Clearlake City Zoning Code

18-18 USE

REGULATIONS

18-18.010 Uses Allowed by Zones.

a. Status of Uses. Uses within zones shall be as provided in Tables 4, 5, 6 and 7 subject to subsections (b) through (f) of this section. In Tables 4, 5, 6 and 7, symbols shall have these meanings:

1. P = The use is allowed, including meeting all applicable Federal, State and local agency requirements/design standards.

2. ZP: Zoning Permit = The use is subject to a zoning permit (limited uses) in accordance with Article 18-28, subject to:

(a) The standards for permitted uses that are set out in this Zoning Ordinance.

(b) The applicable limited use standards for the specified use.

3. AU = The use is subject to an administrative use permit (limited use) as provided in Article 18-28, approved by the Director and subject to:

(a) The standards for permitted uses that are set out in this Zoning Ordinance.

(b) The applicable limited use standards for the specified use.

4. CU = The use is subject to a Conditional Use Permit by the Planning Commission in accordance with Article 18-28. If the Planning Commission approves a conditional use permit the use shall be subject to:

(a) Standards for permitted uses that are set out in this Zoning Ordinance.

(b) The applicable limited use standards for the specified use.

(d) All applicable Federal, State, and local agency requirements and design standards.

5. “–” means that the use is prohibited in the specified zoning district.

6. Special notes affecting the status of uses are indicated by number that may be found at the end of the table.

b. Interpretation of Use Listing. These regulations are intended to permit similar types of uses within each zone. The Director, subject to the appeal procedures of Article 18-36, shall determine whether uses which are not listed shall be deemed allowed or allowed subject to use permit approval in a certain zone. This interpretation procedure shall not be used as a substitute for the amendment procedure as a means of adding new types of uses to a zone.

c. Principal and Accessory Uses. Listed uses are principal uses. Accessory uses are allowed with principal uses.

d. Production and Sales. Where manufacturing is allowed, incidental sale of items made on the premises is allowed. When sale of a particular type of item is allowed, craftsman-type production of such an item for sale on the premises is allowed.

e. Prohibition of Mineral Extraction. Commercial mining is prohibited in City limits.

f. Specific Plan Consistency. Some land subject to City zoning is also subject to one (1) of several specific plans, which are intended to provide additional direction for the development of those areas. Land within specific plans, designated by the SP zoning, may be subject to further restrictions. The list of uses and permit requirements in the specific plan shall prevail. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

18-18.020 Residential, Agricultural and Institutional Uses Allowed by Zones.

a. Residential, Agricultural and Institutional Land Use Table. Residential, agricultural and institutional uses are allowed in each zoning district as provided in Table 4:

P = Use Allowed; ZP = Subject to a Zoning Permit; AU = Subject to Administrative Permit; CU = Subject to Conditional Use Permit From Planning Commission; – = Not an Allowable Use

Land Use	Zoning Districts
	Residential			Business and Commercial		Mixed- Use	Industrial	Open Space
	RR and LDR	MDR	HDR	GC	DC	MUX	IN	O
Residential Uses
Single-Family Detached Dwelling	P	P	CU	CU	AU	AU	CU	P
Accessory Structure(s) on a Vacant Parcel Without an Established or Primary Use	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Collector’s Permit	AU	AU	AU	–	–	AU	–	–
Manufactured Home (see subsection (g) of this section)	P	P	CU	CU	AU	AU	CU	P
Live-Work	AU	AU	–	–	AU	AU	CU	–
Micro Primary Dwelling (400 – 749 sf.)	AU	AU	AU	–	–	–	–	–
Accessory and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units	P	P	P	CU	P	P	CU	P
Multifamily/Multi-Dwellings Developments (such as apartment, condos, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, etc.). Refer to Multifamily/Multi-Dwellings Developments Definition	AU	P	P	CU	P	P	CU	CU
Employee/Farm Worker Housing (see subsection (j) of this section)	P	P	P	–	–	–	–	P
Residential Neighborhoods (Requires a minimum area for the parcel proposed for development. See Article 18-20, residential development area and density standards.)
Mixed-Use Housing	–	AU	CU	CU	P	P	CU	–
Cohousing (see subsection (d) of this section for HDR District)	P	P	P	–	AU	AU	CU	–
Manufactured Home Park	CU	CU	CU	–	–	CU	–	–
Agricultural Uses
Agriculture, Support/Rural Services (see subsection (h) of this section)	P	P	–	–	–	–	P	P
Greenhouses, Hothouses	CU	–	–	–	–	–	AU	AU
Institutional Uses
Assisted Living Facilities/Congregate Care	AU	AU	AU	P	AU	CU	–	–
College/University/Vo-Tech	CU	CU	–	P	AU	CU	CU	CU
Emergency Shelter	CU	CU	P	CU	CU	CU	–	CU
Low Barrier Navigation Center (see subsection (i) of this section)	–	CU	P	P	P	P	P	–
Hospital/Walk-In Clinic/Birthing Center/Surgical Facility	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU	CU	–
Nursing Home	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	CU	–	–
Personal Marijuana Cultivation	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU
Police or Fire Station	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Prison/Protective Care	–	–	–	–	–	–	CU	–
Private Club	CU	CU	CU	P	AU	CU	CU	AU
Public Assembly (preschools; elementary, middle and high schools; libraries; community centers)	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	CU	CU	CU
Church/Places of Worship	Refer to Section 18-19.370
Child/Adult Daycare 14 Patrons and Greater	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU
Recreational Vehicle Park	See Table 5
Safe Parking	CU	CU	CU	AU	CU	CU	AU	CU
Senior Independent Living Center	AU	AU	–	AU	AU	AU	CU	–

*To comply with California Government Code Section 65583.2(c) to allow residential uses by right for housing developments where at least twenty (20%) percent of the units are affordable to lower income households on vacant sites that were identified in the two (2) previous housing elements as referenced in Table 8.39 (or equivalent Table) of the General Plan Housing Element.

b. Production and Sales. Where manufacturing is allowed, incidental sale of items made on the premises is allowed.

c. Dwelling Units on the First Floor. Dwelling units that are proposed for the first floor of any building located in the DC District shall not be established unless a conditional use permit has been granted.

d. Minimum Dwelling Unit Sizes. Except as required for accessory and junior accessory dwellings, per Section 18-19.320, single-family detached dwellings, including manufactured homes, shall have a minimum seven hundred fifty (750) square foot floor area (exclusive of garages and carports), including meeting all requirements in the adopted design standards (i.e., minimum dwelling width, foundation, driveway, roofing pitch/design, etc.). A primary dwelling unit size from four hundred (400) to seven hundred forty-nine (749) square feet (micro primary dwelling) may be approved in any residential zoning district with approval of an administrative use permit. Duplexes, townhomes, and multiplex/multiple-family dwellings shall have a minimum four hundred fifty (450) square feet of floor area.

1. Small Residential Care Facilities. A small residential care facility is permitted in the same district as a single-family or multifamily use; provided, that:

(a) It meets all of the regulations of this Zoning Code that apply to the type of housing that is proposed for the care facility; and

(b) It is duly licensed by the State of California.

2. Large Residential Care Facilities. All large residential care facilities are a conditional use in the same districts as a single-family or multifamily use; provided, that:

(a) A conditional use permit has been granted by the City of Clearlake;

(b) It meets all regulations of this Zoning Code that apply to the type of housing that is proposed for the care facility; and

3. Supportive Housing and Transitional Housing. Supportive housing and transitional housing are permitted in the same district as a single-family or multifamily use; provided, that:

(a) It meets all regulations of this Zoning Code that apply to the type of housing that is proposed for the facility; and

(b) The facility is duly licensed by the State of California.

(c) In accordance with Government Code Section 65583 supportive and transitional housing shall be considered a residential use of property and shall be subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone.

(a) Multiplex and multifamily housing is limited use in the HDR District; provided, that it is a minimum of sixteen (16) dwelling units per acre.

(b) Multiplex and multifamily housing that is less than sixteen (16) dwelling units per acre shall not be permitted unless a conditional use permit has been granted by the City.

(c) Housing other than multifamily housing is not permitted in the HDR District, unless a conditional use permit has been issued. Such developments are limited to the following types:

(1) Mixed-housing cluster; or

(2) Traditional neighborhood development.

f. Personal Cannabis Cultivation. Personal cannabis cultivation, typically conducted in residential zones, shall comply with regulations concerning cannabis uses established by Ordinance 200-17, 2017, and incorporated into this Zoning Code as Article 18-41, in order to avoid adverse effects that may result from the use, as set forth in more detail in the ordinance and associated ordinance provisions that remains in full force and effect.

g. Older Mobile Homes. Mobile homes that were constructed more than ten (10) years from the date of proposed installation shall be prohibited.

(a) “Adult” refers to an animal over six (6) months of age. Offspring are not counted up until this point.

(b) “Livestock” includes but is not limited to:

(1) Small: poultry (including ducks, chickens), rabbit;

(2) Medium: sheep, mules, goats;

(3) Large: horse, cow, swine.

2. Growing and harvesting of trees, vines, vegetables, field crops, grains, pasture and other agricultural commodities.

3. Sale of agricultural products, including sale at roadside stands, if the products are produced on the property where the sale is conducted.

4. Raising of small livestock (up to four (4) adults per five thousand (5,000) square feet in LDR and MDR when occupied with a single-family dwelling; otherwise up to fifty (50) per acre), excluding roosters in LDR and MDR.

5. Beekeeping (one (1) beehive per half acre, no less than twenty (20') feet from property lines in LDR and MDR when occupied with a single-family dwelling; otherwise unlimited as long as no more than two (2) hives within one (1) mile of a populated area).

6. 4-H/FFA projects permitted without limitation with a minimum of one-half (1/2) acre.

7. Excluding LDR and MDR:

(a) Agricultural service establishments primarily engaged in performing agricultural animal husbandry or horticultural services including but not limited to large animal veterinary practices, blacksmiths, farm management offices, custom meat cutting, and other agriculturally dependent uses which are of a similar character and not substantially different from the list above.

(b) Agricultural processing such as fruit dehydrators and packing sheds not exceeding a use area of five thousand (5,000) square feet.

(c) Open space uses including but not limited to wildlife habitat, wetlands and game preserves but not including hunting clubs.

(d) Raising of medium livestock, up to ten (10) adults per acre.

(e) Raising of large livestock, up to two (2) adults per acre.

i. Low Barrier Navigation Center. In accordance with California Government Code Section 65662, this use is considered to be a use allowed by right in all mixed-use and nonresidential zones. In MDR and HDR Zones, this use is permitted by right subject to permitting multifamily uses if it meets the specified requirements.

j. Temporary Employee and Farmworker Housing. In accordance with California Government Health and Safety Code Section 17021.6 any employee housing consisting of no more than thirty-six (36) beds in a group quarter, or twelve (12) units or spaces designed for use of a single family or household shall be deemed an agricultural land use designation and be allowed by right. All employee and farmworker housing shall adhere to the California Building Code. If the employee and farmworker housing exceed thirty-six (36) beds in a group quarter(s) or twelve (12) units or spaces, shall be subject to obtaining a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

18-18.030 Commercial, Recreation and Amusement Uses Allowed by Zones.

Commercial, recreation and amusement use table: Commercial, recreation and amusement uses are allowed in each zoning district as provided in Table 5.

P = Use Allowed; ZP = Subject to a Zoning Permit; AU = Subject to Administrative Permit; CU = Subject to Conditional Use Permit From Planning Commission; – = Not an Allowable Use

Land Use	Zoning Districts
	Residential			Business and Commercial		Mixed- Use	Industrial	Open Space
	RR and LDR	MDR	HDR	GC	DC	MUX	IN	O
Commercial Uses
Adult-Oriented Businesses (see subsection (a) of this section)	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Alcoholic Beverage Regulations	Refer to Section 18-19.110 (Special Uses)
Automobile Repairs	–	–	–	CU	CU	–	AU	–
Automobile Sales	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU	CU	–
Auto Sound Installation (see subsection (c) of this section)	–	–	–	AU	AU	–	AU	CU
Bed and Breakfast Inn	AU	AU	–	P	P	P	AU	–
Campground	CU (RR Only)	–	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU
Cannabis Dispensary (includes delivery and non-delivery and microbusinesses) (see subsection (b) of this section)	–	–	–	CU*	CU*	–	CU*	–
Commercial Retail/Business Services/Personal Services/Shopping Centers	–	–	–	P	P	P	P	–
Event Facility/Banquet Hall/Dance Hall/Lodge	–	–	–	C	AU	CU	–	–
Gas Station/Light Automobile Service/Car Wash (except for electrical vehicle charging stations)	–	–	–	AU	A	CU	AU	–
General Professional, Medical Office	–	–	–	P	P	CU	P	–
Heavy Retail, Home Center	–	–	–	CU	P	CU	P	–
Hotels, Motels	–	–	–	P	P	CU	AU	–
Restaurant; No Drive-Through	–	–	–	P	P	AU	AU	–
Restaurant; With Drive-Through	–	–	–	AU	AU	AU	AU	–
Recreational Vehicle Park	CU (RR Only)	–	–	CU	–	CU	–	–
Secondhand Dealers and Pawn Brokers, Including Thrift Stores	–	–	–	AU	AU	CU	AU	–
Small Animal Veterinarian	–	–	–	AU	P	AU	AU	–
Tattoo Parlor	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU	CU	–
Tobacco Sales	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU	CU	–
Truck Stop/Truck Wash	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU	CU	–
24-Hour Commercial Retail	–	–	–	AU	P	CU	AU	–
24-Hour Restaurant; No Drive-Through	–	–	–	AU	P	CU	AU	–
24-Hour Restaurant; With Drive-Through	–	–	–	AU	AU	CU	AU	–
Indoor Commercial Amusement	–	–	–	P	P	CU	AU	CU
Indoor Recreation/Personal Fitness	AU	AU	AU	P	P	CU	CU	–
Indoor Shooting Range	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU	CU	–
Other Outdoor Commercial Amusement	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU	CU	CU
Outdoor Recreation (excludes camping) and RV parks)	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Outdoor Shooting or Archery Range	–	–	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU
Stadiums/Amphitheaters/Arenas/Outdoor Performing Arts Facilities	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU	CU	CU
Vacation Rentals	ZP	ZP	ZP	ZP	ZP	ZP	ZP	ZP
Wholesale Business	–	–	–	AU	AU	–	CU	–

a. Adult Oriented Businesses. Regulations concerning adult oriented businesses are addressed in Article 18-16, in order to avoid adverse effects that may result from the operation of such businesses, as set forth in more detail in the ordinance that has been incorporated. Minor sales of adult merchandise, books, periodicals, magazines, photographs, drawings, sculptures, motion pictures, videos, slides, films in IN, GC and DC Zones, not exceeding twenty-five (25%) percent of the floor area of the business, may be allowed.

1. Delivery only cannabis dispensaries must be located within the CBR Combining District. Regulations concerning cannabis uses established by Ordinances 200-17 and 229-2019 incorporated into this Zoning Code, and Article 5-20, are set forth to avoid adverse effects that may result from the operation of such businesses, as set forth in more detail in the ordinance that adopted the CBR combining zoning district and associated ordinance provisions, which remain in full force and effect.

2. Retail only cannabis dispensaries and cannabis microbusinesses must be located within CBR Combining District. Regulations concerning cannabis uses in accordance with Section 18-19.140, and as set forth in more detail in Article 5-20, are established in order to avoid adverse effects that may result from the operation of such businesses.

c. Auto Sound System Installation. Auto sound installation services may be approved only as an accessory use to the retail sales of auto sound systems on the same site subject to approval of an administrative use permit. Administrative use permit review shall consider parking space displacement, noise from the operation and the appearance and visibility of the installation area. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

18-18.040 Industrial, Communications and Transportation Uses Allowed by Zones.

Industrial, communications and transportation land use table. Industrial, communications and transportation uses are allowed in each zoning district as provided in Table 6.

P = Use Allowed; ZP = Subject to a Zoning Permit; AU = Subject to Administrative Permit; CU = Subject to Conditional Use Permit From Planning Commission; – = Not an Allowable Use

Land Use	Zoning Districts
	Residential			Business and Commercial		Mixed- Use	Industrial	Open Space
	RR and LDR	MDR	HDR	GC	DC	MUX	IN	O
Industrial Uses
Broadcasting Center/Satellite Farm/Server Farm/Switching Facility	–	–	–	AU	–	–	P	–
*Commercial Cannabis (see subsection (a) of this section)
Disposal-Composting Facility	CU (RR Only)	–	–	–	–	–	CU	–
Disposal	–	–	–	–	–	–	CU	CU
Extraction	–	–	–	–	–	–	CU	CU
Heavy Industry	–	–	–	–	–	–	CU	–
Heavy Retail, Lumberyards and Equipment	–	–	–	CU	–	–	CU	–
Light Industry	–	–	–	AU	–	AU	P	–
Power Generation, Fossil Fuel	–	–	–	–	–	–	AU	–
Power Generation, Renewable Fuel	CU	CU	CU	AU	AU	AU	P	P
Recycling Centers	–	–	–	C	C	C	C	–
Reverse Vending Machines Inside or Outside a Building When Associated With Active Commercial Use	–	–	–	ZP	ZP	ZP	ZP	–
Small Recycling Center	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU	CU	–
Large Recycling Center	–	–	–	–	–	–	CU	–
Recycling Processing Center	–	–	–	–	–	–	CU	–
Research/Testing Laboratory	–	–	–	AU	AU	P	P	–
Salvage Yard	–	–	–	–	–	CU	P	–
Storage Yard	–	–	–	–	–	AU	P	–
Trucking	–	–	–	–	–	AU	P	–
Waste Transfer Station	–	–	–	–	–	CU	P	–
Transportation and Storage Uses
Airport	–	–	–	–	–	–	CU	CU
Bus Depot	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU	P	–
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations	AU	AU	AU	P	P	P	P	P
Helicopter Facilities (except for emergency service facilities) – Refer to Section 18-19.353, and Definitions Section Regarding Helicopter Facilities	–	–	–	CU	CU	–	CU	CU
Emergency Service Helicopter Facilities That Consist of Rooftop Emergency Facilities, Emergency Medical Services Helicopter Landing Areas, Temporary Helicopter Landing Sites, and Emergency Use Facilities – Refer to Section 18-19.353, and Definitions Section Regarding Helicopter Facilities	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Commercial Impound/Tow Yard	–	–	–	CU	–	–	P	–
Self-Storage	–	–	–	AU	–	–	P	–
Warehousing and Logistics/Distribution Centers	–	–	–	–	–	P	P	–
Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
Attached Facilities	–	–	–	AU	AU	CU	P	P
Non-Stealth Freestanding Facilities	–	–	–	–	CU	CU	CU	CU
Stealth Freestanding Facilities	–	–	–	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU

a. Commercial Cannabis Business Uses. Cannabis business uses must be located within the CB Combining District which is referenced on a separate Zoning Map. Regulations concerning cannabis uses in accordance with Section 18-19.150 are established in order to avoid adverse effects that may result from the operation of such businesses, as set forth in more detail in the ordinance that adopted the combining zone and associated ordinance provisions, which remain in full force and effect.

b. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. Section 18-19.230 provides for expedited permit processing for electric vehicle charging stations.

c. Manufacturing and production uses in the MUX Zone are limited to uses less than five thousand (5,000) square feet with a retail outlet. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

18-18.050 Temporary Uses Allowed by Zones.

a. Temporary Land Use Table. Temporary uses are allowed in each zoning district, as provided in Table 7.

P = Use Allowed; ZP = Subject to Zoning Permit; AU = Subject to Administrative Permit; CU = Subject to Conditional Use Permit From Planning Commission; – = Not an Allowable Use

Land Use	Zoning Districts
	Residential			Business and Commercial		Mixed- Use	Industrial	Open Space
	RR and LDR	MDR	HDR	GC	DC	MUX	IN	O
Temporary Uses
Asphalt or Concrete Plant	–	–	–	–	–	–	AU	–
Farmers’ Markets	–	–	–	ZP	ZP	ZP	–	ZP
Farm Stand	ZP	–	–	ZP	ZP	ZP	–	ZP
Model Homes/On-Site Real Estate Offices	AU	AU	AU	–	–	AU	–	–
Portable Classrooms	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	–	–
Temporary Construction Yard	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU
Tent Sale/Outdoor Sales Event	–	–	–	AU	AU	AU	AU	AU
Temporary Use of a Recreational Vehicle, Travel Trailer, Truck Camper and/or similar vehicle	Refer to Section 18-19.010

b. Uses Not Listed. If a proposed use is not listed in this section and the Director has made a determination that the use is either a subcategory of a permitted, limited or conditional use or a use that is functionally similar to a permitted, limited or conditional use, the Director will authorize a proposed use. If the Director determines that a proposed use is not a subcategory of or functionally similar to a permitted, limited or conditional use, then the use is a prohibited use. The Director may refer a proposed use to the Planning Commission for determination.

c. Older Mobile Homes. Mobile homes that were constructed more than ten (10) years from the date of proposed installation shall be prohibited. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))