Ridgecrest — Nonconforming Uses

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the City of Ridgecrest treats nonconforming uses, nonconforming structures, and nonconforming lots under the Ridgecrest Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 106). It summarizes the rules that let legally existing-but-now-nonconforming uses remain, what changes are allowed, the timelines for abandonment and repair, and the process to change or authorize a new nonconforming use. The legal controls are in § 106‑25 and § 106‑26 (and related district rules cited below) in the Ridgecrest code.

Note: when this page mentions development standards like setbacks or parking it links to Ridgecrest guidance for those topics (first natural mention) — see the linked resources inline (parking, development standards, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code).

What the ordinance says — core rules

• A nonconforming use is a use lawfully established before the current ordinance that no longer complies with the use rules for the current zone; a nonconforming structure is a building lawfully built earlier but now not meeting coverage, yard, height or separation standards. The ordinance limits expansion, relocation, or reestablishment after abandonment. § 106‑26 contains the controlling rules.

• A legal, undersized lot (less than current minimum area/frontage/width/depth) that was recorded prior to the ordinance may still be used for any permitted use in the zone, but remains subject to all other district regulations. See § 106‑25.

• Abandonment: if a nonconforming use is discontinued or abandoned for a continuous period of six months, it cannot be re-established. § 106‑26(e).

• Enlargement and alterations: a nonconforming use or the portion of a structure occupied by one may not be moved, altered or enlarged unless the alteration eliminates the nonconforming use; partial changes that enlarge the nonconforming space are prohibited. § 106‑26(c)(1)–(2).

• Damage and restoration: a nonconforming structure destroyed to the extent of less than 75% of its value may be restored and the nonconforming use resumed provided restoration starts within six months and does not increase the pre-existing nonconformity; if damage exceeds 75%, reconstruction to the nonconforming form is prohibited — restoration must conform to current rules. § 106‑26(f).

• Change to another nonconforming use: allowed only with Planning Commission approval after a public hearing and only if the new use is in a more restricted use category and will not be detrimental to public health, safety or welfare; approvals lapse if not established in 180 days (unless extended). § 106‑26(d).

• Zoning clearance and confirmations of legal nonconforming status: a zoning clearance is required for many new uses and the director may confirm that an existing condition is legally nonconforming as part of that process. See § 106‑39.

• Signs: the code has separate accelerated removal/amortization rules for nonconforming signs and different timelines and compensation rules; see § 106‑409 for sign-specific nonconforming rules.

District-by-district practical breakdown (where nonconforming rules interact with local zone standards)

Below are the most-used districts where nonconforming issues arise in Ridgecrest. Each subsection lists purpose, typical permitted uses, key dimensional standards that commonly create nonconforming structures, and where the zone applies in the Code (so you can cross-check a parcel).

• R-1 — Single-Family Residential (purpose & basic rules)

  • Purpose / typical uses: one‑family dwellings, accessory structures, home occupations, accessory dwelling units (ADUs). See § 106‑318.
  • Key dimensional standards that generate nonconformance: minimum site area and lot dimensions, front yard/side yard/rear yard setbacks and maximum coverage; these standards are repeated as references across other districts that point back to R‑1. See § 106‑318 for permitted uses and the yard rules that other districts reference.
  • Where it applies in code: § 106‑318.

• R-2 — Low Density Multifamily Residential

  • Purpose / typical uses: multifamily dwellings, accessory structures, ADUs, small home occupations. See § 106‑319.
  • Dimensional standards: minimum site area 6,000 sq ft, building height ≤35 ft, front yard 20 ft, coverage caps, side yard minimums (see § 106‑319). These are common triggers for nonconforming structures.
  • Where it applies: § 106‑319.

• R-3 — Medium Density Multifamily Residential

  • Purpose / typical uses: multifamily and single-family dwellings; non-single-family uses often require site plan review. See § 106‑320.
  • Dimensional standards: front yard 20 ft, rear yard 10 ft, side yard minimums (often 10 ft on each side in some subareas), lot width and depth minima; site plan review applies to most non-single-family projects. § 106‑320.
  • Where it applies: § 106‑320.

• R-4 — Medium Density Multifamily Residential (higher-density)

  • Purpose / typical uses: one-family dwellings, accessory structures, ADUs, emergency shelters, supportive housing (many uses are conditional). See § 106‑321.
  • Dimensional standards: minimum site area 6,000 sq ft, building height ≤35 ft, frontage and lot width/depth minima, coverage limits and yard rules; site plan/conditional use reviews are common. § 106‑321.
  • Where it applies: § 106‑321.

• CN — Neighborhood Commercial

  • Purpose / typical uses: neighborhood-serving retail and services (grocery, bakery, laundromat, small restaurants). See § 106‑326.
  • Dimensional standards: minimum site area 6,000 sq ft, height ≤35 ft, front yard 10 ft and side/rear transitions where CN abuts R zones (side/rear yards often bumped to 10 ft). Nonconforming commercial uses often appear when a parcel is rezoned residential or vice versa. § 106‑326.
  • Where it applies: § 106‑326.

• CG — General Commercial (central trading / major arterials)

  • Purpose / typical uses: broader retail and service mix, auto sales/service, restaurants, hotels, large retail; live/work and manager units allowed in limited fashion. See § 106‑327.
  • Dimensional standards (commercial specific plan): see the Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan table 106‑575(c)‑3 (minimum parcel size 10,000 sq ft, maximum height 60 ft, and front/side/rear setbacks that vary if abutting residential). Nonconforming commercial structures often arise from later changes narrowing setbacks or adding overlay rules.
  • Where it applies: § 106‑327 and the Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan.

Table — Most decision‑relevant nonconforming rules (quick reference)

Practical guidance / how a property owner uses these rules

• Start with a zoning clearance (the planning department will confirm whether the use or building is legally nonconforming). If you plan to change use, expand area, rebuild after damage, or restore an old use, get that confirmation first. § 106‑39 and § 106‑26 govern these steps.

• If you seek to change a legal nonconforming use to another nonconforming use (for example, one older commercial use to a different commercial use that still would not be permitted under current code), be prepared for a Planning Commission application, public hearing, and the findings listed in § 106‑26(d).

• If a structure was heavily damaged, document the damage value and timeline (building official will determine the percentage of destruction). If damage is <75% and you begin reconstruction within 6 months, the code allows restoration without losing the nonconforming status, provided you do not increase the nonconformity. § 106‑26(f).

• If your property is an undersized lot recorded prior to the ordinance, you may still build or use it per the permitted uses in the district, but you must meet other standards — check § 106‑25 and the district standards for setbacks, coverage, and parking. § 106‑25 and applicable district section (for example § 106‑318 for R‑1).

• Because some districts defer to R‑1 for height/coverage/yard baselines, always cross‑check the district section for the parcel (e.g., § 106‑319 for R‑2, § 106‑320 for R‑3, § 106‑321 for R‑4).

• If the nonconforming issue concerns signs, read the specialized sign nonconforming rules first — removal or amortization timelines and compensation differ from general rules. § 106‑409.

Helpful links (first natural mentions)

• For calculations or disputes about required parking, see Ridgecrest Parking.
• For setbacks and coverage questions referenced above, see Ridgecrest Development Standards.
• For approvals that require public review, see Ridgecrest Design Review.
• If an overlay or specific plan affects your parcel, consult Ridgecrest Overlay Districts.
• ADUs intersect nonconforming zoning questions; see Ridgecrest ADUs and the California Building Standards Code for building rules.
• For exceptions and relief procedures, consult Ridgecrest Variances and Exceptions.

(Each bold district name above is linked to the district text cited; cross-check specific parcel zoning on the official zone map and verify with the planning department.)

Checklist — what an applicant must provide or prove

• Demonstrate that the use or structure was lawfully established before the ordinance change (deeds, permits, dated bills, photographs, recorded subdivision maps). § 106‑26.
• For a zoning clearance: submit owner authorization, site plan, description of current and proposed uses, parking summary if requested. § 106‑39.
• If proposing a change to another nonconforming use: prepare the Planning Commission application packet (name/address, legal description, statement of existing and proposed nonconforming use, and evidence supporting required findings). § 106‑26(d).
• If restoring after damage: obtain building official damage determination, timeline of damages, and demonstrate restoration will begin within 6 months and not increase preexisting nonconformity. § 106‑26(f).
• If structure/parcel is undersized: record evidence the lot was lawfully of record prior to the ordinance adoption, then meet other district requirements. § 106‑25.
• If signs are involved: provide documentation of sign age/previous approvals; check sign removal/amortization rules under § 106‑409.

Verify with the planning department whether the property has pending violations — zoning clearance will not be approved if violations exist. § 106‑39(d)(2).

Risks & Ambiguities

When in doubt, "Verify with the jurisdiction."

Plain-English summary

Ridgecrest lets legally existing uses and buildings that no longer meet current rules continue in place — but you generally cannot make them bigger, move them, or bring them back after you've stopped using them for six months. Repairs after damage are allowed if the building was not mostly destroyed (less than 75%); changes to a different nonconforming use require a Planning Commission hearing. The controlling rules are § 106‑25 (nonconforming lots) and § 106‑26 (nonconforming uses/structures).

Information Gaps

• The Code text in the retrieved files summarizes nonconforming treatment but does not list the planning commission application fee amounts or the exact submittal checklist forms — those are set by the city and not found in retrieved materials (verify with the planning department).
• Parcel‑specific determinations (whether a particular building is legally nonconforming, the percent damage after an event, or whether a proposed alteration increases nonconformity) are fact‑specific and not determinable from the ordinance alone — Verify with the jurisdiction. § 106‑26(f).

Source References

• Ridgecrest Municipal Code, Chapter 106 — Zoning (print/export): general chapter and definitions.
• § 106‑25 Use of nonconforming sites.
• § 106‑26 Nonconforming uses and structures (purpose, continuation, alterations, change of use, abandonment, restoration).
• § 106‑39 Zoning clearance (requirements and review criteria).
• § 106‑409 Nonconforming signs (special amortization/removal rules).
• § 106‑318 R‑1 Single‑Family Residential District (purpose, permitted uses, yard references).
• § 106‑319 R‑2 Low Density Multifamily Residential District (standards).
• § 106‑320 R‑3 Medium Density Multifamily Residential District (standards).
• § 106‑321 R‑4 Medium Density Multifamily Residential District (standards).
• § 106‑326 CN Neighborhood Commercial District.
• § 106‑327 CG General Commercial District; Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan table 106‑575(c)‑3.

Retrieved passages

• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 20-3.15) High relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (section 106-128.) High relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 20-3.1) High relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (chapter is) High relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 20-3.12) High relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (chapter is) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (chapter 3) Medium relevance show source text
• CEC § 20 (section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (section 106-37.) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 20-3.22) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (article II) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 20-5A.1) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (section 106-37.) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (article II) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (article II) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 20-2.5) Medium relevance show source text
• CRC § 360 Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (chapter between) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 20-7.1) Medium relevance show source text
• Ridgecrest Zoning Code (section 106-315) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Ridgecrest Municipal Code, Chapter 106 — Zoning (print/export): general chapter and definitions. (Chapter 106)
• **§ 106‑25** Use of nonconforming sites. (§ 106)
• **§ 106‑26** Nonconforming uses and structures (purpose, continuation, alterations, change of use, abandonment, restoration). (§ 106)
• **§ 106‑39** Zoning clearance (requirements and review criteria). (§ 106)
• **§ 106‑409** Nonconforming signs (special amortization/removal rules). (§ 106)
• **§ 106‑318** R‑1 Single‑Family Residential District (purpose, permitted uses, yard references). (§ 106)
• **§ 106‑319** R‑2 Low Density Multifamily Residential District (standards). (§ 106)
• **§ 106‑320** R‑3 Medium Density Multifamily Residential District (standards). (§ 106)
• **§ 106‑321** R‑4 Medium Density Multifamily Residential District (standards). (§ 106)
• **§ 106‑326** CN Neighborhood Commercial District. (§ 106)
• **§ 106‑327** CG General Commercial District; Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan table **106‑575(c)‑3**. (§ 106)
• Ridgecrest_ZoningCode.md

• Official Ridgecrest code library