Kerman — Land Use

Overview

Kerman’s land use rules live in Title 17 (Zoning) and are organized by base zones and combining zones, each with its own allowed uses and intensity limits. If a use is permitted “by right,” you can proceed if you meet all applicable standards; if it requires an administrative or conditional use permit, extra findings and possible conditions apply. Start with the zoning map for your parcel, then match it to the allowed uses table and development standards in the city’s code and the Kerman Zoning guide.

If a use is not listed as allowed in the applicable land use table, it is not allowed in that zone (§ 17.10.020(B)). The Community Development Director interprets any ambiguity (§ 17.04.020(A)).

How Kerman organizes land use

• Base and combining zones are established and shown on the zoning map (§ 17.06.020(A)–(B)). Combining zones supplement base zones and may add allowances or limits; in a conflict, the Director determines which regulation applies (§ 17.06.020(C)).
• Residential land use permissions are spelled out in Table 17.10-1 (§ 17.10.020). They use the keys: P (by right), AUP (Administrative Use Permit), CUP (Conditional Use Permit), and “–” (not allowed).
• Conditional uses need a CUP because of potential impacts (§ 17.84.010), processed per § 17.84.020; conditions can address buffers, hours, screening, lighting, and more (§ 17.84.060).
• Administrative uses, where shown, require an AUP (§ 17.82.020).
• General site planning and development standards apply citywide (§ 17.20.010). See also Kerman Development Standards.

Selected, decision-relevant rules across zones

For parking, cross-check ratios in Chapter 17.28 and the Kerman Parking page (§ 17.14.070(A)).

Base zones — district-by-district land use

Below, “typical uses” reflect what is expressly shown or inferable from the residential land-use table (§ 17.10.020) and the zone classification table (§ 17.06.020). When a use or standard is not in the source materials, it is noted.

RR — Rural Residential

• Purpose: Not found in source materials.
• Typical permitted uses:
  • Single-unit dwellings (P) (§ 17.10.020).
  • ADUs/JADUs (P, where a dwelling exists) (§ 17.40.010; § 17.10.020).
  • Child day care homes, community care (small/large), employee housing (P) (§ 17.10.020).
  • Agricultural accessory structures (P) (§ 17.10.020).
• Conditional/not allowed:
  • Kennels, veterinary clinics (large/small) (CUP) (§ 17.10.020).
  • Two-unit and multi-unit dwellings: Not allowed (§ 17.10.020).
• Key dimensional/intensity:
  • Density up to 2 du/ac (§ 17.06.020, Table 17.06-1).
  • Fences: 42 in front; 7 ft sides/rear, with special adjacency allowance (§ 17.24.020).
• Where it applies: Per zoning map (§ 17.06.030). Verify with the jurisdiction.

RR-43 — Rural Residential (43,000 sq ft min)

• As RR, with minimum lot 43,000 sq ft cited in zone name (§ 17.06.020).
• Density up to 2 du/ac (§ 17.06.020).
• Land uses mirror RR per Table 17.10-1 (§ 17.10.020).

RR-100 — Rural Residential (100,000 sq ft min)

• As RR, with minimum lot 100,000 sq ft (§ 17.06.020).
• Density up to 2 du/ac.
• Land uses mirror RR per Table 17.10-1 (§ 17.10.020).

R-1-7 — Single-Family Residential (7,000 sq ft min)

• Typical permitted uses:
  • Single-unit dwellings (P) (§ 17.10.020).
  • ADUs/JADUs (P) (§ 17.40.010; § 17.10.020).
  • Child day care homes, community care, employee housing, cottage food, home occupations (P) (§ 17.10.020).
• Conditional/not allowed:
  • Two-unit, SRO, place of assembly (CUP) (§ 17.10.020).
  • Multi-unit dwellings: Not allowed (§ 17.10.020).
• Key dimensional/intensity:
  • Min lot 7,000 sq ft (zone name) and density shown at 9 du/ac, with a line mapped to 12 du/ac in the general plan context (§ 17.06.020).
  • Special standards: cul-de-sac/curved lots may have 15 ft front setback; minor deviation may allow 5 ft encroachment into front setback; street side setbacks apply to fences too (§ 17.10.030(E), items 4, 6, 8).
• Where it applies: Per zoning map. Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-1-12 — Single-Family Residential (12,000 sq ft min)

• As R-1-7 except min lot 12,000 sq ft (§ 17.06.020).
• Two-unit and SRO require CUP; multi-unit not allowed (§ 17.10.020).
• Density listed at 9 du/ac with a line mapped to 12 du/ac (§ 17.06.020).
• Special standards: same R-1 provisions including minor deviation and street-side fence applicability (§ 17.10.030(E), items 6, 8).

R-2 — Two-Family Residential

• Typical permitted uses:
  • Two-unit dwellings and multi-unit (3+) dwellings (P) (§ 17.10.020).
  • ADUs (P), SRO (P), single-unit (CUP) (§ 17.10.020; § 17.40.010).
  • Child day care homes, community care, employee housing, home occupations (P) (§ 17.10.020).
• Conditional:
  • Boarding houses, day care centers, places of assembly (CUP) (§ 17.10.020).
• Key dimensional/intensity:
  • Density up to 12 du/ac (§ 17.06.020).
  • Multi-unit projects must follow objective design standards if seeking streamlined approval (§ 17.46.020).
  • Fences per § 17.24.020.
• Where it applies: Per zoning map.

R-3 — Multifamily Residential

• Typical permitted uses:
  • Multi-unit dwellings (P); SRO (P); ADUs (P) (§ 17.10.020; § 17.40.010).
  • Emergency shelters (P) (§ 17.10.020, referencing § 17.40.030).
  • Single-unit (CUP) (§ 17.10.020).
• Conditional:
  • Boarding houses, day care centers, places of assembly (CUP) (§ 17.10.020).
• Key dimensional/intensity:
  • Residential density 20 du/ac (min) and 24 du/ac (max) (§ 17.06.020).
  • Height limited to one story within 75 ft of an R-1-7 or R-1-12 zone (§ 17.10.030(E)(5)).
  • Objective design standards apply for streamlined multi-unit approvals (§ 17.46.020).
• Where it applies: Per zoning map.

MU — Mixed-Use

• Purpose: Not found in source materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials (refer to § 17.12.020; not provided).
• Key dimensional/intensity:
  • Residential density 20 du/ac, nonresidential FAR 1.0 (§ 17.06.020).
  • Projects with at least two-thirds residential seeking streamlining must meet objective design standards (§ 17.46.020(A)(1)–(B)).
• Where it applies: Per zoning map and corridor plans. Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Note: See Kerman Design Review for discretionary design review if not using streamlining.

CG — General Commercial

• Permitted uses: Not found in source materials (see § 17.12.020; not provided).
• Intensity:
  • Nonresidential FAR 0.3 (§ 17.06.020).
• Signs must follow sign regulations (§ 17.12.050; Chapter 17.30). See Kerman Signage.
• Where it applies: Per zoning map. Verify with the jurisdiction.

CN — Neighborhood Commercial

• Permitted uses: Not found in source materials (see § 17.12.020; not provided).
• Intensity:
  • Nonresidential FAR 0.5 (§ 17.06.020).
• Signs per Chapter 17.30 (§ 17.12.050). See Kerman Signage.

CS — Service Commercial

• Permitted uses: Not found in source materials (see § 17.12.020; not provided).
• Intensity:
  • Nonresidential FAR 0.3 (§ 17.06.020).
• Signs per Chapter 17.30 (§ 17.12.050).

PA — Professional and Administrative Office

• Permitted uses: Not found in source materials (see § 17.12.020; not provided).
• Intensity:
  • Nonresidential FAR 1.0 (§ 17.06.020).
• Signs per Chapter 17.30 (§ 17.12.050).

M-1 — Light Industry

• Permitted uses: Not found in source materials (see § 17.14.020; not provided).
• Intensity:
  • Nonresidential FAR 0.3 (§ 17.06.020).
• Parking: If a use is not listed in parking chapter, provide at least 1 space/employee on max shift + 1/truck + 1/salesperson (§ 17.14.070(B)); also follow Chapter 17.28 and Kerman Parking.
• Signs per Chapter 17.30 (§ 17.14.050).

M-2 — Heavy Industry

• Permitted uses: Not found in source materials (see § 17.14.020; not provided).
• Intensity:
  • Nonresidential FAR 0.3 (§ 17.06.020).
• Parking/signs: Same references as M-1 (§§ 17.14.070, 17.14.050).

O — Open Space, Recreation, and Public Facilities

• Uses: Not found in source materials.
• Intensity: Not applicable (no FAR listed) (§ 17.06.020).
• Applicability to government-owned property is limited per § 17.02.030.

UR — Urban Reserve

• Uses: Not found in source materials.
• Intensity: Not specified (§ 17.06.020).
• Typically a holding designation pending future planning; Verify with the jurisdiction.

Combining and overlay districts

SD — Smart Development Residential (SD-R-2.5, SD-R-3.5, SD-R-4.5, SD-R-5.0)

• Function: Combining zone that modifies minimum lot sizes and supports higher residential densities where mapped (§ 17.06.020; combining zones per § 17.06.020(C)).
• Intensity:
  • SD-R-2.5: 20 du/ac (min) to 24 du/ac (max) (HDR); also lists 12 du/ac tie to MDR (§ 17.06.020).
  • SD-R-3.5: 12 du/ac (MDR) (§ 17.06.020).
  • SD-R-4.5/5.0: 9 du/ac (LDR) and 12 du/ac (MDR) (§ 17.06.020).
• Land use permissions: Follow the underlying base zone unless SD provisions specify otherwise. Verify with the jurisdiction.

PD — Planned Development (PD-R-1, PD-R-1-7, PD-R-1-12)

• Function: Combining zone for master-planned residential; supplements base R-1 standards (§ 17.06.020; § 17.06.020(C)).
• Intensity: Mirrors R-1 density lines at 9 du/ac and 12 du/ac ties (§ 17.06.020).
• Standards are designated during development plan review (§ 17.96.090).

IBA — Industrial Boulevard Area (Combining)

• Function: Combining zone applied to industrial corridors; supplements M-1/M-2 standards (§ 17.06.020).
• Intensity: FAR 0.3 (§ 17.06.020).
• In conflicts, the Director determines applicable regs (§ 17.06.020(C)).

See Kerman Overlay Districts for how combining/overlay layers interact with base zoning.

Residential land use — highlights table (Table 17.10-1 excerpts)

Key: P = Permitted by right; CUP = Conditional Use Permit; “–” = Not allowed. Always confirm additional regulations noted in the right-hand column of Table 17.10-1 (§ 17.10.020(C)).

Intensity by zone (Table 17.06-1 excerpts)

ADUs — what’s specifically allowed

• Where allowed: Any parcel with a proposed or existing dwelling in single- or multi-unit residential zones (§ 17.40.010(C)).
• Single-unit zones:
  • One detached ADU plus one JADU, or one detached ADU plus one attached ADU (§ 17.40.010(E)(1)(c)).
  • Detached ADU: up to the lesser of 50% of the primary dwelling or 1,200 sq ft, 1 story, ≥4 ft side/rear setbacks (§ 17.40.010(E)(1)(b)).
• Multi-unit zones:
  • Internal conversions in existing multi-unit buildings allowed; total ADUs ≤ 25% of existing units (§ 17.40.010(E)(2)(a)(ii)).
  • Up to two detached ADUs (each ≤800 sq ft; ≥4 ft side/rear setbacks) (§ 17.40.010(E)(2)(b)).
• Other standards: No minimum lot size/width for ADUs; independent exterior access; sprinklers only if required in the primary dwelling (§ 17.40.010(F)(1)–(3)). See Kerman ADUs.

Other cross-cutting land use rules

• Temporary uses: If listed as requiring a TUP, or if the Director determines a temporary activity may not fully meet standards, a Temporary Use Permit is required; some temporary uses that are otherwise conditional go to the Commission (§ 17.86.020).
• Signs: In commercial, office, and industrial zones, all signage must meet Chapter 17.30 (§§ 17.12.050, 17.14.050). See Kerman Signage.
• Multi-unit and mixed-use: If you seek ministerial streamlining under state law, you must meet Kerman’s objective design standards (§ 17.46.020). Otherwise, discretionary review may apply—see Kerman Design Review.

Checklist

• Identify your parcel’s base zone and any combining/overlay (zoning map; § 17.06.020). See Kerman Zoning and Kerman Overlay Districts.
• Confirm your proposed use is listed as P, AUP, or CUP for that zone (Table 17.10-1 for residential; § 17.12.020/§ 17.14.020 for nonresidential—Not found in source materials).
• If ADU/JADU: verify count, size, setbacks, and type allowed (§ 17.40.010).
• Check applicable development standards (setbacks, height interfaces, fence limits, minor deviations) (§§ 17.10.030(E), 17.24.020) and Kerman Development Standards.
• If industrial or commercial: confirm parking ratios (Chapter 17.28; § 17.14.070) and signage rules (§§ 17.12.050, 17.14.050). See Kerman Parking.
• If your use is conditional/administrative/temporary, prepare the required permit application and findings (§§ 17.84.020, 17.82.020, 17.86.020).
• If multi-unit or mixed-use and seeking streamlining, demonstrate compliance with objective design standards (§ 17.46.020).
• If your site is near R-1 and you’re in R-3, test the one-story-within-75 ft interface rule (§ 17.10.030(E)(5)).
• For edge cases or unlisted uses, seek a Director interpretation (§ 17.04.020(A)). Consider Kerman Variances and Exceptions only if appropriate.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Kerman ties what you can build to your zone. In R-1 you can build a single-family home and an ADU by right; duplexes need a permit. In R-2 and R-3, multifamily is allowed, with objective design standards if you want ministerial approval. Commercial and industrial intensity is capped by FARs in the code, with parking and signs controlled by separate chapters. If a use isn’t listed for your zone, the city treats it as not allowed.

Source References

• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.02.030 (Applicability)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.04.020 (Rules of interpretation)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.06.020 and Table 17.06-1 (Zones and classifications)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.10.020 (Residential zones land use regulations; Table 17.10-1)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.10.030(E) (Selected residential development standards)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.12.040, § 17.12.050 (Commercial accessory structures, signs)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.14.040, § 17.14.050, § 17.14.070 (Industrial accessory structures, signs, parking)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.20.010 (General site planning and development standards purpose)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.24.020 (Fence/wall/hedge height limits)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.40.010 (Accessory dwelling units)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.46.020 (Objective design standards applicability)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.82.020 (Administrative use permits)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.84.010, § 17.84.020, § 17.84.060 (Conditional use permits)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.86.020 (Temporary use permits)

Source passages

• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.04.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.84.010) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.20.010) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.40.010) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.10.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.14.050) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.84.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.82.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.96.090) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.06.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.12.050) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.14.070) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.86.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.02.030) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.24.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§ 17.46.020) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.02.030 (Applicability) (§ 17.02.030)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.04.020 (Rules of interpretation) (§ 17.04.020)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.06.020 and Table 17.06-1 (Zones and classifications) (§ 17.06.020)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.10.020 (Residential zones land use regulations; Table 17.10-1) (§ 17.10.020)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.10.030(E) (Selected residential development standards) (§ 17.10.030)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.12.040, § 17.12.050 (Commercial accessory structures, signs) (§ 17.12.040)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.14.040, § 17.14.050, § 17.14.070 (Industrial accessory structures, signs, parking) (§ 17.14.040)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.20.010 (General site planning and development standards purpose) (§ 17.20.010)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.24.020 (Fence/wall/hedge height limits) (§ 17.24.020)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.40.010 (Accessory dwelling units) (§ 17.40.010)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.46.020 (Objective design standards applicability) (§ 17.46.020)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.82.020 (Administrative use permits) (§ 17.82.020)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.84.010, § 17.84.020, § 17.84.060 (Conditional use permits) (§ 17.84.010)
• Kerman Zoning Code § 17.86.020 (Temporary use permits) (§ 17.86.020)