Signal Hill — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Signal Hill Municipal Code and adopted Specific Plans actually require for land use (what uses are permitted, which require Conditional Use Permits, and the special-plan tables that control uses). It focuses on the city’s Specific Plan districts and commonly used special districts rather than statewide building requirements; check the city for parcel-level interpretation. Key cross-cutting controls include the rules for uses and conditional use permits (CUPs) and the requirement for site plan and design review for many projects. See the city’s published parking rules for on-site vehicle requirements at the Signal Hill parking page; linkages to design, overlays, ADUs, and development standards are provided below.

Important citywide rules: uses not listed in a district are generally prohibited; many specific-plan (SP) chapters say “Unlisted uses shall be prohibited” and provide a table of P (permitted), C (conditional), A (accessory) and X (prohibited) uses. See the general CUP rules in § 20.08.050 and the rule making new uses conform to district prescriptions in § 20.08.100.

District-by-district breakdown (Signal Hill–specific)

Note: each subsection below identifies the ordinance sections that control that district (use tables, key dimensional standards and where the district applies on the official zoning map). All § references are those used in the Signal Hill Municipal Code as retrieved.

SP-24 — Town Center Northwest Specific Plan

• Purpose: create an integrated mixed-use town center (commercial + residential) with pedestrian orientation and urban form. § 20.46.010; applicable to properties shown as SP-24 on the official zoning map § 20.46.020.
• Typical permitted uses: multi-family dwellings and mixed retail/commercial as shown in Table 20.46‑1; unlisted uses are prohibited unless the director finds them substantially similar and publishes written findings. § 20.46.040 and Table 20.46‑1.
• Key dimensional and process standards:
  • Site Plan & Design Review is required and projects are processed under Chapter 20.52. § 20.46.030(B).
  • Parking ratios for SP‑24 are prescribed in Table 20.46‑3 (example: residential unit ratios by bedrooms; commercial 1 per 250 sf, restaurants 1 per 100 sf). See Table 20.46‑3 / § 20.46.1105 references to parking rules.
  • The director may approve certain unlisted compatible uses if findings are met; appeals go to the Planning Commission. § 20.46.040(A–B).

Where it applies: land shown as SP‑24 on the official zoning map; use the SP‑24 tables to determine allowed uses. § 20.46.020–040.

SP-21 — The Courtyard Specific Plan

• Purpose & applicability: SP‑21 provisions apply to the property shown on the official zoning map; development must conform to the specific plan and may require Planning Commission approval for substantive changes. § 20.28.020; § 20.28.050.
• Typical permitted uses: principally detached single‑family dwellings; accessory uses include home occupations, private garages, pools, and supportive housing/transitional housing as required by state law. § 20.28.030.
• Key dimensional standards: dwelling unit caps and maximum heights are set in the SP (e.g., maximum of eight detached units; building heights vary by lot — see § 20.28.040–060).

Where it applies: the parcels designated SP‑21 on the official zoning map. § 20.28.020.

SP-22 — Summerland Residential Specific Plan

• Purpose & applicability: SP‑22 governs the specific properties mapped as SP‑22; its standards supersede conflicting city ordinances when inconsistent. § 20.27.020–050.
• Typical permitted uses: detached single‑family dwellings for sale; accessory uses include home occupations, private garages and guest parking; transitional/supportive housing and licensed group homes for six or fewer are allowed by-state law. § 20.27.030–040.
• Key dimensional standards: maximum of 16 detached units; building height limited to 25 ft and two stories unless otherwise specified in the SP; required setbacks and design theme described in the SP. § 20.27.040–070.

Where it applies: properties shown as SP‑22 on the official zoning map. § 20.27.020.

SP-7 — Special Purpose Housing Specific Plan (Area 8)

• Purpose: to allow and regulate affordable residential development (extremely low to low income) as permitted uses while establishing development/design standards. § 20.41.1110.
• Typical permitted uses: multi‑family dwelling units for sale/rent by right, smoke‑free multi‑family, supportive/transitional housing and accessory community facilities (community room, property management offices, laundry, open space). § 20.41.1115(A–B).
• Key rules: occupancy restrictions tied to a development agreement or similar instrument; administrative site plan & design review required. § 20.41.1110–1115.

Where it applies: parcels mapped SP‑7 on the official zoning map. § 20.41.1105–1110.

SP-8, SP-17, SP-13 and other Specific Plan Districts (examples)

• SP districts generally: each SP chapter opens with adoption/applicability language and then a use classification table listing permitted, conditional, accessory and prohibited uses. Representative sections: SP‑8 (Signal Hill Village) § 20.43.020–050, SP‑17 (Crescent Square) § 20.37.020–050, SP‑13 (Cherry Ave.) § 20.33.190–230. These chapters explicitly state “Unlisted uses shall be prohibited.”
• Typical uses in residential SPs: detached single‑family dwellings, accessory home occupations and open space; densities and heights are set per SP chapter (examples: many SPs limit heights to 25 ft and two stories). See the specific SP chapter for the parcel.

PI — Public Institutional (base district)

• Purpose and uses: the Public Institutional (PI) district enumerates public uses and classifies them as P, C, A, or X in a use table. The code includes footnotes defining antenna limitations and special housing standards. See the table and footnotes in § 20.14.030–040.
• Key dimensional standard: PI building height limits in § 20.14.040 (e.g., PI height limited to 25 ft / 2½ stories; additional height may be granted by CUP with findings).

PD — Planned Development (chapter authorizing PD districts)

• Purpose: Chapter 20.09 authorizes creation of Planned Development districts to allow innovative, site‑specific standards and to protect unique environmental conditions (e.g., slopes, oil field impacts, scenic views). PDs are an additional classification with tailored standards. § 20.09.010.

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant permitted uses & standards

(Use table entries are illustrative: consult the specific district’s Table in the Municipal Code for a complete list.)

Information Gaps

• The uploaded materials contain many Specific Plan chapters and cross‑references but do not include a complete, consolidated citywide base-zone table (for example detailed R‑1, R‑2, C‑1 numeric setbacks, lot coverage, and FAR tables were not found in the retrieved snippets). Verify base residential/commercial district dimensional standards with the city. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Complete text of Chapter 20.52 (Site Plan & Design Review) procedures and specific required submittal content is not fully present in the retrieved excerpts. Verify precise submittal checklist with Planning for design review. Not found in retrieved materials.
• The Municipal Code references several other chapters (e.g., Chapter 20.70 for parking dimension details, Chapter 20.82 for nonconforming uses) but the full code text of those chapters was not included here. Consult the full code for precise parking dimensions and nonconforming‑use remedy rules. Not found in retrieved materials.

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (high‑level)

• Confirm the parcel’s zoning / Specific Plan designation on the City’s official zoning map and the controlling SP chapter (e.g., SP‑24, SP‑21, SP‑22). See each SP’s adoption/applicability section such as § 20.46.020 or § 20.28.020.
• Determine if the proposed use is listed as P, C, A, or X in the district’s use table (e.g., Table 20.46‑1 for SP‑24). If listed “C”, prepare a Conditional Use Permit application under § 20.08.050.
• Prepare full plans and landscape materials consistent with the district’s development standards and the City’s development standards; be prepared for Site Plan & Design Review under Chapter 20.52 when required.
• Demonstrate compliance with the district’s parking ratios (see Signal Hill parking and applicable SP parking tables such as Table 20.46‑3).
• Confirm whether the proposal involves an ADU and whether state ADU law or local ADU rules control; SP‑24 explicitly references ADUs being governed by state law or future local ADU ordinance. See the Signal Hill ADUs page.
• Check for special overlays or constraints (oil field impacts, proximity to existing wells, specific plan design themes); PDs and SPs frequently carry tailored environmental and design requirements. § 20.09.010 and each SP chapter.
• If the use is unlisted in an SP (e.g., SP‑24), prepare a justification showing substantial similarity and operational compatibility for director review per § 20.46.040(A).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Signal Hill controls what you can build primarily through Specific Plan chapters (SP‑24, SP‑21, SP‑22, etc.) that list permitted (P), conditional (C), accessory (A) and prohibited (X) uses and set project‑specific standards (height, unit caps, parking). If a use isn’t listed in the SP for your parcel, it’s generally not allowed unless the director/planning commission finds it compatible; many projects also require site plan and design review and must meet the SP’s parking and design standards. See the SP that applies to your parcel and the CUP/design‑review rules for next steps.

Source References

• Uses permitted / CUP rules: § 20.08.050; § 20.08.100.
• SP‑24 Town Center Northwest: § 20.46.010–040; Table 20.46‑1; Table 20.46‑3 (parking).
• SP‑21 The Courtyard: § 20.28.020–060 (use classifications, limits).
• SP‑22 Summerland Residential: § 20.27.020–070 (use classifications, density, setbacks).
• SP‑7 Special Purpose Housing: § 20.41.1105–1115 (permitted multi‑family uses and accessory uses).
• Public Institutional (PI) table and height rules: § 20.14.030–040.
• Nonconforming uses and continuation: § 20.30.037; see Chapter 20.82 referenced.
• Oil production / ABM special standards (examples): SP chapters and ABM rules (see SP‑24 ABM notes).

Retrieved passages

• Signal Hill Zoning Code (Section 65583.) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 15.02.060 (Chapter 20.52) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (Chapter 20.64) High relevance show source text
• Signal Hill Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Uses permitted / CUP rules: **§ 20.08.050**; **§ 20.08.100**. (§ 20.08.050)
• SP‑24 Town Center Northwest: **§ 20.46.010–040**; **Table 20.46‑1**; **Table 20.46‑3** (parking). (§ 20.46.010)
• SP‑21 The Courtyard: **§ 20.28.020–060** (use classifications, limits). (§ 20.28.020)
• SP‑22 Summerland Residential: **§ 20.27.020–070** (use classifications, density, setbacks). (§ 20.27.020)
• SP‑7 Special Purpose Housing: **§ 20.41.1105–1115** (permitted multi‑family uses and accessory uses). (§ 20.41.1105)
• Public Institutional (PI) table and height rules: **§ 20.14.030–040**. (§ 20.14.030)
• Nonconforming uses and continuation: **§ 20.30.037**; see Chapter **20.82** referenced. (§ 20.30.037)
• Oil production / ABM special standards (examples): SP chapters and ABM rules (see SP‑24 ABM notes).
• SignalHill_ZoningCode.md

• Official Signal Hill code library