Delano — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Delano's land-use rules are established in the city's zoning code (Title 17 / Title 20 in the code files) and organize what may be built and operated by zone district, with a permissive P / C / prohibited system and tables of dimensional standards. The code ties permitted uses to zone-specific tables and development standards (see § 20.4.30 for residential and § 20.3.21 for the Airport district) . Before preparing plans, check the official Zoning Map and the City's Delano Zoning & planning overview and the local development standards. Practical items applicants commonly run into (parking, lot setbacks, design review, overlays, ADUs, and reference to state building rules) are summarized below — see the code citations for the controlling rules.

Note: this page focuses only on the Delano zoning/planning ordinance language about land use (what may be located where and what approvals apply). For building code or tenant-law matters see the California Building Standards Code or state housing pages.

How the code is structured (quick)

• Use tables by chapter that list permitted (P), conditional (C), or prohibited (■) uses for each district. See Table 4.A (residential uses) and Table 6.A (employment districts) for examples § 20.4.30 and § 20.6.30 .
• Site development standards (minimum lots, setbacks, heights, lot coverage) are set in tables such as Table 4.B for residential and Table 6.B for employment districts § 20.4.30 and § 20.6.40 .
• Approvals: many uses permitted “by-right” still require ministerial Site Plan Review; other uses require a Conditional Use Permit (Planning Commission) § 20.2.65 and § 20.2.50 .
• Zoning overlays (airport safety, affordable housing overlay, etc.) modify base district rules — see the overlay chapter and Delano Overlay Districts and the Airport Safety rules § 20.3.21 and the H/PE overlay rules .

Below are district-by-district summaries of the most decision-relevant land-use rules (purpose, typical permitted uses, key dimensional standards, where the district typically applies). Each district title below is cited to the controlling code section.

R-A (Residential Agricultural) — purpose & where it applies

• Purpose: protect a rural/large-lot residential character; intended for very low-density single-family detached homes (maximum one dwelling unit per 2.5 net acres) § 20.4.20.1 .
• Typical permitted uses: single-family dwelling (P), accessory uses, limited commercial agricultural cultivation as permitted in the ordinance (P by Table 4.A; commercial cultivation conditions in the code) § 20.4.30 and the Commercial Agricultural Cultivation rules § 20.4.x / 20.6 .
• Key dimensions (from Table 4.B): minimum lot area 108,900 sq ft, minimum lot width 200', front/setback 40' for straight streets (cul‑de‑sac/knuckle lots same) Table 4.B (Chapter 20.4) § 20.4.30 .
• Approvals: typical single-family is permitted subject to site plan requirements; larger or non-residential agricultural uses may require a Conditional Use Permit § 20.2.65 and § 20.2.50 .

R-1 (Single‑Family Residential) — purpose & where it applies

• Purpose: protect detached single‑family neighborhoods; typical small‑lot suburban development up to 5 du/acre § 20.4.20.2 .
• Typical permitted uses: one single‑family dwelling (P), Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) allowed per local ADU rules § 20.11.200, home occupations (P), accessory structures (P) — see Table 4.A § 20.4.30 .
• Key dimensions (Table 4.B): minimum lot area 6,000 sq ft (interior), minimum lot width 60', front setback generally 15' (20' in some cases), side yard typically 5'–10' depending on story, max height 35' for typical residences; ADU-specific minimums and exemptions are in § 20.11.200 Table 4.B — § 20.4.30 .
• Approvals: single-family and ADUs are ministerial or Site Plan Review per Table 4.A and § 20.2.65; larger or commercial activities require CUP § 20.2.65 .

R-2 (Light Multi‑Family) and R-3 (Multi‑Family) — purpose & where it applies

• Purpose: R-2 for low-to-moderate density multi-family (up to 14 du/net acre); R-3 for higher density multifamily (up to 24 du/net acre) § 20.4.20.3–4 .
• Typical permitted uses: multifamily dwellings are P or C depending on district and intensity; accessory units and some group care and senior housing by CUP (see Table 4.A) § 20.4.30 .
• Key dimensions (Table 4.B): R-2 minimum lot area 9,000 sq ft; R-3 12,000 sq ft; front setbacks typically 20'; max lot coverage and heights increase with density — see Table 4.B for exact values § 20.4.30 .
• Approvals: multifamily projects frequently require Site Plan Review and for larger projects may be subject to ministerial/ministerial-by-right provisions in overlay districts § 20.2.65 and § 20.2.75 .

AP (Airport) — purpose & where it applies

• Purpose: to protect Delano Municipal Airport operations by allowing airport‑supporting, commercial, and light industrial uses compatible with airport function § 20.3.21 .
• Typical permitted uses: aircraft operations, hangars, aircraft-related manufacturing/repair, aviation support, museums (listed P or C in Table 3.C) — some airport infrastructure and passenger terminals may be conditional Table 3.C — § 20.3.21 .
• Key requirements: uses inside Airport Safety Review Areas must meet findings in the Airport Safety chapter; height limitations must conform to FAR Part 77 and the chapter’s standards § 20.3.21 and Airport Safety regulations § 20.3.x .
• Approvals: many airport-area projects require consistency checks, possible CUP, and additional findings from Community Development Director (or CUP by Planning Commission) § 20.3.21 and § 20.2.50 .

PA (Parks) — purpose & where it applies

• Purpose: land for parks, recreation, cultural facilities; supportive buildings and limited commercial uses are allowed § 20.3.22 .
• Typical permitted uses: public parks (P), public utilities supporting parks (P), larger recreational commercial uses by CUP (e.g., clubhouses, restaurants) Table 3.D — § 20.3.22 .

DI (Drilling Island) — purpose & where it applies

• Purpose: allow development of on‑lot petroleum production activities within specified mapped drilling island lots; uses strictly limited to oil & gas exploration, production, storage, related facilities and compatible open space § 20.3.40 .
• Typical permitted uses: oil/gas pumping/processing, support equipment; other non‑oil uses are excluded unless specifically allowed § 20.3.40 .
• Key standards: development standards address height (e.g., pumping units height caps), safety buffers, and separate procedures in Chapter 20.9 (Oil & Gas) § 20.3.40 and Chapter 20.9 .
• Approvals: special review and, where required, CUP and technical compliance with Chapter 20.9 conditions § 20.3.40 .

GC (General Commercial), DC (Downtown Commercial), CRC (Community Retail Commercial) — commercial districts

• Purpose: provide for general retail/commercial services (GC), downtown retail/office core (DC), and larger community retail / light industrial / office (CRC) § 20.3.x (commercial chapter) .
• Typical permitted uses: retail, offices, restaurants, personal services; specialized events (swap meets, farmers' markets) are limited to specific districts: Farmers' Markets allowed only in GC, DC, CRC, and I subject to CUP/City approval § 20.11.245 and related rules . Swap meets are limited to GC, CRC, and I and require CUP § 20.11.245 .
• Key site rules: Commercial uses follow Chapter 20.13 (parking), sign rules Chapter 20.14, and district-specific development standards in the commercial chapter § 20.13 / § 20.14 .
• Approvals: many commercial uses are permitted subject to Site Plan Review; more intensive uses (large recycling centers, swap meets) require CUP and specific operational conditions § 20.2.65 and use-specific sections § 20.5 / 20.11 .

I (Industrial) and Employment Districts (CRC & I) — purpose & where it applies

• Purpose: location for manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, research & development and limited commercial services; heavy industrial is constrained to protect adjacent uses § 20.6.10–20.6.20 .
• Typical permitted uses: manufacturing food processing, electronics, warehousing, truck terminals (per Table 6.A) — many uses are P for I, C or P for CRC depending on the activity Table 6.A — § 20.6.30 .
• Key site standards (Table 6.B): minimum parcel sizes (CRC 10,800 sf; I 10,800–15,000 sf), front setback commonly 20', max heights CRC 45', I 50', max lot coverage 60% § 20.6.40 / Table 6.B .
• Approvals & performance: employment districts must meet performance standards (e.g., screening, hazardous materials controls) and often require Site Plan Review § 20.6.40 and cross‑reference to Chapter 20.12 (Performance Standards) .

Quick decision table (most-applicant‑relevant)

(For exact use lists consult the full Table referenced in each district chapter; this table is a short, decision-focused extract.)

Checklist

• Confirm your parcel's zone on the official Delano Zoning Map and applicable overlays (e.g., Airport Safety, Affordable Housing Overlay). Verify base zone and overlays § 20.1.30; § 20.3.x .
• Check the specific permitted/conditional status in the zone’s use table (Table 4.A, 3.C, 6.A as applicable) § 20.4.30; § 20.3.21; § 20.6.30 .
• Review applicable development standards (Table 4.B, Table 6.B) for lot size, setbacks, height, lot coverage § 20.4.30; § 20.6.40 .
• Determine required discretionary approvals: Site Plan Review § 20.2.65 and/or Conditional Use Permit § 20.2.50 .
• Calculate parking demand early and confirm parking standards in Chapter 20.13 and special provisions for events (swap meets, farmers' markets) § 20.13; § 20.11.245 .
• For ADUs use the ADU rules and ministerial provisions § 20.11.200 and check Delano ADUs and state ADU law /us/california/california-adu-laws .
• If an overlay applies (Airport Safety, Affordable Housing Overlay), read the overlay provision because it may supersede the base district § 20.3.22; § 20.3.25 .
• If the use is not listed, request a Determination of Similar Use (Section 20.1.90) or plan for a discretionary hearing § 20.1.90 (verify with the Community Development Department) .

Tip: early pre‑application meetings with Community Development reduce risk of missing an overlay condition, an Airport Safety finding, or a special use standard.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Delano's zoning code lists what is allowed where using district tables and development‑standards tables; most homes and small businesses follow the tables and a ministerial Site Plan Review, while more impactful uses (e.g., large industrial, swap meets, farms on residential lots, airport‑adjacent uses) typically need a Conditional Use Permit and must meet district or overlay findings § 20.2.65; § 20.2.50 .

Source References

• Zoning ordinance purpose and administration — § 20.1.10–30
• Residential districts: purpose, permitted uses, and use table (Table 4.A) — § 20.4.20; § 20.4.30; Table 4.A
• Residential site development standards (Table 4.B — lot sizes, setbacks, heights) — Table 4.B (Chapter 20.4) § 20.4.30
• Employment districts (CRC, I): uses and Table 6.A; site standards Table 6.B — § 20.6.20–30; § 20.6.40
• Airport district and Airport Safety compatibility tables (Table 3.C / Table 3.B) — § 20.3.21 and Airport Safety chapter § 20.3.x
• Drilling Island (DI) district — § 20.3.40
• Site Plan Review — § 20.2.65
• Conditional Use Permits — § 20.2.50
• ADU rules and ministerial ADU provisions — § 20.11.200
• Swap meets and farmers’ markets (permitted zones and standards) — § 20.11.245 and farmers’ market rules in the use chapters § 20.11.x
• Employment district site minimums and special standards — Table 6.B / § 20.6.40

For district full text, exact table rows and every note (exceptions for cul‑de‑sac widths, garage setback exceptions, airport safety zone maps) see the cited sections above. When something is parcel‑specific (e.g., whether your lot is legally nonconforming or is inside an overlay boundary) verify with the Community Development Department.

Retrieved passages

• Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.10.180) High relevance show source text
• CRC § 20.14.60 (Section 20.14.60) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Chapter identifies) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Title not) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.10.180) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.2.50.6) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Section is) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Chapter 20.10) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.10.80) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• CFC § 1 (title report) Medium relevance show source text
• CRC § 20.2.65 (Section 20.2.65) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (section to) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (title report) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Zoning ordinance purpose and administration — **§ 20.1.10–30** (§ 20.1.10)
• Residential districts: purpose, permitted uses, and use table (Table 4.A) — **§ 20.4.20; § 20.4.30; Table 4.A** (§ 20.4.20)
• Residential site development standards (Table 4.B — lot sizes, setbacks, heights) — **Table 4.B (Chapter 20.4)** **§ 20.4.30** (Chapter 20.4)
• Employment districts (CRC, I): uses and Table 6.A; site standards Table 6.B — **§ 20.6.20–30; § 20.6.40** (§ 20.6.20)
• Airport district and Airport Safety compatibility tables (Table 3.C / Table 3.B) — **§ 20.3.21** and Airport Safety chapter **§ 20.3.x** (§ 20.3.21)
• Drilling Island (DI) district — **§ 20.3.40** (§ 20.3.40)
• Site Plan Review — **§ 20.2.65** (§ 20.2.65)
• Conditional Use Permits — **§ 20.2.50** (§ 20.2.50)
• ADU rules and ministerial ADU provisions — **§ 20.11.200** (§ 20.11.200)
• Swap meets and farmers’ markets (permitted zones and standards) — **§ 20.11.245** and farmers’ market rules in the use chapters **§ 20.11.x** (§ 20.11.245)
• Employment district site minimums and special standards — **Table 6.B / § 20.6.40** (§ 20.6.40)
• Delano_ZoningCode.md

• Official Delano code library