Cloverdale — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

Cloverdale's zoning rules are codified as a municipal zoning title (commonly referenced as Title 18 — Zoning) that divides the city into specific zoning districts, adopts a single official zoning map, and sets use and development rules for each district. Key procedural tools—plot plan review, conditional use permits, planned unit development permits (PUD), specific plans (SP), and planned developments (PD)—are defined in Chapter 18.03 and applied against the underlying districts. See the official rules on how the map is kept and how district boundaries are interpreted at § 18.01.060 .

(Links: the first time each related topic is mentioned below it is linked to the Cloverdale site page for that topic.)

• For a one‑page city overview see Cloverdale zoning & planning overview.
• For numeric development standards consult Cloverdale Development Standards.

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the principal zoning districts established in Cloverdale's zoning code (Title 18). Each subsection gives the ordinance purpose, typical permitted uses, key dimensional or programmatic standards shown by the code, and where that district is typically applied according to the municipal rules.

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

• Purpose: The residential chapter organizes lower‑density to higher‑density housing types and implements general plan density policies; see § 18.04.020 and § 18.04.030 for intent and densities .
• Typical permitted uses:
  • R-R (Rural Residential): cluster or large‑lot single family and uses consistent with rural character; where clustering is used, PUD provisions may apply (see § 18.04.060) .
  • R-1 (Single‑Family Residential): standard single‑family detached lots, accessory buildings, home occupations — single‑family detached is listed as permitted in § 18.04.040 .
  • R-2 (Mixed small‑lot/some multi): allows some small lot and attached products through PUD; specific multifamily allowed per Table 18.04.040-A § 18.04.040 .
  • R-3 (Multifamily Residential): multifamily units and related residential uses; accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are permitted in all residential districts per § 18.09.180 .
• Key dimensional standards and development rules:
  • Base use permissions (P / PP / C / NP) are organized in Table 18.04.040‑A; refer to § 18.04.040 for which residential uses are permitted in each district .
  • Front‑setback rules and exceptions (averaging, steep‑grade garage exceptions, allowable projections) are in § 18.04.050 (setback computations and yard paving limits) .
  • PUD permits can be used to reduce lot widths/front setbacks and to allow small‑lot single‑family in R‑R, R‑1, and R‑2 (see § 18.04.060 and § 18.03.130) .
• Where it applies: Residential zoning boundaries are shown on the official zoning map; where a lot is split by a boundary, the portion in each district is regulated by that district (§ 18.01.060 ) .

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

• Purpose: Provide for downtown core, transit‑oriented, neighborhood, and general commercial services consistent with the general plan and the station/downtown plan; see § 18.05.010 and the commercial chapter § 18.05.020 .
• Key districts and uses:
  • DTC (Downtown Core): pedestrian‑oriented commercial with mixed residential above or behind street‑front commercial; residential on first floor is limited in certain frontages per the PUD/DTC rules in § 18.05.050 and PUD provisions in § 18.08.020 .
  • TOD (Transit Oriented Development): higher FAR and height allowances intended to encourage pedestrian and transit-supportive development; see Table 18.05.040‑A in § 18.05.040 .
  • O-R (Office‑Residential), G-C (General Commercial), S-C (Service Commercial): varied commercial and office uses; use tables and permit classes are in § 18.05.030 and site standards in § 18.05.040 .
• Select dimensional standards (from Table 18.05.040‑A; see § 18.05.040):
  • DTC and TOD: lot coverage up to 100%, maximum FAR 3.0, maximum height 40 ft / 3 stories; minimum first‑floor retail ceiling 12 ft in DTC (table values) .
  • O‑R / G‑C / S‑C: typical lot coverage 60%, FAR 0.8–1.0, maximum height 35 ft / 2 stories (see § 18.05.040) .
• Where it applies: downtown corridors, Cloverdale Boulevard, station area and specified commercial corridors; map locations are governed by the zoning map and any station area/precise plan overlays (§ 18.01.060; § 18.05.010) .

Industrial districts (M-1, M-P)

• Purpose: Provide spaces for manufacturing, warehousing, research, wineries and compatible employment uses while locating heavier uses away from residences (§ 18.06.010 and § 18.06.020) .
• Typical permitted uses: M-1 (General Industrial) allows manufacturing, wineries, assembly, lumber mills, warehousing; M‑P (Industrial Park) favors professional office and R&D while still permitting light manufacturing/warehousing subject to conditions; use tables appear in § 18.06.030 (Table 18.06.030‑A) .
• Development standards: Industrial site standards and minimums appear in § 18.06.040 (site development standards table) — property development rules, setbacks and parking requirements are set there and cross‑referenced to the parking chapter .
• Where it applies: industrial areas shown on the zoning map; site suitability and buffers (including required landscape buffers where adjacent to residences) are spelled out in notes to Table 18.05.040‑A and Chapter 18.06 .

Public Institutional (PI)

• Purpose and uses: PI accommodates public and quasi‑public facilities (schools, government buildings, certain community facilities) with site development standards in § 18.07.020–.030 .
• Where it applies: properties owned or operated by public entities identified on the zoning map and in municipal inventories.

Special districts / overlays: Planned Unit Development (PD / P‑D), Planned Unit Development permits (PUD), Specific Plans (SP)

• Planned Unit Development (PD / P‑D): Establishes project‑specific standards where the PD is adopted by ordinance. The code lists multiple existing PDs with the underlying district indicated (for example P‑D/1 Jefferson Springs applies R‑1 standards except where modified) — see § 18.08.020 for the enumerated P‑D districts and their deviations .
• PUD permit (permit type, not the PD district): a ministered entitlement allowed in DTC, TOD, O‑R, R‑R, R‑1, R‑2 to provide flexibility for small lot or pedestrian‑oriented development; rules in § 18.03.130 and § 18.04.060/§ 18.05.050 .
• Specific Plan (SP): SP zoning districts are created to implement an adopted specific plan and are labeled on the map as SP‑X; procedures, minimum size (generally five acres), and subarea rules are in § 18.08.030 .
• Why it matters: PD/PUD/SP allow explicit deviations from base standards (setbacks, lot sizes, parking) but must be adopted/approved following the city’s amendment and public hearing processes (§ 18.03.080) .

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant standards and permit triggers

Practical guidance / synthesis

• Start at the zoning map: confirm the parcel's base district and any overlay PD/SP/Pre‑Zoning on file with the city clerk or planning director (§ 18.01.060) .
• Check the uses table that matches your base district (residential uses in § 18.04.040, commercial uses in § 18.05.030, industrial uses in § 18.06.030) to see whether your proposed use is P / PP / C / NP — that determines whether you need only a building permit, plot plan review, or a conditional use permit .
• If your parcel is within DTC or TOD and you plan mixed use or reduced setbacks, consult Table 18.05.040‑A for FAR/height/lot coverage expectations and anticipate design review or PUD discussions for deviations (§ 18.05.040) .
• For accessory units, reference the ADU chapter § 18.09.180 and the city's Cloverdale ADUs guidance; ADUs are listed as permitted in residential districts .
• Expect plot plan review (administrative) for many "PP" uses — the planning director administers this under § 18.03.120; appeals and hearings routes are defined in Chapter 18.03 .
• Cross‑check parking requirements early: parking and loading are in the separate parking chapter and are often decisive for commercial and industrial proposals — consult Cloverdale Parking and the referenced parking chapter in Title 18 (see use tables) .

Checklist

• Identify parcel zoning on the official map and note any PD/SP/Pre‑zoning (§ 18.01.060)
• Match proposed use against the district use table (residential § 18.04.040, commercial § 18.05.030, industrial § 18.06.030)
• Confirm whether the use is P / PP / C and secure plot plan review or conditional use permit per Chapter 18.03 (§ 18.03.120, § 18.03.100)
• Check applicable site development standards (setbacks, coverage, FAR, height) in § 18.04.050, § 18.05.040, § 18.06.040
• Verify parking and loading requirements and prepare plans in line with Cloverdale Parking and Title 18 cross‑references
• If seeking deviations, determine whether a PUD, PD, or SP process is required (§ 18.03.130, § 18.08.020, § 18.08.030)
• If historic or conservation issues exist, review historic modification provisions and Cloverdale Historic Preservation guidance (modifications may allow reduced standards)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Cloverdale's zoning code divides the city into named districts (for example R‑1, DTC, M‑1) shown on the official zoning map and uses a set of tables and chapters to say what you can build where and what dimensions apply; deviations are possible through PUD/PD/SP processes and plot plan or conditional‑use permits. Always confirm the parcel's map designation and whether a PD/SP or overlay modifies the base rules before assuming the base district standards apply (§ 18.01.060, § 18.03.080) .

Source References

• City of Cloverdale Zoning Code (Title 18) — Zoning districts and map: § 18.01.060. eCode360 download record: https://ecode360.com/CL4387
• Residential zoning use table: § 18.04.040 (Table 18.04.040‑A) — uses permitted in R‑R, R‑1, R‑2, R‑3
• Residential site rules and setbacks: § 18.04.050 (setback rules, paving limits)
• Commercial site development standards (Table 18.05.040‑A): § 18.05.040 (DTC, TOD, O‑R, G‑C, S‑C values)
• Industrial districts and uses: § 18.06.010 – § 18.06.030 (M‑1, M‑P and Table 18.06.030‑A) and site standards § 18.06.040
• PD / PUD / Specific Plan rules and enumerated PDs: § 18.08.020, § 18.08.010, § 18.08.030
• Plot plan review and discretionary process: § 18.03.120, § 18.03.130, amendment and zoning map procedures § 18.03.080
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): § 18.09.180 (ADU rules referenced in residential use table)

Retrieved passages

• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.05.020.) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (title shall) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.01.060.) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.07.030) High relevance show source text
• Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• City of Cloverdale Zoning Code (Title 18) — Zoning districts and map: **§ 18.01.060**. eCode360 download record: (Title 18)
• Residential zoning use table: **§ 18.04.040** (Table 18.04.040‑A) — uses permitted in **R‑R, R‑1, R‑2, R‑3** (§ 18.04.040)
• Residential site rules and setbacks: **§ 18.04.050** (setback rules, paving limits) (§ 18.04.050)
• Commercial site development standards (Table 18.05.040‑A): **§ 18.05.040** (DTC, TOD, O‑R, G‑C, S‑C values) (§ 18.05.040)
• Industrial districts and uses: **§ 18.06.010 – § 18.06.030** (M‑1, M‑P and Table 18.06.030‑A) and site standards **§ 18.06.040** fileciteturn0file1turn0file12 (§ 18.06.010)
• PD / PUD / Specific Plan rules and enumerated PDs: **§ 18.08.020**, **§ 18.08.010**, **§ 18.08.030** fileciteturn0file4turn0file6turn0file0 (§ 18.08.020)
• Plot plan review and discretionary process: **§ 18.03.120**, **§ 18.03.130**, amendment and zoning map procedures **§ 18.03.080** fileciteturn0file14turn0file14turn0file10 (§ 18.03.120)
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): **§ 18.09.180** (ADU rules referenced in residential use table) (§ 18.09.180)
• Cloverdale_ZoningCode.md

• Official Cloverdale code library