Avalon — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Avalon zoning ordinance (Title 9, Zoning, commonly referred to historically as "Title 17 Zoning" in other cities) says about permitted and conditional land uses, and the core development standards that control what can be built where. For quick navigation to related topic pages, see the Avalon Zoning overview and consult the city's adopted Avalon Zoning maps and the separate chapters on Avalon Development Standards, Avalon Parking, Avalon Design Review, Avalon Overlay Districts, Avalon ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code for building-code requirements. All citations below point to the local Avalon ordinance text retrieved from the city code; quoted numbers are tied to the specific § citations.

Note on sources and limits: everything below is drawn from the City of Avalon zoning ordinance text retrieved for this analysis. Where the ordinance text does not establish a rule or detail, I mark that as "Not found in retrieved materials" or advise "Verify with the jurisdiction."

How the code is structured (quick orientation)

• The ordinance identifies zoning districts by code names such as LD, MD, HD, L/M, R/R, C, SC, P, and CE — see the zone designations in § 9-5.101 and the Zoning Map adoption in § 9-4.201 .
• Each district article lists the Intent/Purpose, Principal (permitted) uses, Accessory uses, Uses allowed by Conditional Use Permit (CUP), and Standards of Development (setbacks, heights, lot coverage, floor area). Those district sections are the primary authoritative source for land‑use rules (examples cited below). Also consult the general standards in Chapter 9-7 for cross-cutting development rules § 9-7.101–104 .

District-by-district breakdown

LD — Low Density Residential and Low Intensity Recreation

• Purpose: Provide a framework for low-density residential development on sloping, undeveloped perimeter areas and preserve scenic/landform character § 9-5.201 .
• Typical permitted uses: Detached residential structures on slopes under 30%, parks, trails, resource preservation; daycare (added by ordinance) § 9-5.202 .
• Conditional uses: detached dwellings on slopes ≥30°, clustered/attached units, churches (subject to slope limits) § 9-5.204 .
• Key dimensional rules: density limits by slope (e.g., 10 U/A under 30°, 5 U/A for 30–50°, 1 U/A ≥50°), minimum lot sizes and width rules tied to slope class — see § 9-5.205 .
• Where it applies: edge/perimeter sloping areas; map: Exhibit X attached to § 9-4.201 .

MD — Multiple Residential, Medium Density

• Purpose: Allow two-family dwelling lots and associated residential-support uses § 9-5.301 .
• Typical permitted uses: Single-family detached and two-family dwelling units, daycare facilities § 9-5.302 .
• Conditional uses: churches, civic/public buildings, utility substations, parking lots, private recreation, attached single-family (cluster/ congregate), and timeshare projects § 9-5.304 .
• Key dimensional rules: see § 9-5.305 and general standards in Chapter 9-7 (lot sizes, setbacks, parking) .

HD — Multiple Residential, High Density

• Purpose: Allow multiple dwelling units per lot with density and development standards controlling unit counts § 9-5.401 .
• Typical permitted uses: Multiple family dwelling units; single-family allowed § 9-5.402 .
• Accessory: garages, domestic animals (limits), etc. § 9-5.403 .
• Conditional uses: churches, civic/public buildings, utility substations, parking lots, hotels/motels with employee housing, congregate housing, time-shares § 9-5.404 .
• Key dimensional rules: density and lot-coverage/floor area limits are in § 9-5.405 and special sub-area standards in § 9-5.406 (small lot area rules) .

L/M — Low and Moderate Income Housing

• Purpose: Provide areas for multiple-family dwelling units to meet low/moderate income needs and RHNA § 9-5.501 .
• Permitted uses: Low and moderate income housing, parks, mobile home parks § 9-5.502 .
• Conditional uses: density bonuses, single room occupancies (by CUP) § 9-5.504 .
• Standards: maximum density 40 units/acre, development standards refer to Chapter 9-7 plus specific L/M rules § 9-5.505 .

C — Commercial (sometimes shown as “C” or Special "C")

• Purpose: Commercial areas that serve the public; mix of retail, services, and related uses § 9-6.201–102 .
• Typical permitted uses: Grocery stores, marine sales & service, novelties, barber/beauty, professional offices, banks, clinics, cleaning/laundry, hardware, clothing retail, and hotels/motels/boarding houses with fewer than four units; emergency shelters per Chapter 9-16 are also included § 9-6.202 .
• CUP uses: hotels/motels with four or more units (employee housing rules apply), restaurants/bars, theaters, public garages, service stations, mixed ground-floor commercial with residential above, and other specified uses § 9-6.203 .
• Development standards: minimum lot 2,000 sq ft, lot width 50 ft, setbacks: 3 ft rear; 0 ft other sides, building bulk limits — maximum height 28 ft within 350 ft of high tide line; 40 ft elsewhere, lot coverage 80%, floor area 140% (see § 9-6.204 and Chapter 9-7) .
• Where it applies: city commercial core and mapped commercial parcels — see zoning map adoption § 9-4.201 .

SC — Special Commercial

• Purpose: Small-scale, neighborhood-compatible retail/services (detailed geographic subarea standards described in § 9-6.301) § 9-6.301 .
• Principal permitted uses: Retail sales (excluding food & beverage), personal/professional services, emergency shelters (per Chapter 9-16) § 9-6.302 .
• CUP uses: hotels, residential structures (HD standards), schools, churches, timeshare (with CUP) § 9-6.303 .
• Development standards: minimum lot area 2,000 sq ft, width 50 ft, setbacks 3 ft rear; 0 ft otherwise, max height 28 ft, lot coverage 80%, floor area 140% § 9-6.304 .

R/R — Resort/Recreation

• Purpose: Support Avalon’s resort character; principal use is resort hotel and associated visitor-serving activities § 9-6.401 .
• Principal permitted: Hotels, inns and lodges with fewer than four rental units (employee housing rules in Chapter 9-11) § 9-6.402 .
• CUP uses: hotels/inns/lodges with four or more units (employee housing), recreational facilities, visitor-serving short-term rental housing, visitor-serving retail (delis, travel agencies, curio shops), restaurants/bars, employee housing, and other uses determined compatible § 9-6.403 .
• Standards: generally follow "C" zone standards except where Resort/Recreation-specific standards apply (e.g., Descanso Canyon: Max height seven stories; lot coverage 20%; floor area 140%; other sub-area limits such as Sector 10 hillside: 4 stories; lot coverage 14%; floor area 19%) § 9-6.404 . Off-street parking in R/R is to be determined by the Commission § 9-6.405 .

P — Public

• Purpose: Public service activities like schools, parks, hospitals, libraries, parking lots and support housing § 9-6.501–502 .
• CUP uses: uses permitted in C zone and light industrial (by CUP) § 9-6.503 .
• Standards: follow C‑zone rules § 9-6.504 .

CE — Cemetery

• Purpose and permitted uses: cemeteries, morgues, mortuaries, mausoleums § 9-6.510–511 .

Decision‑relevant standards table (selected highlights)

(For full, parcel‑specific numbers consult the district articles cited above and the general standards in Chapter 9-7.)

Practical guidance & interpretation (plain-English synthesis)

• If a use is listed under a district’s "Principal Uses Permitted," it can proceed subject to compliance with that district’s Standards of Development and the cross-cutting rules in Chapter 9-7 (conformity to development standards, maintenance, nuisances) § 9-7.102–104 .
• If the desired use appears under a district’s "Uses Permitted by Conditional Use Permit," you must obtain a CUP before operating; except where the code explicitly modifies standards, the zone’s regulations still apply to CUP-approved uses § 9-8.413 . CUP decisions can be revoked for cause (fraud, non-use, nuisance, violation) § 9-8.501 .
• For mixed or novel proposals (e.g., visitor-serving retail in R/R or hotel expansions), check both the district article and the special-area subsections (for example, Descanso Canyon standards in § 9-6.404 for R/R) because sub-area rules frequently override general commercial standards .
• Short-term rentals and transient lodging: the ordinance declares the renting/leasing of rooms for under 30 days as a principally permitted use in any zone with a Transient Rental License (special local licensing requirement) § 9-6.602 . Verify licensing requirements with the City (not a building-code matter).

First-time users should also check Avalon’s adopted zoning map (Exhibit X) to confirm the zoning of a specific parcel § 9-4.201 .

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before building or operating)

• Confirm parcel zoning on the city's adopted Avalon Zoning map § 9-4.201 .
• Confirm the proposed use is a Principal Use Permitted in that zone or prepare a CUP application if listed only under CUP (see district CU lists: e.g., § 9-6.203, § 9-6.403, § 9-5.404) .
• Comply with the district Standards of Development (setbacks, heights, lot coverage, floor area) as listed in the district article and Chapter 9-7 § 9-7.101–104 .
• Provide required off‑street parking per the district or Commission determination and consult the Avalon Parking guidance; some districts direct the Commission to determine parking § 9-6.204(e); § 9-6.405 for R/R § 9-6.204–405 .
• Check inclusionary/employee‑housing rules when adding residential units (see § 9-5.103 and Chapter 9-11) § 9-5.103 .
• If the project is in an overlay or historic area, confirm overlay rules and design requirements on Avalon Overlay Districts and Avalon Historic Preservation pages; overlay-specific requirements may modify allowed uses (overlay map details: Exhibit attachments — see § 9-4.201) § 9-4.201 .
• Prepare to satisfy design review where required; consult Avalon Design Review. If a variance or exception is needed, consult Avalon Variances and Exceptions and the CUP/variance chapters § 9-8.413 .
• For ADUs, follow local ADU rules and state ADU law; consult Avalon ADUs and California ADU law. (If ADU specific local sections are not in the retrieved ordinance materials, verify with the Planning Department.)
• Remember: construction must follow the California Building Standards Code — building permit and inspection obligations are separate from zoning approvals.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Avalon’s zoning code organizes land into named districts (for example, C, SC, R/R, LD, MD, HD, L/M, P, CE). Each district spells out what uses are allowed outright, what uses require a Conditional Use Permit, and the numeric development limits (setbacks, heights, lot coverage, floor area). Always confirm the parcel’s zoning on the City map and whether your proposed activity is listed as a principal use or a CUP use in the district article (see e.g., § 9-6.202–204, § 9-5.302–305, § 9-6.402–404) .

Source References

• Zoning map adoption and zone boundary rules: § 9-4.201, § 9-4.301
• Residential zone designations, LD/MD/HD/L-M details: § 9-5.101–§ 9-5.505 (see in particular § 9-5.201 (LD), § 9-5.301 (MD), § 9-5.401 (HD), § 9-5.501 (L/M))
• Commercial and special commercial zones: § 9-6.101–§ 9-6.304 (notably § 9-6.202–204, § 9-6.301–304)
• Resort/Recreation zone and sub-area rules (Descanso Canyon, Sector 10): § 9-6.401–§ 9-6.405, § 9-6.404 subparts
• Public, Cemetery, Accessory and Transient Rental rules: § 9-6.501–§ 9-6.511, § 9-6.601–602
• General development standards: Chapter 9-7, including § 9-7.101–104, § 9-7.201 (minimum lot area)
• Conditional use permit/variance application and revocation guidance: § 9-8.413, § 9-8.501–503
• Multiple Unit Housing / congregate regulations (application requirements): Chapter 9-13 (e.g., § 9-13.102–104)

(These selections are drawn from the Avalon zoning ordinance materials retrieved for this analysis; for the precise, full legal text consult the City's official code or the Planning Department.)

Information Gaps (limited or not found in retrieved materials)

• A single consolidated "Table of Uses"/land-use matrix in tabular form was Not found in retrieved materials; instead uses are listed inside each district article. Verify with the City whether a consolidated table exists.
• Detailed design-review triggers and procedures were not found in the retrieved zoning fragments (see Avalon Design Review); verify process and filing steps with Planning.
• Parcel‑specific overlay boundaries (maps that show which parcels are in Descanso Canyon, Sector 10 overlays, or other overlays) were referenced but the actual exhibit map images were not included in the retrieved text. See § 9-4.201 and contact Planning for the Exhibit X map .
• Local ADU-specific text (if any) was not located in the retrieved fragments; consult the Avalon ADUs page and local ADU chapter or Planning staff.

Retrieved passages

• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-6.402.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-6.304.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (Article 5.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-5.204.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-6.602.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (Article 5.) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 9 (Article 4.) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Zoning map adoption and zone boundary rules: **§ 9-4.201**, **§ 9-4.301** (§ 9-4.201)
• Residential zone designations, LD/MD/HD/L-M details: **§ 9-5.101–§ 9-5.505** (see in particular **§ 9-5.201** (LD), **§ 9-5.301** (MD), **§ 9-5.401** (HD), **§ 9-5.501** (L/M)) (§ 9-5.101)
• Commercial and special commercial zones: **§ 9-6.101–§ 9-6.304** (notably **§ 9-6.202–204**, **§ 9-6.301–304**) (§ 9-6.101)
• Resort/Recreation zone and sub-area rules (Descanso Canyon, Sector 10): **§ 9-6.401–§ 9-6.405**, **§ 9-6.404** subparts (§ 9-6.401)
• Public, Cemetery, Accessory and Transient Rental rules: **§ 9-6.501–§ 9-6.511**, **§ 9-6.601–602** (§ 9-6.501)
• General development standards: Chapter **9-7**, including **§ 9-7.101–104**, **§ 9-7.201** (minimum lot area) (§ 9-7.101)
• Conditional use permit/variance application and revocation guidance: **§ 9-8.413**, **§ 9-8.501–503** (§ 9-8.413)
• Multiple Unit Housing / congregate regulations (application requirements): Chapter **9-13** (e.g., **§ 9-13.102–104**) (§ 9-13.102)
• Avalon_ZoningCode.md

• Official Avalon code library