Local zoning · Kerman

Kerman — Development Standards

Q: What is the maximum height in R‑3 next to R‑1?

R‑3 allows up to 45 ft , but the code limits R‑3 to a single story within 75 ft of an R‑1‑7 or R‑1‑12 zone to protect neighbors — see § 17.10.030(5) .

Q: How does Kerman regulate FAR for industrial development?

Kerman sets FAR 0.3 for M‑1 and M‑2 industrial zones in Table 17.14‑2 (Chapter 17.14 ), and also specifies industrial setbacks and a 55 ft max height (§ 17.14.030 ) .

Q: Where are the rules for accessory buildings (garages, ADUs, sheds)?

Accessory structure standards are in Chapter 17.22 : residential accessory structures max height 12 ft and specific setback rules; commercial/industrial accessory standards are in the same chapter with different heights (§ 17.22.040–.060 ) .

Q: Are there special rules for parcels fronting Madera Avenue or Whitesbridge Road?

Yes. The IBA combining zone establishes special Madera Avenue standards (e.g., 50 ft front yard, minimum parcel area 2 acres, landscaping strip ) and other chapters reference special front yard rules for Whitesbridge Road — see § 17.18.040 and the relevant commercial tables (§ 17.18.040 , § 17.12 table notes) file.

Development Standards under the Kerman local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Kerman’s zoning code (Title 17) actually requires about development standards — setbacks, heights, lot coverage/parcel coverage, density and floor‑area ratio (FAR) — and how those rules vary by local district. It focuses only on the zoning/planning rules (not Title 24 building code or housing law). See the city zoning landing page for context: Kerman — Zoning (/us/california/kerman/zoning) .

Notes up front: the code defines base zones (residential, commercial, industrial, public) and several combining zones (PD, SD, IBA) that either adopt base standards or provide their own tables. Where the code delegates yard standards to the Planning Commission, it defaults to the Smart Residential (SD) table (§ 17.18.030) .

Citywide legal foundations and process triggers

The zoning code is Title 17 of the municipal code; the zoning purpose and authority are in § 17.02.010–.020 (Title/purpose) .
General site standards (street improvements, clear vision triangle, utility undergrounding) apply citywide: § 17.20.010–.050 (General site planning and development standards) .
Projects that request deviations or are within combining zones often require a development plan review permit; the plan review process and what plans must show are in § 17.96.030–.040, .080–.090 (Development Plan Review) .

When a development plan review is used, the director or commission may modify many development standards (setbacks, coverage, height) but not the underlying general plan density unless state law allows it — see § 17.96.090 and Chapter 17.42 (Density Bonuses) for exceptions and eligibility rules file.

District‑by‑district standards (purpose, typical uses, key dimensional standards, where it applies)

Notes on citations: each requirement below is tied to the Kerman Zoning Code chapter or section that contains the controlling table or rule (the § citation) and the file search result that contains that section.

RR / RR‑43 / RR‑100 (Rural Residential)

Purpose: provide low density rural transition lots and preserve rural character (§ 17.10.010) .
Typical permitted uses: single‑unit dwellings and low‑intensity rural uses; see Residential land‑use table (§ 17.10.020) .
Key dimensional standards: maximum main structure height 35 ft; structure coverage 40%; parcel sizes range (RR = 0.5 acre, RR‑43 = 1.0 acre, RR‑100 = 2.5 acres) — all in Table 17.10‑2 (§ 17.10.030) .
Where it applies: identified on the city zoning/land‑use map; residential chapter controls (§ 17.10) .

R‑1‑7 and R‑1‑12 (Single‑Unit Residential)

Purpose: provide low/medium density single‑family neighborhoods (§ 17.10.010) .
Typical permitted uses: single‑unit dwellings (with accessory uses listed in Table 17.10‑1) (§ 17.10.020) .
Key dimensional standards (Table 17.10‑2 / § 17.10.030): main building height 35 ft; structure coverage 40%; minimum parcel sizes R‑1‑7 = 7,000 sq.ft., R‑1‑12 = 12,000 sq.ft.; minimum parcel depth 100 ft for single‑unit lots (§ 17.10.030) .
Setbacks & other yard rules: the residential table sets yard minima (see § 17.10.030) and specific encroachments (eaves, porches, covered patios) are permitted as described in the chapter (§ 17.10.030(2–3)) .
Accessory structures follow Chapter 17.22 (residential accessory standards: max height 12 ft, front/side/rear rules) § 17.22.060 .

R‑2 and R‑3 (Multi‑Unit Residential)

Purpose: medium to high density multifamily housing (§ 17.10.010) .
Typical permitted uses: duplexes, apartments, townhouses subject to Table 17.10‑1 land‑use rules (§ 17.10.020) .
Key dimensional standards (Table 17.10‑2 / § 17.10.030) : R‑2 main height 35 ft; R‑3 main height 45 ft (with a one‑story limit within 75 ft of R‑1 zones per § 17.10.030(5)); structure coverage R‑2/R‑3 = 50%; density ranges R‑2 = 12 du/ac, R‑3 = 20–24 du/ac (§ 17.10.030) .
Additional standards: multifamily open space, recreational area and objective design standards are in Chapter 17.46 (§ 17.46.010–.050) and must be followed for streamlined projects .

SD — Smart Residential Combining Zones (SD‑R‑5 / SD‑R‑4.5 / SD‑R‑3.5 / SD‑R‑2.5)

Purpose: enable higher average net densities with walkable/compact design; SD is used where the city wants a “smart growth” pattern (§ 17.18.030(A–C)) .
Typical permitted uses: same as base zone (uses allowed in the underlying R‑zone apply) (§ 17.18.030(B)) .
Key dimensional standards (Table 17.18‑1 / § 17.18.030(C)(1)): heights 35 ft in SD‑R‑5/4.5/3.5 and 45 ft in SD‑R‑2.5; maximum structure coverage 50% / 50% / 60% / 70% respectively; front setbacks 20 ft / 20 ft / 10 ft / 10 ft; rear 10 / 10 / 7 / 7 ft; interior side 5 ft for all; yard area minima per district (see Table 17.18‑1) (§ 17.18.030). The SD table is the explicit yard fallback if the commission does not set custom yard standards (§ 17.18.030(2)) .

PD — Planned Development Combining Zone (PD)

Purpose: allows flexible site‑specific standards where the PD overlay is already in place; PD uses and standards reference the underlying base zone (§ 17.18.020) .
Key points: minimum PD parcel 2 acres; the PD development plan review can modify setbacks, height, coverage, landscaping, etc., subject to findings and plan review (§ 17.18.020(C) and § 17.96.090) file.

IBA — Industrial Boulevard Area Combining Zone

Purpose: tailored standards for industrial land along Madera Avenue (south of California Street) (§ 17.18.040) .
Key dimensional standards (§ 17.18.040(B)): front yard along Madera Avenue 50 ft; parcel fronting Madera must be ≥ 2 acres; certain parcel width and landscaping requirements are mandatory; structure height is set by base M‑zone; structure coverage: no coverage requirement in IBA (i.e., not capped) .

M‑1 and M‑2 (Industrial)

Purpose/uses: light and general industrial as shown in Table 17.14‑2 (§ 17.14.030) .
Key dimensional standards (Table 17.14‑2 / § 17.14.030): maximum FAR 0.3 in both M‑1 and M‑2; maximum height 55 ft; front setbacks: M‑1 = 10 ft, M‑2 = 25 ft (with larger setbacks where adjacent to residential: 50 ft) (§ 17.14.030) .

O and UR (Public & Quasi‑Public)

Key standards: main structure height 35 ft; accessory structure heights and yards listed in Table 17.16‑2 (§ 17.16.030) .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant numbers

District	Height (max)	Front setback typical	Max coverage / FAR	Density (typical)	Code Reference
R‑1‑7	35 ft	Refer to Table 17.10‑2 (often 20 ft)	40%	min parcel 7,000 sq.ft.	§ 17.10.030
R‑1‑12	35 ft	Refer to Table 17.10‑2 (often 20 ft)	40%	min parcel 12,000 sq.ft.	§ 17.10.030
R‑2	35 ft	See Table 17.10‑2	50%	12 du/ac	§ 17.10.030
R‑3	45 ft (single‑story limit near R‑1)	See Table 17.10‑2	50%	20–24 du/ac	§ 17.10.030
SD‑R‑5	35 ft	20 ft	50%	max 12 du/ac	§ 17.18.030
SD‑R‑2.5	45 ft	10 ft	70%	max 24 du/ac	§ 17.18.030
M‑1 / M‑2	55 ft	10 ft / 25 ft	FAR 0.3	n/a (use table)	§ 17.14.030
IBA (Madera Ave)	per base M‑zone (front 50 ft along Madera)	50 ft front	No coverage cap	min parcel 2 acres for Madera frontage	§ 17.18.040

(These rows summarize the numeric tables in Chapters 17.10, 17.18, and 17.14; always check the full table and notes in the cited section for parcel‑specific exceptions) filefile.

How overlays, plan review, and density bonuses change standards

The PD combining zone can change parcel dimensions and some development standards via the development plan review, but net general‑plan density cannot be increased by PD alone (§ 17.18.020; see § 17.96.090) file.
The SD table is expressly provided as a uniform set of alternative yard/coverage/density rules; where the commission does not set custom yard rules the SD table defaults (§ 17.18.030(2)) .
Density bonuses and related waivers of development standards are governed by Chapter 17.42; state density bonus law controls where it conflicts (§ 17.42.010–.080) file.

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy before building

Confirm the parcel’s base zoning and overlay(s) (e.g., R‑1‑7, SD, IBA) and read the applicable table in § 17.10.030, § 17.18.030, or § 17.14.030 as applicable filefile.
If in a combining zone or seeking deviations, prepare a development plan review application and site plans per § 17.96.040 (site plan, elevations, preliminary utilities, grading/drainage) .
Show all setbacks, building heights, parcel coverage calculations (use the table for your zone) and any proposed encroachments (porches/overhangs are limited per § 17.10.030) .
Demonstrate required parking and screening compliance per Chapter 17.28 (see the city parking rules) and the residential parking caps in § 17.10.070 .
Provide landscaping and irrigation plans where required (e.g., IBA Madera Ave frontage landscaping per § 17.18.040) and comply with the site‑improvements rules in § 17.20.020 file.
If claiming a density bonus or concession, include State‑law compliance documentation and proposed incentives per Chapter 17.42 (§ 17.42.020–.050) .
Verify fence/wall heights and pool fencing rules per § 17.10.060 / § 17.16.050 and accessory structure heights per § 17.22.060 file.

Relevant internal guidance pages you should consult while preparing materials: Kerman Parking (/us/california/kerman/parking), Kerman Design Review (/us/california/kerman/design-review), Overlay Districts (/us/california/kerman/overlay-districts), Kerman ADUs (/us/california/kerman/adu), and the California Building Standards Code (/us/california/building-codes) (for building‑code compliance separate from zoning) — first mention of each is hyperlinked.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Development plan review can modify standards	Commission/director may approve reduced setbacks or increased coverage for a PD/SD project; this changes what you can build (§ 17.96.090)	Confirm whether your project requires a development plan review and which specific standards the commission authorized in the resolution (review § 17.96.060–.080)
Yard/setback differences between base table and SD table	When the commission does not set yard standards the SD table becomes the fallback; this can change front/rear setbacks and coverage (§ 17.18.030(2))	Verify whether your parcel is within an SD overlay or whether the planning commission set different yard standards for your subdivision (§ 17.18.030)
Adjacency rules (industrial next to residential)	Industrial zones impose large setbacks/stacking limits adjacent to residential (e.g., 50 ft buffer, stacking max 6 ft) which affect site layout (§ 17.14.030)	Confirm adjacency dimensions on the site plan and check whether additional wall/fence buffering is required by § 17.14.030 and § 17.18.040 file
Density bonus vs. base density	State density bonus law can supersede local rules; local Chapter 17.42 implements state law but has specific steps for incentives and waivers (§ 17.42.010–.080)	If you propose bonus units, confirm eligibility under Government Code § 65915 and follow Chapter 17.42 application and agreement procedures (§ 17.42.110–.120)
Parcel‑specific exceptions (Whitesbridge Rd., Madera Ave.)	Some streets have special front yard rules (Whitesbridge, Madera) which change required setbacks or landscaping (§ 17.12.2 and 17.18.040) file	Check the site’s street frontage: parcels fronting Whitesbridge or Madera have special setbacks; confirm which rule applies to your lot and whether an overlay (IBA) applies (§ 17.18.040)

Plain‑English summary

Kerman’s zoning code sets numeric, table‑based rules for height, setbacks, coverage, density and FAR that differ by zone (e.g., R‑1‑7 = 35 ft height, 40% coverage, M‑1/M‑2 = FAR 0.3, 55 ft height); certain overlays (SD, PD, IBA) and the development plan review process can change those standards if the commission approves it — always check the table for your zone and whether a combining zone or special street rule (Madera/Whitesbridge) applies (§ 17.10.030, 17.18.030, 17.14.030, 17.96.030) filefilefile.

Source References

City of Kerman Zoning Code (Title 17), Chapter 17.10 — Residential zones development standards: § 17.10.010–.030 (Table 17.10‑2) file.
Chapter 17.18 — Combining zones: PD, SD, IBA standards; see § 17.18.020, 17.18.030, 17.18.040 (Tables and IBA landscaping/yard rules) filefile.
Chapter 17.14 — Industrial zones development standards (Table 17.14‑2; FAR, setbacks): § 17.14.030 .
Chapter 17.16 — Public and quasi‑public zones development standards (Table 17.16‑2): § 17.16.030 .
Chapter 17.20 — General site planning and development standards (street improvements, clear vision triangle): § 17.20.010–.050 .
Chapter 17.22 — Accessory structures (residential/industrial/commercial accessory standards): § 17.22.040–.060 .
Chapter 17.42 — Density bonuses (eligibility, concessions, waivers): § 17.42.010–.090 .
Chapter 17.46 — Multi‑unit dwelling objective design standards (required for streamlined approvals): § 17.46.010–.050 .
Chapter 17.96 — Development plan review permit: application contents, conditions, and standards that can be modified: § 17.96.030–.090 .

(Each entry above cites the Kerman zoning code excerpts provided in the uploaded materials; verify parcel‑specific interpretations with the planning division.)

Information Gaps / Items not found in retrieved materials

Parcel‑level zoning map attachments or the city’s interactive zoning map (to confirm exact overlay application to a parcel): Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the planning counter.
Full text of Chapter 17.28 (Parking, Loading, and Access) tables and parking ratios beyond the references in § 17.10.070: the code references Chapter 17.28 but the full parking rate table was not included in the retrieved excerpts. Verify required spaces per use with the city’s Chapter 17.28 materials and the Kerman Parking page (/us/california/kerman/parking).
Specific ADU numeric standards (setbacks/height/regulatory allowances under State ADU law vs. local rules): Not found in retrieved materials; consult Chapter 17 and the city ADU page Kerman ADUs (/us/california/kerman/adu) and California ADU law (/us/california/california-adu-laws) for state‑mandated rules.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Kerman Zoning Code (Chapter 17.30) High relevance
Kerman Zoning Code High relevance
Kerman Zoning Code (Chapter 17.46) High relevance
Kerman Zoning Code (Chapter 9.05) High relevance
CBC § 2 (§2) High relevance
Kerman Zoning Code High relevance
Kerman Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
Kerman Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
Kerman Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
Kerman Zoning Code High relevance
CBC § 2 (§2) High relevance
Kerman Zoning Code High relevance
Kerman Zoning Code (§2) High relevance
Kerman Zoning Code (§2) High relevance

Cited sections

City of Kerman Zoning Code (Title 17), Chapter 17.10 — Residential zones development standards: § **17.10.010–.030** (Table 17.10‑2) file. (Title 17)
Chapter 17.18 — Combining zones: PD, SD, IBA standards; see § **17.18.020**, **17.18.030**, **17.18.040** (Tables and IBA landscaping/yard rules) filefile. (Chapter 17.18)
Chapter 17.14 — Industrial zones development standards (Table 17.14‑2; FAR, setbacks): § **17.14.030** . (Chapter 17.14)
Chapter 17.16 — Public and quasi‑public zones development standards (Table 17.16‑2): § **17.16.030** . (Chapter 17.16)
Chapter 17.20 — General site planning and development standards (street improvements, clear vision triangle): § **17.20.010–.050** . (Chapter 17.20)
Chapter 17.22 — Accessory structures (residential/industrial/commercial accessory standards): § **17.22.040–.060** . (Chapter 17.22)
Chapter 17.42 — Density bonuses (eligibility, concessions, waivers): § **17.42.010–.090** . (Chapter 17.42)
Chapter 17.46 — Multi‑unit dwelling objective design standards (required for streamlined approvals): § **17.46.010–.050** . (Chapter 17.46)
Chapter 17.96 — Development plan review permit: application contents, conditions, and standards that can be modified: § **17.96.030–.090** . (Chapter 17.96)
Kerman_ZoningCode.md

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R‑1‑7 lot in Kerman?

You can build the single‑unit residential uses allowed in the R‑1 land‑use table and accessory uses subject to accessory rules; the R‑1‑7 development standards are in Table 17.10‑2: main structure height 35 ft, max structure coverage 40%, and minimum parcel size 7,000 sq.ft. (§ 17.10.020–.030) file.

What are Kerman’s setback requirements for single‑family lots?

Setbacks are set in Table 17.10‑2 (Residential zones) and may be clarified or modified by the Planning Commission; when not set the SD table (Table 17.18‑1) provides fallback yard numbers (e.g., SD front yards 20/20/10/10 ft depending on SD district) — see § 17.10.030 and § 17.18.030 file.

Do I need design review in Kerman?

Many multi‑unit or combining‑zone projects require a development plan review (design review) before building permits; the plan review permit is required for combining zones and may precede building/grading permits per § 17.96.030–.040 — check whether your project triggers Chapter 17.46 objective design standards for ministerial streamlined approvals (§ 17.46.020) file.

What is the maximum height in R‑3 next to R‑1?

R‑3 allows up to 45 ft, but the code limits R‑3 to a single story within 75 ft of an R‑1‑7 or R‑1‑12 zone to protect neighbors — see § 17.10.030(5) .

How does Kerman regulate FAR for industrial development?

Kerman sets FAR 0.3 for M‑1 and M‑2 industrial zones in Table 17.14‑2 (Chapter 17.14), and also specifies industrial setbacks and a 55 ft max height (§ 17.14.030) .

Can I get reduced setbacks or higher coverage through a density bonus or PD?

Yes. The development plan review process and the density bonus chapter allow reductions/adjustments: the commission can modify many development standards in a PD (but not increase general‑plan density), and Chapter 17.42 provides statutory density‑bonus incentives (including waivers of development standards) when you meet eligibility (§ 17.18.020, § 17.96.090, § 17.42.020–.080) filefile.

Where are the rules for accessory buildings (garages, ADUs, sheds)?

Accessory structure standards are in Chapter 17.22: residential accessory structures max height 12 ft and specific setback rules; commercial/industrial accessory standards are in the same chapter with different heights (§ 17.22.040–.060) .

Are there special rules for parcels fronting Madera Avenue or Whitesbridge Road?

Yes. The IBA combining zone establishes special Madera Avenue standards (e.g., 50 ft front yard, minimum parcel area 2 acres, landscaping strip) and other chapters reference special front yard rules for Whitesbridge Road — see § 17.18.040 and the relevant commercial tables (§ 17.18.040, § 17.12 table notes) file.

If my project proposes extra parking in the yard, is that allowed?

Excess on‑site parking is limited: in residential zones no more than 40% of any yard area may be used for excess parking beyond required spaces, and a zoning clearance is required for excess parking per § 17.10.070 .

Who sets final development standards if the Planning Commission approves a PD?

The resolution approving the PD / development plan review establishes the binding standards for that project; the development plan review chapter requires those findings and sets the conditions of approval (§ 17.96.060–.080, § 17.18.020) file. ---

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