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Division 1 — Generally›Chapter 33›Article 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS

§ 33-6. Interpretation.

Escondido Zoning Code · 2026-05 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Escondido

  • (a) In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public peace, health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity or general welfare.

    • (1) The provisions of the ordinance codified in this section apply to all zones and all uses of land unless otherwise stated. The provisions shall be regarded and applied as the minimum requirements and maximum potential limits for the promotion of public health, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare of the city and its residents. When the ordinance codified in this section provides for discretion on the part of a city official or body, that discretion may be exercised to impose more stringent requirements than identified in the ordinance codified in this section, as may be necessary to promote orderly land use development and the purposes of the ordinance codified in this section.

    • (2) Any provisions of an adopted specific plan related to subjects contained in the ordinance codified in this section shall prevail over the provisions of the ordinance codified in this section to the extent of any conflict between the ordinance codified in this section and the specific plan.

    • (3) It is not intended by this chapter to abrogate, annul, impair or interfere with any existing or future provision of law or ordinance or with any easements, covenants or other agreements between parties; provided, however, that where this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the use or occupation of buildings or premises or upon the height or location of buildings or structures or upon the lot area per family, size of yards and open spaces, number of garages or other requirements whatsoever, than is imposed or required by such existing laws, ordinances, easements, covenants or agreements, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.

  • (b) The director shall have the responsibility and authority to interpret the meaning and applicability of all provisions and requirements of the ordinance codified in this section. Whenever the director determines that the meaning or applicability of any of the requirements of the ordinance codified in this section are subject to interpretation generally, or as applied to a specific case, the director may issue an official interpretation. In any case where there is difficulty in interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter to any specific case or situation, the planning commission shall upon request interpret the intent of this chapter by written policy and said interpretation shall be followed in applying said provisions.

(Zoning Code, Ch. 100, § 1000.37; Ord. No. 2017-07, § 4, 6-7-17; Ord. No. 2020-31R, § 6, 1-13-21)

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▸ Contents — Escondido Zoning Code
Escondido Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 6
  2. Division 2 — Routing
  3. Division 2 — Weed and Rubbish Abatement Program
  4. ▸ Division 1 — Generally
    Overview
    1. § 11-53. Created and established.
    2. § 11-54. Purpose.
    3. § 11-55. Membership.
    4. § 11-56. Members in classified service and subject to civil se…
    5. § 11-57. Personnel to obey fire chief and rules and regulation…
    6. § 11-63. Appointment; tenure.
    7. § 11-64. Qualifications.
    8. § 11-65. Status of employment.
    9. § 11-66. General authority.
    10. § 11-67. To perform duties prescribed by city manager.
    11. § 11-68. To aid enforcement of ordinances, report violations.
    12. § 11-69. Duty to promulgate and enforce rules, regulations for…
    13. § 11-70. Authority, duty to inspect buildings, premises and or…
    14. § 11-71. Right of entry to make inspections.
    15. § 11-72. Duty to investigate fires, maintain records.
    16. § 11-73. Duty to preserve order at fires.
    17. § 11-74. Provide instruction for department in first aid, etc.
    18. § 11-75. Duty to call fire drills; purpose of drills.
    19. § 11-76. Responsible for conduct of and property of department.
    20. § 11-77. Duty to recommend disciplinary action.
    21. § 11-78. Duty to make reports; contents.
    22. § 11-79. To submit annual budget.
    23. Chapter 20
    24. Chapter 32
    25. ▸ Chapter 33
      Overview
      1. § 33-1313. Penalty provisions.
      2. ▸ Article 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
        Overview
        1. § 33-1. Short Title.
        2. § 33-2. Authority for the zoning chapter.
        3. § 33-3. Purpose.
        4. § 33-4. Replacement of other ordinances.
        5. § 33-5. Reference to any portion of this chapter.
        6. § 33-6. Interpretation.
        7. § 33-7. Permits and licenses required.
        8. § 33-8. Definitions.
        9. § 33-8 Building.
        10. § 33-8 accessory dwelling unit is existing or proposed.
        11. § 33-8 flowers or other tender plants.
        12. § 33-8 preparation counter, and storage cabinets.
        13. § 33-8 unit.
        14. § 33-13 technology to identify, sort, collect, and process use…
        15. § 33-13. Determination of permitted uses.
        16. § 33-14. Zoning districts.
        17. § 33-15. Zoning district boundary uncertainty.
        18. § 33-16. Processing of concurrent applications for permits, an…
      3. Article 2 — OPEN SPACE AND HAZARDOUS LANDS GENERALLY
      4. Article 3 — OPEN SPACE (OS) ZONE
      5. Article 4 — FLOOD PLAIN (FP) OVERLAY ZONE
      6. Article 5 — OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      7. Article 6 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
      8. Article 9 — ANIMAL OVERLAY (AO) ZONE
      9. Article 11 — (RESERVED)
      10. Article 13 — (RESERVED)
      11. Article 16 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
      12. Article 18 — SPECIFIC PLAN (S-P) ZONE
      13. Article 19 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (P-D) ZONE
      14. Article 24 — (RESERVED)
      15. Article 25 — PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES IN RESIDENTIAL Z…
      16. Article 26 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES
      17. Article 27 — EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY
      18. Article 30 — HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL OVERLAY (H-C-O) ZONE
      19. Article 31 — SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT (S-T-P) OVERLAY ZONE
      20. Article 32 — BED AND BREAKFAST FACILITIES
      21. Article 33 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
      22. Article 34 — COMMUNICATION ANTENNAS
      23. Article 35 — OUTDOOR LIGHTING
      24. Article 36 — CARGO CONTAINER RESTRICTIONS
      25. Article 37 — PUBLIC ART
      26. Article 38 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
      27. Article 39 — OFF-STREET PARKING
      28. Article 40 — HISTORICAL RESOURCES
      29. Article 41 — SENIOR HOUSING
      30. Article 42 — ADULT BUSINESSES
      31. Article 43 — ABANDONED SERVICE STATIONS
      32. Article 44 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
      33. Article 45 — MOBILEHOME PARKS
      34. Article 46 — TRAVEL TRAILER PARKS
      35. Article 47 — ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
      36. Article 48 — RELOCATION OF BUILDINGS
      37. Article 49 — AIR SPACE CONDOMINIUM AND COMMUNITY APARTMENT PRO…
      38. Article 52 — FREEWAY SIGN CONTROL
      39. Article 55 — GRADING AND EROSION CONTROL
      40. Article 56 — MISCELLANEOUS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      41. Article 57 — MISCELLANEOUS USE RESTRICTIONS
      42. Article 58 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
  5. Division 1
  6. Division 2 — Variances and Administrative Adjustments
  7. Division 3 — Nonconforming Uses and Structures
  8. Division 4 — Amendments and Zone Changes
  9. Division 5 — Reasonable Accommodation
  10. Division 6 — Public Hearings, Notices, Fees and Appeals
  11. Division 7 — Enforcement and Penalties
  12. Division 8 — Plot Plans
  13. Division 9 — Zoning Administrator

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