Chapter 17.06 — ZONE DISTRICTS AND ZONING MAP

The purpose of this chapter is to establish zone districts and a zoning map to classify, regulate, restrict and segregate the uses of land and buildings, to regulate and restrict the height and bulk of buildings and to regulate the area of yards and other open spaces about buildings, and to regulate the density of population.

(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 19-10 § 3, 2019; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

The zoning districts are applicable in all areas of the City. (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 19-10 § 3, 2019; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

• A. Base zone districts establish the basic land use and property development regulations applicable to all property within the City, as provided in Section 17.02.110. Overlay zone districts provide additional regulations that are to be exercised over certain lands within the combining zone to meet special community health, safety, welfare, environmental or development objectives described by the General Plan or a specific plan. Overlay district regulations apply in addition to base district regulations and other regulations of this chapter.

• B. The base zones are hereby established as follows:

  1. Low Density Residential - 12,000 square foot minimum site area, abbreviated as R-L-12.

  2. Low Density Residential - 8,000 square foot minimum site area, abbreviated as R-L-8.

  3. Low Density Residential - 5,000 square foot minimum site area, abbreviated as R-L-5.

  4. Medium Density Residential, abbreviated as R-M.

  5. High Density Residential, abbreviated as R-H.

  6. Neighborhood Commercial, abbreviated as C-N.

  7. Regional Commercial, abbreviated as C-R.

  8. Service Commercial, abbreviated as C-S.

  9. Highway Commercial, abbreviated as C-H.

  10. Neighborhood Mixed Use, abbreviated as MX-N.

  11. Corridor Mixed Use, abbreviated as MX-C.

  12. Downtown Mixed Use, abbreviated as MX-D.

  13. Office Residential, abbreviated as OR.

  14. Office, abbreviated as O.

  15. Light Industrial, abbreviated as I-L.

  16. Heavy Industrial, abbreviated as I-H.

  17. Public Facilities, abbreviated as PF.

  18. Airport Protection, abbreviated as AP.

  19. Conservation, abbreviated as CO.

• C. The overlay zone districts are hereby established as follows:

  1. Airport Overlay District.

  2. Historic Overlay District.

• (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 19-10 § 3, 2019; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

• A. In order to ensure that comprehensive zoning regulations may be applied uniformly to all incorporated territory upon adoption of this title, a zoning map is hereby established to delineate the location and boundaries of zone districts within the City. The zoning map is incorporated into this title by this reference with the same force and effect as if the boundaries, together with any notations, references, and information shown on the zoning map were specifically stated and described in this title.

• B. The zoning map, together with such additional maps as may be adopted in accordance with the provisions of this title, shall be collectively known as the "City of Hanford Zoning Map."

• C. The official copy of the zoning map shall be kept, maintained, and made available to the public by the Hanford Community Development Department. The zoning map may be maintained in hard copy and/or electronic formats.

• D. All property within incorporated territory shall be delineated within a zoning district on the zoning map.

• E. The location of zoning districts on the zoning map shall be consistent with the applicable policies and land use set forth in the General Plan.

• (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 19-10 § 3, 2019; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

Whenever any uncertainty exists as to the boundary line between two zoning districts shown on the zoning map the following interpretations shall control:

• A. Where a boundary line is indicated as following a street, alley, railroad right-of-way, drainage channel, or other watercourse, the center line of such street, alley, railroad right-of-way, drainage channel, or other watercourse shall be considered to be the boundary line.

• B. Where a boundary line is indicated as following a lot line or property line, the boundary line shall be construed as following such lot line or property line.

• C. Where a boundary line is not indicated as following a street or alley and does not follow or coincide approximately with a lot line or property line, the zone boundary line shall be determined by the use of the scale designated on the City's zone plan map.

• D. Where further uncertainty exists, the Planning Commission, upon a written application from the owner of the property in question or on its own motion, shall determine the location of the zone boundary in question, giving due consideration to the location indicated on the City's zone plan map, the purposes and objectives of the zoning ordinance, and the applicable policies set forth in the General Plan.

• (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 19-10 § 3, 2019; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

Changes to the zoning map shall be approved by ordinance of the City Council in accordance with Chapter 17.86 .

(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 19-10 § 3, 2019; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

Territories proposed for annexation into the City shall be prezoned concurrent with the City Council initiation of annexation proceedings, in accordance with Chapter 17.86 . (Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 19-10 § 3, 2019; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

When a public street, alley or railroad right-of-way is abandoned, the abandoned territory shall immediately, and without any further action by the City, be assigned the zoning that is classified the same as the adjacent territory.

(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 19-10 § 3, 2019; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)