Gilroy City Zoning Code

To assist in providing a definite comprehensive plan for sound and orderly development, and to guide and regulate each development in accordance with the general plan and the objectives and standards set forth therein;

To protect and improve the established character and the social and economic stability of agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial and other areas of Gilroy;

To provide light, air, privacy and convenience of access to property; and to promote safety from fire and other dangers;

To prevent overcrowding of land and undue congestion of population;

To regulate the location of buildings and the use of buildings and land so as to prevent undue interference with existing or prospective traffic movements on public thoroughfares;

To prezone unincorporated territory adjoining the city for the purpose of determining the zoning that shall apply to such property in the event of subsequent annexation to the city.

The general plan is a comprehensive, long-range, general policy statement for the entire community. The general plan designates appropriate locations and densities for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, public, and open space uses. In comparison, the Zoning Ordinance is a specific statement of permissible uses of land by zoning district designed to control the use, type, bulk, height, space and location of buildings and land. The Zoning Ordinance is the primary tool by which the city implements the policies of the general plan. The Zoning Ordinance is intended to be applied to the city based on land use designations established in the general plan.

The Zoning Ordinance shall be consistent with the general plan of the City of Gilroy. Where inconsistencies do exist, the general plan shall control the use and development of such land until such time as the city council revises the Zoning Ordinance to achieve consistency.