Richmond’s Zoning Ordinance regulates land use and development within the City. The Zoning Ordinance covers several topics, including:
1. Land Use Categories: The Zoning Ordinance designates specific areas for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or mixed-use purposes, and what specific types of businesses and uses are allowed to be within Zoning District categories. The Zoning Ordinance also specifies what uses are allowed by right, require an use permit to operate, or are not allowed in a given Zoning District.
2. Building Density and Development Standards: The Zoning Ordinance set limits on the number of structures or units per area (density) and the scale of development (intensity), in addition to building height and how much of a lot can be covered by structures (lot coverage). There are also requirements for landscaping, open space, and specific development regulations for each Zoning District.
3. Setbacks and Yards: The Zoning Ordinance specifies how far structures must be from property lines, streets, and other buildings to ensure adequate space for safety, access, and aesthetics.
4. Design Review: The Zoning Ordinance establishes objectives, standards, and procedures for conducting design review for new development, except for some smaller, exempt projects. Design Review aims to promote high-quality, pedestrian-friendly, and sustainable design to ensure that new development and uses will be compatible with the existing and potential development of the surrounding area.
5. Parking Requirements: The Zoning Ordinance has provisions for the number of parking spaces that must be provided for various types of developments.
6. Signage: The Zoning Ordinance regulates the size, type, and placement of signs.
The Zoning Ordinance has provisions for specific uses and activities, general development regulations for buildings, accessory structures, wireless communication facilities, and performance standards for:
7. Special Uses and Variances: The Zoning Ordinance specifies special permits or variances for uses that don’t conform to standard zoning rules under certain conditions. In addition, the Zoning Ordinance sets regulations for performance standards, general site regulations, standards for specific uses and activities, wireless communication facilities, land divisions, dedications, and improvements, parcel maps and subdivisions, transfer and development rights, affordable housing policies, transportation demand management, and compliance of development with the California Environmental Quality Act.