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Planning commission approves director's interpretation: measure basement clearance to underside of structural floor
Summary
Commission accepted a director's interpretation clarifying that basement floor-area and volume must be measured to the underside of the structural floor above, ignoring drop ceilings or artificially lowered elements; staff said the change is not retroactive but is meant to close a long-standing loophole.
The Carmel-by-the-Sea Planning Commission on July 23 voted unanimously to accept a director's interpretation clarifying how to measure basement spaces for zoning purposes, responding to inconsistent past practice that counted areas excluded by drop ceilings as non-habitable.
Planning staff said the interpretation enforces existing Title 17 zoning provisions that limit floor area for basements and defined basement interior heights. The director's interpretation specifies that clearance is measured from the basement walking surface (slab) to the underside of the structural floor above, ignoring any nonstructural drop ceiling or suspended framing.
Why it matters: staff told the commission…
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