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Earlier editions: 2026-09

Title 20 — ZONING ORDINANCE›Division II — MENDOCINO COUNTY COASTAL ZONING CODE

Mendocino County Municipal Code Ch. 20.372 Os—open Space District

Mendocino County Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Mendocino County

Cite as: Mendocino County Municipal Code Chapter 20.372 · Text as of 2026-10-04

Sec. 20.372.005 - Intent.

This district is intended to be applied to lands within the Coastal Zone which are not suited for development or are more valuable in their undeveloped natural state and to public park lands.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 20.372.010 - Principal Permitted Uses for OS Districts.

The following use types are permitted in the Open Space District:

(A) Coastal Agricultural Use Types.

Light Agriculture.

(B) Coastal Open Space Use Types.

Open Space;

Passive Recreation.

(C) Coastal Natural Resource Use Types.

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management;

Watershed Management.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 20.372.015 - Conditional Uses for OS Districts.

The following are permitted uses upon the issuance of a coastal development use permit:

(A) Coastal Residential Use Types.

Employee Caretaker Housing.

(B) Coastal Civic Use Types.

Alternative Energy Facilities: On-site;

Community Recreation;

Minor Impact Utilities.

(C) Coastal Commercial Use Types.

Commercial Recreation: Outdoor Sports and Recreation.

(D) Coastal Visitor Accommodations and Services Use Types.

Campground;

Hostel;

Organized Camp;

Recreational Vehicle Campground.

(E) Coastal Agriculture Use Types.

Forest Production and Processing: Limited,

Row and Field Crops;

Tree Crops.

(F) Coastal Open Space Use Types.

Active Recreation.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 20.372.020 - Minimum Lot Area for OS Districts.

None. No divisions permitted unless it can be demonstrated that the division furthers the intent of the OS District.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 20.372.025 - Maximum Dwelling Density for OS Districts.

One (1) dwelling unit (caretaker only) per ten (10) acres per contiguous open space area.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 20.372.030 - Minimum Front and Rear Yard for OS Districts.

Fifty (50) feet each.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 20.372.035 - Minimum Side Yard for OS Districts.

Twenty (20) feet each.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 20.372.040 - Building Height Limit for OS Districts.

Sixteen (16) feet.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 199f)

Exceptions & meaning →

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