 2 and the city's general plan as amended.
D. 
Because it is infeasible to compose legislative language which encompasses all conceivable land use situations, the director of community development shall have the power to interpret the regulations and standards contained in this specific plan, when such interpretation is necessitated by a lack of specificity in such regulations and standards.
E. 
Procedures for the processing of land use entitlement for the specific plan No. 2 area shall be the same as defined in Chapter 17.44 of this code.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)
For the purposes of this specific plan, all uses permitted in the specific plan No. 2 residential planned development single-family (SP2-RPD-SF) zone, are as specified in Table 17.20.050 of this code for the single-family residential low (R-L) zone. Specific plan No. 2 development standards may be more or less restrictive than the city's current development standards for each residential category. Exhibits 28 through 31 of the adopted specific plan contain single-family development standards for the plan areas.
For the purposes of this specific plan, all uses permitted in the specific plan No. 2 residential planned development single-family (SP2-RPD-SF) zone, are as specified in Table 17.20.050 of this code for the residential planned development (RPD) zone.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)
A. 
Specific Plan No. 2 Residential Planned Development Single-Family (SP2-RPD-SF) 1.3-2.5 du/ac Zone. Planning Areas (P.A.) 8 and 9.
1. 
Minimum Lot Area. Ten thousand square feet.
2. 
Building Setbacks.
a. 
Front setback minimum for 10,000 square foot lots is 30 feet. The front setback minimum for 30,000 square foot lots is 35 feet. The front setbacks for the proposed single-family dwelling units shall be varied so as to provide visual diversity. There shall be a minimum of three feet variation for the front setback between adjacent lots, with no more than two adjacent lots having the same front setback. Dwelling units constructed with garages having a curved or swing driveway, with the entrance to the garage facing the side or rear property line, shall have a minimum front setback of 15 feet.
b. 
Side yard setback minimum for a single-family dwelling unit on a 10,000 square foot minimum lot is 10% of the lot frontage. However, the setback can be reduced to a minimum of seven feet if a 20 foot separation is maintained between adjacent structures. On irregularly shaped lots, a minimum side setback of seven feet may be permitted at the discretion of the community development director, so long as the average separation between the subject building and the adjacent building is at least 20 feet. For a 30,000 square foot minimum lot, the sum of side yards shall be a minimum of 20 feet with a minimum side yard (one side) of seven feet, and a minimum 20 foot separation between adjacent structures. Recreational vehicle storage within the side yard shall be screened with a solid gate at least eight feet in height and shall occur only on a concrete surface capable of supporting the vehicle.
c. 
Rear setback minimum for a single-family dwelling unit on a 10,000 square foot minimum lot is 30 feet, and on a 30,000 square foot minimum lot is 50 feet; for an enclosed patio or open patio cover is 10 feet; for a second story deck or balcony is 20 feet, and for an accessory structure is five feet. On a 10,000 square foot minimum lot, the rear setback may be reduced to 15 feet at the discretion of the community development director, if at least 1,600 square feet of contiguous private usable open space is maintained in the side and rear yard areas, and the minimum separation between the rear of the building and the rear or side of the building opposite the rear lot line is 60 feet.
d. 
For projects located in planning area No. 8, no habitable structures shall be located closer than 200 feet from the north/east specific plan boundary.
3. 
Maximum Building Height.
a. 
Thirty-five feet for dwelling units;
b. 
Fifteen feet for accessory structures;
c. 
Twelve feet for a patio cover and second floor deck or balcony, not including railing height;
d. 
No more than three stories shall be permitted.
4. 
Fences and Walls. Fences and walls shall comply with the provisions of this code, with the exception that sound attenuation walls shall be constructed to a height as required by a city-approved noise study for the residential planned development permit.
5. 
Parking. Parking shall comply with Chapter 17.32 of this code. Tandem parking shall be permitted for garage spaces that provide for parking beyond the required minimum.
6. 
Signage. Signage shall comply with Chapter 17.40 of this code.
7. 
Standards Relating to Animals. The keeping of animals shall comply with Section 17.28.030 of this code.
8. 
Eaves and Window Treatments and Surrounds. The eaves and window treatments and surrounds on all sides of a structure shall be complementary with the eaves and window treatments and surrounds on the front elevation.
9. 
Wrap-Around Front Elevation Treatment. The architectural style and treatment included along the front elevation of a single-family unit shall continue along each side elevation until commencement of fencing or other architecturally feasible termination point as determined by the residential planned development permit approval body.
B. 
Specific Plan No. 2 Residential Planned Development Single-Family (SP2-RPD-SF) 2.5-4.5 du/ac Zone. Planning Areas (P.A.) 2, 3 and 4.
1. 
Minimum lot area: 6,000 square feet.
2. 
Building Setbacks.
a. 
The front setback minimum is 20 feet for projects where all garage doors are even with or forward of living space and face the street. In order to encourage a varied street scene and reduce the potential for a garage-door-dominated project, the front setback may be reduced to 15 feet where any of the following design elements are incorporated into the architecture of the homes:
i. 
Living space is forward (closer to the street) of the garage door.
ii. 
Swing garages with the opening facing the side lot line.
iii. 
Projects that incorporate porte-cochères or other architectural features that screen at least a portion of the garage doors from the street.
iv. 
Other elements as approved by the community development director.
Any two adjacent lots may have the same front setback; however, the third (3rd) consecutive lot should vary the front setback by three feet or more, as appropriate to the street and lot configuration and to provide variety in the streetscape.
b. 
Side setback minimum for a single-family dwelling unit adjacent to a street is 10 feet, with the exception that the minimum side setback adjacent to Spring Road shall be 20 feet.
c. 
Side setback minimum for a single-family dwelling unit on an interior lot, other than for exceptions listed below, shall be five feet with an average of seven and one-half (7 1/2) feet and not less than 15 feet between structures. Side setback minimum for a second story deck or balcony is 10 feet.
d. 
Rear setback minimum for a single-family dwelling unit is 20 feet, for an enclosed patio or open patio cover is 10 feet, for a second story deck or balcony is 20 feet and for an accessory structure is five feet.
e. 
For projects on a hillside area and where it can be clearly established that reduced setbacks will enhance preservation of natural terrain and reduce grading, front setbacks may be reduced by the approving authority to 10 feet as applied to the main portion of the dwelling. Garage setbacks shall normally be 20 feet except for a side-loaded garage where a minimum driveway depth of 20 feet from the right-of-way edge shall be provided.
3. 
Maximum Building Height.
a. 
Thirty-five feet for dwelling units;
b. 
Fifteen feet for accessory structures;
c. 
Twelve feet for a patio cover and second floor deck or balcony, not including railing height;
d. 
No more than three stories shall be permitted.
4. 
Fences and Walls. Fences and walls shall comply with the provisions of this code, with the exception that sound attenuation walls shall be constructed to a height as required by a city-approved noise study for the residential planned development permit.
5. 
Parking. Parking shall comply with Chapter 17.32 of this code, except as otherwise noted in this chapter. Tandem, i.e. end to end, garage spaces are allowed.
6. 
Signage. Signage shall comply with Chapter 17.40 of this code, except as otherwise noted in this chapter.
7. 
Recreational Amenities. Residential planned development permit areas with single-family lots that have an average size of less than 7,000 square feet shall include private recreational amenities, including, but not limited to, the following: clubhouse, restrooms, swimming pool and spa, play apparatus, picnic shelter, barbecue area with seating, court game facilities (nonlighted) and multipurpose fields. The types of amenities shall be reviewed and approved with the required residential planned development permit.
8. 
Eaves and Window Treatments and Surrounds. The eaves and window treatments and surrounds on all sides of a structure shall complement the eaves, window treatments and surrounds on the front elevation.
9. 
Wrap-Around Front Elevation Treatment. The architectural style and treatment included along the front elevation of a single-family unit shall continue along each side elevation until commencement of fencing or other architecturally feasible termination point as determined by the residential planned development permit approval body.
C. 
Specific Plan No. 2 Residential Planned Development Single-Family (SP2-RPD-SF) 6 du/ac Zone. Planning Area (P.A.) 1.
1. 
Minimum lot area: 3,500 square feet.
2. 
Building Setbacks.
a. 
Front setback minimum is 20 feet for projects where all garage doors are even with or forward of living space and face the street. In order to encourage a varied street scene and reduce the potential for a garage-door-dominated project, the front setback may be reduced to 15 feet where any of the following design elements are incorporated into the architecture of the homes:
i. 
Living space is forward (i.e. closer to the street) of the garage door.
ii. 
Other elements as approved by the community development director.
Any two adjacent lots may have the same front setback; however, the third consecutive lot should vary the front setback by three or more feet, as appropriate to the street and lot configuration, and to provide for variety in the streetscape.
b. 
Side setback minimum for a single-family dwelling unit adjacent to a street is 10 feet, with the exception that the minimum side setback adjacent to Spring Road shall be 20 feet.
c. 
Side setback minimum for a single-family dwelling unit on an interior lot shall be five feet. Side setback minimum for a second story deck or balcony is 10 feet.
d. 
Rear setback minimum for a single-family dwelling unit is 20 feet, for an enclosed patio or open patio cover is 10 feet, for a second story deck or balcony is 20 feet, and for an accessory structure is five feet.
3. 
Maximum Building Height.
a. 
Thirty-five feet for dwelling units;
b. 
Fifteen feet for accessory structures;
c. 
Twelve feet for a patio cover and second floor deck or balcony, not including railing height.
4. 
Fences and Walls. Fences and walls shall comply with the provisions of this code, with the exception that sound attenuation walls shall be constructed to a height as required by a city-approved noise study for the residential planned development permit.
5. 
Parking. Parking shall comply with Chapter 17.32 of this code, except as otherwise noted in this chapter.
6. 
Signage. Signage shall comply with Chapter 17.40 of this code, except as otherwise noted in this chapter.
7. 
Recreational Amenities. Residential planned development permit areas with single-family lots that have an average size of less than 7,000 square feet shall include private recreational amenities, including, but not limited to, the following: clubhouse, restrooms, swimming pool and spa, play apparatus, picnic shelter, barbecue area with seating, court game facilities (nonlighted), and multipurpose fields. The types of amenities shall be reviewed and approved with the required residential planned development permit.
8. 
Eaves and Window Treatments and Surrounds. The eaves and window treatments and surrounds on all sides of a structure shall complement the eaves, window treatments and surrounds on the front elevation.
9. 
Wrap-Around Front Elevation Treatment. The architectural style and treatment included along the front elevation of a single-family unit shall continue along each side elevation until commencement of fencing or other architecturally feasible termination point as determined by the residential planned development permit approval body.
D. 
Specific Plan No. 2 Residential Planned Development (SP2-RPD-SF-12) 12.0 du/ac Zone.
1. 
Lot Area.
a. 
Attached unit projects: 3,000 square feet of land area per dwelling;
b. 
Detached unit projects: 3,500 square foot lot minimum.
2. 
Building Setbacks.
a. 
Front Setback. Minimum landscaped setback of 20 feet. Structures with garages siding to a street may have a reduced front setback of not less than 15 feet.
b. 
Side Setback. Minimum landscaped setback of five feet. The side setback requirement adjacent to a roadway shall be 10 feet.
c. 
Rear Setback. Minimum landscaped setback of 15 feet.
3. 
Maximum Building Height.
a. 
Thirty-five feet for dwelling units;
b. 
Fifteen feet for accessory structures;
c. 
Twelve feet for a patio cover.
4. 
Fences and Walls. Fences and walls shall comply with the provisions of this code, with the exception that sound attenuation walls shall be constructed to a height as required by a city-approved noise study for the residential planned development permit.
5. 
Parking. Parking shall comply with Chapter 17.32 of this code.
6. 
Signage. Signage shall comply with Chapter 17.40 of this code.
7. 
Open Space. In addition to any other open space requirement of specific plan No. 2, a SP-2/RPD-12 project shall include the following amounts of open space:
a. 
Private Open Space. The following private open space shall be provided. Private open space shall be accessible from the dwelling unit served and not from other units.
i. 
A usable private open space area in the form of a courtyard, patio or garden, or combination thereof, with a minimum area of 450 square feet and a minimum dimension of 15 feet for each dwelling unit.
b. 
Usable Open Space. All SP2 RPD-12 developments shall provide not less than 25% of the net site area as usable open space.
i. 
Usable Open Space Standards. Usable open space shall meet the following requirements:
(A) 
Usable open space areas shall not include rights-of-way, vehicle parking areas, areas adjacent to or between structures less than 15 feet apart, required front setbacks, private open space areas, or areas with slopes exceeding 15%;
(B) 
Usable open space areas shall be planted with turf or groundcover, or other landscaping material which will control dust;
(C) 
Usable open space areas shall be screened from streets and adjacent sites;
(D) 
Usable open space areas shall not be obstructed except by improvements that enhance usability, such as required recreational amenities, fountains, sunshades, and plantings;
(E) 
Usable open space areas shall not be covered by more than 50% by a building overhang or balcony.
8. 
Recreational Amenities. SP2 RPD-12 zone projects shall provide recreational amenities such as, but not limited to, the following: restrooms, swimming pool and spa, play apparatus, picnic shelter, barbecue area with seating, and court game facilities (nonlighted). The types of amenities shall be reviewed and approved with the required residential planned development permit.
E. 
Specific Plan No. 2 Residential Planned Development Single-Family (SP2-RPD-SF) 6.1 du/ac Zone. Planning Area (P.A.) 7.
1. 
Minimum lot area: 3,500 square feet.
2. 
Building Setbacks.
a. 
Front Setback. Minimum landscaped setback of 10 feet and architectural façade projections of up to 16 inches are allowed for nonlivable spaces; with a minimum driveway depth of 20 feet, as measured from front property line across area leading to enclosed parking within a garage; any two adjacent lots may have the same front setback; however, the third consecutive lot should vary the front setback by one or more feet, as appropriate to the street and lot configuration, and to provide for variety in the streetscape.
b. 
Side Setback. Minimum for a single-family dwelling unit on an interior lot shall be five feet. Minimum for a single-family dwelling unit adjacent to a street is 10 feet. Minimum for a single-story enclosed patio, patio cover or detached accessory structure shall be five feet.
c. 
Rear Setback. Minimum for a single-family dwelling unit is 15 feet, and second story floors, and/or architectural projections, may cantilever a maximum of 18 inches into the minimum required 15 foot setback. For single story enclosed patios or open patio covers, or for detached accessory structures the minimum required rear setback is five feet.
d. 
Mechanical Equipment. Must be located in the rear yard with a minimum five foot setback from any side or rear property line and must be screened with a decorative masonry wall or landscaping.
3. 
Maximum Building Height.
a. 
Thirty-five feet for dwelling units;
b. 
Fifteen feet for a patio cover or accessory structures;
c. 
Second story decks or balconies are prohibited.
4. 
Fences and Walls. Fences and walls shall comply with the provisions of this code, with the exception that sound attenuation walls shall be constructed to a height as required by a city-approved noise study for the residential planned development permit.
5. 
Parking. Parking shall comply with Chapter 17.32 of this code.
6. 
Signage. Signage shall comply with Chapter 17.40 of this code.
7. 
Recreational Amenities. Residential planned development permit areas with single-family lots that have an average size of less than 7,000 square feet shall include private recreational amenities, including, but not limited to, the following: restrooms, swimming pool and spa, play apparatus, picnic shelter, barbecue area with seating, and multipurpose play area field. The types of amenities shall be reviewed and approved with the required residential planned development permit.
8. 
Eaves and Window Treatments and Surrounds. The eaves and window treatments and surrounds on all sides of a structure shall complement the eaves, window treatments and surrounds on the front elevation.
9. 
Wrap-Around Front Elevation Treatment. The architectural style and treatment included along the front elevation of a unit shall continue along each side elevation until commencement of fencing or other architecturally feasible termination point as determined by the residential planned development permit approval body.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)
It is the intent of these regulations to promote the preservation of the natural landforms of specific plan No. 2 area by allowing only limited improvements within private open space areas and prohibiting all development (including structures and trails) within the natural open space, except that required for remedial grading and arterial roadway construction.
A. 
Private Open Space Permitted Uses. For the purposes of this chapter, the following is a listing of the permitted uses allowed within the private open space areas within specific plan No. 2:
1. 
Trails. Trails shall be developed as shown on the approved exhibits of the adopted specific plan No. 2.
2. 
Only signage identifying trail direction and use restrictions will be permitted.
B. 
Private Open Space Development Regulations.
1. 
Structures shall not be allowed.
2. 
Fences and walls shall comply with the provisions of this code, with the exception that sound attenuation walls shall be constructed to a height as required by a city-approved noise study for the residential planned development permit.
C. 
Natural Open Space Development Regulations. The natural open space zone areas shall be reserved for visual open space and are planned to be part of a habitat conservation plan (HCP), as defined in the EIR document, Appendix J. These areas shall remain ungraded and shall not be developed, with the exception of roadway and infrastructure improvements necessary for the construction of Spring Road. The natural open space zone areas impacted by grading for Spring Road shall be recontoured and revegetated to the standards as defined in the design guidelines, Section 8, of specific plan No. 2. Subsequent revegetation and/or maintenance activities within the natural open space areas shall be limited to those activities, as prescribed in the HCP, Appendix J of the EIR. Terms and conditions of the final HCP as approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shall regulate NOS usage.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)
It is the intent of this section to provide standards to direct the development of public institutional uses within the specific plan No. 2 property, consistent with the specific plan land use plan designation for the school and park sites.
A. 
Public/Institutional Permitted Uses. For the purposes of this specific plan, all uses permitted in the specific plan No. 2 public institutional zone, are as specified in Tables 17.20.050 and 17.20.060 of this title for the institutional zone. A public elementary and secondary school are permitted uses in the specific plan No. 2 public institutional zone that do not require a permit from the city, because such uses are exempt from the city's zoning regulations.
B. 
Public/Institutional Site Development Standards. The following standards shall apply to private development only, and shall not be applicable to a public school or a public park within the specific plan No. 2 area:
1. 
Landscape Coverage. Landscape coverage shall be a minimum of 10% of the overall lot area and a minimum of 10% of any parking lot, pursuant to Section 17.32.100 of this code.
2. 
Minimum Setbacks.
a. 
From arterial roadways:
i. 
Front: 30 feet;
ii. 
Side: 10 feet.
b. 
Minimum setbacks from collectors and residential streets:
i. 
Front: 20 feet;
ii. 
Side: 10 feet.
c. 
From residential zones: 15 feet.
3. 
Maximum Structure Height. Maximum structure height shall be 35 feet or 45 feet with planning commission or city council conditional use permit approval.
4. 
Fences and Walls. Fences and walls shall comply with the provisions of this code, with the exception that sound attenuation walls shall be constructed to a height as required by a city-approved noise study for a conditional use permit.
5. 
Parking. Parking shall comply with Chapter 17.32 of this code.
6. 
Signage. Signage shall comply with Chapter 17.40 of this code.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)
A. 
Right-of-Way Reservation Areas. It is the intent of this section to provide standards to direct the development of right-of-way uses within the specific plan No. 2 property, consistent with the specific plan land use plan designation for State Routes 23 and 118 right-of-way reservation.
For the purposes of specific plan No. 2, right-of-way has been reserved for future State Routes 23 and 118 and/or interim bypass arterial roadways, as well as community arterials and collector streets, and no other uses are permitted within the right-of-way reservation areas.
B. 
Setbacks for Plugged, Abandoned Oil Wells.
1. 
Abandoned Once-Producing Oil Wells. Abandoned once-producing oil well setbacks will be required in addition to compliance with all procedures as outlined in the Construction Project Site Review and Well Abandonment Procedures document from the Department of Conservation Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources. The required setbacks are 10 feet from the abandoned once-producing oil well to the structure and/or property line, limited to any two adjacent sides of the well, and within 50 feet from the property line and/or structure on the third side of the well. The fourth side of the well will always have an open access.
2. 
Abandoned Nonproducing Oil Wells. Structures can be built over abandoned nonproducing oil wells provided that:
a. 
The nonproducing well will be re-abandoned using current standards;
b. 
Shall include a vent system as described in the Construction Project Site Review and Well Abandonment Procedures document from the Department of Conservation Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources.
C. 
Urban-Wildland Interface. All buildings and structures shall be constructed in accordance with the city's adopted building code and shall incorporate site planning criteria, landscaping and vegetation management techniques consistent with Chapter 8.0 of the adopted specific plan No. 2 and the Ventura County Fire Protection District's fire hazard reduction program. The project shall incorporate the recommended fuel modification plant materials as discussed in Section 8.3.4 of the adopted specific plan.
D. 
Hillside Management. All specific plan No. 2 development projects within hillside areas, as defined in Chapter 17.38 of this code, shall comply with all of the procedures, standards, and findings contained in Chapter 17.38, unless the city council determines that certain procedures, standards, and findings are not applicable to specific plan No. 2 development projects, consistent with the exemptions provisions contained in Section 17.38.030 of Chapter 17.38.
(Ord. 515 § 10, 2023)