NC-Flex District Setback and Build-to Standards in Grass Valley
In the City of Grass Valley, the NC-Flex: Neighborhood Center Flex district requires a front build-to line of 12 feet and a side street build-to line of 8 feet for corner lots. Interior side setbacks must be between 3 and 10 feet, while rear setbacks are set at 10 feet when adjacent to residential uses and 5 feet when adjacent to any other use [Section 17.21.060].
NC-Flex Building Placement and Setback Requirements
The City of Grass Valley utilizes a "build-to" system for street-facing frontages in the NC-Flex: Neighborhood Center Flex district to encourage a pedestrian-oriented environment. This differs from traditional setbacks by establishing a specific line where the building facade must be located. Interior property lines not facing a street are governed by traditional minimum and maximum setbacks [Section 17.21.060].
NC-Flex Technical Standards Table
The following standards apply to all building placements within the NC-Flex: Neighborhood Center Flex district:
| Requirement Category | Standard |
|---|---|
| Build-to Line: Front | 12 feet* |
| Build-to Line: Side Street (Corner Lot) | 8 feet |
| Interior Side Setback | 3 feet minimum / 10 feet maximum |
| Rear Setback (Adjacent to Residential) | 10 feet |
| Rear Setback (Adjacent to any other use) | 5 feet |
*Note: For redeveloping properties in Grass Valley where adjacent buildings are set back less than 12 feet from the public right-of-way, the Front Build-to Line may be adjusted to align with the front face of those immediately adjacent properties [Section 17.21.060].
Additional Placement Regulations
In addition to specific distance requirements, the Grass Valley Development Code applies the following rules to the NC-Flex: Neighborhood Center Flex district:
- Street Facades: Building facades must be constructed to the build-to line (BTL) within 30 feet of every corner [Section 17.21.060].
- Encroachments: Certain architectural features such as porches, commercial storefronts, balconies, and bay windows are permitted to encroach over the build-to line on street-facing sides [Section 17.21.060].
- Primary Entrances: All floors of a structure in the NC-Flex district must have a primary ground-floor entrance that faces the street [Section 17.21.060].
- Prohibited Elements: Service entries and rear-facing buildings are prohibited on street-facing facades within the NC-Flex: Neighborhood Center Flex district [Section 17.21.060].
Sections Cited
- Chapter 17.12 - ZONING MAP AND ZONES
- Section 17.12.020 - Zoning map and zones
- Chapter 17.21 - TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ZONES
- Section 17.21.030 - Purposes of the traditional community development zones
- Section 17.21.060 - Neighborhood Center-Flex (NC-Flex) Standards