Madera County · Land use · Single-family home
Where is a single-family home allowed in Madera County?
In Madera County, a single-family home is allowed in 18 base zones (RUS, RRS (1), RRS (2, 2½, 3), RRS (5), RRS (10) and 13 more, 1 with a condition), needs a permit in 10 (RUM, CUG, CRG, CUM, CRM and 5 more) and not allowed in 3 (Madera County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: RUS, RRS (1), RRS (2, 2½, 3), RRS (5), RRS (10), RMS, RRM, RM and 10 more
- Needs a permit: RUM, CUG, CRG, CUM, CRM, CRH, I-L, I-H and 2 more
- Not allowed: MCM, QMD and POS
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Madera County Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a single-family home can go
Madera County's code calls this use “Single Family dwelling or mobile home”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| RUS | Allowed | § 18.11.100 |
| RRS (1) | Allowed | § 18.11.100 |
| RRS (2, 2½, 3) | Allowed | § 18.11.100 |
| RRS (5) | Allowed | § 18.11.100 |
| RRS (10) | Allowed | § 18.11.100 |
| RMS | Allowed | § 18.11.100 |
| RRM | Allowed | § 18.11.100 |
| RM | Allowed | § 18.11.100 |
| AR-5 | Allowed Code row: “One single family dwelling (permanent structure or manufactured home)” | § 18.53.020 |
| ARE (20) | Allowed Code row: “One single family dwelling (permanent structure or manufactured home)” | § 18.53.020 |
| ARE (40) | Allowed Code row: “One single family dwelling (permanent structure or manufactured home)” | § 18.53.020 |
| ARE (80-640) | Allowed Code row: “One single family dwelling (permanent structure or manufactured home)” | § 18.53.020 |
| ARF | Allowed Code row: “One single family dwelling (permanent structure or manufactured home)” | § 18.53.020 |
| MCN Mixed Use Commercial Neighborhood District | Allowed — see note Code row: “One single family dwelling in permanent structure in combination with commercial establishment (under one roof)” Note Ground Floor Restriction: Residential use and residential parking are prohibited on the ground floor in the front half of the lot. | § 18.27.010 |
| CUR Commercial, Urban, Restricted District | Allowed Code row: “One single family dwelling in permanent structure or one manufactured home on permanent foundation” | § 18.36.010 |
| CRR Commercial, Rural, Restricted District | Allowed Code row: “One single family dwelling in permanent structure or one manufactured home on permanent foundation” | § 18.38.010 |
| MIN Mixed Use Industrial Neighborhood District | Allowed Code row: “One single-family dwelling in permanent structure in combination with commercial/industrial establishment (separate structures)” | § 18.43.010 |
| TPZ Timber Preserve Zone | Allowed Code row: “One single family dwelling” | § 18.75.010 |
| RUM | Needs a conditional use permit | § 18.11.100 |
| CUG Commercial, Urban, General District | Needs a zoning permit Code row: “one single family dwelling” | § 18.28.010 |
| CRG Commercial, Rural, General District | Needs a zoning permit Code row: “one single family dwelling” | § 18.30.010 |
| CUM Commercial, Urban, Median District | Needs a zoning permit Code row: “one single family dwelling” | § 18.32.010 |
| CRM Commercial, Rural, Median District | Needs a zoning permit Code row: “one single family dwelling” | § 18.34.010 |
| CRH Commercial, Rural, Highway District | Needs a zoning permit Code row: “one single family dwelling” | § 18.40.010 |
| I-L Industrial, Urban or Rural, Light District | Needs a zoning permit Code row: “One single family dwelling” | § 18.42.010 |
| I-H Industrial, Urban or Rural, Heavy District | Needs a zoning permit Code row: “One single family dwelling” | § 18.44.010 |
| IA Institution Area District | Needs a zoning permit Code row: “one single family dwelling for caretaker, guard or operator” | § 18.48.010 |
| OS Open Space District | Needs a zoning permit Code row: “One single family dwelling per farm” | § 18.50.010 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Residential row is combined 'Single Family dwelling or mobile home'. Commercial / industrial zones list 'one single family dwelling' under Zoning Permit (Z); MCN, MIN allow it only combined with a commercial / industrial establishment; IA only for a caretaker, guard or operator; OS only 'per farm'. RX and RT cells are left out (zones only usable with the village core overlay).
- State law: State law lets most single-family lots add an ADU and a JADU (California ADU law) and a second home or a lot split under SB 9 (Gov. Code § 65852.21).
- Not covered here: RX and RT residential zones (only with village core overlay); Ag zone ARE 'Z' items not used; PDD planned development uses; Residential zone names (not in packet). Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Madera County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a single-family home in the RUM zone in Madera County?
Only with a conditional use permit. Madera County's use table lists it that way in RUM (§ 18.11.100).
Can I have a single-family home in the MCM zone in Madera County?
No. Madera County's use table does not allow it in MCM (Mixed Use Commercial Multiple Family District) (§ 18.37.010).
Can I have a single-family home in the RUS zone in Madera County?
Yes. Madera County's use table lists it as allowed in RUS (§ 18.11.100).
General information, not legal advice.
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