Ferndale — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Ferndale regulates what you can do on your property by zoning district in the City of Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02-02. Each district lists principal permitted uses (by-right) and uses allowed only with a Use Permit, plus key dimensional limits like minimum lot size and setbacks. Combining zones (overlays) can further add or modify land use allowances and site standards. Start with the Ferndale zoning & planning overview, then confirm your parcel’s base district and any combining overlays.

If it’s not listed as a permitted use in your zone, you generally can’t do it; non-listed uses require a Use Permit or are prohibited per § 4.06.1, and any approved Use Permit “runs with the land.”

How to read Ferndale’s zoning map

• The City establishes principal zones R1, R2, R3, C1, C2, CH, ML, MH, FW, FP, PD, AE, and PF; combining (overlay) zones include -A, -B, -X, -D, -Q, -H, and -SPA (§ 4.01–§ 4.02). Confirm designations on the zoning map (§ 4.03–§ 4.04).
• Boundary rules clarify how lines follow streets, lots, or scale; where uncertain, the Planning Commission interprets (§ 4.05).
• General limitations apply citywide: only listed uses; respect height and yard rules of the zone (§ 4.06).

See Ferndale Zoning for the district map context, and Ferndale Development Standards for citywide dimensional rules that interact with your zone.

Snapshot of key land-use permissions and basic standards

For parking counts and shared parking, see Ferndale Parking; projects must meet § 7.16.

District-by-district details

R1 — Residential One-Family

• Purpose: Single-family neighborhoods where services can support detached homes (§ 5.02).
• Principal permitted uses: Single-family dwellings, small employee housing, vacation rentals; limited boarding and household pets (§ 5.02.1).
• Use Permit examples: Guest houses, non-commercial recreation (e.g., golf), bed & breakfast inns (§ 5.02.2).
• Key standards: 5,000 sf min lot; 20 ft front yard; 35 ft max height; 40% max ground coverage (§ 5.02.3).
• Notes: Single-family design criteria apply (§ 5.02.4).

R2 — Residential Two-Family

• Purpose: Areas suited to low–medium density consistent with the General Plan (§ 5.03).
• Principal permitted uses: Single- and two-family, multiple dwellings/dwelling groups, small employee housing, vacation rentals; SRO and supportive housing (§ 5.03.1).
• Use Permit: Guest houses, private institutions, B&Bs (§ 5.03.2).
• Key standards: 5,000 sf min lot; 20 ft front; 35 ft height; up to 18 du/ac (§ 5.03.3). ADUs/JADUs don’t count toward the cap (§ 5.03.3.g.i).

R3 — Residential Multiple-Family

• Purpose: Areas for low–high density multi-family (§ 5.04).
• Principal permitted uses: Multiple dwellings/dwelling groups, SRO and supportive housing; small employee housing; B&Bs (§ 5.04.1).
• Use Permit: Hotels/motels, mobile home parks, boarding houses, private institutions, offices (§ 5.04.2).
• Key standards: 5,000 sf min lot; 20 ft front; 45 ft height; up to 27 du/ac (§ 5.04.3). ADUs/JADUs don’t count toward density (§ 5.04.3.i).

C1 — Neighborhood Commercial

• Purpose: Neighborhood-serving retail/services near residences (§ 5.05).
• Principal permitted uses: Enclosed light retail/services and offices; vacation rentals with a dwelling permit; upper-floor dwellings/SRO/supportive housing (§ 5.05.1). First-floor residential requires a Use Permit (§ 5.05.2.a).
• Key standards: No front yard except when next to R districts (then match R front); 35 ft height (§ 5.05.3).

C2 — Community Commercial

• Purpose: Community-scale retail and services (§ 5.06).
• Principal permitted uses: Enclosed retail/services; dwellings/SRO/supportive housing; hotels/motels; vacation rentals/boarding houses; small animal hospitals (§ 5.06.1). Heavier commercial/industrial by Use Permit (§ 5.06.2).
• Key standards: Contextual front yard like C1; 45 ft height (§ 5.06.3).

CH — Highway Service Commercial

• Purpose: Services for traveling public along highway frontages (§ 5.07).
• Principal permitted uses: Restaurants, hotels/motels, auto service; outdoor on-site advertising (§ 5.07.1).
• Use Permit: Small animal hospitals/kennels, trailer camps, and certain dwellings/boarding (§ 5.07.2).
• Key standards: 15 ft front; R-abutting yards increased; 45 ft height (§ 5.07.4).

ML — Limited Industrial

• Purpose: Light manufacturing and heavy commercial uses of a non-nuisance type (§ 5.08).
• Principal permitted uses: Fabrication shops, contractors’ yards, wholesale, offices (§ 5.08.1). Some residential and lodging permitted with a Use Permit (§ 5.08.2).
• Key standards: 15 ft front; increased yards next to R; 50 ft height; screening for storage next to R (§ 5.08.3).
  Tip: Edge conditions will trigger fencing/planting screens; see Ferndale Landscaping and Screening.

MH — Heavy Industrial

• Purpose: Full-range industrial operations with controls to protect surroundings (§ 5.09).
• Principal permitted uses: Wide list of industrial and commercial uses; dwellings/hotels/motels also listed (§ 5.09.1). Intensive activities (petroleum storage, smelting, etc.) require a Use Permit (§ 5.09.2).
• Key standards: 15 ft front; increased yards next to R; 50 ft height; screening at R edges (§ 5.09.3).

AE — Agriculture-Exclusive

• Purpose: Preserve fertile agricultural areas and prevent incompatible encroachment (§ 5.13).
• Principal permitted uses: General agriculture, farm dwellings, small and large employee housing; nurseries/greenhouses; roadside stands; vacation rentals (§ 5.13.1).
• Use Permit: Feed yards, ag/timber processing, B&Bs (§ 5.13.2).
• Key standards: No subdivisions/residential tracts; 4-acre min lot; 30 ft front; 35% max coverage (§ 5.13.3).

PD — Planned Development

• Purpose: Large, comprehensively planned sites (§ 5.12). Any mix of uses may be allowed if consistent with the City’s General Plan and an approved precise development plan.
• Permit structure: Uses are established through a Use Permit with a precise plan; deviations from standard height/area/yard rules may be approved when they improve overall development (§ 5.12.1–5.12.3).

PF — Public Facility

• Purpose: Publicly owned lands and facilities (§ 5.14).
• Principal permitted uses: Schools, parks, public buildings, fairgrounds; emergency shelters allowed subject to specific standards (e.g., spacing, lighting, operations, parking to § 7.16) (§ 5.14.1).
• Dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials; confirm with the City.

FP — Flood Plain

• Purpose: Limit uses where inundation is likely (§ 5.11).
• Principal permitted uses: Agriculture, trailer camps/mobile home parks, roadside stands, recreation (§ 5.11.1). Residential and compatible commercial/industrial may be allowed with a Use Permit (§ 5.11.2).
• Key standards: 5-acre min lot; 20 ft front/rear; 10 ft side (§ 5.11.3).

FW — Floodway

• Purpose: Keep “design flood” corridors open (§ 5.10).
• Principal permitted uses: Open-land agriculture (no buildings), open-space recreation (§ 5.10.1). Limited utilities/structures by Use Permit (§ 5.10.2). No fixed dimensional standards beyond permit conditions (§ 5.10.3).

Combining and specialty overlays in Ferndale

• -A Agricultural Combining: Adds animal-keeping and ag-related allowances (e.g., 2 large animals per ½ acre; 200 small animals per ½ acre) with setbacks from residences; retail of ag products by Use Permit (§ 6.02.1–6.02.3).
• -B Special Building Site: Replaces base lot area/yards with a specified “B” standard (e.g., B-1 = 8,000 sf, 25 ft front; B-4 = 1 acre, 30 ft front). Check zoning map label (§ 6.03).
• -X Recreation: Adds public/private recreation, campgrounds, trailer/mobile home parks; min 5 acres, 300 ft width, 50 ft yards, 30 ft height (§ 6.04).
• -D Design Control: Requires a Design Review Permit for exterior changes; aims to keep new and altered structures/signs consistent with Ferndale’s historic character (§ 6.05; as amended 2024). Coordinate early with Ferndale Design Review and Ferndale Historic Preservation.
• -Q Qualified Combining: Adds a curated list of residential, office, small-scale retail, and similar uses; dimensional rules track the underlying zone; parking must meet § 7.16 (§ 6.06.1–6.06.3).
• -H Housing Combining: Applies to existing duplexes on the Ferndale Housing Project site (Fairview Dr. & Trident Ln.); principally permits the existing duplex units (§ 6.07).
• -SPA Streamside Protection Area: Extends 50 ft from Francis Creek’s top of bank or riparian dripline; development subject to specific General Plan LU policies (§ 6.08). See Ferndale Overlay Districts.

Process pointers that affect land use

• Use Permits and Special Permits: The Planning Commission may approve a Use Permit only if findings on use consistency, site suitability, CEQA, and compatibility are met; conditions may be attached, and approvals “run with the land” (§ 10.06–§ 10.10).
• Parking: All uses must meet off-street parking requirements in § 7.16, including any approved shared-parking arrangements; keep counts in sync with proposed uses. See Ferndale Parking.
• Design control and signage: In a -D area, exterior changes and signs need design review; signs must follow the City’s sign rules. See Ferndale Signage and Ferndale Design Review.
• Nonconforming: Existing uses/structures that don’t meet current zoning have special rules; expansion may be restricted. See Ferndale Nonconforming Uses. (General framework noted in Article 12 cross-references in overlays)
• Housing types: Supportive and transitional housing are treated as residential of the same type in the same zone per City definitions aligned with state law (see § 3 definitions and recent 2025 amendments). See California housing laws.
• ADUs: ADUs/JADUs don’t count against R2/R3 density caps (§ 5.03.3.g.i; § 5.04.3.i). Local ADU standards have been updated; see Ferndale ADUs.

Checklist

• Identify your base district and any combining overlays on the zoning map (§ 4.01–§ 4.04).
• Confirm your use is a principal permitted use; otherwise scope a Use Permit (§ 4.06.1; § 10.06).
• If residential in C1/C2, confirm whether it’s upper-floor by-right or first-floor needing a Use Permit (§ 5.05.1–5.05.2; § 5.06.1–5.06.2).
• Check dimensional rules: minimum lot area, setbacks, height, and coverage in your district (Article 5).
• Account for combining-zone standards (e.g., -B lot/yards; -X acreage/height; -SPA near Francis Creek) (Article 6).
• Verify parking meets § 7.16; include any shared-parking agreements in your submittal.
• If in -D, plan for design review and coordinate sign approach early.
• If in FP/FW, confirm feasibility and permit conditions given flood restrictions (§ 5.10–§ 5.11).
• If proposing supportive/employee housing, apply the zone’s listed allowances and state-aligned definitions (Article 3; Article 5).
• If existing use/structure is nonconforming, check limits before expanding. See Ferndale Nonconforming Uses.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Ferndale’s zoning tells you what you can do on your lot, by district. If your use is listed as “principal permitted,” you can typically proceed; if it’s only allowed “with a Use Permit,” the Planning Commission must approve it with findings. Check overlays like -D (design review) or -SPA (creek protection), and make sure your plan fits lot size, setbacks, height, and parking rules.

Source References

• § 4.01–§ 4.06 (Zones established; map; boundary and general use rules)
• § 5.02 R1 regulations (uses; standards)
• § 5.03 R2 regulations (uses; standards; density notes incl. ADU/JADU)
• § 5.04 R3 regulations (uses; standards; density notes incl. ADU/JADU)
• § 5.05 C1 regulations (uses; standards)
• § 5.06 C2 regulations (uses; standards)
• § 5.07 CH regulations (uses; standards)
• § 5.08 ML regulations (uses; standards)
• § 5.09 MH regulations (uses; standards)
• § 5.10 FW regulations (uses; permit-based limits)
• § 5.11 FP regulations (uses; standards)
• § 5.12 PD regulations (use-permit-based, precise plan; deviations)
• § 5.13 AE regulations (uses; 4-acre min; coverage)
• § 5.14 PF regulations (public uses; emergency shelters standards)
• § 6.02 -A (animal-keeping; setbacks)
• § 6.03 -B (B-1 to B-6 site/yard matrix)
• § 6.04 -X (recreation; 5 acres; 50 ft yards; 30 ft height)
• § 6.05 -D (design review procedures/purposes)
• § 6.06 -Q (qualified combining uses; parking to § 7.16)
• § 6.07 -H (housing combining for existing duplexes)
• § 6.08 -SPA (Francis Creek streamside protection)
• § 7.16 Parking (off-street requirements, shared parking notes)
• § 10.06–§ 10.10 (Use Permit findings; special permits; permits run with land)

Retrieved passages

• Ferndale Zoning Code (Section 7.16) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (section amended) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (Section 7.16) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (TITLE and) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§4.06) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§5.14) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (section amended) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§3.82) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§5.06) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (section amendments) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (section amendments) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§5.07) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (section amendments) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (section amendments) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (Section amended) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§6.04) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§6.03) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§5.12) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (section amendments) High relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§5.04) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• § 4.01–§ 4.06 (Zones established; map; boundary and general use rules) (§ 4.01)
• § 5.02 R1 regulations (uses; standards) (§ 5.02)
• § 5.03 R2 regulations (uses; standards; density notes incl. ADU/JADU) (§ 5.03)
• § 5.04 R3 regulations (uses; standards; density notes incl. ADU/JADU) (§ 5.04)
• § 5.05 C1 regulations (uses; standards) (§ 5.05)
• § 5.06 C2 regulations (uses; standards) (§ 5.06)
• § 5.07 CH regulations (uses; standards) (§ 5.07)
• § 5.08 ML regulations (uses; standards) (§ 5.08)
• § 5.09 MH regulations (uses; standards) (§ 5.09)
• § 5.10 FW regulations (uses; permit-based limits) (§ 5.10)
• § 5.11 FP regulations (uses; standards) (§ 5.11)
• § 5.12 PD regulations (use-permit-based, precise plan; deviations) (§ 5.12)
• § 5.13 AE regulations (uses; 4-acre min; coverage) (§ 5.13)
• § 5.14 PF regulations (public uses; emergency shelters standards) (§ 5.14)
• § 6.02 -A (animal-keeping; setbacks) (§ 6.02)
• § 6.03 -B (B-1 to B-6 site/yard matrix) (§ 6.03)
• § 6.04 -X (recreation; 5 acres; 50 ft yards; 30 ft height) (§ 6.04)
• § 6.05 -D (design review procedures/purposes) (§ 6.05)
• § 6.06 -Q (qualified combining uses; parking to § 7.16) (§ 6.06)
• § 6.07 -H (housing combining for existing duplexes) (§ 6.07)
• § 6.08 -SPA (Francis Creek streamside protection) (§ 6.08)
• § 7.16 Parking (off-street requirements, shared parking notes) (§ 7.16)
• § 10.06–§ 10.10 (Use Permit findings; special permits; permits run with land) (§ 10.06)
• Ferndale_ZoningCode.md