Ordinance - 2029ORDINANCE NO. 2029
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF
CHAPTER 26 (ZONING) OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE
TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS ON MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN
THE RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURAL "R-A" AND SINGLE FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL "R-1" ZONES (CODE AMENDMENT NO. 287).
WHEREAS, Code Amendment No. 287 is a City -initiated code amendment to establish
regulations on membrane structures in the Residential Agricultural` "R-A" and Single -Family
Residential "R-1" Zones within the City of West Covina; and
WHEREAS, within recent years there has been a growing proliferation of membrane
structures being erected on single-family residential properties within the City of West Covina; and
WHEREAS, membrane structures can detract from the overall quality and appearance of
the City's single-family neighborhoods and the City is desirous to establish regulations to control
these impacts; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, upon giving the required notice, did on the 12"'
day of January, 1999, conduct a duly advertised public hearing as prescribed by law, at which
time the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 01-99-4534, recommending to the City
Council approval of Code Amendment No. 287; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered evidence presented by the Planning
Commission, Planning Division, and other interested parties at a duly advertised public hearing
on the 16th day of February, 1999; and
NOW, THERFORE, the City Council of the City of West Covina, California, does
hereby ordain as follows:
SECTION NO. 1: Based on the evidence and the findings set forth, Code Amendment
No. 287 is hereby found to be consistent with the West Covina General Plan and the
implementation thereof.
SECTION NO. 2: The proposed action is considered to be exempt from the provisions of
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA
Guidelines, in that the proposed action consists of a code amendment which does not have the
potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION NO. 3: The City Council of the City of West Covina hereby amends Chapter 26
of the West Covina Municipal Code as follows:
Add a new Section 26-86 to read as follows:
Sec. 26-86. Membrane structure.
Membrane structure means or is a sheet of flexible material, fabric or membrane such as nylon,
plastic, or other similar material that is supported by or attached to a frame having a location on the
ground and made of fiberglass, metal, wood or plastic or any other similar material. Membrane
structures may be used as tents or to provide shelter or covering for storage of automobiles, boats,
recreational vehicles, or other similar uses. Membrane structures include but are not limited to,
prefabricated canopies ready-made for simple assembly, and canopies which are built, constructed
or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner, but excludes awnings attached to
buildings and temporary coverings used to protect property during government -ordered aerial
sprayings.
[Recodify existing Sections 26-86 and 26-87 as Sections 26-87 and 26-88, respectively. ]
Add a new Section 26-411 to read as follows:
Ordinance No. 2029
Membrane Structures
Page 2
[Recodify existing Sections 26-86 and 26-87 as Sections 26-87 and 26-88, respectively.]
Add a new Section 26-411 to read as follows:
isSec. 26-411. Membrane structures.
(a) Location and size.
Membrane structures shall be prohibited in the front yard and street side yard (as defined .under
section 26-402.5(c)), with the following exceptions:
(1) Membrane structures with a projected canopy area of less than 120 square feet and a
height of less than seven (7) feet shall be permitted within a street side yard area that is
fully screened by fencing or shrubs at least five (5) feet in height.
(2) Membrane structures with a projected canopy area of no greater than 200 square feet, a
height of no greater than twelve (12) feet, and a length of no greater than 20 feet shall
be permitted in front yard and street side yard areas where located at a distance of 50
feet or greater from the front or street side property line and/or which are not readily
visible from the street (as determined by the Planning Director) due to topographical
conditions.
Membrane structures shall be permitted in other areas of a lot with a projected canopy area of no
greater than 200 square feet, a height of no greater than twelve (12) feet, and a length of no greater
than 20 feet, with the exception that membrane structures encroaching into the interior side yard
and/or the rear five (5) feet of the rear yard shall only be permitted with a projected canopy area of
less than 120 square feet and a height of less than seven (7) feet.
(b) Repair and maintenance.
Membrane structures shall be maintained in good condition. Torn fabric, bent or broken support
members shall be replaced or repaired as needed. Any membrane structure considered to be in
disrepair, as determined by the Planning Director, shall be repaired, replaced or removed from the
site. Reflective, mirrored type, covering material shall be prohibited.
(c) Lot coverage.
Membrane structures requiring the issuance of a building permit (i.e. those that are considered
structures as defined by the Uniform Building Code) with a projected roof area or 120 square feet
or greater shall be considered building coverage and shall be included in calculations of maximum
building coverage as set forth in Section 26-411.
(d) Exemptions.
This section shall not apply to membrane structures that are erected or displayed for no more than
three (3) days per month.
0 [Recodify existing Sections 26-411 and 26-412 as Sections 26-412 and 26-413, respectively.]
A
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Ordinance No. 2029
Membrane Structures
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SECTION NO. 3: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall
cause the same to be published as required by law. ,
PASSED AND APPROVED on this
ATTEST:
V ea46
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
CITY OF WEST COVINA )
I, Janet Berry, City Clerk of the City of West Covina, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Ordinance No. 2029 was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular
meeting of the City,Council on the 16"' day of February, 1999. That, thereafter, said Ordinance
was duly adopted and passed at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 16"' day of March,
1999.
AYES: . Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong, Melendez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Cler
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
� City Attorney —