Table of Contents

active transportation

The city’s zoning code defines all types of parking in a single section, including long-term bicycle parking and storage (§20.90.050), and then sets all of the requirements by use in a single table (§20.090.060). 

The city’s zoning code includes pedestrian-oriented zoning districts, as well as Main Street sub-districts that are specifically delineated in the general plan (§20.75.010). The pedestrian-oriented zoning districts are not overlay districts, so the code includes the full suite of development, use, and miscellaneous regulations, as well as performance standards. Regulations include façade transparency, no drive-through uses, etc.

Affordable Housing Programs

The city’s codified ordinances include several affordable housing policies. Chapter 5.08 lays out the city’s mandatory inclusionary housing program, which includes incentives for providing all the required inclusionary units on-site. Chapter 5.09 sets standards for the design and operation of emergency bridge housing to serve the city’s unsheltered population. Chapter 20.190 outlines affordable housing density bonuses and incentives, including reduced parking space and setback area requirements. Chapter 20.80, Part 3.75 discusses the city’s approach to co-living communities, including the criteria for approval of a special use permit.

Built Environment and Health

The city’s zoning code sets permitting standards for outdoor vending facilities (Chapter 20.80, Part 10) and farmers’ markets (Chapter 20.80, Part 3.5). Outdoor vending facilities that sell uncut, fresh produce and small certified farmers’ markets are not required to obtain an administrative or development permit, while general certified farmers’ markets are.

Group Housing

The city's zoning code defines "residential care facility" as a state-licensed facility where care, services, or treatment is provided to persons living in a community residential setting (§20.200.1010). "Supportive housing" is regulated in the same way as a residential care facility (§20.200.1265).

 Residential care or service facilities with 6 or fewer persons are permitted by right in all residential districts; facilities for 7 or more are conditional uses in multifamily, commercial, and downtown districts (§20.30.100, Table 20-50; §20.40.100, Table 20-90; §20.40.100, Table 20-140). In a planned development, any land zoned for one- or two-family dwellings or multifamily residential may be used for a residential care facility for 6 or fewer persons; any land zoned for multifamily dwellings may be also used for residential care facilities for more than 6 persons with a planned development permit (§20.60.070).

Shared Mobility

The city’s codified ordinance contains regulations that address shared micromobility, carsharing services, and parking standards for ridesharing and carsharing vehicles. 

Its vehicle and traffic code creates a permit program to facilitate the use and operation of shared micromobility services (§11.92). It presents the application process and fees for shared micromobility operators (§11.92.100), and it authorizes the director of transportation to define the minimum and maximum number of devices to operate within a specified geographic area and citywide (§11.92.130). The code also establishes a shared mobility program under which one-way shared vehicles may park in metered and unmetered spaces allowed for up to two (2) hours (§11.93). 

The zoning code requires non-residential developments to provide parking spaces for ridesharing vehicles (§20.90.060) and determines the number of required parking spaces on table 20.215. It authorizes reducing off-street parking requirements by more than twenty (20) percent if project proposals implement ridesharing programs (§20.90.220.A).  

solar energy

According to the city's zoning code, solar installations are permitted in all zoning districts (Tables 20-30, 20-50, 20-90, 20-110, 20-140, and 20-156). Solar PV systems installed on landmarks or in historic districts in compliance with zoning Secretary of the Interior standards do not require a historic preservation permit (§13.48.210.B).