Glendora — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the City of Glendora’s zoning ordinance controls land use: what uses are allowed in which districts, where conditional use permits apply, and which development standards commonly govern projects. For a city-level orientation see Glendora zoning & planning overview. The legal rules live primarily in the Glendora Municipal Code (Title 21 in the version provided) and in several specific plans; the Route 66 Specific Plan is a notable example that uses Table 6-1 and Table 6-2 to map uses to subdistricts (§ 21.10.330 and § 21.10.350) .

Note: this page stays focused on land-use and zoning controls (what uses are allowed where and under what permit). For site-level technical development standards consult the city’s Glendora Development Standards and for building code compliance refer to the California Building Standards Code.

How Glendora’s Code is organized (quick orientation)

• Allowed-by-right, conditional, and prohibited uses are organized by zone or subdistrict in tables (for example Table 6-1 in the Route 66 Specific Plan) and by appendices (Table C, Table D, Table B in Appendix 21.A for many commercial, industrial and residential zones) (§ 21.10.330; multiple zone chapters) .
• Many numeric development standards (setbacks, heights, lot sizes, maximum coverage) are in appendices or the specific-plan tables; where those appendices are referenced but not reproduced here, the ordinance points you back to the appropriate table (Appendix 21.A / Table B / Table C / Table D) (§ 21.04.020; § 21.05.030) .
• Discretionary reviews commonly used are Development Plan Review and Conditional Use Permits; see the city’s rules on design review and the code references cited below (e.g., § 21.02.040 and § 21.10.410 referenced in the tables) .

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the principal zoning groups used in the ordinance with the code citations that establish the purpose and (where available in the retrieved material) typical permitted uses and key dimensional rules. Bolded district names are the exact local labels the code uses.

R-1 (Single‑family residence)

• Purpose: to provide for single-family residential development consistent with the general plan (single-family zone references are used throughout the residential chapters). See multi‑family chapter cross-reference for single-family allowed uses (§ 21.04.020) .
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family detached and attached dwellings; accessory buildings and limited home occupations (treated under the single‑family provisions referenced in multiple-family zone language) (§ 21.04.020) .
• Key dimensional standards: Not reproduced in the retrieved snippets — most numeric setbacks/lot sizes are in Table B (Appendix 21.A) referenced by the residential chapters. Verify with the jurisdiction and Appendix 21.A. (§ 21.04.020) .

R-2, R-3, GA, LGA (Multiple‑family residence zones)

• Purpose: medium‑ to high‑density multiple‑family housing and compatible uses (§ 21.04.020) .
• Typical permitted uses: multiple‑family dwellings (subject to Development Plan Review), supportive and transitional housing; single‑family zone uses may also be allowed subject to R‑1 development standards (§ 21.04.020) .
• Key dimensional standards: Lot area per unit, setbacks, heights specified in Table B (Appendix 21.A). Accessory building limits: detached accessory buildings may not exceed 1,600 sq ft and the maximum accessory height is 16 ft (one story) where specified (§ 21.04.020) .

C-1, C-2, C-3, CM (Commercial and Professional)

• Purpose: retail, service, office and related commercial uses (§ 21.05.010) .
• Typical permitted uses: uses shown in Table C (appendix). Adult businesses are restricted by proximity rules; service stations and hotels are allowed only in specified zones and generally require a Conditional Use Permit with numeric minimums when authorized (§ 21.05.010) .
• Key dimensional standards: See Table D (Appendix 21.A). Service station specifics (minimum pumps, lot area and frontage) and hotel minimums are spelled out where those uses are allowed (§ 21.05.010; § 21.05.030) .

M-1, M-1A, IP (Manufacturing / Industrial)

• Purpose: provide locations for manufacturing and industrial uses while limiting off‑site impacts (§ 21.05.030) .
• Permitted uses and CUP uses: listed in Table C (Appendix 21.A); many manufacturing/industrial specifics (setbacks, lot coverage) also in Table D (§ 21.05.030) .
• Design and refuse area requirements are explicit in the manufacturing chapter (screening of refuse, etc.) (§ 21.05.030) .

PD (Planned Development) and SP (Specific Plan)

• Purpose: allow comprehensive site planning and customized standards for major projects (§ 21.06.030; § 21.06.060) .
• Uses and standards: the council or the specific plan establishes permitted uses and specific development standards; specific plans supersede the general zoning where they apply (§ 21.06.030; § 21.06.060) .

R-4 (Railroad zone)

• Permitted uses: railroad purposes, passenger and freight facilities only (§ 21.06.040) .

OSN (Open Space — Natural)

• Purpose and permitted uses: conservation, trails, flood control, and limited public or quasi‑public uses; applied largely to public/quasi‑public property (§ 21.06.050) .
• Standards: site‑specific, determined case-by-case (§ 21.06.050) .

Route 66 Specific Plan subdistricts (BG, GCG, GRG, TCMU, GLG, CRR, RSC, LHG, TCO)

• The Route 66 Specific Plan creates subdistricts and its own use table (Table 6-1) and development standards (Table 6-2) that govern allowable uses and dimensional rules within the corridor (§ 21.10.320—21.10.350) .
• Examples of code-level requirements in the specific plan: mixed‑use rules (when mixed-use is allowed, residential must occupy at least 50% of floor area or conversely the plan can require no net loss of commercial square footage) and drive‑through lanes are allowed only with a CUP; the LHG subdistrict shows 0.30 FAR and 10 ft. front building setback in Table 6-2 and TCO shows 0.35 FAR and 20 ft. front building setback (§ 21.10.330; § 21.10.350) .
• Many specific-use standards (e.g., alternative fuels, broadcast studios, public utility structures) are explicitly tied to Table 6-1 and to special sections called out in the notes column (§ 21.10.330) .

Arboreta and other local specific plans

• The Arboreta specific plan establishes its own permitted residential uses and tailored development standards (e.g., accessory structures rules, temporary construction rules, and specific setback/lot rules in tables for that plan) (§ 21.12.180; § 21.12.190) .

Quick decision table (selected high‑value items)

Practical guidance (plain‑English synthesis / comparison)

• Where a project sits in a standard zone (for example R-1, C-2, M-1), the code points you to the appendices (Tables B, C, D in Appendix 21.A) for the numeric standards and the master use lists; the commercial and industrial chapters make repeated reference to those appendices so expect to consult both the zone chapter and Appendix 21.A before concluding what is allowed (§ 21.05.010; § 21.05.030; § 21.04.020) .
• Specific plans (Route 66, Arboreta, Village on the Green, etc.) override the generic zone rules where they address an issue — so a parcel within the Route 66 boundary follows Table 6-1/6-2 rather than the general C- or R- tables (§ 21.10.310—21.10.350; § 21.12.180) .
• Mixed‑use rules in Route 66 are stricter: where mixed-use is allowed, the ordinance requires that no project produces a net loss of commercial square footage and that at least 50% of combined floor area be commercial (or follow the specific table notes) — verify the particular subdistrict cell in Table 6-1 to confirm whether residential is allowed and under which permit (§ 21.10.330) .
• For many uses that frequently trigger controversy (service stations, hotels, public storage, adult businesses), the code either prohibits them near residences or requires a Conditional Use Permit with numeric minima and locational limits; check the specific zone’s Table C entry and the “standards for specific land uses” sections (§ 21.05.010; § 21.05.030; § 21.10.360) .

Helpful cross-references you will want when preparing an application: consult the city’s Glendora Zoning page, parking rules for off‑street requirements (specific plan and zone chapters reference off‑street parking sections), and design review / Development Plan Review procedures (§ 21.02.040 cited repeatedly in the zone chapters) .

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy for a land‑use determination or project)

• Confirm the parcel’s exact zoning/subdistrict and whether it lies inside a specific plan (e.g., Route 66 or Arboreta) — see § 21.10.320 / § 21.12.010 .
• Pull the applicable use table (Table 6‑1 for Route 66 or Appendix 21.A Table C for commercial/industrial, Table B for residential) and confirm whether the proposed use is P, CUP, MCUP, or “—” (prohibited) (§ 21.10.330; zone chapters referencing Appendix 21.A) .
• Identify whether Development Plan Review or Design Review is required (many non‑single‑family projects require review per § 21.02.040 and zone chapters) .
• For a use that triggers a Conditional Use Permit, confirm the specific findings and operating standards (many are in § 21.10.410 and in the “standards for specific land uses” parts of the code) .
• Assemble documentation to demonstrate compliance with parking, landscaping and screening, refuse area, and signage rules referenced by the zone (see the parking and landscaping chapters and zone‑specific development standards; parking is specifically called out for specific plans) and consult the city parking and landscaping and screening pages where applicable (§ 21.10.370; § 21.03.015) .
• If inside a specific plan, follow the specific‑plan development incentives/modification process if you seek reduced standards (planning agency may modify some standards in specific plan areas) (§ 21.10.350) .
• Verify nonconforming‑use implications if the parcel or structure has an existing nonconforming use or lot (see § 21.03.030 and § 21.10.340) .
• If adding an accessory dwelling unit, consult the ADU rules and the Glendora ADUs guidance and state ADU law references as necessary (§ 21.12.190 and other specific plan notes where ADUs are addressed) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Glendora’s zoning code assigns allowable uses by zone and by specific plan; many use lists and numerical standards live in appendices or in specific‑plan tables. Permits commonly required are Development Plan Review and Conditional Use Permits; specific plans such as the Route 66 plan add additional rules (for example, mixed‑use requirements and subdistrict FAR/setback standards) that override the general zone rules where they apply (§ 21.10.330; § 21.10.350) .

Source References

• Glendora Municipal Code — Route 66 Specific Plan: § 21.10.320 — Establishment of subdistricts; § 21.10.330 — Allowable land uses and permit requirements (Table 6‑1); § 21.10.350 — Zoning subdistrict development standards (Table 6‑2) .
• Chapter on Multiple‑Family Residence zones: § 21.04.020 (purposes, permitted uses, accessory building limits) .
• Commercial / Industrial Chapter: § 21.05.010 (commercial/professional purpose, service station & hotel standards) and § 21.05.030 (manufacturing/industrial permitted uses and development standards) .
• Special Use Zones (Planned Development, Railroad, Open Space Natural, Cemetery): § 21.06.030, § 21.06.040, § 21.06.050, § 21.06.010 (cemetery minimum setbacks, wall height, building height) .
• Nonconforming uses and lots: § 21.03.030 and the Route 66 cross‑reference § 21.10.340 (continuance and limitations on expansion) .
• Arboreta Specific Plan permitted uses and development standards: § 21.12.180 and § 21.12.190 (Arboreta specific rules) .
• Code text and appendices referenced throughout (Appendix 21.A / Tables B/C/D) — these appendices are repeatedly referenced in the chapters above; the text directs users to the appendices for numeric standards (e.g., residential Table B and commercial Table D) (§ 21.04.020; § 21.05.030) .

Retrieved passages

• Glendora Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Glendora Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Glendora Zoning Code (title and) High relevance show source text
• Glendora Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance show source text
• Glendora Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Glendora Zoning Code (§ 21.05.030.) High relevance show source text
• Glendora Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Glendora Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Glendora Municipal Code — Route 66 Specific Plan: **§ 21.10.320** — Establishment of subdistricts; **§ 21.10.330** — Allowable land uses and permit requirements (Table 6‑1); **§ 21.10.350** — Zoning subdistrict development standards (Table 6‑2) . (§ 21.10.320)
• Chapter on Multiple‑Family Residence zones: **§ 21.04.020** (purposes, permitted uses, accessory building limits) . (Chapter on)
• Commercial / Industrial Chapter: **§ 21.05.010** (commercial/professional purpose, service station & hotel standards) and **§ 21.05.030** (manufacturing/industrial permitted uses and development standards) . (§ 21.05.010)
• Special Use Zones (Planned Development, Railroad, Open Space Natural, Cemetery): **§ 21.06.030**, **§ 21.06.040**, **§ 21.06.050**, **§ 21.06.010** (cemetery minimum setbacks, wall height, building height) . (§ 21.06.030)
• Nonconforming uses and lots: **§ 21.03.030** and the Route 66 cross‑reference **§ 21.10.340** (continuance and limitations on expansion) . (§ 21.03.030)
• Arboreta Specific Plan permitted uses and development standards: **§ 21.12.180** and **§ 21.12.190** (Arboreta specific rules) . (§ 21.12.180)
• Code text and appendices referenced throughout (Appendix 21.A / Tables B/C/D) — these appendices are repeatedly referenced in the chapters above; the text directs users to the appendices for numeric standards (e.g., residential Table B and commercial Table D) (§ 21.04.020; § 21.05.030) . (§ 21.04.020)
• Glendora_ZoningCode.md

• Official Glendora code library