SRA
Dimensional standards
Height & bulk
Slope & grading
- Slope regulation triggers at
- 15%
Servicing
- Applies near
- Scenic Routes
- Applies within
- 200 ft
- Geographic extent
- Scenic Resource Areas as identified on Map 3 of the LUP, including property within 200 feet of Scenic Routes, Significant Ridgelines, and other scenic features.
Extracted standards
36 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Fencing & walls
- Fence, gate, and wall design
Fences, gates, and walls shall minimize impacts to public views of scenic areas, and shall be compatible with the character of the area... shall not present the appearance of a bare wall.
- Permitted fence types
Only wood, wire, or wrought-iron style or similar open-type fences shall be permitted.
- Solid fence prohibition along Scenic Routes
Solid fences and walls, except for retaining walls, shall be prohibited along the frontage of a Scenic Route.
Grading
- GradingGrading (cut & fill)Reshaping land by removing earth (cut) or adding it (fill), often capped by volume. minimization
Alteration of natural landforms shall be minimized by conforming to natural topography and using contour grading.
- Maximum graded slope heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.15 ft
A graded slope shall not exceed a height of 15 feet.
- Maximum retaining wall heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.6 ft
Retaining walls shall not exceed six feet in height.
- Minimum separation between retaining walls3 ft
Where more than one retaining wall is necessary, they shall be separated by a minimum three-foot horizontal distance.
- Slope percentage triggering split-level pads15 pct
Graded pads on hillsides having a natural slope of 15 percent or more shall be split-level or stepped pad designs.
Height
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for structures on other ridgelines18 ft
Where there are no feasible alternative building sites below the ridgeline... structures shall be limited to 18 feet in height.
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for varianceVariancePermission to depart from a specific dimensional rule, granted on a showing of hardship. on infeasible sites18 ft
The proposed development is limited to 18 feet in height above existing or finished grade (whichever is lower).
Landscaping & trees
- Landscaping view obstruction prohibition
Trees, shrubs, flowers, and other landscaping that form a hedge or similar barrier serving the purpose of a wall shall not be placed so that they obscure views from Scenic Routes...
- Native tree preservation
Preserve and, where feasible, restore and enhance individual native trees and native tree communities...
Lighting
- Outdoor lighting night sky preservation
Outdoor lighting shall preserve the visibility of the natural night sky and stars, to the extent feasible and consistent with public safety.
Other
- Access road paving
All new access roads shall be paved with colored concrete to blend with the natural soil. The length of roads or driveways shall be minimized... Driveway slopes shall be designed to follow the natural topography...
- Prohibition on adverse impacts to views
Development that would adversely impact public views to the ocean, parks, and scenic resources is prohibited.
- Avoidance of impacts preferred
Avoidance of impacts to scenic resources through site selection and design alternatives is the preferred method over landscape or building material screening.
- Clustering development
Large areas of natural open space of high scenic value shall be preserved by clustering development and siting development in and near existing developed areas.
- Downslope structure siting
Structures on the downslopes along Scenic Routes shall be set below road grade whenever feasible.
- Landscape screening for visible structures
Landscape screening shall be required for structures that will be unavoidably visible from a Scenic Route.
- Compatible colors and materials
New development shall incorporate colors and exterior materials that are compatible with the surrounding landscape. The use of highly-reflective materials shall be prohibited, with the exception of solar panels.
- Maximum linear frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street. occupied by structures on Scenic Route50 pct
Structures shall not occupy more than 50 percent of the linear frontage of a parcel fronting on a Scenic Route.
- Maximum linear frontageFrontageThe length of a lot line that touches a public street. on ocean side of PCH80 pct
Structures located on the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway shall occupy no more than 80 percent of the linear frontage of the parcel.
- Minimum horizontal setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from Significant Ridgeline50 ft
The highest point of a structure shall be located at least 50 horizontal feet from a Significant Ridgeline.
- Minimum vertical setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from Significant Ridgeline50 ft
The highest point of a structure shall be located at least 50 vertical feet from a Significant Ridgeline.
- Minimum contiguous view corridor on ocean side of PCH20 pct
The remaining 20 percent of the linear frontage of the parcel shall be maintained as one contiguous view corridor.
- Siting below other ridgelines
All ridgelines other than Significant Ridgelines that are visible from a Scenic Route... shall be protected by siting new development below the ridgeline to avoid intrusions into the skyline where feasible.
- Pole sign restriction along Scenic Routes
no pole sign may be replaced if it is removed, damaged, or destroyed for any reason. Prohibit placing new and phase out any existing off-site advertising signs and on-site pole signs upon change of use.
- Public works materials
Public works projects... shall be constructed of materials, textures, veneers, and colors compatible with the surrounding natural landscape.
- Protection of Significant Ridgeline views from Scenic Routes
No part of a proposed structure shall block the view of a Significant Ridgeline from a Scenic Route.
- Roof-mounted equipment visibility
Roof-mounted equipment shall not be visible from a Scenic Route, excluding solar energy devices.
- Development prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance. on Significant Ridgelines
New development is prohibited on Significant Ridgelines.
- Solar panel siting
Solar energy devices/panels shall be sited on the rooftops of permitted structures, where feasible. If roof-mounted systems are infeasible, ground-mounted systems may be allowed only if sited within the building site area of permitted development.
- Underground utilities
Utilities shall be constructed underground where feasible.
- View protection requirement
New development shall be sited and designed to protect public views within Scenic Resource Areas and to minimize adverse impacts on scenic resources to the maximum extent feasible.
- Wind energy systems prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.
Wind energy systems are prohibited.
Signage
- Sign siting
Signs shall be sited and designed to minimize impacts to scenic resources.
From the ordinance
Scenic Resource Areas are established to protect and enhance the scenic and visual qualities of the Santa Monica Mountains.