Lassen County — Variances and Exceptions

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

In unincorporated areas of Lassen County, “variances” are limited relief from strict application of zoning dimensional rules; “exceptions” are targeted departures embedded elsewhere in the code (for example, a parking waiver) that apply in defined circumstances. The core variance authority is in the county’s zoning ordinance, Title 18, with specific overlay districts and special zones layering in their own relief mechanisms. Everything below applies only in unincorporated Lassen County.

The most important rule: Variances in Lassen County address only height, yard, and area requirements — not changes in land use. Your application must show special conditions of the property, a need to preserve substantial property rights, and no harm to neighbors or the public. See § 18.110.010 and § 18.110.020 .

Countywide variance framework (Title 18)

• What a variance can cover. The county may grant relief from “certain height, yard or area requirements” when strict application would cause practical difficulties, unnecessary hardship, or results inconsistent with the ordinance’s purpose (§ 18.110.010 ). Use changes are not within this scope.
• Required showing. A complete application must demonstrate: (1) exceptional or extraordinary circumstances applicable to the site; (2) necessity to preserve substantial property rights; and (3) no material adverse effects on health/safety or neighborhood welfare (§ 18.110.020 ).
• Hearings and decisions. A public hearing is set within 60 days of completeness with newspaper, on-site posting, and 300‑ft mailed notice (§ 18.110.030 ). The Planning Commission makes written findings and forwards them to the Board of Supervisors, which issues the final decision by resolution and may impose conditions and guarantees (§ 18.110.040, § 18.110.050 ).
• Expiration and revocation. A variance not used within one year becomes null and void; noncompliance with conditions may trigger revocation after noticed hearing (§ 18.110.060 ).

Use this process in tandem with the county’s general zoning map and districts, development standards, and any applicable overlay districts. If your project also needs design review or implicates parking, the specific exceptions noted below may apply.

Code-based exceptions and overlay-specific relief

Some “exceptions” don’t travel through the countywide variance chapter. Instead, they live in special district chapters or topic chapters and use their own decision standards.

• Westwood community services district parking waiver. The Community Development Director may waive all or part of the off‑street parking requirements for commercial uses within the Westwood CSD upon evidence that strict adherence would create undue hardship or inconvenience (§ 18.104.050 ).
• Building Site (“B”) combining district carport side-yard flexibility. In mapped “‑B‑D” areas, side-yard setbacks for certain carports may be waived through design review by the architectural review committee (§ 18.84.030(3), § 18.84.040(3) ).
• General provisions and exceptions chapter. Chapter 18.102 supplies exceptions that apply countywide unless a more specific district rule overrides them (§ 18.102.010 ). Examples in this chapter include special rules for manufactured homes and freestanding roofs that interact with design review (§ 18.102.011, § 18.102.016 ).

District-by-district relief mechanisms (where they exist)

Below are the districts and overlays in unincorporated Lassen County that include their own variance/exception standards, the purposes they serve, and how they interact with the countywide variance framework. For a full district roster, see § 18.08.010; the combining (overlay) districts are listed at § 18.08.020 .

P‑C Planned Community District

• Purpose and where it applies. Used for master-planned development tracts where residential and commercial uses are planned in an integrated manner (§ 18.50.030, intent implied by standards ).
• Typical permitted uses. All uses permitted in the R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, and C‑1 districts may be included, typically by use permit (§ 18.50.040 ).
• Key dimensional standards. Heights: 35 ft (R‑1/R‑2 uses); 45 ft (R‑3/C‑1 uses) (§ 18.50.050 ). Site area for R districts: 8,125 sq ft (§ 18.50.060 ). Yards mirror those of the underlying use districts (§ 18.50.070 ).
• How relief works. The P‑C chapter allows deviations from its own standards when doing so “will result in improved design” and better arrangement relative to parking, parks, and pedestrian features (§ 18.50.090 ). This is separate from § 18.110 variances.

“G” Geothermal Combining District

• Purpose and where it applies. Applied in known geothermal resource areas (KGRAs) and other geothermal areas identified by the General Plan (§ 18.90.010 ).
• Typical permitted uses. Uses allowed by right or use permit in the principal district continue; exploration/development of geothermal resources is by use permit with special findings (§ 18.90.050, § 18.90.070 ).
• Key dimensional standards. Minimum parcel size is 40 acres in any “G” district (§ 18.90.080(a) ).
• How relief works. A variance from the 40‑acre minimum can be granted if: (1) a use permit authorizes a use that does not require 40 acres; and (2) the variance is consistent with the General Plan and the intent of the “G” district (§ 18.90.080(a)(1)–(2) ).

Airport Approaches — Susanville Municipal Airport (Chapter 18.134)

• Purpose and where it applies. Applies in defined approach areas of the Susanville airport environs (chapter heading context ).
• Typical permitted uses. The chapter focuses on regulating structure/tree heights and airport hazards; standard zoning uses from the base district continue subject to these constraints (§ 18.134.090, permitting context ).
• Key dimensional standards. Height and obstruction controls tied to approach surfaces (chapter structure; see permit/variance process).
• How relief works. The Planning Commission may grant variances where literal enforcement causes practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and the relief is in the public interest and in the spirit of the regulations; conditions may be imposed (§ 18.134.100, with administration at § 18.134.080–.090 ).

Airport Approaches — Spalding Tract Airport (Chapter 18.136)

• Purpose and where it applies. Applies in the Spalding Tract airport approach areas (chapter heading context ).
• Typical permitted uses. As above, the chapter overlays height/obstruction controls rather than redefining base uses (§ 18.136.090 permitting context ).
• Key dimensional standards. Height/obstruction controls per approach zones (see chapter context).
• How relief works. Variances may be allowed on a showing of practical difficulty/unnecessary hardship, where consistent with the public interest and the spirit of the chapter; the Planning Commission decides and may attach conditions (§ 18.136.100; administration at § 18.136.080–.090 ).

“B” Building Site Combining District (selected exception)

• Purpose and where it applies. Adjusts minimum building site area and yard widths where combined with a principal district (§ 18.84.010–.020 ).
• Typical permitted uses. Uses from the principal district continue; the “B” overlay modifies site/yard dimensions.
• Key dimensional standards. Side yards equal 10% of lot width (max 15 ft); minimum building site area shown in the “B” suffix (§ 18.84.020 ).
• How relief works. In “‑B‑D” mapped neighborhoods, certain carport side‑yard setbacks can be waived via design review by the architectural review committee (§ 18.84.030(3), § 18.84.040(3) ).

“F” Floodplain Combining District (context for exceptions)

• Purpose and where it applies. Applies in designated floodplains; regulates what can be built and how it must be flood‑protected (§ 18.88.040–.050 ).
• Typical permitted uses. Resource, recreation, and specified development may occur by use permit with flood-specific safeguards (e.g., levees, pads, wastewater protections) (§ 18.88.040–.050 ).
• Key dimensional standards/requirements. Residences/structures must meet elevation or flood‑protection measures; utilities and water sources must be protected from floodwaters (§ 18.88.050(1)–(3) ).
• How relief works. Not found in retrieved materials for an “F”‑specific variance standard. If relief is needed, applicants typically pursue a countywide variance (§ 18.110) and coordinate any building/floodplain compliance under the California Building Standards Code. Not found in retrieved materials.

Key relief types at a glance

Checklist

• Confirm your parcel is in unincorporated Lassen County and identify base zoning and overlays via the zoning map and overlay districts list (§ 18.08.010–.020 ).
• If pursuing a variance, limit your request to height/yard/area relief and draft findings that match § 18.110.020’s three tests; include site plans, elevations, and evidence showing exceptional conditions (§ 18.110.020 ).
• Calendar the hearing window and prepare for mailed/posted notice to owners within 300 feet (§ 18.110.030 ).
• If in a P‑C, “G”, or airport approach overlay, use the chapter‑specific relief path and findings where provided (§ 18.50.090; § 18.90.080; § 18.134.100; § 18.136.100 ).
• For Westwood commercial sites, consider the parking waiver route before seeking a variance (§ 18.104.050 ).
• If in “‑B‑D” areas, evaluate whether a carport side‑yard waiver through design review is the cleaner path (§ 18.84.030(3), § 18.84.040(3) ).
• Accept and implement conditions of approval; use the variance within one year to avoid lapse (§ 18.110.050–.060 ).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If you need to bend a setback, height, or lot‑area rule in unincorporated Lassen County, you’ll likely file a variance under § 18.110. To win approval, prove your site has unique conditions, that strict rules would deny substantial property rights, and that neighbors/public won’t be harmed. Some overlays (Planned Community, Geothermal, Airport Approaches) and topics (Westwood parking) have their own exceptions — use those first when they fit.

Source References

• Lassen County Code, Title 18 Zoning — Variances: § 18.110.010–.060
• Planned Community District — Variances and standards: § 18.50.040–.090
• Geothermal Combining District — Findings and 40‑acre variance: § 18.90.010, § 18.90.050, § 18.90.070–.080
• Airport Approaches — Susanville: § 18.134.080–.100
• Airport Approaches — Spalding Tract: § 18.136.080–.100
• General Provisions and Exceptions: § 18.102.010–.016
• Parking waiver (Westwood CSD): § 18.104.050
• Building Site Combining District and design-review waivers: § 18.84.010–.040, § 18.84.060
• District lists and overlays: § 18.08.010–.020

Information Gaps

• An overlay‑specific variance process for the Floodplain (“F”) combining district was not found in the retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Retrieved passages

• Lassen County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Lassen County Zoning Code (§ 48) High relevance show source text
• Lassen County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Lassen County Zoning Code (§ 18.134.080.) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 50 (§ 50) Medium relevance show source text
• Lassen County Zoning Code (§ 40) Medium relevance show source text
• Lassen County Zoning Code (§ 24) Medium relevance show source text
• Lassen County Zoning Code (§ 8) Medium relevance show source text
• Lassen County Zoning Code (§ 28) Medium relevance show source text
• Lassen County Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Lassen County Zoning Code (Chapter 18.84.) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Lassen County Code, Title 18 Zoning — Variances: § 18.110.010–.060 (Title 18)
• Planned Community District — Variances and standards: § 18.50.040–.090 (§ 18.50.040)
• Geothermal Combining District — Findings and 40‑acre variance: § 18.90.010, § 18.90.050, § 18.90.070–.080 (§ 18.90.010)
• Airport Approaches — Susanville: § 18.134.080–.100 (§ 18.134.080)
• Airport Approaches — Spalding Tract: § 18.136.080–.100 (§ 18.136.080)
• General Provisions and Exceptions: § 18.102.010–.016 (§ 18.102.010)
• Parking waiver (Westwood CSD): § 18.104.050 (§ 18.104.050)
• Building Site Combining District and design-review waivers: § 18.84.010–.040, § 18.84.060 (§ 18.84.010)
• District lists and overlays: § 18.08.010–.020 (§ 18.08.010)
• LassenCounty_ZoningCode.md

• Official Lassen County code library