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Title 18 — Zoning

Chapter 18.16 — ANIMAL-KEEPING OVERLAY (AKO) ZONE

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

§ 18.16.10. Intent and Purpose

The Animal-Keeping Overlay (AKO) zone is hereby created to designate properties in the R-1-10 zone as animal-keeping properties while maintaining the underlying zoning. The purpose of the overlay zone is to protect the existing uses while allowing and encouraging animal-keeping on those properties that meet established criteria.

The AKO zone will be used in combination with base districts/zoning regulations and will NOT change the underlying zoning category, i.e., all existing permitted uses remain the same. The AKO zone is superimposed over the established zone and establishes additional regulations pertaining to animal-keeping. (Ordinance 865, 2006)

§ 18.16.20. Applicability and Regulations

The following regulations and general rules set forth in this Chapter 18.47 (AMENDMENTS AND ZONE CHANGES) shall apply to an AKO zone. Where a conflict in regulations occurs, the regulations specified in this Chapter shall apply. When this overlay zone is applied by the zone change process, the area so zoned shall have "AKO" in parenthesis added as a suffix to its base

zone. In addition, each AKO shall be consecutively numbered on the official zoning map. For example: R-1-10 (AKO-1), R-1-10 (AKO-2) etc. Consecutively numbering the AKO zones will provide a distinction among when an AKO zone was applied to a particular area in the R-1-10 zone. (Ord. 865, 2006)

§ 18.16.30. Uses Permitted

The uses would stay the same as in the underlying R-1-10 zone with the exception that adult animal units allowed by the City in Chapter 18.13 (A-1 AGRICULTURAL LOW DENSITY) Section 18.13.06 (4) (d), can be kept on the properties subject to the same regulations of the A-1 zone. (Ord. 865, 2006)

§ 18.16.40. Development Standards

All development standards in underlying zone shall apply in addition to enhanced standards relating to animal-keeping specified in the following section. (Ord. 865, 2006)

§ 18.16.50. Animal-Keeping Standards

The following standards are required to be met in order to establish an AKO on a designated property in the R-1-10 zone, and these standards shall be applicable to properties with an AKO designation:

  • (1) Maximum number of adult animal units will be allowed as follows:
Lot Size Max. Animal Units
10,001 to 12,500 square-foot lot one
12,501 to 15,000 square-foot lot two
15,001 to 17,500 square-foot lot three
17,501 to 20,000 square-foot lot four
20,001 to 25,000 square-foot lot fve
25,001 to 30,000 square-foot lot six
30,001 to 35,000 square-foot lot seven
30,001 to 35,000 square-foot lot eight
  • (2) Additional adult animal units could be allowed on the property subject to the approval by the City of a conditional use permit;

  • (3) Animal units would be considered an adult per standards as defined per Section 18.13.06 (4) (i) of the Municipal Code;

  • (4) At a minimum, parcels must have 500 square feet of flat usable area for each adult animal unit;

  • (5) Animal units must be kept at least 35 feet from adjacent residence unless a solid fence, not less than six feet high, separates the area where the animal units are kept from the inhabited structures;

  • (6) No commercial boarding operation or any other commercial animal-keeping operation is allowed;

  • (7) The subject property must be adjacent to a horse trail; and

  • (8) Properties with an AKO designation are subject to other requirements related to animal-keeping as contained in the Municipal Code Chapter 18.13 .

  • (Ord. 865, 2006)

§ 18.16.60. Establishment of an Animal-Keeping Overlay Zone

An AKO zone may be established upon motion of the Planning Commission, City Council, or at the request of property owner or owners in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 18.47 (ZONE CHANGES).

(Ord. 865, 2006)

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Contents — Norco Zoning Code
Norco Zoning Code
  1. Title 18 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. Chapter 18.01 — INTRODUCTION
    2. Chapter 18.02 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Chapter 18.03 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONES AND ZONING MAP
    4. Chapter 18.10 — OS-ZONE OPEN SPACE
    5. Chapter 18.11 — LD ZONE LIMITED DEVELOPMENT
    6. Chapter 18.12 — A-E ZONE AGRICULTURAL ESTATE
    7. Chapter 18.13 — A-1 ZONE AGRICULTURAL LOW DENSITY
    8. Chapter 18.14 — A-2 ZONE AGRICULTURAL
    9. Chapter 18.15 — R-1 ZONE RESIDENTIAL SINGLEFAMILY
    10. Chapter 18.16 — ANIMAL-KEEPING OVERLAY (AKO) ZONE
    11. Chapter 18.17 — R-3 ZONE LOW-DENSITY MULTIPLEFAMILY RESIDENTIAL
    12. Chapter 18.22 — C-O ZONE COMMERCIAL OFFICE
    13. Chapter 18.23 — C-4 COMMERCIAL ZONE
    14. Chapter 18.24 — M-1 ZONE HEAVY COMMERCIAL/LIGHT MANUFACTURING
    15. Chapter 18.25 — M-2 ZONE GENERAL MANUFACTURING
    16. Chapter 18.26 — HS ZONE HILLSIDE (AGRICULTURAL/LOW DENSITY) AR…
    17. Chapter 18.27 — PD OVERLAY ZONE PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS
    18. Chapter 18.28 — P-E ZONE PEDESTRIAN-EQUESTRIAN TRAILS
    19. Chapter 18.29 — C-G (COMMERCIAL GENERAL)— REPLACES CHAPTERS 18…
    20. Chapter 18.30 — GENERAL PROVISIONS— MISCELLANEOUS
    21. Chapter 18.31 — GENERAL PROVISIONS–YARDS, SETBACKS, AND HEIGHT…
    22. Chapter 18.32 — GENERAL PROVISIONS—HOME OCCUPATIONS
    23. Chapter 18.33 — GENERAL PROVISIONS–SERVICE STATIONS
    24. Chapter 18.34 — VEHICLE SALES FACILITIES
    25. Chapter 18.35 — GENERAL PROVISIONS–STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES RE…
    26. Chapter 18.36 — GENERAL PROVISIONS–RELOCATION OF BUILDINGS
    27. Chapter 18.37 — SIGNS
    28. Chapter 18.38 — GENERAL PROVISIONS—OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOAD…
    29. Chapter 18.40 — SITE PLAN REVIEW
    30. Chapter 18.41 — ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
    31. Chapter 18.42 — SIMILAR USES PERMITTED BY COMMISSION DETERMINA…
    32. Chapter 18.43 — HEARINGS AND APPEALS THEREFROM
    33. Chapter 18.44 — VARIANCES
    34. Chapter 18.45 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
    35. Chapter 18.46 — REVOCATION AND EXPIRATION OF PERMITS AND VARIA…
    36. Chapter 18.47 — AMENDMENTS AND ZONE CHANGES
    37. Chapter 18.48 — ENFORCEMENT, LEGAL PROCEDURES AND PENALTIES
    38. Chapter 18.49 — VALIDITY AND SEPARABILITY
    39. Chapter 18.50 — BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT
    40. Chapter 18.51 — SPECIAL EVENTS
    41. Chapter 18.52 — SPECIFIC PLAN
    42. Chapter 18.53 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
    43. Chapter 18.54 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
    44. Chapter 18.55 — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
    45. Chapter 18.56 — CHILD CARE HOMES AND CENTERS
    46. Chapter 18.57 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY REGULATIONS
    47. Chapter 18.58 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY ZONE
    48. Chapter 18.59 — ROOMING AND BOARDING HOUSE
    49. Chapter 18.60 — REGULATION OF RECYCLING FACILITIES
    50. Chapter 18.61 — COMMERCIAL TRANSITION OVERLAY (CTO) ZONE
    51. Chapter 18.62 — PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT ZONE
    52. Chapter 18.63 — HOSPITALITY DEVELOPMENT ZONE
    53. Chapter 18.64 — HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY (HDO) ZONE
    54. Chapter 18.65 — RESIDENTIAL DENSITY BONUS PROVISIONS
    55. Chapter 18.66 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS
    56. Chapter 18.67 — PROHIBITION OF MARIJUANA CULTIVATION AND TRANS…
    57. Chapter 18.68 — ACCESSORY BUILDING USE PERMITS
    58. Chapter 18.69 — SHORT-TERM RENTALS
    59. Chapter 18.70 — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING PROGRAM

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