Article 2 — VR-CL: Variable Density Residential District

The VR-CL zoning district provides for a mix of low- and medium-density residential uses. The VRCL District regulations are designed to promote and encourage a pleasant environment for family life and to provide space for community facilities needed to complement residential neighborhoods. (Ord. 04-245 § 3; Ord. 22-431 § 1)

• A. One-family dwellings;

• B. Multifamily dwellings;

• C. A "small family day care home" as defined and regulated by the State Health and Safety Code , which provides care to eight or fewer children, including children who reside in the home;

• D. A "large family day care home" as defined and regulated by the State Health and Safety Code for nine to 14 children, inclusive, including children who reside in the home;

• E. A small residential care home;

• F. An alcoholic recovery facility as defined by the State Health and Safety Code , which provides care to six or less persons, whether or not related;

• G. Accessory structures and uses located on the same site with a permitted use;

• H. Fenced or enclosed swimming pools for either individual, family or communal use on an exclusive non-commercial basis, provided that no swimming pool shall be located within a utility easement or a front yard;

• I. Neighborhood parks;

• J. Open space;

• K. Public or private playgrounds;

• L. Public schools;

• M. The keeping of animals in accordance with Title 6;

• N. Other uses which are added to this list according to the procedures in Section 17.16.020 of the Lathrop Zoning Code.

• (Ord. 04-245 § 3; Ord. 16-365 § 1; Ord. 22-431 § 1; Ord. 25-462, 2/10/2025)

The following uses may be permitted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.108 of the Lathrop Zoning Code:

• A. Rest homes and nursing homes; and boarding or rooming houses.

• B. Home occupations in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.64 of the Lathrop Zoning Code.

• C. Enclosed temporary construction materials storage yards required in connection with the development of a subdivision in accordance with Section 17.16.010 of the Lathrop Zoning Code.

• D. Temporary subdivision sales offices and signs, model homes, and model home display areas in accordance with Section 17.16.010 of the Lathrop Zoning Code.

• E. Garden structures in accordance with the development standards described in this section.

• F. Tennis courts, including related fencing over seven feet in height located on the same site as a permitted or conditional use.

• G. Expansion, remodeling, or additions to a conditional use that are not considered an incidental or accessory use as defined in Section 17.04.080 of the Lathrop Zoning Code.

• H. Incidental and accessory structures and uses as defined in Section 17.04.080 of the Lathrop Zoning Code on the same site as a use that is permitted by administrative approval or a conditional use.

• I. Other uses added to this list according to the procedures in Section 17.16.020 of the Lathrop Zoning Code.

• (Ord. 04-245 § 3; Ord. 22-431 § 1)

The following uses may be permitted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.112 of the Lathrop Zoning Code:

• A. A state authorized licensed day care center for 13 or more children.

• B. Churches and other religious facilities.

• C. Modest expansion or remodeling of an existing nonconforming use of a structure or land, up to 50% or less of the value of the structure, or reestablishment of a nonconforming use which has been damaged, except nonconforming signs and outdoor advertising structures, nonconforming uses occupying a structure with an assessed valuation of less than $200, and nonconforming fences, walls and hedges.

• D. Gas and electric transmission lines in accordance with Section 17.108.080 of the Lathrop Zoning Code, electrical distribution substations, gas regulator stations, communications equipment buildings, public service pumping stations and elevated pressure tanks.

• E. Public and quasi-public uses of an educational or religious type including parochial schools, colleges; nursery schools; private non-profit schools and colleges; churches; parsonages and other religious institutions.

• F. Public uses of an administrative, public service or cultural type including city, libraries, museums, art galleries; and other public buildings, structures and facilities; and community centers, excepting city centers.

• G. Public and private charitable institutions, hospitals, sanitariums, rest homes, and nursing homes, including a state authorized, certified or licensed family care home, foster home or group home serving seven or more mentally disordered or otherwise handicapped persons, including rehabilitation homes for the alcohol and/or chemically dependent, or dependent and neglected children, where such homes provide care on a 24 hour basis.

• H. Recycled water storage and water quality ponds not previously identified in previous approvals.

• I. Spray fields not previously identified in previous approvals.

• J. Storm drain detention and retention ponds. not previously identified in previous approvals.

• K. Large residential care home as defined in Section 17.04.080 .

• L. Other uses added to this list according to the procedures in Section 17.16.020 of the Lathrop Zoning Code.

(Ord. 04-245 § 3; Ord. 26-479, 3/9/2026)

Specific development standards for the Variable Residential (VR-CL) district shall be as set forth in the Central Lathrop design guidelines, by incorporating the design standards identified in Section 17.62.110 et seq., of this chapter. (Ord. 04-245 § 3)

No use shall be established on any lot or site in any VR district until a site plan and architectural plans have been submitted to and approved by the city pursuant to the Central Lathrop Design Review process, and such lot or site has been fully developed with the improvements required by the city. The Central Lathrop Design Review process shall take the place of the site plan review for which provision is made in Chapter 17.100 of the Lathrop Municipal Code and the architectural design review for which provision is made in Chapter 17.104 of the Lathrop Municipal Code. Design review is required for all proposed structures, whether residential or non-residential, together with related site plans, landscaping, and public improvements associated with new development within the Central Lathrop Specific Plan area.

Housing developments that include a minimum 20% of units affordable to lower income households shall be ministerial and exempt from this section.

(Ord. 04-245 § 3; Ord. 22-442 § 1; Ord. 25-462, 2/10/2025)

All uses shall be subject to the general provisions and exceptions prescribed in Chapter 17.16 of the Lathrop Zoning Code. (Ord. 04-245 § 3)