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Planning Department
Phone:    530.538.2401
Fax:        530.538.2426
E-mail:     planning@cityoforoville.org 


Division Overview


The Planning Services Department is responsible for both current and long-term planning functions. Current planning functions deal with day-to-day land use applications and development and growth which includes processing requests for land divisions, rezones general plan amendments, conditional use permits, variances, and annexations. Long term planning includes such activities as creation, implementation and maintenance of the General Plan and related policy implementation.

  • Current Planning: Current Planning activities are associated with advising the Planning Commission and City Council regarding applications for land use changes and development permits. These applications include fence height exceptions, lot line adjustments, slope use permits, floor area ratio exceptions, use permits, variances, subdivisions and design review. Also included in Current Planning activities are the review of building permit applications for Zoning Ordinance compliance, and environmental review of discretionary development applications.
  • Long Range Planning: Long Range Planning is concerned with the preparation, updating and amendment of General Plan elements, Specific Plans, and the Zoning Ordinance.
  • Code Enforcement: The Planning Division staff is responsible for assisting the City’s code enforcement officers with compliance with the City's Zoning Ordinance, and compliance with conditions of permit approval.
  • Public Information: Each day the Planning Division receives a large number of requests for planning information from the public. In order to provide this information, the Division maintains a public counter that is staffed 40 hours per week and provides telephone, mail, and internet response services.


Development Review

The Development Review Board (DRB) process regulates the architecture, landscaping, signage, circulation, grading, and similar physical features of a project. When you propose to construct a new building or change the exterior features of a developed place of property, a Development Review Board approval is required. The purpose of a DRB approval is to promote orderly attractive, and harmonious development within the City. 


Land Division

The Subdivision Ordinance for the City of Oroville is adopted to promote and protect the public health, safety, and welfare through the orderly regulation of land division. Further, the purpose of this ordinance is to:Oro Bay

  • Provide the economic and social advantages resulting from orderly land division.
  • Encourage and guide development consistent with the City’s General Plan.
  • Provide lots of sufficient size and appropriate design so as to be usable for their intended purposes.
  • Provide for the preservation of environmental assets and natural resources, including land, water, air, minerals, vegetation, wildlife, silence, historic or aesthetic sites, and open space.
  • Ensure provision of adequate traffic circulation, utilities, and services.


Accessory Dwelling Units

Residential accessory structures are shade structures, gazebos, covered patios and unenclosed structures; a detached structure or building accessory and subordinate to a lawfully established principal structure on the same lot as defined in the City of Oroville Municipal Code. If an Accessory Structure exceeds 120 square feet in floor area, a building permit is required. Regardless of the size, a Zoning Clearance must be obtained to ensure all zoning requirements, such as setbacks, are maintained. Permits are always required for any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical (heating, cooling, etc.) improvements made. 


Conditional Use Permit

A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is a discretionary permit that may conditionally approve or deny land uses, including related structures, which are not clearly permitted or prohibited because of their unique nature. Such uses and related structures would only be approved if their effect on the surrounding environment can be made acceptable through the application of Conditions of Approval. A Conditional Use Permit requires approval by the City of Oroville Planning Commission. 


Temporary Use Permits

A Temporary Use Permit (TUP) is a minor land use approval permit that is issued for specific types of uses which have been determined to be temporary in nature. Temporary Use Permits are approved by the Zoning Administrator provided that pre-established standard conditions of approval can and will be met. 


Zoning  

The Planning Division has zoning information for all lots within the City of Oroville. When you have determined the zoning of your property you may search our Zoning Regulations document for further information. A listing of our zoning designations is available in the City’s ordinance book, or you can call the Planning counter for further information. 

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General Plan

The General Plan is a comprehensive document that covers many aspects of the community including development, preservation of the community and safety. The General Plan is a long-term document that is intended to guide the growth of the City.
The General Plan provides a policy framework for development decisions. It has three functions:

  • To enable the City Planning Commission and City Council to reach agreement on long-range development policies.
  • To provide a basis for judging whether specific private development proposals and public projects are in harmony with the policies.
  • To allow other public agencies and private developers to design projects that are consistent with City policies or to seek changes in those policies through the General Plan amendment process.

Copies of the General Plan and the General Plan Land Use Map are also available from the Planning Division. 

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Housing Element

Every 5 years the State of California requires that local municipalities update the Housing Element chapter of the General Plan. The Housing Element is 1 of 7 mandated elements of the General Plan and must address the existing and projected housing needs for all segments of the community. 


Home Occupation Permit

A Home Occupation is the gainful employment of a resident in a dwelling with limited commercial activity; wherein the employment activity is incidental and subordinate to the residential use of the property. A City of Oroville Business License is required for all Home Occupations. No Home Occupation may be conducted unless a Business License has been approved and issued. 


Sign Applications

Sign Permit requests are reviewed by the Planning Division to determine conformance with the City's Sign Ordinance and the Approved Planned Sign Permit Program. After the Planning Division has reviewed and approved the request, the information is forwarded to the Building Division. If the sign has electrical or structural requirements, a building permit is required. 


Overview of Planning Manager Responsibilities

  • Reports to the Director of Community Development and Public Works.
  • Provides information to the general public, other City departments, the Planning Commission and the City Council.
  • Maintains planning records, including land-use information, zoning maps, General Plan Diagrams, zoning and subdivision ordinances, speculative and active land development activities, and property ownership information.
  • Administers and implements zoning and subdivision ordinances, and General Plan policies as they relate to new development.
  • Coordinates pre-application meetings.
  • Processes applications for land-use permits in compliance with applicable laws and CEQA requirements.
  • Oversees the interdepartmental review process for new development activities.
  • Oversees the annexation process.
  • Oversees State-mandated planning documents such as the Housing Element of the General Plan, and Municipal Services Review.
  • Conducts long-range planning activities, including updates of the zoning and subdivision ordinances, General Plan goals and policies, and development standards.
  • Serves as primary staff to the Planning Commission, Development Review Board, and Historical Advisory Board, and serves as support staff to the City Council.
  • Acts as liaison to outside agencies, such as the Butte County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC), and the Butte County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo).

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Last updated: 3/10/2009 2:51:40 PM