(a) 
Lots in a proposed subdivision shall conform to the minimum lot area requirements of the zoning classification applicable to the subject property, and the density shall be consistent with the General Plan. However, pursuant to Title 12 of the Municipal Code, the minimum lot areas and lot widths of residential subdivisions may be reduced if approved by the City Council through a tentative map provided the overall density of the project does not exceed General Plan requirements.
(b) 
Side lot lines shall be at approximate right angles or radial to the street centerline, except where terrain or other restrictions make such design impractical.
(c) 
No lot shall be divided by a City, County, School District, or other taxing agency boundary line.
(d) 
Flag lots shall be permitted, even though they do not meet the minimum lot width requirements at the property line, only if they conform with the existing character of the neighborhood in which they are proposed to be located as determined by the Planning Commission. The minimum lot width of the staff of the flag lot at the property line shall be as follows:
(1) 
Twenty-six feet on residentially zoned properties.
(2) 
The minimum widths prescribed in Title 12 of the Municipal Code for all other zoning classifications.
(e) 
All lots shall have direct access to public streets except where a private street, common driveway, or other reciprocal easement rights are specifically approved by the City Engineer and made a matter of record in the Office of the County Recorder.
(f) 
All proposed lots shall have not less than the minimum width and length required by the zoning regulations specified in Title 12. Each lot shall have a conforming width at the front yard setback or building line required by the applicable zoning classification. Average lot depth shall not be greater than three times the lot width at the setback or building line unless the Planning Commission, in the case of tentative maps of four or fewer lots, or the City Council, in the case of tentative maps of five or more lots, determines that topographic or geometric features in the area justify a greater average depth.
(Ord. 94-29, eff. 12/15/94)
(a) 
Public Streets.
(1) 
The street layout of the proposed subdivision shall be consistent with all street right-of-way designations shown in the Circulation Element of the General Plan at the time the official tentative map is approved. The street layout, design, and widths of rights-of-way shall also comply with the requirements of the Standard City Engineering Specifications and Drawings.
(2) 
The requirements of this section affecting road alignments may be waived or modified if the City Engineer finds, after studying and investigating the physical features of the area and the general alignment of the existing roadway and considering such other engineering information as may be available or required, that the street right-of-way for the area of the subdivision would not follow the existing right-of-way centerline and would follow an alignment other than the existing alignment.
(3) 
Common landscape areas between subdivision boundary walls and nominal public right-of-way boundaries can either be shown as additional public right-of-way dedicated to the City or as a common lot to be owned by the subdivider. If the common lot option is chosen, a landscape easement shall be dedicated to the City over the common lot.
(b) 
Private Streets.
(1) 
The street design and right-of-way widths of private streets shall comply with the requirements of the Standard City Engineering Specifications and Drawings for public streets. A pavement treatment, such as brick or stamped concrete, shall separate private streets from public streets.
(2) 
Private streets shall contain all necessary utility and drainage easements as determined by the City Engineer and applicable utility companies.
(Ord. 94-29, eff. 12/15/94)
(a) 
Walls shall be installed along the boundary of proposed residential subdivisions and along controlled access street rights-of-way which abut or pass through the subdivision. Unless otherwise specified by an acoustical analysis and/or through the environmental review process, the following wall types and heights shall be required:
(1) 
An eight foot high masonry wall, or a six foot high masonry wall on a two foot high berm, between incompatible land uses, as defined in the General Plan, and along arterial streets. Walls along arterial streets shall be slumpstone or other architecturally treated design to be approved by the Director of Community Development.
(2) 
A six foot high masonry wall along all collector streets. Walls along collector streets shall be slumpstone or other architecturally treated design to be approved by the Director of Community Development.
(3) 
A six foot high masonry wall with wood inserts along the project boundaries with adjacent undeveloped properties that are zoned for residential land uses. However, a new masonry wall with wood inserts may be required next to adjacent developed residential properties if an existing wall or fence is in disrepair, or if grade differences require the installation of a new wall.
(b) 
A minimum six foot high masonry wall shall be required on all lot lines which adjoin drainage channels that are adjacent to or paralleling public streets, including multi-purpose trails, per the adopted Bikeway Plan of the Circulation Element. Drainage channels are defined as concrete lined or unlandscaped channels used for flood control purposes only.
(c) 
In the case of tentative maps of four or fewer lots, construction of the above walls may be postponed pursuant to Section 11-1.10 of this title.
(d) 
All wall heights shall be measured from the highest ground level elevation on either side of the wall, except where the property line is lower than the finish floor elevation. In these cases, the height of the wall shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator. For six foot high walls, the height of the wall shall be a minimum of five and one-half (5.5) feet above the finish floor elevation unless otherwise specified by an acoustical analysis and/or through the environmental review process. For eight foot high walls, the height of the wall shall be a minimum of seven and one-half (7.5) feet above the finish floor elevation unless otherwise specified by an acoustical analysis and/or through the environmental review process. All walls shall be constructed on the private lots and not within the public right-of-way.
(Ord. 94-29, eff. 12/15/94)
(a) 
Walls may be required along the boundary of proposed non-residential subdivisions. Unless otherwise specified by an acoustical analysis and/or through the environmental review process, the following wall types and heights may be required:
(1) 
An eight foot high masonry wall, or a six foot high masonry wall on a two foot high berm, between incompatible land uses, as defined in the General Plan. In the case of tentative maps of four or fewer lots, construction of the above wall may be postponed pursuant to Section 11-1.10 of this title.
(b) 
All wall heights shall be measured from the highest ground level elevation on either side of the wall, except where the property line is lower than the finish floor elevation. In these cases, the height of the wall shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator. For eight foot high walls, the height of the wall shall be a minimum of seven and one-half (7.5) feet above the finish floor elevation unless otherwise specified by an acoustical analysis and/or through the environmental review process. All walls shall be constructed on the private lots and not within the public right-of-way.
(Ord. 94-29, eff. 12/15/94)
(a) 
The design of the proposed subdivision shall provide for the proper drainage of the proposed subdivision and all lots and improvements therein, based on the runoff that can be anticipated from ultimate development of the watershed area in which the subdivision is located.
(b) 
The subdivider shall provide, within the boundaries of the proposed subdivision, all easements necessary to provide for: the proper drainage of the proposed subdivision; and flood control channels, conduits, or laterals inside or abutting the proposed subdivision, as required by the Public Facilities Element of the General Plan and the standards of the Santa Barbara County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (SBCFCWCD). Access to open channels shall be provided along the entire length of the channel abutting or within the subdivision. Access to underground drainage conduit abutting or within the subdivision shall be provided by an easement above the entire length of the conduit. The easement shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width unless it can be shown, to the satisfaction of the City Engineer, that the conduit can be maintained or replaced in a smaller width easement.
(c) 
The design of the proposed subdivision shall protect the subdivision and the lots and improvements therein from offsite drainage or flood damage. The design shall also ensure that all public facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems are located, elevated, and constructed so as to minimize or eliminate flood damage to these facilities. Further, the design must provide that any concentrations or increases of surface water resulting from the development of the proposed subdivision are conveyed by means of adequate facilities to a suitable watercourse in the area.
(d) 
A retardation basin system with a bleeder structure is required for all projects unless an alternative method of storm water disposal is approved by the City Engineer. The retardation basin shall drain into a storm drainage facility or onto a public street as determined by the City Engineer.
(e) 
Subject to limitations specified in the Subdivision Map Act, off-site easements necessary for drainage facilities shall be provided by the subdivider. All easements required to be provided pursuant to this section shall be offered for dedication at the time the final map or parcel map is filed for recordation.
(f) 
Every subdivision approved pursuant to this title shall comply with the requirements for grading and erosion control, including the prevention of sedimentation or drainage to off-site property, as set forth in the City's Municipal Code, and as provided in the City's Grading and Drainage Plan Information Handout.
(g) 
For subdivisions adjacent to the Santa Maria River Levee, a 60 foot wide levee protection area immediately next to the levee shall be either dedicated in fee or granted as an easement to the SBCFCWCD. The SBCFCWCD shall determine whether the 60 foot wide area shall be fee title or an easement. An improved accessway, a minimum of 20 feet wide, shall be provided adjacent to the 60 foot wide area with an access easement to the SBCFCWCD. A landscape and pedestrian access easement shall also be granted to the City of Santa Maria over the 60 foot wide area.
(Ord. 94-29, eff. 12/15/94)
If an existing or proposed state highway abuts a proposed subdivision, the subdivider shall secure all pertinent road data and specifications, and shall show that the design of the proposed subdivision is compatible with the use of such state highway.
(Ord. 94-29, eff. 12/15/94)
A 10 foot wide City tree planting easement is required adjacent to all public streets, measured from the back of sidewalks that parallel the travelway. Arterial streets, certain collector streets, and areas where sidewalks meander shall not have a 10 foot wide tree planting easement. Instead, these areas will require landscape easements required per the General Plan and Title 12 of the Municipal Code.
(Ord. 94-29, eff. 12/15/94)