Hemet — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Hemet zoning/planning ordinance allows on different parcels in the city: which uses are permitted (P), administratively permitted (A), or conditionally permitted (C) in each zoning district, where to find the controlling land‑use matrices, and a short, district‑by‑district guide to the most decision‑relevant rules. Start by confirming the parcel’s zoning on the official map and then consult the applicable land use matrix for that zone (each base zone has its own matrix) and the city's development rules. See the city's zoning overview for zone names and maps at Hemet Zoning.

Note on related technical controls: parking is regulated separately in the parking articles; see Hemet Parking. Site and aesthetic controls are handled through site development and design review processes; see Hemet Design Review. Dimensional and other quantitative rules are in the Development Standards; see Hemet Development Standards. Accessory units (ADUs) are addressed explicitly; see Hemet ADUs. Building permits follow the California Building Standards Code (Title 24). These links are the first, authoritative in‑site references to those topics.

How Hemet’s ordinance organizes Land Use

• All base zones use a land use matrix that lists P/A/C/X for specific activities; if a use is not listed it is treated as not permitted unless the director makes a “similar use” determination. See § 90‑312 (single‑family matrix) and § 90‑893 (commercial matrix) for this approach. § 90‑312 § 90‑893
• A conditional use permit (CUP) is required when a matrix marks a use C; CUP standards and processing are referenced throughout (see repeated references to article II, § 90‑42). § 90‑42 referenced in § 90‑934
• Specific plans (SP) and planned unit development (PUD) overlays may replace base zone rules where adopted; when present the SP controls unless silent (then the Hemet Code applies). See § 90‑982 and § 90‑572—90‑574. § 90‑982 § 90‑572—90‑574
• Uses within the Hemet‑Ryan Airport Influence Area are additionally subject to the Airport Land Use Plan and may be limited. See § 90‑1215. § 90‑1215

Below are district‑by‑district breakdowns that pull the code’s purpose statements and the decision‑relevant highlights you will actually need when checking a site.

Single‑Family Residential — R‑R, R‑1‑5, R‑1‑6, R‑1‑7.2, R‑1‑10, R‑1‑20, R‑1‑40

Purpose: preserve family living areas and implement the RR, LDR, LMDR, MDR general plan categories. § 90‑311

Typical permitted uses:

• Single‑family dwellings, manufactured homes on permanent foundations — P. § 90‑312
• Accessory structures and home occupations — P (see accessory and home occupation rules). § 90‑320, § 90‑72 referenced in matrix
• Secondary dwelling units (ADUs) — P in single‑family zones (see § 90‑321 and the ADU page for State/locally applicable limits). § 90‑321 (See Hemet ADUs and California ADU law)

Key dimensional & process notes:

• Land uses are listed in the single‑family land use matrix; consult § 90‑312 for the complete matrix. § 90‑312
• Certain residential care, group home, or boarding house locations are restricted; see the permitted locations rules in § 90‑264. § 90‑264

Where it applies: areas mapped as R‑R and the several R‑1 subzones on the official zoning map. § 90‑312

Multiple‑Family Residential — R‑2, R‑3, R‑4

Purpose: allow multi‑unit housing consistent with the general plan and protect residential character. § 90‑385

Typical permitted uses:

• Multi‑family dwellings, certain group homes (per SGHP rules), and related accessory uses per the multiple‑family land use matrix. See matrix at § 90‑385 and related tables. § 90‑385

Key dimensional & process notes:

• Multi‑family projects require pre‑application review and site development review and must meet the city's multiple‑family design guidelines. § 90‑385
• Utilities, wireless facilities and institutional uses are addressed with special entries in the matrix (see Article XLVI for wireless rules). § 90‑385

Where it applies: mapped R‑2, R‑3, and R‑4 districts. § 90‑385

Office & Commercial — O‑P, C‑1, C‑2, C‑M

Purpose: provide areas for professional offices, neighborhood retail, general commercial activity, and commercial/manufacturing mixes. § 90‑892

Typical permitted uses:

• O‑P: professional/administrative offices and personal services — see matrix. § 90‑893
• C‑1: neighborhood retail and service uses — many retail uses are P but with hour/activity limits noted in the matrix. § 90‑893
• C‑2 and C‑M: general commercial and commercial/manufacturing mixes; the land use matrix explicitly codes each specific commercial use as P/A/C/X; see § 90‑893 and the Commercial Zones Land Use Matrix. § 90‑893

Key dimensional & process notes:

• All commercial uses are listed in the commercial land use matrix; unlisted uses are treated as not permitted unless the director finds them similar. § 90‑893
• Certain uses have additional municipal code cross‑references (e.g., hours, alcohol sales, drive‑throughs), which are flagged in the matrix’s “additional requirements” column. § 90‑893

Where it applies: parcels shown as O‑P, C‑1, C‑2, or C‑M on the official zoning map. § 90‑892—90‑893

Business Park / Manufacturing — BP, M‑1 (light), M‑2 (heavy)

Purpose: provide sites for light and heavy manufacturing, warehousing, and compatible commercial/manufacturing activities. § 90‑1043

Typical permitted uses:

• Specific manufacturing and assembly uses, warehousing, distribution, and related supporting uses are coded in the Manufacturing Zones Land Use Matrix; uses are identified as P/A/C/X per the table in § 90‑1043. § 90‑1043

Key dimensional & process notes:

• The code requires that most manufacturing uses be conducted indoors unless otherwise specified and subjects them to performance standards. § 90‑1043
• Special provisions apply to aboveground fuel storage and other hazardous uses (setbacks and screening, e.g., 100 ft setback from certain circulation roads). § 90‑933/90‑934 excerpt for overlayized manufacturing examples

Where it applies: parcels mapped BP, M‑1, M‑2. § 90‑1043

Public Institutional — PI

Purpose: allow public/quasi‑public uses (schools, fire, police, utilities, hospitals) with flexible lot standards because uses vary. See Public Institutional Land Use Matrix. § 90‑1215—90‑1219

Typical permitted uses:

• Many institutional uses (e.g., fire station, library, school) are P or C per the PI matrix. See the PI matrix for details. § 90‑1215

Key dimensional & process notes:

• PI has no minimum site area and no minimum lot width/depth; max height is 35 ft except where higher is authorized via review. § 90‑1216—90‑1219
• Yards and placement are determined during site review to ensure appropriate buffers and operational compatibility. § 90‑1217

Where it applies: mapped Public Institutional parcels and sites shown on the official zoning map. § 90‑1215

Overlay and Special Districts — PUD, SP, Acacia/Sanderson Overlay Zone, Hillside, etc.

• Specific Plan (SP): where established, the SP rules replace base zoning; SP must still be consistent with the General Plan and may pre‑zone properties. § 90‑981—90‑983
• Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay: is applied with the "PUD" suffix and requires a master plan and specific application materials. § 90‑572—90‑574
• Acacia/Sanderson Overlay Zone: an example overlay that governs how C‑2 and C‑M uses are mixed within a defined area and places a 60% limit on C‑2 uses across the overlay; see § 90‑933—90‑934 for the use table and site development rules. § 90‑933—90‑934
• Where an overlay has specific limits (like the 60% cap), those overlay rules are binding and enforced across the entire overlay. § 90‑934

For a consolidated list of overlay districts see Hemet Overlay Districts.

Quick decision table — common checks at a glance

Checklist

• Confirm the parcel’s exact zoning designation on the official map (e.g., R‑1‑10, C‑2, M‑1). § 90‑892—90‑893
• Consult the applicable land use matrix for that zone to see whether your proposed use is P, A, C, or X. § 90‑312, § 90‑893, § 90‑1043
• If the use is C, budget time for a CUP under article II (see references to § 90‑42) and assemble the required submittal materials. § 90‑934
• Check for overlays or specific plans (SP/PUD) covering the parcel; where present the SP or overlay rules may supersede base zone rules. § 90‑982, § 90‑934
• Verify off‑street parking requirements from the parking tables and article XL and factor them into the site plan. See Hemet Parking and Sec. 90‑1424. § 90‑1424
• For projects in or near the Hemet‑Ryan Airport Influence Area confirm ALUP compatibility. § 90‑1215
• Confirm whether other special permit regimes apply (e.g., small group home permit, temporary use permit, travel trailer park CUP). § 90‑266, § 90‑73, § 90‑761—90‑762

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Hemet’s zoning code lists allowed uses in a zone‑specific land‑use matrix: check the matrix for your zone to see if your use is permitted outright (P), needs administrative approval (A), or requires a conditional use permit (C). Overlays and Specific Plans can change the rules for a parcel, and airport compatibility or parking requirements may create additional constraints — always verify the parcel’s zoning, overlays, and the exact matrix entries before planning. §§ 90‑312, 90‑893, 90‑1043, 90‑982

Source References

• Hemet Municipal Code — Single‑family residential land use matrix and purposes: § 90‑311—90‑312. § 90‑312
• Hemet Municipal Code — Single‑family land use matrix details (ADUs, accessory uses): § 90‑321, accessory‑use cross‑refs. § 90‑321
• Hemet Municipal Code — Multiple‑family land use matrices and pre‑application requirements: § 90‑385. § 90‑385
• Hemet Municipal Code — Commercial zones purpose and land use matrix rules: § 90‑892—90‑893. § 90‑893
• Hemet Municipal Code — Acacia/Sanderson Overlay Zone, use table and site rules: § 90‑932—90‑934. § 90‑933—90‑934
• Hemet Municipal Code — BP/M‑1/M‑2 manufacturing zones land use matrix and standards: § 90‑1043. § 90‑1043
• Hemet Municipal Code — Specific Plan rules (SP replaces base zones): § 90‑981—90‑983, § 90‑982. § 90‑982
• Hemet Municipal Code — Public Institutional zone rules (site area, setbacks, height): § 90‑1215—90‑1219. § 90‑1216—90‑1219
• Hemet Municipal Code — Travel trailer park CUP and special standards: § 90‑761—90‑762. § 90‑761—90‑762
• Hemet Municipal Code — Parking and parking area development standards (article XL / § 90‑1424). § 90‑1424

Retrieved passages

• Hemet Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 1 (Article XLVI) High relevance show source text
• Hemet Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Hemet Zoning Code (article and) High relevance show source text
• Hemet Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Hemet Zoning Code (Article XVIII) High relevance show source text
• Hemet Zoning Code (ARTICLE XXIII.) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 100 High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Hemet Municipal Code — Single‑family residential land use matrix and purposes: § **90‑311—90‑312**. § **90‑312**
• Hemet Municipal Code — Single‑family land use matrix details (ADUs, accessory uses): § **90‑321**, accessory‑use cross‑refs. § **90‑321**
• Hemet Municipal Code — Multiple‑family land use matrices and pre‑application requirements: § **90‑385**. § **90‑385**
• Hemet Municipal Code — Commercial zones purpose and land use matrix rules: § **90‑892—90‑893**. § **90‑893**
• Hemet Municipal Code — Acacia/Sanderson Overlay Zone, use table and site rules: § **90‑932—90‑934**. § **90‑933—90‑934**
• Hemet Municipal Code — BP/M‑1/M‑2 manufacturing zones land use matrix and standards: § **90‑1043**. § **90‑1043**
• Hemet Municipal Code — Specific Plan rules (SP replaces base zones): § **90‑981—90‑983**, § **90‑982**. § **90‑982**
• Hemet Municipal Code — Public Institutional zone rules (site area, setbacks, height): § **90‑1215—90‑1219**. § **90‑1216—90‑1219**
• Hemet Municipal Code — Travel trailer park CUP and special standards: § **90‑761—90‑762**. § **90‑761—90‑762**
• Hemet Municipal Code — Parking and parking area development standards (article XL / § **90‑1424**). § **90‑1424** (article XL)
• Hemet_ZoningCode.md

• Official Hemet code library