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Title 18 — Zoning Code

Chapter 18.92 — NONCONFORMING PARCELS

Merced County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Merced County

§ 18.92.010. Use of Legal Nonconforming Parcels.

A single nonconforming parcel that does not comply with the applicable area, depth, or width, requirements of this Zoning Code is a legal building site if it meets at least one of the following criteria, as documented to the satisfaction of the Director by evidence furnished by the applicant.

  • A. Approved Subdivision. The parcel was created by a recorded subdivision;

  • B. Individual Parcel Legally Created by Deed. The parcel is under single ownership and was legally created by a recorded deed before the effective date of the provision which made the parcel nonconforming;

  • C. Variance or Lot Line Adjustment. The parcel was approved through the Variance procedure or resulted from a lot line adjustment; or

  • D. Partial Government Acquisition. The parcel was created in compliance with the provisions of this Zoning Code, but was made nonconforming when a portion was acquired by a governmental entity so that the parcel size was decreased not more than 20 percent and the depth of the required yard facing a public right-of-way was decreased not more than 75 percent.

  • (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.92.020. Subdivision of Legal Nonconforming Parcels.

A subdivision of land (i.e., lot line adjustment, final, parcel, or tentative map) shall not be approved that would increase the nonconformity of an existing parcel or any nonconforming use on the parcel. (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.92.030. Merger of Nonconforming Parcels.

Nonconforming contiguous parcels held by the same owner shall be involuntarily merged if one or more of the parcels does not conform to the minimum parcel size to allow use or development in compliance with this Zoning Code and in compliance with Government Code Section 66451.11 . (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

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▸ Contents — Merced County Zoning Code
Merced County Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title 18 — Zoning Code
    Overview
    1. Chapter 18.02 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY OF ZONING CODE
    2. Chapter 18.04 — INTERPRETATION OF THE ZONING CODE PROVISIONS
    3. Chapter 18.06 — ZONES AND ZONING MAP
    4. Chapter 18.10 — AGRICULTURAL ZONES (A-1, A-1-40, A-2)
    5. Chapter 18.12 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES (R-R, R-1, R1-5000, R-2, R-3…
    6. Chapter 18.14 — COMMERCIAL ZONES (C-P, C-1, C-2, C-3, H-I-C, MU)
    7. Chapter 18.16 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES (B-P, M-1, M-2)
    8. Chapter 18.20 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONE (PD)
    9. Chapter 18.22 — FOX HILLS COMMUNITY SPECIFIC PLAN ZONES
    10. Chapter 18.26 — SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS
    11. Chapter 18.30 — SITE PLANNING AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    12. Chapter 18.32 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
    13. Chapter 18.34 — FENCES, WALLS, AND HEDGES
    14. Chapter 18.36 — LANDSCAPING
    15. Chapter 18.38 — OFF-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS AND DESIGN STAN…
    16. Chapter 18.40 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    17. Chapter 18.44 — SIGN REGULATIONS
    18. Chapter 18.46 — SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING MATERIALS STORAGE
    19. Chapter 18.48 — SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION
    20. Chapter 18.62 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    21. Chapter 18.64 — ANIMAL CONFINEMENT FACILITIES
    22. Chapter 18.66 — DENSITY BONUS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    23. Chapter 18.68 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
    24. Chapter 18.90 — GENERAL NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS
    25. Chapter 18.92 — NONCONFORMING PARCELS
    26. Chapter 18.94 — NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES
    27. Chapter 18.96 — NONCONFORMING USES
    28. Chapter 18.98 — OTHER SPECIFIC NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS
    29. Chapter 18.110 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    30. Chapter 18.112 — APPLICATION PROCESSING PROCEDURES
    31. Chapter 18.114 — ADMINISTRATIVE PERMITS
    32. Chapter 18.116 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
    33. Chapter 18.118 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
    34. Chapter 18.120 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
    35. Chapter 18.122 — SITE PLAN AND DESIGN REVIEW
    36. Chapter 18.124 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
    37. Chapter 18.126 — VARIANCES AND MINOR DEVIATIONS
    38. Chapter 18.128 — ZONING CLEARANCES
    39. Chapter 18.130 — PERMIT IMPLEMENTATION, TIME LIMITS, AND EXTEN…
    40. Chapter 18.140 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
    41. Chapter 18.142 — AMENDMENTS (GENERAL PLAN, ZONING CODE, AND ZO…
    42. Chapter 18.144 — APPEALS
    43. Chapter 18.146 — PUBLIC NOTICES AND HEARINGS
    44. Chapter 18.148 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    45. Chapter 18.150 — SPECIFIC PLANS
    46. Chapter 18.152 — PERMIT MODIFICATIONS AND REVOCATIONS
    47. Chapter 18.154 — ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS
    48. Chapter 18.200 — DEFINITIONS

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