Camarillo — Development Standards

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page synthesizes the City of Camarillo's local zoning development standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage, density and related rules) as written in Title 19 (Zoning). It is a practical, Camarillo-specific reference keyed to the controlling code sections so applicants and reviewers can find the precise rule quickly. For context on related topics you’ll see links to the city's zoning and process pages (examples: Camarillo Zoning, Camarillo Land Use, and the city's guidance on parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the statewide California Building Standards Code.

STAY GROUNDED — every numeric standard below is tied to the specific local code section cited after the rule (§ XX.XX.XXX) and the source file reference from the retrieved ordinance.

District-by-district development-standard reference

Notes on how to read these subsections:

• "Purpose / Typical uses" is a one-line orienting summary (not the full use table).
• "Key dimensional standards" lists the most decision-relevant controls (setbacks, height, lot coverage, density, minimum lot area/width as applicable).
• "Where it applies / practical notes" states geographic or procedural points and flags where the code delegates decisions to the Planning Commission or Director.

R-1 — One-Family Residential (Chapter 19.14)

Purpose / Typical uses: single-family detached homes and customary accessory uses; site design review is administrative.
Key dimensional standards:

• Minimum lot area / width: 7,000 sq ft / 70 ft for base R-1; subzones R-1-8, R-1-9, R-1-10, R-1-13, R-1-20, R-1-30, etc. set larger minima (§ 19.14.050) .
• Front setback: 20 ft from right-of-way (minimum) (§ 19.14.070) .
• Side setback: 5 ft for one-story; 10 ft for two-story (§ 19.14.070) .
• Rear setback: 20 ft (grade limit exceptions described) (§ 19.14.070) .
• Garages: garages must be set back 20 ft from any property line where vehicle access is provided (§ 19.14.080) .
  Where it applies / practical notes: R-1 is the default single-family district; the city provides subzone suffixes to control lot area/width (see § 19.06.010 for subzone rules) .

RPD — Residential Planned Development (Chapter 19.16)

Purpose / Typical uses: planned residential projects that use modern site planning; densities set by subzone (RPD-XU).
Key dimensional standards:

• Density: subzone suffix indicates max units/acre (e.g., RPD-8U, RPD-20U); RPD without suffix may go to 30 units/acre via planned development process consistent with the General Plan (§ 19.16.070) .
• Front setback: 20 ft when unit fronts on ROW (unless alternate approved by RPD permit) (§ 19.16.080) .
• Side setback: 10 ft street side for one-story; interior side generally 5 ft (higher for two-story or cluster variations) (§ 19.16.080) .
• Rear setback: 20 ft with grade limit (exceptions where common open space provided) (§ 19.16.080) .
• Max building height: 25 ft unless RPD permit authorizes more (§ 19.16.090) .
• Building coverage: 40% for RPD-4 or less; 50% for larger RPDs (recreation buildings may be excluded) (§ 19.16.100) .
  Where it applies / practical notes: many RPD dimensions are adjustable through the RPD permit; review is by the Planning Commission for departures from R-1 standards (§ 19.16.010) .

R-E — Rural Exclusive Residential (Chapter 19.12)

Purpose / Typical uses: large-lot rural residential and agricultural-compatible residential.
Key dimensional standards:

• Building height: 35 ft (with exceptions / CUP) (§ 19.12.110) .
• Accessory buildings: may project into yards under quantified limits; detached accessory buildings limited in rear yard coverage and height 15 ft for accessory structures (§ 19.12.140) .
  Where it applies / practical notes: utilities must be placed underground in R-E (§ 19.12.120) .

R-C — Recreation Commercial (Chapter 19.20)

Purpose / Typical uses: larger commercial/recreational sites (e.g., resorts, country clubs, large recreational facilities).
Key dimensional standards:

• Minimum lot area: 1 acre; width typically 150 ft (170 ft for corner lots) (§ 19.20.060) .
• Building height: 45 ft (§ 19.20.070) .
• Front setback: 30 ft (or greater if future dedication required); rear 20–50 ft depending on adjacency to R zones (§ 19.20.080) .
• Maximum coverage: ground floor area not to exceed 50% of site (§ 19.20.090) .
  Where it applies / practical notes: where R-C abuts an R zone, larger side/rear setbacks (up to 50 ft) and screening walls are required (§ 19.20.080–19.20.110) .

M‑1 — Light Manufacturing (Chapter 19.30)

Purpose / Typical uses: light industrial and compatible commercial uses; performance standards apply.
Key dimensional standards:

• Minimum lot area: 20,000 sq ft; frontage typically 100 ft and depth 200 ft (§ 19.30.070–19.30.080) .
• Building height: 40 ft (CUP may authorize higher) (§ 19.30.090) .
• Lot coverage: 60% maximum roofed coverage (§ 19.30.100) .
• Setbacks: Front: 20–50 ft (commission determines exact within range); side yard adjacent to public road 20 ft; where adjacent to residential, a transition setback equal to 1.5 ft per vertical foot of building height applies (to a max of 50 ft) (§ 19.30.110) .
  Where it applies / practical notes: rooftop HVAC and architectural screening parapets are excluded from height calculations (see § 19.30.090) .

M‑2 — Heavy Manufacturing (Chapter 19.32)

Purpose / Typical uses: heavier industrial uses with larger parcel requirements.
Key dimensional standards:

• Minimum parcel area: 40,000 sq ft (except existing smaller legal parcels) (§ 19.32.060) .
• Building height: 40 ft (unless CUP) (§ 19.32.080) .
• Lot coverage: 60% (§ 19.32.090) .
• Setbacks: Front minimum 20 ft; side and rear rules include landscaped buffer and the same 1.5 ft per vertical foot transition where abutting residential (§ 19.32.100) .
  Where it applies / practical notes: landscape area minimums and irrigation requirements are explicit (e.g., 10% landscaping) (§ 19.32.130) .

CCM — Camarillo Commons Mixed‑Use (Chapter 19.21)

Purpose / Typical uses: mixed-use center pattern (integrated commercial/residential).
Key dimensional standards:

• Minimum zone area: 40,000 sq ft; min width 150 ft; min depth 200 ft (§ 19.21.070) .
• Minimum yard requirements: planning commission sets yard requirements within defined minimums: front 15–20 ft, no required interior side yards (but side yard adjacent to residential 20 ft), no required rear yard except where adjacent to a public street (§ 19.21.080) .
• Building coverage: set by planned development or conditional use permit (§ 19.21.120) .
  Where it applies / practical notes: CCM standards are applied via an integrated planned development review; parking and loading reference Chapters 19.44 and 19.46 (§ 19.21.090–19.21.095) .

A‑E — Agricultural Exclusive (Chapter 19.10)

Purpose / Typical uses: larger agricultural parcels and uses.
Key dimensional standards:

• Minimum acreage: 10 acres (or other suffix-specified minimum) (§ 19.10.050–19.10.060) .
• Setbacks: Front / Side / Rear: 50 ft minimum for habitations (§ 19.10.070) .
• Building height (O-S counterpart): open-space zones have 25 ft caps where applicable (§ 19.34.050) .
  Where it applies / practical notes: agricultural uses have performance standards (hazardous materials, animal setbacks) and separate rules for accessory structures (§ 19.10.070 and Chapter 19.54) .

Quick reference table — most decision-relevant items

Notes: The code uses percent lot coverage rather than a ubiquitous citywide FAR (floor-area ratio) number for most zones; a numeric FAR is not consistently specified in the retrieved materials (see "Information Gaps" below).

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (local code highlights)

• Confirm zoning district and subzone on the official map and the applicable zone chapter (Title 19); review zone uses and development standards (§ 19.06.010) .
• Provide evidence the parcel is a legal lot at application (§ 19.08.030; urban lot split rules where applicable) .
• Meet the district setbacks, height and coverage standards cited for the district (e.g., § 19.14.070 for R-1, § 19.16.080–100 for RPD, § 19.30.090–110 for M-1) .
• Provide required landscaping / screening per district (examples: 10% landscaping for M-2 § 19.32.130) .
• Demonstrate compliance with parking rules (Chapter 19.44) and any local parking exemptions (e.g., near Metrolink station) — see the city's parking page and § 19.21.080–19.21.090 where CCM references parking rules .
• If proposing ADUs, apply ADU sizing, setback and height rules in Chapter 19.14 and confirm exceptions that implement state ADU law (§ 19.14.170 and related ADU subsections) — see the city’s ADU page for process details (/us/california/camarillo/adu) (§ 19.14.170) .
• If development triggers design review or planned development review, include architectural plans, elevations and material samples for design review as required (see Camarillo Design Review) and the plan submittal requirements noted in the zone chapter (§ 19.14.040 and zone-specific plan review provisions) .
• Verify special overlay or project-area rules (historic, floodplain, or other overlay districts — see Camarillo Overlay Districts and the zoning map) .
• Prepare landscape plans and irrigation specs consistent with the city’s landscaping guidelines (§ 19.38.060) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English summary

Camarillo’s zoning (Title 19) controls how big and tall you can build by district: single-family R-1 lots have 7,000-sq-ft base lots with 20-ft front setbacks and 5–10 ft side yards, planned developments (RPD) and mixed-use areas (CCM) let the City approve alternatives within set ranges, and industrial zones ( M‑1, M‑2) typically limit height to 40 ft and coverage to 60%; accessory dwelling units follow the local ADU chapter (with state-law overlays) — always verify the exact § in Title 19 for your parcel before assuming numbers. See the governing code sections cited in each district subsection above for the precise rule that applies to your site (§ 19.02.010 et seq.) .

Information Gaps

• Specific numeric FAR (floor-area ratio) values for most zones: Not found in retrieved materials — the code consistently uses percent lot coverage or subzone density instead (see M‑1 / M‑2 coverage rules) .
• Where a parcel lies in a specialized specific‑plan or recently adopted overlay that alters the base Title 19 numbers: that must be checked on the official zoning map and any overlay chapter (overlay content was not included in the retrieved file extract; see city overlay map) .
• Any numerical updates adopted after the print export of the provided Title 19 extract (always verify the City's online code / planner for post-adoption amendments). Verify with the jurisdiction.

Source References

• Camarillo Title 19 — Zoning (print export): general purpose and definitions; see § 19.02.010 and Chapter headings for Title 19 (Title 19 general) .
• R-1 zone standards: § 19.14.050 (lot area / width table), § 19.14.070 (minimum yards), § 19.14.080 (garages) .
• RPD standards: § 19.16.070 (density), § 19.16.080 (yards), § 19.16.090 (height), § 19.16.100 (coverage) .
• R-E standards (rural exclusive): § 19.12.110 (height), § 19.12.140 (accessory buildings) .
• R-C standards: § 19.20.060–090 (lot area, height, setbacks, coverage) .
• M-1 (light manufacturing): § 19.30.070–110 (lot area, height, coverage, setbacks) .
• M-2 (heavy manufacturing): § 19.32.060–130 (parcel area, height, coverage, setbacks, landscaping) .
• CCM (Camarillo Commons Mixed‑Use): § 19.21.070–120 (lot area, yard minimums, building coverage set by PD) .
• ADU local rules (size, setbacks, height referencing state ADU law): § 19.14.170 (ADU standards), local ADU subsections and cross-references to state law (ADU materials in the code extract) .
• Subzone rules and minimum lot-width table: § 19.06.010 and the subzone suffix table (§ 19.06.010) .
• Landscaping / irrigation guidance reference: § 19.32.130 (landscaping standards for M‑2), § 19.38.060 (landscape/irrigation guidelines) .

Retrieved passages

• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 20) High relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) High relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 21155 (Section 21155) High relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (section is) High relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 19) High relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (Chapter 19.62) Medium relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (Title 19) Medium relevance show source text
• Camarillo Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Camarillo Title 19 — Zoning (print export): general purpose and definitions; see § **19.02.010** and Chapter headings for Title 19 (Title 19 general) . (Title 19)
• **R-1** zone standards: § **19.14.050** (lot area / width table), § **19.14.070** (minimum yards), § **19.14.080** (garages) .
• **RPD** standards: § **19.16.070** (density), § **19.16.080** (yards), § **19.16.090** (height), § **19.16.100** (coverage) .
• **R-E** standards (rural exclusive): § **19.12.110** (height), § **19.12.140** (accessory buildings) .
• **R-C** standards: § **19.20.060–090** (lot area, height, setbacks, coverage) .
• **M-1** (light manufacturing): § **19.30.070–110** (lot area, height, coverage, setbacks) .
• **M-2** (heavy manufacturing): § **19.32.060–130** (parcel area, height, coverage, setbacks, landscaping) .
• **CCM** (Camarillo Commons Mixed‑Use): § **19.21.070–120** (lot area, yard minimums, building coverage set by PD) .
• **ADU** local rules (size, setbacks, height referencing state ADU law): § **19.14.170** (ADU standards), local ADU subsections and cross-references to state law (ADU materials in the code extract) .
• Subzone rules and minimum lot-width table: § **19.06.010** and the subzone suffix table (§ **19.06.010**) .
• Landscaping / irrigation guidance reference: § **19.32.130** (landscaping standards for M‑2), § **19.38.060** (landscape/irrigation guidelines) .
• Camarillo_ZoningCode.md

• Official Camarillo code library