9-3-2: ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED:

Zoning districts are established in order to classify, regulate, designate, and distribute the uses of land and buildings; to regulate and restrict the height and bulk of buildings; to regulate the area of yards and other open spaces around buildings; and to regulate the density of population.

The city of Lemoore is divided into zoning districts that are grouped into two (2) categories: a) base zoning districts, and b) overlay zoning districts. These districts conform to and implement the city’s general plan land use categories as described in table 9-3-2, “Zoning Districts”, of this section. Chapter 4, “Land Uses”, of this title identifies the allowed uses and requirements for planning entitlements. Chapter 5, article B, “Development Standards By Zoning District”, of this title identifies development standards unique to each zoning district.

   A.   Base Zoning Districts: The base zoning district is the primary zoning district that applies to a property. Every parcel throughout the city has a base zoning district that establishes the primary land use type, density, intensity, and site development regulations. Base districts are grouped into five (5) categories as follows:

      1.   Residential zoning districts;

      2.   Special purpose zoning districts;

      3.   Mixed use zoning districts;

      4.   Office, commercial, and industrial zoning districts; and

      5.   Specific plan zoning districts.

   B.   Overlay Zoning Districts: The overlay zoning districts function to supplement the base zoning district for one or more of the following purposes:

      1.   To allow more flexibility from the standard provisions of the underlying base zone;

      2.   When special provisions are needed to protect unique site features or implement location specific provisions; and/or

      3.   To specify a particular standard or guideline for an area.

   In the event of a conflict between the regulations of the base zoning district and the overlay zoning district, the provisions of the overlay zoning district shall apply.

TABLE 9-3-2
ZONING DISTRICTS

Zoning District Symbol	Zoning District Name/Description	General Plan Land Use Designation Implemented By Zoning District
Residential zoning districts:
AR	Agriculture and rural residential. This district is designated for single-family detached residential development in areas with rural and semirural characteristics. Parcel sizes are greater than 40,000 square feet. Residential density is typically provided at 0.05 unit per gross acre (1 unit per 20 acres), with a maximum density of 0.2 unit per gross acre (1 unit per 5 acres).	Agriculture/rural residential
RVLD	Very low density residential. This district is designated to provide transition between semirural residential and single-family detached residential areas. Lot sizes are between 10,000 and 40,000 square feet. Residential density for this designation ranges from a minimum of 1 to a maximum 3 units per gross acre.	Very low density residential
RLD	Low density residential. This district is designated for single-family residential subdivisions at a range from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 7 units per gross acre. Lot sizes range from 5,000 to 15,000 square feet.	Low density residential
RN	Traditional neighborhood residential. This district is designated for older, historic neighborhoods in central Lemoore and new development that is designed with similar characteristics. Development features single-family residential homes at a density range from a minimum of 7 to a maximum of 12 units per gross acre with lot sizes between a minimum of 3,000 and a maximum of 7,500 square feet. The fronts of homes are typically accessed from the public street, while garages and services (e.g., trash) are accessed from the rear of the lot via a public or private alley.	Low-medium density residential
RLMD	Low-medium density residential. This district is designated for higher density single-family residential development including small lot single-family, attached single-family and duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes. Typical residential density for this designation ranges from a minimum of 7 to a maximum of 12 units per gross acre. The lot sizes range from 3,000 to 7,000 square feet.	Low-medium density residential
RMD	Medium density residential. This district is designated for multi-family residential development, including apartments and townhomes. Development is typically 2 and sometimes 3 stories, with balconies, common area open space, and shared amenities. Residential densities range from a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 17 units per gross acre. Lot size to unit ratio is between 2,000 and 3,600 square feet.	Medium density residential
RHD	High density residential. This zoning district is designated for multi-family apartments and condominium development. Residential densities range from a minimum of 17 to a maximum of 25 units per gross acre. High density residential development is best suited along arterials and around the downtown. Lot size to unit ratio is between 1,700 and 2,500 square feet.	High density residential
Special purpose zoning districts:
W	Wetlands. This district is designated for the preservation and protection of existing and recreated wetland areas; for the protection of wildlife, hydrological, and biological resources; and for the preservation of open space lands and natural protection areas.	Wetlands
AG	Agricultural. This district is designated solely for agricultural activities (e.g., crop production, animal keeping) on parcels larger than 40,000 square feet.	Agricultural
PR	Parks and recreation/ponding basin. This district is designated for improved and unimproved park facilities, including neighborhood, community, and regional parks; public golf courses; and recreational facilities that provide visual open space and serve the outdoor recreational needs of the community. Also includes ponding basins and other drainage facilities.	Parks/recreation greenway/ detention basin
CF	Public services and community facilities. This district is designated for lands owned by public entities, including schools, administrative offices, corporation yards, and public facilities, including trash collection and solid waste facilities, sewage treatment ponds, and fire stations.	Community facilities
Mixed use zoning districts:
DMX- 1	Downtown mixed use, core. This district comprises the historical center of the downtown. The district is designated for retail, commercial, professional office, personal services, second story residential, public, and institutional uses. Retail, restaurant, and personal service uses are generally the primary use at the site. Where there is residential development, densities range between 12 and 20 units per gross acre.	Mixed use
DMX- 2	Downtown mixed use, auto oriented. This district comprises the area of the downtown more oriented around the use of the automobile. The district is designated to facilitate the natural transition of the existing structures and uses to more intensive uses at the desire of the property owner. This district allows for retail, commercial, professional office, high density residential or live/work studios, public, and institutional uses. Where there is residential development, densities range between 12 and 17 units per gross acre.	Mixed use, low density residential, low-medium density residential, neighborhood commercial, professional office, light industrial, community facilities
DMX- 3	Downtown mixed use, transitional. This district comprises a combination of light office and low to medium density residential uses. The district is designated for a continuation of the current design pattern with enhancements in the level of architectural design and detailing. The DMX-3 zone completes the transition from the downtown to the surrounding residential properties by utilizing some of the building siting qualities of the adjacent residential development. This district allows for professional office and medium density residential, with small scale support commercial uses, as well as bed and breakfast. Where there is residential development, densities range between 3 and 17 units per gross acre.	Mixed use, low density residential, low-medium density residential, professional office, community facilities
MU	Mixed use. This district is designated to provide for retail, residential, office, business and personal services, public, and institutional uses in neighborhood oriented centers in a variety of mixed use configurations, such as ground floor commercial with residential or office uses above, or collocation of buildings with different single uses on a contiguous mixed use area. Development is pedestrian oriented to enhance street life and the vibrancy of neighborhoods. Residential density ranges from 8 to 20 units per gross acre.	Mixed use
Office, commercial, and industrial zoning districts:
NC	Neighborhood commercial. This district is designated for small scale commercial uses that primarily provide convenience, personal services, and social services such as small scale retail, eating and drinking establishments, commercial recreation, and professional office as a secondary use. It is designed to foster a pedestrian setting along public streets.	Neighborhood commercial
RC	Regional commercial. This district is designated for large scale commercial development that serves local and regional needs. Sites are easily accessible from freeways and may contain a variety of goods and services, such as large format retail, department stores, eating and drinking establishments, hotels, and motels.	Regional commercial
PO	Professional office. This district is designated for professional offices, which typically include administrative, financial, business, professional, medical, dental, and public uses. Churches and places for religious assembly and compatible multi-family housing also are allowed (density range from a minimum of 17 to a maximum of 25 units per gross acre). Complementary support services, such as business support services and restaurants, also are permitted.	Professional office
ML	Light industrial. This district is designated for manufacturing, warehousing, storage, distribution, sales, and services with ancillary commercial and office space. Freestanding retail stores are not permitted.	Light industrial
MH	Heavy industrial. This district is designated for manufacturing, refining, packaging, processing, and similar activities including those with outdoor facilities. It also accommodates warehousing and distribution uses, with support commercial services and ancillary office space. No retail uses are allowed.	Heavy industrial
Specific plan zoning districts:
SP	Specific plan zoning district. This zoning district designates areas for master planning with unique zoning and design standards through adoption of a specific plan to govern development of land within the plan area. While the city does not currently have an adopted specific plan, the framework is provided for future use consistent with state law.	All
Overlay zoning districts:
PUD	Planned unit development overlay zoning district. This district is applied to developments that are approved through the planned unit development (PUD) permit process. Through approval of a PUD, the designated approving authority may authorize modifications in development regulations such as setbacks, height, or density, consistent with the general plan, or may establish special design requirements, such as architectural detailing for structures.	All
NASL	Naval Air Station Lemoore overlay zone. This district is applied to lands generally west of State Highway 41 and south of the city limits within the military influence area of Naval Air Station Lemoore. The intent of this overlay is to recognize the potential adverse impacts on the population from Naval Air Station Lemoore and establish special development regulations to ensure public health, safety, and welfare.	All

 

(Ord. 2013-05, 2-6-2014; amd. Ord. 2024-01, 6-18-2024)