Sec. 41.5.01. - Regulations generally.
Colusa County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-07 · Colusa County
A.
Purpose and Intent. It is the purpose of this section to facilitate the development of qualifying affordable housing units by implementing Program H-2 H from the City of Colusa 2020-2028 Housing Element and to codify the statutory requirements found in the California Government Code section 65583.2(c) governing the same.
B.
Applicability. This section applies to the following sites listed in Table - 9.5-2 Inventory of Vacant Lands and identified as Assessor's Parcel Numbers (APNs); 017-130-079, 017-130-080, 001-084-015, 001-126-002, 001-203-002, 001-551-046, 001-351-047, 001-351-048, 002-070-012, 002-070-014, 002-110-014, 002110-020, 002-110-021, 002-160-037, 002-170-002, 002-170-005, 002-170-006, 002-260-010, 002-280004, 002-300-037, 002-320-006, 015-165-008, 015-165-009, 015-200-053, 015-200-072, 015-230-042, 015-320-038, 001-061-003, 001-072-006, 001-076-004, 001-084-002, 001-145-007, 001-183-013, 001184-014, 001-191-011, 001-191-012, 001-254-007, 001-296-017, 001-304-005, 001-305-013, 001-305014, 001-306-008, 001-151-009, 001-203-002, 002-120-027, 002-120-028, 002-120-026 and 002-120-029.
C.
Effect. Residential projects allowed as a use by right under this section shall be exempt from discretionary review and any corresponding discretionary permits that would otherwise be required by the Colusa Municipal Code. For purposes of this section "use by right" has the same meaning as provided in Government Code Section 665832.2(i).
D.
Requirements. A proposed owner-occupied or multifamily residential project shall be allowed as a use by right under this section if all the of the following requirements are satisfied:
1.
The project is located on a site listed in subsection B. above.
2.
The project complies with all applicable objective city policies and development standards established in the general plan or development code, or design standards, if adopted. Where there is conflict between other city requirements and this section, the provisions of this section apply.
At least twenty percent of the units are affordable to lower income households in accordance with Government Code Section 65583.2(c).
(Ord. No. 567, § 4, 3-4-2025)
Article 42. - High Density Housing Combining District.
Sec. 42.01. - Purpose.
The purpose of this combining district is to create a diversity of housing types in the city to meet the needs of all income levels by providing higher density housing to implement the General Plan.
(Ord. No. 505, § 30, 10-21-2014)
Sec. 42.02. - Uses permitted.
The following uses shall be permitted and regulations shall apply in all districts which are combined "HD" districts in addition to the regulations hereinbefore specified.
(a)
Multifamily.
(b)
Residential care facilities (small).
(c)
Supportive housing (small).
(d)
Transitional housing (small).
(e)
Emergency shelter.
(f)
Single room occupancy.
(g)
Farmworker housing.
(Ord. No. 505, § 30, 10-21-2014)
Sec. 42.03. - Uses requiring major use permits (planning commission).
(a)
One-family dwellings.
(b)
Duplex units.
(c)
Residential care facilities (large).
(d)
Public parks, schools, playgrounds, libraries, firehouses and other public buildings and uses.
(e)
Agriculture, horticulture, but not including stands or structures for the sale of agricultural or nursery products.
(Ord. No. 505, § 30, 10-21-2014)
Sec. 42.04. - Uses requiring minor use permits (planning director).
(a)
Home occupations.
(b)
Temporary real estate offices, tract sales offices and advertising signs, and tract construction offices and equipment yards for a period of not more than twelve months.
(Ord. No. 505, § 30, 10-21-2014)
Sec. 42.05. - Special regulations.
(a)
Minimum density shall be 16 units per acre.
(b)
Maximum density shall be 20 units per acre.
(c)
For projects containing 20 or more units, excluding senior housing, at least ten percent of the units shall have three or four bedrooms in order to provide for the housing needs of large families.
(d)
Emergency shelters shall be subject to all standards required in the base zoning district where they are allowed, but shall also be subject to the following additional standards:
1.
Off-street parking as provided under Section 29.01 of this article.
2.
Shall not be located within three hundred (300) feet of any other emergency shelter, unless such social service is located within the same building or on the same lot.
3.
There shall be adequate space inside the structure or in a court yard to ensure that prospective and current clients are not required to wait on sidewalks or any other public rights-of-way.
4.
Adequate interior and exterior lighting shall be provided.
5.
A management plan is required for all to address management experience, good neighbor issues, transportation, client supervision, client services, and food services. Such plan shall be submitted to and approved by the city. Minimum standards and practices in the plan shall be as follows:
a.
The emergency shelter shall have an identified administrator and representative to address community concerns.
b.
The emergency shelter shall provide at least one responsible onsite supervisor, when clients are present, for every ten occupants.
c.
Residents shall be regularly evaluated by persons experienced in emergency shelter placement and/or management.
d.
The program shall identify a transportation system that will provide its clients with a reasonable level of mobility including, but not limited to, access to social services and employment opportunities.
e.
Medical assistance, training, counseling, and personal services essential to enable homeless persons to make the transition to permanent housing may be provided, with or without meals, as an incident to the
operation of an Emergency Shelter.
f.
Referral services shall be provided to assist residents in obtaining permanent housing and income. Such services shall be available at no cost to residents of a shelter.
g.
Emergency shelters shall be maintained in a safe and clean manner and free from refuse or discarded goods.
(Ord. No. 505, § 30, 10-21-2014)
Article 43. - Reasonable Accommodations.
Sec. 43.01. - Purpose.
This article provides a procedure to request reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities seeking equal access to housing under the Federal Fair Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (the Acts) in the application of zoning laws and other land use regulations, policies and procedures.
(Ord. No. 505, § 31, 10-21-2014)
Sec. 43.02. - Applicability.
A.
A request for reasonable accommodation may be made by any person with a disability, their representative or any entity, when the application of a requirement of this Zoning Code or other city requirement, policy or practice acts as a barrier to fair housing opportunities. A person with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that limits or substantially limits one or more major life activities, anyone who is regarded as having such impairment or anyone who has a record of such impairment. This article is intended to apply to those persons who are defined as disabled under the Acts.
B.
A request for reasonable accommodation may include a modification or exception to the rules, standards and practices for the siting, development and use of housing or housing-related facilities that would eliminate regulatory barriers and provide a person with a disability equal opportunity to housing of their choice.
C.
A reasonable accommodation is granted to the household that needs the accommodation and does not apply to successors in interest to the site.
D.
A reasonable accommodation may be granted in compliance with this chapter without the need for the approval of a variance.
(Ord. No. 505, § 31, 10-21-2014)
Sec. 43.03. - Application requirements.
A.
Application. A request for reasonable accommodation shall be submitted on an application form provided by the city, or in the form of a letter to the city planner, and shall contain the following information:
1.
The applicant's name, address and telephone number;
2.
Address of the property for which the request is being made;
3.
The current actual use of the property;
4.
The basis for the claim that the individual is considered disabled under the Acts;
5.
The Zoning Code provision, regulation or policy from which reasonable accommodation is being requested; and
6.
Why the reasonable accommodation is necessary to make the specific property accessible to the individual.
B.
Review with other land use applications. If the project for which the request for reasonable accommodation is being made also requires some other discretionary approval (including use permit, design review, general plan amendment, zone change, annexation, etc.), then the applicant shall file the information required by subsection A above, together for concurrent review with the application for discretionary approval.
(Ord. No. 505, § 31, 10-21-2014)
Sec. 43.04. - Review authority.
A.
City Planner. A request for reasonable accommodation shall be reviewed by the director if no approval is sought other than the request for reasonable accommodation.
B.
Other Review Authority. A request for reasonable accommodation submitted for concurrent review with another discretionary land use application shall be reviewed by the authority reviewing the discretionary land use application.
(Ord. No. 505, § 31, 10-21-2014)
Sec. 43.05. - Review procedure.
A.
City Planner Review. The city planner shall make a written determination within 45 days of the application being deemed complete and either grant, grant with modifications, or deny a request for reasonable accommodation. Such denial shall provide the grounds for denial of the request.
B.
Other Review Authority. The written determination on whether to grant or deny the request for reasonable accommodation shall be made by the authority responsible for reviewing the discretionary land use application in compliance with the applicable review procedure for the discretionary review. The written determination to grant or deny the request for reasonable accommodation shall include the grounds for approval or denial of the request.
(Ord. No. 505, § 31, 10-21-2014)
Sec. 43.06. - Findings and decision.
A.
Findings. The written decision to grant or deny a request for reasonable accommodation will be consistent with the Acts and shall be based on consideration of the following factors:
1.
Whether the housing in the request will be used by an individual disabled under the Acts;
2.
Whether the request for reasonable accommodation is necessary to make specific housing available to an individual with a disability under the Acts;
3.
Whether the requested reasonable accommodation would impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the city;
Whether the requested reasonable accommodation would require a fundamental alteration in the nature of a city program or law, including but not limited to land use and zoning;
5.
Potential impact on surrounding uses;
6.
Physical attributes of the property and structures; and
7.
Other reasonable accommodations that may provide an equivalent level of benefit.
B.
Conditions of Approval. In granting a request for reasonable accommodation, the review authority may impose any conditions of approval deemed reasonable and necessary to ensure that the reasonable accommodation would comply with the findings required by subsection A above. The conditions shall also state whether the accommodation granted shall be removed in the event that the person for whom the accommodation was requested no longer resides on the site.
(Ord. No. 505, § 31, 10-21-2014)
Sec. 43.07. - Appeal of determination.
A determination to grant or deny a request for reasonable accommodation may be appealed, and the appeal must be filed within ten days of the date of the decision. An appeal of the city planner's decision goes to the planning commission.
(Ord. No. 505, § 31, 10-21-2014)
Article 44. - "M-U-B" Bridge Street Mixed-Use District—Regulations.
Sec. 44.01. - Purposes.
The purposes of the M-U-B Bridge Street Mixed-Use District are to:
a)
Accommodate transit-oriented development that provides a horizontally integrated mix of retail, professional, and service uses directed toward area residents and travelers along Bridge Street, as well as medium- to high-density residential uses ranging from 8—20 dwelling units per acre;
b)
Encourage development that exhibits the physical design characteristics of attractive building architecture and convenient vehicular/pedestrian access; and
c)
Promote the economic, health and well-being of residents and business owners, as well as lodging, entertainment, and shopping opportunities convenient for visitors and residents alike.
(Ord. No. 509, § 4, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 44.02. - Uses permitted.
See Article 48, Mixed Use Districts Table.
(Ord. No. 509, § 4, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 44.03. - Minimum height, bulk, and space requirements.
| Bridge Street Corridor |
Hwy 20 Corridor |
|
|---|---|---|
| a) Lot area | 9,600 sq. ft. | 1 acre |
| b) Lot dimensions | 80' (wide) × 120' (deep) |
200' wide (no min. depth) |
| c) Min. yard area (residential) | 30% | 30% |
| d) Front yard setback | 5 feet | 15 feet |
| e) Side yard setback (interior) | 5 feet | 5 feet |
| f) Side yard setback (corner) | 5 feet | 5 feet |
| g) Rear yard setback | 5 feet | 5 feet |
| h) Building height limit | 35 feet | 50 feet |
| i) Of-street Parking | As required in Article 29 |
As required in Article 29 |
(Ord. No. 509, § 4, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 44.04. - Indoor/outdoor operations.
All permitted uses in the M-U-B District must be conducted within completely enclosed buildings unless otherwise expressly authorized during the use permit and/or site review process. This requirement does not apply to off-street parking or loading areas, automated teller machines, drive-through or outdoor seating areas.
(Ord. No. 509, § 4, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 44.05. - Floor-to-ceiling heights and floor area of ground-floor space.
All commercial floor space provided on the ground floor of a mixed-use building shall have a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 11 feet and the following minimum floor area:
a)
At least 800 square feet or 25 percent of the lot area (whichever is greater) on lots with street frontage of less than 50 feet; or
b)
At least 20 percent of the lot area on lots with 50 feet of street frontage or more.
(Ord. No. 509, § 4, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 44.06. - Floor area ratio.
The FAR shall range from 0.35 to a maximum of 1.0.
(Ord. No. 509, § 4, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 44.07. - Transparency.
No requirements.
(Ord. No. 509, § 4, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 44.08. - Doors and entrances.
Buildings shall have a primary entrance door facing a sidewalk.
(Ord. No. 509, § 4, 10-20-2015)
Article 45. - "M-U-D" Downtown Mixed Use District—Regulations.
(RESERVED FOR FUTURE)
Article 46. - "M-U-M" Main Street Mixed Use District—Regulations.
(RESERVED FOR FUTURE)
Article 47. - "M-U-R" Residential Mixed-Use District—Regulations.
Sec. 47.01. - Purposes.
The purposes of the M-U-R Residential Mixed-Use District are to:
a)
Accommodate a horizontally integrated mix of retail, residential, professional, and service uses, as well as low- to medium-density residential uses ranging from 3—12 dwelling units per acre);
b)
Encourage retail and service establishments that would be complementary to residents; and
c)
Promote neighborhood conveniences.
(Ord. No. 509, § 7, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 47.02. - Uses permitted.
See Article 48, Mixed Use Districts Table.
(Ord. No. 509, § 7, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 47.03. - Minimum height, bulk, and space requirements.
| Core Area 4thto 8thSt. |
Remainder of District |
|
|---|---|---|
| a) Lot area | 4,800 sq. ft. | 9,600 sq. ft. |
| b) Lot dimensions | 40' (wide) × 120' (deep) |
80' (wide) × 120' (deep) |
| c) Min. yard area (residential) | 10% | 30% |
| d) Front yard setback | 5 feet | 10 feet |
| e) Side yard setback (interior) | 0 feet | 5 feet |
| f) Side yard setback (corner) | 5 feet | 10 feet |
| g) Rear yard setback | 5 feet | 5 feet |
| h) Building height limit | 35 feet | 35 feet |
| i) Of-street parking | As required in Article 29 |
As required in Article 29 |
(Ord. No. 509, § 7, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 47.04. - Indoor/outdoor operations.
All permitted uses in the M-U-R District must be conducted within completely enclosed buildings unless otherwise expressly authorized during the use permit and/or site review process. This requirement does not apply to off-street parking or loading areas, automated teller machines, or outdoor seating areas.
(Ord. No. 509, § 7, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 47.05. - Floor-to-ceiling heights and floor area of ground-floor space.
All commercial floor space provided on the ground floor of a mixed-use building shall have a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 11 feet and contain the following minimum floor area:
a)
At least 800 square feet or 25 percent of the lot area (whichever is greater) on lots with street frontage of less than 50 feet; or
b)
At least 20 percent of the lot area on lots with 50 feet of street frontage or more.
(Ord. No. 509, § 7, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 47.06. - Floor area ratio.
The FAR shall range from 0.35 to a maximum of 1.0.
(Ord. No. 509, § 7, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 47.07. - Transparency.
No requirements.
(Ord. No. 509, § 7, 10-20-2015)
Sec. 47.08. - Doors and entrances.
(1)
Buildings must have a primary entrance door leading to a public sidewalk. Entrances at building corners may be used to satisfy this requirement.
(2)
Building entrances may include doors to individual shops or businesses, lobby entrances, entrances to pedestrian-oriented plazas, or courtyard entrances to a cluster of shops or businesses.
(Ord. No. 509, § 7, 10-20-2015)
Article 48. - Mixed Use Districts Table.
| Mixed Use Table | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Use | M-U-B Bridge St. |
M-U-D Down- town |
M-U-M Main St. |
M-U-R Residen- tial |
| P = Permitted Use C = Conditionally Permitted Use NP = Non-Permitted Use T = Temporary Use | ||||
| Accessory buildings | P | P | P | P |
| Agricultural Uses | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture (commercial production) | C | NP | NP | NP |
| Animal services | ||||
| Animal raising, domestic | C | NP | C | C |
| Hospital, veterinary | P | P | P | P |
| Kennel | C | C | C | C |
| Community garden | P | P | P | P |
| Crop production | P | C | C | P |
| Farmer's market | P | P | P | P |
| Commercial Uses | ||||
| Adult businesses | C | C | C | C |
| Amusement center, indoor | P | P | P | C |
| Alcoholic beverage establishment | C | C | C | C |
| Amusement center, outdoor | C | C | C | C |
| Automotive | ||||
| Vehicle repair and maintenance | P | P | C | C |
| Vehicle sales and rental | P | P | P | NP |
| Bed & Breakfast | P | P | P | P |
| Financial services | P | P | P | P |
| Building material stores | C | C | C | NP |
| Card room | C | C | C | C |
| Care facilities | ||||
| Day care, adult | C | C | C | C |
| Day care center, child | C | C | C | C |
| Day care home, large (8 to 14 children) | C | C | C | C |
| Day care home, small (7 or fewer children) | C | C | C | C |
| Residential care facility | C | C | C | C |
| Convenience store | P | P | P | P |
| Cottage foods operation | P | P | P | P |
| Drive-thru facilities | P | C | C | C |
| Drive-in facilities | P | C | C | C |
| Food production | P | P | P | C |
| Funeral chapel | P | P | P | NP |
| Grocery store (over 15,000 sq. ft.) | C | C | C | C |
| Hotel/Motel | C | C | P | NP |
| Medical marijuana dispensaries | NP | NP | NP | NP |
| Medical services—Clinics and laboratories | P | P | P | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical services—Extended care | P | C | C | C |
| Medical services—Hospital | P | C | C | C |
| Ofces, professional | P | P | P | P |
| Parking lot | P | P | P | P |
| Personal services | P | P | P | P |
| Printing and publishing | P | P | P | NP |
| Printing and publishing—Computer/electronic | P | P | P | P |
| Recreational vehicle (RV) park | C | NP | C | NP |
| Recycling collection facility | C | C | C | C |
| Recycling processing facility | C | NP | C | NP |
| Restaurant and café | P | P | P | P |
| Retail sales, general merchandise | P | P | P | P |
| Stone and cut stone products | P | C | C | C |
| Storage, personal storage facility | P | C | C | NP |
| Taxidermy shop (tanning requires a use permit) | P | P | P | P |
| Theater, auditoriums, and meeting halls | P | C | P | C |
| Wholesaling and distribution | P | C | C | C |
| Other | C | C | C | C |
| Light Industrial Uses | ||||
| Construction or contractor's yard | C | C | C | C |
| Construction, maintenance, and repair services | C | C | C | NP |
| Manufacturing, light | C | C | C | C |
| Public & Semi Public Uses | ||||
| Cemetery | NP | NP | NP | NP |
| Club, community and fraternal | C | C | P | C |
| Community center/pavilion | C | C | P | C |
| Church or religious institution | P | C | C | P |
| Emergency shelter | C | C | C | NP |
| Ofces, governmental | C | C | C | C |
| Public safety facility | C | C | C | C |
| School, private | C | C | C | C |
| School, specialized education and training | C | C | P | P |
| Residential Uses | ||||
| Accessory dwelling unit | C | P | P | P |
| Boarding or rooming house | P | P | P | P |
| Caretaker's quarters | P | P | P | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condominiums | C | P | C | P |
| Duplex | NP | NP | NP | P |
| Live/work units, (w/ allowed commercial use) | P | P | P | P |
| Farmworker housing | NP | NP | NP | NP |
| Mobile home park | C | NP | NP | NP |
| Multifamily dwelling | C | C | C | C |
| Senior housing | C | P | P | P |
| Single-family dwelling or manufactured home | NP | C | NP | P |
| Supportive housing | C | C | C | C |
| Transitional housing | C | C | C | C |
| Temporary Uses | ||||
| Automobile/recreation/boat sales event | T | T | T | T |
| Bazaar | T | T | T | T |
| Carnival | T | T | T | T |
| Festival | T | T | T | T |
| Recreational/sporting events | T | T | T | T |
| Revival church or tent | T | T | T | T |
| Seasonal outdoor sales | T | T | T | T |
| Christmas tree lot | T | T | T | T |
| Pumpkin patch | T | T | T | T |
| Fireworks/fundraisers | T | T | T | T |
| Swap/fea market | T | T | T | T |
(Ord. No. 509, § 8, 10-20-2015)
Article 49. - Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units.
Purpose.
The provisions of this section are intended to set standards, in compliance with California Government Code Sections 65852.2 and 65852.22, for the development of accessory dwelling units so as to increase the supply of smaller and affordable housing while ensuring that such housing remains compatible with the existing neighborhood.
(Ord. No. 568, 5-20-2025)
Sec. 49.01. - General requirements.
An accessory dwelling unit:
(a)
May be located on any lot that allows a single-family or multifamily residential use and includes a proposed or existing dwelling.
(b)
Is not subject to the density requirements of the general plan, but shall otherwise be consistent with the general plan text and diagrams.
(c)
Shall not be used for rentals with terms of less than thirty days.
(Ord. No. 568, 5-20-2025)
Sec. 49.02. - Reserved. Sec. 49.03. - Permit requirements.
An application for an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit that complies with all applicable requirements of this section shall be approved ministerially.
(a)
If the department, together with utility providers and county environmental health when a septic system is utilized, has not approved or denied the completed application within sixty days, the application shall be deemed approved. If the department denies an application for an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit, it shall provide in writing a full set of comments to the applicant with a list of items that are defective or deficient and a description of how the application can be remedied by the applicant.
(b)
A permit shall not be denied due to the correction of nonconforming zoning conditions, building code violations, or unpermitted structures that do not present a threat to public health and safety and are not affected by the construction of the accessory dwelling unit.
(c)
A permit shall not be denied for an unpermitted accessory dwelling unit that was constructed before January 1, 2018, because, among other conditions, the unit is in violation of building standards or state or local standards applicable to accessory dwelling units, unless the department finds that correcting the violation is necessary to protect the health and safety of the public or occupants of the structure.
(d)
A demolition permit for a detached garage that is to be replaced with an accessory dwelling unit shall be reviewed with the application for the accessory dwelling unit and issued at the same time. The applicant is
not required to provide written notice or post a placard for the demolition of a detached garage that is to be replaced with an accessory dwelling unit.
(Ord. No. 568, 5-20-2025)
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — Colusa County Zoning Code
- Sec. 1.02. - Adoption.
- Sec. 1.04. - Purpose of the plan.
- Sec. 2.02. - Special combining districts.
- Sec. 11.01. - Regulations generally.
- Sec. 21.5.12. - Record keeping.
- Sec. 21.5.18. - Medical and personal cannabis maximum limitati…
- Sec. 22.01. - Regulations generally.
- Sec. 30.01. - Purposes.
- Sec. 31.04. - Prohibited signs.
- Sec. 32.07. - Yards.
- Sec. 32.08. - Height exceptions.
- Sec. 32.09. - Exceptions—District agricultural association.
- Sec. 33.01. - Major use permits.
- Sec. 35.02. - Changes from one nonconforming use to another.
- Sec. 37.03. - Violations.
- Sec. 39.01. - Statutory authorization, findings of fact, purpo…
- Sec. 39.04. - Administration.
- Sec. 41.02. - Implementation.
- Sec. 41.04. - Allowed incentives or concessions.
- Sec. 41.5.01. - Regulations generally.
- Sec. 49.04. - Accessory dwelling units—Application and process…
- Sec. 49.10. - Architectural objective.
- Sec. 49.20. - Deed restrictions.