Lindsay — Overlay Districts

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Lindsay’s zoning code does not use the word “overlay” as a formal district label. Instead, the code implements additional, area-specific controls through combining districts, primarily the PUD (Planned Unit Development) and MXU (Mixed Use Combining) districts. These combining districts are applied on top of the base zone and add or modify standards and procedures for targeted areas (§ 18.02.010) .

What “overlay” means in Lindsay (short)

• Lindsay calls these tools combining districts rather than overlays; the combining districts are listed as PUD and MXU and “combine” with the base zone to add special rules (§ 18.02.010) .
• The combining district rules apply in addition to the base zone regulations — they do not replace them unless a PUD specifically demonstrates alternate standards are acceptable (§ 18.02.010; § 18.19.050) .
• The code does not show any district literally named “Overlay District” — Not found in retrieved materials.

District-by-district breakdown

MXU (Mixed Use Combining District)

Purpose and where it’s used

• The MXU combining district is intended for parcels within residential, commercial and industrial base districts that are “characterized by a mixture of uses, blighted structures and sites, and/or inadequate street and alley improvements.” It is a redevelopment/flexible-use tool (§ 18.12.020) .

Typical permitted uses (summary)

• The MXU generally makes “all categories of land use shown on the general plan diagram eligible” for redevelopment within MXU areas; in practice the underlying base-zone uses still frame what can be proposed, but MXU allows broader combinations and streamlined review for housing (§ 18.12.020) .
• Emergency shelters are explicitly permitted by right in the MXU subject to non-discretionary site-plan standards and numeric limits (e.g., no more than 12 persons per night) (§ 18.12.020.3) .

Key development and procedural standards

• Residential by-right with administrative site review: Residential uses are permitted by right in the MXU but are subject to administrative (non‑discretionary) site plan review (§ 18.12.020.4) .
• Minimum site area for MXU residential or PUD-initiated development: 1 acre minimum site area for residential development under MXU standards (§ 18.12.020.4.1) .
• Emergency shelter-specific standards: maximum 12 persons per night; parking at 1 space per 2 beds plus one per employee; 250-foot minimum separation between shelters measured from property lines; indoor intake/waiting; security/staffing and lighting requirements (referencing parking standards at § 18.13.030) (§ 18.12.020.3; cross-ref § 18.13.030) .

Where it applies

• Applied by map notation (Zone Plan) or ordinance to targeted redevelopment areas. The MXU is the city’s tool for “mixed‑use” areas designated by the general plan and may be applied on top of RA, R, RM, PO, C, I base districts as described (§ 18.12.020; § 18.03) .

Practical guidance

• Expect administrative site-plan review for housing in MXU; emergency-shelter proposals must meet the explicit numeric and operational controls in § 18.12.020 and parking rules in § 18.13.030; verify MXU map designation before assuming MXU rules apply (§ 18.12.020) .

PUD (Planned Unit Development combining district)

Purpose and where it’s used

• The PUD combining district is intended to permit carefully designed multi-use or higher‑flexibility developments that may not strictly conform to base-zone numeric rules but achieve the zoning objectives through design (§ 18.19.010) .

Typical permitted uses

• A PUD may include only the uses permitted (either as permitted or conditional uses) in the underlying zoning district, with the code explicitly allowing combinations of RA/R/RM/PO uses in a PUD depending on base district location (§ 18.19.030) .

Key dimensional and process standards

• Minimum site area: 1 acre for a PUD (§ 18.19.040) .
• Standards flexibility: The PUD process permits departures from ordinary standards (site area, coverage, yards, distances between structures, parking, landscaping) if the applicant demonstrates the project achieves the zoning and chapter objectives (§ 18.19.050) .
• Density flexibility: In R/RM districts a PUD may allow up to 10% additional density over the maximum average population per net acre (and under certain conditions up to 25% tied to State density-bonus provisions) — those increases require demonstration of design and policy conformity and may reference State law (§ 18.19.050.2–3) .
• Approvals: a PUD is an approval by use permit (discretionary) using the procedures in Chapter 18.17 and site-plan materials described in § 18.19.070 (§ 18.19.020; § 18.19.070) .

Where it applies

• A PUD may be applied in any district other than an R-1-7X district either by granting a use permit or by mapping the PUD combining district (§ 18.19.020) .

Practical guidance

• Expect a discretionary use‑permit process with public notice; the council can approve alternative dimensional standards if the design meets code objectives — prepare detailed development plans and justify departures using the criteria in § 18.19.050 and the use‑permit findings in § 18.17.070 (§ 18.19.050; § 18.17.070) .

Decision‑relevant quick table

How this interacts with other approvals and standards

• Combining districts layer on the base zone; you must comply with the base-zone use table and the combining-district rules together (§ 18.02.010) .
• Parking requirements are controlled by Chapter 18.13 — emergency shelters in MXU reference § 18.13.030 for parking calculations; see the city’s parking rules for stall counts and design (/us/california/lindsay/parking) (§ 18.12.020.3) .
• Many PUD or MXU projects will trigger site plan review or design review processes under Chapter 18.18 — consult the city’s design-review rules early (/us/california/lindsay/design-review) (§ 18.18) .
• Combining districts do not override objective development standards unless the PUD is approved to modify them; where objective standards remain relevant, consult the city’s development standards and site-specific yard/height rules (§ 18.19.050) .
• If a property is proposed for MXU because the general plan designated “mixed use,” the zone map will show the MXU application; verify map and ordinance history at the City Clerk or community development counter (§ 18.03.010; § 18.22) .
• For housing projects considering density bonuses, PUD density flexes point to State density‑bonus law (see code cross-references to Gov. Code § 65915 in § 18.19.050) — consult California housing laws and the city’s procedures when pursuing density increases (§ 18.19.050) .

(When you see references above to parking, design review, development standards, ADUs, or Title 24, consult the city pages for those topics early — e.g., /us/california/lindsay/parking, /us/california/lindsay/design-review, /us/california/lindsay/development-standards, /us/california/lindsay/adu, /us/california/building-codes.)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

• Confirm parcel is mapped as or eligible for MXU or PUD combining district (Zone Plan / City file) (§ 18.03.010; § 18.02.010) .
• Prepare a full site plan and general development plan showing lots, circulation, parking, drainage, landscaping, and unit counts per § 18.19.070 and § 18.17.030) .
• For MXU emergency shelters: document compliance with 12‑person limit, parking (1 per 2 beds + staff), 250‑ft separation, indoor intake, lighting/security plans (§ 18.12.020.3) .
• If pursuing PUD departures from dimensional standards, include written findings and design rationale showing how objectives of the zoning code and chapter will be met (§ 18.19.050) .
• Complete required public‑notice materials and application forms for a use permit if required; pay attention to the hearing/notice schedule in § 18.17 / § 18.22 (§§ 18.17.040–050; 18.22.040) .
• Check related chapters early: off‑street parking (Chapter 18.13), site plan review (Chapter 18.18), and variance procedures (Chapter 18.21) for gaps or required submittals (§ 18.13; § 18.18; § 18.21) .
• Verify any claimed density bonus eligibility with State law and include required supporting materials (see § 18.19.050 references to Gov. Code § 65915) (§ 18.19.050) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Lindsay does not use an “overlay” label — it uses combining districts. If your property is in the MXU or PUD combining district you can pursue mixed‑use, housing, or a specially designed development, but you must follow the combining‑district rules plus the base zone rules. MXU allows by‑right residential with administrative site review and sets specific emergency‑shelter limits; PUDs allow design‑based departures through a discretionary use‑permit process; both commonly require 1 acre minimums and careful site plans (§ 18.02.010; § 18.12.020; § 18.19.040–050) .

Source References

• Combining districts definition: § 18.02.010
• MXU — Mixed Use Combining District (purposes, emergency shelter standards, residential standards): § 18.12.020
• PUD — Planned Unit Developments (purpose, permitted uses, minimum site area 1 acre, standards flexibility, procedures): § 18.19.010 – § 18.19.070 (see § 18.19.040, § 18.19.050, § 18.19.070)
• Site plan / application content and hearing procedures: § 18.17.030; use-permit findings and timing § 18.17.070
• Off‑street parking cross-reference for shelters: § 18.13.030 (referenced in § 18.12.020.3)
• Zone Plan / map adoption: § 18.03.010

If you need copies of the exact ordinance text for one of the cited sections above, or a parcel‑specific check of whether MXU/PUD applies to a given address, tell me the address and I will identify the map designation and the exact ordinance amendment history. Verify all parcel‑level interpretations with the City of Lindsay community development department.

Retrieved passages

• Lindsay Zoning Code (Section 18.01.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (section and) Medium relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (Chapter 18.18.) Medium relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (Title 18) Medium relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (section and) Medium relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (Section 18.18.040) Medium relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (Section 18.24.030) High relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (chapter may) High relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Lindsay Zoning Code (Chapter 18.16) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Combining districts definition: **§ 18.02.010** (§ 18.02.010)
• MXU — Mixed Use Combining District (purposes, emergency shelter standards, residential standards): **§ 18.12.020** (§ 18.12.020)
• PUD — Planned Unit Developments (purpose, permitted uses, minimum site area **1 acre**, standards flexibility, procedures): **§ 18.19.010 – § 18.19.070** (see **§ 18.19.040**, **§ 18.19.050**, **§ 18.19.070**) (§ 18.19.010)
• Site plan / application content and hearing procedures: **§ 18.17.030**; use-permit findings and timing **§ 18.17.070** (§ 18.17.030)
• Off‑street parking cross-reference for shelters: **§ 18.13.030** (referenced in § 18.12.020.3) (§ 18.13.030)
• Zone Plan / map adoption: **§ 18.03.010** (§ 18.03.010)
• Lindsay_ZoningCode.md

• Official Lindsay code library