Westminster — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

Westminster's zoning rules are codified in the Westminster Zoning Code (Title 17). The ordinance establishes a defined set of base zoning districts (residential, commercial, industrial, mixed‑use, and special purpose) shown on the official Zoning Map and a set of overlay zones that add site‑specific rules. Which uses are allowed, what permit is needed, and the basic development standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage) are set by district tables and by the overlay sections. See the City's summary of land categories on the Westminster Land Use menu and the district development rules on the Westminster Development Standards page.

Key legal starting points

• Zoning districts and symbols are established in § 17.200.010 (Table 2‑1) .
• The official Zoning Map is adopted and on file; interpretation and amendments follow § 17.200.015 and § 17.200.020 .
• Permit types (P / AUP / CUP) and the tables that show what is allowed in each district come from § 17.200.020 (and the tables in Chapters 17.210–17.260) .

When the code refers to site design items (landscaping, parking, signage, design review), those are implemented through separate articles; for example, parking is handled in the Westminster Parking rules and design review in the Westminster Design Review procedures.

District-by-district breakdown (purpose, typical uses, key standards, where it applies)

Note: district names and the code citations below are drawn from Table 2‑1 and the zoning district chapters. Confirm parcel zoning on the official Zoning Map and verify ambiguous boundaries with the Director per § 17.120.010.D .

Residential districts (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5)

• Purpose: Implement low‑ to high‑density residential development consistent with the General Plan. See § 17.210.005 for district intent and the residential development standard table (Table 2‑3). § 17.210.005 .
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family homes in R1; multifamily dwellings and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in R2–R5; other uses (day‑care, religious, certain care facilities) per Table 2‑2. See Table 2‑2 and Table 2‑3 references in § 17.210.010 and the use tables .
• Key dimensional standards (high‑decision items from Table 2‑3):
  • Maximum lot coverage: typically 40% for lower density, rising for higher density/certain zones (see Table 2‑3) § 17.210 / Table 2‑3 .
  • Setbacks: front, side and rear minima and special rules (eaves, bay windows, projections) are in the Residential Development Standards table and in § 17.300.020 (Setback Regulations) .
  • Dwelling sizes and on‑site open space minima are specified in Table 2‑3 § 17.210 .
• Where it applies: residential neighborhoods mapped as R1–R5 on the Zoning Map; the General Plan mapping indicates compatible densities per § 17.200.010 .

Commercial districts (CR, C1, C2, CM)

• Purpose: Provide for a range from low‑intensity offices to regional retail and commercial‑industrial centers. See § 17.220.005 and Table 2‑4/2‑5 for uses and standards .
• Typical permitted uses: offices and limited retail in CR, local retail and services in C1, regional retail and freeway‑oriented uses in C2, and planned shopping centers or mixed commercial/industrial in CM (use matrix in Table 2‑4) .
• Key dimensional standards (Table 2‑5):
  • Maximum building height: typically up to 2 stories / 35 ft for many commercial districts; some CM/C2 situations use the width‑of‑street rule — see Table 2‑5 § 17.220.010 .
  • Minimum front yard for many commercial sites: 50 ft to the centerline of the fronting street (see Table 2‑5 notes) § 17.220.010 .
  • Parking, landscaping and signs are required per Article 3 (see the Westminster Parking and Landscaping menus) § 17.220.010 .
• Where it applies: mapped commercial corridors and nodes per Table 2‑1 and the Zoning Map § 17.200.010 .

Industrial districts (CM, M1, M2)

• Purpose: Areas for light to medium industrial uses and mixed commercial‑industrial centers. See § 17.230.005 and Table 2‑6/2‑7 for uses and standards .
• Typical permitted uses: warehouses, light manufacturing, R&D, and other manufacturing/assembly activities listed in Table 2‑6; some uses are CUP‑restricted if near residential parcels § 17.230.010 .
• Key dimensional/performance standards (Table 2‑7):
  • Maximum building height: generally 2 stories / 35 ft for many industrial designations (see Table 2‑7) § 17.230.015 .
  • Minimum front yard: 50 ft to centerline for many CM sites; side/rear yard rules vary, with expanded yards where adjacent to residential uses § 17.230.015 .
  • Industrial performance rules on noise, odor, glare and emissions are mandatory for M1/M2 uses § 17.230.015(B) .
• Where it applies: mapped industrial areas; CM is a hybrid commercial/industrial district for planned centers § 17.200.010 .

Mixed‑Use districts (MU36, MU40)

• Purpose: Allow vertical/horizontal mixing of residential and nonresidential uses at targeted densities (36 and 40 du/acre respectively). See § 17.260.005 and the MU development standards § 17.260.015 (Table 2‑9) .
• Typical permitted uses: mixed‑use development, live/work, multifamily housing, compatible commercial uses per Table 2‑8; permit levels are shown in that table § 17.260.010 .
• Key dimensional standards (Table 2‑9 excerpt):
  • Maximum residential density: 36 du/ac for MU36; 40 du/ac for MU40 (Table 2‑9) § 17.260.015 .
  • Height limits: mixed‑use projects may be up to 5 stories / 75 ft (MU36) or 6 stories / 95 ft (MU40) for mixed residential/nonresidential projects; other project types have lower caps (see Table 2‑9) § 17.260.015 .
  • Setbacks: first‑floor and upper‑story setbacks are specified with minimum/maximum build‑to ranges in Table 2‑9 § 17.260.015 .
• Where it applies: mapped downtown/civic center corridors where the General Plan supports higher density mixed use § 17.260.005 .

Special purpose districts (P/SP, P/OS, CEM, PF, SP)

• Purpose and uses: Public and semi‑public functions such as parks, cemeteries, public facilities, and specific‑plan areas. The PF district and its site plan rules are described in Chapter 17.240; Specific Plan (SP) rules refer to the individual specific plan document § 17.240.005–030 .
• Typical permitted uses: utilities, schools, civic buildings, accessory uses, plus site plan approval for PF uses § 17.240 .
• Key standards: PF sites require City site plan approval before building permits; SP areas use the specific plan document for standards § 17.240.010–030 .

Overlay zones (CV, LS, P, PD, H)

• Purpose: Add zone‑specific controls on top of the base district to address neighborhood character, parking, or housing goals. See Chapter 17.250 for overlay rules and how overlays are appended to base zone symbols § 17.250.005–010 .
• Examples:
  • PD (Planned Development Overlay): applies to larger integrated sites (minimum rezoning site area ½ acre); PD standards are adopted via comprehensive plan approval and may set different uses and standards; height rule tied to width of the street § 17.250.030 .
  • H (Housing Overlay): identifies sites in the Housing Element inventory and requires a minimum residential density of 30 du/net acre for new residential proposals on H‑designated lots; allows pursuit of state density bonuses § 17.250.035 .
  • P (Parking Overlay): used where special parking access restrictions apply (see overlay chapter) § 17.250 .
• Where it applies: overlays are shown as suffixes on the Zoning Map symbol (e.g., C2‑LS‑PD) § 17.250.010 . For the overlay concept and mapped areas, see the Westminster Overlay Districts page.

Quick reference table — selected decision‑relevant standards

Practical guidance / synthesis

• Start by confirming the parcel's base zone on the official Zoning Map (the map is adopted by reference; changes follow § 17.200.015 and Chapter 17.620) § 17.200.015 . If a boundary looks ambiguous, the code provides rules to interpret it (lot lines, centerlines) under § 17.120.010.D .
• Use the zoning district tables (Tables 2‑2, 2‑4, 2‑6, 2‑8) to determine whether a use is permitted, requires an Administrative Use Permit, or needs a Conditional Use Permit; the general rule on how to read those tables is in § 17.200.020 .
• Confirm applicable development standards in the district development standard tables — residential (Table 2‑3), commercial (Table 2‑5), industrial (Table 2‑7), and mixed‑use (Table 2‑9) — and remember that Article 3 contains cross‑cutting rules (setbacks, heights, projections, landscaping, parking) that also apply § 17.300 / Article 3 .
• If your project proposes deviations from numeric standards, the code provides for Administrative Adjustments and Variances (Chapter 17.555) with defined maximum adjustments; minor reductions are often allowed administratively (see Table 5‑2) § 17.555 .
• For housing projects on H‑overlay sites, minimum density requirements and state density bonus mechanics are referenced in the H overlay section — check § 17.250.035 and consult the Housing Element inventory § 17.250.035 .
• When design or compatibility is important (commercial frontages, mixed‑use façade build‑to ranges), the Westminster Design Review process and the Design Guidelines are applicable (see the mixed‑use and commercial chapters) § 17.260.015 .

If your application involves parking, landscaping, or signage, consult the Westminster Parking, Landscaping and Screening, and Signage rules referenced throughout the district tables (Article 3 citations appear in Table footnotes) .

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

• Confirm base zone and overlays on the official Zoning Map (§ 17.200.015) .
• Verify the proposed land use is shown as P / AUP / CUP in the applicable Table (Table 2‑2/2‑4/2‑6/2‑8) and identify the permit type (§ 17.200.020) .
• Confirm applicable district development standards (height, setbacks, lot coverage) in the correct table: Table 2‑3 (residential), 2‑5 (commercial), 2‑7 (industrial), 2‑9 (mixed‑use) § 17.210 / 17.220 / 17.230 / 17.260 .
• Plan for Article 3 cross‑cutting requirements: setbacks/exceptions, landscaping, parking, signs (§ 17.300; see Westminster Parking and Landscaping and Screening) .
• If in an overlay zone (CV, LS, PD, H, P), apply overlay standards in addition to base district standards (§ 17.250.005–015) .
• Determine if design review or Planning Commission/Council review is required (use table notes and Chapters on Development Review) and consult Westminster Design Review .
• If deviating from numeric standards, evaluate Administrative Adjustments/Variance triggers in Chapter 17.555 and Table 5‑2 .
• Verify state requirements that alter local review (e.g., ADU ministerial approval standards); consult Westminster ADUs and state law references such as the California Building Standards Code and California ADU law where relevant § 17.400.135 (ADU references in the use tables) .
• Obtain required environmental review (CEQA) and follow the process for map amendments if rezoning is needed (Chapter 17.620) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Westminster's zoning code (Title 17) assigns every parcel to a specific base district (R1–R5, CR/C1/C2/CM, M1/M2, MU36/MU40, or special purpose) and possibly overlays; each district lists what you can build and the main numeric limits (height, setbacks, lot coverage) in district tables — confirm the parcel's zone on the official Zoning Map and read the district's table and overlay rules before designing a project § 17.200.010–015; § 17.200.020 .

Source References

• Westminster Zoning Code, Title 17 — § 17.200.010 (Zoning Districts Established, Table 2‑1)
• Westminster Zoning Code — § 17.200.015 (Adopted Zoning Map)
• Westminster Zoning Code — § 17.200.020 (Zoning District Regulations — permitted uses and permit types)
• Residential districts and development standards — § 17.210.005–010 and Table 2‑3 (Residential standards)
• Commercial districts and Table 2‑5 (Commercial standards) — § 17.220.005–010 / Table 2‑5
• Industrial districts and Table 2‑6/2‑7 — § 17.230.005–015 / Table 2‑7
• Mixed‑use districts (MU36 / MU40) and Table 2‑9 — § 17.260.005 / § 17.260.015
• Overlay zones (PD, H, CV, LS, P) — Chapter 17.250; PD § 17.250.030; H § 17.250.035
• Map interpretation and Director interpretation procedures — § 17.120.010.D and § 17.120.015
• Administrative Adjustments & Variances (maximum adjustments) — Chapter 17.555 and Table 5‑2
• ADU references and ministerial approval notes (see ADU specific rules in the code and Table use entries) — Section 17.400.135 (see the ADU entries in the use tables)

Retrieved passages

• Westminster Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (Chapter 17.200.) High relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (Section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (§ 6) High relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (Article 3) High relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (Article 3) High relevance show source text
• Westminster Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Westminster Zoning Code, Title 17 — **§ 17.200.010** (Zoning Districts Established, Table 2‑1) (Title 17)
• Westminster Zoning Code — **§ 17.200.015** (Adopted Zoning Map) (§ 17.200.015)
• Westminster Zoning Code — **§ 17.200.020** (Zoning District Regulations — permitted uses and permit types) (§ 17.200.020)
• Residential districts and development standards — **§ 17.210.005–010** and Table 2‑3 (Residential standards) fileciteturn0file7 (§ 17.210.005)
• Commercial districts and Table 2‑5 (Commercial standards) — **§ 17.220.005–010** / Table 2‑5 fileciteturn0file8 (§ 17.220.005)
• Industrial districts and Table 2‑6/2‑7 — **§ 17.230.005–015** / Table 2‑7 fileciteturn1file11 (§ 17.230.005)
• Mixed‑use districts (MU36 / MU40) and Table 2‑9 — **§ 17.260.005 / § 17.260.015** (§ 17.260.005)
• Overlay zones (PD, H, CV, LS, P) — Chapter **17.250**; PD **§ 17.250.030**; H **§ 17.250.035** fileciteturn1file13 (§ 17.250.030)
• Map interpretation and Director interpretation procedures — **§ 17.120.010.D** and **§ 17.120.015** fileciteturn0file19 (§ 17.120.010.D)
• Administrative Adjustments & Variances (maximum adjustments) — Chapter **17.555** and Table 5‑2
• ADU references and ministerial approval notes (see ADU specific rules in the code and Table use entries) — **Section 17.400.135** (see the ADU entries in the use tables) fileciteturn1file15 (Section 17.400.135)
• Westminster_ZoningCode.md

• Official Westminster code library