Willits, Cal., Code of Ordinances ch. 17.62 § 17.62.030
General development criteria
Operative Text
A. Interior Access Drives. Interior private access drives shall be paved with a minimum of two inches of asphaltic cement over six inches of compacted base, and shall be paved to a width of not less than sixteen feet for one-way traffic, twenty-five feet for two-way traffic. All corners shall have a minimum twenty-five-foot radius. B. Open Space. 1. At least one substantial area of group usable open space shall be provided. Such area shall: a. Total at least one hundred fifty square feet per dwelling unit; required setbacks shall not be considered open space; b. Be landscaped; c. Include outdoor recreational facilities for both active and passive recreation. 2. Private open space areas shall be provided as follows: a. Above Ground Level. Sixty square feet, the least dimension which is seven feet; b. Ground Level. One hundred twenty square feet, the least dimension of which is ten feet and which is enclosed by a view-obscuring fence four to six feet in height; a "private open space" shall be an area contiguous to the individual dwelling unit which allows its occupants the personal use of an outdoor space; each dwelling unit shall have at least one private open space; c. Refuse Storage. There shall be adequate areas provided for refuse storage. Such refuse storage areas shall be screened from view by a six-foot-high solid fence, and shall be no more than one hundred feet from any residence; d. Access. Each apartment complex shall have direct vehicular access from a publicly maintained street. This requirement does not apply to the expansion of an existing apartment complex when adequate access is obtained through the existing portion of the apartment complex; e. Storage Areas. Storage areas of a minimum of fifty cubic feet shall be provided for each dwelling unit. These shall be of a type and design to provide secure storage, accessible from the ground level in the vicinity of resident parking stalls.
Willits Code of Ordinances ch. 17.62 § 17.62.030 establishes physical development standards for multi-unit residential properties. It sets requirements for paved interior drives, shared and private open space, landscaping, recreational facilities, refuse storage screening, vehicular access, and secure storage areas for each dwelling unit. These standards define the minimum conditions under which a multi-family development may be built or expanded in Willits.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and developers of apartment complexes in Willits must design and build projects to meet the criteria in ch. 17.62 § 17.62.030, including properly paved interior drives, landscaped group open space of at least 150 square feet per unit, and private outdoor space for each dwelling unit. Compliant properties also provide screened refuse storage within 100 feet of residences, direct vehicular access from a publicly maintained street, and at least 50 cubic feet of secure ground-level storage per unit. Reviewing these standards early in the design process helps ensure that site plans align with the ordinance before permits are sought.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of apartment complexes in Willits may have a right to certain on-site amenities established by ch. 17.62 § 17.62.030, including private outdoor space, shared recreational open space, screened refuse storage, and secure individual storage areas. If a property appears to lack these features, tenants can document the conditions and contact the City of Willits planning or code enforcement department to inquire about compliance. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what options may be available when a property does not appear to meet these development standards.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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