18-1 GENERAL PROVISIONS.

This chapter shall be known and cited as the “Zoning Regulations of the City.” (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

These regulations are intended to guide the development of the City of Clearlake in an orderly manner based on the adopted Clearlake General Plan, to protect and enhance the quality of the natural and built environment and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare by regulating the use of land and buildings and the location and basic form of structures. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

a. Applicability. It is expressly declared that all of the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all property within the incorporated territory of the City whether owned by private persons, firms or corporations or by the government of the United States of America or any of its agencies or by the State of California or any of its political subdivisions or agencies, unless the Federal or State activity is specifically exempted from local review or by any county, including the County of Lake, town or municipal corporation or any of its or their agencies or by any district formed under the laws of the State of California. No building or structure shall be erected, reconstructed or

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

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structurally altered in any manner, nor shall any building or land be used for any purpose, other than as permitted by and in conformance with the provisions of this chapter and all other laws or maps referred to herein.

• b. Exemptions.

  1. Development by the Federal government or an agency of the Federal government acting in its governmental capacity.

  2. Development by the State of California or an agency of the State acting in its governmental capacity.

  3. Development by local agencies exempt from City of Clearlake Zoning Ordinances pursuant to Government Code Section 53091.

  4. Development undertaken by the City of Clearlake. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

a. Ambiguity. The Director shall interpret these regulations, subject to the appeal procedures of Article 18-36. Written requests for interpretation shall be responded to in writing within twenty (20) days and shall become part of the permanent files of the Community Development Department.

• b. Zoning District Boundaries.

  1. Boundaries between zoning districts generally follow lot lines or their extensions, physical features or contour lines, as noted on the official Zoning Map. Boundaries adjoining streets shall be assumed to follow the centerlines of streets if such location becomes an issue in the use of private property, such as when a street is abandoned. Zones which meet a street centerline shall not be considered “adjacent.”

  2. The location of boundaries which are not readily determined by inspection of the official Clearlake General Plan Zoning Map shall be determined by the Director.

c. Conflict With Public Provisions. These regulations are not intended to interfere with or annul any other law or regulation. Where these regulations impose a restriction different from any other law or regulation, the more restrictive shall apply.

d. Conflict With Private Provisions. These regulations are not intended to interfere with or annul any easement, covenant or other agreement between private parties. Where these regulations impose a restriction different from a private agreement, the provisions which are more restrictive, or which impose higher standards, shall control. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

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

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The regulations codified in this chapter shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with the Clearlake General Plan. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

a. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this chapter and each section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase hereof irrespective of the fact that any one (1) or more sections, subsections, clauses or phrases be declared invalid.

b. Reference. Reference in this chapter to any section hereof by number is intended to include any and all subsections of the numbered section cited. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))