Hemet — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Hemet Municipal Code’s zoning ordinance (the city’s Title 90 zoning provisions) actually establishes about zoning districts, how the official zoning map works, and the key rules an applicant must plan for. It is a close, plain‑English synthesis of the local code excerpts retrieved from the city zoning text (citations to the controlling § follow each point). For related topics see the city’s guidance on development standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs and the California Building Standards Code (Title 24).

How Hemet organizes zoning (short)

• The ordinance lists base zones (residential, commercial, manufacturing, open space, institutional, etc.) and overlay/special zones (PUD, specific plan, Acacia‑Sanderson, scenic highway, hillside, emergency shelter) and maps them on the city’s official zoning map. See the official map rules and how boundaries are interpreted in § 90-6 and § 90-7 .
• Permitted, administrative, and conditional uses are implemented through the code’s land‑use matrices and zone articles; uses not listed are “not permitted” unless the director makes a similar‑use determination (see § 90-893 and related matrices) .

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the primary zones named in the code, with the code citation for the naming/establishing provision (the municipal code uses the chapter numbering beginning with 90—these are the controlling § citations).

Note: The zoning ordinance contains detailed land‑use matrices and many cross references. For any permitted/conditional classification consult the land‑use matrix entries tied to each article (see the Code Reference column in the table below).

R-R (Rural Residential)

• Purpose: Reserve large residential lots and allow limited agricultural uses; avoid premature urban density in unsuitable areas. § 90-313 .
• Typical permitted uses: large‑lot single family dwellings, agricultural/crop production where appropriate (see land‑use matrix) § 90-313 .
• Key dimensional standards: code describes intent but specific minimums for rural lots are provided in the single‑family zone table (see § 90-313 for standards) .
• Where it applies: designated on the official zoning map; boundary rules at § 90-6/§ 90-7 apply .

R-1 (Single‑Family Residential; subdesignations R-1-5, R-1-6, R-1-7.2, R-1-10, R-1-20, R-1-40)

• Purpose: Provide for single‑family homes at a variety of lot sizes. § 90-313 .
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings; accessory uses as listed in the single‑family land‑use matrix. See the matrix for accessory and home occupation specifics (§ 90-313 and related articles) .
• Key dimensional standards: minimum lot sizes are explicit: R-1-5 = 5,000 sq ft, R-1-6 = 6,000 sq ft, R-1-7.2 = 7,200 sq ft, R-1-10 = 10,000 sq ft, R-1-20 = 20,000 sq ft, R-1-40 = 40,000 sq ft (all per § 90-313). Site development and pre‑application review requirements are referenced in § 90-314 .
• Where it applies: as shown on official zoning map; small‑lot subdivisions in R-1-5 and R-1-6 have compensating open‑space/park guidelines (see § 90-314(d)) .

R-2, R-3, R-4 (Multiple‑Family Residential)

• Purpose: Multi‑family housing at increasing density (R-2 low, R-3 medium, R-4 higher). See Article XIII (multiple‑family zones) and general requirements § 90-385 et seq. .
• Typical permitted uses: apartments, condominiums, senior housing (with special standards), and related residential support uses (land‑use matrix). See the multifamily matrix and § 90-385 through § 90-387 for senior project modifications .
• Key dimensional & site standards: site development review, design guideline compliance, and specific buffering when adjacent to single‑family: minimum 20 ft landscape setback + 5 ft per story (when adjoining single‑family) per § 90-385 (buffering rules referenced in the multifamily standards) . Parking rules point to the city’s parking article (see parking).
• Where it applies: as mapped; senior projects can adjust unit floor area but must meet density and ADA/accessibility standards § 90-387 .

TR-20, PUMH, TTPD (Mobile home / travel trailer zones)

• Purpose: Provide zoning for mobile home parks, planned unit mobile home development, and travel trailer planned developments; specialized standards for lot layout, private streets, and common open space. See Article XXI–XXIII § 90-692 and § 90-721—90-724 .
• Typical permitted uses: manufactured homes, park amenities, accessory structures subject to the article standards.
• Key dimensional standards: e.g., TR/TTPD specific building heights and access drive widths are defined in each article (for example TTPD height limits § 90-815 and access drive widths § 90-817) .
• Where: designated on the official zoning map per § 90-6 .

OP, C-1, C-2, C-M (Office / Commercial / Commercial‑Manufacturing)

• Purpose: Office and commercial districts are established to implement the General Plan commercial categories and protect adjacent residential uses § 90-891—90-892 .
• Typical permitted uses: retail, offices, services, hotels/motels, light manufacturing (C-M) — uses are assigned P/A/C in the commercial land‑use matrix; permitted and conditionally permitted uses appear in the matrix and are enforced via § 90-893 .
• Key standards: site development, signage, parking, and landscaping cross‑referenced to other articles (e.g., signage Article XXXVI, parking Article XL). The Acacia‑Sanderson Overlay places additional mix/percentage rules for C-2 vs C‑M and site locational rules § 90-934 (Acacia/Sanderson specifics) .
• Where: commercial zones are shown on the official zoning map § 90-892 and are subject to overlay rules where applicable .

BP, M-1, M-2 (Business Park / Manufacturing)

• Purpose: Locations for business park, light manufacturing, and general industrial uses; development standards in the manufacturing zone articles (Article XXX). Name and article mapping in § 90-10 table and zone list § 90-10/§ 90-6 .
• Uses and standards: Use lists are in the manufacturing articles and the land‑use matrices; parking and loading cross‑reference Article XL. Verify specific allowed processes or hazardous uses by reviewing the manufacturing zone article (not fully reproduced here).

OS‑G, OS‑R (Open Space General and Recreation)

• Purpose: Preserve open space corridors, parks, and recreation lands; standards referenced in Article XXXIII. Zone names appear in the official zone list § 90-10 .
• Typical uses: parks, open space, passive recreation subject to Article XXXIII.

P‑I (Public Institutional) and S‑1 (Religious Institutions)

• Purpose: Accommodate public institutional uses and religious institutions; P‑I notes no minimum site area and sets height limits (P‑I height max 35 ft, unless approved otherwise) in § 90-1216—90-1219 .
• Typical permitted uses: government buildings, schools, public safety, places of worship (subject to specific rules and permits) — see the public institutional article.

SP (Specific Plan Zone)

• Purpose: A specific plan can replace base zoning on mapped land; where adopted the specific plan’s standards take precedence over the Municipal Code unless the plan is silent (see § 90-980—90-982) .
• Practical effect: Projects in an SP zone must follow the specific plan’s development standards; if the specific plan is silent, the Hemet Code applies § 90-982 .

Overlays: PUD, PUMH, Hillside, Scenic Highway, Acacia‑Sanderson, Emergency Shelter

• Purpose and effect: Overlays modify underlying zone rules (e.g., PUD overlays allow alternative standards; Acacia‑Sanderson caps the percent of C‑2 vs C‑M uses and imposes locational rules). See PUD rules § 90-572—90-574, Acacia/Sanderson site rules § 90-934, scenic highway setback § 90-953, and Emergency Shelter overlay rules § 90-956—90-959 .
• Where it applies: Overlays are shown on the official zoning map and are designated with the overlay symbol (for example, “R-1 PUD”) § 90-572 .

Key decision‑relevant standards (quick table)

(For full, parcel‑level permitted uses consult the land‑use matrices and the zone articles cited above; the matrices list P, A, C classifications and cross‑references to other regulations such as parking, signage and wireless facilities.)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

• Confirm parcel’s base zone and any overlays on the official zoning map (map is part of the code; see § 90-6/§ 90-7). § 90-6
• Review the applicable land‑use matrix for the zone to confirm whether the proposed use is Permitted/Administrative/Conditional/Not permitted and note any additional requirements referenced in the matrix (§ 90-893).
• Meet zone dimensional/minimum lot standards (e.g., R‑1 minimum lot size per § 90-313).
• Prepare for required review steps: pre‑application and site development review where the code requires it (single‑family and multifamily reference § 90-314 and § 90-385 respectively).
• Comply with overlay rules or specific plan provisions where the property lies within one (SP rules are controlling where adopted § 90-980—90-982).
• Demonstrate compliance with cross‑cutting standards: parking (see parking), signage, landscaping (see development standards and landscaping and screening), and design guidelines (see design review).
• Secure required permits/approvals (conditional use permit, variances if needed — consult variances and exceptions); verify if a specific plan or overlay waives or modifies typical permit needs (verify with the jurisdiction).
• For residential buildings obtain building permits and meet the California Building Standards Code as invoked by the municipal code (the code repeatedly cross‑references the state building code in construction provisions). § 90-314(c) / § 90-385(c)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Hemet’s zoning code lays out a set list of base zones (residential, commercial, manufacturing, institutional, open space) plus a set of overlay and specific‑plan options; the official zoning map controls where each zone applies, and permitted uses are determined by zone‑specific land‑use matrices. Key numeric controls you’ll commonly need (for example, R‑1 minimum lot sizes, scenic highway setbacks, and P‑I height limits) are in the cited code sections — always verify the property’s mapped zone/overlay and consult the specific land‑use matrix and any specific plan. See § 90-313, § 90-6, § 90-893, and the overlay and SP articles for controlling details.

Information Gaps

• The uploaded excerpts do not reproduce the full land‑use matrices in a single place; therefore the precise P/A/C listing for many individual uses (e.g., retail types, medical office, day‑care categories) must be checked in the actual Land‑Use Matrix pages (referenced in commercial & residential articles). Not found in retrieved materials.
• Specific numeric setbacks, lot coverage or FAR for every zone are not comprehensively reproduced in the retrieved snippets; consult the full zone articles and the city’s development standards. Not found in retrieved materials.
• The detailed content of site development review procedures (full text of § 90-48) and some administrative procedures is only referenced and was not returned in full in the retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction. Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

• Official zoning map; rules on map and boundary interpretation — § 90-6 and § 90-7
• Single‑family zones and minimum lot sizes — § 90-313 (R‑R, R‑1 subdesignations) and site development requirements § 90-314
• Multiple‑family zones; general multifamily standards and senior housing rules — § 90-385, § 90-387
• Commercial zone purposes and establishment (OP, C‑1, C‑2, C‑M) and uses — § 90-891—§ 90-893 and associated land‑use matrix references
• Acacia‑Sanderson Overlay rules — § 90-934 (mix percentages and site rules)
• Public Institutional zone (P‑I) site area, placement and height — § 90-1215—§ 90-1219
• Specific Plan zone and precedence of SP standards — § 90-980—§ 90-982
• Scenic Highway setback front yard requirement — § 90-953
• Nonconforming uses (group homes and boarding house rules) — § 90-271

Retrieved passages

• Hemet Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Hemet Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 1 (article and) Medium relevance show source text
• Hemet Zoning Code (article is) Medium relevance show source text
• Hemet Zoning Code (article XLVI) Medium relevance show source text
• Hemet Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Hemet Zoning Code (§ 22610) Medium relevance show source text
• Hemet Zoning Code (section 90-385.) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Official zoning map; rules on map and boundary interpretation — **§ 90-6** and **§ 90-7** (§ 90-6)
• Single‑family zones and minimum lot sizes — **§ 90-313** (R‑R, **R‑1** subdesignations) and site development requirements **§ 90-314** (§ 90-313)
• Multiple‑family zones; general multifamily standards and senior housing rules — **§ 90-385**, **§ 90-387** (§ 90-385)
• Commercial zone purposes and establishment (**OP, C‑1, C‑2, C‑M**) and uses — **§ 90-891—§ 90-893** and associated land‑use matrix references (§ 90-891)
• Acacia‑Sanderson Overlay rules — **§ 90-934** (mix percentages and site rules) (§ 90-934)
• Public Institutional zone (P‑I) site area, placement and height — **§ 90-1215—§ 90-1219** (§ 90-1215)
• Specific Plan zone and precedence of SP standards — **§ 90-980—§ 90-982** (§ 90-980)
• Scenic Highway setback front yard requirement — **§ 90-953** (§ 90-953)
• Nonconforming uses (group homes and boarding house rules) — **§ 90-271** (§ 90-271)
• Hemet_ZoningCode.md

• Official Hemet code library