Dixon — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Dixon Zoning Code (Title 18) actually requires about land use: which uses are allowed where, what uses require discretionary review, and the headline dimensional/density/FAR controls you must meet. All requirements below are drawn from the Dixon Zoning Code; each rule is anchored to the controlling code section(s) so you can verify the exact language in the ordinance. See the checklist for what an applicant must demonstrate to get approval.

How the code is organized (quick)

• Base zoning districts (Residential, Commercial & Mixed‑Use, Industrial, Public/Semi‑Public) set permitted, administrative, or conditional uses via tables and present district purposes and development standards. See § 18.04.010, § 18.05.010, and § 18.06.010 for district purposes and § 18.04.020, § 18.05.020, § 18.06.020 for the land‑use tables.
• Development standards (setbacks, heights, lot sizes, FAR, density) are in each district’s development standards table; see the city's consolidated development standards. For the citywide approach to measurements and rules, see the Dixon Development Standards and § 18.02.030 for measurement rules.

Important procedural controls: projects that are allowed outright as “P” still must meet development standards and other citywide requirements; uses marked “A” require an Administrative Use Permit (notice; limited hearing/appeal) and “C” require a Conditional Use Permit (public hearing). See § 18.24.050 for the required findings for Use Permits.

When the page mentions regulatory topics for the first time they link to the City menu pages: parking, design review, Dixon Development Standards, Dixon Overlay Districts, Dixon ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

District-by-district breakdown

Residential Districts — RL and RM

• Purpose: The RL (Residential Low Density) district is intended for low‑density neighborhoods up to 9 dwelling units per acre; the RM (Residential Medium Density) district targets 10–22 dwelling units per acre. § 18.04.010.
• Typical permitted uses: single‑unit detached, attached single unit, multi‑unit dwellings, accessory dwelling units (see separate ADU rules at § 18.19.040) and other residential‑type uses; some group residential or large residential care uses are conditional. See § 18.04.020 (Table of uses).
• Key dimensional & density standards (headline): from Table 18.04.030 / § 18.04.030:
  • Maximum density: RL = 9 du/acre, RM = 22 du/acre.
  • Minimum lot size: RL = 7,000 sq ft, RM = 8,000 sq ft (smaller RL lots allowed by SB9 urban lot split rules — see § 18.04.040.B).
  • Front setback: 20 ft (standard; garage exceptions in the table).
  • Maximum height: RL = 30 ft, RM = 38 ft. § 18.04.030.
• Special rules and overlays: SB9 two‑unit development and urban lot split allowances are implemented in the RL district but they include numerous site exclusions and requirements (owner‑occupancy affidavit, size minimums, and prohibited locations such as prime farmland, FEMA floodplains, historic district parcels). See § 18.04.040.B for details.
• Where it applies: typical single‑family neighborhoods (see zoning map). Verify parcel zoning on the official map. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific constraints.

Practical tip: If you plan two units under the SB9 provisions in RL, confirm the lot is not in any of the excluded areas and that the required minimum setbacks, one parking space per unit (with certain transit exceptions), and the owner‑occupancy requirements are satisfied (see § 18.04.040 and related ADU rules).

Commercial & Mixed‑Use Districts — DMX, CMX, CAMX, CN, CR, CS

• Purpose and where they differ: see § 18.05.010. The DMX (Downtown Mixed Use) is downtown‑oriented with required active ground‑floor uses; CMX (Corridor Mixed Use) focuses on major corridors and requires mixed uses on larger sites; CAMX (Campus Mixed Use) is for employment/mixed nodes near interchanges and is largely implemented via PDs; CN (Neighborhood Commercial), CR (Regional Commercial) and CS (Service Commercial) each have different scale/intensity expectations. § 18.05.010.
• Uses: Table 18.05.020 lists uses (P/A/C/–) for each district (e.g., restaurants are P in DMX & CMX; bars/nightclubs are typically C). The CMX and DMX tables include many common commercial uses; CAMX land use is defined by an adopted PD. § 18.05.020.
• Key dimensional & intensity standards (Table 18.05.030 / § 18.05.030):
  • Floor Area Ratio (FAR): DMX max 3.0, CMX max single‑use 2.0 / multi‑use 2.4; CN 0.6, CR 0.8, CS 0.4. § 18.05.030.
  • Residential density (when allowed): DMX max 30 du/acre, CMX 12–28 du/acre; CAMX 15–30 du/acre but residential limited to no more than 40% of site area or 40% of total FAR in CAMX. § 18.05.030 and § 18.05.010.
  • Heights: DMX up to 50 ft, CMX 40 ft, CN 30 ft (with conditions allowing extra height >50 ft from residential districts by CUP). § 18.05.030.
  • Setbacks: DMX often allows 0 ft front setbacks to encourage street fronting; other districts have front setbacks 10–20 ft depending on district and adjacency to residential. § 18.05.030.
• Active‑frontage & mixed‑use site rules: In CMX sites of 2.5 acres or more, a minimum of one residential use and one commercial use per site is required and active ground floor frontage standards apply (minimum commercial frontage/depth and minimum floor‑to‑ceiling height). See § 18.05.020.A and § 18.05.030 (development standards & active frontage figures).
• Where it applies: downtown corridors, major arterial corridors, highway gateway parcels, and neighborhood commercial nodes.

Practical tip: Commercial projects frequently trigger site design rules (active frontage, ground‑floor use restrictions in DMX) plus parking minimums or shared parking strategies; check parking and the Table 18.05.020 use matrix before budgeting for land acquisition.

Industrial Districts — IL and IG

• Purpose: IL (Light Industrial) for small‑scale, low‑impact industrial; IG (General Industrial) for heavier industrial and warehousing. § 18.06.010.
• Uses: Table 18.06.020 lists industrial uses — many manufacturing, repair, distribution, and related commercial uses are P in IL and IG; some sensitive uses require CUP or are prohibited. § 18.06.020.
• Key development standards (Table 18.06.030 / § 18.06.030):
  • FAR: 0.6 maximum for both IL and IG. § 18.06.030.
  • Minimum lot size: IL = 20,000 sq ft, IG = 40,000 sq ft. § 18.06.030.
  • Maximum height: 40 ft (higher in IG except when adjacent to residential — see table). § 18.06.030.
  • Setbacks: Substantial interior setbacks adjacent to residential (e.g., 50 ft where adjacent to an R district); front and street side setbacks 10 ft typically. § 18.06.030.

Public & Semi‑Public Districts — PF and PR

• Purpose: provide for parks, schools, public safety, and other civic uses; see § 18.07.010. Development standards (FAR, setbacks and heights) are governed by Table 18.07.030; many standards defer to surrounding districts (most restrictive). § 18.07.030.

Overlay districts and special plans

• Planned Development (–PD) overlay: expressed as “‑PD” appended to a base zone; uses are limited to the PD Plan unless the PD allows others; PD procedures and minimum area are in § 18.09.010 – § 18.09.050. § 18.09.030 requires that only uses in the approved PD plan are permitted. See Dixon Overlay Districts.
• Specific Plan (SP) overlay: adopted specific plans govern where they apply; where silent the base code applies. § 18.10.010 – § 18.10.030.
• Groundwater Well (GW) Overlay: special rules and CUP requirements for wells on specific parcels (§ 18.08.010 – § 18.08.040).

Practical guidance: Always check whether a parcel has any overlays (–PD, –SP, GW, historic) because overlays frequently alter permitted uses, require special findings, or prohibit ministerial actions. See Dixon Overlay Districts and confirm on the official zoning map.

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant headlines

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy for a new land use/major change

• Confirm the parcel’s base zoning and any overlays (–PD, –SP, GW, historic). Verify whether CAMX is implemented by a PD. § 18.09.020, § 18.10.020, § 18.05.020.
• Confirm the use is listed as P, A, or C in the district’s land use table (Table 18.04.020, 18.05.020, or 18.06.020). § 18.04.020, § 18.05.020, § 18.06.020.
• Meet the district development standards (density, FAR, lot size, setbacks, height). See Table 18.04.030 / 18.05.030 / 18.06.030. § 18.04.030, § 18.05.030, § 18.06.030.
• Confirm parking requirements, and whether shared or reduced parking is allowed; consult parking and the land use tables.
• If the use is “A” or “C,” prepare an Administrative or Conditional Use Permit submittal and be ready to demonstrate the findings in § 18.24.050. § 18.24.050.
• Check citywide performance standards (noise, hazard, air emissions) in Chapter 18.17 and screening/landscaping rules (see Dixon Landscaping and Screening via the development standards). § 18.17.030.
• For residential projects that include ADUs, follow the ADU rules at § 18.19.040 and the local ADU page. See Dixon ADUs.
• If design compliance is reviewed, be ready for design standards in § 18.11.040 and any local design review process; consult the design review page. § 18.11.040.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Dixon’s Title 18 organizes allowed land uses by district (for example RL, RM, DMX, CMX, CAMX, IL, IG), and each district has a use table showing whether a use is Permitted, Administrative, Conditional, or prohibited; most dimension/density/FAR rules and special overlays are in the same chapters. Always check the table for your district, confirm overlays (–PD, SP, GW), and expect administrative or conditional review when the table shows “A” or “C.” Key code anchors: § 18.04.020, § 18.05.020, § 18.06.020, and the development standards § 18.04.030, § 18.05.030, § 18.06.030.

Source References

• Dixon Zoning Code (Title 18): Chapter headings, Residential districts and land‑use table: § 18.04.010 – § 18.04.020 and Table 18.04.030.
• Commercial & Mixed‑Use district purpose and land use table: § 18.05.010 – § 18.05.020 and development standards (Table 18.05.030).
• Industrial district uses and standards: § 18.06.010 – § 18.06.030 (Tables 18.06.020 and 18.06.030).
• Planned Development and Specific Plan overlays: § 18.09.010 – § 18.09.050; § 18.10.010 – § 18.10.030.
• Use Permit findings and procedures: § 18.24.050 (required findings); Administrative/Conditional Use Permit procedures referenced through Chapter 18.21.
• SB9 two‑unit development and urban lot splits in RL: § 18.04.040.B (standards and exclusions).
• General performance standards (nuisance, hazardous materials, noise): Chapter 18.17 (e.g., § 18.17.030).
• Development standards and measurements: § 18.02.030 (rules for measuring FAR, setbacks, and height) and the district development standards tables referenced above.

Retrieved passages

• Dixon Zoning Code (Section 18.05.020.) High relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (Chapter 18.24) High relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (Section 18.05.020.A) High relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (Section 18.05.020.A) High relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (Chapter 18.21) High relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (Chapter 18.05Commercial) Medium relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (Section 21155) Medium relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (§18.04.040.B) High relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (Chapter 18.34) High relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (Section numbers) High relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (§18.19.070) Medium relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (Section 18.05.020.A) Medium relevance show source text
• Dixon Zoning Code (Section 18.05.020.) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Dixon Zoning Code (Title 18): Chapter headings, Residential districts and land‑use table: **§ 18.04.010 – § 18.04.020** and Table 18.04.030. (Title 18)
• Commercial & Mixed‑Use district purpose and land use table: **§ 18.05.010 – § 18.05.020** and development standards (Table 18.05.030). (§ 18.05.010)
• Industrial district uses and standards: **§ 18.06.010 – § 18.06.030** (Tables 18.06.020 and 18.06.030). (§ 18.06.010)
• Planned Development and Specific Plan overlays: **§ 18.09.010 – § 18.09.050**; **§ 18.10.010 – § 18.10.030**. (§ 18.09.010)
• Use Permit findings and procedures: **§ 18.24.050** (required findings); Administrative/Conditional Use Permit procedures referenced through Chapter 18.21. (§ 18.24.050)
• SB9 two‑unit development and urban lot splits in RL: **§ 18.04.040.B** (standards and exclusions). (§ 18.04.040.B)
• General performance standards (nuisance, hazardous materials, noise): Chapter **18.17** (e.g., **§ 18.17.030**). (§ 18.17.030)
• Development standards and measurements: **§ 18.02.030** (rules for measuring FAR, setbacks, and height) and the district development standards tables referenced above. (§ 18.02.030)
• Dixon_ZoningCode.md

• Official Dixon code library