Grand Terrace — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the City of Grand Terrace assigns and regulates land uses under its local zoning ordinance (Title 18). It summarizes which uses are permitted or conditional in each zoning district established by the code, identifies the primary development standards that control where and how uses may be built, and points to the core code sections applicants must check. The official nonresidential use list is Table 18.27.010; specific district purposes and site standards are set out in each district chapter. (§ 18.27.010; § 18.09.020)

Note on links: Where this discussion mentions related city processes you will see quick links to the City's pages for parking, development standards, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the state building code so you can jump to the relevant procedural pages: Grand Terrace Parking, Grand Terrace Development Standards, Grand Terrace Design Review, Grand Terrace Overlay Districts, Grand Terrace ADUs, and California Building Standards Code.

How Grand Terrace organizes Land Use (key rules)

• The city establishes its zoning districts in Chapter 18.09; the list of district names includes R1-20, R1-10, R1-7.2, R2, R3, R3-S, R3-20, R3-24, BRSP, AP, C2, CM, MR, M2, PUB, FP (overlay), AG (overlay), GSP. (§ 18.09.020)

• Nonresidential permitted and conditional uses are shown in the centralized table Table 18.27.010 — Nonresidential Land Use Regulations. The table marks a use with P for permitted, C for conditional, and “-” if prohibited; applicants must read that table to determine whether a business is allowed in a particular nonresidential zone. (§ 18.27.010)

• Many district chapters defer to the centralized table for permitted/conditional uses; for example, AP, M2, and MR all state that permitted and conditional uses are those listed in Table 18.27.010. (§ 18.30.020–.030; § 18.40.020–.030; § 18.39.020–.030)

• Hours-of-operation and proximity-based limits: non-residential uses within 500 ft of residential zones have standard hours (7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.); uses beyond 501 ft may operate 24/7 unless limited by a CUP. After-hours operations within 500 ft require a CUP. (§ 18.27.020)

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the City’s districts (as named in § 18.09.020) with the ordinance’s stated purpose, where to find permitted uses, and the most decision-relevant dimensional/site standards the code publishes for that district in Title 18. Where the ordinance references the central use table, read Table 18.27.010 to see the precise "P" or "C" entries for each use. (§ 18.09.020; § 18.27.010)

R1-20, R1-10, R1-7.2 (single-family residential districts)

• Purpose: These zones are listed among the city's residential classifications to provide very low to low-density single-family development. (§ 18.09.020)
• Permitted uses: The Title indicates residential districts allow residential uses and related accessory uses, but the code text for specific permitted commercial-like uses is not centralized in the nonresidential table; confirm permitted accessory uses with the zoning map and chapter for each residential district. Not found in retrieved materials for a consolidated R1 permitted-use list — verify with the jurisdiction. (§ 18.09.020)
• Key dimensional standards: The Title contains multiple site standards and exceptions (e.g., side-yard reductions for narrow lots), but specific R1 numeric standards are not consolidated in the excerpts retrieved. Verify the lot-area, setbacks and height in the applicable chapter for each R1 designation. Not found in retrieved materials; verify with the jurisdiction. (§ 18.73.110 note)

R2 (low-medium density residential)

• Purpose: Medium density housing; details and standards are in the residential chapters. (§ 18.09.020)
• Permitted/conditional uses and numeric standards: See the specific R2 chapter in Title 18 (not fully returned in the provided excerpts). Verify with the jurisdiction. Not found in retrieved materials.

R3, R3-S, R3-20, R3-24 (medium–high density residential, senior overlay)

• Purpose: Multifamily and higher density residential, with R3-S focused on senior citizen housing (special density and specific plan requirements). (§ 18.09.020)
• Permitted uses: Multifamily housing and certain accessory uses; the R3-S allows senior housing up to 20 units/acre and requires a specific plan for senior projects. (§ 18.09.020; see explanatory notes to Table 18.27.010)
• Key process items: Second-family detached units in R3 are allowed subject to site and architectural review under Chapter 18.63. (§ 18.63; Table notes)

BRSP (Barton Road Specific Plan)

• Purpose: A specific plan district; the BRSP and other specific plans (Gateway, Forest City Dillon, Kruse) are incorporated into the Title and carry their own rules. See the Gateway specific plan language in § 18.20.050 for an example of a specific-plan approach. (§ 18.20.050)

AP — Administrative Professional Office (commercial/office)

• Purpose: Provide for professional office uses compatible with residential zones. (§ 18.30.010)
• Permitted uses: Uses for AP are shown in Table 18.27.010 (refer to the table entries). (§ 18.30.020)
• Key dimensional standards (selected): Minimum lot area 10,000 sq ft, lot width 70 ft, front setback 15 ft, height max 35 ft, lot coverage 100% (less required parking, setbacks, landscaping). (§ 18.30.040)

C2 — General Business and CM — Commercial Manufacturing

• Purpose: General retail, services, and mixed commercial/manufacturing uses as indicated in the nonresidential use table. (§ 18.27.010)
• Permitted uses: See Table 18.27.010 — many retail and service uses are P in C2 and CM; other uses may be C (conditional). (§ 18.27.010)
• Design controls and hours: Nonresidential uses within 500 ft of residential zones are limited to standard hours; design and sign standards are found in Chapter 18.80. (§ 18.27.020; Ch. 18.80)

MR — Restricted Manufacturing

• Purpose: Restricted manufacturing uses that are intended to be compatible with nonindustrial neighbors. (§ 18.39.050 preface)
• Permitted/conditional uses: The MR district defers to Table 18.27.010 for which uses are P or C. (§ 18.39.020–.030)
• Key dimensional standards (selected): Minimum lot area 20,000 sq ft, lot width 70 ft, front setback 25 ft (with 10 ft landscape), street side yard 15 ft (with 5 ft landscape), height 35 ft, lot coverage 100% (less parking, setbacks, landscaping). Screening/outdoor storage rules: outdoor storage must be set back 25 ft from residential and be screened by at least a 6 ft masonry wall. (§ 18.39.050–.060)

M2 — Industrial

• Purpose: Medium manufacturing and industrial uses; intended to permit industrial activities that can be made compatible with other districts. (§ 18.40.010)
• Permitted/conditional uses: Permitted and conditional uses are listed in Table 18.27.010. (§ 18.40.020–.030)
• Prohibitions: Uses that store hazardous or highly flammable materials (examples: pallet yards, tire storage, certain wood product yards) are explicitly prohibited. (§ 18.40.040)

PUB — Public Facilities

• Purpose and uses: Public and quasi-public facilities and civic uses; permitted uses are listed in Table 18.27.010 (public parks, schools, library entries appear under PUB in the table). (§ 18.27.010)

Overlays and Special Plans

• The city uses overlay and specific-plan districts (for example FP — Floodplain, AG — Agricultural Overlay, GSP — Gateway Specific Plan) that modify base-zone regulations. See the overlays listing in § 18.09.020 and the Gateway specific plan description at § 18.20.050. (§ 18.09.020; § 18.20.050)
• For overlay-specific rules, consult the overlay chapter (e.g., floodplain provisions) or the specific-plan text; overlays can add location-based restrictions such as the Adult Business (AB) overlay's separation requirements (no adult business within 1,000 ft of residential zones). (§ 18.70.050)

Quick reference table — decision-relevant standards & uses

Note: Table 18.27.010 contains dozens of individual uses (e.g., restaurants, banks, retail categories) and the P/C designations by district. Always consult the table directly for whether a particular business is permitted or conditional in a given zone. (§ 18.27.010)

Practical guidance (interpretation & where to start)

• Step 1 — Identify the base zone on the official zoning map and confirm the exact zone name (e.g., R1-7.2 vs R1-10) because permitted uses and development standards differ by subdistrict. (§ 18.09.030–.040)
• Step 2 — For any nonresidential or mixed use, check Table 18.27.010 to see if your use is P (permitted) or C (requires a Conditional Use Permit). (§ 18.27.010)
• Step 3 — Confirm dimensional standards in the district chapter (lot area, setbacks, height). Examples: AP and MR chapters list these numbers explicitly. (§ 18.30.040; § 18.39.050)
• Step 4 — If your project triggers design controls or architectural review (for example, multifamily or projects in MR), expect site and architectural review under Chapter 18.63; check Grand Terrace Design Review. (§ 18.63; § 18.39.100)
• Step 5 — Confirm parking requirements and sign standards early (see Grand Terrace Parking and Chapter 18.80). (§ 18.80; § 18.27.020)

Checklist

• Confirm base zone from the City zoning map (zone names listed in § 18.09.020).
• Look up your specific use in Table 18.27.010 to determine if it is P or C in your zone (§ 18.27.010).
• If C, prepare for a Conditional Use Permit process per Chapter 18.83 (or administrative CUP per Chapter 18.84 if eligible). (§ 18.83; § 18.84)
• Collect site plan, floor plans, and submittal materials required for CUP or building permits (see § 18.84.040 for administrative CUP submittal lists).
• Verify dimensional standards (lot area, setbacks, height, coverage) in the specific district chapter (examples: AP § 18.30.040, MR § 18.39.050) and coordinate with Grand Terrace Development Standards.
• Check parking, signage, and design review triggers early and route to the appropriate department. See Grand Terrace Parking and Chapter 18.80 (sign standards).

Risks & Ambiguities

Information Gaps

• The retrieved excerpts do not include the full R1/R2/R3 district chapters with consolidated numeric standards for every residential subdistrict. Not found in retrieved materials — verify R-district standards with the full Title 18 chapters.
• Full text of Table 18.27.010 (complete multi-page listing) was partially returned in snippets; applicants should open the official Table in the code for the exact P/C letter for their precise use. (§ 18.27.010)
• Mapping specifics (exact parcels in overlays such as AB or FP) are not included in the text snippets; consult the official zoning map on file with the Planning Department. (§ 18.09.030)

Plain-English Summary

Grand Terrace uses Title 18 to list every zone (residential, commercial, industrial, public and overlays) and centralizes nonresidential use permissions in Table 18.27.010; check the table to see if your business is permitted or requires a Conditional Use Permit, then verify setbacks, lot size and height in the district chapter (for example, AP and MR give explicit site standards). (§ 18.27.010; § 18.30.040; § 18.39.050)

Source References

• Table 18.27.010 — Nonresidential Land Use Regulations; § 18.27.010 (use table; P = permitted, C = conditional).
• § 18.09.020 — Districts established (list of zone names including R1-20, R1-10, R1-7.2, R2, R3, R3-S, R3-20, R3-24, BRSP, AP, C2, CM, MR, M2, PUB, overlays).
• § 18.30.010–.040 — AP district purpose and site development standards (lot area, setbacks, height).
• § 18.39.020–.060 — MR district permitted/conditional uses reference and site standards (setbacks, lot area, outdoor storage screening).
• § 18.40.010–.050 — M2 district purpose, permitted uses reference, and prohibited storage uses.
• § 18.27.020 — Nonresidential hours of operation and proximity rules (500 ft / 501+ ft rule).
• Chapter 18.80 — Sign standards (tables 18.80.150-x referenced for C2/CM/MR/M2 sign rules).
• Chapter 18.63 — Site and architectural review applicability (referenced to apply in MR and other zones).
• Chapter 18.70 — Adult business (AB) overlay location and separation requirements (500–1,000 ft separations).
• Chapter 18.83 & 18.84 — Conditional Use Permit and Administrative Conditional Use Permit procedures and expiration/appeal rules.

Retrieved passages

• Grand Terrace Zoning Code (§ 10) High relevance show source text
• Grand Terrace Zoning Code (Title requiring) High relevance show source text
• Grand Terrace Zoning Code (title in) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 5 (§ 5) Medium relevance show source text
• Grand Terrace Zoning Code (Chapter 18.63) Medium relevance show source text
• Grand Terrace Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Grand Terrace Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance show source text
• Grand Terrace Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Table 18.27.010 — Nonresidential Land Use Regulations; § 18.27.010 (use table; P = permitted, C = conditional). (§ 18.27.010)
• § 18.09.020 — Districts established (list of zone names including R1-20, R1-10, R1-7.2, R2, R3, R3-S, R3-20, R3-24, BRSP, AP, C2, CM, MR, M2, PUB, overlays). (§ 18.09.020)
• § 18.30.010–.040 — **AP** district purpose and site development standards (lot area, setbacks, height). (§ 18.30.010)
• § 18.39.020–.060 — **MR** district permitted/conditional uses reference and site standards (setbacks, lot area, outdoor storage screening). (§ 18.39.020)
• § 18.40.010–.050 — **M2** district purpose, permitted uses reference, and prohibited storage uses. (§ 18.40.010)
• § 18.27.020 — Nonresidential hours of operation and proximity rules (500 ft / 501+ ft rule). (§ 18.27.020)
• Chapter 18.80 — Sign standards (tables 18.80.150-x referenced for C2/CM/MR/M2 sign rules). (Chapter 18.80)
• Chapter 18.63 — Site and architectural review applicability (referenced to apply in MR and other zones). (Chapter 18.63)
• Chapter 18.70 — Adult business (AB) overlay location and separation requirements (500–1,000 ft separations). (Chapter 18.70)
• Chapter 18.83 & 18.84 — Conditional Use Permit and Administrative Conditional Use Permit procedures and expiration/appeal rules. (Chapter 18.83)
• GrandTerrace_ZoningCode.md

• Official Grand Terrace code library