18.64.020 Projects Subject to Design Review and Exemptions.
A. Except as noted below, any site or building development or modification requiring a discretionary land use permit or a building permit shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter. For purposes of this chapter, “story” shall not include basement or cellar areas that are fifty (50) percent or more below grade on all sides.
B. Exemptions to this chapter include:
1. New single-story single-family detached dwellings or single-story duplexes, which conform to all standards of the applicable zoning district, do not require any discretionary land use permits and do not extend more than twenty (20) feet above grade as measured in conformance with Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.08.295.
2. Ground-level single-story additions to existing single-family detached dwellings and duplexes, which conform to all standards of the applicable zoning district, do not require any discretionary land use permits and do not extend more than twenty (20) feet above grade when measured in conformance with Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.08.295.
3. Accessory structures, which have a gross floor area of four hundred (400) square feet or less, conform to all standards of the applicable zoning district, and do not require any discretionary land use permits.
4. Roof-mounted solar panels that do not extend more than three (3) feet above the roofline of the structure on which they are mounted.
5. Properties located within a specific plan area, planned unit or Planned Development District, or master residential plan for which design review approval or design guidelines have been previously approved by the Planning Commission or City Council that provide exemptions from this chapter shall be subject to the requirements of the design criteria and procedures, if any, established for those districts or areas.
6. Work which has been determined by the Community Development Director to be minor or incidental within the intent and objectives of this chapter, except for minor or incidental changes to historic structures (i.e., buildings situated on property zoned H, Combining Heritage Preservation District, or listed on the National Register or Larkspur’s Inventory of Historic Resources), which shall be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with subsection (B) of this section.
7. Maintenance, repair or reconstruction of a structure pursuant to Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.68.
8. Attached or detached accessory dwelling units unless design review is required under Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.23. (Ord. 1062 § 14, 2022; Ord. 1051 § 5, 2020; Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 953 § 1(73, 74, 75), 2007; Ord. 933 § 4, 2004; Ord. 857 § 4 (part), 1993; Ord. 667 §§ 4, 5, 1981; Ord. 592 § 3, 1978; Ord. 448 § 1 (part), 1973)