Pacific Grove — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Pacific Grove's land-use rules are codified in Title 23 (Zoning). The code establishes discrete zoning districts (residential, commercial, industrial, open space, unclassified) with specific permitted and conditional uses, numerical limits in some downtown zones, and a process for allowing unlisted but similar uses. Applicants must satisfy district standards, citywide development rules, and any applicable overlay controls; plan review and use-permit processes are handled under Chapters 23.70–23.72. For on-site parking rules see the city's parking rules. (See PGMC § 23.04.010 and § 23.04.020)

Note: the first time this page mentions related procedural pages they are linked for quick reference: Pacific Grove Development Standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, historic preservation, nonconforming uses, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code (Title 24).

The sections below summarize the actual Pacific Grove zoning districts (with the code references that control permitted/conditional uses and the most-decision-relevant standards). Where the local code text available in the retrieved materials does not state a numeric standard, the page says so and advises to verify with the jurisdiction.

District-by-district breakdown

R-1 (Single-Family Residential)

Purpose: The R-1 district protects single-family residential character; regulations are applied through the residential chapters and Chapter 23.64 (general development rules). (See PGMC § 23.16.010 et seq.; general requirements in PGMC § 23.64.010)

Typical permitted uses:

• Single-family dwellings and accessory uses (including accessory buildings), subject to general rules in Chapter 23.64. (See PGMC § 23.16.020 and Chapter 23.64)

Key standards (excerpted / where found):

• Lot-area/building-site exceptions and minimums are governed by PGMC § 23.64.140 and district chapters. Exact front/side/rear setback numbers for R-1 are in the R-1 chapter (not fully reproduced in the retrieved snippets — verify with the city). Verify with the jurisdiction.

Where it applies: shown on the official zoning map referenced in PGMC § 23.12.020.

R-2 (Lower-Medium-Density Residential)

Purpose: Multi-unit and duplex-friendly residential areas; specific R-2 subdistrict rules (e.g., R-2-B-3) modify lot area, setback, and parking requirements. (See PGMC § 23.20.010–§ 23.20.090)

Typical permitted uses:

• Single- and two-family dwellings, accessory uses, and limited multifamily where allowed; some uses require a use permit. (See PGMC § 23.20.010 et seq.)

Key standards:

• Example: R-2-B-3 combined district minimum building site area: 10,000 sq ft, minimum width 70 ft; front yard setback 20 ft; rear yard 20% site depth (min 20 ft / max 25 ft); 2 covered parking spaces where specified. (PGMC § 23.20.090)

Where it applies: as mapped in PGMC § 23.12.020.

R-3 (Medium-Density Residential)

Purpose: Allows multiple dwellings and similar residential forms; subject to Chapter 23.64 development rules. (See PGMC § 23.24.010–§ 23.24.020)

Typical permitted uses:

• Multiple dwellings, apartment houses, single- and two-family dwellings, second units (ADUs) as permitted in Chapter 23.80, and supportive/transitional housing types. (PGMC § 23.24.020)

Key standards:

• Uses such as rooming/boarding houses, SROs, and state-licensed residential care for seven+ persons require a use permit. (PGMC § 23.24.020)

R-4 (Higher-Density Residential)

Purpose: Higher-intensity residential and specified professional uses. (See PGMC § 23.28.010–§ 23.28.020)

Typical permitted uses:

• Single- or two-family dwellings, second units, multifamily, transitional/supportive housing, and many professional uses (some require a use permit). (PGMC § 23.28.020)

Key standards:

• Some professional uses and rooming/boarding houses require a use permit; bed & breakfast inns require a use permit and applicable standards adopted by resolution. (PGMC § 23.28.020)

R-3-M (Motel/Hotel Mixed Use Overlay)

Purpose: The R-3-M district restricts motel and hotel uses to specified R-3-M areas and applies specialized rules in lieu of other ordinances. (PGMC § 23.52.010)

Typical permitted uses:

• Any use permitted in R-3, plus motels and hotels with use permits; accessory uses allowed in association. (PGMC § 23.52.020)

Key standards:

• Minimum land area 2,500 sq ft per family or motel/hotel unit; in no event less than 2,000 sq ft per occupied unit for certain uses. (PGMC § 23.52.030)

C-1 (Light Commercial)

Purpose: Neighborhood-scale retail, services, and offices, with residential allowed. (PGMC § 23.31.020(a))

Typical permitted uses:

• Local retail, personal services, offices, and residential/mixed-use (subject to the downtown frontage provisions where applicable). (PGMC § 23.31.010 et seq.)

Key standards:

• Development standards and permitted uses for each commercial district are listed in Chapter 23.31; frontage and ground-floor standards apply on key commercial streets (see Table notes). (PGMC § 23.31.010–§ 23.31.020)

C-1-T (Light Commercial & Hotel — Initiative District)

Purpose: Created by voter initiative with a tailored intent and standards (initiative text carried into the code). (PGMC § 23.31.020(b))

Typical permitted uses:

• Similar to C-1 but with the initiative’s constraints (see PGMC for the initiative wording). (PGMC § 23.31.020(b))

Key standards:

• The initiative-prescribed standards are included in the C-1-T district text; applicants must follow the exact initiative language as codified. (PGMC § 23.31.020(b))

C-D (Downtown Commercial / Limited Downtown Commercial)

Purpose: Preserve downtown character, encourage pedestrian-oriented mix, limit uses that generate noise/litter and numerical caps on certain business types—especially along Lighthouse Avenue. (PGMC § 23.34.010)

Typical permitted uses:

• Ground-floor retail/service uses; second-floor residential encouraged. Certain uses are numerically limited (e.g., resale/consignment and other restricted categories listed in Table 23.34.020). (PGMC § 23.34.020–§ 23.34.030)

Key standards:

• Numerical limits and size caps for restricted commercial uses are enforced; change of use that would exceed a limit must be denied/returned. (PGMC § 23.34.020 & § 23.34.030)

C-FH (Forest Hill Commercial) and C-V (Visitor Commercial)

Purpose and uses: Commercial zones with special rules for frontage, stepbacks, and mixed-use situations; see Chapter 23.31 and district-specific subsections for allowed ground-floor uses and design controls. (PGMC § 23.31.010; see district tables and notes)

Key standards and notes:

• Front stepbacks, rear stepbacks, and mixed-use floor-area-fraction rules (including a housing-element tied minimum residential floor-area rule in certain sites) appear in Chapter 23.31 notes. For example, mixed-use projects in some commercial districts identified in the housing-element must provide a minimum 50% of floor area as residential for specified lower-income sites. (PGMC Chapter 23.31 end notes)

O (Open Space)

Purpose: Places for scenic vistas, parks, forest/wildlife preserves and compatible public facilities. (PGMC § 23.42.010)

Typical permitted uses:

• Parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, waterfront areas, and civic/public buildings compatible with open land use (many public uses require a use permit). (PGMC § 23.42.020)

Key standards:

• Rezoning restriction: properties zoned O as of July 14, 1986, remain O until changed by voter-approved ordinance. (PGMC § 23.42.030)

U (Unclassified)

Purpose: Holds newly annexed or other temporarily unclassified lands until precise zoning is assigned. (PGMC § 23.44.010–§ 23.44.020)

Typical permitted uses:

• Public parks, playgrounds, schools, recreation areas, public or civic buildings, subject to a use permit. (PGMC § 23.44.020)

M-H (Mobile Home Park District)

Purpose: Regulate mobile home parks as planned developments with density and site standards. (PGMC § 23.30.010–§ 23.30.040)

Key standards:

• Minimum park lot size 10 acres, minimum lot width 200 ft, maximum of 10 units/acre, minimum yard 20 ft, maximum coverage and site coverage percentages apply, landscaping and utilities requirements, and architectural approval required. (PGMC § 23.30.020–§ 23.30.040)

Quick reference table — decision-relevant uses and standards

(For full, parcel-specific numeric standards such as exact front/side/rear setbacks and maximum heights consult the district chapters and Chapter 23.64; where a numeric value is not available in the retrieved excerpts the page flags that below.)

Key process points & where to look in the code

• Use permits and administrative use permits are required for many conditional uses — see the use-permit rules (examples: § 23.64.050, § 23.64.060, and Chapter 23.70).
• The zoning administrator may interpret the permitted-use lists and allow a similar use in certain commercial districts (C-1, C-D, C-FH, C-2) after findings; such interpretations are processed under PGMC § 23.82.010–.050.
• The downtown numerical limits are enforced through Table 23.34.020 and the acceptance/denial process in § 23.34.030.
• General applicability and conflicts clause: Title 23 applies citywide and prevails over conflicting municipal code provisions; subdivisions must comply with Chapter 24 (Subdivisions). (PGMC § 23.04.020)

Checklist

• Verify zoning district for the parcel on the official zoning map (PGMC § 23.12.020) and confirm allowed uses for that district.
• Confirm the proposed use is listed as a permitted use or identify if it is a conditional/administrative use (check the district chapter, e.g., § 23.24.020, § 23.28.020, § 23.42.020).
• If the use requires a use permit or administrative permit, prepare findings/materials per Chapter 23.70 and related sections (e.g., wireless facilities rules in § 23.64.063 when applicable).
• Check downtown numeric limits (Table 23.34.020) before submitting a change-of-use in the C-D district.
• Confirm parking requirements in Chapter 23.64 and the city's parking rules.
• Prepare to show consistency with the General Plan and Local Coastal Program where applicable (Title 23 is intended to be consistent — PGMC § 23.04.010).
• If the property is historic or in a historic overlay, follow historic preservation and design-review pathways (see Chapter 23.73 and design-review rules).

Risks & Ambiguities

Information Gaps

• District chapters exist for many numeric standards (exact front/side/rear setbacks, height limits, lot coverage percentages) but the retrieved snippets do not include all these numeric tables for every district. Where a specific numeric standard is required for design, the code chapter for that district must be consulted directly. Verify with the jurisdiction.
• The full text of Table 23.31.030 (commercial uses matrix) and complete development-standard tables (e.g., full R-1/R-2 numeric tables) were not fully visible in the retrieved excerpts. Not found in retrieved materials.

Plain-English Summary

Pacific Grove's zoning (Title 23) assigns each parcel to a named district (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, R‑4, C‑D, C‑1, C‑1-T, O, U, M‑H, etc.) and spells out what you can do there: some uses are allowed straight out, others need a use permit, and downtown has numeric caps on certain business types; check the district chapter and Chapter 23.64 for the dimensional rules and use‑permit triggers before you design. (See PGMC §§ 23.04.010, 23.24.020, 23.34.020)

Source References

• PGMC Title 23 (Zoning) — Purpose and applicability: § 23.04.010, § 23.04.020.
• R-3 uses and standards: § 23.24.010–.020.
• R-4 uses: § 23.28.010–.020.
• R-2-B-3 example standards: § 23.20.090.
• R-3-M (motels/hotels): § 23.52.010–.030.
• Commercial chapters and C-D (downtown) purpose and numeric limits: § 23.31.010–.020; § 23.34.010–.030 (Table 23.34.020).
• Open Space (O) district: § 23.42.010–.030.
• Use-permit rules and accessory uses examples: § 23.64.040–.060; wireless facilities § 23.64.063.
• Parking rules excerpt and driveway/parking specifics: Chapter 23.64 and § 23.26.090 (off-street parking metrics).
• Interpretations of permitted-use lists and findings: § 23.82.010–.050.
• Nonconforming uses and general applicability: Chapters 23.68 and 23.04 (as cited above).

Retrieved passages

• Pacific Grove Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Pacific Grove Zoning Code (§ 5) High relevance show source text
• Pacific Grove Zoning Code (§ 23.31.50) High relevance show source text
• Pacific Grove Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Pacific Grove Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Pacific Grove Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Pacific Grove Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Pacific Grove Zoning Code (Chapter 23.33.) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• PGMC Title 23 (Zoning) — Purpose and applicability: **§ 23.04.010**, **§ 23.04.020**. (Title 23)
• R-3 uses and standards: **§ 23.24.010–.020**. (§ 23.24.010)
• R-4 uses: **§ 23.28.010–.020**. (§ 23.28.010)
• R-2-B-3 example standards: **§ 23.20.090**. (§ 23.20.090)
• R-3-M (motels/hotels): **§ 23.52.010–.030**. (§ 23.52.010)
• Commercial chapters and C-D (downtown) purpose and numeric limits: **§ 23.31.010–.020**; **§ 23.34.010–.030** (Table 23.34.020). fileciteturn0file15 (§ 23.31.010)
• Open Space (O) district: **§ 23.42.010–.030**. (§ 23.42.010)
• Use-permit rules and accessory uses examples: **§ 23.64.040–.060**; wireless facilities **§ 23.64.063**. fileciteturn0file0 (§ 23.64.040)
• Parking rules excerpt and driveway/parking specifics: Chapter **23.64** and **§ 23.26.090** (off-street parking metrics). (§ 23.26.090)
• Interpretations of permitted-use lists and findings: **§ 23.82.010–.050**. (§ 23.82.010)
• Nonconforming uses and general applicability: Chapters **23.68** and **23.04** (as cited above). fileciteturn0file6
• PacificGrove_ZoningCode.md

• Official Pacific Grove code library