Hercules — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Hercules implements a city-specific Zoning Ordinance titled the City of Hercules Zoning Ordinance (Title 13) that establishes zone districts, the official Zoning Map, and rules for allowable uses and development standards. Verify a parcel’s zone on the Zoning Map and read applicable district chapters for permitted uses and design-review triggers; the Zoning Map is part of the ordinance (§ 13-5.210 ). For help on site-level standards see the Hercules Development Standards and for parking requirements see Hercules Parking. Design review and overlay rules commonly change project requirements — consult Hercules Design Review and Hercules Overlay Districts when planning a proposal.

DIVISION II of Title 13 establishes the districts and DIVISION III contains the cross‑cutting property standards; allowable uses are organized by general use categories and decided by the Community Development Director when a use is not listed (§ 13-5.200, § 13-5.300) . Site-level measurement rules (setbacks, projections) are found in the Property Development Standards chapter (see § 13-30.200–§ 13-30.220) . Design review requirements and enforcement appear in Chapter 13-42 and related enforcement chapters (§ 13-42.800, § 13-42.900) .

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the city’s established zoning districts (the list and symbols are established in § 13-5.200) — each subsection gives the ordinance-stated purpose, typical permitted uses (as summarized in the land-use tables and chapter text), key dimensional standards when the ordinance provides them, and where the district is applied or controlled in the code. Always verify the parcel’s exact designation on the official Zoning Map (the map is part of Title 13, § 13-5.210) .

Residential single-family estate — RS-E

• Purpose: Implement the General Plan Single-Family—Estate land use and preserve low-density estate lots (§ 13-5.200) .
• Typical permitted uses: single-family dwellings and customary accessory uses; accessory structures per § 13-5.340 (accessories) .
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials for numeric setbacks/height for RS-E; see general development standards (§ 13-30.100) for measurement rules .
• Where it applies: Mapped on the Zoning Map per parcel; check § 13-5.210 for map authority .

Residential single-family low density — RS-L

• Purpose: Implement Single-Family—Low Density General Plan designation (§ 13-5.200) .
• Typical permitted uses: detached single-family homes and limited accessory uses; additional accessory standards referenced in accessory use definitions (§ 13-5.340) .
• Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved snippet for RS-L numeric table — apply Chapter 13-30 property standards and verify district-specific table on the City’s zoning tables (verify with the Community Development Director) .

Residential multifamily low/medium/high density — RM-L, RM-M, RM-H

• Purpose: Implement the multifamily density categories of the General Plan and provide housing variety (§ 13-5.200) .
• Typical permitted uses: multifamily dwellings, accessory dwelling units subject to state and local ADU rules (see Hercules ADUs and state ADU law) .
• Key dimensional standards: Numerical density/lot standards for these RM zones are not shown in the retrieved excerpts — apply Chapter 13-30 standards and consult district property development tables in Title 13. Verify with the Community Development Director (perform site-specific check) .

Mobile home park — P‑M‑H

• Purpose: Establish mobile home park land use as mapped under § 13-5.200 .
• Uses and standards: Not found in the provided excerpts — refer to the Park/Mobile Home chapter in Title 13 or contact the City (verify with the jurisdiction) .

General Commercial / Community Commercial / Recreation Commercial — CG, CC, CR

• Purpose: Implement General Plan commercial categories; each district is tuned to scale and function: citywide commercial, community-serving, or recreation-oriented commercial (§ 13-5.200) .
• Typical permitted uses: retail, personal services, restaurants, offices (use lists and permit types are in the land use regulations tables; many commercial uses require an administrative use permit) (§ 13-5.300) .
• Key standards: Not all numeric standards found in the retrieved excerpts — parking and signage are governed by Chapters 13-32 and 13-34 respectively; apply design-review rules in Chapter 13-42 for most commercial changes .

Industrial — I

• Purpose: Provide for industrial uses consistent with the General Plan (§ 13-5.200) .
• Typical permitted uses: manufacturing, R&D, distribution where allowed by district-specific tables; heavier industrial uses may be restricted or require conditional use permits per district tables (§ 13-5.300) .
• Key standards: Not found in the provided excerpts.

Industrial‑Residential Mixed‑Use — I‑R

• Purpose: Mixed industrial and residential opportunities in targeted locations (see Table 13-13.2 property development regulations) (Table 13-13.2) .
• Typical permitted uses: mixed small-scale industrial, residential uses and accessory uses as allowed in the I‑R land-use regulation table; administrative or conditional permits may be required per table keys (§ 13-13.2 table) .
• Key dimensional standards (from Table 13-13.2): FAR 0.50 (typical density rules apply); lot size 5,000 sq ft; front setback 10 ft, rear 20 ft, side 5 ft (with planned development flexibility) — see Table 13-13.2 and Chapter 13-13 property table (Table 13-13.2, Chapter 13-13) .

Planned Commercial‑Industrial — PC‑I

• Purpose: Provide for commercial and light-industrial uses visible from I‑80 and SR‑4, and allow warehousing/wholesale serving Hercules where appropriate (§ 13-14.100) .
• Typical permitted uses: wholesale sales, public/quasi-public uses, government offices, libraries, daycare (see Table 13-14.2 land use table) — many uses require an administrative (A) or conditional (C) use permit per the table keys (Table 13-14.2, § 13-14.500) .
• Key dimensional standards (Table 13-14.2): FAR 0.25–0.50 (typical 0.30); lot size 5,000 sq ft; front setback 20 ft, rear 20 ft, side 10 ft; max coverage 50%; building height 35 ft (with planned development exceptions) (Table 13-14.2, § 13-14.500) .

Planned Commercial‑Residential — PC‑R

• Purpose: Encourage integrated residential and commercial mixed‑use developments with incentives such as added residential density where combined with nonresidential FAR (§ 13-15.100–§ 13-15.200) .
• Typical permitted uses: mixed-use buildings with upper-floor residential and ground-floor commercial; live-work units; new commercial functions generally require design review and use permits (§ 13-15.200) .
• Key standards: Example incentives: residential density of 40 units/acre may be added to nonresidential density of 0.20 to 4.0 FAR where mixed-use integration occurs (§ 13-15.200) .

Planned Office / R&D — PO/RD

• Purpose & uses: For office and research & development uses consistent with General Plan implementation (§ 13-5.200) .
• Standards: Not found in provided excerpts; consult district tables.

Waterfront Commercial — WC

• Purpose: Support waterfront-oriented commercial/mixed uses while protecting views and shoreline resources (property development regulations show building height 25 ft, max coverage 30%, landscaping minimum 20% in an excerpt) (Table: WC) .
• Typical permitted uses: waterfront commercial, hospitality, some mixed-use residential per Waterfront Master Plan chapters (Chapter 13-27) .
• Key dimensional standards (excerpt): front setback 10 ft, rear 20 ft, side 10 ft, max site coverage 30%, landscaping 20%, height 25 ft (see the WC property table in Title 13) .

Historic Town Center — HTC

• Purpose: Preserve the historic town core and allow compatible reuse; the Waterfront District Master Plan and Historic Overlay govern details (see Chapter 13-27 and Historic Overlay rules) .
• Typical permitted uses: live-work, upper-floor residential above commercial, small retail and services consistent with historic character.
• Standards: Historic Overlay and Waterfront Master Plan control; see Historic Overlay chapter for design review triggers (Not all numeric standards found in supplied excerpts) .

New Town Center — NTC

• Purpose: Transit-oriented town center with dense, pedestrian-oriented mix of residential, commercial, office and public uses; specifically designed to implement the Central Hercules Plan Regulating Code (§ 13-18.100) .
• Typical permitted uses: mixed-use, higher-density housing, commercial/retail serving transit users; design and circulation standards emphasize walkability (§ 13-18.100) .
• Key standards: Project-level regulating code (Central Hercules Plan) and design review requirements apply; numeric standards not fully listed in retrieved excerpts — consult Chapter 13-18 and the Central Hercules Regulating Code .

Public / Quasi‑Public — P/QP-C, P/QP-O, P/QP-P, P/QP-S

• Purpose: Allow public and quasi‑public uses (city offices, parks, schools, utilities), and reserve expansion sites; specific purposes and typical FAR ranges for city uses are stated in Chapter 13-10 (§ 13-10.100) .
• Typical permitted uses: governmental offices, public safety, parks, schools; senior housing may be permitted on public sites (§ 13-10.100) .
• Key standards: Example: P/QP‑C typical FAR 0.30–1.00 (typical FAR 0.40 for city uses) (§ 13-10.100) .

Planned Development / Specific Plan areas (e.g., New Pacific Properties Specific Plan)

• Purpose: Planned Development and Specific Plan chapters allow tailored standards and may supersede or refine Title 13 standards for defined areas (Chapter 13-26, Chapter 13-48) .
• Typical permitted uses and standards: Set in the applicable specific plan document (for New Pacific Properties, see the New Pacific Specific Plan Chapter 13-26) — the ordinance directs that specific plan chapters contain the controlling standards (§ 13-26.200) .

Overlay and combining districts (selected)

• Historic Overlay (H) — Purpose: preserve historic resources; see Historic Overlay chapter and Waterfront District Master Plan for reuse rules (Chapter 13-27) .
• Special Flood Hazard Area (F) — Purpose: apply flood-safe development standards where mapped; standards not excerpted here.
• Special Study Area (SSA) — Purpose: treat specific parcels as SSA with combined standards and plan-level coordination; see § 13-24.100–§ 13-24.600 for requirements and cross-application with zoning districts (Special Study Area overlay adds to underlying zone regulations) .
• Refugio Creek Overlay (RCO) and School‑Park Overlay (S‑P‑O) — Purposes and specific performance standards appear in their overlay chapters; overlay regulations augment the base zoning (§ 13-24, § 13-25) .

Quick Reference table — selected decision‑relevant standards and permitted uses

(For complete tables by district consult the ordinance chapters and the official Zoning Map; the City Clerk/Community Development Director holds the authoritative map and records § 13-1.200, § 13-5.210) .

Checklist

• Verify the parcel’s zoning symbol on the official Zoning Map (Zoning Map is part of Title 13) — § 13-5.210 .
• Confirm whether the proposed use is listed as permitted, administrative, or conditional in the district’s land-use table; if not listed, request a Director determination per § 13-5.300 .
• Check the district‑specific property development table for setbacks, height, FAR, lot size; if missing, apply Chapter 13-30 general standards (§ 13-30.100) .
• Determine if project triggers design review (Chapter 13-42) and which level of review applies (§ 13-42.800, § 13-42.900) .
• Review applicable overlay districts (Historic, SSA, Scenic Road, Flood) — overlay rules layer on top of base zone (§ 13-24.200, § 13-25.200) .
• Confirm parking and signage requirements per Hercules Parking and signage chapter (Chapters 13-32, 13-34) .
• If modifying nonconforming sites/uses, read the Nonconforming chapter and record obligations — Ch. 13-47 (Nonconforming Uses) .
• For deviations/relief, prepare to pursue a variance or planned development approval (see Hercules Variances and Exceptions and Chapter 13-51) .
• If the project involves habitable units, confirm compliance with California Building Standards Code (Title 24) and state ADU law where relevant (California ADU law).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Hercules’ Title 13 divides the city into named zoning districts (residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use and public) and overlay districts; each district’s chapter and property-development tables list permitted uses, setbacks, FAR/height and special rules. Always check the official Zoning Map and the specific district chapter for your parcel — if a use is not listed the Community Development Director makes a similarity determination and overlays or specific plans can add or override standards (§ 13-5.210, § 13-5.300, Ch. 13-24) .

Source References

• City of Hercules Zoning Ordinance (Title 13) — Division II (Zone District Regulations), including zone list and symbols — § 13-5.200 .
• Zoning Map is part of Title 13 — § 13-5.210 .
• Allowable land uses and director determination rules — § 13-5.300 .
• Property development regulations and measurement rules — Chapter 13-30, § 13-30.100, § 13-30.200–§ 13-30.220 .
• I‑R district property table (Table 13‑13.2) and I‑R chapter references — Table 13-13.2; Chapter 13-13 (see Table 13-13.2) .
• PC‑I land uses and development table (Table 13‑14.2) and PC‑I purposes — § 13-14.100, Table 13-14.2 § 13-14.500 .
• New Town Center purposes and standards reference — § 13-18.100 (NTC) .
• Waterfront District Master Plan purposes and controlling chapters — Chapter 13-27 and related tables (Chapter 13-27) .
• Special Study Area Overlay and overlay rules — Chapter 13-24 § 13-24.100–§ 13-24.600 .
• Design review modification/enforcement — § 13-42.800, § 13-42.900 .
• Planned development plan rules — Chapter 13-48 § 13-48.100, § 13-48.200 .
• Nonconforming sites and structures guidance — § 13-5.330, Chapter 13-47 § 13-47.900 .

Retrieved passages

• Hercules Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Hercules Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Hercules Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Hercules Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Hercules Zoning Code (Title 13) High relevance show source text
• Hercules Zoning Code (Section 13-5.200.) High relevance show source text
• Hercules Zoning Code (Title or) High relevance show source text
• Hercules Zoning Code (Chapter 13-30) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• City of Hercules Zoning Ordinance (Title 13) — Division II (Zone District Regulations), including zone list and symbols — **§ 13-5.200** . (Title 13)
• Zoning Map is part of Title 13 — **§ 13-5.210** . (Title 13)
• Allowable land uses and director determination rules — **§ 13-5.300** . (§ 13-5.300)
• Property development regulations and measurement rules — Chapter 13-30, **§ 13-30.100**, **§ 13-30.200**–**§ 13-30.220** . (Chapter 13-30)
• I‑R district property table (Table 13‑13.2) and I‑R chapter references — Table 13-13.2; Chapter 13-13 (see Table 13-13.2) . (chapter references)
• PC‑I land uses and development table (Table 13‑14.2) and PC‑I purposes — **§ 13-14.100**, Table 13-14.2 **§ 13-14.500** . (§ 13-14.100)
• New Town Center purposes and standards reference — **§ 13-18.100** (NTC) . (§ 13-18.100)
• Waterfront District Master Plan purposes and controlling chapters — Chapter 13-27 and related tables **(Chapter 13-27)** . (Chapter 13-27)
• Special Study Area Overlay and overlay rules — Chapter 13-24 **§ 13-24.100**–**§ 13-24.600** . (Chapter 13-24)
• Design review modification/enforcement — **§ 13-42.800**, **§ 13-42.900** . (§ 13-42.800)
• Planned development plan rules — Chapter 13-48 **§ 13-48.100**, **§ 13-48.200** . (Chapter 13-48)
• Nonconforming sites and structures guidance — **§ 13-5.330**, Chapter 13-47 **§ 13-47.900** . (§ 13-5.330)
• Hercules_ZoningCode.md

• Official Hercules code library