Local zoning · Westmorland

Westmorland — Development Standards

Development Standards under the Westmorland local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This page distills the dimensional and site-planning rules that shape what you can build in Westmorland’s zoning districts. The standards below come from the City of Westmorland Zoning Ordinance, principally Article III (Zones) and Article IV (Supplementary Provisions). For a bigger-picture frame of where these districts apply, see the Westmorland Zoning overview and the official zoning map references in § 2.03–§ 2.05 (e.g., newly annexed land defaults to R‑1).

The single most common adjustment tool is the front-yard averaging rule: if both neighboring lots within 100 feet have shallower front setbacks than your zone requires, your required front setback can be reduced to the average (or halfway toward the standard), per § 4.03.

Westmorland’s code uses these base zones: R‑1, R‑2, R‑4, C, I, and OS, plus a special –RV overlay. Where the code references separation between buildings “as provided in the Building Code,” that is a cross‑reference to the California Building Standards Code.

District-by-District Standards

R‑1 Single Family (R‑1)

Purpose: Low-density single‑family neighborhoods on lots ≥ 6,000 sf (§ 3.01(a)).
Typical permitted uses: Single-family dwellings and accessory structures (§ 3.01(b)(i), (iii)). Detached “second dwelling units” appear as a permitted use only on lots over 15,000 sf with added conditions, and also as a conditional use with detailed limits (§ 3.01(b)–(c)); state ADU law may supersede some of these local provisions—see Westmorland ADUs.
Key dimensional standards (§ 3.01(d)):
- Lot area: 6,000 sf; lot width: 50 ft; the code then lists “Lot Width minimum 120 ft,” which appears intended as lot depth—verify with the City.
- Setbacks: front 20 ft (carports may encroach with Planning Commission approval), side 5 ft (8 ft street side corner), rear 20 ft.
- Height: 35 ft; lot coverage: 50%. Height is measured per the code’s definition of “Height.”
Where it applies: Established single‑family areas and default zoning for new annexations (§ 2.05). Verify the map in the Clerk’s office (§ 2.03) and boundary interpretations (§ 2.04).

R‑2 Low/Medium Density Multi‑Family (R‑2)

Purpose: Multi‑family at low/medium densities on lots ≥ 7,000 sf (§ 3.02(a), (d)(ii)).
Typical permitted uses: Any R‑1 use, plus two‑ and three‑family dwellings; four or more units (under 15) are conditional (§ 3.02(b)–(c)).
Key dimensional standards (§ 3.02(d)):
- Density: minimum 2,000 sf of lot area per dwelling unit.
- Lot width/depth: 50 ft width; 140 ft depth.
- Setbacks: front 20 ft; side 5 ft (8 ft street side corner); rear 20 ft.
- Height: 35 ft; lot coverage: 50%.
Where it applies: Multi‑unit areas shown on the zoning map; verify site zoning.

R‑4 High Density Multi‑Family (R‑4)

Purpose: High‑density multi‑family and related housing types (§ 3.03(a)).
Typical permitted uses: Single‑family dwellings; mobile home parks (subject to § 4.10) and accessory structures. Multi‑family is listed under conditional uses with additional thresholds (§ 3.03(b)–(c)).
Key dimensional standards (§ 3.03(d)):
- Density: minimum 1,500 sf of lot area per unit.
- Lot area: 7,500 sf min; width 50 ft; depth 140 ft.
- Setbacks: front 15 ft; side 5 ft (8 ft street side corner); rear 20 ft.
- Height: 35 ft; lot coverage: 50%.
Where it applies: Higher‑intensity residential areas per map; verify zoning.

C Commercial (C)

Purpose: General commercial and service areas, including highway‑oriented and corridor‑related services (§ 3.05(a)).
Typical permitted uses: Retail, offices/clinics, commercial recreation, hotels/motels, parking lots, and transportation terminals; heavier auto‑oriented and wholesale uses are conditional (§ 3.05(b)–(c)).
Key dimensional standards (§ 3.05(d)):
- Lot area: 7,500 sf; width 50 ft; depth 150 ft.
- Setbacks: front 10 ft; side no minimum (but maintain building‑code separations and 10 ft on street‑side corners; 15 ft when abutting an “R” zone); rear no minimum (10 ft required where abutting/across a rear street from “R,” or as required by Planning Commission).
- Height: 35 ft; lot coverage: 80%.
Where it applies: Commercial corridors and nodes per map; confirm adjacency to “R” zones for yard adjustments.

I Industrial (I)

Purpose: Wholesale, storage, and industrial processing/manufacturing uses (§ 3.06(a)).
Typical permitted uses: Wholesale/warehouse, manufacturing/processing, equipment storage and truck/tractor service; large assemblies and fuel storage are conditional (§ 3.06(b)–(c)).
Key dimensional standards (§ 3.06(d)):
- Lot area: none specified.
- Setbacks: front 15 ft; side 10 ft on street‑side corners and 15 ft when adjoining an “R” zone; rear 25 ft when abutting or across a rear street from an “R” zone.
- Height: 50 ft.
Where it applies: Industrial areas per the zoning map; check “R” adjacency for larger yards.

OS Open Space (OS)

Purpose: Natural resource preservation, managed resource production, outdoor recreation, and public safety buffers (§ 3.07(a)).
Typical permitted uses: Agriculture, habitat/conservation lands, hazard‑management areas, open space/recreation; certain civic and utility uses are conditional (§ 3.07(b)–(c)).
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials. Use‑specific conditions may control; verify with the City.
Where it applies: Designated OS areas per zoning map; confirm any site‑specific conditions.

–RV Recreational Vehicle Park Overlay

How it works: Applied “in addition to” a base zone; the more stringent rule controls (§ 3.04(a)). Uses require a CUP (§ 3.04(c)).
Key overlay standards (§ 3.04(d)):
- Minimum site: 1.5 acres; width 150 ft; RV site size 1,200 sf; front 15 ft.
- Side/rear: no minimum, but maintain building‑code separations; provide 20 ft of landscaped area when adjoining an “R” zone. California Building Standards Code governs the separation requirement.
- Separation: 10 ft between RV pads; height 35 ft; coverage 80%; landscaping required in all required yards; visitor parking 1 per 15 spaces; on‑site recreation and sanitation facilities required.

Citywide supplemental standards that affect your site plan

Front setback averaging and height projections: See § 4.03 for averaging and for which vertical projections are exempt from height limits.
Accessory structures: No attached accessory structure in a required yard (except open‑sided canopies); detached accessory structures must be ≥5 ft from any other structure (§ 4.04).
Parking: Baseline residential requirement is 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit; see full rates in § 4.05 and our Westmorland Parking guide.
Loading: Required for uses receiving/distributing goods; keep loading areas out of required front yards and ≥50 ft from residential lots (§ 4.06).
Fences/walls: Max 4 ft in front/street‑side yards; 6 ft elsewhere; industrial uses abutting residential must provide a 6‑ft solid masonry wall (§ 4.07).
Signs: Standards vary by zone; see § 4.08 and our Westmorland Signage page.
ADUs/Second units: Older local “second unit” rules appear in § 6.01; current state ADU statutes control where they conflict—start at California ADU law and Westmorland ADUs.

Quick reference table: key development controls by district

District	Min Lot Area	Density (if stated)	Front	Side	Rear	Max Height	Max Coverage	Notes	Code Reference
R‑1	6,000 sf	Not stated	20 ft	5 ft; 8 ft street-side corner	20 ft	35 ft	50%	Carport may encroach with PC approval	§ 3.01(d)
R‑2	7,000 sf	2,000 sf/unit	20 ft	5 ft; 8 ft street-side corner	20 ft	35 ft	50%	Multi‑family ≤3 units by right; 4–14 units CUP	§ 3.02(d)
R‑4	7,500 sf	1,500 sf/unit	15 ft	5 ft; 8 ft street-side corner	20 ft	35 ft	50%	Mobile home parks allowed per § 4.10	§ 3.03(d)
C	7,500 sf	Not stated	10 ft	None; 10 ft street-side corner; 15 ft when adjoining “R”	None; 10 ft when abutting/across from “R”	35 ft	80%	Maintain building‑code separations	§ 3.05(d)
I	None	Not stated	15 ft	10 ft street-side corner; 15 ft when adjoining “R”	25 ft when abutting/across from “R”	50 ft	Not stated	Loading required for goods‑handling uses	§ 3.06(d)
OS	Not found	Not found	Not found	Not found	Not found	Not found	Not found	Use-based; verify	§ 3.07
–RV overlay	1.5 acres (site)	N/A	15 ft	No min; 20 ft landscaped buffer when adjoining “R”	No min; 20 ft landscaped buffer when adjoining “R”	35 ft	80%	1,200 sf min per RV site; 10 ft pad separation	§ 3.04(d)

Process and flexibility tools

Projects that require a conditional use permit (CUP) or discretionary approvals may undergo staff/Commission review; see Westmorland Design Review and CUP procedures in § 5.02.
Nonconforming sites/uses are controlled by § 5.03; expansions are limited and discontinuance rules apply. See our Westmorland Nonconforming Uses.
Variances may grant relief from strict standards when unique hardships exist (but never to allow a prohibited use), per § 5.04 and our Westmorland Variances and Exceptions.

Checklist

Confirm your parcel’s zoning and any overlays on the official map (§ 2.03–§ 2.04).
Verify base lot dimensions meet the district minimums (see table above).
Lay out the building envelope using district setbacks, height, and coverage limits. Apply the front‑yard averaging rule if eligible (§ 4.03).
Check adjacency rules if your lot abuts a residential zone (commercial/industrial yards increase along “R” edges).
Confirm parking and any required loading (§ 4.05–§ 4.06).
Confirm fence/wall limits and screening (§ 4.07) and sign allowances (§ 4.08). See Westmorland Signage.
If pursuing an ADU/second unit, align with current state law and local § 6.01 standards; see Westmorland ADUs.
If in the –RV overlay, meet the overlay’s site size, buffers, separation, and facilities requirements (§ 3.04(d)).
If you need relief from a standard, evaluate a variance (§ 5.04) or whether design changes can comply.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
R‑1 “lot width 120 ft” text	Code lists both 50 ft and “Lot Width minimum 120 ft”—likely a scrivener’s error for lot depth	Confirm intended R‑1 lot depth with Planning; apply § 2.04 if boundary/measurement questions arise.
Commercial/industrial next to “R”	Side/rear yards expand when abutting or across a rear street from residential zones	Map adjacency carefully; apply C § 3.05(d)(v)–(vi) and I § 3.06(d)(iii)–(iv).
Open Space (OS) dimensions	OS intent/uses are clear, but no numeric setbacks/height/coverage surfaced	Not found in retrieved materials; ask staff for any OS‑specific development criteria.
ADU/second‑unit rules vs. state law	Local § 6.01 contains legacy constraints (e.g., owner occupancy, size caps) that may be preempted	Coordinate with Planning and consult state requirements; see California ADU law and Westmorland ADUs.
Building separations “per Building Code”	Several districts rely on building‑code separations instead of zoning yards	Confirm applicable separations in the California Building Standards Code.
FAR standards	Users often seek FAR; none surfaced	Not found in retrieved materials.

Plain-English Summary

In Westmorland, your project’s shape is driven by your zone’s setback, height, coverage, and—if multi‑family—minimum land area per unit. Residential neighborhoods (R‑1, R‑2, R‑4) generally share 35‑ft height and 50% coverage caps, while commercial (C) allows tighter coverage (80%) but respects buffers near homes; industrial (I) can go to 50 ft tall with deeper rear setbacks next to housing. An RV park overlay adds its own acreage, buffering, and on‑site facility rules. When in doubt, check the map, yard averaging in § 4.03, and parking/loading and screening rules before you design.

Source References

§ 2.03–§ 2.05 (Zoning map, boundaries, annexation defaults) — City of Westmorland Zoning Ordinance.
§ 3.01 (R‑1 Single Family) — standards, uses.
§ 3.02 (R‑2 Low/Medium Density Multi‑Family) — standards, uses.
§ 3.03 (R‑4 High Density Multi‑Family) — standards, uses; § 4.10 cross‑ref for mobile home parks.
§ 3.04 (–RV Overlay) — applicability, standards.
§ 3.05 (Commercial) — uses, setbacks, coverage, height.
§ 3.06 (Industrial) — uses, setbacks, height.
§ 3.07 (Open Space) — purpose and uses.
§ 4.03–§ 4.08 (Averaging/exceptions; accessory uses; parking; loading; fences/walls; signs).
Definitions (e.g., “Height,” “Lot coverage”).
§ 5.02–§ 5.04 (CUPs; nonconforming uses; variances).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Westmorland Zoning Code (Section 5.02) High relevance
Westmorland Zoning Code (Section 4.5) High relevance
CBC § 4.5 (Section 4.5) High relevance
Westmorland Zoning Code (SECTION 5.02) High relevance
Westmorland Zoning Code (Section 4.5) High relevance
Westmorland Zoning Code (Section 4.5) High relevance
CBC § 5.02 (section 5.02) High relevance
Westmorland Zoning Code (Section 3.01) High relevance
CBC § 4.7 (Section 4.7) High relevance

Cited sections

§ 2.03–§ 2.05 (Zoning map, boundaries, annexation defaults) — City of Westmorland Zoning Ordinance. (§ 2.03)
§ 3.01 (R‑1 Single Family) — standards, uses. (§ 3.01)
§ 3.02 (R‑2 Low/Medium Density Multi‑Family) — standards, uses. (§ 3.02)
§ 3.03 (R‑4 High Density Multi‑Family) — standards, uses; § 4.10 cross‑ref for mobile home parks. (§ 3.03)
§ 3.04 (–RV Overlay) — applicability, standards. (§ 3.04)
§ 3.05 (Commercial) — uses, setbacks, coverage, height. (§ 3.05)
§ 3.06 (Industrial) — uses, setbacks, height. (§ 3.06)
§ 3.07 (Open Space) — purpose and uses. (§ 3.07)
§ 4.03–§ 4.08 (Averaging/exceptions; accessory uses; parking; loading; fences/walls; signs). (§ 4.03)
Definitions (e.g., “Height,” “Lot coverage”).
§ 5.02–§ 5.04 (CUPs; nonconforming uses; variances). (§ 5.02)
Westmorland_ZoningCode.md

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R‑1 lot in Westmorland?

Primarily a single‑family home with accessory structures. Detached “second units” have special conditions and, historically, may require a CUP; state ADU law now governs many of these details, so confirm with Planning and see § 3.01(b)–(c) and § 6.01.

What are the standard residential setbacks and heights?

In R‑1: front 20 ft, side 5 ft (8 ft street side corner), rear 20 ft, and 35‑ft height. R‑2 is the same setbacks with 35‑ft height; R‑4 front setback drops to 15 ft but stays 35‑ft in height. Coverage is 50% across these districts (§ 3.01(d), § 3.02(d), § 3.03(d)).

How do commercial setbacks change next to homes?

In the C zone, there’s no standard side or rear yard—but if your site adjoins or is across a rear street from an “R” zone, you must provide a 15‑ft side yard and a 10‑ft rear yard minimum (§ 3.05(d)(v)–(vi)).

What about industrial projects near residential areas?

The I zone requires a 15‑ft side yard where it adjoins an “R” zone and a 25‑ft rear yard when abutting or across a rear street from an “R” zone (§ 3.06(d)(iii)–(iv)). Max height is 50 ft (§ 3.06(d)(v)).

Can I reduce my front setback if nearby houses sit closer to the street?

Yes—if both adjacent lots within 100 ft have shallower front yards, § 4.03 allows you to average them (or move halfway toward the standard). Apply the rule carefully to your block context.

Does Westmorland have a floor area ratio (FAR) limit?

No FAR standards surfaced in the retrieved ordinance. Lot coverage, setbacks, and height are the primary bulk controls. Not found in retrieved materials.

Do I need loading spaces for a new store or warehouse?

Yes—uses that receive or distribute goods must provide on‑site loading; loading can’t occupy required front yards and must be ≥50 ft from residential lots (§ 4.06).

Are fences allowed in the front yard?

Front and street‑side yards are limited to 4‑ft‑high fences/walls/hedges; elsewhere up to 6 ft is allowed. Industrial sites abutting residential must build a 6‑ft masonry wall (§ 4.07). ---

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