Section 3.1 — Official Zoning Map
DC 3.1.1 Adoption of Official Zoning Map
The City of McLainberg is hereby divided into the zoning districts shown on the "Official Zoning Map of the City of McLainberg," adopted by resolution of the City Council and on file with the Community Development Department. The Zoning Map and all notations, references, and information shown thereon are incorporated herein by reference and made part of this Development Code.
DC 3.1.2 Map Maintenance
The Planning Director shall maintain the Official Zoning Map in current form, updating it within thirty (30) days of any City Council action rezoning property. The map shall be made available for public inspection at the Community Development Department and on the City's website. In the event of any conflict between the paper and digital versions, the paper version on file with the Community Development Department shall control.
DC 3.1.3 Zoning District Summary
| Symbol | District Name | General Character |
|---|---|---|
| R-E | Rural Estate | Min. 1-acre lots; foothill character |
| R-1 | Single-Family Residential | Detached SFR; 6,000 sf min. lot |
| R-2 | Low-Density Multi-Family | Duplex/triplex; 8,000 sf min. lot |
| R-3 | Medium-Density Multi-Family | Apartments; up to 20 du/ac |
| R-4 | High-Density Residential | Apartments; up to 40 du/ac |
| C-N | Neighborhood Commercial | Small-scale neighborhood retail |
| C-G | General Commercial | Broad retail/service commercial |
| C-D | Downtown Commercial | Mixed-use historic downtown core |
| C-O | Commercial Office | Professional/medical office |
| C-R | Commercial Recreation | Recreation/hospitality/tourism |
| I-L | Light Industrial | Light manufacturing/warehouse |
| I-G | General Industrial | Heavy industrial/processing |
| OS-P | Open Space — Parks | Public parks and recreation |
| OS-C | Open Space — Conservation | Environmental protection |
| AG | Agriculture | Farming/ranching/agritourism |
Section 3.2 — Residential Zoning Districts
DC 3.2.1 R-E Rural Estate District — Purpose
The R-E district is intended to preserve the rural, open, and agricultural character of McLainberg's foothills and lower Sierra Nevada transition areas. It accommodates large-lot single-family residential development at densities compatible with the rural landscape, and allows limited agricultural activities.
DC 3.2.2 R-1 Single-Family Residential District — Purpose
The R-1 district is the primary residential designation for McLainberg's established single-family neighborhoods. It is intended to protect the character, stability, and quality of life in these neighborhoods by limiting development to detached single-family dwellings and directly accessory uses.
DC 3.2.3 R-2 and R-3 Multi-Family Districts — Purpose
The R-2 and R-3 districts provide for multi-family residential development at varying densities, consistent with the General Plan's housing policies. These districts are intended to be located in areas with convenient access to services, employment, and transit, and to provide housing choices beyond single-family ownership.
DC 3.2.4 R-4 High-Density District — Purpose
The R-4 district supports housing at urban densities in areas where proximity to the downtown, employment centers, or transit makes higher intensity appropriate. Mixed-use residential development integrating ground-floor commercial is encouraged in the R-4 district.
Section 3.3 — Commercial Zoning Districts
DC 3.3.1 C-D Downtown Commercial — Purpose and Character
The C-D district encompasses the historic downtown core of McLainberg, centered on Main Street and including the historic commercial blocks listed on the McLainberg Register of Historic Resources. The purpose of the C-D district is to maintain the historic character of the downtown while allowing for compatible mixed-use development, retail vitality, and upper-floor residential uses. Ground-floor commercial uses are required on all blocks designated on the Downtown Street Frontage Map. The maximum building height is fifty (50) feet; new construction shall be compatible in scale and character with adjacent historic structures.
DC 3.3.2 C-G General Commercial — Purpose
The C-G district accommodates a broad range of retail, service, office, and compatible uses along McLainberg's major commercial corridors. This district is intended to serve community-wide and regional shopping needs and to provide employment opportunities in a compact, accessible format.
Section 3.4 — Industrial Districts
DC 3.4.1 Industrial Districts — Purpose
The I-L and I-G districts provide lands for employment-generating industrial, manufacturing, and warehousing uses that are generally incompatible with residential and commercial areas. These districts implement the General Plan's Economic Development Element policies protecting the City's employment land base from conversion to other uses.
DC 3.4.2 Performance Standards
All uses in industrial districts shall comply with the performance standards of Chapter 5 regarding noise, vibration, glare, odors, and air quality. Uses that cannot demonstrate compliance with applicable performance standards shall not be permitted.
Section 3.5 — Open Space and Agricultural Districts
DC 3.5.1 Open Space Districts — Purpose
The OS-P and OS-C districts protect and manage McLainberg's parks, trails, natural areas, and environmentally sensitive lands. These districts reflect the community's commitment to preserving its natural heritage and providing recreational opportunities consistent with the General Plan's Conservation and Open Space Element.
DC 3.5.2 Agricultural District — Right to Farm
Properties in the AG district benefit from the protections of California's Right-to-Farm Act (Food and Agriculture Code § 3482.5). Nuisance complaints against agricultural operations conducted in a good-faith, non-negligent manner shall not be sustained. Conditions of approval for development adjacent to the AG district shall include an agricultural buffer and disclosure notice to future owners.
Section 3.6 — Overlay Zoning Districts
DC 3.6.1 Historic District (HD) Overlay
The HD overlay applies to the McLainberg Historic Downtown District as mapped by resolution of the City Council. Within the HD overlay, all exterior alterations to contributing structures and all new construction require approval by the Historic Preservation Committee using the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Demolition of contributing structures requires a finding of economic hardship or infeasibility by the Planning Commission.
DC 3.6.2 Flood Hazard (FH) Overlay
The FH overlay applies to all FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zones A, AE, and AH) as shown on the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). Development within the FH overlay shall comply with the standards of Chapter 5.08 (Flood Damage Prevention) and FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.
DC 3.6.3 Transit Overlay District (TOD)
The TOD overlay applies within a half-mile radius of designated transit stops as shown on the TOD Overlay Map. Within the TOD overlay: (a) minimum parking requirements are reduced by fifty percent (50%) for all uses; (b) density bonuses of up to twenty percent (20%) are available for residential projects; (c) bicycle parking standards are enhanced per Chapter 5.05.