Gated Development Regulations

Background

  • On June 30, 1998, the City Council amended the Zoning Ordinance to establish new regulations for gated developments (Ordinance No. 98-025).
  • Gated developments are subject to design standards and special permit approval from the Planning Commission.

Regulation Highlights

  • All new gated entrances for residential development with three or more dwelling units and commercial and industrial developments that will restrict vehicular public access during business hours will require a special permit from the City Planning Commission. Existing developments requesting gates will also be subject to the special permit requirement.
  • Gates are prohibited in locations that block access to public resources (such as parks or waterways) or interfere with existing or proposed transportation/circulation plans.
  • The following evaluation criteria will be used by planning staff and the Planning Commission when analyzing gated projects:

    • Will the proposed gate block public access to any existing or proposed park, waterway, school, community center or any other public facility?
    • Will existing or proposed automobile traffic circulation systems or patterns be modified by the proposed gated project?
    • Will the proposed gate block public access to any existing or proposed public bike trails or pedestrian pathways?
    • Is there a concentration of gated developments in the vicinity of the proposed project?
    • For project along the Sacramento River: What is the distance from an existing public access to the river?

Further Information