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Article 2 — THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING CODE

Orange County Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Orange County

Sec. 7-9-19. - Authority, purpose, and objectives.

Sec. 7-9-19.1. - Title and authority.

Sec. 7-9-19.2. - Purpose and objectives.

Sec. 7-9-20. - Applicability of the Zoning Code.

Sec. 7-9-21. - Relation to other regulations.

Sec. 7-9-22. - Organization of Zoning Code.

Sec. 7-9-22.1. - This Code consists of seven Subarticles:

Sec. 7-9-22.2. - Types of regulations.

Sec. 7-9-23. - General rules for construction of language and interpretation.

Sec. 7-9-23.1. - General rules for construction of language.

Sec. 7-9-23.2. - General terms.

Sec. 7-9-23.3. - Fractions.

Sec. 7-9-24. - Rules for measurement.

Sec. 7-9-24.1. - Purpose.

Sec. 7-9-24.2. - Determining floor area.

Sec. 7-9-24.3. - Determining building site area.

Sec. 7-9-24.4. - Building site coverage, maximum.

Sec. 7-9-24.5. - Measuring building site width and depth.

Sec. 7-9-24.6. - Determining building site frontage.

Sec. 7-9-24.7. - Determining setbacks.

Sec. 7-9-24.8. - Measuring distances.

Sec. 7-9-24.9. - Determining grade ground level.

Sec. 7-9-24.10. - Measuring height.

Sec. 7-9-25. - Zones and districts.

Sec. 7-9-25.1. - Scope of the Comprehensive Zoning Code and adoption of zoning district…

Sec. 7-9-25.2. - Establishment of districts and interpretation of district boundaries.

Sec. 7-9-30. - Agriculture and Open Space Districts.

Sec. 7-9-30.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-30.2. - Land use regulations.

Sec. 7-9-30.3. - Site Development Standards.

Sec. 7-9-30.4. - Supplemental Regulations.

Sec. 7-9-31. - Single-Family Residential Districts.

Sec. 7-9-31.1. - Purpose and Intent.

Sec. 7-9-31.2. - Land Use Regulations.

Sec. 7-9-31.3. - Site Development Standards.

Sec. 7-9-31.4. - Supplemental regulations.

Sec. 7-9-32. - Multifamily Residential Districts.

Sec. 7-9-32.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-32.2. - Land use regulations.

Sec. 7-9-32.3. - Site Development Standards.

Sec. 7-9-32.4. - Supplemental regulations.

Sec. 7-9-33. - Commercial Districts.

Sec. 7-9-33.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-33.2. - Land Use Regulations.

Sec. 7-9-33.3. - Site development standards.

Sec. 7-9-33.4. - Supplemental regulations.

Sec. 7-9-34. - Employment Districts.

Sec. 7-9-34.1. - Purpose and Intent.

Sec. 7-9-34.2 - Land Use Regulations.

Sec. 7-9-34.3. - Site Development Standards.

Sec. 7-9-34.4. - Supplemental regulations.

Sec. 7-9-35. - SG Sand and Gravel Extraction District.

Sec. 7-9-35.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-35.2. - Applicability.

Sec. 7-9-35.3. - Definitions.

Sec. 7-9-35.4. - Uses permitted subject to an SG Site Permit.

Sec. 7-9-35.5. - Site Development Standards.

Sec. 7-9-35.6. - Contents of SG Site Permit applications.

Sec. 7-9-35.7. - Approval of SG Site Permit applications.

Sec. 7-9-35.8. - Reclamation of mined areas required.

Sec. 7-9-36. - MX "Mixed-Use" District.

Sec. 7-9-36.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-36.2. - Uses Permitted.

Sec. 7-9-36.3. - Additional land use regulations.

Sec. 7-9-36.4. - Site development standards.

section 7-9-87.

Sec. 7-9-36.5. - Supplemental Regulations.

Sec. 7-9-40. - CD "Coastal Development District."

Sec. 7-9-40.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-40.2. - Application; interpretation of boundaries.

Sec. 7-9-40.3. - Definitions.

Sec. 7-9-40.4. - Coastal Development Permit required.

Sec. 7-9-40.5. - Exemptions.

Sec. 7-9-40.6. - Coastal Development Permit procedures.

Sec. 7-9-40.7. - Open space easements and public access documents.

Sec. 7-9-40.8. - Enforcement provisions.

Sec. 7-9-41. - E "Equine Combining" District.

Sec. 7-9-41.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-41.2. - Application.

Sec. 7-9-41.3. - General regulations.

Sec. 7-9-41.4. - Recreational Equine Use Permit.

Sec. 7-9-41.5. - Revocation of Recreational Equine Use Permit.

Sec. 7-9-41.6. - Nonconforming uses.

Sec. 7-9-41.7. - Corral setbacks.

Sec. 7-9-41.8. - Severability.

Sec. 7-9-42. - FP "Floodplain" Overlay District.

Sec. 7-9-42.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-42.2. - Definitions.

Sec. 7-9-42.3. - Application.

Sec. 7-9-42.4. - Responsibilities of Floodplain Administrator.

Sec. 7-9-42.5. - Uses permitted.

Sec. 7-9-42.6 - Uses permitted subject to a Site Development Permit.

Sec. 7-9-42.7. - Uses permitted subject to a Use Permit.

Sec. 7-9-42.8. - Prohibited uses.

Sec. 7-9-42.9. - Site Development Permit procedures.

Sec. 7-9-42.10. - Nonconforming uses and structures in FP Districts.

Sec. 7-9-42.11. - Exceptions to FP District regulations.

Sec. 7-9-42.12. - Variances from FP District site development standards.

Sec. 7-9-43. - Reserved.

Sec. 7-9-44. - H "Housing Opportunities" Overlay District.

Sec. 7-9-44.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-44.2 - Application.

Sec. 7-9-44.3. - Site Development Permit.

Sec. 7-9-44.4. - Temporary uses permitted.

Sec. 7-9-44.5. - Accessory uses permitted.

Sec. 7-9-44.6. - Housing Opportunities Manual.

Sec. 7-9-44.7 - Site development standards for residential uses.

Sec. 7-9-44.8. - Emergency shelter and multi-service center for persons experiencing…

Sec. 7-9-44.9. - Low-Barrier Navigation Center site development standards and…

Sec. 7-9-45. - Reserved.

Sec. 7-9-46. - O "Oil Production" Combining District.

Sec. 7-9-47. - PC "Planned Community" Combining District.

Sec. 7-9-47.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-47.2. - General provisions and regulations.

Sec. 7-9-47.3. - Planned Community Program required.

Sec. 7-9-47.4. - Applicability.

Sec. 7-9-47.5. - PC Program text.

Sec. 7-9-47.6. - Statistical summary.

Sec. 7-9-47.7. - PC zoning map.

Sec. 7-9-47.8. - PC development map.

Sec. 7-9-47.9. - Adoption and amendment procedures.

Sec. 7-9-47.10. - Previously adopted development plan and supplementary text.

Sec. 7-9-48. - PD "Planned Development" Combining District.

Sec. 7-9-48.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-48.2. - Application.

Sec. 7-9-48.3. - Principal uses permitted subject to a Use Permit.

Sec. 7-9-48.4. - Accessory uses permitted.

Sec. 7-9-48.5. - Prohibited uses.

Sec. 7-9-48.6. - Site development standards.

Sec. 7-9-49. - SH "Scenic Highway" Combining District.

Sec. 7-9-49.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-49.2. - Application.

Sec. 7-9-49.3. - Uses permitted subject to a Site Development Permit.

Sec. 7-9-49.4. - Uses prohibited.

Sec. 7-9-49.5. - Site development standards.

Sec. 7-9-50. - SS "Service Station" Combining District.

Sec. 7-9-50.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-50.2. - Application.

Sec. 7-9-50.3. - Principal uses permitted subject to a Use Permit.

Sec. 7-9-50.4. - Accessory uses permitted.

Sec. 7-9-50.5. - Prohibited uses.

Sec. 7-9-50.6. - Site development standards.

Sec. 7-9-51. - SR "Sign Restrictions" Combining District

Sec. 7-9-51.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-51.2. - Application.

Sec. 7-9-51.3. - Wall signs.

Sec. 7-9-51.4. - Monument/ground signs.

Sec. 7-9-51.5. - Temporary signs.

Sec. 7-9-51.6. - Sign programs.

Sec. 7-9-51.7. - Signs permitted subject to Zoning Administrator approval.

Sec. 7-9-51.8. - Signs prohibited.

Sec. 7-9-52. - S "Specific Plan" District.

Sec. 7-9-60. - Purpose.

Sec. 7-9-61. - General site regulations.

Sec. 7-9-61.1. - Building site requirements.

Sec. 7-9-61.2. - Establishing district symbols for building site requirements.

Sec. 7-9-61.3. - Building site reduced by acquisition for public use.

Sec. 7-9-61.4. - Lawful, nonconforming building sites.

Sec. 7-9-61.5. - Creation of new building sites.

Sec. 7-9-61.6. - Lot line adjustments.

Sec. 7-9-61.7. - Building site area.

Sec. 7-9-61.8. - Building line regulations for main buildings and structures.

Sec. 7-9-61.9. - Building line designation.

Sec. 7-9-61.10. - Exceptions to building lines chart.

Sec. 7-9-61.11. - Building line on panhandle building site.

Sec. 7-9-61.12. - Building line on shallow building site.

Sec. 7-9-61.13. - Building line on narrow building site.

Sec. 7-9-61.14. - Building line based on average of adjoining sites.

Sec. 7-9-61.15. - Building line on building site adjacent to a projecting building on…

Sec. 7-9-61.16. - Balconies, decks, porches, terraces, exterior steps and exterior…

Sec. 7-9-61.17. - Eaves, cornices, canopies and cantilevered roofs.

Sec. 7-9-61.18. - Chimneys, fireplaces, wing walls and other minor architectural features.

Sec. 7-9-61.19 - Setbacks determined by Director.

Sec. 7-9-62. - Building and structure heights, and exceptions to height limits.

Sec. 7-9-63. - Dedications, improvements and fees required.

Sec. 7-9-63.1. - Street and highway dedications and improvements.

Sec. 7-9-63.2 - Drainage fees and dedications.

Sec. 7-9-64. - Fences, walls, and hedges.

Sec. 7-9-65. - Elevated driveway on steep topography.

Sec. 7-9-66. - Grading and excavation.

Sec. 7-9-67. - Lighting and illumination.

Sec. 7-9-68. - Landscape and irrigation code.

Sec. 7-9-68.1. - Purpose.

Sec. 7-9-68.2. - Applicability.

Sec. 7-9-68.3. - Definitions.

Sec. 7-9-68.4. - Implementation procedures and landscape documentation package.

Sec. 7-9-68.5. - Landscape water use standards.

Sec. 7-9-68.6. - Guidelines.

Sec. 7-9-69. - Reserved.

Sec. 7-9-70. - Off-street parking and loading regulations.

Sec. 7-9-70.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-70.2. - General requirements.

Sec. 7-9-70.3. - Off-street parking requirements for residential uses.

Sec. 7-9-70.4. - Off-street parking requirements for non-residential uses.

Sec. 7-9-70.5. - Design requirements.

Sec. 7-9-70.6. - Number of off-street parking spaces required for non-residential uses.

Sec. 7-9-70.7. - Parking calculations.

Sec. 7-9-70.8. - Loading requirements.

Sec. 7-9-70.9. - Alternatives to off-street parking regulations.

Sec. 7-9-70.10. - Bicycle parking.

Sec. 7-9-70.11. - Recreational vehicle parking.

Sec. 7-9-71. - Screening and landscaping.

Sec. 7-9-71.1. - Screening.

Sec. 7-9-71.2. - Landscaping.

Sec. 7-9-72. - Solar energy systems.

Sec. 7-9-72.1. - Purpose.

Sec. 7-9-72.2. - Definitions.

Sec. 7-9-72.3. - Standards.

Sec. 7-9-85. - Purpose and applicability.

Sec. 7-9-86. - Multifamily residential standards and requirements.

Sec. 7-9-87. - Density bonus and other incentives.

Sec. 7-9-87.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-87.2. - General provisions.

Sec. 7-9-87.3. - Requirements and standards for granting a density bonus and incentives.

Sec. 7-9-87.4. - Procedure.

Sec. 7-9-88. - Single room occupancy.

Sec. 7-9-89. - Condominium conversions.

Sec. 7-9-89.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-89.2. - Standards.

Sec. 7-9-89.3 - Reserved.

Sec. 7-9-89.4. - Application requirements.

Sec. 7-9-89.5. - Tenant provisions.

Sec. 7-9-89.6. - Reserved.

Sec. 7-9-90. - Accessory dwelling units (ADU) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADU).

Sec. 7-9-91. - Guesthouses.

Sec. 7-9-92. - Mobilehome regulations.

Sec. 7-9-92.1. - Mobilehome development regulations.

Sec. 7-9-92.2. - Mobilehome installation.

Sec. 7-9-93. - Short-term rentals.

Sec. 7-9-94. - Community assembly facilities.

Sec. 7-9-95. - Community care facilities, congregate living health facilities,…

Sec. 7-9-95.1 - Definitions.

Sec. 7-9-95.2 - Community care facilities.

Sec. 7-9-95.3. - Congregate living health facilities.

Sec. 7-9-95.4. - Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery/treatment facilities.

Sec. 7-9-95.5 - Child Day Care Facilities.

Sec. 7-9-95.6 - Group homes.

Sec. 7-9-96. - Health Care facilities.

Sec. 7-9-97. - Reserved.

Sec. 7-9-98. - Senior living facilities.

Sec. 7-9-99. - Reserved.

Sec. 7-9-100. - Community gardens.

Sec. 7-9-101. - Farmers' markets.

Sec. 7-9-102. - Fruit and vegetable gardening

Sec. 7-9-103. - County of Orange commercial cannabis activities and outdoor personal…

Sec. 7-9-104. - Home occupations.

Sec. 7-9-105. - Pets and animals.

Sec. 7-9-106. - Animal hospitals and clinics.

Sec. 7-9-107. - Electric vehicle charging stations.

Sec. 7-9-108. - Small wind energy systems.

Sec. 7-9-109. - Wireless communications facilities.

Sec. 7-9-110. - Heliports/helistops.

Sec. 7-9-111. - Drive-through facilities and drive-in/drive-thru restaurants.

Sec. 7-9-112. - Bus stop benches and shelters.

Sec. 7-9-113. - Transportation demand programs.

Sec. 7-9-113.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-113.2. - Definitions.

Sec. 7-9-113.3. - Applicability.

Sec. 7-9-113.4. - Site development standards.

Sec. 7-9-114. - Signs.

Sec. 7-9-114.1 - Sign definitions.

Sec. 7-9-114.2. - Purpose.

Sec. 7-9-114.3. - Applicability.

Sec. 7-9-114.4. - General requirements for all signs.

Sec. 7-9-114.5. - Rules for sign measurement.

Sec. 7-9-114.6. - Prohibited signs/advertising device.

Sec. 7-9-114.7. - Exempt signs.

Sec. 7-9-114.8. - Temporary signs.

Sec. 7-9-114.9. - Permitted signs by zoning district.

Sec. 7-9-114.10. - Permits required.

Sec. 7-9-114.11. - Signs permitted subject to a Site Development Permit.

Sec. 7-9-115. - Nonconforming uses and structures.

Sec. 7-9-116. - Accessory uses and structures.

Sec. 7-9-116.1. - General Standards.

Sec. 7-9-116.2. - Swimming pools and spas.

Sec. 7-9-117. - Temporary uses and structures.

Sec. 7-9-117.1. - Agricultural product sales.

Sec. 7-9-117.2. - Commercial coaches.

Sec. 7-9-117.3. - Construction office.

Sec. 7-9-117.4. - Continued use of an existing building during construction.

Sec. 7-9-117.5. - Mobilehome residence.

Sec. 7-9-117.6. - Public display of fireworks.

Sec. 7-9-117.7. - Residential tract sales and rentals.

Sec. 7-9-117.8. - Seasonal product sales.

Sec. 7-9-117.9. - Special gatherings.

Sec. 7-9-117.10. - Temporary outdoor sales of merchandise.

Sec. 7-9-118. - Waste management and hazardous materials.

Sec. 7-9-119. - Waste transfer/materials recovery facilities.

Sec. 7-9-119.1. - Use Permit required.

Sec. 7-9-120. - Adult entertainment businesses.

Sec. 7-9-121. - Resource modification activities.

Sec. 7-9-122. - Battery energy storage system facilities.

Sec. 7-9-122.1. - Purpose and intent.

Sec. 7-9-122.2. - Classification of battery energy storage system facilities.

Sec. 7-9-122.3. - Applicability.

Sec. 7-9-122.4. - Approvals required.

Sec. 7-9-122.5. - Siting limitation.

Sec. 7-9-122.6. - Development standards.

Sec. 7-9-122.7. - Decommissioning.

Sec. 7-9-122.8. - Performance measures and standard conditions of approval.

Sec. 7-9-122.9. - Finding of economic benefit; public benefit agreement; exempt projects.

Sec. 7-9-124. - Ministerial permits and procedures.

Sec. 7-9-124.1. - Ministerial permits and procedures.

Sec. 7-9-124.2. - Flexible Development Standards.

Sec. 7-9-124.3. - Affordable Housing Permit.

section 7-9-44.

Sec. 7-9-125. - Discretionary permits and procedures.

Sec. 7-9-125.1. - Applications.

Sec. 7-9-125.2. - Fees.

Sec. 7-9-125.3. - Review of applications.

Sec. 7-9-125.4. - Public hearings: scheduling and notice.

Sec. 7-9-125.5. - Tie votes.

Sec. 7-9-125.6 - Findings Required.

Sec. 7-9-125.7. - Period of validity, establishment and expiration of permit.

Sec. 7-9-125.8. - Amendments.

Sec. 7-9-125.9. - Revocation of permit.

section 7-9-125.10.

Sec. 7-9-125.10. - Appeals.

Sec. 7-9-125.11. - Zoning Code Compliance Determination.

Sec. 7-9-125.12. - Limitations of actions.

Sec. 7-9-126. - Site Development Permits, Use Permits, Special Use Permits, and…

Sec. 7-9-126.1 - Site Development Permits.

Sec. 7-9-126.2. - Use permits.

Sec. 7-9-126.3. - Exemptions to Discretionary Permits.

Sec. 7-9-126.4 - Variance permits.

Sec. 7-9-127. - Coastal Development Permits.

Sec. 7-9-127.1. - Coastal Development Permit Procedures.

Sec. 7-9-127.2. - Appeal Procedures for Coastal Development Permits.

Sec. 7-9-128. - Area Plans.

Sec. 7-9-129. - Reasonable Accommodation.

Sec. 7-9-130. - Enforcement procedures.

Sec. 7-9-130.1. - Enforcement.

Sec. 7-8-130.2. - Inspection to ensure compliance.

Sec. 7-9-130.3. - Violations of the Zoning Code.

Sec. 7-9-131. - General Plan Amendments.

Sec. 7-9-131.1. - Applicability.

Sec. 7-9-131.2. - Initiation.

Sec. 7-9-131.3. - Procedures.

Sec. 7-9-131.4. - Planning Commission Action on General Plan Amendments.

Sec. 7-9-132. - Zoning Code amendments and zone changes.

Sec. 7-9-132.1. - Zoning Code amendment.

Sec. 7-9-132.2. - Zone changes.

Sec. 7-9-132.3. - Zoning Ordinance adoption and amendment procedure.

Sec. 7-9-133. - Specific Plans.

Sec. 7-9-133.1. - Preparation and Review Procedures for Specific Plans.

Sec. 7-9-133.2 - Adoption of specific plan by resolution.

Sec. 7-9-133.3. - Adoption of specific plan by ordinance.

Sec. 7-9-133.4 - Specific Plan Amendments.

Sec. 7-9-134. - Use Classifications.

Sec. 7-9-134.1. - Purpose and Applicability.

Sec. 7-9-134.2. - Residential Uses.

Sec. 7-9-134.3. - Public/semi-public uses.

Sec. 7-9-134.4. - Commercial Uses.

Sec. 7-9-134.5. - Industrial Uses.

Sec. 7-9-134.6. - Transportation, Communication, and Utility Uses.

Sec. 7-9-134.7. - Agricultural and Extractive Uses.

Sec. 7-9-135. - Definitions.

Sec. 7-9-135.1. - Title, purpose and applicability.

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