The City of Santa Barbara and the Association of Realtors recently made some very significant changes in relation to Zoning Information Reports (ZIR). With the introduction of Minor Zoning Exceptions (MZE), the city hopes to resolve discrepancies or errors in ZIR’s.
According to a recent article by Noozehawks’s Alec Bruice, “a discrepancy or error in a ZIR involves one or more of the zoning violations specified within the ordinance, the property owner may request an MZE to obtain relief from the zoning standards”.
Bruice goes on to state,
This change means that unpermitted alterations to properties with legal nonforthcoming building, “as-built” addition or expansion of hardscape, landscape, or site improvements, “as-built” detached accessory buildings, oversized accessory building and additions exceeding the maximum floor area ratio (FAR) could be granted reprieve from zoning standards.
Another important issue brought forth in regards to the ZIR includes the major distinguishable characteristics between “major” and “minor” violations.
“Major” violations include illegal dwelling units , unpermitted floor area or conditioned space, elimination of required parking, unpermitted improvements within 50 feet of coastal bluff and violations that pose an immediate health or safety risk. All other violations are considered “minor”, which are kept on file and required to be abated prior to or simultaneously with the first building permit that is obtained by the property owner.
The ultimate goal with these changes to the ZIR process is to achieve a balance between the city and property owners.
Published on 2016-03-31 13:45:24
