Local zoning · Gridley

Gridley — Land Use

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what Gridley’s local zoning ordinance (Title 17) actually says about permitted and conditional land uses by district, and the most decision‑relevant development controls. It is based on the City’s zoning code text (Title 17) and points you to the sections that control permits, site development reviews, parking and combining/overlay zones. For the City’s general zoning menu see Gridley Zoning.

Notes on links used in the text: the first time the topics below are mentioned they link to the local menu pages for that topic (parking, development standards, design review, overlays, ADUs, the building code).

How to read this page

  • Bolded terms are what you will scan for: district names and specific numeric standards.
  • Every substantive rule below is tied to the Gridley code by the controlling section (§ number) and the file citation from the retrieved ordinance text.
  • Where the code does not state something, the page says “Not found in retrieved materials.” For anything parcel‑specific (setbacks vs adjacent uses, nonconforming status etc.): Verify with the jurisdiction.

District-by-district breakdown

  • All quoted code references below come from Title 17 (the Gridley zoning ordinance). If a district refers to “the provisions of Chapter 17.76” for parking or other items, follow up with the City for the Chapter 17.76 text; the combining/overlay rules below point you to those references.

AR-5 (Agricultural Residential) — key rules and uses

Purpose: preserve low‑intensity agricultural and rural residential uses on 5‑acre minimum lots.

Permitted / accessory uses:

  • Crop and tree farming, small commercial crop production and livestock subject to Title 6 (animals); accessory structures (barns/stables); roadside stand (≤500 sf) — see § 17.12.020.
  • Second dwelling units / ADUs are allowed pursuant to Chapter 17.82 (ADU rules are cross‑referenced) — see § 17.12.025.

Conditional uses:

  • Veterinary hospitals, golf courses, residential care facilities, keeping cattle/swine, kennels, etc. — § 17.12.030.

Key dimensional standards:

  • Minimum lot area: 5 acres — § 17.12.040.
  • Max residential building height: 30 ft (residential); other agricultural structures may have no height cap noted in this section — § 17.12.050.
  • Lot coverage: 20% for principal agricultural uses; 40% for combined residential + non‑residential — § 17.12.070.

Where it applies: areas labeled AR‑5 on the zoning map (see Title 17 map references). See the Agricultural Overlay rules for special incentives/exceptions.

R‑1 / R‑1A / R‑1B / R‑1C (Single‑Family Residential) — key rules and uses

Purpose: preserve single‑family neighborhoods with subzones for smaller lot forms.

Permitted uses:

  • One single‑family dwelling per lot, small family child care, family care facilities, live‑work units — § 17.22.020.
  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are allowed and are processed under Chapter 17.82 (ADUs) — referenced in § 17.22.025.

Conditional uses:

  • Public/quasi‑public uses, churches, residential care facilities, mobile home parks, small professional offices (some subzones exclude conditional uses) — § 17.22.030.

Key dimensional standards (district‑specific):

  • Minimum lot area (R‑1): 7,500 sf; R‑1A: 1,300–3,500 sf; R‑1B: 3,501–5,999 sf; R‑1C: 6,000–7,499 sf — § 17.22.040.
  • Maximum building height: 30 ft for principal buildings; accessory structures 15 ft — § 17.22.050.
  • Minimum lot width: varies by subzone (R‑1: 60 ft; corner lots on arterials 85 ft; R‑1A/B smaller widths permitted) — § 17.22.060.
  • Lot coverage: 40% (R‑1 and R‑1C) and 60% (R‑1A/R‑1B) combined residential/accessory/paved — § 17.22.070.
  • Parking: general provisions of Chapter 17.76 apply — § 17.22.090.

Practical note: ADU rules are cross‑referenced; check Gridley ADUs for procedural limits and state ADU law intersections. (First mention of ADUs links to the ADU page.)

R‑2 (Medium Density Residential) — key rules and uses

Purpose: allow 5–8 du/ac in mainly single family attached/detached and duplexes.

Permitted uses:

  • All R‑1 uses plus one duplex on a lot ≥ 6,000 sf — § 17.25.020.

Conditional uses:

  • Temporary sales tract offices — § 17.25.030.

Key dimensional standards:

  • Minimum lot area (interior): 5,000 sf; corner: 6,000 sf — § 17.25.040.
  • Max building height: 30 ft; accessory 15 ft — § 17.25.050.
  • Lot coverage: 40% combined — § 17.25.070.

R‑S (Residential Suburban) — key rules and uses

Purpose: larger lot suburban form; preserved in the code under Chapter 17.21. Permitted uses include single family dwellings and accessory uses; see § 17.21.020–17.21.025 for full lists. Conditional uses include public/quasi‑public uses, churches and kennels — see § 17.21.030. Parking and lot area minimums are spelled out in the chapter.

C‑1 (Neighborhood Commercial) and C‑2 (General Commercial)

Purpose: permit retail and service activities; C‑1 is more neighborhood‑oriented; C‑2 allows broader commercial uses. See Chapter 17.32 (C‑1) and 17.34 (C‑2).

Permitted / conditional uses:

  • C‑1: permitted uses follow the Commercial District Table (Chapter 17.36) and certain uses are flagged CUP; see § 17.32.040–17.32.080 for conditional, parking, lot coverage and setbacks.
  • C‑2: conditional uses are those designated "CUP" in the Commercial District Table; no minimum lot area; building height up to 50 ft; lot coverage up to 90% — § 17.34.040–17.34.080.

Site review: All commercial development is subject to site development plan review (Chapter 17.07) — see § 17.34.120 for C‑2.

Practical link: if your project will need design review, consult the City’s Gridley Design Review page (first mention links there).

M‑1, M‑2, M‑3 (Industrial / Agricultural‑Industrial)

Purpose: permit light to heavier industrial uses; M‑1/M‑2/M‑3 chapters list permitted and conditional industrial uses and include standards. See Chapter 17.42 (M‑1), 17.44 (M‑2) and 17.46 (M‑3).

Key standards (examples):

  • Max building height: industrial buildings up to 65 ft (M‑1/M‑2/M‑3) — § 17.42.050, 17.44.050.
  • Lot coverage: typically up to 80% (varies by industrial chapter) — § 17.42.070, 17.44.070.
  • Yards: often none required except where abutting residential — yard buffers range 10–25 ft depending on adjacency — multiple sections (e.g., § 17.42.060, 17.44.060) explain exceptions.

Where the code is silent on a specific industrial use, the Planning Commission may determine appropriateness (see § 17.42.045).

NMU (Neighborhood Mixed Use Combining Zone) and Downtown Mixed Use

Purpose: encourage compact mixed residential/commercial development in neighborhood centers and downtown. See § 17.54.010–17.54.040 (NMU) and the Downtown MU chapter 17.53.

Permitted uses:

  • Mixed residential over commercial, live/work units, parks/playgrounds, child care, public administration; underlying zone and C‑1 uses also apply — § 17.54.020.

Conditional uses:

  • Residential care facilities >14 clients, wireless communication towers and others not listed in underlying commercial districts require Planning Commission review — § 17.54.030.

Standards (examples):

  • Height: 40 ft for NMU; lot coverage up to 90%; density for stand‑alone residential 10–30 du/ac, and no maximum when vertically mixed — § 17.54.040.
  • Downtown MU has some differing standards (e.g., 50 ft height, 100% lot coverage) — see § 17.53.040.

Highway Commercial Corridor / MUCZ combining zones (HCC / MUCZ) — § 17.59

Purpose: encourage mixed commercial / residential uses along the Highway 99 corridor while prohibiting certain uses. Permitted uses include the uses of many underlying commercial, residential and light industrial zones but with limits. See § 17.59.020–17.59.050.

Notable prohibitions:

  • Adult entertainment, childcare/preschool, cocktail lounges/bars, dairy, funeral homes, stand‑alone parking lots, solar farms (except retail/assembly), and transitional/emergency shelters are expressly not allowed in HCC — § 17.59.040.

Standards:

  • Height: 40 ft; Lot coverage: 80%; density 10–30 du/ac (stand‑alone), parking per Chapter 17.76 — § 17.59.050.

PD (Planned Development combining zone)

The PD may be applied as a combining zone to any underlying district to allow flexibility; the underlying district determines the dominant use but exceptions can be granted through the PD approval process. See § 17.55.010–17.55.050 for the PD powers and required findings.

Decision‑relevant quick table

District Typical permitted/conditional uses (decision focus) Key numeric controls Code Reference
AR‑5 Agriculture, single‑family, accessory farm structures; conditional: veterinary, golf, kennels Min lot area 5 acres; height 30 ft (residential); lot coverage 20%/40% § 17.12.020–17.12.070
R‑1 / R‑1A/B/C Single‑family; ADUs allowed; small child care; conditional public/quasi‑public Min lot area R‑1: 7,500 sf; height 30 ft; lot coverage 40% (R‑1), 60% (R‑1A/B) § 17.22.020–17.22.070
R‑2 R‑1 uses + duplexes Min lot 5,000 sf; height 30 ft; lot coverage 40% § 17.25.020–17.25.070
C‑2 General commercial (retail, service) - CUP list in district table Height 50 ft; lot coverage 90%; yards vary § 17.34.060–17.34.080
M‑1 / M‑2 Light to heavier industrial; uses listed with CUP options Height up to 65 ft; lot coverage ~80%; yards where adjacent to R § 17.42.050–17.44.070
NMU / Downtown MU Mixed residential + commercial, live/work, child care, parks NMU height 40 ft; lot coverage 90%; Downtown MU 50 ft & 100% § 17.54.020–17.54.040; § 17.53.040
HCC / MUCZ Highway corridor mixed uses; many uses allowed but specific prohibitions Height 40 ft; lot coverage 80%; parking per Ch. 17.76 § 17.59.020–17.59.050

(For all uses: parking requirements generally reference Chapter 17.76 and some downtown special parking rules are in Chapter 17.58.)

Checklist

  • Identify parcel zoning on the City zoning map and confirm the zoning district designation (e.g., R‑1, C‑2, NMU) — verify with Planning. Verify with the jurisdiction.
  • Confirm that the proposed use is listed as a permitted use in the district (see district § references above) or whether it is a conditional use (CUP) — e.g., § 17.22.020 for R‑1 uses.
  • If CUP is required, prepare findings and application materials per § 17.08 (Conditional Use Permits) — § 17.08.010–17.08.080 (not fully reproduced here). Not found in retrieved materials: full text of § 17.08 in the file excerpts; consult the code.
  • Confirm dimensional standards: lot area, lot width, height, lot coverage and yard requirements from the applicable district (e.g., § 17.22.040–§ 17.22.070 for R‑1).
  • Confirm parking requirements per Chapter 17.76 and whether Special Parking Combining Zone rules (Chapter 17.58) apply — see § 17.22.090, § 17.58.010–.020.
  • Determine whether site development plan review or design review is required (most commercial and mixed use projects: see § 17.34.120, § 17.53.040).
  • Check overlay/combing zones (AO, MUCZ, HCC, PD) that alter allowable uses and standards — see Chapter 17.56 (AO) and § 17.52 / 17.59.
  • If proposing an ADU, follow Chapter 17.82 and state ADU law; consult Gridley ADUs and California ADU law pages for overlap. Not found in retrieved materials: full Chapter 17.82 text. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Use not listed exactly in the table Code often requires the Planning Commission to determine appropriateness for unlisted industrial/commercial uses (risk of denial or CUP condition) — see § 17.42.045. Confirm with Planning whether the use will be treated as permitted or subject to a CUP; request a use determination.
Overlay or combining zone restrictions (AO, HCC, MUCZ) Overlays can prohibit otherwise‑allowed uses (HCC expressly prohibits several uses) — see § 17.59.040. Check the parcel’s overlay designations on the zoning map and read the overlay chapter text before application.
Parking requirement interpretation Many districts defer to Chapter 17.76; downtown special parking zones can reduce on‑site requirements — see § 17.22.090, § 17.58.020. Retrieve and apply Chapter 17.76, confirm whether Special Parking Combining Zone Number 1 applies.
ADU/admin rules cross‑referenced ADU allowances and processing are cross‑referenced (Chapter 17.82) but full ADU provisions are not in the district chapters. Not found in retrieved materials: complete Chapter 17.82 text. Consult the full ADU chapter and the Gridley ADU page and state ADU law for submittal standards and ministerial review rules.
Parcel‑specific setbacks and exceptions Several sections say “no requirements” but add exceptions when adjacent to an R district; this creates parcel‑specific buffers (e.g., M‑2 yards). See § 17.44.060. Verify adjacent zoning and applicable setback exceptions on a site plan; obtain planning confirmation.

Plain‑English Summary

Gridley’s Title 17 spells out what you can build on each parcel by zoning district: low‑density agricultural in AR‑5, single‑family in R‑1 (with subzones for smaller lots), medium density in R‑2, commercial in C‑1/C‑2, industrial in M districts, and mixed‑use rules for downtown and corridors. Numeric controls you must meet (lot size, height, lot coverage, parking) are written into the district chapters cited above; many commercial and mixed‑use projects also require site development or design review. Verify overlays and the parking chapter for parcel‑specific exceptions — and always check the referenced § before preparing a permit application.

Source References

  • Gridley Zoning (Title 17) — chapter excerpts used throughout: § 17.12.010–17.12.110 (AR‑5)
  • § 17.22.020–17.22.110 (R‑1 series: permitted uses, lot area, height, coverage, parking)
  • § 17.25.010–17.25.080 (R‑2 MDR) — permitted uses and dimensional standards.
  • § 17.32.040–17.32.120 (C‑1 Commercial district controls including site development plan)
  • § 17.34.040–17.34.125 (C‑2 General Commercial controls)
  • Chapter 17.42 / § 17.44 / § 17.46 (M‑1 / M‑2 / M‑3 industrial chapters) — use lists, heights, yards, lot coverage.
  • § 17.52 (MUCZ combining zone) — mixed use combining rules and density bonus references.
  • § 17.53 / § 17.54 (Downtown and NMU Mixed Use rules, downtown design standards)
  • § 17.59 (Highway Commercial Corridor / Mixed Use Combining Zone — permitted uses, prohibitions, development standards)
  • Chapter 17.58 (Special Parking Combining Zones) — downtown parking exceptions; and multiple district references to Chapter 17.76 for parking requirements.

Internal menu pages referenced:

  • Gridley Zoning (/us/california/gridley/zoning) — first page mention.
  • Gridley Development Standards (/us/california/gridley/development-standards) — first mention of numeric controls.
  • Gridley Parking (/us/california/gridley/parking) — first mention of parking.
  • Gridley Design Review (/us/california/gridley/design-review) — first mention of design/site review.
  • Gridley Overlay Districts (/us/california/gridley/overlay-districts) — first mention of combining/overlay zones.
  • Gridley ADUs (/us/california/gridley/adu) — first mention of ADUs.
  • California Building Standards Code (/us/california/building-codes) — first mention if your project crosses into building code issues (see note at top).

If you need the un‑excerpted full text of a particular Chapter or section cited above (for example the full Chapter 17.76 parking matrix or full 17.82 ADU chapter), say which section and I’ll pull the exact code snippet and assemble the specific cross‑references and typical permit triggers.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Gridley Zoning Code (§ 19) High relevance
  • Gridley Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • Gridley Zoning Code (Chapter 17.28.) High relevance
  • Gridley Zoning Code (§ 12) High relevance
  • Gridley Zoning Code (§ 13) High relevance
  • Gridley Zoning Code (Section 17.14.030.) High relevance
  • Gridley Zoning Code (Chapter 17.82.) High relevance
  • Gridley Zoning Code (§ 8) High relevance
  • Gridley Zoning Code (Chapter 17.84.) High relevance
  • Gridley Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • Gridley Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • Gridley Zoning Code (§ 18) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an AR‑5 lot in Gridley?

You can build agricultural uses (crop/tree farming), accessory farm structures, a single residence and appurtenances; roadside stands ≤500 sf and some small accessory uses are permitted. Conditional uses such as veterinary hospitals, golf courses and kennels require a CUP. See § 17.12.020–17.12.030.

What can I build on an R‑1 lot in Gridley?

R‑1 permits one single‑family dwelling per lot, small family child care, family care facilities and live‑work units; ADUs are referenced under Chapter 17.82. Conditional public/quasi‑public uses and small professional offices are listed as CUPs in § 17.22.020–17.22.030.

What are Gridley setback and height requirements for R‑1?

R‑1 maximum height is 30 ft for principal buildings and 15 ft for accessory structures; setbacks are governed by Chapter 17.78 (the district chapters reference that chapter), and minimum lot area/widths are in § 17.22.040–17.22.060. Verify site‑specific setbacks with Planning.

Do I need design review or a site development plan for a commercial project?

Most commercial projects require site development plan review; C‑2 specifically says all commercial development is subject to site development review under Chapter 17.07 — see § 17.34.120 and downtown/NMU design standards in § 17.53–17.54. Design review triggers depend on the district and the scope of exterior changes.

What uses are prohibited in the Highway Commercial Corridor (HCC/MUCZ)?

The HCC/MUCZ expressly disallows several uses including adult entertainment, childcare/preschool, cocktail lounges/bars, funeral homes, stand‑alone parking lots, solar farms (except retail/assembly), and transitional/emergency shelters — see § 17.59.040.

How are industrial use determinations handled if my use isn't listed?

If a use is not listed in the industrial chapters, the Planning Commission will determine whether it is appropriate as of right or as a CUP; the criteria and process are in § 17.42.045. Expect the Commission to consider compatibility with nearby uses and overall district purpose.

Where are the parking requirements for a proposed commercial use?

Most district chapters defer to Chapter 17.76 for parking rates; downtown special parking rules are in Chapter 17.58 (Special Parking Combining Zones). Confirm whether your parcel lies in Special Parking Combining Zone Number 1 or 2 — see § 17.58.010–.020 and district parking references such as § 17.22.090.

Can I add an ADU in Gridley?

ADUs are referenced as allowed accessory/second dwelling units in many residential chapters (e.g., § 17.22.025 for R‑1, § 17.25.025 for R‑2). The district chapters cross‑reference Chapter 17.82 for the ADU rules; retrieve that chapter for the detailed, ministerial standards and state law interactions. Not found in retrieved materials: the full Chapter 17.82 text in the excerpts; consult Gridley ADUs and the ADU chapter.

If my property abuts an R district, do I get different yard requirements?

Yes. Multiple industrial and commercial district chapters state “no yard required” but add exceptions where the lot abuts an R district — side and rear yards of 10–25 ft may be required depending on the district (see examples at § 17.42.060, § 17.44.060). Verify adjacency rules for your parcel.

Can the City change allowed uses for a specific project under a Planned Development (PD)?

Yes. The PD combining zone allows the City to modify setbacks, heights, parking and even authorize uses not otherwise permitted if the PD findings are met and public hearing procedures (Chapters 17.06 / 17.08) are followed — see § 17.55.030–17.55.050.

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