Title 17 — Zoning›Division II — BASE ZONING DISTRICTS›Chapter 17.18 — PUBLIC AND QUASI-PUBLIC DISTRICTS
Article I — Park and Recreation Districts – P-1 and P-2
Carmel-by-the-Sea Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Carmel-by-the-Sea
§ 17.18.010. Purpose. ¶
- A. Natural Parklands and Preserves (P-1). The purpose of the natural parklands and preserves district is to preserve publicly owned park and beachlands for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations, and to prevent inharmonious use of such lands and prevent the
destruction of the City's beautiful natural open spaces through inappropriate development. Uses permitted shall be limited to those that maintain the property in its natural state.
B. Improved Parklands (P-2). The purpose of the improved parklands district is to provide appropriately located areas for recreation and recreational facilities needed by the residents of the City and the surrounding area. Uses permitted shall be limited to those that are permitted in the P-1 district, in addition to facilities and structures devoted to public recreation, public use, governmental buildings and nonprofit buildings and uses.
(Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004)
§ 17.18.020. Districts Identified. ¶
Properties zoned P-1 and P-2 shall be designated by the official zoning map of the City and adopted by ordinance by the City Council.
| Park | Zone | Block | Lots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission Trails Nature Preserve | P-1 | See Map | |
| Pescadero Park | P-1 | See Map | |
| Carmel Beach | P-2 | See Map | |
| Forest Hill Park | P-2 | 12 + 155 | All |
| Devendorf Park | P-2 | 6 | All |
| Picadilly Park | P-2 | 75 | 18 |
| First Murphy Park | P-2 | 73 | 15, 17, 19 |
| Vista Lobos Park | P-2 | 37 | 3, 5, 7 |
| Outlands | P-2 | See Map |
(Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004)
§ 17.18.030. Land Use Regulations. ¶
Schedule II-C prescribes the land use regulations for the park and recreation districts. The regulations for each district are established by letter designations as follows:
Schedule II-B prescribes the land use regulations for the commercial districts. The regulations for each district are established by letter designations as follows:
"P" designates permitted use classifications.
"L" designates use classifications that are permitted, subject to certain specific limitations noted by the number designations and listed at the end of Schedule II-C.
"C" designates use classifications permitted after review and approval of a conditional use permit by the Planning Commission. Conditions may apply to these uses, noted by the number designations and listed at the end of Schedule II-C.
These uses are subject to Division I, General Regulations, and may be subject to additional use regulations found in Division IV , Provisions Applying in All or Several Districts. Additional use regulations are also found in CMC § 17.18.080 and are referenced in the schedule. Findings for specific uses may also be required and are found in Chapter 17.64 CMC, Findings Required for Permits and Approvals.
Use classifications are defined in Chapter 17.68 CMC, Use Classifications, and are based on the use classifications listed in the current edition of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Questions as to the inclusion or exclusion of a particular proposed use in a particular
category will be determined by the Director based on a NAICS Use Categories List, adopted by resolution by the City Council and held at the Department of Community Planning and Building counter. The Director shall make the decision according to the characteristics of the use, and upon the Director's interpretation of the land use code, the NAICS Use Categories List and the current edition of the NAICS. The determination by the Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission by anyone aggrieved by the decision following the procedures specified in Chapter 17.54 CMC, Appeals.
nter. The Director shall make the decision according to the characteristics of the use, and upon the Director's interpretation of the land use code, the NAICS Use Categories List and the current edition of the NAICS. The determination by the Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission by anyone aggrieved by the decision following the procedures specified in Chapter 17.54 CMC, Appeals.
| Schedule II-C: Public and Quasi-Public Districts: Use Regulations | Schedule II-C: Public and Quasi-Public Districts: Use Regulations | Schedule II-C: Public and Quasi-Public Districts: Use Regulations | Schedule II-C: Public and Quasi-Public Districts: Use Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|
| P = Permitted Use L = Limitations Apply C = Conditional Use Permit Required |
Park and Recreation Districts | ||
| P-1 | P-2 | Additional Regulations | |
| Residential | |||
| Single-Family | – | L-1 | See CMC §17.08.050(H) |
| Senior Citizen Housing | – | L-1 | |
| Family Day Care | |||
| Small Family | – | L-1 | |
| Large Family | – | L-1 | See CMC §17.08.050(B) |
| Public, Semipublic and Service | |||
| Clubs and Lodges | – | L-1 | |
| Community Centers | |||
| Conference Facilities, Small | – | P-1 | |
| Government Offces | – | L-1 | |
| Museums, Galleries, Gardens (noncommercial) |
P | P-2 | |
| Park and Recreation Facilities | P | P | |
| Parking Facilities, Noncommercial |
– | C-2 | See Chapter17.64CMC, Findings Required for Permits and Approvals |
| Commercial | |||
| Hotels and Motels | – | C-1 | See Chapter17.56CMC, Restricted Commercial Uses |
| Theater, Live Performance | – | C | |
| Theater, Motion Picture | – | C | |
| Transportation, Communication and Utilities | |||
| Communication Facilities | |||
| Antennas and Transmission Towers – Telecommunications |
C | C | See Chapter17.46CMC |
| Antennas and Transmission Towers – Other |
– | C | |
| Facilities Within Buildings | C | C | |
| Specifc Limitations and Conditions: L-1: Limited to the use and maintenance of existing buildings for nonproft organizations, governmental buildings and uses, and residential use. L-2: Limited to facilities serving only park visitors and/or tenants of park buildings. |
(Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2023-06 § 3, 2023)
§ 17.18.040. Prohibited Structures. ¶
It is unlawful to construct, erect or place any building, structure or improvement of any kind upon, over or under any part of the Carmel beach lands, as defined in this code except those determined by the City Council to be essential for public health, safety or welfare including those required for public access, public restrooms, seawalls, revetment, landscaping, irrigation systems, drainage facilities, water storage, public signage, trash containers, emergency telephones, parking facilities, recreation facilities and facilities for protecting environmental resources. (Ord. 2004-01 § 1, 2004; Ord. 2004-02 § 1, 2004)