Newman — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Newman municipal zoning ordinance (Title 5/Title 17 material in the uploaded code) actually says about permitted and conditional land uses, the most important development standards that control where uses are allowed, and how the city treats discretionary approvals. If you need to check a property, start with the parcel's zoning designation on the city map and then read the district chapter for that zone. The city requires a zoning permit for any new use or structure and uses conditional use permits and site/architectural review where noted (see § 5.25.010 and § 5.25.020 ). For parking rules and how many stalls a use needs, consult the city's Newman Parking rules; for dimensional rules see Newman Development Standards; for design considerations consult Newman Design Review. Where accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are relevant consult Newman ADUs and state ADU law at California ADU law.

Note: this page synthesizes the ordinance language; it does not reproduce long verbatim passages. Verify parcel-specific questions with Planning staff (Verify with the jurisdiction).

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the most commonly used zoning districts in Newman as they appear in the ordinance. Each subsection lists the district purpose, typical permitted uses (synthesis), key dimensional/development standards to watch, and where it commonly applies or special notes.

R-1 — Single-Family Residential

• Purpose: The R-1 district is intended for single-family residential development at traditional lot sizes and includes three subzones: R-1-6000, R-1-7000, R-1-8000 (minimum lot area schedules) § 5.03.050 .
• Typical permitted uses: single-family dwellings, accessory buildings, halfplexes and some limited accessory residential units where allowed § 5.03.020–.050 .
• Key dimensional standards (high decision relevance): minimum front yard setback 20 ft, rear yard 10 ft, side yards 5 ft (corner side yard 10 ft), maximum lot coverage 40%, maximum height 30 ft; minimum lot sizes vary by subzone (R-1-6000 / -7000 / -8000) § 5.03.050 .
• Notes: Architectural and site plan review can be required for projects that are out of character § 5.03.050.K–L . Off-street parking rules also apply (see Newman Parking).

R-2S — Small-Lot Two-Family and Related

• Purpose: R-2S accommodates smaller-lot single- and two-family development with tighter standards to encourage infill § 5.04.051 .
• Typical permitted uses: single-family, duplexes, guesthouses, accessory units (subject to specific allowances) § 5.04.050 .
• Key standards: minimum building site 4,500 sq ft, front setback 10 ft, rear 15 ft, side 5 ft (corner side 10 ft), maximum lot coverage 40%, height 30 ft § 5.04.051 .
• Notes: The Planning Commission controls minimum street frontage for new lots; verify with staff for substandard lots § 5.04.051.C .

R-3 — Multiple-Family Residential

• Purpose: R-3 allows multi-family development at varying densities and contemplates compatible low-intensity nonresidential uses by conditional permit § 5.05.010 .
• Typical permitted uses: apartments, duplexes, triplexes, single-room occupancy, supportive and transitional housing, residential care facilities, accessory buildings § 5.05.020 .
• Conditional uses: churches, clubs, lodges, mortuaries, rest homes, rooming/boardinghouses, and similar uses require Planning Commission approval § 5.05.040 .
• Key standards: variable floor-area and unit-size minimums (e.g., studio 550 sq ft; one-bedroom 650 sq ft), maximum heights generally 30–35 ft with CUP option for more, lot coverage and usable open space requirements; see § 5.05.050 and related subsections § 5.05.050 .
• Notes: Affordable housing sites rezoned to R-3 have special density rules and must comply with Government Code references listed in the ordinance § 5.05.050.D .

R-M — Manufactured Housing / Mobile Home Park Overlay

• Purpose: The R-M district functions in combination with other residential districts to accommodate manufactured/mobile home park development; standards usually refer to the underlying district § 5.15.050–.100 .
• Typical permitted uses: manufactured home parks where allowed; accessory uses to parks § 5.15.100 .
• Key standards: minimum development site (typically 5 acres), front yard 25 ft, rear 10 ft, side 10 ft, maximum coverage 60%, maximum height 30 ft, required open space set-aside § 5.15.100 .
• Notes: Where combined with other residential zones, the R-M district adopts those district standards for compatibility § 5.15.060–.090 .

C-1 — Retail Commercial

• Purpose: C-1 supports neighborhood- and community-serving commercial centers rather than linear strip development § 5.06.010 .
• Typical permitted uses: a long list of indoor retail and service uses (appliance stores, banks, barber/beauty shops, clothing, small clinics, restaurants except drive-through, professional offices, and residential uses above ground floor) § 5.06.020 .
• Conditional uses: any principal use not entirely inside a building requires a use permit; auto repair, bars, outdoor sales, and other potentially impacts require CUP § 5.06.040 .
• Key standards: many accessory uses permitted administratively; see district chapter for administrative accessory lists § 5.06.030 .
• Notes: For projects that trigger site changes, expect architectural/site review and parking compliance (see Newman Design Review and Newman Parking).

C-2 — General Commercial

• Purpose: C-2 is broader commercial that includes almost all C-1 uses and larger-scale retail, service, and some public uses § 5.07.010–.020 .
• Typical permitted uses: all C-1 uses plus larger retail, restaurants (including some drive-throughs), vehicle sales/service where enclosed or screened, specialty food stores, and clinics § 5.07.020 .
• Conditional uses: auto repair, car washes, gasoline stations, mini-storage and outdoor sales/storage, and other uses not fully enclosed typically require CUP § 5.07.040 .
• Key standards: example minimum lot area 2,500 sq ft, lot width 25 ft; consult § 5.07.050 for full list § 5.07.050 .

C-8 — Highway Commercial

• Purpose: C-8 serves the Highway 33 corridor and supports regionally-oriented and large-footprint commercial uses § 5.08.010 .
• Typical permitted uses: wide range of retail and service operations including restaurants (including drive-throughs), banks, repair services, specialty stores, and vehicle-related uses § 5.08.020 .
• Conditional uses: vehicle sales lots, RV parks, hotels/motels, bars, and other higher-impact uses require CUP § 5.08.030 .
• Key standards: design emphasis on open, uncrowded projects; architectural/site review required for new construction and substantial alterations § 5.08.010–.020 .

P-O — Professional Office

• Purpose: P-O provides locations for low-impact professional and business office uses and compatible limited commercial activity § 5.28.010–.020 .
• Typical permitted uses: offices, clinics, small studios; principal uses not operated entirely inside a building require CUP § 5.28.040 .
• Prohibited: light industrial/heavy commercial, outdoor storage and other incompatible uses § 5.28.050 .
• Key standards: minimum lot area 7,500 sq ft, min lot width 50 ft, FAR ≤ 0.50, landscaped area ≥ 10%, height ≤ 35 ft; front/rear/side setbacks may be none unless adjacent to residential (then 10 ft setback) § 5.28.060 .

P-Q — Public and Quasi-Public

• Purpose: P-Q accommodates public, institutional and community-serving facilities (schools, parks, City facilities) § 5.11.010–.020 .
• Typical permitted uses: public buildings, parks, public utility facilities, school facilities § 5.11.030 .
• Conditional uses: corporation yards, dumps, wastewater treatment, public parking, civic auditoriums, museums subject to CUP § 5.11.050 .
• Key standards: site plan/architectural review for new construction, and the Commission may set development standards as conditions of approval § 5.11.070 .

P-D — Planned Development

• Purpose: P-D provides flexibility for mixed or creative development patterns not possible under traditional districts; applied via rezoning and development plan § 5.12.010–.020 .
• Typical permitted uses: project-specific mix approved by ordinance and plan; standards are set as part of the P-D approval § 5.12.020 .
• Key standards: minimum acreage rules (usually 2 acres), plan and conditions govern setbacks, density, uses § 5.12.020 .

I — Controlled Manufacturing (Heavy Industrial)

• Purpose: I locates heavy industrial, warehousing, manufacturing and similar high-impact uses where they will not conflict with residential areas § 5.10.010 .
• Typical permitted uses: broad manufacturing and industrial uses (assembly, bakeries, contractors yards, storage, labs, etc.) listed exhaustively in § 5.10.020 and subsequent subsections § 5.10.020 .
• Conditional/prohibited uses: higher nuisance uses may be allowed only by CUP (adult businesses, salvage yards, refining, some heavy processing) § 5.10.040 .
• Key standards: loading requirements, outdoor storage limits (usually ≤ 15% of site if accessory), screening of rooftop equipment, and architectural/site review for new construction § 5.10.020; § 5.10.040; § 5.10.M .

M — Light Industrial / Business Park

• Purpose: M supports light industrial, business parks, warehousing and compatible commercial uses § 5.09.010–.020 .
• Typical permitted uses: light manufacturing, distribution, business support services, research and development, public utility uses, and many commercial uses scaled to the district § 5.09.020 .
• Conditional uses: any principal use not entirely enclosed or fully screened may require CUP; list includes animal hospitals, car sales, gas stations, outdoor storage yards § 5.09.040 .
• Key standards: see chapter for lot size, setbacks, FAR, parking, loading and screening requirements (including requirement that loading areas be 45 ft x 12 ft with 14 ft overhead clearance in some cases) § 5.09.x; § 5.17; § 5.16 .

Decision-relevant quick table

Checklist

An applicant proposing a new use or building should confirm the following (check each box before filing):

• Determine parcel zoning and any overlay districts; confirm allowed uses in the district (Verify with the jurisdiction).
• If use is listed as allowed: prepare required plans and apply for a zoning permit (§ 5.25.010) .
• If the use is listed as conditional or any principal use is partially outdoors, prepare Conditional Use Permit application (see § 5.25.020) and fee schedule; include findings addressing compatibility and traffic § 5.25.020.E .
• Site and architectural plan materials ready for design/architectural review where the district requires it (see district chapters and Newman Design Review); cite the district's review trigger (e.g., § 5.03.050.K for R-1) .
• Demonstrate compliance with parking requirements and prepare a parking plan (Newman Parking); if proposing shared or reduced parking, document justification per the Director's standards § 5.16/J .
• Provide landscape/screening and trash enclosure plans per district and Newman Landscaping and Screening references in the district chapters § 5.10.M .
• Confirm that proposed building code compliance will be handled under the California Building Standards Code; zoning clearance is required before building permits § 5.25.010 .
• Where proposing ADUs, follow both city ADU rules and California ADU law (see local ADU chapter) Not found in retrieved materials for consolidated ADU cross-reference — verify with Planning.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Newman’s zoning ordinance lists allowed uses separately for each zone. Residential zones (R-1, R-2S, R-3) allow increasingly dense housing types; commercial zones (C-1, C-2, C-8) allow retail and service uses with higher-impact activities requiring conditional use permits; industrial zones (M, I) contain extensive permitted use lists and strict outdoor storage/loading/screening rules. Where a use is conditional or not listed, expect a Planning Commission hearing and CUP findings; always confirm parking and design-review triggers early. Consult the specific district chapter for the exact rules (e.g., § 5.03.050, § 5.06.020, § 5.10.020) .

Information Gaps

• A single, consolidated “land use table” spanning all districts in one matrix was Not found in retrieved materials; the ordinance publishes lists inside each district chapter. Verify with Planning for a compiled table.
• The official Newman zoning map (parcel-to-zone assignments) is Not found in retrieved materials; confirm zoning for a parcel with city staff or GIS.
• Overlay-specific rules (historic overlays, signage overlays) are referenced elsewhere in the code but a full overlay-by-parcel application was Not found in retrieved materials; check Newman Overlay Districts and Newman Historic Preservation.
• Local ADU cross-references and their interplay with state ADU law are not fully consolidated in the retrieved code excerpts — Verify with the jurisdiction and check Newman ADUs plus California ADU law.

Source References

• Newman zoning chapters cited throughout (district chapters and permit procedures): § 5.03.050, § 5.04.051, § 5.05.020–.050, § 5.06.020–.040, § 5.07.020–.050, § 5.08.020–.030, § 5.09.020–.040, § 5.10.020–.040, § 5.11.030–.070, § 5.12.010–.020, § 5.28.040–.060, § 5.25.010–.020 — ordinance text chunks as uploaded (see these file excerpts): .
• Newman Urban Growth Boundary (SOAR/UGB): § 5.29.101–.102 .

Retrieved passages

• Newman Zoning Code (§ 5.05.020.) High relevance show source text
• Newman Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Newman Zoning Code (§ 5.11.050.) High relevance show source text
• Newman Zoning Code (§ 5.15.050.) High relevance show source text
• Newman Zoning Code (§ 6) High relevance show source text
• Newman Zoning Code (title as) High relevance show source text
• Newman Zoning Code (chapter and) High relevance show source text
• Newman Zoning Code (title as) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Newman zoning chapters cited throughout (district chapters and permit procedures): **§ 5.03.050**, **§ 5.04.051**, **§ 5.05.020–.050**, **§ 5.06.020–.040**, **§ 5.07.020–.050**, **§ 5.08.020–.030**, **§ 5.09.020–.040**, **§ 5.10.020–.040**, **§ 5.11.030–.070**, **§ 5.12.010–.020**, **§ 5.28.040–.060**, **§ 5.25.010–.020** — ordinance text chunks as uploaded (see these file excerpts): . (§ 5.03.050)
• Newman Urban Growth Boundary (SOAR/UGB): **§ 5.29.101–.102** . (§ 5.29.101)
• Newman_ZoningCode.md

• Official Newman code library