§ 8119-1.4.4. Courtyard Building.

The Courtyard Building is a "block-form" or a "house-form" building that can be used for residential, commercial, or mixed-use (residential/commercial) areas. In all configurations, the courtyard should be visible and accessed from a Primary or Side Street. This building type is particularly useful for large-scale developments. Courtyard buildings are well suited to senior housing.

When used for residential purposes, the Courtyard Building includes a group of attached dwelling units arranged to share one (1) or more common courtyards, where pedestrian access to those units is taken from a courtyard. The courtyard should function as a common outdoor space for residents. When used solely for commercial use in the Town Center (TC) zone, the courtyard space shall be used as a semi-public outdoor area.

A mixed-use configuration could occur in a number of ways:

Courtyard Building Type Diagram

a.

Within the TC zone, commercial use would occupy the ground floor level and residential use would occupy the second level in either a live/work configuration or secondary use configuration;

b.

Within the R/MU zone, commercial use would occupy a portion of the ground floor level, with residential use on both ground and upper floors. Alternatively, a Courtyard Building could be configured with a one- or two-story commercial structure that faces a Primary Street , combined with residential buildings located behind the commercial building facing a courtyard that is primarily or exclusively used by residents.

All Courtyard Buildings shall meet the standards listed in Table 1.4.4.

 

Illustrative Photo of Courtyard Building with residential units.

TABLE 1.4.4. COURTYARD BUILDING
STANDARD	ZONE
	TC	R/MU	RES	IND
1. LOT SIZE
A. Width	100 ft. min.		Not allowed
B. Depth	120 ft. min.
2. BUILDING SIZE AND MASSING
A. Height (max.)	2 stories / 40 ft.	3 stories / 50 ft.	Not allowed
B. Length along front	130 ft. max.	130 ft. max.
C. Length along side yard	n/a
D. Unit size	Per market	Per market
3. PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FROM PRIMARY OR SIDE STREET
A. Ground floor	Direct access from sidewalk or courtyard		Not allowed
B. Courtyard	• 15 ft. min. wide passage that is open to the sky and provides access from Primary or Side Street sidewalk to courtyard. • View through passage from Primary or Side Street sidewalk into courtyard must be unobstructed. • A wrought iron, metal picket, or wood gate may be used. Gates must allow visibility into courtyard (max. 25%).
4. PARKING ACCESS
A. Lot with alley	From alley	n/a	Not allowed
B. Corner lot without alley	Max. 20 ft. wide driveway connected to a Side Street
C. Internal lot without alley	Max. 12 ft. wide driveway connected to a Primary Street; or Joint Parking lot.	Max. 12 ft. wide driveway connected to a Primary Street.
5. PARKING TYPE
A. Type	Surface lot, garage, or carport. Parking is prohibited in courtyard.		Not allowed
6. OPEN SPACE
A. Primary and Side Street Setbacks	Primary and Side Street setbacks to be landscaped or paved per Sec. 8119-1.4.2(e).	Landscaping required in Primary and Side Street setbacks.
B. Private open space (Residential uses only)	May be provided in side and rear yards: min. dimensions 8 ft. × 10 ft.
C. Common open space (Courtyard)	• One or more separated or interconnected courtyards. • Min. 15% of lot area with min. width of 30 ft. and max. width or length of 100 ft. • Courtyard must be landscaped.		Not allowed
7. FRONTAGE
	See Sec. 8119-1.5		Not allowed

 

[1] Driveway standards may be adjusted as per requirements of the Ventura County Fire Protection District.

(Ord. No. 4479, § 8(App. B), 9-22-2015)