Kerman — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Kerman’s zoning code (Title 17) actually says about zoning: how the official zoning map is adopted and interpreted, the city’s zone districts (with the code’s density/FAR pointers), cross‑cutting development standards, and the local procedures that govern rezones, variances, and nonconforming properties. The City adopts an official zoning map and ties zone rules to that map; always verify parcel‑specific boundaries with the Community Development Department. See the Kerman zoning & planning overview for context § 17.06.030 .

• The zoning code is Title 17 of the Kerman Municipal Code § 17.02.010 .
• The zoning map is adopted and incorporated by reference; map designations govern where the zone rules apply § 17.06.030 .
• Where text and map conflict, the map controls; boundary uncertainty rules are in § 17.06.040 .

(First mentions: development standards, parking, design review, overlays, ADUs, and Title 24 are linked inline below for deeper navigation: see Kerman Development Standards, Kerman Parking, Kerman Design Review, Kerman Overlay Districts, Kerman ADUs, and California Building Standards Code.)

How the code is structured (quick)

• Title and purpose: § 17.02.010 and § 17.02.020 explain that Title 17 is the City of Kerman Zoning Code and its purpose to implement the General Plan § 17.02.010; § 17.02.020 .
• Official map adoption and rules for interpreting boundaries: § 17.06.030 and § 17.06.040 .
• Zones and the zone classification table are published in Table 17.06‑1 inside the code (see below for the most-used zones and densities) .

(Linked topics: Kerman Development Standards, Kerman Parking, Kerman Design Review, Kerman Overlay Districts, Kerman ADUs, California Building Standards Code.)

District-by-district breakdown (what the ordinance actually defines)

Notes on approach: each district entry below synthesizes the code text and Table 17.06‑1. Where the code gives a specific rule or cross‑reference I show the controlling section. Where the uploaded materials do not list the exact permitted‑use table entry or a numeric setback for a particular base zone, I note that the specific provision was not found in the retrieved materials and flag what to verify with the City.

RR, RR-43, RR-100 — Rural Residential

• Purpose: preserve rural character and provide very low‑density residential transition areas consistent with the General Plan (Very Low Density Residential) § 17.10.010 .
• Typical permitted uses: large‑lot single‑family dwellings, accessory uses customary to rural lots; see the zone classification table for density guidance Table 17.06‑1 and the adopted zoning map § 17.06.030 .
• Key dimensional standard shown in the zoning table: approx. 2 du/acre for these RR variants (see Table 17.06‑1) .
• Where it applies: parcels mapped as RR, RR‑43, RR‑100 on the official zoning map § 17.06.030 .

R-1-7 and R-1-12 — Single-Family Residential (7,000 / 12,000 sf minimum)

• Purpose: implement Low/Medium Density residential GP designations; design standards are in the residential chapter § 17.10.010 and architectural standards for these zones in § 17.10.100 .
• Typical permitted uses: single‑unit dwellings; accessory dwellings allowed per state/local ADU rules (verify under the ADU chapter; see Kerman ADUs).
• Density: Table 17.06‑1 lists 9 du/ac (base) and up to 12 du/ac depending on standards/combining zones (see Table 17.06‑1) .
• Key local standards: architectural and foundation requirements for manufactured homes; roof pitch and siding materials standards are in § 17.10.100 .
• Setbacks/parking/landscaping: general fence/setback/parking rules are in § 17.10.060, § 17.10.070, and front‑yard landscaping expectations are in § 17.10.080 .

R-2 — Two‑Family Residential

• Purpose / uses: two‑unit dwellings and other medium density residential uses; density identified in Table 17.06‑1 as 12 du/ac .
• Site plan and multiunit design triggers: new multi‑unit construction or increases of units in R‑2 require a site plan submittal to the planning division § 17.10.090 .

R-3 — Multifamily Residential

• Purpose / uses: higher density multifamily housing (see Table 17.06‑1 minimum/maximum density 20–24 du/ac) and associated open space requirements § 17.10.080 and site plan review § 17.10.090 .

SD‑R‑2.5, SD‑R‑3.5, SD‑R‑4.5, SD‑R‑5.0 — Smart Development (SD) Combining Zones

• Purpose: provide alternative parcel size / smart development rules to allow higher density on smaller lots while maintaining design controls; densities listed in Table 17.06‑1 (varies by SD variant) .
• Development review: these are combining overlays and development is subject to the code’s combining‑zone rules and site/development review processes (see Chapter references cited in the SD text) — verify project‑specific requirements with the Director.

PD‑R‑1, PD‑R‑1‑7, PD‑R‑1‑12 — Planned Development (PD) Combining Zones

• Purpose: allow flexible development standards under a PD plan; PD combines with an underlying base zone and establishes custom parcel sizes/densities (Table 17.06‑1) .
• Notable code guidance (processing and standards): PD parcels have a minimum parcel size for PD combining and PD development is subject to the development plan review permit (see the PD combining text and the cross‑reference to the development plan review chapter) .
• Where it applies: where the PD combining symbol appears on the map § 17.06.030 .

MU — Mixed‑Use

• Purpose: allow residential and nonresidential uses together; density guidance 20 du/ac and FAR 1.0 shown in Table 17.06‑1 (see Table) .
• Uses: residential above retail/office or integrated mixed projects — exact permitted uses are governed by the use classifications and development standards (see the Land Use chapter and the table) .

CS — Service Commercial and PA — Professional & Administrative Office

• Purpose: support commercial and office development; the table lists CS with FAR 0.3 and PA with FAR 1.0 and corresponding General Plan land uses (GC, SC, RC for commercial; Office for PA) (Table 17.06‑1) .
• Uses: retail, service, medical and professional offices as appropriate to the zone and use classification.

M-1, M-2 (and IBA combining) — Industrial zones

• Purpose: accommodate light and heavy industrial uses; Table 17.06‑1 lists an FAR 0.3 and maps these to the Industrial General Plan designation § 17.06.030 .
• IBA (Industrial Boulevard Area) combining overlay imposes special frontage/landscape/fence rules where mapped; certain IBA locations have explicit front‑yard landscaping and fence design rules referenced in the IBA text (see the combining zone text) .

O — Open Space / Recreation / Public Facilities and UR — Urban Reserve

• Purpose: map public/quasi‑public, parks, ponding basins, and reserves; uses limited to public facilities, parks, and specified open‑space uses (Table 17.06‑1) .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant zone standards (abbreviated)

(For a full zone list and corresponding GP categories consult Table 17.06‑1 in the zoning code) .

(First mentions: Kerman Land Use and Kerman Development Standards.)

Cross‑cutting standards and processes (what creates most “process” risk)

• Zoning map and map amendments: the official map is on file with the Community Development Department and the City ratified it; map amendments (rezones) require ordinance action and follow the amendments chapter § 17.06.030 and § 17.112.020 .
• Boundary uncertainty rules: centerline of streets/watercourses and nearest parcel line rules; Director may be asked to determine exact boundaries § 17.06.040 .
• Site planning & street improvements: projects must comply with the site/development standards and required street dedications/improvements prior to building permits § 17.20.020 and § 17.20.010 (street improvements and purpose) .
• Parking: off‑street parking requirements are set out in Chapter 17.28; many zone sections explicitly cross‑reference that chapter § 17.10.070 (see Kerman Parking).
• Site plan / development plan / design review: multiunit projects and PD/IBA/other combining zone developments require site plan or development plan review; examples: R‑2/R‑3 site plan requirement § 17.10.090; PD and IBA developments reference development plan review (see development plan chapter) (see Kerman Design Review).
• Nonconforming parcels & uses: legal nonconforming parcel rules and continuance of nonconforming uses are governed by § 17.62.010 and § 17.64.010 respectively .
• Variance and Minor Deviations: variance criteria and hearing rules are in § 17.88.030 and minor deviations may be granted administratively § 17.90.010 .
• Use classifications: the code defines use categories and cross‑references classification rules (see Land Use chapter) — consult the Kerman Land Use page and the code’s use classification sections for exact permitted/special uses (not all use tables were returned in the retrieved excerpt) .

(First mention link: Kerman Nonconforming Uses, Kerman Variances and Exceptions, Kerman Landscaping and Screening.)

Checklist — what an applicant must normally satisfy before development proceeds

• Confirm the parcel’s official zone on the City’s adopted zoning map § 17.06.030 .
• Verify whether the proposed use is listed as permitted, conditionally permitted, or prohibited in the zoning/land‑use classification (check the Land Use chapter and Table 17.06‑1) .
• Meet base zone development standards (density/FAR from Table 17.06‑1 and architectural or special standards in the residential or commercial chapters) § 17.10.010, § 17.10.100 .
• Provide required off‑street parking per Chapter 17.28 and zone cross‑references § 17.10.070 (see Kerman Parking) .
• Complete required site plan, site/development plan review, or design review (R‑2/R‑3 triggers are explicit) § 17.10.090 .
• Satisfy public improvement / street dedication conditions before building permits as required § 17.20.020 .
• If needed, apply for rezones / amendments through the public hearing process § 17.112.020–030 .
• If your property is nonconforming or you seek deviation/variance, follow the legal nonconforming and variance procedures § 17.62.010, § 17.64.010, § 17.88.030 .
• For ADUs, follow the City’s ADU chapter and state ADU law — the code cross‑references ADU rules (see Kerman ADUs and California ADU law).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Kerman’s zoning code (Title 17) ties each parcel to an official zoning map and a zone classification table (Table 17.06‑1). The table establishes the city’s base zones (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, MU, CS, M‑1, M‑2, RR variants, PD and SD combining zones, etc.) and indicates the expected densities or FAR; development must also comply with the code’s cross‑cutting rules on parking, landscaping, site plan review, nonconforming uses, and rezones § 17.06.030, § 17.10.070, § 17.10.090, § 17.62.010, § 17.112.020 .

Source References

• Title 17 — City of Kerman Zoning Code (Title statement and purpose): § 17.02.010, § 17.02.020 .
• Zoning map adoption and map rules: § 17.06.030, § 17.06.040 .
• Table 17.06‑1 — Zone classifications and density/FAR table (residential/commercial/industrial listings) — Table 17.06‑1 in Title 17 .
• Residential zone standards, fences, parking, open space, site plan review, architectural standards: § 17.10.010, § 17.10.060, § 17.10.070, § 17.10.080, § 17.10.090, § 17.10.100 .
• General site planning and street improvements: § 17.20.010, § 17.20.020 .
• Planned Development / combining zone guidance (processing notes and PD minima references): PD combining excerpts (see PD text in Title 17) .
• Rezones and Code Amendments procedures: § 17.112.020, § 17.112.030 .
• Variance and minor deviation rules and findings: § 17.88.030, § 17.90.010 .
• Legal nonconforming parcels and uses: § 17.62.010, § 17.64.010 .
• Telecommunications facilities standards and permit triggers: § 17.40.070 .
• Internal resources referenced above: Kerman Land Use; Kerman Development Standards; Kerman Parking; Kerman Design Review; Kerman Overlay Districts; Kerman ADUs; Kerman Nonconforming Uses; Kerman Variances and Exceptions; Kerman Landscaping and Screening; California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — see the in‑page links above for navigation.

Retrieved passages

• Kerman Zoning Code (Chapter 17.30) High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§2) High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§2) High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (§2) High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (Chapter 17.116) High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code (Chapter 17.96) High relevance show source text
• Kerman Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Title 17 — City of Kerman Zoning Code (Title statement and purpose): **§ 17.02.010**, **§ 17.02.020** . (Title 17)
• Zoning map adoption and map rules: **§ 17.06.030**, **§ 17.06.040** . (§ 17.06.030)
• Table 17.06‑1 — Zone classifications and density/FAR table (residential/commercial/industrial listings) — Table 17.06‑1 in Title 17 . (Title 17)
• Residential zone standards, fences, parking, open space, site plan review, architectural standards: **§ 17.10.010**, **§ 17.10.060**, **§ 17.10.070**, **§ 17.10.080**, **§ 17.10.090**, **§ 17.10.100** . (§ 17.10.010)
• General site planning and street improvements: **§ 17.20.010**, **§ 17.20.020** . (§ 17.20.010)
• Planned Development / combining zone guidance (processing notes and PD minima references): PD combining excerpts (see PD text in Title 17) . (Title 17)
• Rezones and Code Amendments procedures: **§ 17.112.020**, **§ 17.112.030** . (§ 17.112.020)
• Variance and minor deviation rules and findings: **§ 17.88.030**, **§ 17.90.010** . (§ 17.88.030)
• Legal nonconforming parcels and uses: **§ 17.62.010**, **§ 17.64.010** . (§ 17.62.010)
• Telecommunications facilities standards and permit triggers: **§ 17.40.070** . (§ 17.40.070)
• Internal resources referenced above: Kerman Land Use; Kerman Development Standards; Kerman Parking; Kerman Design Review; Kerman Overlay Districts; Kerman ADUs; Kerman Nonconforming Uses; Kerman Variances and Exceptions; Kerman Landscaping and Screening; California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — see the in‑page links above for navigation. (Title 24)
• Kerman_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md