Cerritos — Overlay Districts

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

Overlay districts in Cerritos are site- or area-specific zoning layers that modify or add to the rules of the underlying zone (for example to allow an area development plan, emergency shelter rules, or special open-space uses). They are administered through the city’s zoning framework and are implemented by map designation, development-map amendment, precise plan, and permit approvals. See Cerritos Zoning for where overlays sit in the code and how they interact with underlying zones.

The sections below summarize the overlay districts explicitly codified in the retrieved Cerritos development code and the city’s Area Development Plan (ADP) overlays. All quoted requirements below are grounded in the Cerritos municipal code (the specific § citation is given with each rule). Verify parcel-specific application with the department of community development before committing to design work.

ADP-5.1 — Cerritos Auto Square Overlay Zone

• Purpose: The ADP-5.1 overlay is intended to guide expansion of the Cerritos Auto Square — allowing a coordinated mixture of office, industrial, and auto retail/dealership uses while protecting surrounding uses and promoting employment/tax revenue. § 22.61.020.
• Where it applies: East and west sides of Studebaker Road, generally between Artesia Boulevard (north) and the San Gabriel Freeway (I‑605) (south); an area map is adopted as part of the ADP. § 22.61.010, § 22.61.060.
• Typical permitted principal uses: auto retail dealerships (new and certain pre‑owned low‑mileage luxury vehicles), RV/marine/motorcycle dealers, and comparable uses by administrative determination — all subject to conditional use/precise plan approvals. § 22.61.080; use approvals criteria in § 22.61.070.
• Accessory uses: supporting offices, vehicle storage for sale, auto renting/leasing, auto repair, parts sales. § 22.61.090.
• Key dimensional/site standards (applies in addition to, or where inconsistent with, the underlying zone):
  • Minimum parcel area: 2.5 acres (smaller parcels may be considered in limited circumstances). § 22.61.110(1).
  • Maximum building coverage: 50% of net land area (existing buildings exceeding 50% may be allowed up to 65%). § 22.61.110(2).
  • Building height (west of Studebaker for parking structures): maximum five stories or 70 ft, whichever is lower; otherwise underlying zone height applies. § 22.61.110(3)(a).
  • Setbacks (for auto dealerships west of Studebaker): 25 ft minimum from face of street curb along Studebaker and Artesia; zero lot line may be permitted on other facades if offsets/landscaping are provided; 25 ft separation between structures on adjacent parcels must be maintained. § 22.61.110(4)(a–c).
• Approvals & process notes: A property does not receive ADP‑5.1 provisions until a development map amendment, conditional use permit, and precise plan are submitted and approved (see Chapters 22.90 and 23.90 referenced in the ADP). Where ADP rules conflict with the underlying zone, the ADP provisions govern. § 22.61.040.
• Other compliance items: parking and operational standards specific to auto uses (screening of overflow storage, test‑drive rules, loading/unloading restrictions) and the city’s environmental performance and art‑in‑public‑places programs apply. § 22.61.120, § 22.61.130, plus operational rules in ADP text.

Practical guidance: If you plan an auto-sales campus in the Auto Square, early coordination is essential—expect a precise plan with a dealership parking program, architectural design consistent with the ADP standards, and public notices as part of the conditional use/precise plan review. See Cerritos Design Review and Cerritos Parking for city expectations on design and vehicle space calculations.

M‑1 — Emergency Shelter Overlay Zone

• Purpose: The M‑1 overlay implements state requirements (SB 2) to allow emergency shelters in a defined portion of the industrial M zone while protecting surrounding uses. § 22.60.100.
• Where it applies: A defined subset of the industrial M zone (bounds are set by the development map adopted with the overlay). § 22.60.200.
• Permitted uses and approvals: One permitted emergency shelter (as defined) may be allowed by an administrative emergency shelter permit if it serves 30 or fewer beds / persons; shelters with over 30 beds are a conditional use and require a CUP (the code follows Government Code § 65583(4)). See definitions in § 22.60.150 and permitted use summary in § 22.60.250.
• Application & public process: Administrative permits require a written application to the community development department, fee, site/floor plans, public notice to property owners within 500 ft, and an informational public meeting before the planning commission; the department issues a written determination. § 22.60.300 (permit procedures summarized) and related subsections.
• Standards: The overlay zone is subject to the M zone rules and "applicable regulations contained in the Cerritos Municipal Code" as well as special M‑1 regulations (see Chapter 22.28 for the M zone and Chapter 22.60 for M‑1 specifics). § 22.60.100.

Practical guidance: Operators should prepare to demonstrate compliance with operational and safety standards and expect required public outreach and an administrative review timeline; for shelters >30 beds, budget for a CUP (public hearing). Verify business‑license and building safety requirements early. See the city’s Variances and Exceptions and Nonconforming Uses pages for related discretionary pathways.

OS‑1 — Open Space Overlay Zone

• Purpose: The OS‑1 overlay is applied to the OS open space zone to allow recreational vehicle (RV) storage as a conditional use in limited situations. § 22.31.100.
• Where it applies: Only where placed on the official zoning map; intended for non‑park open space such as utility easements, not for parks, schools, or community areas. § 22.31.200.
• Conditional use criteria: RV storage is permitted only if the parcel is at least 200 ft from a residential zone, park, or school and ingress/egress do not create traffic hazards; subject to CUP per § 22.31.300.
• Site development standards: street setback 25 ft and fully landscaped; lighting limited to 20 ft height; screening required if adjacent uses/public ROW are impacted; vehicle maintenance/washing and storage structures prohibited. § 22.31.400.

Practical guidance: OS‑1 is tightly constrained—expect landscape buffering and strict lighting/screening requirements. Confirm distance from residential uses and school/park buffers before pursuing a CUP.

Area Development Plans / ADP Overlays (ADP‑13, ADP‑19, ADP‑21, others)

• Legal role: An Area Development Plan (ADP) is a type of overlay that functions like a specific plan and can replace usual zoning regulations within its boundary; ADPs establish permitted uses, intensity and site standards, and illustrative/area maps that are adopted as part of the code. § 22.37.020; example ADP chapters include 22.37, 22.54 (ADP‑19), 22.56 (ADP‑21), 22.34, 22.15 (ADP‑5).
• Typical content: ADPs include an area map, permitted and accessory uses, intensity and site development standards, performance standards, and procedures for precise plan/subdivision approvals. See e.g., § 22.37.070 – § 22.37.150 for ADP‑13 content structure.

Practical guidance: ADPs are high‑level, map‑based overlays — they often require a precise plan to implement site design. If your parcel sits inside an ADP map area, review the ADP’s area map and intensity/site standards before designing. For design expectations, consult Cerritos Development Standards and the city’s Design Review page.

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant overlay rules

Checklist

• Confirm whether the subject parcel lies within an overlay boundary (check the ADP/overlay area map). § 22.61.060, § 22.31.200.
• If ADP/overlay applies, determine whether the overlay’s provisions supersede the underlying zone for your proposal; review § 22.61.040 and § 22.37.020.
• Identify the required entitlement(s): administrative permit, conditional use permit (CUP), development map amendment, or precise plan per the overlay chapter (ADP or M‑1/OS‑1 rules). See § 22.61.070, § 22.60.300, § 22.31.300.
• Prepare a site plan showing compliance with overlay site standards (parcel area, coverage %, setbacks, height) and a parking plan per the city’s parking rules. (See § 22.61.110 and the city’s guidance on parking).
• For ADP‑5.1 auto dealers: include vehicle display/storage screening, loading/unloading plan, and operational restrictions in materials. § 22.61.110 (operation/parking rules).
• For M‑1 shelters: include a program narrative (beds), operations plan, and schedule public notice/informational meeting. § 22.60.300.
• Confirm environmental/performance, art in public places, and other city program requirements referenced in the overlay chapter (e.g., environmental standards for ADP‑5.1). § 22.61.120–130.

(Helpful links: see Cerritos Development Standards, Cerritos Parking, Cerritos Design Review, Cerritos Variances and Exceptions, and Cerritos Nonconforming Uses for related submittal expectations. Also consult California Building Standards Code for building/permitting compliance.)

• Cerritos Development Standards — /us/california/cerritos/development-standards
• Parking (for parking program details) — /us/california/cerritos/parking
• Design review expectations — /us/california/cerritos/design-review
• Variances and exceptions — /us/california/cerritos/variances-and-exceptions
• Nonconforming uses — /us/california/cerritos/nonconforming-uses
• ADUs (note: ADU specifics are outside overlay scope but see city ADU rules) — /us/california/cerritos/adu
• California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — /us/california/building-codes

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Cerritos overlay districts (for example ADP‑5.1, M‑1, OS‑1, and multiple ADPs) are extra layers of zoning rules that apply only where the city map shows them. Each overlay says what uses are allowed, what permits you need (administrative permit, CUP, precise plan), and special dimensional rules (for example 2.5 acres, 50% coverage, 25 ft setback, 70 ft height in ADP‑5.1). Always verify the overlay map for your parcel and expect discretionary review steps for precise plans and conditional uses. § 22.61.040, § 22.60.300, § 22.31.400.

Source References

• Cerritos Zoning Code — ADP‑5.1 (Cerritos Auto Square): § 22.61.010–140.
• Cerritos Zoning Code — ADP‑5.1 use & standards excerpts: § 22.61.040; § 22.61.070; § 22.61.080; § 22.61.090; § 22.61.110–130.
• Cerritos Zoning Code — M‑1 Emergency Shelter Overlay: § 22.60.100; § 22.60.150; § 22.60.200; § 22.60.250; § 22.60.300.
• Cerritos Zoning Code — OS‑1 Open Space Overlay: § 22.31.100–400.
• Cerritos Zoning Code — Area Development Plans & ADP legal role (ADP‑13, ADP‑19, ADP‑21 examples): § 22.37.010–150; § 22.54.; § 22.56..

Retrieved passages

• Cerritos Zoning Code (Chapter 22.61) High relevance show source text
• Cerritos Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Cerritos Zoning Code (Section 22.61.040) High relevance show source text
• Cerritos Zoning Code (section may) High relevance show source text
• Cerritos Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance show source text
• Cerritos Zoning Code (chapter and) High relevance show source text
• Cerritos Zoning Code (Section 22.20.100.) High relevance show source text
• Cerritos Zoning Code (Chapter 22.60) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Cerritos Zoning Code — ADP‑5.1 (Cerritos Auto Square): **§ 22.61.010–140**. (§ 22.61.010)
• Cerritos Zoning Code — ADP‑5.1 use & standards excerpts: **§ 22.61.040; § 22.61.070; § 22.61.080; § 22.61.090; § 22.61.110–130**. (§ 22.61.040)
• Cerritos Zoning Code — M‑1 Emergency Shelter Overlay: **§ 22.60.100; § 22.60.150; § 22.60.200; § 22.60.250; § 22.60.300**. (§ 22.60.100)
• Cerritos Zoning Code — OS‑1 Open Space Overlay: **§ 22.31.100–400**. (§ 22.31.100)
• Cerritos Zoning Code — Area Development Plans & ADP legal role (ADP‑13, ADP‑19, ADP‑21 examples): **§ 22.37.010–150; § 22.54.*; § 22.56.***. (§ 22.37.010)
• Cerritos_ZoningCode.md