Cloverdale — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Cloverdale's zoning ordinance (Title 18) actually says about land use: which uses are allowed in each district, how the city's land-use tables and legends work, where conditional/plot-plan review applies, and which rules you must check before proposing a change of use. All mandatory requirements below are grounded in the Cloverdale Zoning Code; citations show the controlling § and the retrieved ordinance excerpts.

Quick navigation: the city enforces district-specific use tables (P / PP / C / NP), a conditional use permit process, and special-district rules (PUD, SP-1, etc.). Verify parcel-specific rules with the planning department.

How Cloverdale's land-use rules are organized (short)

• All properties in the city are subject to Title 18 and must be consistent with the General Plan (§ 18.01.040, § 18.01.050) .
• Uses are shown in district-specific "Uses Permitted" tables: Residential (Table 18.04.040-A), Commercial (Table 18.05.030-A), Industrial (Table 18.06.030-A), Public Institutional (Table 18.07.020-A), and special districts (e.g., SP-1) (§ 18.04.040, § 18.05.030, § 18.06.030, § 18.07.020, § 18.08.040) .
• Legend: P = Permitted; PP = Permitted subject to Plot Plan Review; C = Conditional Use Permit required; NP = Not Permitted. These legends appear at the top of each district table (e.g., Table 18.05.030-A, Table 18.06.030-A).

Note: Where a table marks a use "PP" it signals Plot Plan review; where "C" appears the use follows the Conditional Use Permit process (§ 18.03.110) and often triggers design review.

District-by-district breakdown — purpose, typical permitted uses, key standards, where it applies

Each subsection below is Cloverdale-specific and references the controlling code section.

R-R, R-1, R-2, R-3 (Residential zoning districts)

• Purpose: Implement General Plan residential policy and regulate single- and multifamily development consistent with neighborhood character (§ 18.04.040).
• Typical permitted uses: single-family detached (R-R, R-1, R-2 where allowed), accessory dwelling units (ADUs) (permitted in all residential zones), home occupations, residential care facilities (small facilities P; larger facilities may be permitted subject to CUP) (§ 18.04.040, cross-ref to § 18.09.180 for ADUs).
• Key dimensional standards: The code places minimum lot size / width / set‑back rules in the district development standards (see Table 18.04.* and Chapter 18.09 for accessory structures and setbacks). Specific numeric front/side/rear setbacks and lot-size rules are published in the development standards tables referenced in § 18.04.040 and accessory standards § 18.09.070. Where animals are concerned, required confinement and proximity rules (no closer than 25 ft to another residence; no keeping in front/street-side setbacks) are specified in the R‑district notes.
• Where it applies: city residential neighborhoods as shown on the Zoning Map; R-district uses and any exceptions must be consistent with § 18.01.060 (zoning map rules).

Practical note: ADUs are listed as permitted in these zones; check the Cloverdale ADU rules for unit-size/parking exceptions before assuming full parking counts apply. See the ADU summary for the city. (link to Cloverdale ADUs later).

DTC, TOD, O-R, G-C, S-C (Commercial zoning districts)

• Purpose: Provide for retail, office, service, hospitality, and mixed residential uses in commercial areas (§ 18.05.030).
• Typical permitted uses: Clerical/professional offices, retail, restaurants, multifamily above ground-floor commercial, live-work units (PP) depending on district. Some uses (e.g., automotive sales/repair, outdoor storage) are explicitly NP or limited depending on district and frontage. The Downtown Core (DTC) has street-front restrictions that limit ground-floor residential on certain segments (§ 18.05.030, notes).
• Key dimensional/operational standards: Where a use is marked PP that use requires Plot Plan Review; conditional uses marked C require CUP and (if exterior work) design review. Specific development standards are found in the commercial development standards tables referenced in § 18.05.030 and elsewhere.
• Where it applies: downtown, transit-oriented, general and service commercial areas per the zoning map. Special rules for DTC street segments are in the table notes (§ 18.05.030).

Practical note: nonhosted vacation rentals in commercial zones require a CUP and must meet additional rules set out in § 18.09.260 (one unit per parcel, parking 1 space/bedroom, business license, inspections).

M-1 (General Industrial) and M-P (Industrial Park)

• Purpose: Support manufacturing, warehousing, R&D, and employment uses while minimizing impacts on residences and sensitive habitats (§ 18.06.020).
• Typical permitted uses: Light manufacturing, research & development, warehousing, professional offices (often incidental), wineries may be allowed. The industrial use tables distinguish size thresholds (e.g., <10,000 sf vs ≥10,001 sf) and change permit status accordingly (P / PP / C) (§ 18.06.030, Table 18.06.030-A).
• Key dimensional standards: Industrial site standards (minimum setbacks, lot coverage, height, etc.) are set in Table 18.06.040-A and the industrial site development standards section (§ 18.06.040). For parking, industrial sites must meet Chapter 18.11 parking requirements noted in the industrial table notes.
• Where it applies: industrial areas per the zoning map and chapter 18.06. Verify use-specific thresholds for floor area that change permit requirements.

P-I (Public Institutional)

• Purpose: To provide for governmental, educational, civic and institutional uses consistent with General Plan policies (§ 18.07.020).
• Typical permitted uses: Government services, libraries, community centers, emergency shelters (PP in some cases); many institutional uses require CUP and also require design review. The PI table includes a legend and notes that CUP uses also require design review. (§ 18.07.020, § 18.07.020 Notes).
• Key dimensional standards: Table 18.07.030-A sets minimum lot size (6,000 sf), lot width (60 ft), lot depth (100 ft); setbacks and height are to be determined by CUP/design review (§ 18.07.030).
• Where it applies: public-institutional parcels shown on zoning map.

SP-1 (Resort Mixed-Use — Special Plan / Special District)

• Purpose: Special Plan area (e.g., resort mixed-use) with a precise development plan (PDP) requirement and tailored use allowances (§ 18.08.040).
• Typical permitted uses: The SP-1 list includes hotels (≥13 rooms), restaurants (no drive‑through/fast food for some areas), specialty grocery up to 5,000 sf, gyms, automobile rental agencies (no outdoor storage) and also allows many uses from M-P and G-C tables as specified in § 18.08.040. PDPs may substitute for plot plan review where noted.
• Key procedural standards: A Design Compatibility Analysis and a PDP are required for new development in the Resort Mixed‑Use area; some allowed uses remain subject to the same CUP requirements listed in the referenced tables (§ 18.08.040).
• Where it applies: the resort / gateway area defined in the specific plan language.

Other special districts and overlays

• Planned Unit Development (PD / PUD) allows flexibility and clustering per § 18.08.010; PUD/PDP permit processes modify base zone rules and require findings and sometimes design/historic preservation considerations.
• Historic properties and PUD modifications can alter parking and development standards if historic preservation requirements are met (§ 18.08 notes).
• For full list of overlays and their procedures see Chapter 18.08 and the overlay-districts page.

At-a-glance permitted-use table (decision-relevant summary)

(Each table in the ordinance includes the P/PP/C legend at its head — read the district table row for your specific use to see whether a Plot Plan review or Conditional Use Permit is required.)

How permitting and review fit together (practical synthesis)

• A use flagged P in the district table generally requires only the applicable building permits (and zoning-compliance clearances) if no other approvals are triggered. The table legends and notes govern applicability.
• A PP entry means Plot Plan Review is required — expect administrative design/site review (consult the development standards table and Chapter 18.09 references).
• A C entry means you must obtain a Conditional Use Permit under § 18.03.110. CUPs require findings and public hearings; new construction or exterior changes tied to a CUP also require design review (see § 18.03.110(C)).
• Many use tables include cross-references to specific definitions in Chapter 18.14 — always consult the use definition before concluding whether your operation fits a listed use. Not all “similar” uses are treated the same.

Practical links you will want during application:

• Review parking requirements early — many land uses will point to Chapter 18.11 for required spaces. Cloverdale parking rules may allow shared parking or reductions in special districts. See the Cloverdale Parking page for guidance.
• Consult the city design review rules for any exterior changes that accompany a use change; CUPs often mandate design review.
• For development dimensional rules consult the consolidated development standards tables referenced in each district chapter.
• If your site is in a special plan or overlay (PUD, SP‑1, historic), that overlay's rules may supersede or modify base-zone rules. See the Cloverdale Overlay Districts and Historic Preservation pages for details.

(Links below: first time the topics above are mentioned their words are hyperlinked to the Cloverdale reference pages: parking, development standards, design review, overlay districts, historic preservation, ADUs, California Building Standards Code.)

• The city requires consistency with the General Plan; where a proposed use is inconsistent the applicant must seek a General Plan and/or Title 18 amendment (§ 18.01.050).

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy to propose a new use / change of use)

• Confirm base zone on the official Zoning Map and applicable overlay(s) (§ 18.01.060).
• Find your proposed use in the district "Uses Permitted" table (Residential § 18.04.040, Commercial § 18.05.030, Industrial § 18.06.030, PI § 18.07.020, SP‑1 § 18.08.040) and note legend entry (P / PP / C).
• If PP, prepare a Plot Plan addressing site/landscaping/parking and submittal checklist per development standards and Chapter 18.09.
• If C, prepare a Conditional Use Permit application and evidence for the CUP findings in § 18.03.110; anticipate public hearing and possible design review.
• Verify parking counts with Chapter 18.11 and whether shared or reduced parking applies (overlays or historic status can modify requirements).
• Check special requirements (e.g., nonhosted vacation rental rules § 18.09.260, ADU rules § 18.09.180, cannabis rules in Chapter 18.15) as applicable.
• Ensure consistency with the Cloverdale general plan or file for amendments where necessary (§ 18.01.050).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Cloverdale's zoning ordinance lists allowed and conditional uses in district-specific use tables (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Public Institutional, plus special districts). Each use is marked P (permitted), PP (plot-plan review), C (conditional use permit), or NP (not permitted) — check the table row for your parcel and expect CUPs to require public hearings and design review (§ 18.03.110). Confirm parking (Chapter 18.11), ADU rules, and any overlay/PUD modifications before you file.

Source References

• Cloverdale Zoning — Title 18 (general authority, applicability, zoning districts): § 18.01.030–18.01.060.
• Residential use table: § 18.04.040 (Table 18.04.040‑A).
• Commercial use table and DTC notes: § 18.05.030 (Table 18.05.030‑A).
• Industrial use table and industrial site standards: § 18.06.020, § 18.06.030, § 18.06.040 (Table 18.06.030‑A; Table 18.06.040‑A).
• Public Institutional uses and site standards: § 18.07.020, § 18.07.030 (Table 18.07.020‑A; Table 18.07.030‑A).
• Conditional Use Permit procedure and findings: § 18.03.110.
• Special zoning districts (PUD, SP‑1 Resort Mixed‑Use, etc.): § 18.08.010, § 18.08.040.
• Nonhosted vacation rentals: § 18.09.260.
• ADUs & accessory dwelling references: § 18.09.180 and cross-references in the residential table.
• Parking chapter referenced in multiple use-table notes: Chapter 18.11 (see use-table notes).

External (where the ordinance text was obtained):

• Cloverdale Zoning Code (Title 18) as published on the municipal code / eCode360 site (downloaded excerpts used in this summary). Retrieved ordinance pages referenced above. (Verify with the city for the most recent updates.)

Retrieved passages

• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.06.030) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.05.030) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.08.040) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.05.030) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (Chapter 18.14.) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.04.030) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.05.030) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Cloverdale Zoning — Title 18 (general authority, applicability, zoning districts): § **18.01.030–18.01.060**. (Title 18)
• Residential use table: § **18.04.040** (Table 18.04.040‑A).
• Commercial use table and DTC notes: § **18.05.030** (Table 18.05.030‑A).
• Industrial use table and industrial site standards: § **18.06.020**, § **18.06.030**, § **18.06.040** (Table 18.06.030‑A; Table 18.06.040‑A).
• Public Institutional uses and site standards: § **18.07.020**, § **18.07.030** (Table 18.07.020‑A; Table 18.07.030‑A).
• Conditional Use Permit procedure and findings: § **18.03.110**.
• Special zoning districts (PUD, SP‑1 Resort Mixed‑Use, etc.): § **18.08.010**, § **18.08.040**.
• Nonhosted vacation rentals: § **18.09.260**.
• ADUs & accessory dwelling references: § **18.09.180** and cross-references in the residential table.
• Parking chapter referenced in multiple use-table notes: Chapter **18.11** (see use-table notes). (chapter referenced)
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (Title 18) as published on the municipal code / eCode360 site (downloaded excerpts used in this summary). Retrieved ordinance pages referenced above. (Verify with the city for the most recent updates.) (Title 18)
• Cloverdale_ZoningCode.md

• Official Cloverdale code library