Livermore — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Livermore’s zoning is codified in the Livermore Planning and Zoning Code (LPZC), which establishes the official zoning districts, the official zoning map on file with the City Clerk, and rules for how uses, site standards, planned developments and combining/overlay districts operate. The code treats zoning as the primary tool to implement the General Plan and to control permitted uses, setbacks, lot sizes, density, heights, and required discretionary reviews such as site plan approval and design review. See the LPZC adoption and map rules in § 1-05-010 and § 2-01-060.

The sections below are Livermore-specific: each district subsection names the official district (in bold), summarizes the stated purpose, lists typical permitted uses, pulls the most relevant dimensional standards, and gives the controlling code citation(s) so you can verify parcel‑specific details.

How to use this page

• Follow the checklist to confirm which rules apply to your parcel.
• For parking calculations, see the city's Livermore Parking rules; for precise buildable-area and yard calculations see Livermore Development Standards; for visual and façade requirements expect Livermore Design Review. Links are placed on the first natural mention of each topic.

District-by-district (selected, code-grounded)

OS – OPEN SPACE (including OS‑A, OS‑R, OS‑F)

Purpose: conserve agricultural, rural and floodplain lands and control conversions of open space. § 2-07-010 sets purpose and permitted/conditional uses for the OS family.
Typical permitted uses: agriculture, parks/trails, limited public/quasi‑public uses; many non‑agricultural uses require conditional permits. See § 2-07-050 – § 2-07-090 for use lists.
Key standards: minimum lot sizes and lot development regulations differ by subdistrict (OS‑A, OS‑R, OS‑F); where no sewer/water exist, minimum lot areas are raised (see § 3-05-060).

R‑R – RURAL RESIDENTIAL (R‑R‑1, R‑R‑3, R‑R‑5)

Purpose: preserve rural/larger‑lot residential patterns outside the urban core. § 2-13-040 and following provide the framework for uses and dimensional rules.
Typical permitted uses: single‑family residences, limited animal/hobby farm uses; some public/quasi‑public and recreation uses listed as conditional uses. § 2-13-040 – § 2-13-070.
Key dimensional standards (examples by subdistrict): front yard 30 ft, rear yard 50 ft, side yard one side 20 ft (total both sides 45 ft). Lot minimums by subdistrict: R‑R‑1: 40,000 sq ft, R‑R‑3: 125,000 sq ft, R‑R‑5: 210,000 sq ft. See § 2-13-050 – § 2-13-060.

RL – LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL and RS – SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL (referenced implementation)

Purpose/uses/standards: the RL/RS family implements lower‑density single‑family neighborhoods; specific front/side/rear yard and minimum lot rules are set in their chapters and are cross‑referenced elsewhere (e.g., single‑family dwellings often must conform to the RL chapter). See cross references in § 2-19-090(D) and the definition and site development rules found where RL/RS chapters appear in Part 2. Not all RL/RS lines are quoted here. Verify parcel rules with the official map and the RL/RS chapter. Not found in retrieved materials: a consolidated single RL chapter printout in the uploaded excerpts; verify with the jurisdiction.

RM – MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (Chapter 2‑19)

Purpose: accommodate medium-density porches/row/townhouse and garden‑apartment forms near transition areas. § 2-19-010 sets purpose; permitted uses are in § 2-19-020.
Typical permitted uses: single‑family, duplex, multiple‑family units, rest homes/nursing homes; limited conditional uses such as bed & breakfasts and certain public uses. § 2-19-020.
Key standards (typical): Minimum site area 5,000 sq ft for one‑to‑four dwellings; site area per unit tables for five+ units are in § 2-19-040. Minimum street frontage/yard: 15 ft front yard, 5 ft non‑street frontage plus 5 ft per story above first; maximum site coverage 50%; see § 2-19-030 – § 2-19-050.

RH – RESIDENTIAL HIGH (Chapter 2‑22)

Purpose: high‑density residential near the central/commercial core to act as urban transition. § 2-22-010.
Typical permitted uses: single‑family, duplex, multiple‑family units, rest homes, nursing homes; accessory uses and certain health facilities allowed. § 2-22-020.
Key standards: minimum site area 5,000 sq ft; per‑unit area tables for 5+ dwellings in § 2-22-040(B); maximum heights vary by unit count (one to four dwellings: two stories; five+ dwellings: up to three residential stories or 45 ft), see § 2-22-040(H).

RG – SUBURBAN MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL (RG‑16 / RG‑14 / RG‑12 / RG‑10) (Chapter 2‑25)

Purpose: low density multiple‑family residential with subzones to control density precisely. § 2-25-010.
Typical permitted uses: single‑family, duplex, and multiple‑family dwellings; limited public/quasi‑public uses and nursery/day care with conditional approval. § 2-25-020.
Key standards: per‑unit site area tables differ by RG‑16/14/12/10 (see § 2-25-030); maximum site coverage and separation/open‑space rules are in § 2-25-050 – § 2-25-070.

PD – PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (including PD‑R, PD‑C, PD‑I)

Purpose: allow flexible, project‑level regulations where conventional districts do not suit the applicant’s design or the General Plan intent. § 2-76-020 defines PD intent for residential and commercial/industrial.
Typical uses and approvals: a PD ordinance must specify permitted/conditional uses, accessory uses and detailed development standards (lot sizes, setbacks, coverage, heights, parking, landscaping, signage). PD ordinances require site plan approval and design review prior to building/grading permits per § 2-76-080(C) and § 2-76-100(3).
Key point: PD design standards may depart from baseline districts only where additional design features justify the variation; such features must be guaranteed by development agreements or map conditions. § 2-76-080(D).

I‑1 / I‑2 / I‑3 – INDUSTRIAL (Research & Development, Light, Heavy)

Purpose/uses: industrial sub‑classifications address differing intensities; permitted signage and area limits are specifically regulated (see signage rules for I‑1/I‑2/I‑3). For example, permanent sign area and freestanding sign limits in industrial zones are set out in § 3-45-270.
Typical constraints: industrial uses must meet site coverage, screening, noise/odor controls and performance standards; PD‑I/PD‑C options exist where the general plan requires PD implementation. § 2-76-020(B) and § 2-76-100.

Overlay/Combining Districts (examples)

• HP – Historic Preservation combining district (HP‑L and HP‑H): adds preservation controls, certificates of appropriateness, and a 25% FAR cap where combined with R districts; see the HP rules and findings in § 18.40 – § 18.47.
• CAC – Central Area Combining and other combining districts are used to overlay special rules on base zones; see chapter headlines and combining district descriptions. § 2-73 (CAC referenced) and HP sections above.

Quick decision table (most-useful at a glance)

Checklist

• Confirm the parcel’s official base zoning on the City’s zoning map (official map on file) § 2-01-060.
• Verify whether any combining/overlay district (e.g., HP, CAC, TDC) or PD applies to the parcel (overlay rules may change FAR, design review, demolition rules). § 18.40–18.47 and § 2-76-120.
• Confirm permitted uses and whether a Zoning Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit is needed (§ 4-05-020, § 4-05-050).
• Check dimensional standards that apply: lot area, frontage, front/side/rear yard, lot coverage, and height limits in the district chapter (e.g., § 2-19-050 for RM).
• Calculate required off‑street parking using Livermore Parking rules and Chapter 3-20 references.
• Determine whether site plan approval and design review are required (PDs and many non‑single family projects trigger these; PD rules explicitly require them). § 2-76-080(C) and § 2-76-100(3).
• If proposing a PD or use that exceeds baseline density, check Transferable Development Credit (TDC) rules and in‑lieu fee requirements. § 2-76 (TDC references).
• Check for special building/plan lines (I‑580 plan lines and other special setback lines) that affect setbacks and building lines. § 3-05-260.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Livermore’s zoning code divides the city into named districts (e.g., RM, RH, RG, OS, PD, I‑1/I‑2/I‑3), each with its own allowed uses, minimum lot sizes, yards, height limits, and review triggers; PDs and overlays can impose project‑specific rules that override baseline standards. Always confirm the parcel’s official zone on the zoning map, check for overlay districts or PD files, and review the district chapter and Part 3 development standards cited below before assuming a use or dimension. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific conclusions.

Source References

• Livermore Planning and Zoning Code — Adoption and application: § 1-05-010.
• Establishment and official zoning map: § 2-01-010 – § 2-01-060.
• PD / Planned Development rules (PD‑R / PD‑C / PD‑I): § 2-76-020, § 2-76-080, § 2-76-100, § 2-76-120.
• RM District (Medium density residential): § 2-19-010 – § 2-19-050.
• RH District (Residential High): § 2-22-010 – § 2-22-040.
• RG District (Suburban multiple residential): § 2-25-010 – § 2-25-030.
• Rural Residential (R‑R) rules and dimensions: § 2-13-040 – § 2-13-070.
• Lot/lot‑frontage and nonconforming lot rules: § 3-05-040, § 3-05-050, § 3-05-060, § 3-05-070.
• Zoning use permits and approvals: § 4-05-010 – § 4-05-080.
• Sign rules for industrial and PD zones: § 3-45-270 and § 3-45-280.
• Historic preservation combining district rules and certificate of appropriateness: § 18.40 – § 18.47.
• Special building/plan lines (I‑580, Holmes, Concannon): § 3-05-260.

If you want me to prepare a parcel‑specific zoning summary (permitted uses, yard/coverage numbers and likely discretionary steps) give the APN or address and I will extract the controlling district and the exact code citations that apply to that lot (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Retrieved passages

• Livermore Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (§ 23.40) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (section may) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (Chapter 2-07) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (section authorizes) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (§ 20.31) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (Chapter 1-05) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (section including) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (Chapter 4-05) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (§ 7.40) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (§ 7A.10) High relevance show source text
• Livermore Zoning Code (Chapter 3-15) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Livermore Planning and Zoning Code — Adoption and application: **§ 1-05-010**. (§ 1-05-010)
• Establishment and official zoning map: **§ 2-01-010** – **§ 2-01-060**. (§ 2-01-010)
• PD / Planned Development rules (PD‑R / PD‑C / PD‑I): **§ 2-76-020**, **§ 2-76-080**, **§ 2-76-100**, **§ 2-76-120**. (§ 2-76-020)
• RM District (Medium density residential): **§ 2-19-010** – **§ 2-19-050**. (§ 2-19-010)
• RH District (Residential High): **§ 2-22-010** – **§ 2-22-040**. (§ 2-22-010)
• RG District (Suburban multiple residential): **§ 2-25-010** – **§ 2-25-030**. (§ 2-25-010)
• Rural Residential (R‑R) rules and dimensions: **§ 2-13-040** – **§ 2-13-070**. (§ 2-13-040)
• Lot/lot‑frontage and nonconforming lot rules: **§ 3-05-040**, **§ 3-05-050**, **§ 3-05-060**, **§ 3-05-070**. (§ 3-05-040)
• Zoning use permits and approvals: **§ 4-05-010** – **§ 4-05-080**. (§ 4-05-010)
• Sign rules for industrial and PD zones: **§ 3-45-270** and **§ 3-45-280**. (§ 3-45-270)
• Historic preservation combining district rules and certificate of appropriateness: **§ 18.40 – § 18.47**. (§ 18.40)
• Special building/plan lines (I‑580, Holmes, Concannon): **§ 3-05-260**. (§ 3-05-260)
• Livermore_ZoningCode.md

• Official Livermore code library