Kerman Zoning, Planning & Building Codes

Last reviewed: July 4, 2026

Overview

Kerman’s zoning and planning rules are codified as Title 17 — City of Kerman Zoning Code and organize land use by base zones (residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, etc.) plus combining/overlay zones and procedural chapters for permits, design review, and enforcement § 17.02.010. The code sets citywide site standards (street improvements, clear‑vision triangles, solid‑waste enclosures), zone‑level development standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage, density), and project review paths (zoning clearances, site plan, conditional and administrative permits, development plan review) so applicants know whether a project is ministerial or discretionary § 17.20.010; § 17.70.020; § 17.80.010; § 17.96.010. This page explains how the Kerman code is organized, the actual district families and important combining zones, where the major rules live, how building permits are tied to planning approvals, and how state housing laws (ADU/JADU, density bonus, etc.) interact locally § 17.02.010; § 17.110.010; § 17.42.010.

How Kerman's code is organized

• Title 17 is the Zoning Code (the official title) and is arranged in Divisions and Chapters that group: enactment/applicability, zones & development standards, regulations that apply to all zones, combining zones, nonconformities, permits & processing, and administration § 17.02.010.
• Major administrative chapters and where to look:
  • General rules and applicability: § 17.02.010–§ 17.06.040 (Title, purpose, applicability, map boundaries).
  • Residential zone rules: Chapter 17.10 (purpose, land‑use table and development standards) — see § 17.10.010 and following.
  • Combining/Planned development and Smart Residential: Chapter 17.18 (PD, SD, IBA combining zones; Table 17.18‑1 contains the SD standards).
  • Citywide site standards (setbacks, improvements, clear vision): Chapter 17.20 § 17.20.010–§ 17.20.050.
  • Permit processing, ministerial vs discretionary, and zoning clearances: Chapter 17.70 and permit‑specific chapters § 17.70.020; § 17.80.010; § 17.96.010.
  • Objective multi‑unit design standards (streamlined ministerial path): Chapter 17.46 § 17.46.010–§ 17.46.020.
  • Density bonus rules implementing state law: Chapter 17.42 § 17.42.010–§ 17.42.120 (applies Government Code § 65915 and defers to state law on conflicts).
  • Administration, approvals and appeals: Chapter 17.110 (city council, planning commission, director, DRC) § 17.110.010–§ 17.110.060.

Practical orientation: begin at the zone chapter for the parcel’s base zone (e.g., Chapter 17.10 for residential), then check combining‑zone chapters (Chapter 17.18) for any overlays, then read the project review path (Chapter 17.70, § 17.80.010 for site plan review or § 17.96.010 for development plan review).

Zoning district families (what actually exists in Kerman)

Kerman’s code uses named base zones and several combining/overlay families. The code’s land‑use tables and zone chapters specify which uses are permitted, which require an administrative use permit (AUP), and which require a conditional use permit (CUP) (see land‑use tables and Chapter headings).

• Residential family (Chapter 17.10): RR, RR‑43, RR‑100 (rural residential); R‑1‑7, R‑1‑12 (single‑unit); R‑2, R‑3 (two‑ and multi‑unit) — uses (including Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)) and development standards are in Chapter 17.10 and in the ADU chapter § 17.40.010.
• Commercial / Mixed‑use family (Chapter 17.12 and MU tables): CN, MU, PA and related commercial designations — setbacks, signage and parking rules are in those chapters (commercial parking references Chapter 17.28) § 17.12.070.
• Industrial family (Chapter 17.14): M‑1, M‑2 — development standards (parcel size, height, FAR references appear in the industrial table) are set in Chapter 17.14 and the development tables (e.g., Table 17.14‑2).
• Special combining/overlay families (Chapter 17.18):
  • PD (Planned Development combining zone) — PD‑R‑1, PD‑R‑3 suffix notation; subject to development plan review § 17.18.020.
  • SD (Smart Residential Development combining zone) — SD variants such as SD‑R‑5, SD‑R‑4.5, SD‑R‑3.5, SD‑R‑2.5 with Table 17.18‑1 listing average parcel sizes, maximum heights, coverage and yard requirements § 17.18.030.
  • IBA (Industrial Boulevard Area combining zone) — special standards for Madera Avenue corridor (minimum parcels, landscaping, front yard, development plan review) § 17.18.040.

All allowed uses are shown in Division 2 land‑use tables (e.g., Table 17.10‑1 for residential uses) and the tables indicate P / AUP / CUP status; Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is explicitly listed as an allowed residential use (see table entries and Chapter 17.40) § 17.04.030; § 17.40.010.

Citywide development standards (high‑level)

Where key standards live and how they work together:

• General site and public‑improvement requirements (curbs, gutters, sidewalks, dedications, clear‑vision triangle, undergrounding of utilities) are set in § 17.20.010–§ 17.20.050 (General Site Planning and Development Standards). These sections are the first stop for citywide rules that apply across zones.
• Zone‑level development standards (setbacks, maximum heights, parcel sizes, lot coverage, yards) live in each base‑zone chapter:
  • Residential: Chapter 17.10 (development standards and special architectural requirements for R‑1‑7 and R‑1‑12) § 17.10.030; § 17.10.100.
  • Combining SD examples: Table 17.18‑1 in § 17.18.030 sets specific heights (e.g., 35 ft for many SD variants; 45 ft for SD‑R‑2.5), front/rear/side yard minima and max coverage/FAR by SD subtype — use Table 17.18‑1 when a parcel is in an SD zone.
  • Industrial: Chapter 17.14 tables (e.g., Table 17.14‑2) set FAR and setbacks for M‑1 / M‑2.
• Parking and access: off‑street parking formulas and loading are centralized in Chapter 17.28; individual zone chapters (for example § 17.10.070 for residential parking limits or § 17.12.070 for commercial) reference Chapter 17.28 for detailed ratios and off‑street requirements. If a project proposes “excess parking” beyond allowances, a zoning clearance is required § 17.10.070. For specifics consult the parking chapter and the zone chapter simultaneously.
• Lot coverage / FAR / maximum building heights are controlled in the appropriate zone table or Table 17.18‑1 for SD combining zones; the development plan review process can adjust many of these standards for planned projects (except it may not increase general plan density) § 17.96.020(C).
• Design standards:
  • Objective standards for mixed‑use and multi‑unit projects that qualify for streamlined ministerial approval are in Chapter 17.46 (these are mandatory objective standards under Government Code § 65913.4) § 17.46.010–§ 17.46.020. Projects using the streamlined path must meet these objective rules.
  • Single‑unit design standards are in Chapter 17.48 (referenced by development plan review and site plan chapters).

If you need the specific numeric standard for a parcel, open the base‑zone chapter (e.g., Chapter 17.10 or Table 17.18‑1) and then read any applicable combining zone chapter and the general standards in Chapter 17.20.

(Practical links: check the city’s parking rules before designing a site: Kerman’s parking rules are referenced directly in zone chapters—see § 17.10.070 and Chapter 17.28.)

Specific plans & overlays

• Kerman uses combining/overlay zones rather than a long list of separate overlay chapters in most places; the primary combining zones are PD, SD, and IBA (Industrial Boulevard Area). Each combining zone has its own development standards and processing requirements and typically requires a development plan review permit § 17.18.020; § 17.18.030; § 17.18.040.
• Where the PD or SD overlay applies it is suffix‑notated (for example PD‑R‑1, SD‑R‑4.5) and their standards may supersede or tailor the base zone standards; PD/SD projects are expected to go through a development plan review and may receive density bonuses tied to usable open space § 17.18.020(C); § 17.18.030(C).

For other overlays (historic, signage, or landscaping rules), the code references specific chapters such as the sign chapter § 17.30 and fences/landscaping chapters—search the code for the overlay or the parcel’s zoning map for overlay application.

Building permits & review — the practical path

• Preliminary step: zoning verification and identify required entitlements. A zoning clearance is required for any activity that triggers a building permit and no building permit will be issued until the zoning clearance is obtained § 17.70.020(A).
• Two common project review paths:
  1. Ministerial/Administrative path (no discretionary hearing): minor projects, many ADU/JADU permits, administrative use permits, and projects that meet objective design standards (Chapter 17.46) can be approved by the director; these decisions can be appealed to the Planning Commission § 17.110.040; § 17.46.030; § 17.70.020(B).
  2. Discretionary path (public hearing): conditional use permits, variances, major site plan review or development plan review approvals require hearings before the Planning Commission (and appeals go to Council) § 17.70.020(C); § 17.80.050; § 17.96.050.
• Site plan or development plan review: large multi‑unit, PD or SD projects and many nonresidential projects require a site plan review permit (Chapter 17.80) or a development plan review permit (Chapter 17.96). These chapters describe submittal contents (site plans, grading/drainage, elevations, landscaping), noticing and hearing rules, and conditions and acceptance agreements; a building permit will not be issued until the approved plan conforms with the building permit application and required dedications are recorded § 17.80.040; § 17.96.030–§ 17.96.050.
• Approvals, conditions, and appeals: the director may impose conditions on ministerial permits; the Commission and City Council act on discretionary permits and appeals are processed under Chapter 17.114 (Appeals) § 17.80.060; § 17.96.050.

Quick checklist for applicants:

1. Verify parcel base zone and any combining overlays in the zone map (start in the appropriate Chapter 17.10 / 17.12 / 17.14).
2. Read the zone’s development standards and the citywide standards in § 17.20.010.
3. Determine whether the project is ministerial (zoning clearance or ADU permit) or requires discretionary review (CUP / site plan / development plan). See § 17.70.020.
4. Prepare full site plans and technical appendices if applying for development plan review (Chapter 17.96 lists required contents).

State housing law in Kerman — how ADU, SB 9, density bonus and other state rules interact locally

Summary: Kerman’s Title 17 explicitly implements, defers to, and incorporates state housing law where required — the city’s density‑bonus chapter and ADU rules both reference state law and limit local conflicts.

• Density bonus: Kerman’s density bonus chapter is Chapter 17.42. It implements Government Code § 65915 and explicitly states that where the Chapter conflicts with state density‑bonus law, state law controls § 17.42.010(B). Practical effect: Kerman offers the state‑required incentives but defers to state law when there’s a conflict.
• ADU / JADU: Kerman has a dedicated ADU/JADU chapter and rules (Chapter 17.40 — ADUs are allowed in single‑ and multi‑unit zones; the code sets allowable counts, size limits, parking rules, ministerial permitting timing and other objective standards). Key points in Kerman’s ADU rules:
  • ADUs and Junior ADUs are allowed in single‑unit and multi‑unit zones and the code states compliance with state ADU policy; the ADU rules expressly treat ADUs as consistent with the General Plan and do not count them as growth control § 17.40.010 et seq..
  • Kerman’s ADU chapter specifies sizes, parking requirements (one off‑street space per ADU unless exemptions apply such as transit proximity), replacement‑parking rules for garage conversions, and ministerial permit timing (the city will issue the permit within 60 working days for a completed ADU application unless tolled) — these are aligned with state law and the permit path is ministerial § 17.40.010 (ADU chapter text).
  • Junior ADU rules (size cap 500 sq ft, efficiency kitchen, ministerial permit within 60 days, deed restriction pre‑Jan‑1‑2024 owner‑occupancy rules) are in the JADU subsections of the ADU chapter § 17.40.010 et seq..
• SB‑9 / lot splits & duplexes: Kerman’s code references state law in its general provisions and classification statements and treats state law as controlling where applicable (see § 17.04.030 re: classification and § 17.02.020(B) re: authority). The code includes provisions for duplexes and multi‑unit dwellings in the zone tables; for SB‑9 specific ministerial lot split/duplex procedures, check the municipal code updates or the planning department — the zoning code framework requires the city to follow state law for housing development that is ministerial under state statutes § 17.04.030; § 17.02.020(B). If you intend to use SB‑9, confirm current procedures with the Community Development Director because such local implementation is time‑sensitive and changes with state bills.
• Rent control / tenant protections: Kerman’s Title 17 is a land‑use code and does not establish rent control rules in the zoning chapters retrieved. For rent regulations, consult city municipal ordinances outside Title 17 or state law; Title 17 does not appear to create rental‑price controls in the zoning provisions retrieved (verify with the City Attorney or municipal code search). Not found in retrieved materials — verify with the jurisdiction.

Links for practical reference while researching Kerman rules:

• If you are checking parking ratios, start with the city’s parking chapter (referenced from zone sections) — see the city parking rules in the code and the Kerman Parking page for quick navigation. (See § 17.10.070 referencing Chapter 17.28.)

Short practical takeaways

• If your parcel is in R‑1‑7, R‑1‑12, R‑2, R‑3, or a rural RR variant, start with Chapter 17.10 for use tables and development standards § 17.10.010–§ 17.10.030.
• If the parcel has a suffix or overlay (e.g., SD‑R‑4.5, PD‑R‑1, IBA), those combining zone chapters control many project design details and generally require development plan review § 17.18.020; § 17.18.030; § 17.18.040.
• ADUs are allowed and have a ministerial permitting path in Kerman — consult Chapter 17.40 for sizes, parking rules and permit timing; state ADU law also applies (the city’s ADU chapter aligns with state law) § 17.40.010.

Information Gaps / Verify with the City

• SB‑9 ministerial lot split / duplex exact local workflow and any updated local implementing ordinance: Not explicitly detailed in the retrieved Title 17 excerpts — confirm current local procedure with the Community Development Director. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Any recent amendments to Title 17 after the ordinance excerpts included here (Ordinance No. 24‑01 / later ordinances such as 24‑04 referenced) — always confirm with the live municipal code on the city website or with staff.

Source References

• City of Kerman, Title 17 Zoning Code (Title and applicability; Division & Chapter listings) — § 17.02.010 and related chapters.
• Chapter 17.10 (Residential zones: land uses, development standards, parking, site plan triggers) — § 17.10.010–§ 17.10.100.
• Chapter 17.18 (Combining zones: PD, SD, IBA; Table 17.18‑1 for SD standards) — § 17.18.020; § 17.18.030; § 17.18.040.
• Chapter 17.20 (General site planning and development standards) — § 17.20.010–§ 17.20.050.
• Chapter 17.28 (Parking, Loading, and Access) — referenced from zone chapters § 17.10.070; § 17.12.070.
• Chapter 17.40 (Accessory Dwelling Units / Junior ADUs) — ADU permissions, sizes, parking, ministerial permit timing § 17.40.010 et seq..
• Chapter 17.46 (Multi‑Unit Dwelling Objective Design Standards) — mandatory objective standards for qualifying projects § 17.46.010–§ 17.46.020.
• Chapter 17.80 (Site Plan Review Permit) and Chapter 17.96 (Development Plan Review Permit) — submittal contents and building‑permit linkages § 17.80.040; § 17.96.030–§ 17.96.050.
• Chapter 17.42 (Density Bonuses; implements Gov. Code § 65915 and defers to state law on conflicts) § 17.42.010.
• Administration & approvals (City Council / Commission / Director / DRC) — Chapter 17.110.

(Use the Kerman menu pages for quick navigation: Kerman Zoning, Kerman Development Standards, Kerman Parking, Kerman Design Review, Kerman Overlay Districts, Kerman ADUs, and California Building Standards Code / housing laws — these internal pages mirror the code chapters referenced above.)