Local zoning · Rancho Cordova

Rancho Cordova — Zoning

Q: What are Rancho Cordova setback requirements for commercial and industrial buildings?

For GC , M‑1 , and M‑2 the code’s Table 23.316‑2 specifies front/street-side setbacks of 25 ft , side/rear 0 ft , and side/rear abutting agricultural/residential: 25 ft (GC), 15 ft (M‑1, M‑2) ; heights are GC 100 ft (up to 150 ft via design review) , M‑1 40 ft , M‑2 100 ft (§ 23.316, Table 23.316‑2) .

Q: Where is the official zoning map recorded?

The City Council adopts the official zoning map and it is incorporated by reference into the zoning code; map amendments follow the zoning amendment procedures in Chapter 23.146, and the map must implement the General Plan (§ 23.301.030) .

Q: Are planned development overlays (PD/PDC) still used for new projects?

The code retains existing PD and PDC overlays from pre‑incorporation county practice but indicates that no additional property may utilize the PD/PDC overlay in general (see notes to Table 23.301‑1 and § 23.325.060) — Verify with the Planning Department for parcel‑specific status (§ 23.325.050; § 23.325.060) .

Zoning under the Rancho Cordova local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Rancho Cordova’s zoning regulations are codified in the Rancho Cordova Municipal Code (Title 23) and implement the General Plan through a system of base zoning districts and overlay zoning districts. The code adopts an official zoning map and assigns every parcel a base zone; overlay zones supplement or supersede base rules where applied (§ 23.301.010; § 23.301.030) . For the city’s general planning context see the Rancho Cordova zoning & planning overview. The code also references specific form-based "center" zones (village, local town, regional) for pedestrian-oriented mixed-use areas (§ 23.501.030) .

Note on related topics: parking rules are handled separately in the code; see the Rancho Cordova Parking page. Development standards (setbacks, lot coverage, heights) live in the code’s standards chapters and are summarized on the Rancho Cordova Development Standards page. Some projects must pass design review (see Rancho Cordova Design Review). Accessory dwelling units are regulated both by local zoning and state law; see Rancho Cordova ADUs and California ADU law. Structural and life-safety rules fall under the California Building Standards Code (Title 24).

The remainder of this page is strictly limited to what the Rancho Cordova zoning/planning ordinance says about zoning districts, the zoning map, allowed-use categories, overlays, and district-specific purposes/standards. Citations point to the controlling RCMC § wherever the code text or tables supply the fact. Where the code excerpts retrieved do not provide a numeric standard, that is stated.

How to read the district list

The city’s base and overlay districts are listed in Table 23.301-1 and introduced in the chapter that establishes the zoning districts and map (§ 23.301.020; Table 23.301-1) . The code groups base districts into: agricultural, residential, mixed-use, general commercial & industrial, public/quasi-public, and special purpose (§ 23.301.020) .

District-by-district breakdown

Below is one subsection per district named in Table 23.301-1. Each subsection states the ordinance's stated purpose and typical uses from the zoning chapters, then gives key numeric standards where those numbers are present in the retrieved materials. If the numeric standard or a permitted-use table entry is not present in the retrieved excerpts, the entry says "Not found in retrieved materials" and points to the controlling chapter where available.

Note: every district name below is the official symbol from Table 23.301-1 and is bolded when first mentioned.

AG-80

Purpose: AG-80 (Agricultural, 80-acre minimum) is an agricultural base zone intended to implement Rural Agriculture General Plan designations (§ 23.301.020/Table 23.301-1) .
Typical permitted uses: farming, horticulture, accessory agricultural structures (subject to agricultural standards) (§ 23.307.020) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials for AG-80 numeric setbacks/lot coverage in the excerpts. See Chapter 23.307 for agricultural development standards (§ 23.307.010–020) .
Where applied: rural areas designated Rural Agriculture on the General Plan; location shown on the zoning map (§ 23.301.030) .

AG-20

Purpose: AG-20 (Agricultural, 20-acre minimum) to allow agricultural uses at smaller parcel sizes than AG-80 (§ 23.301.020/Table 23.301-1) .
Typical permitted uses: similar agricultural uses as AG-80; see Chapter 23.307 for use categories and supplemental standards (§ 23.307.020) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials for numeric standards in the excerpts; see Chapter 23.307 § 23.307.020 onward .
Where applied: shown on official zoning map (§ 23.301.030) .

RR (Rural Residential)

Purpose: RR (Rural Residential) to provide low-intensity, rural residential development consistent with the General Plan (Table 23.301-1) .
Typical permitted uses: single-family residences, accessory structures, hobby/agricultural accessory uses (subject to limits) — see residential chapters (not fully shown in excerpts).
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials; see the residential development standards chapters (reference: development standards) .
Where applied: as shown on zoning map (§ 23.301.030) .

ER (Estate Residential)

Purpose: ER (Estate Residential) for large-lot estate residential uses (Table 23.301-1) .
Typical permitted uses: single-family dwellings, estate accessory uses (equine, hobby agriculture where allowed) (§ 23.904.020(A)(1)) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials; see Chapter 23.704 for single-family yard rules (some rear yard projections and encroachment rules are given: one-story additions set back 10 ft, additions >1 story set back 15 ft) (§ 23.704.*) .
Where applied: zoning map (§ 23.301.030) .

RD-1 through RD-30 (Residential density series)

Purpose: RD-1, RD-2, RD-3, RD-4, RD-5, RD-6, RD-7, RD-10, RD-15, RD-20, RD-25, RD-30 are the residential base zones that specify maximum density in dwelling units per acre (Table 23.301-1) .
Typical permitted uses: residential uses consistent with the density (single-family, duplex, multifamily in higher-density districts); accessory residential uses follow residential chapters.
Key numeric consequences explicitly in Table 23.301-1: RD-1 = 1 du/acre, RD-2 = 2 du/acre, RD-3 = 3 du/acre, RD-4 = 4 du/acre, RD-5 = 5 du/acre, RD-6 = 6 du/acre, RD-7 = 7 du/acre, RD-10 = 10 du/acre, RD-15 = 15 du/acre, RD-20 = 20 du/acre, RD-25 = 25 du/acre, RD-30 = 30 du/acre (§ 23.301.020/Table 23.301-1) .
Detailed dimensional standards (setbacks, lot sizes) for each RD zone: Not found in retrieved materials in full; see the residential development standards chapters and Rancho Cordova Development Standards for specifics. Single-family rear-yard projections and exceptions are in § 23.704 (see above) .
Where applied: as mapped on the zoning map and implemented to meet the General Plan land use designation (§ 23.301.030) .

MDR; HDR; RMH

Purpose: MDR (Medium Density Residential), HDR (High Density Residential), and RMH (Residential Mobile Home) implement medium- and high-density residential General Plan categories and mobile-home parks respectively (Table 23.301-1) .
Typical permitted uses: multifamily housing, mobile home park uses (RMH), accessory uses; subject to multifamily design standards in Chapter 23.707 where applicable (§ 23.707.010–020) .
Key dimensional standards: Objective multifamily standards exist in Chapter 23.707 and eligibility for streamlined review depends on state law (Gov’t Code § 65913.4) (§ 23.707.020–030) .
Where applied: zoning map; location tied to General Plan and form-based center areas for higher-density cores (§ 23.501.030; § 23.301.030) .

RMU; CMU; OPMU; OIMU; LIBP

Purpose: the mixed-use and business park zones — RMU (Residential Mixed-Use), CMU (Commercial Mixed-Use), OPMU (Office/Professional Mixed-Use), OIMU (Office/Industrial Mixed-Use) and LIBP (Light Industrial Business Park) — implement mixed-use or business park development per Table 23.301-1 (§ 23.301.020/Table 23.301-1) .
Typical permitted uses: combinations of residential, retail, office, and light-industrial/business-park uses depending on the specific mixed-use district; vertical and horizontal mixed-use are encouraged in center zones (§ 23.501.010–030) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials for each mixed-use zone numeric standards; the form-based center standards specify urban form where those zones overlay center areas (§ 23.501.030) .
Where applied: typically in center locations and along corridors as mapped on the zoning map (§ 23.301.030) .

VC; LTC; RTC (Form-based center zones)

Purpose: VC (Village Center), LTC (Local Town Center), RTC (Regional Town Center) are form-based center zones focused on pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development; VC for small village cores, LTC for larger district centers, RTC for regional mixed-use centers where mixed-use is required (§ 23.501.030) .
Typical permitted uses: retail, restaurants, services, small- and medium-size grocery (in VC), vertical/horizontal mixed-use (required in RTC; encouraged in VC/LTC) (§ 23.501.030) .
Key dimensional standards: Target urban-form development standards are set in the form-based Article 5; specific numeric standards and frontage rules are in that article — excerpts provided describe types but not full numeric tables in the retrieved materials. See § 23.501.010–030 for applicability and purpose .
Where applied: only where the zoning map designates those center types (§ 23.501.030; § 23.301.030) .

GC; M-1; M-2

Purpose: GC (General Commercial), M-1 (Light Industrial/Manufacturing), and M-2 (Heavy Industrial/Manufacturing) provide locations for commercial and industrial uses (§ 23.316.*; Table 23.316-2) .
Typical permitted uses: retail and commercial (GC), light manufacturing and warehouses (M-1), heavier manufacturing and industrial uses (M-2). Specific allowed-use tables are contained in Article 3 (allowed use tables) (§ 23.304.030) .
Key dimensional standards (from Table 23.316-2): Front and street-side/corner setbacks: 25 ft for GC, M-1, M-2; Side and rear: 0 ft for all; Side/rear abutting agricultural or residential uses: 25 ft (GC), 15 ft (M-1), 15 ft (M-2). Maximum building heights shown: GC = 100 ft (may be increased to 150 ft via design review); M-1 = 40 ft; M-2 = 100 ft (§ 23.316, Table 23.316-2) .
Where applied: as mapped on zoning map; uses and standards in Article 3 and Chapter 23.316 (§ 23.304.030; Table 23.316-2) .

POS; CS; T (Public/Quasi-Public)

Purpose: POS (Parks and Open Space), CS (Community Services), and T (Transportation Corridor) give locations for parks, public services and transportation facilities (§ 23.319.010–020) .
Typical permitted uses: recreational uses, schools, public safety facilities, utilities, transit/transportation facilities as appropriate to each district (§ 23.319.020) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials for numeric specifics in the excerpts; see Chapter 23.319 for characteristics and allowed uses .
Where applied: as shown on the zoning map (§ 23.301.030) .

SP; SPA (Special Purpose)

Purpose: SP (Specific Plan) and SPA (Special Planning Area) are special purpose zoning districts that reference specific plan documents adopted by ordinance; they implement a range of uses and standards tailored to a plan area (Table 23.301-1) .
Typical permitted uses: whatever the applicable Specific Plan or SPA ordinance specifies (the special plan ordinance is the controlling document) (§ 23.301.020) .
Key dimensional standards: Established in the specific plan or SPA ordinance (Not found in retrieved materials here).
Where applied: as delineated on the zoning map; a special-purpose symbol or name ties to the ordinance (§ 23.301.030(D)(2)) .

Overlay zoning districts (CO, TOD, F, PD, PDC, PC, SM, SGC)

Purpose: Overlay zones such as CO (Convention Overlay), TOD (Transit Oriented Development), F (Flood), PD (Planned Development), PDC (Planned Development — County/City Initiated), PC (Parkway Corridor), SM (Surface Mining), and SGC (Sunridge General Commercial) modify or supplement the underlying base zone to address area-specific objectives (§ 23.325.010; § 23.301.020(B)) .
Typical permitted uses: vary by overlay. For example, the CO overlay establishes a convention-center-focused set of allowed uses for parcels generally described as south of Highway 50 east of Kilgore Road north of Sun Center Drive and west of Citrus Road (§ 23.325.020(B)) .
Key dimensional standards and allowed uses: each overlay contains its own allowed-use and standards table (e.g., Table 23.325-1 for CO). In case of conflict, overlay provisions prevail over the base zone (§ 23.301.020(B); § 23.325.010) .
Special note on PD and PDC: The code retains existing PD and PDC overlays adopted under prior county codes, but no additional property may utilize these zones per the notes to Table 23.301-1 and § 23.325.060 (PDC) (§ 23.325.050; § 23.325.060) .
Where applied: overlays are shown on the zoning map and are designated along with the base zone symbol (§ 23.301.030(D)(3)) .

Convention Overlay (CO)

Purpose & area: CO is intended to concentrate convention-center uses and supporting commercial activity in a defined area south of Highway 50 generally bounded by Kilgore Road, Sun Center Drive, and Citrus Road (§ 23.325.020(B)) .
Allowed uses/standards: The CO has a specific allowed-use table (Table 23.325-1) that supersedes the underlying district where applied (§ 23.325.020(C)) .

Other targeted-use sections

The code contains special use sections that add location or separation rules for particular uses (for example, smoke shops, sexually oriented businesses, tattoo parlors) — e.g., smoke shops must be at least 500 ft from another smoke shop and 1,000 ft from a school or park, and must be in LIBP, M-1, or M-2 zones (§ 23.919.070) .

Key table — Most decision-relevant districts and standards

Zoning District	Typical primary uses	Most relevant numeric rules / limits	Code Reference
RD‑1, RD‑10, RD‑20 (examples of density series)	Low → high density housing	RD‑1 = 1 du/acre; RD‑10 = 10 du/acre; RD‑20 = 20 du/acre (density caps listed in Table 23.301‑1)	§ 23.301.020 (Table 23.301‑1)
GC	General commercial retail/service	Front setback 25 ft; side/rear 0 ft; side/rear abutting ag/res: 25 ft; Height 100 ft (can increase to 150 ft via design review) (Table 23.316‑2)	Table 23.316‑2 (§ 23.316.*)
M‑1	Light industrial, warehouses	Front setback 25 ft; side/rear 0 ft; side/rear abutting ag/res: 15 ft; Height 40 ft (Table 23.316‑2)	Table 23.316‑2 (§ 23.316.*)
M‑2	Heavy industrial	Front setback 25 ft; side/rear 0 ft; side/rear abutting ag/res: 15 ft; Height 100 ft (Table 23.316‑2)	Table 23.316‑2 (§ 23.316.*)
VC / LTC / RTC	Form-based mixed-use centers	Form-based rules for frontage, massing and use mix; vertical/horizontal mixed-use required in RTC, encouraged in VC/LTC	§ 23.501.030 (Article 5, form-based)
CO (overlay)	Convention center & supporting uses	Area defined in § 23.325.020(B); CO’s Table 23.325‑1 contains allowed uses that supersede the base zone	§ 23.325.020 (Table 23.325‑1)

(For full allowed-use tables and the complete numeric standards for each base zone see Article 3 and the development standards chapters; some numeric details are not present in the retrieved excerpts.)

Checklist

An applicant proposing development in Rancho Cordova should verify all items below before submitting plans:

Confirm the property’s base zoning district on the official zoning map and the specific symbol (e.g., RD‑10, GC, VC) (§ 23.301.030) .
Check whether any overlay zoning district (e.g., CO, TOD, F) applies to the parcel and whether overlay standards or allowed uses replace the base zone (§ 23.301.020(B); § 23.325.010) .
Determine the proposed land use’s status in the allowed‑use tables (P / AUP / C / N) and whether an administrative use permit or conditional use permit is required (§ 23.304.030; § 23.125.020) .
For multifamily/mixed projects, confirm if objective design standards apply and whether the project qualifies for streamlined review (§ 23.707.020–030) .
Review district-specific development standards (setbacks, heights, lot coverage) — e.g., for GC/M‑1/M‑2 refer to Table 23.316‑2 for setbacks and heights (§ 23.316, Table 23.316‑2) .
Check special-location or separation rules for certain uses (e.g., smoke shops, sexually oriented businesses) (§ 23.919.*) .
If the project is in a form-based center (VC/LTC/RTC), follow the form-based frontage, massing and mix rules in Article 5 (§ 23.501.010–030) .
Verify whether the project requires design review or major discretionary review and factor in potential design-review height increases where noted (e.g., GC height up to 150 ft via design review) (§ 23.141.*; Table 23.316‑2) .
Confirm any applicable Specific Plan / SPA / PD / PDC ordinance text if the parcel is subject to a special plan (these can set site-specific standards) (§ 23.301.030(D)(2); § 23.325.060) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Zoning map boundary ambiguity	Small boundary shifts can change the applicable base or overlay zone	Confirm precise boundary with the Planning Director per the map‑interpretation rules (§ 23.301.030(E))
Overlay vs. base conflict	Overlays may supersede base rules and allowed uses	Check whether an overlay applies and read the overlay’s allowed-use table (overlay provisions prevail) (§ 23.301.020(B); § 23.325.010)
Missing numeric details in excerpts	Many district-by-district numeric standards are in development standards or tables not included in the retrieved snippets	Verify district setback, lot area, coverage and height tables in the full Article 3 and the Development Standards chapter (some numbers, e.g., Table 23.316‑2, are available; others are Not found in retrieved materials) (§ 23.304.030; Table references)
PD / PDC legacy limits	PD/PDC overlay history may mean prior rights exist but new uses may be restricted	Confirm whether a parcel is in an adopted PD/PDC and whether additional property may use those overlays (no new PDC use per code notes) (§ 23.325.050; § 23.325.060)
Permit type uncertainty (P vs AUP vs C)	The application type controls process, timing, and CEQA exposure	Check the allowed-use tables in Article 3 and AUP/CUP rules (§ 23.304.030; § 23.125.020)
Form-based applicability	Date/extent of form-based zones affects eligibility for mixed-use and frontage rules	Verify whether parcel sits inside a VC/LTC/RTC designation on the zoning map (§ 23.501.030; § 23.301.030)

Plain-English Summary

Rancho Cordova assigns every parcel a base zone (agricultural, residential of many density tiers, mixed‑use, commercial/industrial, public, or special purpose) and may layer overlay districts on top; the zoning map is the official source for which rules apply, overlays prevail over bases where they conflict, and allowed uses are shown in the code’s use tables (P, AUP, C, N) — check the zoning map and the Article 3 allowed‑use tables for your parcel, then confirm development standards and whether design review or an administrative/conditional use permit is needed (§ 23.301.020–030; § 23.304.030; § 23.125.020) .

Source References

RCMC § 23.101.010–030 (Purpose, authority, applicability of zoning code)
RCMC § 23.301.010–030, Table 23.301‑1 (Establishment of zoning districts, zoning map, district list)
RCMC § 23.304.030 (Allowed land use classifications and permit categories — P/AUP/C/N)
Table 23.316‑2 and Chapter 23.316 (General commercial & industrial development standards: setbacks and heights for GC, M‑1, M‑2)
Article 5, Chapter 23.501 (Form‑based zoning: VC, LTC, RTC)
RCMC § 23.319.010–020 (Public/quasi-public districts POS, CS, T)
RCMC § 23.307.010–020 (Agricultural districts AG‑80, AG‑20)
RCMC § 23.325.010–060 (Overlay districts; CO, PD, PDC rules and limits)
RCMC § 23.125.020–080 (Administrative use permit rules)
RCMC Chapter 23.704 (single‑family encroachment / rear-yard projection rules — 10 ft for one‑story additions; 15 ft for >1 story) (§ 23.704.*)
RCMC Chapter 23.707 (Objective design standards for multifamily) and Chapter 23.141 (Major design review)
Special‑use distance and locational rules (e.g., smoke shops): RCMC § 23.919.070 (500 ft/1,000 ft separation; allowed zones LIBP, M‑1, M‑2)

Sources

Retrieved passages

Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (Chapter 23.101.) High relevance
Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 23.904.010.) High relevance
Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (Chapter 23.146) High relevance
Rancho Cordova Zoning Code (title will) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Rancho Cordova code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an RD‑10 lot in Rancho Cordova?

Permitted and conditional uses are shown in the allowed‑use tables in Article 3; RD‑10 indicates a maximum of 10 dwelling units per acre per Table 23.301‑1 (§ 23.301.020/Table 23.301‑1) . Whether a use is permitted by right (P), requires an administrative use permit (AUP), or a conditional use permit (C) is determined by the Article 3 allowed‑use tables; consult those tables for the parcel and confirm applicable development standards (§ 23.304.030) .

What are Rancho Cordova setback requirements for commercial and industrial buildings?

For GC, M‑1, and M‑2 the code’s Table 23.316‑2 specifies front/street-side setbacks of 25 ft, side/rear 0 ft, and side/rear abutting agricultural/residential: 25 ft (GC), 15 ft (M‑1, M‑2); heights are GC 100 ft (up to 150 ft via design review), M‑1 40 ft, M‑2 100 ft (§ 23.316, Table 23.316‑2) .

How does the zoning map get interpreted if a boundary splits my parcel?

The planning director determines precise boundaries: boundaries follow centerlines of streets/alleys or lot lines unless shown otherwise; where a boundary divides a parcel and distances aren’t printed, the scale on the map is used; the director can determine the boundary where street/lot layouts differ and the map is then amended (§ 23.301.030(E)) .

Do overlays override the base zone in Rancho Cordova?

Yes. Overlay zoning districts supplement base zones and where there is a conflict the overlay provisions apply; check the overlay chapter and its allowed‑use table for controlling rules (§ 23.301.020(B); § 23.325.010) .

Do I need design review for a multifamily project?

Multifamily and mixed‑use residential projects must follow the code’s objective design standards in Chapter 23.707 when applicable; eligibility for streamlined ministerial approval depends on meeting Government Code § 65913.4 criteria — if not eligible, projects use discretionary design review (Chapter 23.141) (§ 23.707.020–030; § 23.141.*) . See Rancho Cordova Design Review for procedural detail.

Where is the official zoning map recorded?

The City Council adopts the official zoning map and it is incorporated by reference into the zoning code; map amendments follow the zoning amendment procedures in Chapter 23.146, and the map must implement the General Plan (§ 23.301.030) .

Are planned development overlays (PD/PDC) still used for new projects?

The code retains existing PD and PDC overlays from pre‑incorporation county practice but indicates that no additional property may utilize the PD/PDC overlay in general (see notes to Table 23.301‑1 and § 23.325.060) — Verify with the Planning Department for parcel‑specific status (§ 23.325.050; § 23.325.060) .

What special location rules exist for adult uses or smoke shops?

The code contains special‑use location and separation rules. For smoke shops, the rules include no closer than 500 ft from another smoke shop and no closer than 1,000 ft from specified public uses; smoke shops must be sited in LIBP, M‑1, or M‑2 zones (§ 23.919.070) .

How do I find the allowed uses for a property in the Convention Overlay (CO)?

The CO overlay has its own allowed‑use table (Table 23.325‑1) and where applied those CO rules supersede the underlying base zone’s uses; the CO area is generally described geographically in § 23.325.020(B) and the CO table lists which uses are P/AUP/C/N (§ 23.325.020(C)) .

Ask about any Rancho Cordova property

Get a cited, plain-English answer on Rancho Cordova zoning, setbacks, FAR, ADUs and permits — for any address.

Start Free Trial