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16.14 Special Purpose Districts

Murrieta Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-07 · Murrieta

16.14.010 Purpose.

This chapter provides regulations applicable to development and new land uses in the special purpose zoning districts established by Section 16.06.010 (Zoning Districts Established). The purposes of the individual special purpose zoning districts and the manner in which they are applied are as follows:

A. C/I (Civic/Institutional) District. The C/I zoning district is applied to parcels appropriate for a variety of public uses, including civic centers, educational facilities, general aviation airports, government offices, hospitals, libraries and public agency facilities which may require appropriate buffering from adjacent residential designations. The C/I zoning district is consistent with the civic/institutional land use designation of the general plan;

B. P&R (Parks and Recreation) District. The P&R zoning district is applied to appropriate areas for active and passive open space and recreational areas generally open to the public. Development in this designation is subject to special review by the city. Additional details and policies for recreation/parks is included in the conservation and open space element. The P&R zoning district is consistent with the recreation/parks and private recreation land use designations of the general plan;

C. OS (Open Space) District. The OS zoning district is applied to appropriate areas to ensure the conservation and protection of natural resources, including earthquake fault zones, fire protection areas, flood plains, open space areas, steep slopes of fifty (50) percent or more and other significant habitat areas identified in the conservation and open space element of the general plan. The OS zoning district is consistent with the open space land use designation of the general plan.

TABLE 16.14-1

USE TABLE FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS

**C. OS (Open Space) District.**The OS zoning district is applied to appropriate areas to ensure the conservation and
protection of natural resources, including earthquake fault zones, fire protection areas, flood plains, open space areas,
steep slopes of fifty (50) percent or more and other significant habitat areas identified in the conservation and open
space element of the general plan. The OS zoning district is consistent with the open space land use designation of the
general plan.
TABLE 16.14-1
USE TABLE FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS
Key to Permit Requirements
Symbol Applicable Process See Chapter
P Permitted Use - Compliance with
standards and zoning clearance		 development
required(3)		 16.74
C Conditional Use - Conditional
required		 use permit 16.52
"Blank" Use not allowed
Land Use(1) (2) P&R C&I OS See Standards in Section
Billboards subject to a relocation agreement C C C 16.38.150
Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs) - Hosted
Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs) - Non-
Hosted
Education, Public Assembly and Recreation

TABLE 16.14-1

USE TABLE FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS

TABLE 16.14-1
USE TABLE FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS
Key to Permit Requirements
Symbol Applicable Process See Chapter
P Permitted Use - Compliance with
standards and zoning clearance		 development
required(3)		 16.74
C Conditional Use - Conditional
required		 use permit 16.52
"Blank" Use not allowed
Land Use(1) (2) P&R C&I OS See Standards in Section
Billboards subject to a relocation agreement C C C 16.38.150
Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs) - Hosted
Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs) - Non-
Hosted
Education, Public Assembly and Recreation
Bingo C C 16.44.210
Campgrounds P
Child Day Care Centers C 16.44.050
Churches, Places of Worship P
Community Centers and Pavilions P P
Golf Courses P
Health and Fitness Centers P
Interpretative Centers P P
Libraries and Museums C
Parks, Active P
Parks, Passive P P P
Schools P
Sports Facilities and Outdoor Public Assembly C C
Theater, Auditorium, Meeting Halls, and
Conference Facilities		 C C See Definition
Trails - Multiple Use Corridors P P P
Open Space Resource
Creek Corridors P P P
Open Space, Private/Passive P P P
Open Space, Public/Passive P P P
Natural Reserves - Habitat P P P
Residential
Caretaker Housing P P
Emergency Shelters P P
Retail Trade
Accessory Retail Uses P C
Cannabis Cultivation, Delivery, Dispensary, and
Processing (Commercial)
Cannabis Dispensary (Recreational Retail
Storefront)
Cannabis Testing Laboratory
Eating and Drinking Establishments P P 16.44.030
Medicinal Cannabis Delivery Service (Mobile
Activities for Patients and Caregivers)		 P P P 16.44.250
Medicinal Cannabis Delivery Service (Physical
Delivery Logistics Location)
Services
Assisted Living/Skilled Nursing C See Definition
Cemeteries and Mausoleums C
Child Day-Care Centers C 16.44.050
Medical Services Clinics, Offices and Laboratories P
Medical Services - Hospital C
Offices, Public P P
Personal Services (Limited) P(4)(5) See Definition 5.18,
16.44.270
Public Utility and Safety Facilities P
Transportation and Communication Facilities
Airport, General Aviation C
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations(3) P P P 15.63, 16.34, 16.44.115
Parking Facilities P P P See Definition
Pipelines and Utility Lines P P P
Wireless Facilities C C C 16.44.170B
(1) See Section 16.04.020 regarding uses not listed.
(2) See Article VI for definitions of the land uses listed.
(3) For EVCS - Subject to the Minor Conditional Use Permit appeal provisions for identified Public Health and Safety issues as
described in Section 15.63.
(4) Limited to a Massage Accessory Use with establishment of the following primary uses: Assisted Living/Skilled Nursing, Medical
Services Clinics, Offices and Laboratories, Medical Services – Hospital, and at existing Lodging Facilities. No other Personal Services
are permitted. Refer to Section 16.44.270.B.3 (Massage Accessory Use) and Chapter 5.18 (Massage Businesses and Massage
Therapists) for additional details.
(5) Refer to Section 5.18.150 (Exemptions) for the types of “Professions and Services” which shall not be classified as a Massage
Establishment.

TABLE 16.14-2

SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

TABLE 16.14-2
SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Development Feature P&R C&I OS
TABLE 16.14-2
SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Development Feature P&R C&I OS
Setbacks
Street 25 feet 25 feet 25 feet
Interior 20 feet 20 feet 20 feet
From Abutting Residential District 15 feet
Accessory Structures Same as Primary Structure Same as Primary Structure
Maximum Height Limit 35 feet 50 feet 35 feet

(Ord. 602-24 § 3 (part), 2024; Ord. 587, Exhibit A (part), 2022; Ord. 565-21, Exhibit B (part), 2021; Ord. 561-20, Exhibit B (part), 2020; Ord. 556 § 8, 2020; Ord. 538, Exhibit A (part), 2018; Ord. 507 § 4 (part), 2016; Ord. 492 Exhibit 8, 2014; Ord. 480-13 § 7, 2013; Ord. 367 § 4 (part), 2006; Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)

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▸ Contents — Murrieta Zoning Code
Murrieta Zoning Code
  1. 16.01 Purpose and Effect of Development Code
  2. 16.02 Development and Land Use Approval Requirements
  3. 16.04 Interpretation of Code Provisions
  4. 16.06 Establishment of Zoning Districts, Adoption of Zoning Map
  5. 16.08 Residential Districts
  6. 16.10 Commercial Districts
  7. 16.11 Office Districts
  8. 16.12 Business Park and Industrial Districts
  9. 16.13 Innovation District
  10. 16.14 Special Purpose Districts
  11. 16.16 Combining and Overlay Districts.
  12. 16.18 General Property Development and Use Standards
  13. 16.20 Density Bonus Regulations
  14. 16.22 Fences, Hedges, and Walls
  15. 16.24 Hillside Development
  16. 16.26 Cultural Resource Preservation
  17. 16.28 Landscaping Standards and Water Efficient Landscaping
  18. 16.30 Noise
  19. 16.32 Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Parcels
  20. 16.34 Off-Street Parking and Loading Standards
  21. 16.36 Public Facilities/Infrastructure Mitigation
  22. 16.38 Sign Standards
  23. 16.40 Transportation Demand Management
  24. 16.42 Tree Preservation
  25. 16.44 Standards for Specific Land Use
  26. 16.46 Administrative Responsibility
  27. 16.48 Application Filing, Processing, and Fees
  28. 16.50 Agricultural Preserves and Land Conservation Contract Ac…
  29. 16.52 Conditional Use Permits
  30. 16.54 Development Agreements
  31. 16.56 Development Plan Permits
  32. 16.58 General Plan, Zoning Map, and Development Code Amendments
  33. 16.60 Home Occupation Permits
  34. 16.64 Master Development Plans
  35. 16.66 Specific Plans
  36. 16.68 Surface Mining Permits
  37. 16.70 Temporary Use Permits
  38. 16.72 Variances
  39. 16.73 Reasonable Accommodation
  40. 16.74 Zoning Clearances
  41. 16.76 Public Hearings
  42. 16.78 Appeals
  43. 16.80 Permit Implementation, Time Limits, and Extensions
  44. 16.82 Revocations and Modifications
  45. 16.84 Enforcement Provisions
  46. 16.86 General Provisions
  47. 16.88 Definitions
  48. 16.90 Review Authority
  49. 16.92 Maps
  50. 16.94 Tentative Maps
  51. 16.96 Vesting Tentative Maps
  52. 16.98 Final and Parcel Maps
  53. 16.100 Condominium Conversions
  54. 16.102 Lot Line Adjustments
  55. 16.104 Mergers, Unmergers, and Reversions
  56. 16.106 Dedications, Reservations, and Development Fees
  57. 16.108 Improvements
  58. 16.110 Definitions

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