Division IV — GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 21.96 — ZONING CLEARANCE/PLAN CHECK
La Mirada Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · La Mirada
21.96.010 Purpose and intent . ¶
The purpose of the zoning clearance/plan check process is to ensure that all proposed new and modified uses and structures that do not require any discretionary actions or approvals subject to this title otherwise comply with applicable provisions of this title. The zoning clearance is an administrative review action undertaken by the community development director. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).
21.96.020 Applicability . ¶
An administrative zoning clearance is required for the following actions not requiring any discretionary actions or approvals pursuant to this title:
(1) Issuance of a business license for a new use, change in use, or expansion of an existing use.
(2) Issuance of building permit for any structure, including signs.
(3) Issuance of building or similar permits for exterior mechanical equipment, air conditioning and/or filtration units, attic ventilators, roof-mounted fans and gable-end fans, and windmill systems.
(4) Initial paving, resurfacing and/or restriping of off-street parking lots which alters the number and/or
configuration of parking spaces or corresponding landscape planters for multi-family and non-residential uses.
(5) Recycling facilities as specified in Chapter 21.50.
(6) Approval of exterior mechanical equipment plans for residential structures, as described in Section 21.18.050.
(7) Approval of the co-location of a wireless telecommunication facility, provided such co-location meets the requirements set forth in Section 21.46.030(d).
(8) Review any residential development that does not require a public hearing for compliance with the zoning code.
(Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).
21.96.030 Findings and conditions . ¶
Zoning clearance shall be granted only when the community development director finds the proposed use or development action to be in conformance with all applicable provisions of this title and other adopted policies of the city. The community development director may modify plans in whole or in part, apply conditions of approval, or require guarantees to ensure compliance with applicable provisions of this title. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).
21.96.040 Issuance . ¶
The authorized signature of the community development director on a designated form, or a stamp approval on a set of plans, shall signify approval of a zoning clearance. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — La Mirada Zoning Code
- Chapter 21.02 — ZONING ENACTMENT
- Chapter 21.04 — PURPOSE AND SCOPE
- Chapter 21.06 — RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROVISIONS
- Chapter 21.08 — ZONING CODE APPLICABILITY
- Chapter 21.10 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
- Chapter 21.12 — INTERPRETATION OF CODE
- Chapter 21.14 — ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 21.15 — ABATEMENT OF NUISANCES
- Chapter 21.16 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS, ADOPTION OF…
- Chapter 21.18 — RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 21.20 — COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 21.22 — INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICT
- Chapter 21.24 — OPEN SPACE ZONING DISTRICT
- Chapter 21.26 — PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT ZONING DISTRICT
- Chapter 21.30 — FARM ANIMAL OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT
- Chapter 21.32 — FLOOD HAZARD OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT
- Chapter 21.34 — MOBILE HOME PARK OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT
- Chapter 21.36 — OIL DRILLING OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT
- Chapter 21.37 — MIXED USE OVERLAY (MUO) ZONING DISTRICT
- Chapter 21.38 — SPECIAL HOUSING OVERLAY (SHO) ZONING DISTRICT
- Chapter 21.39 — EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY (ESO) ZONING DISTRICT
- Chapter 21.41 — SMALL LOT OWNERSHIP UNITS
- Chapter 21.42 — ACCESSORY USES
- Chapter 21.43 — SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY
- Chapter 21.44 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES
- Chapter 21.45 — CHECK CASHING ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 21.46 — RADIO AND TELEVISION ANTENNAS AND WIRELESS TEL…
- Division I — REGULATION OF ANTENNA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACI…
- Division II — REGULATION OF WIRELESS ANTENNA FACILITIES
- Division III — REGULATION OF AMATEUR RADIO STATION ANTENNAS
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▸ Division IV — GENERAL PROVISIONS
Overview- Chapter 21.48 — COMMERCIAL CANNABIS USES AND CULTIVATION
- Chapter 21.49 — DENSITY BONUS
- Chapter 21.50 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
- Chapter 21.52 — TRANSITIONAL AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
- Chapter 21.53 — RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON HIGHER EDUCATION- O…
- Chapter 21.54 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
- Chapter 21.56 — SHORT-TERM RENTALS
- Chapter 21.57 — RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES
- Chapter 21.58 — LOW-BARRIER NAVIGATION CENTERS
- Chapter 21.60 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
- Chapter 21.62 — FENCES AND WALLS
- Chapter 21.64 — HEIGHT MEASUREMENT AND EXCEPTIONS
- Chapter 21.66 — LANDSCAPING
- Chapter 21.68 — PARKING AND LOADING
- Chapter 21.70 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Chapter 21.72 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
- Chapter 21.76 — SIGNS
- Chapter 21.78 — YARD REQUIREMENTS AND EXCEPTIONS
- Chapter 21.80 — GENERAL PERMIT PROVISIONS
- Chapter 21.82 — APPROVING AUTHORITY
- Chapter 21.84 — GENERAL APPLICATION PROCESSING PROCEDURES
- Chapter 21.86 — NOTICES AND HEARINGS
- Chapter 21.88 — APPEALS
- Chapter 21.90 — PERMIT IMPLEMENTATION, TIME LIMITS, AND EXTENS…
- Chapter 21.92 — PERMIT MODIFICATION AND REVOCATION
- Chapter 21.94 — ZONING ORDINANCE INTERPRETATION (EXCLUDES USE …
- Chapter 21.96 — ZONING CLEARANCE/PLAN CHECK
- Chapter 21.98 — HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT
- Chapter 21.100 — TEMPORARY USE PERMIT
- Chapter 21.102 — ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUSTMENT
- Chapter 21.103 — LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE PERMIT (LDC)
- Chapter 21.104 — TEMPORARY SIGN PERMIT
- Chapter 21.106 — ZONING ORDINANCE USE INTERPRETATION
- Chapter 21.108 — VARIANCE
- Chapter 21.110 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
- Chapter 21.112 — CERTIFICATE OF COMPATIBILITY
- Chapter 21.114 — SITE PLAN REVIEW
- Chapter 21.116 — PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 21.117 — PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 21.118 — SPECIFIC PLAN
- Chapter 21.120 — ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT/MAP AMENDMENT
- Chapter 21.122 — GENERAL PLAN TEXT/MAP AMENDMENT
- Chapter 21.124 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
- Chapter 21.126 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
- Chapter 21.128 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
- Chapter 21.130 — GENERAL NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS
- Division V — Abatement/Extension of Nonconforming Uses/Structu…
- Division VI — Miscellaneous Nonconforming Provisions
- Division I — GENERAL NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS
- Division II — NONCONFORMING LOTS
- Division III — NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES
- Division IV — NONCONFORMING USE
- Division V — ABATEMENT/EXTENSION OF NONCONFORMING USES/STRUCTU…
- Division VI — MISCELLANEOUS NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS