Table of Contents

Environmentally Sensitive Areas

The city’s zoning code includes an overlay district to protect environmentally sensitive lands. Components of the regulation include applicability of the code, use restrictions, and intensity of development (§6.1010 et seq.). The overlay zoning district applies to slopes, peaks and ridges, watercourses, undisturbed natural vegetation, wildlife habitat, and desert landforms. Additionally, it presents sensitive design options, such as density transfers and cluster development (§6.1080).

Green Building

The city’s code of ordinances adopts the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) with amendments. It includes amendments on energy efficiency (§31-145), water resources (§31-146), and indoor environmental quality (§31-147). It presents Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Green Globes certification as equivalent to IgCC compliance (§31-141). 

Solar Energy

In the city's zoning ordinance, within a single-family residential district, all conditional uses and site improvements must submit a Development Review board application that requires the building and site design to use passive solar techniques (Zoning, Sec. 5.032.B.2.b.iv). Within a Planned Regional Center, the development standards require new buildings to have no significant impact on the solar access of adjacent land uses (Zoning Sec. 5.2604.I.1.f). Within a Planned Unit Development, the developer must prove that their plan will have no more impact on the shading of adjacent uses than the existing zoning conditions would allow, and an exception is given to allow architecturally integrated solar systems to cover more than 30% of a roof area (Zoning Sec. 5.5003.C.1.a.i.3; 5.5005.D.2).