Glossary of Terms

For the purposes Sec. 14.2.5.A. (Horizontal Encroachments), flatwork is defined as constructed objects 30 inches in height or less, measured from finished grade. Examples of flatwork may include, but are not limited to: pavement, sidewalk, multi-use path, patio, low deck, or stairs or ramps 30 inches in height or less. For the purposes of Sec. 14.2.5.B. (Vertical Encroachments), flatwork is defined as constructed objects 30 inches in height or less. Examples of flatwork may include, but are not limited to: decking, walkways, patios, or planters.

Flood hazard is defined as a hazard to land or improvements due to overflow water having sufficient velocity to transport or deposit debris, scour the surface soil, dislodge or damage buildings, or erode the banks of water courses.

Pursuant to Sec. 14.2.7. (Floor Area), floor area is defined as the cumulative amount of interior floor space on a lot, within a room, or within a covered and enclosed space.

Pursuant to Sec. 2C.4.1. (Floor Area Ratio (FAR)), floor area ratio or FAR is defined as the measurement of the total floor area of all buildings on a lot in relation to the size of the lot.

Pursuant to Sec. 3D.8.3. (Focal Entry Feature), focal entry features are design standards applied to enhance the primary entrance of a building frontage.

Pursuant to Sec. 3D.8.3.C.2. (Focal Entry Feature Options), focal entry feature options refer to packages of design standards options applied to enhance the primary entrance of a building frontage.

Food & drink preparation area is defined as all floor area within an eating & drinking use where employees prepare food or beverages or are reserved for employee use, including kitchens, bartender stations, dishwashing facilities, storage, refrigeration closets, employee office, and break rooms.

Pursuant to Sec. 4C.10.1.D. (Measurement), a footcandle is a unit of illuminance. One footcandle is equivalent to one lumen per square foot and shall be measured using a light meter.

Pursuant to Sec. 3C.4.2.E.3. (Foundation Inactive Wall Treatment Alternatives), foundation inactive wall treatment alternatives are defined as permanent design improvements located between exposed foundation walls and the public realm, designed to improve visual interest and the pedestrian experience.

A foundation wall is defined as any above-grade portion of a facade located below the finished ground story.

Pursuant to Sec. 8.3.2. (Freeway), freeway is defined as any property owned by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) that is used for highway purposes.

Pursuant to Sec. 4C.2.2.C.2. (Freight Loading Areas), freight loading area is defined as areas designated for the on-site loading and unloading of freight vehicles.

Pursuant to Sec. 5D.5.2. (Freight Railway Facility), a freight railway facility is defined as any railway facility accommodating the transportation of cargo by train on a railway network. Freight railway facilities include freight railway track networks and accompanying railway yards, stations, and maintenance facilities. This use does not include cargo transfer between vehicles; for such uses see Sec. 5D.5.3. (Freight Transfer Facility).

Pursuant Sec. 5D.5.3. (Freight Transfer Facility), freight transfer facility is defined as a facility intended for the transshipment of freight between different modes of transport, including ship transport, rail transport, and road transport, and accompanying warehousing used in connection with such activities. This use does not include the storage of empty cargo containers; for such uses; see Sec. 5D.7.5.E. (Storage, Outdoor: Cargo Container).

Pursuant to Sec. 14.2.8. (Frequency), frequency is defined as the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a given distance.

Pursuant to Sec. 14.2.16.B.1. (Front Yard), a front yard is the area between a primary street lot line and an imaginary line running parallel to the primary street lot line. The imaginary line shall be drawn 15 feet back from the portion of the primary street lot line-facing facade nearest to the primary street lot line, measured perpendicularly to the lot line.

Pursuant to Sec. 14.2.12.B.1. (Frontage Lot Line), a frontage lot line is any lot line that triggers Frontage District (Part 3B.) requirements. Frontage lot lines include all primary street lot lines and side street lot lines.

Pursuant to Sec. 3C.3.1. (Frontage Planting Area), a frontage planting area is defined as the area in a frontage yard designated and designed for plants.

Pursuant to Sec. 4C.8.1. (Frontage Screens), a frontage screen is defined as a device or combination of elements, including fences, walls, trees and other plants, along a frontage lot line that conceals, obstructs or protects the public realm from adjacent uses, activities, or site elements.

Pursuant to, Sec. 4C.8.1.C.2. (Frontage Screen Types), frontage screen types are defined as packages of standards for required frontage screens.

Pursuant to Sec. 14.2.16.C.1. (Frontage Yard), frontage yard is defined as a category of yards referring to all yards that abut a frontage lot line, including front yards, side street yards, and special yards.

Pursuant to Sec. 3C.3.2. (Frontage Yard Fence & Wall), frontage yard fence & wall is defined as fences, walls, and hedges that are allowed in a frontage yard.

Pursuant to Sec. 3C.3.2.C.2. (Frontage Yard Fence & Wall Types), frontage yard fence & wall types refer to a package of standards, specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.), that applies to fences, walls, and hedges located in a frontage yard.

Pursuant to Sec. 5D.7.2. (Fueling Station), a fueling station is defined as any use dedicated to the sale and dispensing of vehicle fuel.

Pursuant to Sec. 5D.7.2.B. (Fueling Station: Large Vehicle), fueling station: large vehicle is defined as any fueling station dedicated to dispensing fuel for large vehicles. Large vehicles include vehicles possessing three or more axles, such as trailer trucks, construction vehicles, motor homes, and recreation vehicles.

Pursuant to Sec. 5D.7.2.A. (Fueling Station: Standard Vehicle), fueling station: standard vehicle is defined as any fueling station dedicated to dispensing fuel for standard vehicles. Standard vehicles include vehicles possessing two or fewer axles, such as cars, motorcycles, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and vans.

Full-service grocery store is defined as a retail store which stocks a minimum inventory in the following food groups and non-perishable items: fresh and frozen meats and poultry; canned, fresh, and frozen fruits and vegetables; dairy products; cereals; canned fish; bread products; infant food and formula; shampoo; pain medication; diapers; and feminine hygiene products.

Fully shielded luminaire is defined as a luminaire that allows no light emission above a horizontal plane through the luminaire.

Future street or alley is defined as any real property which the owner has offered for dedication to the City for street or alley purposes, but which has been rejected by the City Council, subject to the right of the City Council to rescind its action and accept by resolution at any later date and without further action by the owner, all or part of the property as a public street or alley.

Pursuant to Div. 5D.6. (General Commercial Uses), general commercial uses are defined as uses that involve business activity serving the general public, including retail, professional and personal services, hospitality, and entertainment.

The General Plan is the City’s comprehensive framework that sets forth policies, goals, and objectives to guide the physical development of the City, while outlining the vision and priorities of the City. It consists of 11 citywide elements in addition to a Land Use Element, composed of 34 Community Plans. The General Plan serves as the legal basis for all land use policy decisions. Preparation and maintenance of the General Plan is mandated by the State, pursuant to California Government Code, Title 7. (Planning and Land Use), Sec. 65300.

General Plan Land Use Designations are designations established in Appendix A to the Framework Element, which broadly identifies intensities, densities, heights, and general uses allowed where the designations are mapped on the General Plan Land Use Map, and implemented through the corresponding zoning districts from the Zoning Code, as shown in correspondence tables in Appendix A or as otherwise provided in the community plan.

A gore-shaped lot is defined as an irregularly shaped lot that includes an angle of 65 degrees or less between intersecting lot lines.

Grade is defined as the elevation or contour of the ground surface of a lot.

See grade plane elevation.

Pursuant to Sec. 14.2.9. (Grade Plane Elevation), grade plane elevation is defined as a reference plane, representing the average elevation of the existing ground level adjoining a building and its exterior walls, from which the height of a building or structure shall be measured.