Look Up Your Zoning
To determine the zoning designation for a specific parcel in McLainberg, contact the Planning Division at (555) 760-4100 or visit City Hall during public counter hours. Provide the site address or Assessor's Parcel Number (APN). Staff will confirm the zoning district and provide a summary of permitted uses and applicable development standards.
Pre-Application Conferences
Applicants for discretionary permits are encouraged to schedule a pre-application conference with Planning Division staff prior to submitting an application. Pre-application conferences are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment. There is no fee for a pre-application conference.
Zoning Districts Summary
| District | Symbol | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Estate Residential | R-E | Single-family homes on large lots (min. 1 acre) |
| Single-Family Residential | R-1 | Single-family homes, min. lot 6,000 sq ft |
| Two-Family Residential | R-2 | Duplexes and SFR, min. lot 7,500 sq ft |
| Medium Density Residential | R-3 | Apartments up to 18 du/ac |
| High Density Residential | R-4 | Apartments up to 40 du/ac |
| Neighborhood Commercial | C-N | Small retail and personal services for nearby residents |
| General Commercial | C-G | Retail, restaurants, service commercial, auto-related |
| Downtown Commercial | C-D | Mixed-use, retail, office, and upper-floor residential |
| Office Commercial | C-O | Professional offices, medical, financial services |
| Light Industrial | I-L | Light manufacturing, warehousing, R&D |
| General Industrial | I-G | Heavy manufacturing, outdoor storage |
| Open Space — Parks | OS-P | City parks, recreation, and greenways |
| Open Space — Conservation | OS-C | Natural open space, habitat, and buffer areas |
For complete land use regulations including permitted uses, conditional uses, and development standards, see Municipal Code Title 9 (Zoning) and the McLainberg Development Code.
Planning Applications
| Application Type | Decision Maker | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Use Permit | Planning Director | 4–6 weeks |
| Conditional Use Permit | Planning Commission | 8–12 weeks |
| Variance | Planning Commission | 8–12 weeks |
| Design Review | Planning Director / Commission | 4–8 weeks |
| Tentative Parcel Map | Planning Commission | 10–14 weeks |
| Tentative Tract Map | City Council | 16–24 weeks |
| Zone Change | City Council | 16–24 weeks |
| General Plan Amendment | City Council | 24–36 weeks |
| SB 35 Streamlined Approval | Planning Director (ministerial) | 60 or 90 days |
Application forms, submittal checklists, and fee schedules are available from the Planning Division counter and on the City's website. All applications must be submitted with the required materials before they will be deemed complete and processing will begin.
ADUs & Housing
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are permitted by right on all residentially zoned parcels consistent with California Government Code §65852.2. The City's ADU standards are set forth in the Development Code, Chapter 3 (Residential Standards). Detached ADUs up to 1,200 square feet and attached ADUs up to 50% of the primary residence are permitted. Owner-occupancy is not required for ADUs on parcels with an existing single-family or multifamily dwelling.
SB 9 Two-Unit Development
Under California Government Code §65852.21 (SB 9), property owners in single-family zones (R-1, R-E) may construct up to two dwelling units on a single parcel, or up to four total units via an urban lot split, subject to ministerial review. Contact the Planning Division for pre-application guidance.
Appeals
Decisions of the Planning Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission. Decisions of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council. Appeals must be filed with the City Clerk within fifteen (15) calendar days of the decision, accompanied by the appeal fee. An appeal stays the decision until the appeal is heard and decided.