Chapter XVIII — ZONING REGULATIONS — Clearlake Zoning Code

	Chapter XVIII ZONING REGULATIONS
18-1	GENERAL PROVISIONS
18-1.010	Title.
18-1.020	Purpose.
18-1.030	Applicability and Exceptions.
18-1.040	Interpretation.
18-1.050	General Plan Consistency – Regulations Interpretation and Application.
18-1.060	Severability and Reference.
18-2	ZONES ESTABLISHED – ZONING MAP
18-2.010	Designation of Zones.
18-2.020	Combining Zoning Districts.
18-2.030	Areas Within the City to Be Designated Within a Zoning District – Zoning Map to
	Be a Part of These Regulations.
18-2.040	General Plan Land Use Consistency.
18-3	RURAL RESIDENTIAL (RR) ZONE
18-3.010	Purpose.
18-3.020	Property Development Standards.
18-4	LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (LDR) ZONE
18-4.010	Purpose.
18-4.020	Property Development Standards.
18-5	MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (MDR) ZONE
18-5.010	Purpose.
18-5.020	Property Development Standards.
18-6	HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (HDR) ZONE
18-6.010	Purpose.
18-6.020	Property Development Standards.
18-7	MIXED-USE (MUX) ZONE
18-7.010	Purpose.
18-7.020	Property Development Standards.
18-8	DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL MIXED-USE (DC) ZONE
18-8.010	Purpose.
18-8.020	Property Development Standards.
18-9	GENERAL COMMERCIAL (GC) ZONE
18-9.010	Purpose.
18-9.020	Property Development Standards.

The Clearlake Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 286-2026, passed April 2, 2026.

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Ch. XVIII Zoning Regulations | Clearlake Municipal Code

18-10	INDUSTRIAL (IN) ZONE
18-10.010	Purpose.
18-10.020	Property Development Standards.
18-11	OPEN SPACE (O) ZONE
18-11.010	Purpose.
18-11.020	Property Development Standards.
18-12	SPECIFIC PLAN (SP) COMBINING ZONE
18-12.010	Purpose and Application.
18-12.020	Allowed Uses.
18-12.030	Property Development Standards.
18-13	SCENIC CORRIDOR (SC) COMBINING ZONING DISTRICT
18-13.010	Purpose and Application.
18-13.020	Allowed Uses.
18-13.030	Property Development Standards.
18-13.040	Viewshed Analysis.
18-14	AVENUE (AV) COMBINING ZONING DISTRICT
18-14.010	Purpose and Application.
18-14.020	Allowed Uses.
18-14.030	Property Development Standards.
18-15	PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) COMBINING ZONE
18-15.010	Purpose.
18-15.020	Applicability.
18-15.030	Preliminary Development Plan.
18-15.040	Actions of the Planning Commission.
18-15.050	Actions of the Council.
18-15.060	Decision and Findings.
18-15.070	Requirement for Development Plan.
18-15.080	Final Development Plan.
18-15.090	Phasing.
18-15.100	Amendment of Final Development Plan.
18-15.110	Revocation of PD Zoning.
18-16	ADULT ENTERTAINMENT (AE) COMBINING ZONING DISTRICT
18-16.010	Purpose and Intent.
18-16.020	Defnitions.
18-16.030	Location of Adult Entertainment Businesses.
18-16.040	Design and Performance Standards.
18-16.050	Severance Clause.
18-16.060	Violations.

The Clearlake Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 286-2026, passed April 2, 2026.

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Ch. XVIII Zoning Regulations | Clearlake Municipal Code

18-17	COMMERCIAL CANNABIS BUSINESS (CB) AND COMMERCIAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY
	(CBR) COMBINING ZONE
18-17.010	Purpose and Application.
18-17.020	Allowed Uses.
18-17.030	Property Development Standards.
18-18	USE REGULATIONS
18-18.010	Uses Allowed by Zones.
18-18.020	Residential, Agricultural and Institutional Uses Allowed by Zones.
18-18.030	Commercial, Recreation and Amusement Uses Allowed by Zones.
18-18.040	Industrial, Communications and Transportation Uses Allowed by Zones.
18-18.050	Temporary Uses Allowed by Zones.
18-19	SPECIAL USES ALLOWED IN SEVERAL ZONES
18-19.010	Temporary and Intermittent Uses.
18-19.020	Outdoor Sales on Commercial and Residential Lots.
18-19.030	Public Utilities.
18-19.040	Mineral Extraction.
18-19.050	Gas Stations and Automobile Repair.
18-19.060	Car Washes.
18-19.070	Drive-Through Facilities.
18-19.080	Secondhand Dealers, Pawn Brokers and Thrift Stores.
18-19.090	Agritourism.
18-19.100	Wineries.
18-19.110	Alcoholic Beverage Regulations.
18-19.120	Tobacco Products.
18-19.130	Personal Cannabis Cultivation.
18-19.140	Cannabis Dispensaries.
18-19.150	Commercial Cannabis Businesses.
18-19.160	Adult Entertainment Businesses.
18-19.170	Recycling Facilities.
18-19.180	Cargo Containers.
18-19.190	Vending Machines.
18-19.200	Small Residential Solar Energy Systems.
18-19.210	Small Wind Energy Systems.
18-19.220	Satellite Dish Antenna.
18-19.230	Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.
18-19.240	Wireless Telecommunication Facilities.
18-19.250	Home Occupation.
18-19.260	Child and Adult Day Care.

The Clearlake Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 286-2026, passed April 2, 2026.

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Ch. XVIII Zoning Regulations | Clearlake Municipal Code

18-19.270 Bed and Breakfast Businesses.

18-19.270	Bed and Breakfast Businesses.
18-19.280	Vacation Rentals.
18-19.300	Emergency Shelters and Low Barrier Navigation Centers.
18-19.310	Warming Shelters.
18-19.320	Accessory and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units.
18-19.330	Guest Quarters.
18-19.340	Housing Developments.
18-19.345	Campgrounds and Recreational Vehicle Parks.
18-19.350	Safe Parking.
18-19.353	Helicopter Facilities.
18-19.360	Other Accessory Structures.
18-19.370	Other Uses Generally Allowed.
18-20	PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
18-20.010	Applicability of Other Provisions.
18-20.020	Residential Density.
*18-20.030*	*Repealed.*
18-20.040	Yards.
18-20.050	Coverage.
18-20.060	Height.
18-20.070	Fences, Walls, Trash Enclosures and Hedges.
18-20.080	Location of Pool and Pool Equipment.
18-20.090	Parking Space Requirements.
18-20.100	Parking and Driveway Design and Exceptions.
18-20.110	Screening of Outdoor Sales and Storage.
18-20.120	Night Sky Preservation.
18-20.130	Water Efcient Landscaping.
18-20.140	Curbs, Gutters, Sidewalks Installation.
18-21	SIGN REGULATIONS
18-21.010	Purpose and Intent.
18-21.020	General Principles.
18-21.030	Permit Application Process.
18-21.040	General Regulations.
18-21.050	Signs in Residential and Agricultural Zones.
18-21.060	Signs in Commercial and Industrial Zones.
18-21.070	Highway-Oriented Signs.
18-21.080	Temporary Signs.
18-21.090	Murals.
18-21.100	Enforcement.

The Clearlake Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 286-2026, passed April 2, 2026.

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18-21.110	Nonconforming Signs.
18-21.120	Signs on Public Property.
18-22	PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
18-22.010	Noise.
18-22.020	Vibration.
18-22.030	Illumination.
18-22.040	Air Contaminants.
18-22.050	Discharges to Water and Public Sewer System.
18-22.060	Heat.
18-22.070	Solid Waste.
18-22.080	Energy Conservation.
18-22.090	Odors.
18-22.100	Flammable Material.
18-22.110	Electromagnetic Interference.
18-22.120	General and Special Conditions.
18-23	NONCONFORMING USES
18-23.010	Intent.
18-23.020	Regulations.
18-24	NONCONFORMING LOTS
18-24.010	Intent.
18-24.020	Regulations.
18-25	NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES
18-25.010	Intent.
18-25.020	Regulations.
18-26	GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT REGULATIONS
18-26.010	Title.
18-26.020	Amendments to Be Made in Manner Provided in This Article.
18-26.030	Purpose.
18-26.040	Initiation of Amendments – Applications.
18-26.050	Schedule for Amendments.
18-26.060	Planning Commission Actions.
18-26.070	City Council Actions.
18-26.080	Coordination of Plan Amendments.
18-27	ZONING AMENDMENTS
18-27.010	Scope.
18-27.020	Planning Commission Action.
18-27.040	Council Action.
18-27.050	Annexation and Prezoning.

The Clearlake Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 286-2026, passed April 2, 2026.

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18-27.060	Other Requirements.
18-28	USE PERMITS
18-28.010	Purpose and Intent.
18-28.020	Application Form.
18-28.030	Procedures.
18-28.040	Findings for Administrative and Conditional Use Permits.
18-28.050	Conditions of Approval.
18-28.060	Criteria for Approval.
18-28.070	Requirement for and Compliance With Use Permits.
18-28.080	Amendments to Approved Conditional Use Permits.
18-29	VARIANCES
18-29.010	Intent.
18-29.020	Scope.
18-29.030	Procedure.
18-29.040	Findings.
18-29.050	Expiration.
18-30	DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
18-30.010	Authority.
18-30.020	Initiation of Hearings.
18-30.030	Fees.
18-30.040	Application – Contents.
18-30.050	Public Notice.
18-30.060	Failure to Receive Notice.
18-30.070	Planning Commission Hearing and Recommendation.
18-30.080	City Council Hearing.
18-30.090	City Council Action.
18-30.100	Recordation of Executed Agreement.
18-30.110	Amendment – Time Extension – Cancellation.
18-30.120	Review for Compliance – Director’s Authority.
18-30.130	Consequences of Termination.
18-30.140	Irregularity in Proceedings.
18-30.150	Coordination of Approvals.
18-31	DENSITY BONUSES
18-31.010	Purpose.
18-31.020	Bonus Requirements for Residential Projects.
18-31.030	Eligibility for Density Bonus, Incentives or Concessions.
18-31.040	Inclusionary Housing.
18-31.050	Allowed Incentives or Concessions.

The Clearlake Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 286-2026, passed April 2, 2026.

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Ch. XVIII Zoning Regulations | Clearlake Municipal Code

18-31.060	Processing of Bonus Requests.
18-31.070	Density Bonus Agreement.
18-32	ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES
18-32.010	Purpose and Intent.
18-33	DESIGN REVIEW
18-33.010	Purpose and Intent.
18-33.020	Application Forms and Fees.
18-33.030	Procedures.
18-33.040	Afordable Housing Development Applications.
18-33.050	Design Review Committee.
18-33.060	Findings.
18-33.070	Design Review Manual.
18-33.080	Conditions of Approval.
18-33.090	Requirements for and Compliance With Use Permits.
18-34	REPEAT APPLICATIONS
18-34.010	Waiting Period of One (1) Year Required When – Exceptions.
18-35	INACTIVE APPLICATIONS
18-35.010	Applications Deemed Withdrawn after One Hundred Eighty (180) Days of
	Inactivity.
18-36	APPEALS
18-36.010	Standing to Appeal.
18-36.020	Time Limits.
18-36.030	Course of Appeals.
18-36.040	Content of Appeals.
18-36.050	Hearings and Notice.
18-37	FEES
18-37.010	Establishment Authority.
18-38	REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
18-38.010	Purpose.
18-38.020	Defnitions.
18-38.030	Review Authority.
18-38.040	Requests for Reasonable Accommodation.
18-38.050	Application Requirements.
18-38.060	Required Findings.
18-38.070	Performance Standard.
18-38.080	Conditions of Approval.
18-38.090	Appeals.
*18-39*	*RESERVED*

The Clearlake Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 286-2026, passed April 2, 2026.

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18-40 NATIVE TREE PROTECTION 18-40.010 Purpose.
- 18-40.020 Protected Trees.
- 18-40.030 Exemption From Protection and Removal Regulations.
- 18-40.040 Tree Protection Regulations.
- 18-40.050 Removal Regulations.
- 18-40.060 Heritage Trees.

18-40.020 18-40.030 18-40.040 18-40.050 18-40.060	Protected Trees. Exemption From Protection and Removal Regulations. Tree Protection Regulations. Removal Regulations. Heritage Trees.
18-40.070	Penalty.
18-41	CANNABIS PERSONAL CULTIVATION
18-41.010	Purpose and Intent.
18-41.020	Relationship to Other Laws.
18-41.030	Personal Cultivation – Indoors.
18-41.040	Personal Cultivation – Outdoors.
18-41.050	Regulations Applicable to Indoor and Outdoor Personal Marijuana Cultivation.
18-41.060	Outdoor Marijuana Cultivation Permit.
18-41.070	Prohibited Marijuana Cultivation Declared a Public Nuisance.
18-41.080	Enforcement.
18-41.090	Penalties for Violation.
18-42	ABATEMENT OF PUBLIC NUISANCES CREATED BY CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA IN
	VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 18-41
18-42.010	Investigation.
18-42.020	Abatement Order.
18-42.030	Immediate Threat to Public Health or Safety.
18-42.040	Request for a Hearing Regarding Abatement Order.
18-42.050	Hearing Notice.
18-42.060	Hearing and Determination.
18-42.070	Failure of Property Owner to Abate.
18-42.080	Sale of Materials.
18-42.090	Accounting of Abatement Expenses.
18-42.100	Abatement Expenses Statement – Posting.
18-42.110	Statement of Expense – Hearing.
18-42.120	Collection of Unrecovered Costs.
18-42.130	Refund of Excess Receipts.
18-43	COMMERCIAL CANNABIS
18-43.010	Purpose and Findings.
18-43.020	Applicability.
18-43.030	Limitations on Use.
18-43.040	Sensitive Use Setbacks.

The Clearlake Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 286-2026, passed April 2, 2026.

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18-43.050 Commercial Cannabis Permitting and Applications. 18-43.060 General Operating Requirements. 18-43.070 Cultivation Operating Requirements. 18-43.080 Manufacturing Operating Requirements. 18-43.090 Distribution Operating Requirements. 18-43.100 Testing Laboratory Operating Requirements. 18-43.110 Violations – Enforcement. 18-43.120 Severability.
18-44 ENFORCEMENT 18-44.010 Delegation of Authority. 18-44.020 Violations.
18-45 DEFINITIONS 18-45.010 Definitions.