Avalon — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

Avalon’s zoning ordinance is codified as the Zoning Ordinance (Title 9 of the municipal code) and adopts a city Zoning Map as Exhibit "X" that establishes the official districts and boundaries (§ 9-3.102; § 9-4.201) . The code organizes districts into residential (LD, MD, HD, L/M), commercial (C, SC, R/R), public (P), and cemetery (CE) categories, and then applies development standards in Chapter 9‑7 and zone-specific standards in Chapters 9‑5 and 9‑6 (see § 9‑5.101; § 9‑6.101) . Applicants should read zone standards together with the city’s general development standards, parking rules (see parking), and design review rules (see design review) when scoping a project.

District-by-district breakdown

Note: each district name below is the city's official designation and each numeric limit or requirement is taken from the Avalon Zoning Ordinance. Where a specific standard or local map graphic is not available in the retrieved text, the entry says so and instructs to verify with the jurisdiction.

LD — Low Density Residential and Low Intensity Recreation (§ 9-5.201 – § 9-5.205)

• Purpose: Protect sloping undeveloped perimeter areas; minimize grading/landform change and preserve scenic qualities (§ 9‑5.201) .
• Typical permitted uses: Detached single‑family residences on slopes under 30%, passive outdoor recreation, resource preservation, daycare (see § 9‑5.202) .
• Key dimensional/development standards (standards summary):
  • Maximum densities: 10 du/acre (slopes <30°); 5 du/acre (30–50°); 1 du/acre (≥50°); clustered up to 10 du/acre in limited circumstances (§ 9‑5.205(a)) .
  • Minimum lot size (single‑family detached): 4,400 sq ft (increased on steep slopes) (§ 9‑5.205(b)) .
  • Setbacks: typically 10 ft front/side/rear baseline; there is also a 75‑ft ridgeline setback and special rules for hillside lots (§ 9‑5.205(d)) .
• Where it applies: perimeter hillside areas identified on the adopted zoning/land‑use maps; see Exhibit "X" (Zoning Map) adopted by reference (§ 9‑4.201) .

MD — Multiple Residential — Medium Density (designation: § 9-5.101)

• Purpose & uses: MD is listed as a medium‑density residential district intended for multiple dwelling types (§ 9‑5.101) .
• Standards: The Avalon code lists MD in the residential zone list (§ 9‑5.101) but the detailed MD numeric development standards were not present in the retrieved snippets. Verify the MD development standards and permitted uses with the Planning Department or by consulting Exhibit "X" and the full text of Article 3 (MD) in the municipal code. Not found in retrieved materials; verify with the jurisdiction (§ 9‑5.101) .

HD — Multiple Residential — High Density (§ 9-5.401; § 9-5.405; § 9-5.406)

• Purpose: Allow multiple dwelling units where density is controlled by standards (§ 9‑5.401) .
• Typical permitted uses: multiple family dwellings, single‑family dwellings, daycare; certain public/civic uses and congregate housing only with CUP (§ 9‑5.402; § 9‑5.404) .
• Key dimensional standards (§ 9‑5.405 unless noted):
  • Maximum density: 40 units per acre (§ 9‑5.405(a)) .
  • Minimum lot area: 2,200 sq ft (lots created after adoption) (§ 9‑5.405(b)) .
  • Setbacks: baseline 3 ft; hillside/steep lots often 5 ft; special street‑adjacent height envelope rules apply (§ 9‑5.405(d)) .
  • Lot coverage / floor area / heights: numeric bulk limits in § 9‑5.405(e) and refined sub‑areas in § 9‑5.406 (special smaller‑lot area) — read § 9‑5.405 and § 9‑5.406 for the precise rules .
• Special area rules: § 9‑5.406 imposes alternate standards for a mapped small‑lot area (see that section) .

L/M — Low and Moderate Income Housing (Article 5, § 9-5.501 – § 9-5.505)

• Purpose: Provide sites for low/moderate income multi‑family housing and to implement RHNA programs (§ 9‑5.501) .
• Permitted uses: low/moderate income housing (Chapter 9‑11 definitions), parks, mobile home parks (§ 9‑5.502) .
• Key standards: maximum density 40 units/acre, no minimum lot area or width, baseline setbacks 10 ft to street or project boundary and 6 ft between buildings; heights tied to slope categories; parking to be determined by commission (§ 9‑5.505) .

C — Commercial (Article 2, § 9-6.201 – § 9-6.304)

• Purpose: Areas for businesses and services that serve the public (§ 9‑6.201) .
• Principal permitted uses: wide list including grocery, retail, marine sales, barber/beauty, professional offices, clinics, hardware, small hotels (fewer than 4 units), and emergency shelters (§ 9‑6.202; § 9‑6.203) .
• Standards (Special "C" zone measures at § 9‑6.304):
  • Minimum lot area 2,000 sq ft; lot width 50 ft; setbacks 3 ft rear and 0 ft other sides; maximum height 28 ft; lot coverage 80%; floor area 140% (§ 9‑6.304) .
• Note: Where commercial abuts residential, additional notice and review triggers apply (§ 9‑6.304(c)) .

SC — Special Commercial (Article 3, § 9-6.301 – § 9-6.304)

• Purpose: Mixed commercial/residential service uses; residential allowed in SC subject to § 9‑6.303 rules (§ 9‑6.102) .
• Standards: SC references the "C" zone standards but allows residential in specified locations; see § 9‑6.303/304 for the detailed list of principal uses and development requirements .

R/R — Resort / Recreation (Article 4, § 9-6.401 – § 9-6.405)

• Purpose: Support Avalon’s resort character and visitor‑serving activities; master plans required for planning areas (§ 9‑6.401) .
• Principal permitted uses: small hotels/inns, parks, mobile home parks; larger hotels and many visitor serving uses permitted only with conditional use permits (§ 9‑6.402–403) .
• Key standards and local exceptions:
  • Generally follows the C zone standards but with Resort‑specific limits in mapped areas (e.g., Descanso Canyon: max height 7 stories, lot coverage 20%, floor area 140%; special setbacks from mean high tide line apply) (§ 9‑6.404(a)) .
  • Other site‑specific caps (e.g., Sector 10 hillside: 4 stories, lot coverage 14%) are mapped and stated in § 9‑6.404(b) .

P — Public (Article 5, § 9-6.501 – § 9-6.504)

• Purpose: Accommodate public service facilities such as schools, parks, libraries, hospital, parking lots and support housing (§ 9‑6.501–502) .
• Standards: Generally follows "C" zone development standards unless otherwise noted (§ 9‑6.504) .

CE — Cemetery (Article 5A, § 9-6.510 – § 9-6.511)

• Purpose & uses: Cemeteries, mortuaries, mausoleums (§ 9‑6.510–511) .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant standards and uses

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (zoning‑specific)

• Confirm the zoning district on the adopted Zoning Map (Exhibit "X") and read the district rules (§ 9‑4.201) .
• Check district permitted uses and whether your proposal needs a Conditional Use Permit or variance (e.g., § 9‑6.403; § 9‑8.401) file.
• Confirm dimensional standards (density, lot area, width, setbacks, height, lot coverage, FAR) in the district’s section and Chapter 9‑7 (General Standards of Development) (§ 9‑7.102) .
• Verify parking requirements and whether the Commission sets parking for discretionary projects (see parking; many zones say “to be determined by the Commission”) (e.g., § 9‑6.405, § 9‑5.405) file.
• For coastal or shoreline projects, prepare for a local coastal development permit and required findings (§ 9‑8.103) .
• Where affordable housing or inclusionary units apply, prepare covenants/agreements required by Chapter 9‑11 and § 9‑11.105 (density bonus rules) .
• If proposing an ADU/JADU, follow the ADU rules (Chapter 9‑5.6) and the local provisions that address nonconforming conditions (§ 9‑5.608) — also consult state ADU rules and the California Building Standards Code and California ADU law where needed .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Avalon’s zoning code (the Zoning Ordinance adopted as Title 9) divides the island into named districts — LD, MD, HD, L/M, C, SC, R/R, P, and CE — and prescribes allowed uses, density, setbacks, heights and coverage for each; you must check the adopted Zoning Map (Exhibit "X") and the specific zone section plus Chapter 9‑7’s general development standards to know what you can build on a parcel (§ 9‑4.201; § 9‑7.102) file.

Source References

• Avalon Zoning Ordinance (Title 9) — Short title / purpose: § 9‑3.102; § 9‑3.103 .
• Zoning Map adoption and boundary rules: § 9‑4.201; § 9‑4.301 .
• Residential zone list and LD rules: § 9‑5.101; § 9‑5.201 – § 9‑5.205 file.
• HD rules and bulk standards: § 9‑5.401; § 9‑5.405; § 9‑5.406 file.
• L/M zone and standards: § 9‑5.501 – § 9‑5.505 .
• Commercial zones and Special C standards: § 9‑6.101 – § 9‑6.304 file.
• Resort/Recreation zone (R/R) purposes, uses and special area rules: § 9‑6.401 – § 9‑6.404 .
• General standards of development (lot area, setbacks, projections, accessory building locations): Chapter 9‑7 (e.g., § 9‑7.102; § 9‑7.201; § 9‑7.404) file.
• Local coastal development permits and coastal findings: § 9‑8.103 .
• ADU nonconforming rule: § 9‑5.608; § 9‑5.609 .
• Density bonus / affordable housing rules: Chapter 9‑11 (e.g., § 9‑11.105 – § 9‑11.106) .

(These citations point to the Avalon Zoning Code text included among the retrieved files; confirm current ordinance text and the adopted Exhibit "X" map with the City of Avalon Planning Department for parcel‑specific interpretation.)

Retrieved passages

• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-6.402.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-13.102.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 65589.5) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (Article 2.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-8.103.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (article shall) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (Chapter 9-13.) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 9 (title shall) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-6.304.) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 9 (§ 9-5.608.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-5.504.) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 9 (§ 9-5.405.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-5.204.) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 400 (title shall) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (Chapter is) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (Article 5.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-6.602.) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Avalon Zoning Ordinance (Title 9) — Short title / purpose: **§ 9‑3.102; § 9‑3.103** . (Title 9)
• Zoning Map adoption and boundary rules: **§ 9‑4.201; § 9‑4.301** . (§ 9)
• Residential zone list and LD rules: **§ 9‑5.101; § 9‑5.201 – § 9‑5.205** file. (§ 9)
• HD rules and bulk standards: **§ 9‑5.401; § 9‑5.405; § 9‑5.406** file. (§ 9)
• L/M zone and standards: **§ 9‑5.501 – § 9‑5.505** . (§ 9)
• Commercial zones and Special C standards: **§ 9‑6.101 – § 9‑6.304** file. (§ 9)
• Resort/Recreation zone (R/R) purposes, uses and special area rules: **§ 9‑6.401 – § 9‑6.404** . (§ 9)
• General standards of development (lot area, setbacks, projections, accessory building locations): **Chapter 9‑7 (e.g., § 9‑7.102; § 9‑7.201; § 9‑7.404)** file. (Chapter 9)
• Local coastal development permits and coastal findings: **§ 9‑8.103** . (§ 9)
• ADU nonconforming rule: **§ 9‑5.608; § 9‑5.609** . (§ 9)
• Density bonus / affordable housing rules: **Chapter 9‑11 (e.g., § 9‑11.105 – § 9‑11.106)** . (Chapter 9)
• Avalon_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md

• Official Avalon code library