Patterson — Development Standards

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes the Patterson municipal zoning ordinance provisions that control development standards — setbacks, heights, lot coverage, density/FAR, and accessory-structure limits — as they apply district-by-district. It interprets the Patterson Zoning Code tables and related procedural rules so applicants and neighbors can understand what the code requires and where to verify parcel‑specific rules. For zoning context see the city's main Patterson zoning & planning overview and the detailed Patterson Zoning menu.

Note: this page stays within land‑use/development‑standard rules in the zoning ordinance (Title 18 in the uploaded code excerpts). Building technical rules (the California Building Standards Code / Title 24) are separate and not covered here.

How to read this page

• Bolded district names and numeric controls (setbacks, heights, densities) call out the values the ordinance lists.
• Every numeric requirement below is tied to a Patterson zoning code provision and cited with the controlling §.
• Related topic words are linked to Patterson pages you will frequently need (parking, design review, overlays, ADUs, landscaping).

District-by-district development standards (what the ordinance actually says)

The Patterson Zoning Code organizes dimensional rules in tables by district. The primary residential table is codified at § 18.38.040 and the commercial tables appear in the Chapter 18.42 tables (Table 18.42.040‑2 for the commercial/medical/professional districts). Accessory-structure rules are in § 18.62.040, and general projection/encroachment/minor‑adjustment rules are in § 18.16.110. All of these are cited below; always verify with the city for parcel‑specific application.

ER — Estate Residential

• Purpose & typical uses: very low density residential (see district descriptions in § 18.38.020) — primarily single‑family estate lots. Verify parcel‑level allowed uses in § 18.38.020.
• Key dimensional standards (Table 18.38.040‑1 / § 18.38.040): Maximum density 1.0 u/ac, Front yard 20', Side (interior) 5', Rear 20', Maximum building height 2 stories (32'); Maximum lot coverage 40%.
• Where it applies: larger‑lot residential areas designated ER on the zoning map (see Land Use / zoning map).

LR‑n — Low Density Residential (north) and LR‑w — Low Density Residential (west)

• Purpose & typical uses: single‑family neighborhoods; consult § 18.38.020 for use lists.
• Key dimensional standards (§ 18.38.040): Density min 1.1 / max 5.0 u/ac (varies by subdistrict), Front yard 20' (living area 15'), Side 5', Rear 20', Height 2 stories (32'), Lot coverage 70% (LR‑n/LR‑w).

DR — Downtown Residential

• Purpose & typical uses: higher‑intensity residential in the downtown core (see § 18.38.020); intended to support compact urban housing stock.
• Key dimensional standards (§ 18.38.040): Density min 3.1 / max 10.0 u/ac, Front yard 20' (living area 15'), Side 5', Rear 20', Height up to 3 stories (45'), Lot coverage 80%. Note: some downtown exceptions to front/setback treatment exist (see Chapter 18.60 for projections and encroachments).

MR — Medium Density Residential

• Purpose & typical uses: duplexes / small‑scale multifamily; see § 18.38.020 for allowed uses.
• Key dimensional standards (§ 18.38.040): Density max 12.0 u/ac, Front yard 20' (living area 15'), Side 5', Rear 20', Height 2 stories (32'), Lot coverage 75%.

HR — High Density Residential

• Purpose & typical uses: multifamily residential; consult § 18.38.020.
• Key dimensional standards (§ 18.38.040): Density max 20.0 u/ac, Front yard 25', Side interior 15', Rear 20', Height up to 3 stories (45'), Lot coverage 75%. Note wider side/corner setbacks are required to provide separation for higher‑intensity sites.

NC / HSC / DC / GC / MPO — Commercial and Medical/Professional Office Districts

• Purpose & typical uses: neighborhood commercial, highway service, downtown commercial, general commercial, and medical/professional office; descriptions in § 18.42.020 and dimensional table entries in Table 18.42.040‑2. Typical uses include retail, professional offices, restaurants (uses vary by district and require reference to the use tables).
• Key dimensional standards (Table 18.42.040‑2): densities and FAR listed per district (for example maximum FAR / floor‑area‑ratio values range by district: NC max FAR 1.0, HSC max FAR 0.4, DC max FAR 2.0, GC 0.4, MPO 0.4); Setbacks vary (some districts have no front setback minimum; others like HSC require 10' front), Heights: NC 2 stories/35', HSC 3 stories/50', DC 3 stories/45', GC 2 stories/35', MPO 2 stories/35'. See Table 18.42.040‑2 for the complete columnized entries.

IBP / IL — Industrial / Business Park

• Purpose & typical uses: light industrial, business park, assembly, warehousing (see Chapter 18.46 for standards).
• Key dimensional/performance rules: performance standards for operations (air emissions, glare/heat, vibration, odor) appear in § 18.46.050; Major development and planned development requirements are in § 18.46.060 (site design, architecture, landscaping expectations). Height limits and setbacks differ by industrial district—see the district table entries in Chapter 18.46 and the general projection rules in Chapter 18.60.

Public / Parks / Quasi‑Public

• Purpose & typical uses: parks, public services, open space (Chapter 18.50 describes these districts). Design, setbacks and special standards vary and are described in Chapter 18.50.

Key cross‑cutting standards and processes

• Setbacks & projections: the ordinance allows limited projections into setbacks (canopies, eaves, landings) and sets maximum projection allowances and limits; see the general encroachment rules in § 18.60.030 and § 18.60.040, and the Minor Adjustment provisions that allow small percentage reductions in setbacks (see § 18.16.110 and Table 18.16.110‑1). Specifics: minor adjustments can reduce a required setback by up to 2' or 20% (whichever is less) and allow certain projection increases of 20%; any such decision is subject to findings by the Planning Director.

• Lot coverage / FAR: residential tables specify maximum impervious surfaces and lot coverage by district (e.g., ER 40%, LR‑n 70%, DR 80%), and commercial tables list maximum floor‑area‑ratio values per district — see § 18.38.040 and Table 18.42.040‑2. Applicants can request modest increases through a minor adjustment (e.g., maximum lot coverage increase 10% as a listed minor adjustment allowance).

• Height: district tables give absolute height/story caps (e.g., 32', 45', 50' depending on district). The code also provides for limited height increases for unique architectural features and via minor adjustments where findings support the change — see § 18.38.040 and § 18.16.110.

• Accessory structures and lot coverage aggregation: accessory structures are regulated by Chapter 18.62; § 18.62.040 caps aggregate residential lot coverage at 60% for primary + accessory structures and sets accessory setbacks and height limits (e.g., accessory building max height 12' for many types). Secondary dwelling units (ADUs/second units) are governed by Chapter 18.66 (see § 18.62.040(D)). For ADU process rules consult the city's ADU menu and state ADU law for limits that preempt local code in some respects.

• Landscaping and screening: required landscaping in setback/open‑space areas and parking lot planting rules are in § 18.78.020 and Chapter 18.78. For parking standards see the Patterson Parking page and Chapter 18.76.

• Design review and minor review: small aesthetic changes use the minor design review process (§ 18.16.120); minor adjustments to numeric standards are in § 18.16.110; larger discretionary design/articulations go through the planning commission or design review process—see Patterson Design Review.

• Incentives / density bonuses: the city implements state density bonus rules and local incentives under Chapter 18.88 and § 18.88.080 (modifications of development standards, concessions, and application rules).

Most decision‑relevant standards (quick lookup table)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before building)

• Confirm the property’s zoning district and consult the district description in § 18.38.020 or § 18.42.020 for permitted uses.
• Demonstrate numeric compliance with district standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage/FAR, minimum lot area) shown in § 18.38.040 or Table 18.42.040‑2.
• If proposing accessory structures or ADUs, follow § 18.62.040 and confirm whether Chapter 18.66 (second units) imposes special ADU rules.
• Provide required parking and loading per Chapter 18.76 and coordinate with on‑site landscaping per Chapter 18.78; see the Patterson Parking and Patterson Landscaping and Screening pages.
• If seeking a minor adjustment (small relief from numeric standards), prepare findings per § 18.16.110 and expect Planning Director review.
• If design elements are subject to review, prepare materials for the design review path in § 18.16.120 and consult Patterson Design Review.
• For projects seeking concessions, density bonuses or incentives tied to affordable units, prepare the materials required by Chapter 18.88 and § 18.86.060.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Patterson's zoning tables set the numeric rules you must meet: each district (for example ER, LR‑n, DR, MR, HR, DC, GC) has explicit setbacks, height caps, lot coverage/impervious limits and density/FAR shown in the code tables; accessory buildings and minor adjustments have their own chapters. Always check the district table for your parcel and verify any requested deviation through the Planning Director or Planning Commission per the cited code sections.

Information Gaps

• Full text of Chapter 18.66 (Second Units / ADU specifics) was referenced but not included in the retrieved excerpts — specifics on ADU sizes, setbacks, and ministerial procedures in Patterson are Not found in retrieved materials.
• The zoning map showing exact spatial application of ER, LR‑n, DR, DC, etc. was not part of the uploaded excerpts. Verify district boundaries with the City Planning Department or the full Patterson zoning map. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Use tables listing permitted uses by district (explicit use tables) were not fully present — for exact allowed/conditional/prohibited uses, consult Chapter 18.38.020/18.42.020 and the full use tables at the city.

Source References

• § 18.38.040 — Table 18.38.040‑1 Development Standards for Residential Districts. (residential setbacks, densities, heights, lot area).
• § 18.62.040 — Accessory structure development standards (setbacks, accessory lot coverage limits, heights).
• Table 18.42.040‑2 / Chapter 18.42 — Development Standards for Commercial and Medical/Professional Office Districts (NC, HSC, DC, GC, MPO).
• § 18.16.110 and Table 18.16.110‑1 — Standards subject to minor adjustment, numeric caps and process.
• § 18.16.120 — Minor design review applicability and procedure.
• § 18.78.020 — Landscaping area requirements (setbacks and parking landscaping).
• Chapter 18.46 (including § 18.46.050 and § 18.46.060) — Industrial district performance standards and major development review.
• § 18.88.080 and § 18.88.090 — Affordable housing concessions, incentives, and application requirements (modifying development standards).

Additional Patterson menu pages (internal navigation you will use): Patterson Zoning, Patterson Land Use, Patterson Parking, Patterson Design Review, Patterson Overlay Districts, Patterson Landscaping and Screening, Patterson ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

Retrieved passages

• Patterson Zoning Code (Section 18.42.020) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 1 (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) High relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Patterson Zoning Code (§ 66314) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 110 High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **§ 18.38.040** — Table 18.38.040‑1 Development Standards for Residential Districts. (residential setbacks, densities, heights, lot area). (§ 18.38.040)
• **§ 18.62.040** — Accessory structure development standards (setbacks, accessory lot coverage limits, heights). (§ 18.62.040)
• Table 18.42.040‑2 / Chapter 18.42 — Development Standards for Commercial and Medical/Professional Office Districts (NC, HSC, DC, GC, MPO). (Chapter 18.42)
• **§ 18.16.110** and Table 18.16.110‑1 — Standards subject to minor adjustment, numeric caps and process. (§ 18.16.110)
• **§ 18.16.120** — Minor design review applicability and procedure. (§ 18.16.120)
• **§ 18.78.020** — Landscaping area requirements (setbacks and parking landscaping). (§ 18.78.020)
• **Chapter 18.46** (including **§ 18.46.050** and **§ 18.46.060**) — Industrial district performance standards and major development review. (Chapter 18.46)
• **§ 18.88.080** and **§ 18.88.090** — Affordable housing concessions, incentives, and application requirements (modifying development standards). (§ 18.88.080)
• Patterson_ZoningCode.md

• Official Patterson code library