Westminster Municipal Code § 17.250.005 Purpose

The overlay zones established by this Chapter provide guidance for development and new land uses in addition to the standards and regulations of the primary zoning districts, where important site, neighborhood, or compatibility issues require particular attention in project planning.

(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)

A. Designation of Property. The applicability of any overlay zone to a specific site is shown by the overlay Zoning Map symbol established by Section 17.200.010, Zoning Districts Established, being appended as a suffix to the symbol for the primary zoning district shown on the Zoning Map.

B. Applicability of Overlay District Requirements. The provisions of this Chapter apply to proposed land uses and development in addition to all other applicable requirements of this Title. In the event of any perceived conflict between the provisions of this Chapter and any other provision of this Title, this Chapter shall govern.

(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2634, 5/13/2026)

Repealed by Ord. 2634, 5/13/2026.

(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)

A. Purpose. This Section provides land use regulations for the Emergency Shelter (ES) Overlay zoning district as established by Section 17.200.010, Zoning Districts Established. This district applies to manufacturing/industrial sites, which due to their size and location, are appropriate for emergency shelter facility use.

B. Allowed Uses. A parcel within the ES Overlay district may be used as follows:

1. Emergency Shelter Facility as defined in Article 7 (Definitions) and in compliance with Section 17.400.053 (Emergency Shelters) and all other applicable provisions of the WMC; or

2. Uses Permitted in the M2 (Medium Industrial) Zoning District, as established in Chapter 17.230 (Industrial Zoning Districts) and all other applicable provisions of the WMC.

C. Requirements for Establishment of the ES Overlay Zoning District. Each parcel within the ES Overlay Zoning District, shall comply with each of the following:

1. Underlying Zoning Classification. The parcel shall have an M2 (Medium Industrial) Zoning District classification. For the purpose of determining if a parcel is within the M2 (Medium Industrial) zoning district and therefore meets the requirements for establishment of the Emergency Shelter (ES) Overlay zoning, any parcel located within the M2 (Medium Industrial) zoning district, where a portion of said parcel is also within the B-1 (Buffer) zoning district, shall be considered in whole as a M2 (Medium Industrial) zoned parcel.

2. Proximity to Parcels Zoned for Residential Use. No parcel shall abut a parcel zoned for residential use.

(Ord. 2507 § 3, 2013)

Repealed by Ord. 2634, 5/13/2026.

(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)

A. Purpose. This Section provides development and land use regulations for the P Overlay zoning district, as established by Section 17.200.010, Zoning Districts Established.

B. Requirements. Land uses permitted within the P Overlay zoning district shall comply with the following provisions, in addition to all applicable provisions of Article 3.

1. When any residentially zoned lot is designated with the P Overlay zoning district classification, in lieu of the uses permitted by its underlying zone classification, the lot may be used exclusively for an off-street parking facility if such facility serves a principal use that is within 100 feet of the outer boundaries of the lot. The following regulations shall apply to the use of a lot designated with the P Overlay classification:

a. All off-street parking facilities shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.320. All required yard areas, as imposed by the zoning regulations applicable to such lot by reason of its underlying zone classification, shall be adhered to. All such required yard areas shall be landscaped and permanently maintained as such, including, but not limited to, the installation and maintenance of a permanent irrigation system.

b. No lot shall be designated with the P Overlay unless vehicular and/or pedestrian access thereto is limited or restricted by conveyance of such access rights to the City, or otherwise, to ensure a safe traffic flow and to ensure that the use of such lot for off-street parking will not unreasonably increase vehicular or pedestrian traffic on abutting streets serving residential areas.

(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)

A. Purpose. This Section provides development and land use regulations for the PD Overlay zoning district as established by Section 17.200.010, Zoning Districts Established. This district applies to areas of existing large-scale, multiple-family residential and commercial complexes developed as a planned district, and sites suitable for similar large-scale development. The PD zoning district may also be applied to sites within commercial districts suitable for combined commercial, residential, and/or live-work uses within a physically integrated and contiguous area. The PD zoning district is consistent with the Planned Development Land Use designation of the General Plan and may be consistent with various residential and commercial land use designations of the General Plan.

B. Requirements. Land uses permitted within the PD Overlay zoning district shall comply with the following provisions in addition to all applicable provisions of Article 3.

1. Minimum site area for rezoning. The PD Overlay zoning district may only be applied to sites of one-half acre or larger.

2. Permit requirements. All development proposed within a PD Overlay zoning district shall require approval of a comprehensive plan in accordance with Chapter 17.560. Land use permit requirements for changes in land use after the initial comprehensive plan approval may be established by the Council through the rezoning of the site to apply the PD Overlay zoning district and/or through the approval of the comprehensive plan.

3. Permitted land uses and development standards. Except as otherwise provided by this Section, permitted land uses, and site planning and development standards for the PD Overlay zoning district shall be determined by the Council through the rezoning of the site to apply the PD Overlay zoning district, and through the approval of a Comprehensive Plan in compliance with the permit requirements noted above. In establishing permitted land uses and development standards, the Council shall consider the standards of the zoning districts most similar in nature and function to the uses proposed within the PD Overlay zoning district.

4. Height. The maximum height of any building or structure in the PD Overlay zoning district shall not exceed the width of the street, or the widest street, upon which the building faces.

5. Undergrounding of utilities. All utilities, including telephone, cable television, and electric systems, required within the limits of all PD Overlay zoning districts shall be located underground.

C. Standards. The permitted uses and development standards for PD Overlay districts are developed as part of the project approval process.

(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)

A. Purpose. This Section provides development and land use regulations for the Housing (H) Overlay zoning district, as established by Section 17.200.010, Zoning Districts Established. Lots designated with the Housing Overlay designation are identified in the City of Westminster's 2021-2029 Housing Element Sites Inventory as potential lots to accommodate a portion of the City's unmet Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) or have been determined to be significant sites which have the ability to further meet the housing needs of Westminster and its residents.

B. Requirements. Land uses permitted within the H Overlay zoning district shall comply with the following provisions, in addition to all applicable provisions of the Westminster Municipal Code. Where there is a conflict, the provisions of this Section shall apply.

1. The following regulations shall apply to the use of a lot designated with the Housing Overlay designation:

a. All new residential development filing applications after September 10, 2025, shall provide a minimum residential density of 30 dwelling units per net acre.

b. All new development shall include a residential component which shall occupy at least 50% of the total gross floor area of a mixed-use development.

c. For developments in which 20% or more of the units are affordable to lower income households (income and affordability levels set forth in Health and Safety Code Sections 50079.5, 50093, and 50105 shall apply), owner-occupied and rental multifamily uses shall be permitted.

d. An applicant for a project pursuant to this Section may apply for a density bonus in accordance with Government Code Section 65915.

(Ord. 2593 § 5, 2022; Ord. 2624U, 8/13/2025; Ord. 2625U, 9/10/2025; Ord. 2626, 9/24/2025; Ord. 2634, 5/13/2026)