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Yuba County adopts updated development code and zoning map; Board finds changes exempt from CEQA
Summary
The Board adopted amendments to Yuba County’s Title 11 Development Code and zoning map to align with state law (including SB 9), tighten right‑of‑way signage rules, standardize digital billboard controls, and expand landscape maintenance requirements; staff said the changes correct errors and improve clarity.
The Yuba County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to repeal and reenact Title 11 of the county’s Development Code and to amend the county zoning map, adopting a package of annual corrections and policy clarifications intended to align local code with state law and to fix longstanding zoning mapping errors.
County deputy director Rachel Downs told the board the updates implement state requirements such as SB 9 (the California HOME Act) and clarify how many units may be created on a parcel, revise rules for unpermitted signage in county rights of way, formalize standards for digital billboards and political signs, and broaden landscape care and maintenance requirements to apply across development types so approved landscape plans remain enforceable.
The changes also tighten procedures for special events on undeveloped parcels, reduce setbacks for small rural lots outside the Valley Growth Boundary (not applying in higher fire‑severity zones), allow principal auto‑repair uses in the rural commercial zone, and give planning staff discretion on park‑land dedication for small subdivisions. Staff said many adjustments correct zoning classifications that were inconsistent with general‑plan designations.
Planning staff said the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed changes on Feb. 19 and recommended approval. During the public hearing supervisors asked for clarifications about thresholds for “special events,” the effect of the landscape rules, and whether existing businesses would be disadvantaged; staff said existing businesses would be protected as legal nonconforming uses and that where federal or state datasets only provide two‑county MSA data, staff would supply separate Yuba figures when possible.
By roll call the board found the ordinance exempt from further environmental review under the certified 2030 General Plan EIR and adopted the amendments. The board directed staff to return to the board if follow‑up refinements are needed.
