Lincoln — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Lincoln’s municipal zoning ordinance is codified as Title 18 – ZONING and divides the city into named districts (for example R-1, R-2, C, L‑I, PD, P, etc.) shown on the official zoning map. The ordinance sets permitted uses, conditional uses, and district development standards (setbacks, lot area, height, lot coverage) and makes the official zoning maps the final authority for a parcel’s zoning status. For map rules see § 18.08.010 and the districts list in § 18.06.010.

(Notes: This page sticks to zoning/regulatory rules in Title 18. For building code matters see the California Building Standards Code.) [/us/california/building-codes]

How the ordinance is organized (quick)

• The list of city zoning districts is in § 18.06.010.
• The official zoning maps, where filed and how to resolve boundary uncertainty, are in § 18.08.010–§ 18.08.040.
• Each district has its own chapter (for example R‑1 is Chapter 18.12, R‑2 Chapter 18.14, R‑3 Chapter 18.16, B‑P Chapter 18.20, C Chapter 18.22, L‑I Chapter 18.26, R‑E Chapter 18.18, PD Chapter 18.32, P Chapter 18.33, and ADUs are in Chapter 18.37).

Below is a district-by-district breakdown of the primary zoning districts that appear in the code. Each subsection gives the district purpose, typical permitted uses, and the decision-relevant dimensional standards called out by the ordinance. Where the code lists multiple subsections, I cite the controlling §.

R-1 (single-family residential)

• Purpose: Preserve single‑family neighborhoods and control residential density. See Chapter 18.12.
• Typical permitted uses: Single-family dwellings, accessory buildings, ADUs, home occupations, supportive/transitional housing and manufactured homes (where allowed). See § 18.12.010.
• Key dimensional standards (decision-relevant):
  • Minimum lot area: 6,000 sq ft (corner/interior) in original ordinance language; check § 18.12.040/§ 18.12.090 for subdivisions and later amendments.
  • Front setback: 20 ft. Rear: typically 10 ft (5 ft if alley) with special rules for small accessory structures; side yard: 5 ft; side street: 10 ft — see § 18.12.070.
  • Maximum lot coverage: 60%. Maximum principal building height: 35 ft; accessory structures 16 ft (see Chapter 18.12).

Where it applies: See the official zoning map and the map rules in § 18.08.010; when boundaries are ambiguous the map rules apply. Verify parcel zoning with the City Clerk or Community Development.

R-2 (duplex residential)

• Purpose & uses: Allows single‑family, duplexes, triplexes, accessory uses and ADUs. See § 18.14.010.
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Minimum lot area: 6,500 sq ft for two-family; 7,500 sq ft for three-family (see § 18.14.050).
  • Lot coverage: 50% max. Front yard: 25 ft; rear: 10 ft; side: 5 ft; courtyard and other rules in § 18.14.070–090. Conditional use development standards (e.g., when a CUP is required) may require larger minimums (e.g., up to 45 ft height for conditional uses).

R-3 (multiple residential)

• Purpose & uses: Intended for apartments, multi‑family housing and related uses; ADUs allowed per Chapter 18.37. See § 18.16.010.
• Key standards:
  • Minimum lot area (typical): 8,500 sq ft for basic lot sizes; lot area per unit and lot width rules are in § 18.16.050–070.
  • Front yard: 25 ft for some R‑3 lots; rear yard 15 ft; side yard 5 ft. Lot coverage: 60%. Conditional uses may have 45 ft height limits; townhouse/condominium performance standards allow up to 55 ft / 3 stories under specific conditions (see § 18.16.090–100).

R‑E (residential estate)

• Purpose & uses: Low‑density estate residential uses; see Chapter 18.18.
• Key standards:
  • Lot coverage: 30% max. Lot width: 100 ft minimum. Front yard: 25 ft; side yards: 10 ft each; rear: 20 ft. District minimum area: 2.5 acres. See § 18.18.060–090.

B‑P (Business & Professional)

• Purpose & uses: Professional offices and personal service uses; accessory uses and limited residential (ADUs when single‑family exists). See § 18.20.010.
• Development standards for conditional uses include 10,000 sq ft minimum lot, 100 ft width and 45 ft maximum height for conditional developments. See § 18.20.090.

C (Commercial)

• Purpose & uses: Retail, shopping centers, many commercial uses (listed and those allowed within a building), and some accessory residential when multi‑family exists. See § 18.22.010–020.
• District minimum creation rules and yard exceptions are in § 18.22.090–100 / § 18.22.060; yard requirements are relaxed unless next to residential zones (see § 18.22.060).

H‑C (Highway Commercial)

• Purpose & uses: (Code lists the district at § 18.06.010.) The detailed H‑C permitted uses and standards are in the highway commercial chapter (search the code/chapter for H‑C). Verify parcel rules and setbacks with the Community Development Director. Not all H‑C text fragments appeared in the retrieved excerpts.

L‑I (Light Industrial) and I (Industrial)

• Purpose & uses: Industrial and light‑industrial uses; L‑I lists specific permitted uses such as automobile repair, body shops, heavy equipment sales, and many manufacturing uses (see § 18.26.010–020). The I district has related but more industrial‑oriented permissions; child‑care is restricted in some industrial districts (see Chapter 18.61 clarifications).

A‑D (Agricultural)

• Purpose & uses: Agriculture and low‑intensity uses; single‑family homes in A‑D follow similar permit requirements as R‑1 for some uses (notably day care rules reference this parity). See § 18.06.010 and Chapter references.

O‑S (Open Space) and PUB (Public Uses)

• Purpose & uses: Conservation, parks, and public facilities. O‑S and PD can be treated as open‑space districts under § 18.06.020; park district standards are in Chapter 18.33.

PD (Planned Development)

• Purpose & process: The PD zone is used where a specific development plan is adopted. A PD requires a preliminary development plan, public hearings and becomes the site’s general development plan (see § 18.32.080–110). The PD may include its own mix of uses and standards; the ordinance treats PD/RE/OS as potential open‑space districts in § 18.06.020.

P (Parks)

• Purpose & uses: Park and recreational lands; detailed park district uses, conditional uses and setbacks are in Chapter 18.33 (e.g., building setbacks 20 ft standard; lot area minimum 1 acre; height 35 ft). See § 18.33.010–090.

Quick decision‑relevant table (selected items)

Practical guidance & synthesis (plain-English, ordinance‑based)

• Always start with the official zoning map to determine the district (§ 18.08.020) because the map designations govern where text and numeric standards apply.
• For residential work, check the district chapter first (e.g., R‑1 § 18.12.010–090), then the ADU rules in Chapter 18.37 if adding an accessory unit. ADU rules also reference state law allowances — see Chapter 18.37.
• Off‑street parking requirements and exceptions can affect feasibility (see the ordinance parking chapter for numeric spaces and shared‑parking guidance). For parking rules consult the city’s parking chapter before finalizing layout. [/us/california/lincoln/parking]
• If the zone requires design review (e.g., many parks, PDs or new commercial projects), anticipate design review submittals and standards. See Chapter 18.68 for administrative design review authority and criteria. [/us/california/lincoln/design-review]
• Planned Developments (PD) are bespoke: the approved PD plan becomes the site’s development standard, so a PD parcel’s “rules” can be different from the base zones (see § 18.32.090).

(First time the term “parking” was used above it links to the city parking menu. The first mention of “design review” links to the design review menu. The first mention of “ADU” above links to the ADU menu; the building code link appears at top.)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy for a typical project)

• Verify official zoning map designation for your parcel with the City Clerk / Community Development and cite § 18.08.020.
• Confirm the proposed use is listed as permitted or conditional in the district chapter (e.g., § 18.12.010 for R‑1, § 18.14.010 for R‑2, § 18.16.010 for R‑3).
• Confirm numeric standards (setbacks, lot area, lot coverage, height) in the district chapter (e.g., § 18.12.070, § 18.12.050, § 18.12.040).
• If proposing an ADU, follow Chapter 18.37 for unit counts, owner‑occupancy rules (where applicable), deed restriction recording, and other ADU standards. [/us/california/lincoln/adu]
• Check parking requirements and loading for your use and whether shared parking or reduced requirements apply. [/us/california/lincoln/parking]
• Determine whether the project needs design review (Chapter 18.68) or a conditional use permit / development permit / variance; plan public hearing notices if required. [/us/california/lincoln/design-review]
• If in an overlay or PD zone, consult the specific overlay/PD documents and Chapter 18.32 (PD process). [/us/california/lincoln/overlay-districts]

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Lincoln’s zoning is Title 18; find your parcel’s zone on the official zoning map, then follow that district’s chapter for what you can build and the numeric rules (setbacks, lot coverage, height). Planned developments and overlay rules can change the base standards, and accessory dwelling units have a dedicated chapter with state‑law cross‑references. Verify parcel details with Community Development.

Source References

• Zoning ordinance title and purpose: § 18.02.010–§ 18.02.030.
• Full list of zoning districts: § 18.06.010.
• Official zoning maps and boundary rules: § 18.08.010–§ 18.08.040.
• R‑1 district (permitted uses and standards): § 18.12.010, § 18.12.040–§ 18.12.070.
• R‑2 district: § 18.14.010–§ 18.14.090.
• R‑3 district: § 18.16.010–§ 18.16.100.
• R‑E district: § 18.18.060–§ 18.18.090.
• B‑P (Business & Professional): § 18.20.010 and development standards § 18.20.090.
• Commercial district: § 18.22.010–§ 18.22.100.
• Light industrial (L‑I): § 18.26.010–§ 18.26.020.
• Planned Development (PD) process and standards: Chapter 18.32 (e.g., § 18.32.080–§ 18.32.110).
• Parks (P): Chapter 18.33 (e.g., § 18.33.010–§ 18.33.070).
• ADUs and JADUs: Chapter 18.37 (including 18.37.030 table for ADU numbers). [/us/california/lincoln/adu]
• Design review authority and criteria: Chapter 18.68. [/us/california/lincoln/design-review]

(These citations are to the City of Lincoln zoning codified export that was searched and provided with the request. Verify parcel‑specific interpretations with the Community Development Director; the Code authorizes administrative interpretations — see § 18.04.050.)

Retrieved passages

• Lincoln Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§2) High relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§2.01.000) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 66323 (Section 66323) High relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (title to) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 6 (Section 66323) High relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§3.02.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§3.01.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§3.03.030) High relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§ 3.02.070) Medium relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Zoning ordinance title and purpose: **§ 18.02.010–§ 18.02.030**. (title and)
• Full list of zoning districts: **§ 18.06.010**. (§ 18.06.010)
• Official zoning maps and boundary rules: **§ 18.08.010–§ 18.08.040**. (§ 18.08.010)
• R‑1 district (permitted uses and standards): **§ 18.12.010**, **§ 18.12.040–§ 18.12.070**. (§ 18.12.010)
• R‑2 district: **§ 18.14.010–§ 18.14.090**. (§ 18.14.010)
• R‑3 district: **§ 18.16.010–§ 18.16.100**. (§ 18.16.010)
• R‑E district: **§ 18.18.060–§ 18.18.090**. (§ 18.18.060)
• B‑P (Business & Professional): **§ 18.20.010** and development standards **§ 18.20.090**. (§ 18.20.010)
• Commercial district: **§ 18.22.010–§ 18.22.100**. (§ 18.22.010)
• Light industrial (L‑I): **§ 18.26.010–§ 18.26.020**. (§ 18.26.010)
• Planned Development (PD) process and standards: **Chapter 18.32** (e.g., **§ 18.32.080–§ 18.32.110**). (Chapter 18.32)
• Parks (P): **Chapter 18.33** (e.g., **§ 18.33.010–§ 18.33.070**). (Chapter 18.33)
• ADUs and JADUs: **Chapter 18.37** (including **18.37.030** table for ADU numbers). [/us/california/lincoln/adu] (Chapter 18.37)
• Design review authority and criteria: **Chapter 18.68**. [/us/california/lincoln/design-review] (Chapter 18.68)
• Lincoln_ZoningCode.md

• Official Lincoln code library