Dan Fitzpatrick, THIA President reports great news from California City, CA Tiny units permitted on single-family lots!!
Statement From Dan Fitzpatrick, President Of THIA
California City, City Council, approved Tiny Homes as units that can be placed on foundations on single-family lots in designated areas of the city. The chief building official will accept movable tiny homes that meet the requirements of the ordinance if placed on a city-approved foundation and provisions made for water and sewer. All such units must have fire sprinklers and must be at least 200 sq. ft. in size.
The Tiny Home Industry Association (THIA) has spent many months working with city officials on this tiny friendly ordinance. We are very pleased with the city’s approval.
July 28th, 2020 City Of California City, California City Council Meeting
ORDINANCE NO. NO 20-779
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA CITY, CALIFORNIA ADDING A NEW ARTICLE 24.5 TO TITLE 9, CHAPTER 2 – ZONING OF THE CITY MUNICIPAL CODE TO CREATE AN OVERLAY ZONE FOR SMALL HOMES IN
SPECIFIED TRACTS WITHIN THE CITY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CALIFORNIA CITY DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: FINDINGS.
- The purpose of this ordinance is to further the goals of the City’s Housing Element to
provide additional non-traditional housing opportunities in the City and to stimulate
development of underutilized properties in the City.
- The uses allowed by the proposed Residential Small Overlay Zoning Ordinance
Amendment are consistent with and implement the goals and policies of the City’s
General Plan.
- The proposed zoning overlay is compatible with the land uses existing and permitted on
the properties in the vicinity.
- The overlay zone district area is physically suited to the uses authorized in the proposed
zoning.
- The uses and intensity allowed and regulated by the proposed Automotive Overlay Zone
Ordinance Amendment is not likely to create serious health problems or create
nuisances on properties in the vicinity.
- This project meets the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), guidelines, and the
City’s environmental procedures, and is determined to be exempt pursuant to Section
15061 (b) (3) of the CEQA Guidelines, in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no
possibility that the proposed amendment to the Zoning Code will have a significant effect
on the environment because smaller homes will have less potential for environmental
impacts than the approved existing uses allowed by the current zoning.
SECTION 2: Chapter 2 of Title 9 of the California City Municipal Code is hereby amended to add a new Article 24.5 titled Residential Small Homes Overlay Zone as follows:
Article 24.5 Residential Small Homes Overlay Zone
Sec. 9-2.2450. – Purpose.
The Residential Small Home (R-SHO) Overlay Zone District is established to provide
affordable housing options in specified tracts within the City by permitting homes smaller in size than the current City minimum square footage of 1200 square feet of living area, and shall be used for independent living quarters, designed as a permanent, year-round residence.
Sec. 9-2.2451. – Location.
The Residential Small Home Overlay Zone shall include City Tract Numbers 2528, 2898, 2812, 2404, 2630, 2223, 3061, 3062, and 3198.
Sec. 9-2.2452. – Applicability of the R-SHO Overlay Zoning District
The provisions of this Article 24.5 apply to proposed land uses and development in
addition to all other applicable requirements of this Zoning Code. If there is a conflict
between the provisions of this Article and any other provision of this Zoning Code the
specific provisions of this Article shall take precedence and control.
(b) Allowed land uses, permit requirements, development standards. Except as may
be otherwise provided by this Article:
(1) Any land use normally allowed in the primary zoning district by Title 9,
Chapter 2 may be allowed within this overlay district, subject to any additional
requirements of this overlay district;
(2) Development within the R-SHO overlay district shall obtain the zoning
approvals required by Title 9, Chapter 2 for the primary zoning district; and
(3) Development within this overlay district shall comply with all applicable
development standards of the primary zoning district, all other applicable
provisions of this Zoning Code, and the City’s Design Guidelines for Small
Homes.
(4) Small Homes and Tiny Homes shall substantially conform to the approved
Small and Tiny Homes Design Guidelines, as amended from time to time.
Sec. 9-2.2453. – Permitted Uses.
(a) Tiny Home between 200 sq. ft to 500 sq. ft.
(b) Smaller Home between 500 sq. ft. to 1,200 sq. ft.
(c) All uses permitted in the underlying zone
Sec. 9-2.2454. – Conditional Uses.
(a) All conditional uses permitted in the underlying zone.
(b) Swimming Pools
(c) Community and recreation centers
(d) Parks
(e) Garages, Covered Parking Structures, and Accessory Buildings larger than 400
S.F. in size.
Sec. 9-2.2455. – Site and Structure Requirements.
(a) The minimum lot area in the R-SHO District is 6,000 square feet.
(b) Setbacks shall be the same as those of the underlying residential zone.
(c) Garages, Covered Parking Structures, and Accessory Buildings shall be no larger
than 400 S.F. when constructed on a lot where the primary building is a Tiny Home
or Small Home.
(d) Tiny Homes and Smaller Homes shall be connected to water supply source,
sewer/septic, and electric utilities or solar with battery backup.
(e) Tiny Homes and Smaller Homes are not required to have covered parking.
(f) Tiny Homes and Smaller Homes are required to have sprinklers and sufficient water
supply for fire protection.
(g) Mechanical equipment shall be incorporated into the structure and not located on
the roof.
(h) Tiny Homes and Smaller Homes must comply with all applicable State and Local
(a) Mapping of overlay district. The applicability of this overlay zoning district to a specific
site shall be shown on the City Zoning Map.
Codes and Regulations.
(i) For each dwelling unit, the occupant may keep for personal use not more than three
(3) generally accepted household pets, such as dogs, cats, small caged birds, and
rabbits. Such household pets shall be restrained from doing anything which may be
or become an annoyance or nuisance to neighbors or to the neighborhood. No
raising, breeding, boarding or kenneling of dogs, cats, small caged birds, or rabbits
is permitted. Fish may be kept in aquariums without numerical limit. No birdcage
or aviary shall be located outside the structures and within twenty (20) ft. from lot
lines or within one hundred (100) feet of a place where food products are stored,
manufactured, or consumed by the public.
(j) All Small Homes must be placed on a permanent foundation and all undercarriage,
foundation system, and external elements below the finished floor shall be
screened or constructed with architectural elements that complement the main
structure.
(k) Tiny Homes shall have a minimum of four (4) of the following design features:
(1) Upgraded entry feature, such as transom or side windows around an exterior
door;
(2) Exterior accessories, such as permanent shutters, or fixed sunshade
devices, or gutters/downspouts;
(3) Pitched roofline (4:12 pitch or steeper);
(4) Dormers;
(5) Premanufactured skylights;
(6) Built-on porch or deck;
(7) Exterior residential light sconces or downcans; or
(8) Other features as otherwise approved by the City Planner.
(9) The provision of more than one item within the same category of design
features may be counted independently towards the overall minimum
requirements (e.g., including both a sunshade and shutters).
Section 9-2.2456 Definitions
(a) “Tiny Home” – A residential structure between 200 to 500 square feet of living area
under roof installed on a permanent foundation, intended for independent living
quarters, designed as a permanent, year-round residence for one household that
meets these following conditions:
(1) Has at least 200 square feet of first-floor interior living space;
(2) Materials used as an exterior wall covering shall as set forth in the Small and
Tiny Homes Design Guidelines;
(3) Windows shall be at least double pane glass and labeled for building use,
and shall include exterior trim;
(4) Insulation with values of at least R19 for the walls, R38 for ceilings, and R19
(for the floors if on a raised foundation).
(b) “Small Home” – A residential structure larger than 500 square feet of living area
under roof, however, less than 1200 square feet installed on a permanent
foundation, intended for independent living quarters, designed as a permanent,
year-round residence for one household that also meets the construction
requirements set forth for Tiny Homes above.
SECTION 3: A Small and Tiny Homes Design Guidelines document shall be prepared to be approved by Resolution of the City Council without a recommendation from the Planning Commission.
SECTION 4: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION. The project has been reviewed for
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the CEQA guidelines, and the City’s environmental procedures, and has been found to be exempt pursuant to Section 15061 (b) (3) (general rule) of the CEQA Guidelines, in that the City Council hereby finds that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the passage of this ordinance amending the zoning code will have a significant effect on the environment because smaller homes will have less potential for environmental impacts than the approved existing uses allowed by the current zoning.
SECTION 5: INCONSISTENCIES. Any provision of the California City Municipal Code or appendices there to inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance, to the extent of such inconsistencies and or further, is hereby repealed or modified to the extent necessary to affect the provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION 6: SEVERABILITY. If any provision or clause of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or clauses or applications of this ordinance which can be implemented without the invalid provision, clause or application; and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable.
SECTION 7: PUBLICATION. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force thirty
(30) days from and after the passage thereof, and prior to the expiration of fifteen (15) days from its passage shall be published once in the Mojave Desert News, a newspaper of general circulation, printed and published in the City of California City or, in the alternative, the City Clerk may cause to be published a summary of this Ordinance and a certified copy of the text of this Ordinance shall be posted in the office of the City Clerk five (5) days prior to the date of adoption of this Ordinance, and within fifteen (15) days after adoption, the City Clerk shall cause to be published the aforementioned summary and shall post in the office of the City Clerk a certified copy of this Ordinance together with the names and member of the City Council voting for and against the same.
Approved for introduction at a regular meeting on the July 28, 2020, and adopted at
the regular meeting on August 11, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 11th day of August 2020.
Charles McGuire,
Mayor of the City of California City
The City Of California, California Ordinance
California City ORDINANCE NO-1
Cal City Council Talks Tiny Homes, IDs Tracts August 3rd, 2020
CALIFORNIA CITY — The California City city council identified potential empty residential tracts for future construction of “tiny homes” or small homes when it approved a first reading of a tiny homes ordinance.
The public hearing was continued from a previous council meeting due in part to time constraints from the previous meeting. The council voted 3-2 to approve the ordinance, with Mayor Pro Tem Don Parris and Councilmember Bill Smith dissenting.
Article Source: Mojave Desert News
Related: Tiny House Concept Comes to To Cal City: 12/12/2018
CALIFORNIA CITY — Last Wednesday California City had a unique visitor stop by to espouse the virtues and possible profits from the nascent concept of “tiny houses,” those being dwellings with 400 square feet or less of living space, usually made of wood and all the rage in modern housing concepts and on television.
Daniel R. Fitzpatrick, Director of Government Relations and Advocacy for The American Tiny House Association, stopped by to explain to our planning commission and assembled citizens the concept in its entirety at Scout Island last Wednesday. He explained that the scope of the workshop was to disseminate information on tiny houses and movable tiny houses, and how communities around California are embracing tiny houses for affordable housing, disaster relief, and workforce housing. In particular, tiny houses (houses under 400 square feet) were discussed as accessory dwelling units (granny flats) and workforce housing, especially for industry-specific labor needs.
About City Of California City
California City, abbreviated as Cal City, is a city incorporated in 1965 located in the northern Antelope Valley in Kern County, California, United States, 100 miles (160 km) north of the city of Los Angeles. The population was 14,120 at the 2010 census. Covering 203.63 square miles (527.4 km2), California City is known for having the third-largest land area of any city in the state of California. It was a master-planned community, created in the post-World War II boom years with grand aspirations, that failed to grow and fill the lots, blocks, and streets that were laid out in the remote Mojave desert.
Much of the workforce of Edwards Air Force Base, which is located 18 miles (29 km) southeast of the city, is made up of city residents. Other major sources of employment include California City Correctional Center (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation); Mojave Air and Space Port and its flight test operations; and the Hyundai/Kia Proving Grounds located in the rural southwestern part of the city. California City has a PGA golf course, one prison, one municipal airport, and was home to the California City Whiptails, a now-defunct professional independent baseball league team associated with the Pecos League.