San Fernando — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the San Fernando Zoning Ordinance (the municipal zoning chapter often titled the "San Fernando Zoning Ordinance") actually says about zoning districts, base rules, and overlays that affect land use and development within the city. It is grounded in the City's code: key district lists and tables are in the ordinance (e.g., § 106-5, § 106-41—42, and development-standard tables) and specific overlay rules (for example the SP-5 and RPD overlays) control where and how those standards apply.

District-by-district breakdown

Notes on citations: every district statement below cites the controlling municipal code section (the § number) and the file-search result used for that clause.

R-1 — Single-family Residential

• Purpose: The R-1 zone implements the General Plan's Low Density Residential use and is intended to protect single-family detached neighborhoods. § 106-41.
• Typical permitted uses: Single-unit dwellings are permitted as-of-right; other multi-unit types are restricted. See Table 106-42 for permitted/conditional designations. § 106-42.
• Key dimensional standards (decision-relevant): Minimum lot size 7,500 sq ft, Minimum lot width 50 ft (corner 55 ft), Maximum height 35 ft, Front setback 20 ft, Side setback 5 ft, Rear setback 20 ft, Maximum lot coverage 50%. These are taken from Tables 106-43.1 and 106-43.2. § 106-43.
• Where it applies: Shown on the official zoning map; the zoning map and list of base zones are defined in § 106-5.

R-2 — Medium multiple-family

• Purpose: The R-2 zone implements medium-density residential uses (General Plan medium density). § 106-41.
• Typical permitted uses: Duplexes, triplexes and multi-unit residential are permitted or conditionally permitted depending on use and permit — see Table 106-42 for specifics. § 106-42.
• Key dimensional standards: Minimum lot size 7,500 sq ft, Min width 50 ft, Maximum height 35 ft, Front setback 20 ft, Side 5 ft, Rear 15–20 ft; maximum lot coverage ~40% (see Table 106-43.2 for exact numeric cells). § 106-43.

R-3 — High multiple-family

• Purpose: The R-3 zone implements high-density residential development. § 106-41.
• Typical permitted uses: Multi-family apartments, condominiums and other higher-density housing types with conditional or permitted status per Table 106-42. § 106-42.
• Key dimensional standards: Min lot size 7,500 sq ft, Min width 50 ft, Max height 45 ft, Front setback 20 ft, Side 5 ft, Rear 15–20 ft, maximum lot coverage ~40%. See Tables 106-43.1 & 106-43.2. § 106-43.

C-1 and C-2 — Commercial zones

• Purpose: C-1 (limited commercial) and C-2 (general commercial) implement commercial land uses consistent with the General Plan commercial land use categories. See Article II base zone tables. § 106-5, § 106-4—42.
• Typical permitted uses: The code lists permitted/conditional uses by zone in the Use Tables in Article II. Practical constraints: the ordinance requires most commercial uses be inside permanent buildings, with specific exceptions (e.g., certain outdoor displays and automobile sales in specified zones). § 106-74.
• Key dimensional/development standards: Commercial development must meet the commercial development rules: utilities underground, landscaping per Article III Division 4, no outside storage without a CUP, required street frontage 75 ft (where specified), and lot coverage cells in the zone tables. § 106-74.

SC — Service Commercial

• Purpose and special rules: The SC zone is a service commercial variant with additional development controls (e.g., outside display allowed only for limited uses such as nurseries, limited auto sales, Christmas tree sales). § 106-74.

M-1 and M-2 — Industrial zones

• Purpose: M-1 (limited industrial) and M-2 (light industrial) accommodate industrial and manufacturing uses appropriate to the city. § 106-5, § 106-104.
• Typical permitted uses and restrictions: Many uses must be inside permanent buildings; outside storage generally prohibited except by conditional use permit; utilities underground; landscaping required; required street frontage 75 ft; walls where abutting residential. § 106-104.

SP-5 — San Fernando Corridors Specific Plan

• Purpose and coverage: The SP-5 specific plan zone is the San Fernando Corridors Specific Plan, established to implement corridor revitalization along Truman Street, San Fernando Road, Maclay Avenue and First Street; the SP-5 regulations (standards and design guidelines) apply to all properties within the specific plan area and control over conflicting zoning provisions. § 106-133 — § 106-136.
• How it changes rules: The specific plan's development standards are mandatory and control over duplicate/conflicting provisions in the zoning ordinance; where the specific plan is silent the zoning ordinance governs. § 106-136.

Overlay districts: RPD, PD1, MUO

• RPD (Residential Planned Development Overlay) — Purpose and standards: The RPD overlay allows alternate site planning and building groupings subject to RPD-specific tables: minimum project area 2 acres, min building site area 5,000 sq ft, maximum height 35 ft (2 stories), front setback 15–25 ft (20 ft average), side 5–10 ft, rear 25 ft, max lot coverage 50%. See Tables 106-165.1–106-165.2 and § 106-163—106-165.
• PD1 (Precise Development Overlay) — Not found in retrieved materials: the code lists PD1 as an overlay in its zoning map list, but the PD1-specific standards or table locations were not present in the retrieved files. Verify with the jurisdiction. § 106-5 (listing).
• MUO (Mixed Use Overlay) — Not found in retrieved materials: the code enumerates the MUO in the zone list but MUO-specific standards were not present in the retrieved extracts. Verify with the jurisdiction. § 106-5 (listing).

Quick decision table (key standards and references)

Practical guidance / synthesis

• The ordinance is organized so use rules (what you may build) are in Article II tables (see Table 106-42 for residential uses) while development standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage) are in Tables 106-43.x and supporting sections. Always check both the Use Table and the matching development-standard table for the district. § 106-42; § 106-43.
• If your parcel lies inside the SP-5 area or another specific plan, the specific plan controls over conflicting zoning provisions — the SP-5 has mandatory development standards and advisory design guidelines. § 106-133—106-136.
• Many development details are enforced through site plan review; some smaller, ministerial activities are processed via zone clearance. If the director finds compliance with the applicable development standards, a zone clearance will be issued; otherwise discretionary review is required. § 106-823—106-827; § 106-824—106-825.
• Landscaping, screening, signage, and parking are handled in Article III and will apply across zones (landscaping minimums in § 106-344—106-345; walls/fences standards in § 106-374—106-376). § 106-344—106-345; § 106-376.

(First mention links: the ordinance refers to parking requirements and landscaping and design review processes — use the linked topic pages below when you need details in the City menu.)

• For parking rules, see the city's Parking page. parking
• For development-specific dimensions and exceptions, see development standards
• Many projects require design review or site plan review.
• Overlays are summarized on overlay districts.
• ADU-specific rules (state law can supersede local rules) are on ADUs and the California ADU law.
• The municipal code enforces building details in conjunction with the California Building Standards Code.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before building / changing uses)

• Confirm your parcel's zoning on the official zoning map and whether it's inside SP-5 or an overlay (official map per § 106-5).
• Verify permitted/conditional use status in the Use Tables (Article II — e.g., Table 106-42 for residential uses). § 106-42.
• Determine applicable development standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage) in Tables 106-43.1/43.2 or overlay tables (e.g., RPD Tables 106-165.1/165.2). § 106-43; § 106-165.
• Prepare site plans and materials to show compliance with landscaping, parking, signage, and walls/fences rules (Article III divisions). § 106-344—106-345; § 106-74; § 106-104.
• Apply for zone clearance when establishing a permitted use (ministerial) or the appropriate discretionary permit (CUP, site plan review) when required. § 106-824—106-827.
• If inside a specific plan area (e.g., SP-5), demonstrate project consistency with the specific plan; the specific plan controls over conflicting zoning provisions. § 106-135—106-136.
• Confirm whether any modifications or minor deviations require a modification permit or referral; the director may grant limited adjustments (see § 106-952). § 106-952.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

San Fernando’s zoning chapters list named base zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2, SC, M-1, M-2), plus overlays like SP-5 and RPD, each with specific use rules and measurable development standards (setbacks, heights, coverage) you must meet; where a specific plan applies, that plan’s rules generally control. Always check the Use Table (Article II), the development-standard tables (e.g., Tables 106-43.x), and whether your site is inside an overlay or SP-5 area before you apply for permits. § 106-5; § 106-42; § 106-43; § 106-133—106-165.

Source References

• San Fernando Zoning Ordinance — Official zones listed and map authority: § 106-5.
• Residential zone purpose and use table: § 106-41; § 106-42 (Table 106-42).
• Residential development standards (Tables 106-43.1 & 106-43.2): § 106-43.
• Commercial development standards: § 106-74.
• Industrial development standards: § 106-104.
• RPD overlay tables and standards: § 106-163—106-165 (Tables 106-165.1–106-165.2).
• Zone clearance and ministerial review: § 106-823—106-827.
• Site plan review applicability and procedure: § 106-855—106-860; § 106-857 (site plan procedure references).
• Landscaping requirements (Article III division 4): § 106-344—106-345.
• Walls and fences rules: § 106-374—106-376.
• Local ADU rules summary (Article IV) and cross-reference to state ADU law (for preemption/questions): local ADU rules — Article IV; state ADU law summary in supplied handbook.

Retrieved passages

• San Fernando Zoning Code (Article V) High relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code (article III) High relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code (chapter is) High relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code (ARTICLE I.) High relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code (§ 65589.5) Medium relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code (Article V) High relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 3 (article VI) High relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• San Fernando Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• San Fernando Zoning Ordinance — Official zones listed and map authority: **§ 106-5**. (§ 106-5)
• Residential zone purpose and use table: **§ 106-41; § 106-42** (Table 106-42). (§ 106-41)
• Residential development standards (Tables 106-43.1 & 106-43.2): **§ 106-43**. (§ 106-43)
• Commercial development standards: **§ 106-74**. (§ 106-74)
• Industrial development standards: **§ 106-104**. (§ 106-104)
• RPD overlay tables and standards: **§ 106-163—106-165** (Tables 106-165.1–106-165.2). (§ 106-163)
• Zone clearance and ministerial review: **§ 106-823—106-827**. (§ 106-823)
• Site plan review applicability and procedure: **§ 106-855—106-860; § 106-857** (site plan procedure references). (§ 106-855)
• Landscaping requirements (Article III division 4): **§ 106-344—106-345**. (Article III)
• Walls and fences rules: **§ 106-374—106-376**. (§ 106-374)
• Local ADU rules summary (Article IV) and cross-reference to state ADU law (for preemption/questions): local ADU rules — Article IV; state ADU law summary in supplied handbook. (Article IV)
• SanFernando_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md

• Official San Fernando code library