DC 2.1.1 — Rules of Construction
Words and phrases used in this Development Code shall be construed according to their common and approved usage unless defined in this chapter. Where a term is defined both here and in Chapter 1.02 of the Municipal Code, the definition in this chapter shall control for purposes of this Development Code.
A
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
An attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. Includes studio, one-bedroom, or larger units as defined in Government Code § 65852.2.
Accessory Structure
A structure that is subordinate to, and the use of which is incidental to, the use of the main structure on the same lot. Examples include detached garages, sheds, workshops, and pool houses.
Agricultural Use
The cultivation of land; the production of field crops, vegetable crops, fruit and nut crops, horticultural specialties, flowers, and other food, feed, or fiber crops; the raising, breeding, or keeping of livestock; and other uses customarily related to agricultural operations.
B
Building
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of any person, animal, or property.
Building Height
The vertical distance from the finished grade at the base of the building to the highest point of the roof or parapet wall, measured at the midpoint of the building frontage. Chimneys, mechanical equipment enclosures, and similar appurtenances not exceeding four (4) feet in height are excluded.
Building Setback
The required minimum horizontal distance between a building or structure and a lot line, right-of-way, or other specified feature.
C
Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
A discretionary permit that authorizes a use that is potentially compatible with uses allowed in a zoning district but requires individual review to ensure that specific design or operational conditions are met to minimize impacts on surrounding properties.
Conditional Use
A land use that may be permitted in a zoning district with the approval of a Conditional Use Permit, subject to findings and conditions designed to make the use compatible with the surrounding area.
Cutoff Lighting
Outdoor lighting fixtures designed and installed so that all light is emitted below the horizontal plane of the fixture, preventing upward light spillage.
D
Density
The number of dwelling units per unit of land area, typically expressed as dwelling units per acre (du/ac).
Density Bonus
An increase in the permitted number of residential units above the base density, granted pursuant to Government Code §§ 65915–65918 in exchange for the provision of affordable housing units.
Development
Any project requiring a permit, entitlement, or approval under this Code, including but not limited to the construction or reconstruction of any building, structure, or improvement; grading or earthwork; and changes of use that require a new or modified permit.
Dwelling Unit
A room or group of internally connected rooms that have sleeping, cooking, eating, and sanitation facilities that constitute an independent housekeeping unit, occupied or intended for occupancy by one household on a long-term basis.
E
Easement
A right granted by a property owner to another party to use a portion of the owner's property for a specific purpose, such as access, drainage, utilities, or conservation.
Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
A detailed analysis of the potential significant environmental effects of a proposed project, prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines (14 CCR §§ 15000 et seq.).
F
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
The ratio of total floor area of a building to the area of the lot on which it is located. A FAR of 1.0 means the total floor area equals the lot area. FAR is used to regulate the mass and intensity of development.
Frontage
The portion of a lot that abuts a street, measured along the property line adjacent to the street right-of-way.
G
General Plan
The McLainberg General Plan, adopted April 15, 2020, and as subsequently amended, which constitutes the long-term policy document guiding the physical development of the City.
Grade, Finished
The final elevation of the ground surface after the completion of all grading and site work required by an approved grading plan or building permit.
Grade, Natural
The elevation of the natural terrain in its original, undisturbed state prior to any grading or site preparation.
H
Home Occupation
A commercial activity carried out by a resident in the resident's dwelling unit that is secondary and incidental to the residential use and meets the standards of Chapter 4.06 of this Code.
Housing Accountability Act
Government Code § 65589.5, which limits the ability of local agencies to deny, reduce the density of, or make infeasible housing development projects that comply with objective development standards.
L
Landscaping
Live plant material, including trees, shrubs, groundcover, and turf, together with decorative features such as mulch, boulders, and hardscape, installed and maintained as required by Chapter 5 of this Code and the McLainberg Landscape Standards.
Lot
A legally created parcel of land having defined boundaries that is capable of being separately sold, transferred, or encumbered.
Lot Coverage
The percentage of a lot's area covered by buildings, structures, and impervious surfaces, excluding driveways and walkways up to six (6) feet in width.
M
Mixed Use
Development that combines residential and non-residential uses in a single building or on a single lot, where the uses are physically and functionally integrated.
N
Nonconforming Structure
A legally established building or structure that does not conform to the development standards of the zoning district in which it is located, due to the adoption of this Code or a subsequent amendment thereto.
Nonconforming Use
A legally established land use that is not permitted in the zoning district in which it is located, due to the adoption of this Code or a subsequent amendment thereto.
O
Objective Development Standard
A development standard that involves no personal or subjective judgment by a public official, and is uniformly verifiable by reference to an external and uniform benchmark or criterion available and knowable by both the developer and the public official prior to submittal, as used in Government Code § 65913.4.
P
Parcel Map
A recorded map dividing land into four (4) or fewer parcels, processed in accordance with the Subdivision Map Act and Chapter 6 of this Code.
Permitted Use
A land use that is allowed by right in a zoning district subject only to the general development standards of this Code and any applicable ministerial permits, and that does not require discretionary review.
Planning Director
The Director of the Community Development Department, or their designee, responsible for administering this Development Code.
R
Riparian Corridor
The land area adjacent to a stream, river, or other water body that supports vegetation adapted to periodic flooding and high moisture conditions, as mapped in the McLainberg General Plan and identified by biological survey.
S
Sign
Any display, notice, device, structure, or object visible from a public right-of-way that is designed or intended to attract attention or communicate information.
Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)
The land area subject to inundation by the base flood (100-year flood), as delineated on the current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Story
That portion of a building included between the finished floor surface and the ceiling or floor surface above. A basement is a story if more than fifty percent (50%) of its height is above the finished grade level.
Structure
Anything constructed or erected with a fixed location on the ground, or attached to something having a fixed location on the ground. Includes buildings, walls, fences, signs, and equipment foundations. Excludes sidewalks, driveways, patios at grade level, and similar ground-level improvements.
T
Tentative Map
A map prepared in compliance with the Subdivision Map Act and Chapter 6 of this Code that shows the design and layout of a proposed subdivision of land into five or more parcels, subject to Planning Commission approval.
U
Use
The purpose or activity for which land or a structure is designed, arranged, or intended, or for which it is occupied or maintained.
V
Variance
A discretionary approval that allows deviation from the development standards of this Code based on unique physical characteristics of a property and specific findings required by Chapter 10.
Y
Yard, Front
The area between the front lot line and the front building setback line, extending across the full width of the lot.
Yard, Rear
The area between the rear lot line and the rear building setback line, extending across the full width of the lot.
Yard, Side
The area between the side lot line and the side building setback line, extending from the front yard to the rear yard.
Z
Zoning District
A mapped area of the City within which uniform regulations and standards govern the use and development of land and buildings, as established in Chapter 3 of this Code and shown on the Official Zoning Map.