Glenn County — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Glenn County zoning/planning ordinance requires for zoning in the unincorporated areas of Glenn County. It explains the county’s zone structure, how the official zone maps work, the most-used standard districts, and the key dimensional and use rules that drive project feasibility. All standards cited are drawn from the county ordinance text (Title 15 zoning chapters) and apply only to unincorporated areas.

How Glenn County organizes zoning

• The county establishes zones and maintains official zone maps to show district boundaries for the unincorporated area; the planning authority maintains and revises these maps (§ 15.30.020) .
• The ordinance divides districts into Standard Land Use Districts, Special Land Use Districts, and Combining Districts (the code lists the full district roster in § 15.30.010) .
• Many individual district chapters require site plan review prior to or concurrent with building permit submittal (see the site-plan-review paragraph that appears in multiple district chapters, e.g., § 15.31.090) .

Note: If you need the county’s official interactive zoning map or parcel-specific zoning, verify with the Planning Division — map maintenance and amendments are controlled by § 15.30.020 and rezoning processes are handled under § 15.29.020 and related procedural sections .

(For related procedures and technical rules see Glenn County Development Standards, and for parking requirements see Glenn County Parking. For design review topics see Glenn County Design Review. For combining or special overlays see Glenn County Overlay Districts. For accessory dwelling unit (ADU) issues see California ADU law. For structural code and heights, consult the California Building Standards Code.)

District-by-district (selected, Glenn County ordinance text)

Below are the most commonly encountered Glenn County districts in the unincorporated area. Each district subsection lists the stated purpose, typical permitted uses, and the key dimensional rules that matter for early feasibility. Where the ordinance material available did not contain a particular numeric standard, that cell is marked "Not found in retrieved materials" and you should Verify with the jurisdiction.

Important: each district entry cites the controlling local code section(s) (use the § glyph + number).

TPZ — Timberland Preserve Zone

• Purpose: Preserve timber-growing lands consistent with the Z’Berg‑Warren‑Keene‑Collier Act; intended for timber production and subject to timberland preserve rules (§ 15.45.010) .
• Typical permitted uses: Forest management and timber production; uses subject to state timberland rules (§ 15.45.050) .
• Dimensional standards / where it applies: See § 15.45 for placement and criteria; specific parcel eligibility and forest-management-plan requirements are in § 15.45.020–.040 .

RZ — Recreation Zone

• Purpose: Apply to mountainous/hilly recreation areas where light ag/forestry is secondary (§ 15.31.010) .
• Typical permitted uses: One single‑family dwelling or mobilehome per 160 acres, farm buildings, parks (day use), recreation offices, food/concession (limited), riding clubs, golf courses (§ 15.31.020) .
• Key dimensional standards: Minimum lot area 144 acres (§ 15.31.050); maximum heights 35 ft (residential) and 50 ft (agricultural/commercial) (§ 15.31.060); minimum setbacks front 30 ft, side 25 ft, rear 25 ft (§ 15.31.080) .

FA — Foothill Agricultural/Forestry Zone

• Purpose: Areas for extensive agriculture and to protect timber/forest lands (§ 15.32.010) .
• Typical permitted uses: One single‑family unit per 160 acres, farming, logging, sawmills, accessory farm buildings (§ 15.32.020) .
• Key dimensional standards: Minimum lot area 144 acres (§ 15.32.050); heights 35 ft (residential), 50 ft (agricultural) (§ 15.32.060); setbacks front 30 ft, side 25 ft, rear 25 ft (§ 15.32.080) .

AE — Exclusive Agricultural Zone (with AE‑20 / AE‑40 / AE‑80 combining bands)

• Purpose: Preserve agricultural land and prevent conversion to urban uses (§ 15.33.010) .
• Typical permitted uses: Intensive and extensive agriculture; accessory farm buildings; limited residential uses tied to agriculture (§ 15.33.030) .
• Key dimensional standards: Minimum parcel sizes vary by combining zone: AE‑20 = 17 acres, AE‑40 = 36 acres, AE‑80 = 72 acres (§ 15.33.020) . Maximum heights: 35 ft (residential), 50 ft (agricultural) (§ 15.33.060) . Minimum yards: front 30 ft, side 25 ft, rear 25 ft (§ 15.33.080) .

AT — Agricultural Transitional Zone

• Purpose: Buffer between agricultural land and urbanized development; allow limited ag and low‑density residential uses (§ 15.34.010) .
• Typical permitted uses: One single‑family dwelling or mobilehome per parcel, growing/harvesting agricultural crops, low‑density residential (§ 15.34.020) .
• Key dimensional standards: Not all numeric lot‑size/yard numbers for AT were visible in the retrieved snippets; verify with the county (§ 15.34.050–.070) . (Verify with the jurisdiction.)

RE / RE‑NW — Rural Residential Estate (and RE‑NW — North Willows)

• Purpose: Low‑density rural residential living with larger lots and estate‑style development (§ 15.35 and § 15.36 headings are present in the code roster) .
• Typical permitted uses: Single‑family dwellings, accessory structures, home occupations subject to rules (see the individual RE chapter for details) (see § 15.35–.36) .
• Key dimensional standards: Some yard/height guidance appears in the RE chapters (e.g., roofs/height exceptions for accessory buildings are noted in the code), but specific lot area and numeric setbacks for RE are Not found in retrieved materials in full; Verify with the jurisdiction (§ 15.35–.36) .

R‑1 — Single‑Family Residential Zone

• Purpose: Low density single‑family neighborhoods; ensure family‑oriented residential environment (§ 15.37.010) .
• Typical permitted uses: One single‑family dwelling or mobilehome per parcel, accessory buildings, one home occupation per dwelling with permit (§ 15.37.030) .
• Key dimensional standards: Placement limited to areas with sewer and/or piped water (§ 15.37.020) ; maximum building height 35 ft (§ 15.37.080) ; maximum lot coverage 40% (less on slopes >30% where coverage is 30%) (§ 15.37.110) . Walls/fences rules are in § 15.37.100 (e.g., front‑yard fence height limits) .

R‑M — Multiple Residential Zone

• Purpose: Areas with utilities available for multiple‑family residential development; ensure light, air, open space (§ 15.38.010–.020) .
• Typical permitted uses: Multifamily dwellings, apartments, certain single‑family exceptions, accessory uses; by‑right multifamily for qualifying affordable projects (see § 15.38.030) .
• Key dimensional standards: Minimum site area and configuration rules in § 15.38.050; minimum densities 10 units/acre, maximum densities up to 22 units/acre (§ 15.38.070) . Yards: front 20 ft, side interior 5 ft, rear 20 ft (§ 15.38.080) . Max height 55 ft for structures (§ 15.38.090) and max lot coverage 40% (§ 15.38.120) .

MU‑R — Mixed Use Residential Zone

• Purpose: Permit mixed residential/commercial/service uses where utilities are available and to support Housing Element sites (§ 15.381.010–.020) .
• Typical permitted uses: Single‑family and multifamily dwellings, emergency shelters, residential care facilities, accessory structures, home occupations; specifics are in § 15.381.030 .
• Key dimensional standards: Placement limited to areas with sewer and piped water (§ 15.381.020); see § 15.381.050–.090 for site area, yard, density and height rules (some new provisions adopted 2024 — review § 15.381 for project‑specific numeric standards) .

LC / C / CC / SC / HVC — Local, Community, Commercial, Service, Highway & Visitor Commercial Zones

• Purpose: Encourage retail, service, and visitor‑oriented commercial uses consistent with location and community needs (§ 15.39–15.43 captioned chapters) .
• Typical permitted uses (illustrative):
  • C (Commercial): general retail, food stores, apparel, drugstores, eating/drinking places (with alcohol rules), auto dealers (distance restrictions to R‑1), service establishments (§ 15.41.020) .
  • CC (Community Commercial): more community‑scale retail; CC numeric standards appear in § 15.40.050–.110 (lot sizes, yards, heights) .
• Key dimensional standards (C zone example): Minimum lot area depends on utilities (e.g., 6,000 sq ft net with public sewer & water; 20,000 sq ft with one service; 1 acre with septic & well) (§ 15.41.050) . Yards for C: see § 15.41.060; maximum height in the C zone 75 ft (§ 15.41.070) . CC and LC chapters include different yard/coverage/height numbers (e.g., CC front yard 20 ft, max height 35 ft or two stories) (§ 15.43.090–.100) .

M / MP — Industrial / Industrial Park Zones

• Purpose: Reserve appropriate areas for industrial uses, protect industrial operations from incompatible intrusions and protect neighbors from industrial nuisances (§ 15.44.010) .
• Typical permitted uses: Manufacturing, fabrication, processing, warehousing, building trades, public utilities (detailed lists in § 15.44.020) .
• Key dimensional standards: Industrial chapters include site plan review and require walls/fences for conditional uses; specific yard/height rules are in § 15.44.050–.090 (verify numeric setbacks in the code) .

Special districts and overlays (summary)

• The code also contains Special Land Use Districts such as TPZ, AP (Agricultural Preserve), FS (Farmland Security), PDR/PDC (Planned Development), MHP (Mobilehome Park), MP, RPM (Recreation & Planned Motorsport), AV/AVH Airport and Airport Hazard, FP Floodplain, and combining districts; these are listed in the zone roster (§ 15.30.010 and the Division headings) .
• Overlay and combining standards alter base zone rules (e.g., minimum parcel sizes in AE subzones). See each overlay/combining chapter for controlling rules; placement/criteria headings are in the corresponding sections (e.g., timberland preserve § 15.45, AE combining zones § 15.33.020) .

Quick decision‑relevant table (selected districts)

(If you are evaluating a parcel, verify the exact numeric standard in the specific district chapter that applies to that parcel — some standards differ between similar zones and some have been renumbered by recent ordinances. For parcel‑specific queries, check the county’s official zoning map and the code chapters cited above: § 15.30.020, § 15.30.010.)

Checklist — What an applicant for a project in unincorporated Glenn County must verify/submit

• Confirm zoning for the parcel on the county’s official zone map (zone map maintenance rules: § 15.30.020) .
• Confirm whether any combining districts or overlays apply to the parcel (AE subzones, TPZ, AVH, Floodplain, etc.; see Division headings and overlay chapters) .
• Confirm permitted use status in the applicable district (check the district’s “Permitted Uses” vs. “Uses Permitted With a Conditional Use Permit” or “Administrative Permit”) — see the district chapter (e.g., § 15.31.020, § 15.38.030, § 15.41.020) .
• Verify minimum lot area, lot configuration and frontage requirements in the district chapter (examples: § 15.38.050, § 15.41.050) .
• Prepare a site plan and supporting documents — site plan review is required in many districts prior to building permit (§ 15.31.090 and similar site‑plan language in district chapters) .
• Check for required conditional use/administrative permits and plan for those hearings (many special uses require discretionary approval; see each district chapter).
• Confirm setbacks, lot coverage, building height limits, and fence/wall limits in the district chapter (e.g., § 15.31.080, § 15.37.110) .
• If the project involves livestock, manure ponds, or grading, check livestock operation standards and encroachment/grading requirements (§ 15.79.010) .
• Verify utility availability (many zones restrict placement to areas with sewer/piped water — e.g., § 15.37.020, § 15.381.020) .
• Coordinate with Public Works for encroachment permits and County Health for on‑site septic/wells when applicable (§ 15.79.010 guidance) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

In unincorporated Glenn County the zoning code (Title 15) divides rural, agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial lands into named zones (for example AE, FA, R‑1, R‑M, C, M). Each district chapter lists what you can build, what needs a conditional or administrative permit, and numeric rules (lot size, setbacks, height). Always check the county’s official zone map and the specific district chapter cited here — many important limits (combining zones, utility‑dependent placement, and overlay rules) are parcel‑specific, so Verify with the jurisdiction before assuming a use is allowed (§ 15.30.020, § 15.33.020, § 15.37.020) .

Source References

• Glenn County Code: Zone establishment and roster; zone maps (§ 15.30.010–.020) .
• Glenn County Code: Zoning map amendment and rezoning procedures (§ 15.29.020) .
• RZ district: purpose, permitted uses, site area, heights, yards (§ 15.31.010–.080) .
• FA district: purpose, permitted uses, site area and setbacks (§ 15.32.010–.090) .
• AE district: purpose and combining minimum parcel sizes (§ 15.33.010–.020) and heights (§ 15.33.060–.080) .
• AT district: purpose and permitted uses (§ 15.34.010–.020) .
• R‑1 district: permitted uses, placement, heights, lot coverage (§ 15.37.020–.030, .080, .110) .
• R‑M district: density, yards, heights, lot coverage (§ 15.38.070–.090, .120) .
• MU‑R district: purpose, placement, permitted uses (§ 15.381.010–.030) .
• C district: permitted uses and site area/yard/height rules (§ 15.41.020, .050–.070) .
• Livestock and farm operation standards: § 15.79.010 (setbacks, manure ponds, encroachment/health coordination) .
• Division of Special Land Use Districts and combining districts (index listing) — Division 15‑3 parts and headings (§ 15.30 roster) .

Retrieved passages

• Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 9 (§ 9) High relevance show source text
• Glenn County Zoning Code (Chapter 15.745) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 5 (§ 5) High relevance show source text
• Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 2 (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Glenn County Code: Zone establishment and roster; zone maps (§ **15.30.010–.020**) .
• Glenn County Code: Zoning map amendment and rezoning procedures (§ **15.29.020**) .
• **RZ** district: purpose, permitted uses, site area, heights, yards (§ **15.31.010–.080**) .
• **FA** district: purpose, permitted uses, site area and setbacks (§ **15.32.010–.090**) .
• **AE** district: purpose and combining minimum parcel sizes (§ **15.33.010–.020**) and heights (§ **15.33.060–.080**) .
• **AT** district: purpose and permitted uses (§ **15.34.010–.020**) .
• **R‑1** district: permitted uses, placement, heights, lot coverage (§ **15.37.020–.030**, **.080**, **.110**) .
• **R‑M** district: density, yards, heights, lot coverage (§ **15.38.070–.090**, **.120**) .
• **MU‑R** district: purpose, placement, permitted uses (§ **15.381.010–.030**) .
• **C** district: permitted uses and site area/yard/height rules (§ **15.41.020**, **.050–.070**) .
• Livestock and farm operation standards: § **15.79.010** (setbacks, manure ponds, encroachment/health coordination) .
• Division of Special Land Use Districts and combining districts (index listing) — Division 15‑3 parts and headings (§ **15.30** roster) .
• GlennCounty_ZoningCode.md