Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 20 — ZONING ORDINANCE›Division III — MENDOCINO TOWN ZONING CODE
Mendocino County Municipal Code Ch. 20.652 Mendocino Town Residential "mtr"
Mendocino County Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Mendocino County
Cite as: Mendocino County Municipal Code Chapter 20.652 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Sec. 20.652.005 - Intent.¶
This district is intended to maintain the existing predominantly single family character of residential neighborhoods in the Town of Mendocino; allow a second residential dwelling unit, subordinate in size and scale, in keeping with the existing pattern of development; and support existing visitor accommodations in the Visitor Serving Facilities Combining District on sites designated with an asterisk (*) or asterisk-B (*B) on the certified Town Plan Land Use and Zoning Maps.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.652.010 - Permitted Uses for MTR Districts.¶
(A) The following use type is the principal permitted use in the MTR District:
(1) Residential Use Types
Family Residential: Single Family
Family Residential: Two (2) Family
(B) The following use types are permitted uses in the MTR District:
(1) Civic Use Types
Community Garden
(2) Agricultural Use Types
Light Agriculture
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 4395, § 2, adopted November 17, 2017 amended § 20.652.010 to read as set out herein. Previously § 20.652.010 was titled "Principal Permitted Uses for MTR Districts."
Sec. 20.652.015 - Conditional Uses for MTR Districts.¶
The following use types may be permitted in the MTR District upon issuance of a use permit:
(A) Civic Use Types
Lodge, Fraternal and Civic Assembly
Major Impact Services and Utilities
Minor Impact Utilities
Religious Assembly
(B) Visitor Accommodation Use Types
Single Unit Rentals
(C) Commercial Use Types
Cottage Industries
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.652.020 - Minimum Lot Area for MTR Districts.¶
Twelve thousand (12,000) square feet.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.652.025 - Maximum Dwelling Density for MTR Districts.¶
(A) One (1) primary dwelling unit on existing parcels or portions thereof under nine thousand (9,000) square feet.
(B) One (1) second residential dwelling unit on parcels or portions thereof of nine thousand (9,000) square feet or larger.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.652.030 - Minimum Front and Rear Yards for MTR Districts.¶
Ten (10) feet each.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.652.035 - Minimum Side Yards for MTR Districts.¶
Six (6) feet each.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.652.040 - Setback Exception for MTR Districts.¶
Exceptions to the strict application of building setbacks may be allowed or greater setbacks may be recovered where it is found that strict compliance would have adverse impacts on community character, historical structures, public open space, or public views. Exceptions may only be allowed pursuant to the review process in Chapter 20.760.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.652.045 - Maximum Building Height for MTR Districts.¶
Structures shall be limited to a maximum height of twenty-eight (28) feet above natural grade. Exceptions to the strict application of maximum building heights may be allowed for church steeples, flag poles, water towers, and utility poles where such exceptions are consistent with the intent of the Zoning District and with Chapter 20.760. Reduced heights may be required where it is found that building heights would have adverse impacts to community character, historical structures, public open space, or significant public views. Exceptions may only be allowed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 20.724 (Variances) or Chapter 20.760.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.652.050 - Minimum Vehicle Parking for MTR Districts.¶
(A) Two (2) off-street parking spaces for the first residential unit and one and one-half (1½) off-street parking spaces for each additional residential unit.
(B) One (1) off-street parking space for each visitor accommodation unit (guest room or suite), or where available space or the requirements this Division preclude off-street parking, payment of an in-lieu fee as required by Section 20.714.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
Sec. 20.652.055 - Maximum Lot Coverage for MTR Districts.¶
Twenty-five (25) percent.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.652.060 - Minimum Lot Width for MTR Districts.¶
Sixty (60) feet.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.652.065 - Maximum Lot Depth for MTR Districts.¶
Three (3) times the lot width.
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
Sec. 20.652.070 - Additional Requirements for MTR Districts.¶
No residential dwelling unit or portion thereof shall be converted to any non-residential use except as provided by Chapter 20.684 (Mendocino Visitor Serving Facilities Combining District) or Chapter 20.748 (Single Unit Rentals and Vacation Home Rentals).
(Ord. No. 3915 (part), adopted 1995.)
(Ord. No. 4395, § 2, 11-17-2017)
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