Delano — Overlay Districts

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Delano’s zoning Title (the municipal zoning chapters numbered in the 20.x series) recognizes both overlay and combining districts that layer special rules on top of an underlying base zone. The main overlay/combining districts used in Delano are the Affordable Housing Overlay (AH), the Airport Approach Height Combining (H) district, and the Petroleum Extraction Combining (PE) district; each either supersedes or supplements the base zone regulations in specific mapped areas. The ordinance treats these as additional controls to be read with the Official Zoning Map and the base district standards (see § 20.1.110 and the Combining District definition) .

Delano practice: always read the overlay text first for a parcel in an overlay, then apply the underlying district standards except where the overlay explicitly supersedes them (the code repeats this rule for overlays such as the AH district) .

Note: this page stays strictly to what Delano’s zoning ordinance text says about overlays and combining districts, with citations to the controlling code sections.

Affordable Housing Overlay — AH (§ 20.3.25)

Purpose: The Affordable Housing Overlay (AH) is intended “to facilitate the development of higher density housing, including affordable housing” in the areas mapped as AH .

Typical permitted uses and review path

• Uses are the residential types allowed by the underlying zone, but with overlay-specific density and procedural rules. Notably, certain multifamily projects meeting affordability thresholds are processed ministerially (by-right) under the City’s ministerial review rules (see § 20.2.75) .
• The ordinance requires that owner-occupied and rental multifamily residential projects that include at least 20% affordable units be reviewed through the ministerial “by‑right” procedure set out in the code .

Key dimensional and numeric standards (what the AH actually changes)

• Minimum density: 20 dwelling units per net acre (or a maximum of 2,178 sq ft lot area per unit) for development within AH.
• Maximum density (where underlying zones cap density): the greatest of (a) the underlying zone’s density, (b) 29 dwelling units per net acre, or (c) 16 units on the site; density bonus rules still apply .

Where it applies and maps

• AH applies only where mapped on the Official Zoning Map; when AH provisions conflict with the base district, AH controls to the extent stated in § 20.3.25 .

Practical guidance

• If you are planning a multifamily project inside an AH area, calculate density per both the overlay and the base zone; confirm whether the 20% affordability threshold will qualify you for ministerial review under § 20.2.75 .
• Verify affordability (income levels) rules used for density bonuses under the code and state law when claiming incentives (see the density bonus provisions referenced elsewhere in the Title) .

Airport Approach Height Combining — H (§ 20.3.30)

Purpose: The Airport Approach Height (H) district protects aviation safety and land use compatibility around Delano Municipal Airport by adding height and land-use compatibility standards to the base zone in mapped areas .

Typical permitted uses and review path

• A use in an H district is governed first by the base zone — permitted, conditionally permitted, or prohibited uses remain those of the underlying district — but any use must also satisfy the airport compatibility and height rules in § 20.3.30 and related tables (including the referenced Table 3.B and the Airport Master Plan) .

Key dimensional and operational constraints

• Height: Structures, objects, and vegetation in the H district must comply with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 77 and the height limits set by the Chapter; in no case may local limits be less protective of aircraft safety than FAA standards (see § 20.3.30) .
• Setbacks/Yards/Other controls: Yards and setbacks default to the base district, but the H district may impose additional restrictions to achieve compatibility; other compatibility criteria (noise, glare, hazards) are spelled out in the section .

Where it applies and maps

• The H district applies only to the areas shown on the Official Zoning Map and references Table 3.B (Airport Compatibility Measures) in the Title; proposed development in H areas must also be consistent with the Delano Municipal Airport Master Plan and the Kern County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan as required by the code .

Practical guidance

• For any project in an H area, begin with a FAR Part 77 (obstruction) analysis and confirm compliance with the airport compatibility criteria in § 20.3.30; building heights and tree planting may be restricted even where the base zone permits higher structures .

Petroleum Extraction Combining — PE (§ 20.3.50)

Purpose: The Petroleum Extraction (PE) combining district designates lands with petroleum resources and adds extraction-specific rules to certain base zones (RA, NC, GC, CRC) where the PE combining district is mapped .

Typical permitted uses and review path

• PE allows oil/gas wells and accessory hydrocarbon facilities under specific distance and permitting rules. Some wells are permitted outright if they meet distance criteria; others require a Conditional Use Permit per § 20.3.50.3 .
• Drilling and production activities are also governed by Chapter 20.9 (Oil and Gas Production) and the Development Standards in § 20.9.40; PE points applicants to those chapters for operational and safety controls .
• Heights for oil equipment: No height limit during drilling on derricks/equipment, but pumping units are capped at 35 feet; other uses default to the base district height limits .
• Parking/operation: No minimum parking requirement for drilling/production activities (but operational parking areas must be dust‑controlled) .

Where it applies and maps

• PE may be combined only with specified base zones (RA, NC, GC, CRC) and applies where mapped on the Official Zoning Map; other uses in PE default to the base district unless prohibited by § 20.3.50 .

Practical guidance

• If you own a parcel in a PE area that contains or might host wells, verify the 300‑ft dwelling buffer and the 100‑ft ROW limits early, coordinate with the Community Development Department, and read Chapter 20.9 for production procedures and exemptions for “unrestricted drilling” in specified zones .

Retrieved passages

• Delano Zoning Code (Section remain) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Chapter identifies) Medium relevance show source text
• California Residential Code Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.2.50.6) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Section 65915) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 66321 (§ 66321) Medium relevance show source text
• CRC § 20.14.60 (Section 20.14.60) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Title or) Medium relevance show source text
• CRC § 20.14 (Chapter 20.14) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.1.90) High relevance show source text
• CRC § 20.3.40.2 (Section 20.3.40.2.b) High relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Chapter 20.9) High relevance show source text
• California Residential Code Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Chapter 20.9) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.10.180) Medium relevance show source text
• California Residential Code Medium relevance show source text
• CRC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Title 25) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Title are) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Delano Zoning: list of zone and special/overlay districts, **§ 20.1.110** (Official Zoning Map and district list) . (§ 20.1.110)
• **Affordable Housing (AH) Overlay**, **§ 20.3.25** (purpose, densities, ministerial review rule) . (§ 20.3.25)
• **Airport Approach Height (H) Combining District**, **§ 20.3.30** (purpose, FAA/FAR Part 77 compliance, compatibility criteria) . (§ 20.3.30)
• **Petroleum Extraction (PE) Combining District**, **§ 20.3.50** (permitted uses, distance and setback rules, pumping unit height, parking) . (§ 20.3.50)
• Definitions including **“Combining District”** and other definitions referenced in the Title (see definitions section of the Title) . (section of)
• Chapter **20.9 — Oil and Gas Production** for operational controls referenced by PE and DI districts (development standards and “unrestricted drilling” provisions) .
• Ministerial review rules referenced for AH by-right processing, **§ 20.2.75** (ministerial review for qualifying housing projects) . (§ 20.2.75)
• Official development standards and residential tables (example: Table 4.B) and other base‑zone requirements as referenced across the Title (see Tables and Chapter 20.4) . (Chapter 20.4)
• Exact map image/parcel‑scale overlay boundaries (the ordinance refers to the Official Zoning Map; the map itself was not included in the retrieved text). Verify mapping with Community Development. Not found in retrieved materials .
• Detailed procedural checklists or application forms for ministerial AH approvals or PE well permits — the ordinance points to procedures (e.g., Chapter 20.9 and the Community Development Director’s administration) but specific forms/process steps must be confirmed with staff. Not found in retrieved materials fileciteturn1file14turn2file4. (Chapter 20.9)
• Delano_ZoningCode.md

• Official Delano code library