Portola Valley

In their interpretation and application, provisions of this title shall be held to be minimum requirements, except where they are expressly stated to be maximum permitted conditions. However, more restrictive requirements may be required when necessary to meet the criteria for approving any specific application.

It is not intended to impair, or interfere with any private restrictions placed upon property by covenant or deed; provided, however, that where this title imposes greater restrictions upon the use of structures, or premises, or upon the heights of structures or requires larger yards, or other open spaces than are imposed or required by such private restrictions, the provisions of this title shall control.

Whenever any provision of this title and any other provision of law, whether set forth in this title or in any other law, ordinance, or resolution of any kind, impose overlapping or contradictory regulations over the use of land, or over the use or bulk of buildings or other structures, or contain any restrictions covering any of the same subject matter, that provision which is more restrictive or imposes higher standards or requirements shall govern.

Land or structures in any district shall hereafter be used only for the purposes listed in this title as permitted in that district and in accordance with the regulations established in this title for that district and in accordance with any conditions and requirements which may have been established in connection with the authorization of any variance or the granting of any conditional use permit.

The provisions of this title, to the extent permitted by law, shall apply to all public bodies, districts and agencies of the federal, state, county and municipal governments.

The categories of uses in Sections 18.02.090 through 18.02.120 are established and defined for the purpose of providing uniform administrative procedures for issuing permits or otherwise authorizing individual uses within the several categories.

Regular principal uses are uses permitted as principal uses as a matter of right and without special authorization in the districts where so listed. The establishment of any regular principal use is subject only to the obtaining of a zoning permit and conformance to requirements of this title and such other regulations and laws as may be applicable.

Conditional uses are those uses which are allowed as principal uses in the districts where so authorized by the district regulations only when and if a conditional use permit is granted therefor in accordance with the procedures and requirements set forth in Chapter 18.72.

Accessory uses are those related secondary uses necessary or incidental, appropriate and subordinate to the operation and enjoyment of the principal use of the parcel or structure on which located in the districts where so authorized by the district regulations. No use in any district shall be permitted as an accessory use which is not qualified as set forth in this section, or which constitutes in effect a conversion of a principal use to one not permitted in that district.

Any use not authorized in any district by Chapters 18.10 through 18.32, 18.36 and 18.40 as a regular principal use, conditional use, or accessory use is prohibited unless and until so authorized in accordance with the procedures and requirements of Chapter 18.38.

All other lands annexed to the town after August 17, 1967 shall be in R-E/5A districts unless otherwise classified. ... such land is declared to be in R-E/5A districts until otherwise classified.

Single-family dwellings, including residential care facilities for six or fewer persons, supportive housing, and transitional housing.

The following uses and facilities are permitted as principal uses in all districts... public or private streets... water or gas pipes, mains or conduits, electric distribution lines, communication lines, sewers or sewer mains...

When a conditional use permit is granted... the following uses and facilities are permitted in all districts as conditional uses: Major operating facilities of public utilities... Signs... historical significance... Wireless communications facilities...

The following uses or facilities are permitted in all districts as temporary uses: A voting place... B. Structures and uses incidental to a construction operation... C. A festival... E. Motor homes and travel trailers...

The following accessory uses are permitted in all districts when located on the same parcel as the principal use: ...

All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be dark sky compliant... Garage doors may have one or two fixtures, which shall be limited to a total lumen count of one thousand one hundred twenty-five lumens.

ADUs and JADUs shall be permitted on all parcels in all zoning districts... One ADU and one JADU shall be permitted on all parcels smaller than three and one-half acres... External ADUs shall require one dedicated parking space...

Recycling and trash enclosures are required for the following developments: residential buildings with five or more dwelling units; residential developments of five or more dwelling units when solid waste is collected in a central location(s); and commercial, institutional or public facilities.

Uses permitted in the rights-of-way of public roads are: Street paving placed or approved by the town. Driveways. Public trails and paths. Public utilities. Fire hydrants. Free-standing mail boxes of a U.S. government approved type and supported by a structure with a cross-section that does not exceed a half of the cross section of the bottom of the mail box. Alternate designs require ASCC approval. Mailboxes may not be located so as to block public trails or paths. Native grasses, native ground covers and native shrubs or trees from the town's Native Plant List that do not interfere with either existing or planned public trails, paths or streets.