La Mesa Municipal Code, Chapter 12 (Zoning)

Attractive nuisances dangerous to children, including but not limited to abandoned and broken equipment, iceboxes, refrigerators, and unprotected and/or hazardous pools, ponds and excavations are prohibited.

All building materials and architectural features shall be kept in good condition, both structurally and aesthetically. Awnings and other features constructed of materials subject to weathering and deterioration shall be replaced when they are worn, tattered, excessively faded, or otherwise in poor condition. All building and exterior finishes and architectural features shall be maintained to avoid the appearance of deterioration or disrepair from excessive weathering, paint chipping or peeling, excessive cracks, broken windows or doors, or other conditions that represent lack of proper property maintenance.

On site and offsite drainage shall be provided for and disposed of to the satisfaction of the city engineer.

All uses shall be conducted within enclosed buildings except those allowed in the approval of a site development plan as provided for in this chapter. Accessory roof equipment will be permitted only if it is housed within structures which are architecturally compatible with the design of the building and designed to screen their view from any person on the street or an adjacent site and to attenuate noise.

All fences and structures shall be kept in good condition.

Fire access, fire hydrants, water service, and other fire protection facilities shall be provided in accordance with current La Mesa fire standards.

All approved landscaped areas shall be properly maintained by regular watering, mowing, pruning, fertilizing, clearing of weeds and debris, the removal and replacement of dead or diseased plants and trees, and the repair and replacement of irrigation systems and integrated architectural features (i.e. fountains).

Occupancy of any dwelling shall be limited to the maximum number of persons it is safe for the dwelling to accommodate, as determined in the Building Code, Fire Code and public health codes.

All outdoor dining areas shall require a special permit to be reviewed and approved by the planning commission.

A plot plan shall be submitted for any application for a site development plan, variance, special permit, conditional use permit, group dwelling or apartment projects application. An approved plan shall be kept on file by the planning department for twelve months as a guide to city departments in the issuance of building permits for the project. If the project does not commence within the twelve-month period the planning department shall upon written request by the applicant retain such plans for an additional six-month period. In the event of a zone reclassification or an amendment of any city regulation which would affect the project, such plans shall be void.

Portable storage containers and detached storage structures are only permitted when authorized as part of a permanent structure subject to the appropriate site plan approval and building permits.

Building types commonly referred to as quonset huts or buildings resembling quonset huts shall not be permitted.

Whenever a structure or facility which has design features for special purpose uses such as automotive service stations or merchandise display, is changed in use to an occupancy not utilizing such features, such structure or facility shall be remodeled to remove each such feature. Such features include display windows, service windows, automotive service entrances and pump islands for fuel, fixed equipment and other single purpose uses.

The foregoing requirement shall not apply to (i) interior alterations of buildings involving one thousand two hundred square feet or less of existing area, (ii) swimming pools and accessories, or (iii) building additions or accessory structures that are one thousand two hundred square feet in area or less, (iv) fences, nonbuilding walls or retaining walls.

The city council may authorize the guarantee of such improvements if less than fifty percent of the frontage in the same block is not improved to the same standards.

If the building site has frontage on a public street which is substandard with respect to either width or improvements as prescribed in the Street Standards Resolution or General Plan, then land needed for widening of each such substandard street shall be granted to the city and needed street improvements specified in such resolution shall be made to the satisfaction of the city engineer. Such improvement shall include but is not limited to preparation of the street right-of-way by grading, removal of obstructions, construction of retaining walls, guardrails or other protective devices determined by the city engineer to be necessary, together with preparation of engineering plans for all improvements.

Temporary shade structures for parking or storage of vehicles, equipment, containers, merchandise or activities related to the operation of a business or permitted use are not permitted, except when the portable structure is less than one hundred square feet and used for permitted accessory activities such as outdoor employee eating areas.

All public utility services shall be underground.

All yards and other open spaces around buildings shall be kept free of waste, litter, junk, or storage of any material; provided, where outside storage is a permitted use or is a nonconforming use, such storage shall be done in an orderly manner. Packing boxes, lumber, litter, dirt and other debris accumulated in vestibules, doorways or the adjoining sidewalks or outside commercial buildings and visible from public or private streets shall be prohibited.

All driveways and parking areas shall be graded, hard surfaced, and maintained in accordance with standards established by the city council resolution.