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§ 17.08

Exeter Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-08 · Exeter

17.08.01 Purpose

Pursuant to Government Code Section 65800 et. seq., the State of California grants to the City of Exeter the power to apply zoning to lands within its city limits. The purpose of zoning is to protect the public health, safety and general welfare. The constitutionality of zoning has been upheld by the United States Supreme Court since 1926, Euclid v. Amber Realty Company (272 US 365).

17.08.02 Definition

Zoning is the division of a city into districts, and the regulation within those districts of the height, appearance and bulk of buildings and structures; the area of a lot that may be occupied and the size of required open spaces; the density and intensity of development; and the use of buildings and land for commercial, agricultural, industrial, residential and other purposes.

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Exeter Zoning Ordinance Chapter 8: Zoning Districts

17.08.03 Distr icts

Districts are areas within the City of Exeter within which certain zoning regulations apply. The districts hereby established and into which the City is divided are as follows:

Distr ict Symbol
A
UR
RA
R-1
RM
C-N
C-C
C-S
C-G
C-H
PO
MU
I
O
PF
Zone Distr ict
Agriculture
Urban Reserve
Rural Agriculture
Single Family Residential
Multi-Family Residential
Neighborhood Commercial
Centr al Commercial
Service Commercial
General Commercial
Highway Commercial
Professional Offi ce
Mixed Use
Industr ial
Open Space
Public Facilities

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Exeter Zoning Ordinance Chapter 8: Zoning Districts

17.08.04 Overlay Distr icts

Overlay districts are areas in Exeter that may require special regulations due to unique locational features, architecture, historical significance, resources or hazards. These districts may be combined with any of the base districts identified in this Chapter. For purposes of identification on the Offi cial Zoning Map for Exeter, districts that are joined with an overlay district shall be suffixed with the name of the overlay district. As an example, the zoning for an area of Exeter that is classified central commercial (CC) and contains the historic downtown, which demands unique design regulations, would read as CC-DD, central commercial, downtown design district. Exeter overlay districts are as follows:

PD Planned Development

DD Downtown Design

HN Historic Neighborhood

17.08.05 Offi cial Zoning Map

The zoning boundaries of the aforementioned districts and overlay districts shall be shown on the Official Zoning Map of Exeter. The Offi cial Zoning Map shall be a part of this Ordinance and shall remain on file with the Exeter Planning and Building Department and displayed on the City of Exeter’s website.

The Exeter Planning and Building Department shall be responsible for amending the Official Zoning Map when land is annexed into the city or when property is reclassified from one zone to another.

17.08.06 Distr ict Boundaries

Where uncertainty exists as to the boundary of any district shown on the Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply.

  • A. District boundaries shall coincide with either streets, alleys, property lines or railroad rights-of-way unless otherwise shown on the Zoning Map.

  • B. Where doubt exists as to the location of a district boundary within a block, the boundary line shall be the nearest interior lot line existing at the effective date of this Ordinance (Ordinance 246, 1965).

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Exeter Zoning Ordinance Chapter 8: Zoning Districts

17.08.07 Distr ict Regulations

Except as provided for in this Ordinance, no structure or part thereof shall be erected, altered or enlarged, nor shall any site or structure be used in a manner other than is included among the uses hereinafter listed as permitted or conditionally permitted in the district in which the structure or site is located. In addition, no structure or part thereof shall be erected, reconstructed, enlarged or moved into any district that exceeds the development standards for the district in which the structure is located.

  • 17.08.08 Effect of Annexation, Vacation or Abandonment on Distr ict Boundaries

Where property is annexed into Exeter or where property is vacated or abandoned, the following zoning rules shall apply:

  • A. Exeter may pre-zone unincorporated territory adjoining the city for the purpose of determining the zoning that will apply to such territory in the event of annexation. Zoning of the subject territory will be conducted consistent with Chapter 17.48 Zoning Ordinance Amendments and will become effective when annexation has been completed.

  • B. Unless pre-zoned, all property annexed into the City shall be classified to the Urban Reserve (UR) district.

  • C. All property that lacks zoning because property has been vacated or abandoned shall be zoned to the centerline of the subject property consistent with the zoning on the adjoining property.

  • 17.08.09 Effect on Other Regulations

Where more restrictive standards, use regulations or rules are established by any other applicable statutes, ordinances or regulations than is established by this Ordinance, the provisions of such statutes, ordinances or regulations shall govern.

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C H A P T E R 10 one “A” Agriculture Z

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Sections

  • 17.10.01 Purpose 17.10.02 Permitted Uses 17.10.03 Accessory Uses 17.10.04 Conditional Uses 17.10.05 Development Standards

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