Colfax — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

Colfax’s zoning law is codified as Title 17 - ZONING and establishes the official zoning map, the list of base districts, and overlay/special-purpose zones that apply inside the city limits (Title 17). The ordinance organizes land into discrete districts (for example R-1, RM, C-R, C-H, MU-1, MU-2, I, O, R‑MHS, CD) and supplements those base districts with overlays such as the Historic overlay; the district list is set out in § 17.16.010. The official map is the controlling source for where a district applies and is on file with the City Clerk (§ 17.20.020–030) .

This reference focuses strictly on what Colfax’s ordinance says about zoning (districts, permitted uses, development standards and overlays), not building code or state housing law. For how zoning interacts with site standards see the city’s development standards page; for how zoning translates to required parking see the parking page.

How the ordinance is organized (quick map)

• The official list of districts is in § 17.16.010 (the ordinance names each district and its short code) and the official zoning map determines where each district applies (§ 17.20.020–030) .
• General development rules that apply city‑wide are in Article IV (e.g., Chapter 17.92) and accessory/use rules are in Chapter 17.96 .
• Design guidance and discretionary review standards live in the design guidelines and design review chapters; see Chapter 17.116 and related review procedures (planning commission/administration) .

District-by-district breakdown

Each subsection below gives the ordinance-stated purpose, typical permitted use types, the most decision-relevant dimensional standards cited in the code, and where the district is located (how the code controls location).

Note: always verify a parcel’s zoning on the official zoning map on file with the City Clerk before relying on a district rule (§ 17.20.030) .

O — Open Space

• Purpose: To protect lands for parks, recreation, and other open‑space uses; permitted uses must follow community design guidelines and other applicable requirements (§ 17.68.030) .
• Typical permitted uses: parks, passive recreation, community open space (per Chapter 17.68) .
• Key standards: development must comply with community design guidelines; additional site-specific standards determined by permits as required (§ 17.68.030) .
• Where it applies: shown on the official zoning map; custody and control of the official map are in § 17.20.030 .

R-1 — Single‑Family Residence (multiple sub‑tiers such as R-1-5, R-1-10, R-1-15, R-1-20, R-1-40)

• Purpose: Provide for quiet, low‑density family neighborhoods and related public/quasi‑public uses (§ 17.72.010(A)) .
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings (principally permitted “P”), compatible public/quasi‑public uses such as schools, libraries, parks (subject to chapter rules) (§ 17.72.010(A)) .
• Key dimensional standards (summary — full table in § 17.72.030): minimum parcel area varies by R‑tier (for example R‑1‑5 = 5,000 sq ft, R‑1‑15 = 15,000 sq ft); minimum front setback commonly 20 ft for several tiers; minimum side setbacks range (e.g., R‑1‑5 = 6 ft, R‑1‑10 = 8 ft) and maximum height typically 2½ stories or 30 ft for residential zones (§ 17.72.030) .
• Special notes: front‑yard depth may be set by the average of existing front yards on a block in some built-up areas (§ 17.72.030; Front Yards with Existing Buildings) .

RM (R‑M) — Multi‑Family Residence

• Purpose: Allow apartments, townhouses, and other attached housing at higher densities, especially within walking distance of downtown (§ 17.72.010(B)) .
• Typical permitted uses: multi‑family dwellings (garden apartments, condos, townhomes), subject to density sub‑class rules (§ 17.72.020–030) .
• Key dimensional standards: R‑M standards reference the R‑1‑5 metrics for single‑family units and contain separate maximum coverage and usable open‑space metrics for RM‑1/RM‑2 (for example RM‑1 site coverage 40%, RM‑2 up to 75%, and minimum usable open space 400 sq ft (RM‑1)) (§ 17.72.030) .

C‑R — Retail Commercial

• Purpose: Areas for shopping centers and retail/service facilities that serve neighborhoods (§ 17.76.010(A)) .
• Typical permitted uses: retail stores, personal services, restaurants (classification as principally permitted “P”, conditionally permitted “CUP” or administratively permitted “AP” in the use tables) (§ 17.76.020) .
• Key dimensional standards: maximum height 30 ft in C‑R (subject to design review as applicable); lot and yard standards vary with lot area — for a typical 5,000 sq ft lot, rear yard commonly 10 ft (more if abutting residential); see § 17.76.030–040 for full rules; clear vision triangle rules apply at corners (§ 17.76.030–040) .

C‑H — Highway Commercial

• Purpose: Commercial activities oriented to thoroughfare traffic (tourist/hotel, auto‑oriented services); detailed I‑80 corridor rules referenced (§ 17.76.010(B)) .
• Typical permitted uses: highway‑oriented retail, automotive services, lodging, restaurants (see the commercial use tables) (§ 17.76.020) .
• Key dimensional standards: maximum height 35 ft in C‑H unless modified by design review or specific plan; for a 5,000 sq ft lot typical front yard 25 ft, lot coverage max 50%, and larger side/rear setbacks where abutting residential (§ 17.76.030–040) .

MU‑1 / MU‑2 — Mixed‑Use (downtown and other mixed‑use)

• Purpose: Allow a mix of residential and commercial uses; MU‑1 is downtown‑oriented (higher FAR); MU‑2 supports lower intensity mixed use (Chapter 17.74) .
• Typical permitted uses: ground‑floor retail/office with residential above, apartments, and compatible commercial uses (§ 17.74.040) .
• Key dimensional standards: MU‑1 maximum FAR = 2.0 and minimum 625 sq ft net parcel area per dwelling unit. MU‑2 maximum FAR = 1.5 with residential density 10–29 du/acre (§ 17.74.040) .

I — Industrial

• Purpose: Light and heavier industrial uses where emissions and outdoor storage are controlled; heavier uses often require permits and are limited to areas away from residences (§ 17.80.010) .
• Typical permitted uses: light manufacturing, warehousing, assembly, research; some heavy industrial uses require CUP or administrative permits (see industrial use tables) (Chapter 17.80) .
• Key dimensional standards: the industrial district generally has no area, lot coverage, or yard requirements, except where a parcel adjoins a different district (adjacent district yard rules then apply); no blanket height limit except within 100 ft of an adjoining district, where the adjoining district’s height limit controls (§ 17.80.030) .

R‑MHS — Residential Mobilehome Subdivision

• Purpose: Govern design and placement of mobilehome parks and subdivisions; subject to state mobilehome park rules in addition to local rules (§ 17.72.010(C) and 17.72.040) .
• Typical permitted uses: mobilehome lots within planned mobilehome developments, associated recreation, storage, and common facilities (§ 17.72.040) .
• Key dimensional standards: planned mobilehome subdivisions must be ≥ 10 acres, setbacks from streets commonly 15–50 ft depending on circumstances, and parking standards specific to mobilehome parks apply (for example two parking spaces per lot, plus guest spaces) (§ 17.72.040) .

CD — Civic District

• Purpose: Provide for public and quasi‑public civic uses (schools, government facilities) and require compliance with community design guidelines (§ 17.68.040) .
• Typical permitted uses: government buildings, libraries, schools, community centers; development must meet design guidelines and other standards (§ 17.68.040) .
• Key standards: design guidelines apply; additional development standards set via permit or as required by Chapter 17.68 (§ 17.68.040) .

Historic Overlay (not a base district)

• Purpose: The Historic zone functions as an overlay to protect historic resources and the small‑town character referenced in the General Plan; it imposes additional requirements in Article IV and Article V and is mapped as an overlay on the official zoning map (§ 17.84.020) .
• Effect: Properties inside the historic overlay must comply with overlay requirements and applicable development standards in addition to the base district regulations (§ 17.84.020) .

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant standards and common code references

How accessory dwelling units (ADUs) interact with zoning

• Colfax allows ADUs and JADUs consistent with state ADU law; key local provisions are in § 17.196.050 (ADU allowances and size limits) and § 17.196.070 (JADU rules). The local code allows one interior ADU and one detached ADU up to 800 sq ft and 16 ft high (4 ft side/rear setbacks) on single‑family lots and includes rules for ADUs in multifamily settings (percent of existing units and up to 800 sq ft); ADU approvals cannot be conditioned on correcting legal nonconforming zoning conditions (§ 17.196.050–070) . See the city ADU guidance on the ADUs page. Also remember state standards can preempt local rules where state ADU law applies (reference: California ADU law).

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (zoning phase)

• Confirm the parcel’s base zone and any overlays on the official zoning map (§ 17.20.020–030) .
• Confirm your proposed use is listed as P, AP, or CUP in the applicable district’s permitted use table (e.g., Chapters 17.72, 17.76, 17.80) and identify whether a discretionary permit is needed (§ 17.72.020, § 17.76.020) .
• Meet the district dimensional standards: setbacks, lot area, lot width, site coverage, and height per the district (e.g., § 17.72.030 for residential; § 17.76.030 for commercial; § 17.80.030 for industrial) .
• Confirm parking requirements (district-specific and project-specific—mobilehome parks and some multifamily rules are in the code) and consult the city’s parking guidance; mobilehome parks have explicit parking math (§ 17.72.040) .
• Check overlay rules (Historic overlay and others) for additional standards beyond the base zone (§ 17.84.020) .
• Determine whether the proposal triggers design review or planned development rules and consult the design guidelines and Chapter 17.116 for findings and standards (design review approval criteria in § 17.116.050 and findings in § 17.40.070) .
• If requesting departures (variances, modifications, density bonus), assemble required findings/materials per Chapters 17.32, 17.40, 17.104, etc. (density bonus process: § 17.104.030–060) .
• Verify accessory structures follow Chapter 17.96 accessory structure rules (decks, sheds, fences, etc.) before design and site layout (§ 17.96.030) .
• For ADUs follow § 17.196.050–070 (size, setback and occupancy limits) and state ADU law; see the city ADUs page and state California ADU law for interplay .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Colfax’s zoning is organized under Title 17: the city map shows which district (e.g., R‑1, RM, C‑R, C‑H, MU‑1/MU‑2, I, O, R‑MHS, CD) applies to each parcel; each district sets the allowed uses (P/CUP/AP), setbacks, height, lot area and coverage rules, and overlays like the Historic overlay add extra requirements. Always read the specific district chapter (e.g., § 17.72 for residential, § 17.76 for commercial, § 17.80 for industrial) and check the official zoning map on file with the City Clerk to know what applies to a given site — then confirm whether design review, planned development, or a permit (variance/CUP) will be required (Verify with the jurisdiction) .

Source References

• Colfax Municipal Code — Title 17 - ZONING (print export): chapters and sections cited in this page; see specific sections below as noted in the body (official code text): § 17.04.010, § 17.16.010, § 17.20.020–040, § 17.24.010–030, § 17.72.010–040, § 17.72.030, § 17.76.010–040, § 17.80.010–030, § 17.84.010–020, § 17.96.030, § 17.116.010–070, § 17.196.050–070, § 17.104.030–060 .
• Official zoning map: official map is on file with the City Clerk and is the final authority on district boundaries (§ 17.20.030) .
• City design guidelines and design review chapter: Chapter 17.116 (design guidance and review findings) .
• City ADU rules: § 17.196.050–070 (ADU and JADU standards) .
• For implementation references and related topics consult the City pages used in this document: Colfax Land Use, Colfax Development Standards, Colfax Parking, Colfax Design Review, Colfax Overlay Districts, Colfax ADUs, and the state California Building Standards Code.

Retrieved passages

• Colfax Zoning Code (title and) High relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code (Article IV) High relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code (Section 17.196.050) High relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code (chapter does) High relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code (Chapter 17.180.) High relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code (Chapter 17.12) High relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code (Chapter 17.12.030) Medium relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code (Chapter 17.176.) Medium relevance show source text
• Colfax Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Colfax Municipal Code — **Title 17 - ZONING** (print export): chapters and sections cited in this page; see specific sections below as noted in the body (official code text): **§ 17.04.010**, **§ 17.16.010**, **§ 17.20.020–040**, **§ 17.24.010–030**, **§ 17.72.010–040**, **§ 17.72.030**, **§ 17.76.010–040**, **§ 17.80.010–030**, **§ 17.84.010–020**, **§ 17.96.030**, **§ 17.116.010–070**, **§ 17.196.050–070**, **§ 17.104.030–060** . (Title 17)
• Official zoning map: official map is on file with the City Clerk and is the final authority on district boundaries (**§ 17.20.030**) . (§ 17.20.030)
• City design guidelines and design review chapter: **Chapter 17.116** (design guidance and review findings) . (Chapter 17.116)
• City ADU rules: **§ 17.196.050–070** (ADU and JADU standards) . (§ 17.196.050)
• For implementation references and related topics consult the City pages used in this document: Colfax Land Use, Colfax Development Standards, Colfax Parking, Colfax Design Review, Colfax Overlay Districts, Colfax ADUs, and the state California Building Standards Code.
• Colfax_ZoningCode.md

• Official Colfax code library