Summary

Minor exceptions provide relief from zoning standards for height, setbacks, separation between structures, lot coverage and floor area ratio. They do not apply to riparian setbacks or other habitat protections, nor to safety setbacks from floodplains, landslides or agricultural lands. They also do not apply to planned unit developments (PUDs), combining zone districts (such as the Pleasure Point standards) or standards set forth in the County General Plan or any specific plans, unless referenced by those codes or policies.

Applicability

Minor exceptions may be considered within any zone district. Examples are tabulated below.

• Separation. Up to a 15% reduction in the required 3-foot separation requirement, down to 2’6½”.
• Setbacks. Up to a 15% reduction in the required front, side, or rear setback

  Setbacks
  Required Setback	Setback Allowed with a 15% Minor Exception
  5’	4’3”
  8’	6’9”
  15'	12’9”
  20’	17’

• Floor Area Ratio (FAR). Only on lots of 4,000 sq.ft. or less – up to a 15% increase FAR

  Maximum Floor Area Ratio
  Floor Area Ratio Allowed	Floor Area Ratio Allowed with a 15% Minor Exception
  50%	57.5%
  60%	69%
  70%	80%
  100%	115%
  110%	126%
  150%	172%

• Lot Coverage. On parcels 6,000+ sq.ft., up to a 15% increase. On smaller parcels, up to a 25% increase.

  Maximum Lot Coverage
  Lot Coverage Allowed by Zone District	Maximum Lot Coverage Allowed with a 25% Minor Exception on Parcels of Less than 6,000 Square’	Maximum Lot Coverage Allowed with a 15% Minor Exception on Parcels 6,000 Square’ or Greater
  40%	50%	46%
  45%	56.25%	51.75%
  20%	-	23%
  10%	-	11.5%

• Height. Up to a 5% increase in the allowed height.

  Height
  Maximum Height	Maximum Height Allowed with a 5% Minor Exception
  13’	13’8”
  16’	16’9”
  28’	29’5”

Procedures

• Applications typically require a site plan, elevations and floor plans but no construction details. For a complete list of required information, please click here (link) or visit sccoplanning.org (link).
• Application Review: The County will provide public notice of the pending proposal to neighboring residents, owners and the general public. After a comment period, a principal planner will approve the project if consistent with the purpose and findings of the ordinance. Controversial projects may be referred to the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission for a public hearing.
• The decision-making body will need to make the findings provided by SCCC 13.10.230(C) and 18.10.230. In addition, the following finding is required for minor exceptions to lot coverage:
  There is no increase in stormwater leaving the property because of additional impermeable area created by increased lot coverage. The project as approved incorporates measures or conditions that direct runoff to the landscape, use permeable paving material, reduce existing impermeable area, or incorporate other low impact drainage design practices to control any increase in stormwater runoff.
• Project Conditions and Appeals: The project may be conditioned as needed to ensure compliance with County policies and ordinances. Appeals are as provided by SCCC 18.10.310 and 18.10.324