Local zoning · Glenn County

Glenn County — Land Use

Land Use under the Glenn County local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how the Glenn County zoning ordinance regulates land use in the unincorporated areas of Glenn County (the ordinance is the county zoning code often published as Title 15/17 zoning chapters). It explains the purpose of each zoning district that applies to unincorporated areas, the typical permitted and conditionally permitted uses, the most decision‑relevant dimensional and siting standards, and where to verify parcel‑specific rules. All standards below are cited to the county ordinance text; verify parcel‑specific questions with the county. See the county zoning portal for the overall program and maps. Glenn County zoning & planning overview

Note on scope: this page covers only what the Glenn County zoning/planning ordinance says about land use (zoning districts, permitted/conditional/administrative uses, combining districts and major standards). It does not cover building-code (Title 24) requirements, general permitting steps, or landlord/tenant law. For design and site requirements you will likely need to consult the county’s development standards and site plan rules; see Glenn County Development Standards and the county parking guidance for lot‑by‑lot details.

Division note: the Glenn County zoning ordinance organizes land‑use districts in Division 15-3 (standard land use districts), Division 15-3 Part 2 (special districts) and Division 15-3 Part 3 (combining districts). The list of districts is in § 15.30.020.

District-by-district breakdown (unincorporated areas)

Each subsection below lists the district name in bold, the stated purpose, typical permitted uses, key dimensional standards and where the district is meant to be applied. All citations are to the controlling Glenn County ordinance sections.

AE — Exclusive Agricultural Zone

  • Purpose: Preserve agricultural land and prevent incompatible encroachment (§ 15.33.010) .
  • Typical permitted uses: one single‑family dwelling per parcel, additional residences on large acreage, crop production, livestock farming, agricultural services, agricultural processing plants (subject to performance standards), accessory buildings, home occupations (with permit) (§ 15.33.030) .
  • Conditional/administrative: uses exceeding performance standards require CUP; natural gas wells, agricultural homestays, and certain home occupations require administrative permits or CUPs (§ 15.33.040–.050) .
  • Key dimensional standards: AE subzones (AE‑20, AE‑40, AE‑80) set minimum parcel size (17, 36, 72 acres respectively); residential height max 35 ft, agricultural structures 50 ft; minimum front yard 30 ft, side/rear yards in code (§ 15.33.020, 15.33.060–.080) .
  • Where applied: large agricultural parcels in unincorporated county per zone map (§ 15.30.020) .

FA — Foothill Agricultural/Forestry Zone

  • Purpose: manage agriculture/forestry uses in foothill areas and protect watershed (§ 15.32.010) .
  • Typical permitted uses: agricultural crops, grazing, one residence per parcel, farm buildings, related accessory uses (§ 15.32.030) .
  • Key dimensional standards: minimum lot area 144 acres; residential height 35 ft, agricultural structures 50 ft; front yard 30 ft, side/rear 25 ft; site plan review required (§ 15.32.050–.090) .

AT — Agricultural Transitional Zone

  • Purpose: transitional areas moving from agriculture to low‑density residential (see § 15.34.010) Not all specific AT provisions were quoted in the retrieved materials. Verify parcel rules with county. Not found in retrieved materials.

RE — Rural Residential Estate Zone

  • Purpose: low‑density residential in rural settings (§ 15.35.010) Not fully quoted in snippets; typical uses are single‑family homes, accessory buildings. Verify minimum lot sizes and yards in the ordinance. Not found in retrieved materials for exact values.

RE‑NW — Rural Residential Estate Zone — North Willows

  • Purpose and application: site‑specific variant of RE with local placement rules; consult zoning maps and § text for unique lot sizes and standards. Not fully detailed in returned snippets. Verify with county. Not found in retrieved materials.

R‑1 — Single Family Residential Zone

  • Purpose: low‑density single family living where sewer/water services exist (§ 15.37.010–.020) .
  • Permitted uses: one single‑family dwelling per parcel; accessory buildings; one home occupation per dwelling (with permit); limited on‑site construction storage; limited vehicle repair (may require CUP) (§ 15.37.030) .
  • Dimensional highlights: placement limited to unincorporated areas with sewer/water; yard, height and lot requirements described in § 15.37.060–.090 (see ordinance) .

R‑M — Multiple Residential Zone

  • Purpose: higher density residential than R‑1; permits multi‑family housing subject to standards (§ 15.38 — snippets limited). Verify density and yard standards in code. Not fully quoted; verify with county.

MU‑R — Mixed Use Residential Zone

  • Purpose: mixed residential/commercial uses where appropriate; consult § 15.381 for permitted mix. Not fully quoted in snippets. Verify with county. Not found in retrieved materials.

LC — Local Commercial, CC — Community Commercial, C/SC — Commercial/Service Commercial

  • Purpose: different commercial intensities; each chapter sets permitted commercial uses, yards, heights, lot sizes (see § 15.39–15.42 and related subsections) .
  • Example (Community/Highway): the HVC — Highway and Visitor Commercial district explicitly permits food services, motels/RV parks up to 15 units, retail when serving traveling public, and sets front yard 20 ft (or 45 ft from centerline of roadway whichever is greater), side yard 5 ft, lot coverage max 50%, height max 30 ft (§ 15.43.020, 15.43.090–.100) .

M — Industrial Zone

  • Purpose: reserve areas for industrial plants and protect other uses from nuisance and hazards (§ 15.44.010) .
  • Permitted uses: a broad list of manufacturing and commercial support uses (food processing, furniture, machinery, wood products, research labs, warehouses) when enclosed and not obnoxious; non‑manufacturing service uses (ambulance, repair when inside building, building material sales if screened) (§ 15.44.020) .
  • Dimensional/performance: maximum building height 75 ft unless CUP; outdoor storage limited and screened; walls/fences required for conditional uses (§ 15.44.070–.080) .

MP — Industrial Park (MP) District

  • Purpose: cluster heavy commercial/light manufacturing in business parks, requiring good design and landscaping (§ 15.51.010) .
  • Uses: heavy commercial/manufacturing (enclosed), administrative offices compatible with the park, research & testing, certain outdoor storage limited to 15% of net lot area and screened (§ 15.51.030) .
  • Applicability: areas that are/will be served by public water and sewer and front County roads (§ 15.51.020) .

PDR — Planned Development Residential District

  • Purpose: allow creative residential planned developments with alternative standards tied to an approved general/specific plan of development; minimum parcel size 5 acres for rezoning to PDR (§ 15.48.010–.020) .
  • Uses: single family dwellings, crop/tree farming, open space/amenities consistent with approved plans; development requires a general plan of development and CUP for specific plans (§ 15.48.030–.040) .

PDC — Planned Development Commercial, MHP — Mobilehome Park (planned)

  • Purpose/uses: project‑level planned districts requiring general plans and CUPs; see § 15.49–15.50 for the specifics. Not fully quoted in snippets — verify with the ordinance.

TPZ — Timberland Preserve Zone

  • Purpose: adopted under the Z’Berg‑Warren‑Keene‑Collier Forest Taxation Reform Act to preserve timberlands (§ 15.45.010) .
  • Permitted uses: forest management, grazing, uses integral to timber production, one dwelling per TPZ contract; certain processing or extraction needs a CUP (§ 15.45.050–.060) .
  • Parcel rules: minimum sizes tied to state law (often 155 acres) and criteria for placement and stock standards (§ 15.45.020–.080) .

AP / FS — Agricultural Preserve / Farmland Security Zone (Williamson Act related)

  • These special land use districts implement or reflect Williamson Act contracts; permitted uses must meet Government Code standards for contracted land; see § 15.46–15.47 and the TPZ cross references. Verify any additional restrictions for energy projects and secondary uses (see § 15.86 on power generation).

RPM — Recreation and Planned Motorsport Zone

  • Purpose: planned large‑scale recreation or motorsport developments; minimum parcel size 160 acres for rezoning; projects require general plans of development and CUPs; site, signs, circulation, and open space standards are project specific (§ 15.52.010–.040) .

AV — Airport Zone and AVH — Airport Hazard Zone

  • Purpose: protect life/property around airports and regulate airport uses (§ 15.53.010, 15.54.010 for flood plain) .
  • Permitted: runways, hangars, fueling, terminals, aviation facilities; some commercial/industrial uses may be allowed with CUP; heights limited (example max 35 ft unless CUP) (§ 15.53.020–.040) .

Combining districts / overlays (examples)

  • FP — Flood Plain Management: flood hazard mapping, development permit, and construction standards are in § 15.54 (flood‑proofing and elevation standards) .
  • AVH — Airport Hazard Overlay: height and hazard restrictions are applied where required (§ 15.54–15.55). See the county’s overlay map and Glenn County Overlay Districts for parcel‑level overlays.

Practical note: many districts include a specific "Site Plan Review" requirement that must be satisfied prior to building permits (§ 15.32.090, 15.33.090, 15.43.110, 15.44.090, 15.51.120, etc.). See the individual district site plan sections and Glenn County Design Review and the county development standards for submittal requirements.

Quick Reference Table — key permitted uses & standards (decision‑relevant)

District Typical permitted uses (decision‑relevant) Key dimensional/lot rules Code Reference
AE Crops, livestock, one dwelling per parcel, agricultural processing AE‑20/40/80 min parcel sizes (17/36/72 ac); height res 35 ft; front 30 ft § 15.33.020, 15.33.060–.080
FA Foothill ag/forestry, one dwelling, farm buildings Min parcel 144 ac; front 30 ft, side/rear 25 ft § 15.32.050–.080
R‑1 Single family homes, accessory buildings, home occupation Placement where sewer/water; yards & heights in § 15.37.060–.090 § 15.37.020–.030
HVC Restaurants, motels/RV parks (≤15 units), traveler services Front yard 20 ft or 45 ft from centerline; lot coverage 50%; height 30 ft § 15.43.020, 15.43.080–.100
M / MP Manufacturing, warehousing, light industry; office support M height up to 75 ft; MP outdoor storage ≤ 15% of net lot, screened § 15.44.020, 15.44.070; § 15.51.030
PDR / RPM / PDC Planned developments require general plan of development and CUP Rezoning usually requires minimum acreage (PDR 5 ac, RPM 160 ac) § 15.48.020, 15.52.020
TPZ / AP / FS Timber/farmland preserve uses per state law TPZ parcels constrained by Government Code criteria; see § 15.45 § 15.45.010–.080
AV Airport facilities (runways, hangars, fueling) Height limits (typically 35 ft) and airport hazards controlled § 15.53.020–.040

(Use this table as a starting point; many districts have additional performance, screening and buffering rules; see the cited sections.)

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy for a land use in unincorporated Glenn County

  • Confirm zoning and overlays for the parcel on the county zone maps (unincorporated areas only) (§ 15.30.020) . See Glenn County Zoning.
  • Confirm whether the proposed use is a permitted, conditionally permitted (CUP) or administratively permitted use in that district (consult the district’s “Permitted Uses” and “Uses Permitted With A Conditional Use Permit” subsections; e.g., § 15.33.030–.040 for AE) .
  • Prepare a complete site plan and supporting documents for Site Plan Review (most districts require SPR prior to building permits; see district site plan sections such as § 15.32.090, § 15.43.110) and the county design review guidance.
  • Show compliance with yard/setback, lot coverage and height standards cited for the district (e.g., AE front 30 ft § 15.33.080, HVC front 20 ft or 45 ft from centerline § 15.43.090) . See Glenn County Development Standards for construction‑level rules.
  • For conditional uses, prepare materials addressing performance standards in Division 4, Part 1 and any special district constraints (environmental, noise, traffic). The ordinance ties CUP issuance to compliance with the performance standards (see district CUP lists).
  • If the parcel is under a Williamson Act contract or in a preserve (AP, FS, TPZ), confirm allowable secondary uses and state code constraints (see § 15.45 and § 15.86 for power generation rules) .
  • If project will change on‑site parking demands, consult county parking standards and include required spaces.
  • Confirm if height or other limits interact with airport overlays (AV/AVH) or floodplain (FP) overlays; consult the overlay map and Glenn County Overlay Districts.
  • If a residential accessory unit or ADU is proposed, verify local ADU implementation vs. state ADU law (county ordinance references state codes in some contexts; see California ADU law). Not all ADU provisions were found in the retrieved zoning snippets; confirm with the county. Not found in retrieved materials.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Williamson Act / preserve status Contracts limit allowable secondary uses, and some power/solar projects trigger special mitigation (§ 15.86, § 15.45) Confirm parcel is/ is not under Williamson Act and read § 15.86 power generation table for AP/FS/TPZ rules
Overlay districts (FP, AVH, etc.) Overlays can add height/use restrictions (floodproofing, airport hazards) (§ 15.54, 15.53) Verify overlays that apply to parcel with county zone map and read the overlay chapters before assuming uses are allowed
Performance standards referenced by districts Many districts require compliance with Division 4, Part 1 performance standards; these can be technical (noise, odor, dust) and trigger CUPs (§ 15.33.030, etc.) Read Division 4, Part 1 (performance standards) and prepare technical studies if use generates emissions, noise or traffic
Parcel‑specific lot rules & service availability R‑1 and other districts require sewer/piped water or service area placement; wrong assumption can block a use (§ 15.37.020) Verify public utilities/ sewer/ water availability and the lot’s conforming status before planning construction
ADU/local implementation State ADU law may preempt some local rules; ordinance text for ADUs was not clearly found in the retrieved snippets Confirm county ADU implementation and compliance with California ADU law — Not found in retrieved materials.

Plain‑English Summary

For parcels in the unincorporated areas of Glenn County, the zoning ordinance lists the specific uses allowed in each zone (agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, planned and special districts), and says when you must get a conditional use permit or administrative permit. Setbacks, heights and minimum lot sizes vary by district (for example AE is for agriculture with lot‑size subzones and a 30 ft front setback, 35 ft residential height; HVC requires a 20 ft front yard or 45 ft from centerline and caps lot coverage at 50%). Always check the parcel’s zone, any overlays, and the district’s “Permitted Uses” and site plan review rules before you build. (§ 15.30.020, § 15.33.030, § 15.43.090–.100).

Information Gaps

  • The retrieved materials contain the major district chapters but several district subsections were not fully quoted in the file snippets (for example AT, RE, RE‑NW, MU‑R, PDC specifics). Verify those district‑specific lot standards directly in the ordinance text or with the planning department. Not found in retrieved materials.
  • The county’s local ADU implementation text was not located in the retrieved excerpts; state ADU law may apply — verify with the county planning office. Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Full text of Division 4, Part 1 (performance standards) was referenced by multiple district chapters but the complete performance standards chapter text did not appear in snippets; review the county code for performance criteria (noise/odor/dust) when proposing industrial or intensive agricultural uses. Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

  • Glenn County Code — list of standard districts and zone map authority: § 15.30.020
  • AE — Exclusive Agricultural: §§ 15.33.010–.090 (purpose, subzones, permitted uses, CUP/administrative permits, heights, yards, site plan review)
  • FA — Foothill Agricultural/Forestry: §§ 15.32.010–.090 (purpose, min area 144 ac, yards, heights, SPR)
  • R‑1 — Single Family Residential: §§ 15.37.010–.100 (placement, permitted uses, yards, heights)
  • HVC — Highway & Visitor Commercial: §§ 15.43.010–.110 (permitted/conditional uses, front yard 20 ft/45 ft, lot coverage 50%)
  • M — Industrial zone: §§ 15.44.010–.090 (permitted uses, outdoor storage, walls/fences, height 75 ft)
  • MP — Industrial Park: §§ 15.51.010–.120 (purpose, MP uses, outdoor storage 15%, SPR)
  • PDR / RPM — Planned development and motorsport: §§ 15.48.010–.120, 15.52.010–.140 (plans required, acreage minimums, CUP requirements)
  • TPZ / Timberland Preserve: §§ 15.45.010–.080 (Z’Berg‑Warren‑Keene‑Collier authority, permitted and CUP uses)
  • AV — Airport zone: §§ 15.53.010–.050 (airport uses, height limits, CUPs)
  • Flood Plain / Combining districts: § 15.54 and related combining district chapters (floodplain standards and floodplain administrator duties)
  • Power generation (solar/other) table and permit matrix: chapter and table in § 15.86 (use/permit matrix by district)
  • Livestock operations standards (setbacks, manure handling, farm labor quarters): § 15.79.010

Also consult these county portal pages for related process and design materials:

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Glenn County Zoning Code (Section 51110) High relevance
  • Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Glenn County Zoning Code (chapter is) High relevance
  • Glenn County Zoning Code (Section 4561) High relevance

Cited sections

  • Glenn County Code — list of standard districts and zone map authority: § **15.30.020**
  • AE — Exclusive Agricultural: §§ **15.33.010–.090** (purpose, subzones, permitted uses, CUP/administrative permits, heights, yards, site plan review)
  • FA — Foothill Agricultural/Forestry: §§ **15.32.010–.090** (purpose, min area **144 ac**, yards, heights, SPR)
  • R‑1 — Single Family Residential: §§ **15.37.010–.100** (placement, permitted uses, yards, heights)
  • HVC — Highway & Visitor Commercial: §§ **15.43.010–.110** (permitted/conditional uses, front yard **20 ft/45 ft**, lot coverage **50%**)
  • M — Industrial zone: §§ **15.44.010–.090** (permitted uses, outdoor storage, walls/fences, height **75 ft**)
  • MP — Industrial Park: §§ **15.51.010–.120** (purpose, MP uses, outdoor storage **15%**, SPR)
  • PDR / RPM — Planned development and motorsport: §§ **15.48.010–.120**, **15.52.010–.140** (plans required, acreage minimums, CUP requirements)
  • TPZ / Timberland Preserve: §§ **15.45.010–.080** (Z’Berg‑Warren‑Keene‑Collier authority, permitted and CUP uses)
  • AV — Airport zone: §§ **15.53.010–.050** (airport uses, height limits, CUPs)
  • Flood Plain / Combining districts: § **15.54** and related combining district chapters (floodplain standards and floodplain administrator duties)
  • Power generation (solar/other) table and permit matrix: chapter and table in § **15.86** (use/permit matrix by district) (chapter and)
  • Livestock operations standards (setbacks, manure handling, farm labor quarters): § **15.79.010**
  • Glenn County Zoning
  • Glenn County Development Standards
  • Glenn County Parking
  • Glenn County Design Review
  • Glenn County Overlay Districts
  • California Building Standards Code — for building‑code matters (not covered here)
  • California ADU law — state ADU rules (check county for local implementation)
  • GlennCounty_ZoningCode.md

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an AE lot in unincorporated Glenn County?

You can generally grow crops, raise livestock, have one single‑family dwelling per parcel (with additional residences allowed at the AE‑20/AE‑40 density rules), accessory farm buildings, agricultural processing subject to performance standards, and certain farm services. Uses exceeding district performance standards typically require a conditional use permit (§ 15.33.030–.040) .

What are the Glenn County setback requirements for AE and FA zones?

For AE the minimum front yard is 30 ft (measured from County right‑of‑way), and side/rear rules are in § 15.33.080; for FA the front yard is 30 ft, side and rear yards 25 ft, as stated in § 15.32.080. Always confirm lot‑specific measurements on the parcel map.

Does the county require site plan review for new uses?

Yes. Many districts require Site Plan Review prior to or concurrent with a building permit. Specific site plan review language appears in district chapters (e.g., § 15.32.090, § 15.43.110, § 15.51.120) and the ordinance directs submission of a complete site plan and supporting documents. See the county design review guidance for application expectations.

When do I need a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)?

A CUP is required for uses listed as "Uses Permitted With A Conditional Use Permit" in a district chapter (for example, many outdoor commercial displays in HVC, larger motels/RV parks, or uses exceeding performance standards in AE). The district chapters list those uses—check the relevant district (e.g., § 15.43.030, § 15.33.040).

Are industrial uses allowed in the MP and M districts, and what about outdoor storage?

Yes: M and MP permit manufacturing/industrial uses when not obnoxious and when outdoor storage is limited/screened. The MP district allows outdoor storage up to 15% of net lot area but requires screening; M has outdoor storage conditions and performance standards. See §§ 15.44.020, 15.51.030.

My parcel is under a Williamson Act contract — can I put a solar farm on it?

The ordinance includes a power generation permit matrix and special requirements for energy projects on Williamson Act/prime farmland. Secondary/primary use designations and mitigation apply (see the power generation matrix and § 15.86). Consult § 15.86 and the AP/FS/TPZ rules before proposing energy projects.

What are the minimum parcel sizes in AE subzones?

AE subzones set minimum parcel sizes: AE‑20 = 17 acres, AE‑40 = 36 acres, AE‑80 = 72 acres (§ 15.33.020)

Do Glenn County districts control design/landscaping and parking?

Yes — many districts require landscaping, screening and walls/fences for conditional uses and set parking and lot coverage limits (see district chapters and the county landscaping and screening and parking pages). Specific requirements are found at district sections (e.g., walls/fences in § 15.44.080) and in separate chapters.

Do airport‑adjacent parcels have special limits?

Yes. The AV and AVH chapters set airport‑specific uses, height limits and CUP rules; § 15.53 details permitted airport uses and a 35 ft typical height limit before CUPs are required. Check overlay maps for AV/AVH applicability.

Where do I verify a parcel’s exact zoning designation and overlays?

Use the county zone maps (zone map authority in § 15.30.020) and contact the Glenn County planning authority to confirm designation, overlays and current code text. See Glenn County zoning & planning overview. ---

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