Site plan review and approval shall apply to all zoned districts for any new development or redevelopment and any new construction, remodeling, alteration, relocation, rebuilding, or expansion of any building, dwelling, parking, storage lot, or developing any areas of the city. Development plans shall be submitted for the plan check process to obtain building permits after the approval of a site plan review by the director, the planning commission, or the city council.
A. Exemptions From Site Plan Review. The following types of applications are exempt from site plan review, but shall be subject to plan check and zoning clearance process:
1. Construction of accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) 800 square feet or less that otherwise complies with Government Code Section
65852.2(e). The provisions of Chapter
17.69 CMC shall apply.
3. Installation of small residential rooftop solar energy systems for single-family houses, two dwellings or duplex, within single-family zoning districts.
4. Installation of electric vehicle charging stations within residential zoning districts, subject to the provisions of Government Code Section
65850.7.
5. Windows and doors change out for existing single-family residential structures.
6. New or change out of existing ground-mounted air conditioning (AC) units for single-family residential structures.
7. Exterior additions to single-family residential structures comprising less than 25 percent of the square footage of the main or primary dwelling or up to 500 square feet, whichever is less.
8. Other minor exterior or interior improvements that the director deems to be similar in nature and intensity to the above criteria.
B. Director's Review for Minor Site Plan Review. The following types of applications are eligible as minor site plan review and are subject to director's review. Prior to approval of a minor site plan review application, the director shall make the findings that the project is consistent with the general plan, zoning code, applicable development standards of the applicable zoning district, specific plans and design guidelines.
1. Construction of an ADU, except where such review is contrary to Government Code Section
65852.2(e). The provisions of Chapter
17.69 CMC shall apply.
2. Exterior additions to single-family residential structures comprising 50 percent or more of the square footage of the main or primary dwelling, and conversion of garages to other uses, except conversion to an ADU and JADU.
3. Exterior and interior remodeling of main or primary dwelling.
4. Construction of up to four new single-family residential structures.
5. Construction of up to 10 multifamily units.
6. Minor renovations, alterations, and remodeling of multiple-family residential, commercial, and industrial buildings as follows:
a. Does not increase the total gross floor area by more than 10 percent or up to 2,000 square feet, whichever is less, for commercial, industrial or any nonresidential use.
b. Does not increase the parking requirement for a site by more than 15 percent or 10 parking stalls, whichever is less, for commercial, industrial, or any nonresidential use.
c. Does not increase the total gross floor area of all of the units (not including parking structure) by more than 10 percent; and providing further, that no additional residential units are created for multiple-family residential use.
7. The modification, resurfacing, and restriping of any existing parking or storage lot, provided there is no increase in the parking area or storage lot area and the design and layout of the lot is not changed.
8. Installation of electric vehicle charging stations within nonresidential districts.
9. Facade improvements or remodeling of existing standalone single parcel commercial building or nonresidential structure, or multiple buildings within commercial centers.
10. Conversion of a legal nonconforming residence to a nonresidential use within commercial or industrial zones that permits such use, unless otherwise specified (e.g., M-1 zone requires a CUP).
11. Changes to the approved final landscape and irrigation plans for existing multifamily complex, commercial, industrial, and nonresidential projects that affect the character or quantity of the plant material or irrigation system design.
12. Multifamily project processed under Government Code Section
65913.4 (SB 35).
13. Two-unit development and urban lot splits in single-family residential zone, subject to the provisions of CMC §
17.33.060.
14. Other development projects that the director determines are similar in nature and intensity to the above criteria, or otherwise required to be reviewed and approved administratively by law.
C. Planning Commission's Review for Major Site Plan Review. The following types of applications are eligible as major site plan review and are subject to planning commission review:
1. Construction of five or more single-family houses.
2. Construction of 11 or more multifamily units.
3. Any new commercial, industrial, and nonresidential development and construction.
4. Any exterior and interior remodeling, alteration, relocation, rebuilding, or expansion of commercial centers with multiple buildings, nonresidential buildings, multifamily residential complexes, parking or storage lots, or developing any city areas.
5. Any proposal exceeding the criteria for a minor site plan review application.
(Ord. 23-09 § 4, 2023)