Local zoning · Lemoore

Lemoore — Development Standards

Q: Can I ask for a small setback or height change?

Yes — the Planning Director may grant a Minor Deviation of up to 10% to height, setbacks, lot coverage, or parking under § 9‑2B‑11 (ministerial, no public hearing). For larger changes, a variance requiring planning commission findings is required under § 9‑2B‑16 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Lemoore zoning code requires about development standards — setbacks, height measurement and exceptions, lot coverage, floor‑area‑ratio (FAR), and density — and explains where those rules live in the local ordinance and how they are applied parcel‑by‑parcel. Key rules are in the Lemoore Zoning Title: the development‑standards tables and downtown/mixed‑use chapters; measurement rules and allowable encroachments are in the same article. See the code text collected in § 9-5A-1 through § 9-5A-4 for the base standards and measurement rules § 9-5A-2 and § 9-5A-3 .

Note: where the downtown or mixed‑use zones or overlays have special rules, those override the base district tables (see the Downtown Chapter and MU chapter) .

Important related topics (first mention links): parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, the California Building Standards Code, landscaping and screening, and variances:

Parking is regulated in separate tables and chapters; see the city's parking rules for lot layout and shared parking standards. See the city's parking page for how parking interacts with development standards.
Site plan and architectural review (design review) is the review path that enforces many of these standards.
Overlay districts such as the Naval Air Station Lemoore (NASL) overlay add special height/noise/disclosure rules.
ADUs have their own development standard table in the Title and limited, specific setbacks/height rules.
Building code compliance (Title 24) is a separate requirement — local development standards do not replace the California Building Standards Code.
Landscaping and screening requirements are tied to setbacks and buffers.

(Those words above are linked in the text to the city menu: /us/california/lemoore/parking, /us/california/lemoore/design-review, /us/california/lemoore/overlay-districts, /us/california/lemoore/adu, /us/california/building-codes, /us/california/lemoore/landscaping-and-screening.)

Core measurement and flexibility rules (where to look)

Height is measured from finish grade to the top plane and exceptions for mechanical screens, towers, parapets are listed; see § 9-5A-2 (height measurement and exceptions) .
Setbacks and how to measure them (front, side, street‑side, rear) and permitted projections/encroachments (eaves, bay windows, porches) are in § 9-5A-3; common projections (e.g., up to 6' into a front yard) and cul‑de‑sac front setback rules are included there .
The base development standards tables that list minimum lot size, site area per dwelling, front/side/rear setbacks, maximum height, maximum lot coverage, and FAR for the city's base zoning districts are located in § 9-5A-4 (Tables 9-5A-4A and 9-5A-4B) — these are the primary numeric rules you will use for design checks .
A limited administrative flexibility path (minor deviation) allows up to 10% changes to height, setbacks, lot coverage and parking; see § 9-2B-11 .
Site plan and architectural review is required for most nonresidential and some residential projects and is the process used to check compliance with these standards; see § 9-2B-12 and the Design Review chapter .

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

Below are the jurisdictions' actual district symbols and the development‑standard references. For numeric dimensional rules, the controlling tables to consult are Table 9-5A-4A (residential) and Table 9-5A-4B (office/commercial/industrial/special purpose) which are implemented by § 9-5A-4; downtown and MU zones have separate chapters and tables cited below.

Note on citations: the code repeats district symbols across the tables; each numeric rule below is grounded in the ordinance tables and measurement rules cited after the district note.

AR (Agricultural Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: Large lot/estate residential and agricultural‑support uses; intended for low intensity, rural housing patterns. Purpose and standards referenced in the residential development standards tables in § 9-5A-4 .
Key dimensional standards (from Table 9-5A-4A): minimum lot size ~40,000 sq ft, front setback generally 60 ft, and height/coverage per table; confirm against Table 9-5A-4A in § 9-5A-4 .
Where it applies: city areas mapped AR (see the zoning map / § 9-4B references); confirm by parcel on the zoning map. Verify with the planning department on parcels adjacent to canals where special clearances apply (§ 9-5 notes) .

RV (Rural Village)

Purpose / typical uses: Low‑density village/residential lots (lots smaller than AR but larger than suburban) per Table 9-5A-4A; see § 9-5A-4 .
Key standards: site area per dwelling (e.g., ~15,000 sq ft) and front setback ~25 ft as shown in Table 9-5A-4A; confirm with § 9-5A-4 .

RLD / RLD (Low Density Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: Single‑family neighborhoods at suburban density. See Table 9-5A-4A and § 9-5A-4 for numeric limits .
Key standards: minimum lot size ~5,000 sq ft, front setback ~15 ft, interior side setbacks ~5 ft, max height often 35–40 ft depending on exact sub‑district — confirm in Table 9-5A-4A ( § 9-5A-4 ) .

RN (Neighborhood Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: Smaller single‑family lots and small attached housing in some locations; consult Table 9-5A-4A ( § 9-5A-4 ) for the specific lot width and depth requirements .

RLMD (Low‑Medium Density Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: Higher density single‑family or small‑lot attached product (small lot single‑family, duplexes, townhomes). See district description details and density guidance in the land‑use chapter and Table 9-5A-4A .
Key standards: typical lot sizes ~3,000–7,000 sq ft, density range roughly 7–12 du/acre (see district descriptions and Table 9-5A-4A/§ 9-5A-4) .

RMD (Medium Density Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: Multi‑family developments (apartments, townhomes), commonly 2–3 stories with shared amenities; see district narrative and Table 9-5A-4A/§ 9-5A-4 .
Key standards: density typically 12–17 du/acre, lot size to unit ratio ~2,000–3,600 sq ft, setbacks and max height per Table 9-5A-4A (use § 9-5A-4 as controlling table) .

RHD (High Density Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: Higher‑intensity multi‑family (apartments, condominiums) along arterials and near downtown; see district narrative and Table 9-5A-4A/§ 9-5A-4 .
Key standards: density 17–25 du/acre, lot size to unit ratio ~1,700–2,500 sq ft, heights allowed per table (consult Table 9-5A-4A for numeric max) .

NC / RC (Neighborhood Commercial / Regional Commercial) and PO (Professional Office)

Purpose / typical uses: Retail, services, professional offices. Numeric standards for setbacks, lot coverage, FAR are in Table 9-5A-4B under § 9-5A-4 .
Key standards (Table 9-5A-4B): front setbacks can be 0' in NC/RC, lot coverage up to 80% for NC/RC, FAR (min 0.10, max 0.60) for NC/RC/PO, and height varies by district and use — consult Table 9-5A-4B in § 9-5A-4 for exact values .

ML / MH (Light & Heavy Industrial) and W / AG / PR / CF (Special Purpose)

Purpose / typical uses: Industrial/manufacturing (ML/MH), Wetlands (W), Agriculture (AG), Parks (PR), Community Facilities (CF). Development standards (setbacks, lot size, height) are in Table 9-5A-4B and the special‑purpose district narratives ( § 9-5A-4 / Table 9-5A-4B ) .
Key standards: industrial zones tend to have larger minimum lot sizes, larger setbacks for specific uses, and higher allowed heights (ML/MH up to 60') — exact figures are in Table 9-5A-4B ( § 9-5A-4 ) .

DMX‑1 / DMX‑2 / DMX‑3 (Downtown mixed‑use: core, auto‑oriented, transitional)

Purpose / typical uses: Form‑based rules for downtown; DMX‑1 is the core downtown (retail, restaurants, second‑story housing), DMX‑2 is auto‑oriented, DMX‑3 is transitional. See Chapter 6 (Downtown Development Standards) § 9-6-1 through § 9-6-4 for the specific build‑to, setback, and height rules .
Key standards (examples): DMX‑1 build‑to/front build line frequently 0' (strong street frontage), structure height generally 16' minimum up to 40' maximum (Table 9-6-2-B1, § 9-6-2) .
Where it applies: downtown area mapped DMX‑1/2/3; all downtown remodels and new construction must comply with Chapter 6 and are subject to site plan and architectural review (see § 9-6-1 and § 9-2B-12) .

MU (Mixed Use)

Purpose / typical uses: Larger mixed‑use centers outside downtown; mixed‑use development rules are in Chapter 7 (Mixed Use Development Standards). Height standards for MU are in Table 9-7-6-B1 (structure height up to 60 ft subject to review) — see § 9-7-6 and Table 9-7-6-B1 .

NASL (Naval Air Station Lemoore) Overlay Zone

Purpose / typical uses: An overlay that recognizes aircraft noise and safety constraints; rules apply in addition to the base zone. See § 9-9C-1 through § 9-9C-3 for overlay areas, height limits, noise construction standards, routing/notice requirements and required easements/disclosures for new subdivisions .
Key standards: no structure or tree above 150 ft within the overlay (height limit), noise attenuation and indoor noise level requirements where CNEL >65 dB (construction to achieve 45 dB CNEL indoors), and routing of development applications to NASL/FAA for tall structures — see § 9-9C-3 .

Short reference table — most decision‑relevant standards

District (typical)	Typical permitted uses (quick)	Key numeric standards (high‑level)	Code reference
RLD (Low density)	Single‑family homes	Min lot ~3,000–5,000 sq ft, Front setback ~15 ft, Interior side ~5 ft, Height per table	§ 9-5A-4 (Table 9-5A-4A)
RMD (Medium density)	Apartments, townhomes	Density ~12–17 du/acre, Lot/unit ratio 2,000–3,600 sq ft, setbacks per table	§ 9-5A-4 (Table 9-5A-4A)
RHD (High density)	Multi‑family apartments	Density 17–25 du/acre, lot/unit 1,700–2,500 sq ft, setbacks/height per table	§ 9-5A-4 (Table 9-5A-4A)
NC / RC / PO	Retail, office, services	FAR min 0.10 / max 0.60 (typical), lot coverage up to 80%, front setback 0' (in NC/RC)	§ 9-5A-4 (Table 9-5A-4B)
ML / MH	Light/heavy industry	Larger lots, higher heights (up to ~60'), setback rules and additional separation rules in table	§ 9-5A-4 (Table 9-5A-4B)
DMX‑1	Downtown retail + second‑story housing	Build‑to/front build line often 0', Height 16' min to 40' max, special façade/building placement rules	§ 9-6-2 (Table 9-6-2-A1 & 9-6-2-B1)
NASL overlay	Adds restrictions to base zone	No structure/tree >150 ft; noise construction where CNEL >65 dB; routing/notice and disclosure for subdivisions	§ 9-9C-3

(Always confirm the exact parcel mapping and any tract‑level special standards; planned unit developments may have approved deviations — see Table 9-9B-4-1) .

How FAR, lot coverage, setbacks and height interact (practical guidance)

Use the applicable base table first: § 9-5A-4, Tables 9-5A-4A and 9-5A-4B are the primary numeric sources (lot area, setbacks, max coverage, FAR ranges) .
Apply measurement rules from § 9-5A-2 (height measurement) and § 9-5A-3 (setback measurement & encroachments) before calculating compliance — eaves, porches, bay windows, and small projections have limited allowed encroachment allowances that change usable building envelope calculations .
Downtown (DMX) and MU districts are form‑based and use build‑to lines and minimum façade heights as design controls; these are enforced through site plan and architectural review (see § 9-6-2, § 9-7-6) .
If you need small adjustments (≤10% for setbacks, height, coverage, parking), a minor deviation under § 9-2B-11 may be available (planning director approval, ministerial) . For larger departures you must seek a formal variance (planning commission) under § 9-2B-16 .
Overlay zones (e.g., NASL) impose extra rules that can override or add to base standards — always check overlays applied to the property on the zoning map and in § 9-9C .

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy before submitting plans

Identify the parcel's base zoning and all overlays (confirm map and § references). Verify NASL overlay if parcel is west of SR‑41 per § 9-9C-2 .
Use Table 9-5A-4A (residential) or Table 9-5A-4B (nonresidential) to confirm minimum lot area, setbacks, lot coverage, FAR, and maximum height for the base zone (see § 9-5A-4) .
Measure height per § 9-5A-2 (finish grade to top of roof) and apply any exceptions (parapet, mechanical screens, towers) .
Confirm allowed encroachments into yards (eaves, porches, bay windows) under § 9-5A-3 and adjust envelope calculations .
If in downtown or MU, follow Chapter 6 or Chapter 7 build‑to and façade requirements (site plan & architectural review) — see § 9-6-2 and § 9-7-6 .
Check landscape and setback buffer requirements in § 9-5D1-2 (landscaping & screening) which affect usable setbacks and parking lot edges; plan irrigation and tree species per city lists .
Determine whether your design needs a Minor Deviation (≤10% flexibility) under § 9-2B-11 or a Variance under § 9-2B-16; flag early in permit intake .
If proposing ADUs, use the ADU standards table (development standards for ADUs/JADUs) — see § 9-4D-12-A for ADU setbacks and height rules; state ADU laws also constrain local standards (see California ADU law) .
For projects near NASL overlay areas, include required routing to NASL/FAA for tall structure review and include required subdivision easements/disclosures per § 9-9C-3 .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Parcel‑specific tract/PUD exceptions	Many subdivisions and planned unit developments have preapproved special setbacks and build‑to lines; relying only on the base table can misstate the allowable envelope.	Check Table 9-9B-4-1 (PUD special standards) and the recorded tract map/conditions; verify with Planning Director. § 9-9B-4-1
Overlay requirements (NASL) vs base height	NASL overlay height/noise rules can override base zone allowances and require noise construction or lower effective heights.	Confirm whether property is in overlay II/III and apply § 9-9C-3; routing/notice and recorded easements may be required
Downtown/Mixed Use build‑to exceptions	Downtown form‑based rules may require 0' build‑to lines and specific façade treatment that differ from base setbacks.	Use Chapter 6 (DMX) and Chapter 7 (MU) standards instead of Table 9-5A-4A/4B for downtown parcels (see § 9-6-2 and § 9-7-6)
ADU vs local numeric limits	State ADU law constrains cities; local ADU table applies but must be consistent with state limits (e.g., 4‑ft side/rear minimums allowed by state).	Compare local ADU standard table § 9-4D-12-A with California ADU law; where silent, state law may limit local control
Measurement interpretation (grade)	Height measured from finish grade; different finish grade determinations can change allowable height and required setbacks for height‑to‑setback rules.	Measure per § 9-5A-2 and document grade determination in plans; get official zoning interpretation if ambiguous

Plain‑English summary

If you want to know what you can build on a Lemoore lot: first find the parcel's base zone and any overlays, then use the numeric rules in Tables 9-5A-4A/9-5A-4B to size your building (lot area, setbacks, coverage, FAR, height) and apply the measurement rules in § 9-5A-2 and § 9-5A-3; downtown and mixed‑use areas have their own build‑to and height rules, and overlays like NASL can add noise/height/disclosure requirements — check the cited sections before designing. All of the above is enforced through site plan and architectural review and the planning entitlements process .

Source References

Lemoore Zoning Title — Article A, Area, Setback, Height and Coverage Standards: § 9-5A-1, § 9-5A-2, § 9-5A-3, § 9-5A-4 (Tables 9-5A-4A and 9-5A-4B) .
Downtown Development Standards — Chapter 6: § 9-6-1 and base tables § 9-6-2 (Table 9-6-2-A1 and Table 9-6-2-B1) .
Mixed Use height and parking rules — Chapter 7 references and Table 9-7-6-B1/9-7-6-C1 (mixed use height/parking) § 9-7-6 .
NASL Overlay — § 9-9C-1, § 9-9C-2, § 9-9C-3 (overlay areas, height limit 150 ft, noise attenuation, routing/disclosure) .
Minor deviation (administrative flexibility) — § 9-2B-11 (≤10% deviation for height/setback/coverage/parking) .
Site plan and architectural review applicability — § 9-2B-12 (which projects require review) .
ADU development standards table — Table 9-4D-12-A (ADU/JADU development standards) — see § 9-4D-12-A for setbacks, height, size rules; also compare to state ADU law (California ADU law) .
Landscape and screening details that affect setback areas — § 9-5D1-2 (Landscape Standards) .
Planned Unit Development special standards table — Table 9-9B-4-1 (PUD special setbacks) — consult that table where a tract has an approved special standard .

Sources

Retrieved passages

Lemoore Zoning Code (section 9-5D1-2.) High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (chapter for) High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (title for) High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (section establish) High relevance
Lemoore Zoning Code (title shall) High relevance
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Lemoore Zoning Code (section 9-5C-4) High relevance
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Cited sections

Official Lemoore code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R-1 (RLD/RMD/RHD) lot in Lemoore?

R‑zoned lots must meet the numeric development standards in Table 9‑5A‑4A under § 9‑5A‑4 (site area per dwelling, lot size/width/depth, front/side/rear setbacks, separation, max height and lot coverage). For multi‑family districts (RMD, RHD) the code also lists density ranges (e.g., 12–17 du/acre for RMD; 17–25 du/acre for RHD) and lot/unit ratios — use Table 9‑5A‑4A and measurement rules in § 9‑5A‑2 and § 9‑5A‑3 to confirm your specific parcel .

What are Lemoore’s setback requirements?

Setbacks are established in the district tables (Tables 9‑5A‑4A and 9‑5A‑4B) and measured per § 9‑5A‑3; typical single‑family front setbacks are ~15 ft in many suburban districts, some districts (or downtown) allow 0 ft build‑to lines. Check the table for your specific zoning symbol and apply the allowed encroachments (e.g., eaves up to 6') in § 9‑5A‑3 .

How does Lemoore measure building height?

Height is measured from finish grade to the top of the structure per § 9‑5A‑2. Parapets, mechanical screens, and rooftop appurtenances have limited exceptions (e.g., parapet up to 4' over limit; towers or mechanical structures may extend further under specific rules) — see § 9‑5A‑2 for the measurement and exceptions .

What lot coverage and FAR limits apply to commercial projects?

Commercial and office FAR and lot coverage are given in Table 9‑5A‑4B under § 9‑5A‑4 — typical values include FAR min 0.10 / max 0.60 for many commercial districts and lot coverage up to 80% in Neighborhood/Regional Commercial (NC/RC). Always use the table for the specific district symbol (e.g., NC, RC, PO) .

Do ADUs have different setbacks or height rules in Lemoore?

Yes — ADUs/JADUs are regulated by a specific ADU development standards table (Table 9‑4D‑12‑A, § 9‑4D‑12‑A). Detached ADUs have their own height cap (detached ADU maximum height noted in the ADU table) and permitted setbacks (often 4 ft side/rear for detached ADUs per the local table, but check the local table and applicable state ADU restrictions). Always cross‑check the local ADU table with state ADU law requirements .

Will the NASL overlay limit my building height?

Yes — properties in the NASL overlay have an absolute height limit for structures and trees of 150 ft and may require noise attenuation construction if aircraft noise exceeds CNEL 65 dB; developments producing tall structures must be routed to NASL/FAA and subdivisions record an easement/disclosure — see § 9‑9C‑3 .

If my lot sits downtown, do the base tables still apply?

No — downtown (DMX‑1/DMX‑2/DMX‑3) uses form‑based rules in Chapter 6. Downtown base development standards (build‑to lines, zero front setbacks, minimum first‑floor heights, different max heights) are in § 9‑6‑2 (Table 9‑6‑2‑A1 and 9‑6‑2‑B1); use those instead of Tables 9‑5A‑4A/4B and expect site plan and architectural review to enforce them .

Can I ask for a small setback or height change?

Yes — the Planning Director may grant a Minor Deviation of up to 10% to height, setbacks, lot coverage, or parking under § 9‑2B‑11 (ministerial, no public hearing). For larger changes, a variance requiring planning commission findings is required under § 9‑2B‑16 .

Do landscaping rules reduce my usable setback?

Yes — required landscape buffers and street parkway landscaping are part of the development standard package and apply inside setback areas per § 9‑5D1‑2; required landscape buffers along arterials/collectors may overlap setbacks and add planting/irrigation obligations that affect the usable building envelope .

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