Barstow — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Barstow's zoning ordinance (Title 19) actually says about allowed land uses, conditional uses, and the most decision-relevant development constraints. It emphasizes the city’s zoning districts (for example SFR, MDR, C, I, HS, DU, O, PF, MZ, SP) and the rules that control whether a proposed activity is permitted outright, requires a conditional use permit, or is governed by a specific plan. For site-level actions you will need to confirm parking requirements with the city's parking standards (§ 19.06.050) , meet the city's development standards (district setbacks, lot area, height; see each district below) (§ 19.04.010) , and complete any required design review or site-plan processes (§ 19.05.020) . Overlay and special districts are handled through the city's overlay districts and specific plan rules (§ 19.22.010) . Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are allowed subject to the local ADU chapter and state ADU law; see the local ADU rules and the Barstow ADUs entry (§ 19.10.060) . When you build you must follow the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) in addition to zoning (zoning does not replace Title 24). For signs see the city's signage rules (§ 19.06.060) .

Below is a district-by-district synthesis tied to the ordinance text (only what the code says).

How to read this: every bullet that states a mandatory number or allowed use is cited to the controlling Barstow Municipal Code § (file export). If a requirement could not be located in the retrieved materials I mark it "Not found in retrieved materials." Always verify parcel-specific constraints with the city.

District-by-district breakdown

Note: the city establishes its zone names in § 19.04.010 (list of districts) .

SFR — Single-Family Residential

• Purpose: medium-density single-family neighborhoods (§ 19.10.040) .
• Typical permitted uses: one detached single-family dwelling; accessory uses including an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) (subject to § 19.10.060) ; home occupations; limited animal keeping (examples and limits in § 19.10.030) .
• Development standards (key): standard yards/setbacks and height rules apply; ADUs may use 4 ft side/rear setbacks as allowed by local ADU rules (§ 19.10.060) . Specific lot area/minimums for new subdivisions are governed by the SFR chapter (see § 19.10.040) .
• Where it applies: all parcels mapped as SFR on the official zoning map (§ 19.04.020) .

MDR — Medium-Density Residential

• Purpose: multifamily and higher-density residential subject to design guidance (§ 19.10.050 and design guidelines) .
• Typical permitted uses: multifamily units, accessory uses where allowed; residential care/supportive housing subject to standards in § 19.10.100 and related provisions (supportive housing/occupancy rules) .
• Development standards (key): lot area/minimums, design and parking per multifamily guidelines; compatibility rules such as stepping height at edges to meet neighboring SFR (§ 19.08.060) .
• Where it applies: mapped MDR areas (§ 19.04.010) .

DU — Diverse Use

• Purpose: mix of residential and commercial to enhance pedestrian character (§ 19.12.010) .
• Permitted uses: any uses allowed in SFR, MDR, and many C district uses (subject to applicable standards) (§ 19.12.020) .
• Dimensional standards: Front/street side: 15 ft; Interior side: 5 ft; Rear: 5 ft; Garage/carport: 20 ft; min lot area 6,000 sq ft (§ 19.12.040) .
• Where: central mixed-use corridors and parcels mapped DU (§ 19.04.010) .

HS — Human Services

• Purpose: sites for human services, shelters, clinics, sober-living, supportive housing (§ 19.14.010) .
• Permitted uses: uses from SFR, MDR, and many C uses (except bars/liquor) plus emergency shelters, day cares, sober living, and Low-Barrier Navigation Centers where allowed (§ 19.14.020) .
• Key standards: setbacks—Front/street side: 15 ft; Interior side: 10 ft; Rear: 5 ft; Garage/carport: 20 ft; lot area min 6,000 sq ft; coverage and FAR limits (e.g., 50% for mixed residential/commercial) (§ 19.14.040–.060) .
• Where: parcels designated HS on the zoning map (§ 19.04.010) .

C — Commercial

• Purpose: retail, services, offices and general commercial activities (§ 19.16.010–.020) .
• Permitted uses: a broad retail/service list (grocery, clothing, restaurants, theaters, studios, veterinarians, etc.) is enumerated at § 19.16.020; potentially nuisance or higher-impact uses (bars, auto service, cannabis storefronts where allowed) are listed as uses requiring a permit (§ 19.16.030) .
• Key dimensional standards: Lot area minimum: 8,000 sq ft (§ 19.16.040); adjacency buffers—when a commercial parcel abuts a residence a front yard and rear yard of at least 15 ft is required (§ 19.16.060–.070) .
• Where: mapped C zones and comparable areas in specific plans (§ 19.04.010) .

I — Industrial

• Purpose: industrial/manufacturing uses with attention to compatibility and mitigation (§ 19.18.010) .
• Permitted uses: long list including manufacturing, warehousing, equipment rental, freight terminals, many light- and medium-industrial uses (§ 19.18.020) .
• Key dimensional/operational standards: building height max 35 ft when adjacent to residential, 55 ft otherwise (§ 19.18.160) and performance requirements for noise, fumes, dust and odor (e.g., noise ≤ 65 dBA at property line adjacent to sensitive uses) (§ 19.18.170) .
• Where: mapped I and similar industrial areas (§ 19.04.010) .

O — Open Space

• Purpose: parks, flood control, rights-of-way, managed resource production (§ 19.20.010) .
• Permitted uses: parkways, pedestrian/bicycle paths, flood channels, wildlife preserves, limited recreational improvements (§ 19.20.010) .
• Where: mapped O areas (§ 19.04.010) .

PF — Public Facilities

• Purpose/uses: publicly owned buildings, utilities, service yards; existing public facilities treated as conforming (§ 19.20.030) .
• Standards: site area and yards must match the most restrictive adjacent district setbacks; building height typically 35 ft unless surrounded by nonresidential zones (may be up to 55 ft) (§ 19.20.030) .

MZ — Military Zone

• Purpose: property under federal control (Logistics Base) and not subject to typical local zoning except as negotiated (§ 19.20.020) .
• Effect: city defers to Department of Defense authority on most operations; the MZ map designation identifies federal property (§ 19.20.020) .

SP — Specific Plan

• Purpose: where a Specific Plan applies, SP replaces or supplements Title 19 development standards for that area. The specific plan governs permitted uses within its map (§ 19.22.030–.050) .
• Effect: always check the adopted specific plan text and map; if adopted the zoning designation changes to SP (§ 19.22.030) .

ER / LDR / ES — Estate and Low Density Residential

• The code establishes ER and LDR as district names in § 19.04.010 but specific permitting and dimensional subsections for these (detailed lot sizes, setbacks) were Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the city for exact numeric standards (§ 19.04.010) .

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant uses / standards

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (typical)

• Confirm the parcel’s zoning designation on the City of Barstow zoning map (§ 19.04.020) .
• Confirm if the proposed use is listed as a permitted use or listed in the uses requiring a permit (CUP) in the applicable district chapter (e.g., § 19.10.040, § 19.16.020, § 19.18.020). See the district sections cited above for exact lists.
• If a CUP is required, prepare findings and site plan per chapter 19.30 (§ 19.30.020) and follow public‑hearing/notice timelines.
• Meet off‑street parking and loading standards (or obtain a shared-parking or parking‑reduction approval) per § 19.06.050; submit parking analysis if requested.
• Meet district setbacks, lot area, height, coverage and landscaping standards in the applicable district chapter (§ 19.10, 19.12, 19.14, 19.16, 19.18)
• If within a Specific Plan (SP) area, confirm the specific plan text and map controls the allowable uses (§ 19.22.030–.050) .
• Ensure sign proposals meet § 19.06.060 (see the city’s signage rules) .
• If construction is proposed, prepare to comply with the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) in addition to zoning (zoning does not substitute for Title 24). Verify any building-permit submittal requirements. Not a Title 19 matter.
• For cannabis and other regulated uses, confirm the location-specific restrictions and required permits (development agreement, cannabis business permit, CUP) under § 19.27.060–.080.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English summary

Barstow’s zoning code (Title 19) lists each allowed use by zone: if your activity is on the permitted list for the parcel's zone you can proceed subject to setbacks, parking and site rules; if it’s listed as a use that “requires a permit,” you will need a Conditional Use Permit and findings under chapter 19.30. Always check whether the parcel sits in a Specific Plan, an overlay, or the Military zone because those can change which rules apply (§ 19.22.030, § 19.20.020) .

Source References

• Title 19 — Zoning Ordinance (Municipal Code print export identifiers) — § 19.04.010 (districts established) .
• SFR district permitted uses and rules — § 19.10.040 (SFR permitted uses) .
• ADU standards — § 19.10.060 (local ADU rules and submittal requirements) .
• DU district — § 19.12.010–.040 (purpose, permitted uses, setbacks) .
• HS district — § 19.14.010–.040 (human services permitted uses and standards) .
• C district permitted uses and CUP list — § 19.16.020–.030 (commercial permitted/conditional uses) .
• I district permitted uses and standards — § 19.18.010–.020, .160, .170 (industrial standards, heights, performance limits) .
• O and PF districts — § 19.20.010 (open space) and § 19.20.030 (public facilities) .
• Conditional Use Permit rules — chapter 19.30; key findings and procedural items (§ 19.30.010–.020, term/expiration) .
• Off-street parking and shared-parking rules — § 19.06.050 (parking requirements and shared parking/CUP path) .
• Cannabis business types and location restrictions — § 19.27.060–.080 (cannabis permit types and 1,000 ft buffers) .
• Nonconforming uses chapter — 19.38 (purpose and treatments) — Noted in Title 19 (Nonconforming Uses) .
• Specific plan administration — § 19.22.010–.030 (SP purposes and effect) .

Retrieved passages

• Barstow Zoning Code (title within) High relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (chapter 19.30) High relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (chapter or) High relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (§ 19.28.090) High relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (chapter 19.30) High relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (title 19) High relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (chapter 19.30) High relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (§ 19.14.050) Medium relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (§ 119300) Medium relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (chapter shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (§ 19.12.080) Medium relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (§ 19.12.100) Medium relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (§ 19.14.040) Medium relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (Title 19) Medium relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (chapter 19.30.) High relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (§ 19.10.030) Medium relevance show source text
• CGBSC § 19.06.090 (section 106.6) Medium relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Barstow Zoning Code (section supersedes) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Title **19** — Zoning Ordinance (Municipal Code print export identifiers) — § **19.04.010** (districts established) .
• **SFR** district permitted uses and rules — § **19.10.040** (SFR permitted uses) .
• **ADU** standards — § **19.10.060** (local ADU rules and submittal requirements) .
• **DU** district — § **19.12.010–.040** (purpose, permitted uses, setbacks) .
• **HS** district — § **19.14.010–.040** (human services permitted uses and standards) .
• **C** district permitted uses and CUP list — § **19.16.020–.030** (commercial permitted/conditional uses) .
• **I** district permitted uses and standards — § **19.18.010–.020, .160, .170** (industrial standards, heights, performance limits) .
• **O** and **PF** districts — § **19.20.010** (open space) and § **19.20.030** (public facilities) .
• Conditional Use Permit rules — chapter **19.30**; key findings and procedural items (§ **19.30.010–.020**, term/expiration) .
• Off-street parking and shared-parking rules — § **19.06.050** (parking requirements and shared parking/CUP path) .
• Cannabis business types and location restrictions — § **19.27.060–.080** (cannabis permit types and **1,000 ft** buffers) .
• Nonconforming uses chapter — **19.38** (purpose and treatments) — Noted in Title 19 (Nonconforming Uses) . (Title 19)
• Specific plan administration — § **19.22.010–.030** (SP purposes and effect) .
• Barstow_ZoningCode.md

• Official Barstow code library