The incorporated territory of the City of Orange is divided into land use districts, or zones, pursuant to the Planning Act of the State of California. The districts are established to serve the public health, safety, and general welfare; to provide the social and economic advantages which result from an orderly, planned use of land resources; and to guide, control, and regulate the future growth and development of the City.

Table 17.06.020 establishes the classes of zone districts. These districts classify, regulate, restrict, and segregate the uses of land and buildings; regulate and restrict the height and bulk of buildings; regulate the area of yards, courts, and other open spaces around buildings; specify other development standards applicable to uses; and provide a framework for the review of building design. No building, structure, land or premises shall be used for any purpose or in any manner other than permitted by this title, or amendments thereto, in the district in which such building, structure, land or premises is located.

The zoning map may, for convenience, be divided into parts, and each part may, for purposes of more readily identifying areas shown on the map, be divided into units. Such parts and units may be used separately for purposes of amending the zoning map or for any official reference to the zoning map.

Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of any zone shown on the zoning map or any part or unit thereof, the following rules shall apply:

Any territory hereafter annexed to the City shall, upon becoming part of the City, be zoned for land use in accordance with the procedures established in Section 17.10.020.