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Title 18 — Zoning Code

Chapter 18.150 — SPECIFIC PLANS

Merced County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Merced County

§ 18.150.010. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a process for preparing, processing, reviewing, adopting, and amending specific plans in compliance with Government Code Section 65450 et seq., or as that section may be amended or replaced from time to time. (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.150.020. Intent.

  • A. General Plan Implementation. After the Board has adopted the General Plan or any amendment, the County may, or if directed by the Board, shall prepare specific plans for the implementation of the General Plan.

  • B. Adopted by Ordinance. A specific plan adopted by ordinance shall replace the base zone(s) for the subject property, and the development standards and guidelines identified in the specific plan shall take precedence over the development standards contained in this Zoning Code.

  • C. Adopted by Resolution. A specific plan adopted by resolution shall be applied as applicable regulations and standards to this Zoning Code, and the General Plan shall take precedence over the development standards and guidelines identified in the specific plan.

  • (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.150.030. Applicability.

  • A. Specific Plan—When Required. When required by the General Plan or this Zoning Code to systematically implement the General Plan, a specific plan shall be prepared, processed, approved, and implemented, or denied in compliance with this chapter.

  • B. Flexibility and Innovation. A specific plan is designed to provide for flexibility, innovative use of land resources and development, a variety of housing and other development types, and an effective and safe method of pedestrian and vehicular circulation.

  • C. Commission and Board Review. An application for a specific plan shall be considered by the Commission and Board.

    1. Commission's Recommendation. After a public hearing, the Commission shall forward a written recommendation, in the form of a resolution, together with the findings in support of the recommendation, to the Board whether to recommend approval, approval in modified form, or denial of the proposed specific plan, based on the findings identified in Section 18.150.070(A) (Specific Plan Adoption: Mandatory Finding for Adoption).

    2. Board's Action. After a public hearing, the Board shall take appropriate action on the specific plan application, in the form of an ordinance or resolution, together with the findings in support of the action to approve, approve in modified form, or deny the proposed specific plan, based on the findings identified in Section 18.150.070(A) (Specific Plan Adoption: Mandatory Finding for Adoption).

  • (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.150.040. Minimum Project Area.

A specific plan may only be requested for a site(s) in compliance with the following minimum site area requirements:

  • A. Sites located within an Urban Area . Five acres minimum.

  • B. Sites located outside of an Urban Area . 20 acres minimum. (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.150.050. Specific Plan Initiation.

A specific plan may only be initiated by the Board or proposed by the Director. (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.150.060. Hearings and Notice Required.

  • A. Hearings. Public hearings shall be required for the Commission's recommendation and the Board's action on a specific plan or a specific plan amendment.

  • B. Notice. Notice of the public hearings shall be given and the hearings shall be conducted in compliance with Chapter 18.146 (Public Notices and Hearings).

  • (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.150.070. Specific Plan Adoption.

  • A. Mandatory Finding for Adoption. A specific plan may only be adopted if first found consistent with the General Plan in compliance with Government Code Section 65454 .

  • B. Method of Adoption. The specific plan shall be adopted by ordinance or by resolution of the Board, in compliance with Government Code Section 65453 .

  • (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.150.080. Specific Plan Amendment or Repeal.

  • A. Process for Amendment. A specific plan may be amended or repealed through the same procedure specified by this chapter for the adoption of a specific plan.

  • B. Mandatory Finding for Amendment. A specific plan may only be amended if first found consistent with the General Plan in compliance with Government Code Section 65454 .

  • C. Frequency of Amendments. The specific plan may be amended as often as deemed necessary by the Board, in compliance with Government Code Section 65453 .

  • (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

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▸ Contents — Merced County Zoning Code
Merced County Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title 18 — Zoning Code
    Overview
    1. Chapter 18.02 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY OF ZONING CODE
    2. Chapter 18.04 — INTERPRETATION OF THE ZONING CODE PROVISIONS
    3. Chapter 18.06 — ZONES AND ZONING MAP
    4. Chapter 18.10 — AGRICULTURAL ZONES (A-1, A-1-40, A-2)
    5. Chapter 18.12 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES (R-R, R-1, R1-5000, R-2, R-3…
    6. Chapter 18.14 — COMMERCIAL ZONES (C-P, C-1, C-2, C-3, H-I-C, MU)
    7. Chapter 18.16 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES (B-P, M-1, M-2)
    8. Chapter 18.20 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONE (PD)
    9. Chapter 18.22 — FOX HILLS COMMUNITY SPECIFIC PLAN ZONES
    10. Chapter 18.26 — SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS
    11. Chapter 18.30 — SITE PLANNING AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    12. Chapter 18.32 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
    13. Chapter 18.34 — FENCES, WALLS, AND HEDGES
    14. Chapter 18.36 — LANDSCAPING
    15. Chapter 18.38 — OFF-STREET PARKING REGULATIONS AND DESIGN STAN…
    16. Chapter 18.40 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    17. Chapter 18.44 — SIGN REGULATIONS
    18. Chapter 18.46 — SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING MATERIALS STORAGE
    19. Chapter 18.48 — SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION
    20. Chapter 18.62 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    21. Chapter 18.64 — ANIMAL CONFINEMENT FACILITIES
    22. Chapter 18.66 — DENSITY BONUS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    23. Chapter 18.68 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
    24. Chapter 18.90 — GENERAL NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS
    25. Chapter 18.92 — NONCONFORMING PARCELS
    26. Chapter 18.94 — NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES
    27. Chapter 18.96 — NONCONFORMING USES
    28. Chapter 18.98 — OTHER SPECIFIC NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS
    29. Chapter 18.110 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    30. Chapter 18.112 — APPLICATION PROCESSING PROCEDURES
    31. Chapter 18.114 — ADMINISTRATIVE PERMITS
    32. Chapter 18.116 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
    33. Chapter 18.118 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
    34. Chapter 18.120 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
    35. Chapter 18.122 — SITE PLAN AND DESIGN REVIEW
    36. Chapter 18.124 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
    37. Chapter 18.126 — VARIANCES AND MINOR DEVIATIONS
    38. Chapter 18.128 — ZONING CLEARANCES
    39. Chapter 18.130 — PERMIT IMPLEMENTATION, TIME LIMITS, AND EXTEN…
    40. Chapter 18.140 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
    41. Chapter 18.142 — AMENDMENTS (GENERAL PLAN, ZONING CODE, AND ZO…
    42. Chapter 18.144 — APPEALS
    43. Chapter 18.146 — PUBLIC NOTICES AND HEARINGS
    44. Chapter 18.148 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    45. Chapter 18.150 — SPECIFIC PLANS
    46. Chapter 18.152 — PERMIT MODIFICATIONS AND REVOCATIONS
    47. Chapter 18.154 — ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS
    48. Chapter 18.200 — DEFINITIONS

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