Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards

Chapter 17.20 - Zoning Map

Chapter 17.21 - Development and Land Use Approval Requirements

Chapter 17.22 - Residential Zoning Districts

Chapter 17.24 - Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts

Chapter 17.26 - Special Purpose Zoning Districts

Chapter 17.28 - Overlay Zoning District

Chapter 17.29 - Hillside Overlay District

Chapter 17.20 - Zoning Map

Sections:

17.20.010 - Purpose of Chapter

This Chapter establishes the zoning districts applied to property within the City and adopts the City's Zoning Map.

17.20.020 - Zoning Map and Zoning Districts

The Council hereby adopts the City of Pasadena Zoning Map (hereafter referred to as the "Zoning Map") which is on file with the Department. The Zoning Map is hereby incorporated into this Zoning Code by reference as though it were fully included here.

1. Zoning districts established. The City of Pasadena shall be divided into zoning districts which implement the Pasadena General Plan.
   1. The primary zoning districts and overlay districts shown in Table 2-1 are hereby established, and shall be shown on the Zoning Map.
   2. The overlay districts may be combined with any primary zoning district as determined by Chapter 17.28 (Overlay Districts).
   3. The specific plan districts identify areas of the City where allowable land uses, land use permit requirements, and development standards are determined by the applicable specific plan, and are found either in Article 3 (Specific Plan Standards), or the specific plan document.
   4. The primary zoning districts may be shown on the Zoning Map together with letter or numerical suffixes to identify land use regulations and development standards applicable to specific sites. These suffixes may reference provisions of this Zoning Code that address any of the following topics:
      1. Residential units-per-acre, indicating permitted dwelling-unit densities exclusive of any bonuses; or
      2. CD or other specific plan area subdistricts, indicating applicable subdistrict regulations.
   5. The applicability of specific suffixes to specific zoning districts is determined by Chapters 17.22 (Residential Districts), 17.24 (Commercial and Industrial Districts), and 17.26 (Special Purpose Districts).

   Table 2-1 — Zoning Districts

   Zoning District Symbol	Zoning District Name	General Plan Land Use Classification Implemented by Zoning District
   Residential Districts
   RS-1 - RS-6	Single-Family Residential	Low-Density Residential
   RM-12	Multi-Family Residential - Two Units Per Lot	Low-Medium Density Residential
   RM-16	Multi-Family Residential - City of Gardens	Medium Density Residential
   RM-32	Multi-Family Residential - City of Gardens	Medium-High Density Residential
   RM-48	Multi-Family Residential - City of Gardens	High Density Residential
   Commercial and Industrial Districts
   CO	Commercial Office	General Commercial
   CL	Limited Commercial	Neighborhood Commercial
   CG	General Commercial	General Commercial
   IG	General Industrial	Industrial
   Special Purpose Districts
   OS	Open Space	Open Space
   PD	Planned Development	All
   PS	Public and Semi-Public	Institutional
   Overlay Districts
   AD	Alcohol Density	Commercial
   HD	Hillside Development	Residential
   HL	Height Limit	All
   HL-1	Height Limit	Multi-family Residential
   HH	Hospitality Home	Residential
   IS	Interim Study	All
   LD	Landmark	All
   ND	Neighborhood	Low Density Residential
   OC	Office Conversion	Multi-family Residential
   PK	Parking	Residential
   SS	Specialty Shop Overlay District	Residential
   Specific Plan Areas
   See Article 3 - Specific Plan Standards

2. Interpretation of zoning district boundaries. If there is uncertainty about the location of any zoning district boundary or other feature shown on the Zoning Map, the precise location of the boundary shall be determined by the Zoning Administrator.
   1. District boundaries shown as approximately following the property line of a lot shall be construed to follow the lot line.
   2. If a district boundary is not coterminous with a lot line, the location of the district boundary shall be determined by using the scale appearing on the zoning map, unless the boundary location is indicated by dimensions printed on the map.
   3. District boundaries shown as approximately following right-of-way lines of freeways, streets, alleys, railroads, or other identifiable boundary lines shall be construed to follow such right of way or boundary lines.
   4. District boundaries shown as lying within right-of-way lines of freeways, streets, alleys, railroads, or other identifiable boundary lines shall be construed to follow the centerline of such right-of-way or boundary lines.

Chapter 17.21 - Development and Land Use Approval Requirements

Sections:

17.21.010 - Purpose of Chapter

This Chapter describes the City's requirements for the approval of proposed development and new land uses. The permit requirements established by this Zoning Code for specific land uses are in Chapters 17.22 through 17.26.

17.21.020 - General Requirements for Development and New Land Uses

All land uses and structures shall be established, constructed, reconstructed, altered, or replaced in compliance with the following requirements.

1. Allowable land uses. The land use shall be allowed by this Zoning Code in the zoning district applied to the site. The basis for determining whether a use is allowable is described in Section 17.21.030 (Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements).
2. Permit and approval requirements. Any land use permit or other approval required by Section 17.21.030 (Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements) shall be obtained before the proposed use is constructed, otherwise established or put into operation.
3. Development standards, conditions of approval. Land uses and structures shall comply with the development standards of this Chapter, the provisions of Article 3 (Site Planning and General Development Standards), and any applicable conditions imposed by a previously granted land use permit.
4. Legal parcel. The proposed site shall be a parcel that was legally created in compliance with the Subdivision Map Act and the City's Subdivision Ordinance.

17.21.030 - Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements

1. Allowable land uses. The uses of land allowed by this Zoning Code in each zoning district are listed in Tables 2-2, 2-5, and 2-7, together with the type of land use permit required for each use.
   1. Uses not listed. Land uses that are not listed in tables or are not shown in a particular zoning district are not allowed, except as otherwise provided in Subsection A.2.
   2. Similar uses may be allowed. The Zoning Administrator may determine that a proposed use not listed in this Article is allowable if all of the following findings are made:
      1. The characteristics of, and activities associated with the proposed use are equivalent to one or more of the listed uses, and will not involve a higher level of activity or population density than the uses listed in the district;
      2. The proposed use will be consistent with the purposes of the applicable zoning district; and
      3. The proposed use will be consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan.
   3. Applicable standards and permit requirements. When the Zoning Administrator determines that a proposed, but unlisted, use is equivalent to a listed use, the proposed use will be treated in the same manner as the listed use in determining where it is allowed, what permits are required, and what other standards and requirements of this Zoning Code apply.
   4. Commission determination. The Zoning Administrator may forward questions about equivalent uses directly to the Commission for a determination at a public meeting.
2. Permit requirements. Tables 2-2, 2-5, and 2-7 provide for land uses that are:
   1. Permitted subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of this Zoning Code, subject to first obtaining a Code Compliance Certificate ( Section 17.61.020 ). These are shown as "P" uses in the tables;
   2. Allowed subject to the approval of a Minor Conditional Use Permit ( Section 17.61.050 ) and shown as "MC" uses in the tables;
   3. Allowed subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit ( Section 17.61.050 ) and shown as "C" uses in the tables;
   4. Allowed subject to the approval of an Expressive Use Permit ( Section 17.61.060 ) and shown as "E" uses in the tables; and
   5. Allowed subject to the approval of a Temporary Use Permit ( Section 17.61.040 ) and shown as "TC" uses in the tables. Note: any land use authorized through land use permit approval may also require Design Review ( Section 17.61.030 ), a Building Permit, or other permit required by the Municipal Code.

Chapter 17.22 - Residential Zoning Districts

Sections:

17.22.010 - Purpose of Chapter

This Chapter lists the land uses that may be allowed within the residential zoning districts established by Section 17.20.020 (Zoning Map), determines the type of land use permit/approval required for each use, and provides basic standards for site layout and building size.

17.22.020 - Purpose and Applicability of Residential Zoning Districts

1. General purposes. In addition to the purposes of this Zoning Code listed in Chapter 17.10, the general purposes of residential district regulations are to:
   1. Provide an adequate supply and range of housing types and prices that will accommodate the City's future population growth;
   2. Promote the development of affordable housing by providing a density bonus;
   3. Protect single-family residential neighborhoods from fires, explosions, toxic fumes and substances, and other public safety hazards;
   4. Provide a physical environment that contributes to and enhances the quality of life;
   5. Provide appropriate sites for public and semi-public land uses needed to complement residential development or requiring a residential environment;
   6. Ensure the provision of public services and facilities needed to accommodate planned population densities.
2. Purposes of specific districts. The purposes of the specific residential zoning districts are as follows.
   1. Single-Family Residential (RS) districts. The purposes of the RS zoning districts are to:
      1. Provide appropriately located areas for single-family residential neighborhoods that are consistent with and implement the Single-Family Residential land use designation of the General Plan, and that are consistent with the standards of public health and safety established by this Zoning Code; and
      2. Ensure adequate light, air, privacy, and open space for each dwelling, and protect residents from the harmful effects of excessive noise, population density, traffic congestion, and other adverse environmental effects.

         The designation of property in the RS zoning district shall include the Zoning Map showing a numerical suffix to the RS map symbol (e.g., "RS-2") which shall note the maximum number of dwelling units allowed per acre of site area.

   2. Multi-Family Residential, Two Units Per Lot (RM-12) district. The purposes of the RM-12 zoning district are to:
      1. Provide appropriately located areas for low-medium density residential neighborhoods that are consistent with and implement the Low-Medium Density Residential land use designation of the General Plan, and with the standards of public health and safety established by this Zoning Code; and
      2. Ensure adequate light, air, privacy, and open space for the construction of two units on a lot.
   3. Multi-Family Residential, City of Gardens (RM-16, RM-32, and RM-48) district. The purposes of the RM-16, RM-32, and RM-48 zoning districts are to:
      1. Provide appropriately located areas for medium and high density residential neighborhoods that are consistent with and implement the Medium Density, Medium-High Density, and High Density Residential, land use designations of the General Plan, and with the standards of public health and safety established by this Zoning Code;
      2. Promote multiple-family residential developments having maximum economic life and stability;
      3. Integrate the street and the site visually and functionally as a total environment;
      4. Achieve an appropriate level of design quality consistent with or better than the surrounding neighborhood and the price range of the development;
      5. Relate new development to the existing environment in scale, material, and character so that Pasadena's inherent human scale, visual, and functional diversity may be maintained and enhanced; and
      6. Restrict alterations to the existing grade, except for minor grading for landscaping purposes and for subterranean parking.

17.22.030 - Residential District Land Uses and Permit Requirements

1. Permit requirements. Table 2-2 identifies the uses of land allowed by this Zoning Code in each residential zoning district, and the land use permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section 17.21.030 (Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements). The following land use permit requirements are established by Table 2-2.

   Symbol	Permit Requirement	Procedure is in Section:
   P	Permitted use, Code Compliance Certificate required	17.61.020
   MC	Conditional use, Minor Conditional Use Permit required.	17.61.050
   C	Conditional use, Conditional Use Permit required.	17.61.050
   E	Conditional use, Expressive Use Permit required.	17.61.060
   TUP	Temporary use, Temporary Use Permit required.	17.61.040
   —	Use not allowed. (See Section 17.21.030.A regarding uses not listed.)

2. Standards for specific land uses. Where the last column in the tables ("Specific Use Standards") includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use in addition to all other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code. Principal and accessory structures shall meet the same development standards unless otherwise modified in this Zoning Ordinance.

Table 2-2 — Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Residential Zoning Districts

17.22.040 - Residential District General Development Standards

Subdivisions, new land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures, shall be designed, constructed, and established in compliance with the requirements in Tables 2-3 and 2-4, in addition those in Section 17.22.050 (RS and RM-12 District Additional Development Standards), and the applicable standards (e.g., landscaping, parking and loading, etc.) in Article 3 (Site Planning and General Development Standards).

Table 2-3 — RS and RM-12 Residential District Development Standards

17.22.050 - RS and RM-12 District Additional Development Standards

1. Front-yard setback measurement. The minimum front yard setback in the RS and RM-12 zoning districts shall be as follows. See also 17.40.160 (Setback Measurement and Encroachment Plane requirements and Exceptions).
   1. Where 40 percent or more of the lots on a blockface in the same zoning district (excluding corner yards of reversed corner lots) are developed with primary structures, the minimum front setback shall be the average of the front setbacks of the developed lots, but not less than 25 feet. In calculating the blockface average, measurement shall be from the front property line to the primary structure. Building projections and unenclosed porches shall not be used as the reference point for this measurement.
   2. Where less than 40 percent of the lots on a blockface within the same zoning district (excluding corner yards or reversed corner lots) are developed with primary structures, the minimum front setback shall be 25 feet.
   3. For blockfaces with five or fewer lots between two reversed corner lots, the minimum front setback shall be the larger required corner yard of the reversed corner lots. See Section 17.40.150 for allowed projections into front-yard setbacks.
2. Garage and carport requirements for all districts.
   1. Garages. A garage proposed on a blockface where 50 percent or more of the existing garages are located behind the primary structure shall also be located behind the primary structure. If the garage is required to be located to the rear of the primary structure and is attached, the garage shall be located so that the garage door is not visible from the street and the garage shall be the closest portion of the structure to the rear property line. See 17.50.250.H for additional requirements for attached garages. This requirement shall not apply within the HD (Hillside Development) overlay zone. A garage on a corner lot in which the garage doors faces the street shall be located a minimum of 18 feet from a street property line.
   2. Carports. Carports shall be completely screened from view from the street and shall be located between the primary structure and the rear property line, so as to not be within the view down the driveway from the street. A carport shall not be permitted on a corner lot.
   3. Exception to maximum floor area requirement. The maximum floor area requirement in Section 17.22.040, Table 2-3, may be exceeded to accommodate the reconstruction of a garage that previously existed on the site, but only to the extent of the floor area necessary for a two-car garage in compliance with the parking space dimension requirements of Section 17.46.110 (Parking Space Dimensions).
3. Restoration of a porte cochère. A porte cochère may be rebuilt or restored if evidence is provided to the City that the residence originally had a porte cochèce. The porte cochère shall meet all building requirements. The Historic Preservation Commission shall review such requests in landmark districts or for designated landmarks. The Zoning Administrator shall review all other such requests.
4. Flagpoles. A flagpole can be constructed if it meets the following requirements.
   1. The flagpole shall be located outside a required setback area. Flagpoles are allowed in front of a residence if located outside the required front setback.
   2. The maximum height of the flagpole shall be the maximum height allowed for the principal structure.
   3. The flagpole shall not be located in an encroachment plane.

17.22.060 - RM District General Development Standards

Subdivisions, new land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures, shall be designed, constructed, and established in compliance with the requirements in Table 2-4, in addition to those in Section 17.22.070 (RM District Additional Development Standards), 17.22.080 (RM District Garden Requirements), and the applicable standards (e.g., landscaping, parking and loading, etc.) in Article 3 (Site Planning and General Development Standards). Principal and accessory structures shall meet the development standards unless otherwise modified in this Zoning Ordinance. These standards are commonly known as the City of Gardens standards.

Table 2-4 — Multi-Family Residential District Development Standards