Chowchilla — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how the City of Chowchilla's zoning ordinance controls land use: where specific uses are allowed, when a conditional use permit is required, and the district-by-district development constraints that directly affect what you can locate on a parcel. For the master matrix of which uses are Permitted/Conditional/Administrative/Temporary, consult the land use tables in § 18.08.020 and § 18.08.030 (the tables themselves) — those tables are the controlling use lists for every zone.

Note: this page treats only land‑use rules in the local zoning ordinance (e.g., allowed uses, conditional uses, development standards tied to zone chapters). For building code requirements after a use is allowed see the California Building Standards Code. (/us/california/building-codes)

How to read the Chowchilla rules

• The city groups uses into residential and nonresidential tables; entries are marked P (permitted), C (conditional use permit required), A (administrative), T (temporary), or blank (not allowed) in § 18.08.020 and related tables.
• If a use is not listed, the director can classify a similar use as allowed/administrative/conditional per the rules for “other uses” in the tables; adding a new use to a table is a city‑council action under the findings in § 18.08.040.
• Where the zone chapters set dimensional and site standards (minimum lot area, setbacks, height) those numerical requirements control; the chapters also cross‑reference Chapters such as off‑street parking rules in Chapter 18.54, general site standards in Chapter 18.50, and the CUP (conditional use permit) rules in Chapter 18.80.

(For topics like landscaping, parking, and design checks see the parallel pages listed above: the city’s development standards, parking, and design review pages.) (/us/california/chowchilla/development-standards) (/us/california/chowchilla/parking) (/us/california/chowchilla/design-review)

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the zone chapters in the ordinance with the practical, decision‑relevant provisions found in each chapter. Each subsection cites the controlling chapter and the specific sections used for standards.

R-L (Low Density Residential)

Purpose & where it applies: The R-L zone implements low density residential areas and transition to agriculture; chapter application is stated in § 18.10.010.

Typical permitted uses: Uses are controlled by the residential land use table in § 18.08.020; single‑family dwellings are the primary use and accessory dwellings (ADUs) are allowed per the ADU rules referenced in § 18.10.050 (see § 18.60.030 for ADU standards).

Key dimensional standards:

• Minimum lot area: 20,000 sq ft (exceptions for urban lot splits under State law) — § 18.10.030.
• Minimum lot frontage: 40 ft — § 18.10.040.
• No more than one principal dwelling per lot (except ADUs) — § 18.10.050.

Practical note: landscaping and yard treatment obligations reference Chapter 18.52; required landscaping must be installed prior to occupancy per § 18.10.160.

R-M (Medium Density Residential — R-M-5 / R-M-6)

Purpose & where it applies: The R-M chapters apply to medium density residential neighborhoods; stated in § 18.12.010 as including both R-M-5 and R-M-6 and targeting densities of 2–12 dwelling units per gross acre.

Typical permitted uses: Controlled by the residential land use table § 18.08.020; primarily single‑family and small multi‑family consistent with the density range.

Key dimensional standards:

• Density guidance is explicit: 2–12 du/acre (chapter purpose) — § 18.12.010.
• Refer to the specific R‑M chapter and Table 18.08.020 for whether a particular housing type requires a CUP or is permitted.

Practical note: Check Chapter 18.60 for accessory dwelling unit (ADU) allowances and Chapter 18.50 for general development standards that apply across residential zones. (/us/california/chowchilla/adu)

MX‑D (Downtown Mixed‑Use Commercial)

Purpose & where it applies: The MX‑D chapter applies to downtown and is intended to provide a dynamic mix of uses — see § 18.26.010.

Typical permitted uses: Nonresidential and residential mixed uses per the commercial land use table § 18.08.030; the MX‑D chapter expects ground‑floor commercial with flexible upper floor uses.

Key dimensional standards:

• Minimum site area: 5,000 sq ft (unless smaller site approved by CUP) — § 18.26.030.
• Buildings generally built to the front lot line (zero front setback allowed for active frontage) — § 18.26.060(B).
• Maximum height: 50 ft (reduced to 35 ft where abutting residential R‑L / R‑M / R‑MH / R‑H / O / PF / OS zones) — § 18.26.080.

Practical note: MX‑D encourages shared driveways and alley access and defers parking standards to Chapter 18.54. (/us/california/chowchilla/parking)

C‑N (Neighborhood Commercial)

Purpose & where it applies: C‑N is intended for commercial uses that serve adjacent residential neighborhoods — see § 18.20.010.

Typical permitted uses: Local retail, personal services and small offices as listed in § 18.08.030; use status (P/C/A/T) is determined in the land use tables.

Key dimensional standards:

• Minimum site area: 2.0 acres (with provision allowing smaller existing sites to be developed) — § 18.20.030(A–B).
• Minimum lot frontage: 40 ft — § 18.20.040.

Practical note: C‑N development is tied to shared‑access/reciprocal parking agreements where lots are subdivided; parking standards remain in Chapter 18.54.

PF (Public Facilities)

Purpose & where it applies: The Public Facilities (PF) zone is for public and institutional uses (schools, utilities, parks, airport, fairgrounds) — see § 18.36.010.

Typical permitted uses: Public institutional uses identified in the chapter and classified by the land use tables (§ 18.08.030).

Key dimensional standards:

• No minimum lot area — § 18.36.030.
• Front setback: 15 ft — § 18.36.060(B).
• Height: 50 ft max (with larger rear setbacks adjacent to residential) — § 18.36.080.

OS (Open Space)

Purpose & where it applies: OS protects parks, open lands and similar uses; chapter application and standards are in Chapter 18.38.

Typical permitted uses: Passive open space, parks and accessory uses as listed in the land use tables § 18.08.030.

Key dimensional standards:

• No minimum lot area or dimensions in many cases — § 18.38.030–040.
• Building setbacks: 25 ft from front, rear and side lot lines — § 18.38.060(B–D).
• Max height: 35 ft — § 18.38.080.

Airport Overlay (AO) / Airport Overlay Zone

Purpose & where it applies: The Airport Overlay applies to lands mapped near the Chowchilla Municipal Airport and modifies base‑zone uses to protect air navigation; application is in § 18.40.010.

Typical use restrictions:

• Uses are limited to those allowed in the base zone, but the overlay adds constraints (no glare, no bird‑attracting facilities, no interference with navigation) and may disallow or require conditions for some uses even if the base zone permits them — see § 18.40.020 and the adopted Madera Countywide Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan cross‑references in § 18.40.020–030.

Practical note: If your parcel lies in the Airport Overlay, you must meet the overlay’s additional findings and ensure FAA and county ALUCP compatibility in addition to the base zone’s requirements. (/us/california/chowchilla/overlay-districts)

Quick reference table — selected decision-relevant standards and where to read them

Note: the full land use matrix is in § 18.08.020 (residential) and § 18.08.030 (commercial/other); always use those tables to check whether a specific use is P/C/A/T in a zone.

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (high‑level)

• Confirm parcel zoning designation on the official zoning map and read the zone chapter for that district (e.g., § 18.10.010 for R‑L, § 18.26.010 for MX‑D) —
• Consult the land use tables (§ 18.08.020 / § 18.08.030) to determine whether your proposed activity is P/C/A/T in that zone —
• If a Conditional Use Permit is flagged (a C in the table), meet the CUP findings and processing in Chapter 18.80 (findings, notice and conditions) —
• Confirm dimensional standards in the zone chapter (minimum lot area, frontage, setbacks, height), and reference the cross‑referenced general standards in Chapter 18.50 —
• Prepare parking and loading per Chapter 18.54 and address landscape/screening per Chapter 18.52 — (/us/california/chowchilla/parking)
• If your property lies inside an overlay (such as the Airport Overlay) follow overlay‑specific restrictions in Chapter 18.40 — (/us/california/chowchilla/overlay-districts)
• If the proposal is in the historic district, or design protections apply, check design review requirements — (/us/california/chowchilla/design-review)
• Verify nonconforming use implications before proposing a change of use—see the nonconforming uses chapter and rules on changing nonconforming uses (CUP required in certain cases) — (/us/california/chowchilla/nonconforming-uses)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Chowchilla’s zoning ordinance sets a matrix (the land use tables in § 18.08.020/030) that tells you, by zone, whether a specific business or housing type is permitted, requires a conditional or administrative permit, or is prohibited; each zone chapter (for example R‑L § 18.10, MX‑D § 18.26) then supplies the numeric rules (lot size, setbacks, heights) you must meet. Before you design or apply, check both the land‑use table for use status and the applicable zone chapter for dimensional and site rules — if the table marks your use with a C, read Chapter 18.80 for the CUP findings and processing.

Source References

• Chowchilla Municipal Code — Land use tables and related rules: § 18.08.020 (residential land use table) and § 18.08.030 (commercial/other table).
• Chapter 18.10 — Low Density Residential (R‑L): § 18.10.010–050 (purpose, permitted uses, lot area/frontage, dwelling units) and related standards.
• Chapter 18.12 — Medium Density Residential (R‑M): purpose/density (R‑M‑5 / R‑M‑6) § 18.12.010–020.
• Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Mixed Use (MX‑D): purpose and site standards § 18.26.010–090.
• Chapter 18.20 — Neighborhood Commercial (C‑N): purpose and site standards § 18.20.010–050.
• Chapter 18.36 — Public Facilities (PF): purpose and standards § 18.36.010–090.
• Chapter 18.38 — Open Space (OS): setbacks, height and open space rules § 18.38.030–120.
• Chapter 18.40 — Airport Overlay zone requirements § 18.40.010–030.
• Chapter 18.50 — General provisions and standards referenced by many zone chapters.
• Chapter 18.54 — Off‑street parking and loading (referenced by zone chapters).
• Chapter 18.60 — Accessory dwelling units (ADU) cross‑references for residential chapters.
• Chapter 18.80 — Conditional Use Permit standards and findings.
• Director/council additions to land use tables: § 18.08.040.

Other Chowchilla resource pages referenced above:

• Chowchilla zoning & planning overview
• Chowchilla Zoning
• Chowchilla Development Standards
• Chowchilla Parking
• Chowchilla Design Review
• Chowchilla Overlay Districts
• Chowchilla Nonconforming Uses
• Chowchilla ADUs
• California Building Standards Code

Retrieved passages

• CBC § 2 (Section 18.08.030.) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 2 (chapter shall) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 2 (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 2 (Section 18.08.030.) High relevance show source text
• Chowchilla Zoning Code (Chapter 18.86) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 2 (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Chowchilla Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance show source text
• Chowchilla Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Chowchilla Municipal Code — Land use tables and related rules: **§ 18.08.020** (residential land use table) and **§ 18.08.030** (commercial/other table). (§ 18.08.020)
• Chapter **18.10** — Low Density Residential (R‑L): **§ 18.10.010–050** (purpose, permitted uses, lot area/frontage, dwelling units) and related standards. (§ 18.10.010)
• Chapter **18.12** — Medium Density Residential (R‑M): purpose/density (R‑M‑5 / R‑M‑6) **§ 18.12.010–020**. (§ 18.12.010)
• Chapter **18.26** — Downtown Mixed Use (MX‑D): purpose and site standards **§ 18.26.010–090**. (§ 18.26.010)
• Chapter **18.20** — Neighborhood Commercial (C‑N): purpose and site standards **§ 18.20.010–050**. (§ 18.20.010)
• Chapter **18.36** — Public Facilities (PF): purpose and standards **§ 18.36.010–090**. (§ 18.36.010)
• Chapter **18.38** — Open Space (OS): setbacks, height and open space rules **§ 18.38.030–120**. (§ 18.38.030)
• Chapter **18.40** — Airport Overlay zone requirements **§ 18.40.010–030**. (§ 18.40.010)
• Chapter **18.50** — General provisions and standards referenced by many zone chapters.
• Chapter **18.54** — Off‑street parking and loading (referenced by zone chapters).
• Chapter **18.60** — Accessory dwelling units (ADU) cross‑references for residential chapters.
• Chapter **18.80** — Conditional Use Permit standards and findings.
• Director/council additions to land use tables: **§ 18.08.040**. (§ 18.08.040)
• Chowchilla zoning & planning overview
• Chowchilla Zoning
• Chowchilla Development Standards
• Chowchilla Parking
• Chowchilla Design Review
• Chowchilla Overlay Districts
• Chowchilla Nonconforming Uses
• Chowchilla ADUs
• California Building Standards Code
• Chowchilla_ZoningCode.md

• Official Chowchilla code library