Suisun City — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Suisun City’s zoning rules are codified in Title 18 of the Suisun City Municipal Code (commonly referenced in local practice as the city's zoning title). The ordinance establishes the city’s zoning map, a set of base zoning districts (residential, commercial, civic/park/other, and special plan/PUD), and development rules (densities, height, setbacks and use permissions) that apply in each district. The adopted zoning map and boundary procedures, the district table, densities and use tables are the controlling pieces for day‑to‑day zoning questions. § 18.06.020 and Table 18.06.01 adopt the map and district list.

Note: the analysis on this page is limited strictly to Suisun City’s zoning ordinance provisions (Title 18 material retrieved) and interprets those sections in plain English. For building-code issues see the California building standards (Title 24) and for housing‑law topics refer to state law — those items live on other pages. Verify parcel‑specific questions with the development services director. § 18.02.010; § 18.06.030.

How the ordinance is organized (quick map)

• The zoning districts and the official zoning map are adopted and on file with the city clerk. § 18.06.020.
• Boundary disputes or omissions are handled by the Development Services Director with appeal rights to the Planning Commission and City Council. § 18.06.030.

When the text below cites a rule it shows the controlling section (§ number) from the Suisun City zoning ordinance and points to the source file from the retrieved ordinance.

District-by-district breakdown

Each subsection names the exact district code (bold) used in the Suisun City ordinance, states the ordinance’s stated purpose, lists the typical permitted/conditional uses from the ordinance use tables, summarizes the key numeric standards the ordinance provides (density ranges, FAR, and where the full development standards live), and notes any district‑specific caveats.

Note: where the ordinance refers to a table or another section (for example development standards or use table), this page cites those sections rather than restating long code text. Verify parcel‑specific measurements with the Development Services Director. Verify with the jurisdiction.

RL — Low‑Density Residential

• Purpose: intended for dwellings developed in the 4–10 du/acre (gross) range; typical building types include single‑family detached, duplexes, and small townhomes. § 18.08.010; Table 18.08.01.
• Typical permitted uses: accessory buildings; single‑family dwellings; duplexes; small community care uses; second or accessory dwellings (ADUs) per the ADU rules. See Table 18.08.02 for the full use list. § 18.08.070.
• Key numeric standards you must check: residential density range 4–10 du/ac (Table 18.08.01); applicable setbacks, lot coverage, and height are the development standards referenced in Chapter 18.31 (Table 18.31.01). § 18.08.060; Table 18.31.01.
• Where it applies: city neighborhoods designated Low‑Density in the General Plan; the zoning map controls. § 18.06.020.

RM — Medium‑Density Residential

• Purpose: intended for 10.1–20 du/acre (gross) multi‑family and attached residential. § 18.08.020; Table 18.08.01.
• Typical permitted uses: multi‑family (subject to CUP in some contexts), accessory dwellings, home occupations, small community care; see Table 18.08.02. § 18.08.070.
• Standards: density 10.1–20 du/ac; usable open space recommendations for RM are in § 18.31.010; development standards (setbacks, height) are in Table 18.31.01. § 18.08.060; § 18.31.010; Table 18.31.01.

RH1 — High‑Density Residential 1

• Purpose: intended for 20.1–30 du/acre; multi‑family formats including garden‑court, tuck‑under or surface parking. § 18.08.030; Table 18.08.01.
• Uses: multi‑family permitted, community care (subject to CUP for larger facilities), accessory dwellings allowed, emergency shelters allowed in some higher‑density zones (see Table 18.08.02). § 18.08.070.
• Standards: density 20.1–30 du/ac; usable open space standards for RH1/RH2 in § 18.31.020. § 18.08.060; § 18.31.020.

RH2 — High‑Density Residential 2

• Purpose: intended for 20.1–45 du/acre (the upper range accommodates denser mixed housing types). § 18.08.040; Table 18.08.01.
• Uses and standards: similar permitted uses to RH1; check Table 18.08.02 for conditional use items and § 18.31.020 for usable open space and calculation rules. § 18.08.070; § 18.31.020.

RMU — Residential Mixed‑Use

• Purpose: intended for residential uses (primary) combined with complementary non‑residential (ground floor commercial is common). Density 10–45 du/ac; nonresidential floor‑area ratio 0.3–1.0 FAR. § 18.08.050; Table 18.08.01.
• Uses: residential units are primary; ground‑floor retail/office/service uses are allowed to support neighborhood needs. See Table 18.08.02 for exact use allowances. § 18.08.070.
• Standards: density and FAR as above; development standards for setbacks/height/parking apply per the development standards chapter and parking chapter. § 18.08.060; Chapters 18.31 & 18.42.

(If you are designing a mixed‑use project, consult the ordinance directly for where commercial must be located, parking requirements, and design review triggers. See also Suisun City Design Review and Suisun City Parking links below.)

CR — Commercial Retail

• Purpose: retail/commercial uses with nonresidential FAR 0.25–1.0. Table 18.20.01; § 18.20.060.
• Uses: CR allows typical retail, personal services, restaurants and other street‑oriented commercial uses listed in the commercial uses table. See § 18.20.070 (Allowable uses in commercial zones). § 18.20.070.
• Standards: consult Table 18.32.01 (development standards for commercial zones) and Chapter 18.32. § 18.32.01.

CSF — Commercial Services and Fabricating

• Purpose: allows service, light fabricating and commercial activities with more limited FAR 0.25–0.5 in commercial intensity. Table 18.20.01.
• Uses/standards: check the commercial use table and development standards in Chapter 18.32. Some uses require CUP. § 18.20.070; Chapter 18.32.

CMU — Commercial Mixed‑Use

• Purpose: to allow a blend of retail/service/office with housing; nonresidential FAR 0.25–1.0 and residential 10–40 du/ac when residential is provided. § 18.20.030; Table 18.20.01.
• Key note: in CMU, residential units (if built) must be above or behind ground floor commercial. § 18.20.030.

O — Business & Professional Office

• Purpose: for professional offices with complementary retail/service allowed; FAR 0.25–1.0. § 18.20.040; Table 18.20.01.
• Uses: office, professional services, limited retail as compatible uses. § 18.20.040.

APS — Agricultural Production & Sales

• Purpose: preserve agricultural lands while allowing compatible processing, sales, and visitor uses (wineries, farm stands, B&B, restaurants in some cases). § 18.28.010.
• Standards: densities and FAR for APS are shown in Table 18.28.01 (typically 1 dwelling + 1 ADU per parcel and FAR up to 0.5). Table 18.28.01.

P — Park

• Purpose: primary park and recreation zone; allows active and passive outdoor recreation and compatible public facilities (community centers, libraries). § 18.28.020.

OS — Open Space

• Purpose: preserve/restore open space and natural lands; allows trails and minimal accessory buildings. § 18.28.030.

PQP — Public / Quasi‑Public

• Purpose: governmental, educational, community service, religious and cultural facilities; when adjacent to residential the ordinance limits building height relative to the residential zone. § 18.28.040.

PUD — Planned Unit Development

• Purpose: PUD permits a flexible, master‑planned development approach allowing a mix of uses and customized standards where the PUD process is followed. A PUD application must include a preliminary development plan, landscape plan, elevations, and environmental documentation. § 18.28.050; § 18.72.040.

DWSP — Downtown/Waterfront District Specific Plan

• Purpose: the DWSP zoning applies within the city’s waterfront/downtown specific plan area and is regulated primarily by the adopted Waterfront District Specific Plan; the ARB (planning commission acting as Architectural Review Board) has special design review authority there. § 18.20.050; Chapter 18.78.

Quick reference table — key decision standards

Other zoning rules you must check (and where)

• Setbacks, lot coverage, height limits, and detailed numeric standards live in the development standards and per‑zone development standards tables (see Table 18.31.01 for residential and Table 18.32.01 for commercial). Table 18.31.01; Table 18.32.01.
• Landscaping, front‑yard hardscape limits, and tree requirements are in the residential landscape standards (see Chapter 18.31 and the landscaping chapter references). Example: front yard hardscape limited to 60% of front yard area; one tree required on new residential properties. § 18.31.0xx (see landscape/yard rules in Chapter 18.31).
• Fences and walls heights by zone appear in Table 18.34.01 (front yard, side/rear yard rules). Chapter 18.34; Table 18.34.01.
• Parking and loading requirements are regulated in Chapter 18.42 — consult that chapter for required spaces per use. See Suisun City Parking link for practical checklists. Chapter 18.42.
• Design review triggers: major site plans and architectural review are reviewed by the Planning Commission (acting as ARB in DWSP); the Development Services Director handles administrative approvals defined in § 18.76.050. See the Suisun City Design Review page for procedure. Chapter 18.76; Chapter 18.78.

Internal links (first natural mention of each topic):

• For parking rules consult Suisun City Parking (/us/california/suisun-city/parking).
• For numeric setbacks/lot standards see Suisun City Development Standards (/us/california/suisun-city/development-standards).
• For design review requirements consult Suisun City Design Review (/us/california/suisun-city/design-review).
• Overlay and special plan areas are listed under Suisun City Overlay Districts (/us/california/suisun-city/overlay-districts).
• ADU rules are referenced in the ordinance (internal ADU allowances and ministerial provisions) — see Suisun City ADUs (/us/california/suisun-city/adu). § 18.30.170.
• For building code (structural, life‑safety) compliance, see the California Building Standards Code (/us/california/building-codes).

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy for a typical development permit)

• Confirm the official zoning district for the parcel on the adopted zoning map (zoning map on file with city clerk). § 18.06.020.
• Confirm allowed uses in the applicable zone using Table 18.08.02 (residential) or § 18.20.070 (commercial uses) and note any CUP/Admin review triggers. § 18.08.070; § 18.20.070.
• Check density/FAR limits in the zone (Table 18.08.01, Table 18.20.01 or Table 18.28.01). § 18.08.060; § 18.20.060; § 18.28.060.
• Pull the specific development standards (setbacks, heights, lot coverage) in Table 18.31.01 (residential) or Table 18.32.01 (commercial). Table 18.31.01; Table 18.32.01.
• Confirm parking and loading requirements in Chapter 18.42 and plan accordingly. Chapter 18.42.
• Determine whether design review, ARB review, or planning commission hearing is required (Chapter 18.76; Chapter 18.78). § 18.76.050; Chapter 18.78.
• For ADUs, follow the ministerial ADU rules in § 18.30.170 and state ADU law as applicable. § 18.30.170.
• If project seeks deviations (setback reductions, height increases), prepare a variance or conditional use permit application per the variance/exception rules (verify with Chapter 18.84 and the Variances and Exceptions procedures). Verify with the jurisdiction.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Suisun City’s zoning ordinance (Title 18) defines a set of named districts (for example RL, RM, RH1/RH2, RMU, CR, CMU, CSF, O, APS, P, OS, PQP, PUD, and DWSP) with clear density/FAR bands and use tables; the official zoning map (on file with the city clerk) tells you which rules apply to a parcel and the development standards tables and chapters tell you the setbacks, heights, parking and landscape rules to follow. Check the specific tables and the Development Services Director for parcel‑level boundary clarifications and for any design‑review or conditional use triggers. § 18.06.020; § 18.08.060; Chapter 18.31; Chapter 18.42.

Source References

• Table 18.06.01 — Suisun City Zoning Districts; Zoning map adopted. § 18.06.010; § 18.06.020.
• Residential districts and densities: § 18.08.010 — § 18.08.050 and Table 18.08.01 (Densities and Intensities). § 18.08.060.
• Table of allowable uses in residential zones: Table 18.08.02; § 18.08.070.
• Commercial zones, densities and uses (CR, CSF, CMU, O): Table 18.20.01; § 18.20.030—§ 18.20.070.
• Civic/Park/Other zones (APS, P, OS, PQP, PUD) and their densities: Chapter 18.28; Table 18.28.01. § 18.28.010 — § 18.28.060.
• Development standards and residential tables: Table 18.31.01; Chapters 18.31 & 18.32 (usable open space, front yard hardscape limits, accessory building location rules). § 18.31.010 — § 18.31.020.
• Fences and walls height table: Table 18.34.01; Chapter 18.34.
• Parking and loading: Chapter 18.42 (referenced from development standards tables).
• PUD procedures and required submittals: § 18.72.040 — § 18.72.070.
• Architectural Review Board and DWSP design review: Chapter 18.78; § 18.78.010 — § 18.78.020.

If you want, I can pull the specific numeric cells from Table 18.31.01 (residential development standards) or Table 18.32.01 (commercial development standards) and assemble a parcel‑level checklist; tell me the parcel APN or address and I will show which district applies and list the exact setbacks, heights and lot coverage that the code requires. Verify with the Development Services Director before submitting plans. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Retrieved passages

• Suisun City Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Suisun City Zoning Code (Section 21155) High relevance show source text
• Suisun City Zoning Code (Section 65583.2) High relevance show source text
• Suisun City Zoning Code (Chapter 18.36) High relevance show source text
• Suisun City Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 3 (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Suisun City Zoning Code (ARTICLE I.) High relevance show source text
• Suisun City Zoning Code (chapter or) Medium relevance show source text
• Suisun City Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Suisun City Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Suisun City Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Suisun City Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Suisun City Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Table 18.06.01 — Suisun City Zoning Districts; Zoning map adopted. **§ 18.06.010; § 18.06.020**. (§ 18.06.010)
• Residential districts and densities: **§ 18.08.010 — § 18.08.050** and Table 18.08.01 (Densities and Intensities). **§ 18.08.060**. (§ 18.08.010)
• Table of allowable uses in residential zones: **Table 18.08.02; § 18.08.070**. (§ 18.08.070)
• Commercial zones, densities and uses (CR, CSF, CMU, O): **Table 18.20.01; § 18.20.030—§ 18.20.070**. (§ 18.20.030)
• Civic/Park/Other zones (APS, P, OS, PQP, PUD) and their densities: **Chapter 18.28; Table 18.28.01**. **§ 18.28.010 — § 18.28.060**. (Chapter 18.28)
• Development standards and residential tables: **Table 18.31.01; Chapters 18.31 & 18.32** (usable open space, front yard hardscape limits, accessory building location rules). **§ 18.31.010 — § 18.31.020**. (§ 18.31.010)
• Fences and walls height table: **Table 18.34.01; Chapter 18.34**. (Chapter 18.34)
• Parking and loading: **Chapter 18.42** (referenced from development standards tables). (Chapter 18.42)
• PUD procedures and required submittals: **§ 18.72.040 — § 18.72.070**. (§ 18.72.040)
• Architectural Review Board and DWSP design review: **Chapter 18.78; § 18.78.010 — § 18.78.020**. (Chapter 18.78)
• SuisunCity_ZoningCode.md

• Official Suisun City code library