Chapter 17.14 — DESIGNATION OF ZONES AND DISTRICTS

The following zones are established in order to carry out the purpose of this Title.

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Table 17.14.010-1. List of Zones
General Plan Land Use
Zone Designation Implemented
Symbol Name of Zone Division Reference by Zone
Residential Zones
ER Equestrian Residential Division 3 (Residential Equestrian Residential
Zones)
LDR Low Density Residential Division 3 (Residential Low Density Residential
Zones)
SFR 1 Single Family Residential 1 Division 3 (Residential Single Family Residential 1
Zones)
SFR 2 Single Family Residential 2 Division 3 (Residential Single Family Residential 2
Zones)
SFR 3 Single Family Residential 3 Division 3 (Residential Single Family Residential 3
Zones)
RN 1 Residential Neighborhood 1 Division 3 (Residential Residential Neighborhood 1
Zones)
RN 2 Residential Neighborhood 2 Division 3 (Residential Residential Neighborhood 2
Zones)
RN 3 Residential Neighborhood 3 Division 3 (Residential Residential Neighborhood 3
Zones)
RN 4 Residential Neighborhood 4 Division 3 (Residential Residential Neighborhood 4
Zones)
Mixed-Use Zones
MU 1 Mixed-Use 1 Division 5 (Mixed-Use Mixed-Use 1
Zones)
MU 2 Mixed-Use 2 Division 5 (Mixed-Use Mixed-Use 2 (MU 2)
Zones)
MU 3 Mixed-Use 3 Division 5 (Mixed-Use Mixed-Use 3 (MU 3)
Zones)
Commercial/Office Zones
NC Neighborhood Commercial Division 4 (Commercial/ Neighborhood Commercial
Office Zones)
RC Regional Commercial Division 4 (Commercial/ Regional Commercial
Office Zones)
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City of Palmdale, CA

ZONING

§ 17.14.010

§ 17.14.020

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Table 17.14.010-1. List of Zones
General Plan Land Use
Zone Designation Implemented
Symbol Name of Zone Division Reference by Zone
VC Visitor Commercial Division 4 (Commercial/ Visitor Commercial
Office Zones)
MEDFX Medical Flex Division 4 (Commercial/ Health and Wellness
Office Zones)
EDFX Educational Flex Division 4 (Commercial/ Educational Flex
Office Zones)
OFX Office Flex Division 4 (Commercial/ Industrial and Employment
Office Zones) Flex
Industrial Zones
LI Light Industrial Division 6 (Industrial Industrial and Employment
Zones) Flex
HI Heavy Industrial Division 6 (Industrial Industrial
Zones)
AI Aerospace Industrial Division 6 (Industrial Aerospace Industrial
Zones)
MRE Mineral Resource Extraction Division 6 (Industrial Mineral Resource Extraction
Zones)
Special Purpose Zones
SP Specific Plan Division 7 (Special Purpose Specific Plan
Zones)
PF-C Public Facilities – Civic Division 7 (Special Purpose Public Facilities – Civic
Zones)
PF-S Public Facilities – School Division 7 (Special Purpose Public Facilities – School
Zones)
PF-P Public Facilities – Park Division 7 (Special Purpose Public Facilities – Park
Zones)
OS Open Space Division 7 (Special Purpose Open Space
Zones)
U-ROW Utilities and ROW Division 7 (Special Purpose Utilities
Zones)
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(Ord. 1603 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023)

Divisions 3 through 7 of this Title establish allowed land uses and corresponding requirements for permits and entitlements for each of the City's base zones. Uses allowed are consistent with and implement the corresponding land use designations in the General Plan.

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City of Palmdale, CA

PALMDALE CODE

§ 17.14.020

§ 17.14.030

All land uses shall conform to the purpose and intent of the applicable zone, and shall comply with the following:

• (A) Special Use Regulations. Additional use regulations for special land uses are listed in Division 9 (Special Regulations) of this Title.

• (B) Special Planning Areas. Special planning areas include areas of the City with adopted planning documents for development within each respective project area (e.g., Specific Plans, planned developments, Master Plans). These special planning area documents establish land use and/or development regulations that are unique to the particular project area. When a property is located within a special planning area, the allowed use provisions of that special planning area document shall govern. If a planning document refers to, utilizes, or defers to one or more of the City's base zones, the allowed use provisions in those base zones shall apply. If there are any conflicts between a base zone and a special planning area document, the special planning area document shall control.

• (C) Overlay Zones. When a property is located within an overlay zone, the allowed use provisions of that overlay zone shall control. When an overlay zone is silent on allowed use provisions, it defers to the allowed use provisions of the base zone. Only where there is a conflict between two standards will the overlay zone provisions control.

• (D) Unlisted or Similar Compatible Uses. If a use is not specifically listed, or if the use is not substantially similar to a use classification provided in this Title, the use shall not be allowed. When a use is not specifically listed in this Title, the use may be allowed if the Director determines that the use is substantially similar to other uses pursuant to PMC § 17.24.040 (Determination on unlisted uses).

• (E) Unlisted Standards and Regulatory Requirements. When the Director determines that an unlisted use is substantially similar to a use classification provided in this Title, the proposed use will be treated in the same regulatory manner as the zone listed use for which the unlisted use is substantially similar for allowable location(s), permits required, and all other applicable standards and requirements of this Title.

• (F) Illegal Uses. No use that is illegal under local, State, or Federal law shall be allowed in any zone within the City.

• (G) Prohibited Uses. No operations conducted on any property shall create objectionable and/ or obnoxious dust, light, matter, mud, noise, odor, refuse, smoke, steam, vibration, maintenance needs of grounds or structures, or other nuisance(s) as defined in PMC Chapter 8.10 (Public Nuisances and Abatement Procedures). No land use shall be detrimental to the health and welfare of the Palmdale community.

• (Ord. 1603 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023)

The land use permissions, as established in Divisions 3 through 7 of this Title, shall be applicable to all new uses, structures, and activities within the identified zone.

• (A) Prior to the establishment of any land use identified in the land use permissions tables, the applicant shall obtain all necessary approvals and permits pursuant to all applicable requirements of this Title. Division 2 (Review Procedures) of this Title identifies the requirements of project proposals, and procedures and processing requirements for

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City of Palmdale, CA

ZONING

§ 17.14.030

§ 17.14.040

administrative and discretionary permit applications.

• (B) Land uses listed in the land use permissions tables and throughout this Title have been grouped into general categories based on common function, product, or compatibility characteristics. These use categories are called use classifications. The classifications are listed in alphabetical order in the use tables. Use classifications describe one or more uses having similar characteristics but do not list every use or activity that may be appropriate within the classification. For that reason, the City has established a similar use determination process as described in PMC § 17.24.040 (Determination on unlisted uses). Each land use is described in PMC Chapter 17.16 (Definitions). For example, personal service use includes a wide range of individual personal service uses (e.g., beauty parlor, dry cleaning, tanning salons, and tailors).

• (C) Any one or more land uses allowed pursuant to the land use permissions tables in this Title may be established on any lot within the zone, subject to the planning permit requirement listed in the tables, and pursuant to all applicable requirements of this Title. Accessory uses are allowed only in conjunction with a primary use to which the accessory use relates, or as specified in the tables.

• (D) Where a single parcel is proposed for development with two or more of the land uses listed in the table at the same time, the overall project will be subject to the highest level of review required by the table for any individual use and all applicable fees shall be paid.

• (Ord. 1603 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023)

Allowed uses by zone and corresponding requirements for entitlements are provided in Divisions 3 through 7 of this Title for all of the City's base zones. Generally, a use is either allowed by right, allowed through an approval process, or not allowed. In addition to the requirements for planning entitlements of this Title, other permits may be required prior to establishment of the use (e.g., building permit, engineering permit, or permits required by other agencies). The requirements for planning entitlements include:

• (A) Permitted (P). A land use shown with a "P" indicates that the land use is allowed by right in the designated zone, subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of this Title (e.g., development standards) as well as County, State, and Federal law.

• (B) Accessory Use (A). A land use shown with an "A" indicates that the land use is allowed only as a secondary use in conjunction with a primary use, subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of this Title (e.g., development standards) as well as County, State, and Federal law.

• (C) Minor Use Permit (MUP) Required. A land use shown with "MUP" indicates that the land use is allowed in the designated zone upon issuance of a minor use permit from the designated Review Authority, subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of this Title (e.g., development standards), as well as County, State, and Federal law.

• (D) Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Required. A land use shown with "CUP" indicates that the land use is allowed in the designated zone upon issuance of a conditional use permit from the designated Review Authority, subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of this Title (e.g., development standards) as well as County, State, and Federal law.

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City of Palmdale, CA § 17.14.040

PALMDALE CODE

§ 17.14.040

• (E) Not Permitted (–). A land use shown with a "–" is not allowed in the applicable zone.

• (F) Temporary Use (T). On occasion, property will be used for an event, activity, or use on a short-term basis. Such use is considered a temporary use. A land use shown with "T" indicates that the land use is allowed by right as a temporary use, subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of this Title (e.g., development standards) as well as County, State, and Federal law.

• (G) Temporary Use Permit Required (TUP). On occasion, property will be used for an event, activity, or use on a short-term basis. Such use is considered a temporary use. A land use shown with "TUP" indicates that the land use is allowed as a temporary use in conjunction with the issuance of a temporary use permit pursuant to PMC § 17.26.100 (Temporary use and special event permits). PMC § 17.98.020 (Temporary uses) provides the regulations for these uses, including development standards and time limits.

• (Ord. 1603 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023)

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City of Palmdale, CA