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Title 18 — Zoning Code

Chapter 18.96 — NONCONFORMING USES

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

§ 18.96.010. Continuation of Legal Nonconforming Uses.

The continuance of a legal nonconforming use is allowed subject to all of the following:

  • A. Change of Ownership. Change of management, ownership, or tenancy of a nonconforming use shall not affect its nonconforming status; provided, the use and intensity of use, as determined by the Director, does not change.

  • B. Additional Development. Additional development of any property on which a nonconforming use exists shall require that all new uses and structures be in compliance with all of the applicable provisions of this Zoning Code.

  • C. Conversion of a Nonconforming Use. If a nonconforming use is converted to a conforming use, no nonconforming use may be resumed.

  • D. Changes to a Nonconforming Use. If no structural alterations are made, a nonconforming use may be changed to another nonconforming use of an equal or more restrictive classification, as determined by the Director. Once changed, the nonconforming use may not be changed back to a nonconforming use of a less restrictive classification, as determined by the Director.

  • (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.96.020. Effect of Conditional Use/Administrative Permit Requirements.

  • A. Absence of Conditional Use/Administrative Permit. A use lawfully existing without the approval of a Conditional Use Permit or Administrative Permit that would be required by this Zoning Code shall be deemed conforming but only to the extent of its previous lawful use (e.g., maintaining the same site area boundaries, hours of operation).

  • B. Previous Conditional Use/Administrative Permit in Effect. A use that was authorized by a Conditional Use Permit or Administrative Permit, but is no longer allowed by this Zoning Code, may continue, but only in compliance with the original Conditional Use Permit or Administrative Permit conditions of approval.

  • (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.96.030. Expansion or Modification of Legal Nonconforming Uses.

Any expansion or modification of a legal nonconforming use shall only be allowed in compliance with all applicable provisions of this Zoning Code. (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019)

§ 18.96.040. Discontinuance of Legal Nonconforming Uses.

Nonconforming status shall terminate if a nonconforming use ceases or is discontinued for a continuous period of 180 days or more in compliance with Section 18.90.040 (Termination of Nonconformities), and its legal nonconforming status is lost, and the continued use of the property shall be in compliance with all of the applicable provisions of this Zoning Code. (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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