Yountville — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Town of Yountville's Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) actually allows and requires for land use across the Town's zoning districts. It focuses strictly on land-use permissions, conditional (use permit) triggers, and the district-level development envelopes (density, lot size, FAR, setbacks, height) as stated in the municipal code. For related requirements (site-level dimensional rules, parking, design review, ADUs, or overlays) see the specific topic pages referenced inline below — these are linked the first time each topic is mentioned. Where the ordinance text is silent, I note “Not found in retrieved materials” and recommend you Verify with the jurisdiction.

Important cross-references (first mention links):

• parking: see Yountville Parking for off-street requirements.
• design review: design review is required for many new or expanded uses; see Yountville Design Review.
• development standards: general standards and tables live under Yountville Development Standards.
• overlay districts: several overlays modify base districts; see Yountville Overlay Districts.
• ADUs: accessory dwelling units are permitted in most residential districts; see Yountville ADUs.
• California Building Standards Code: state building rules (Title 24) are separate and live at California Building Standards Code.
• historic preservation: Old Town Historic district interacts with historic preservation rules; see Yountville Historic Preservation.
• nonconforming uses: continuing uses are governed by Yountville Nonconforming Uses.

All quoted requirements below are traced to the code sections that establish them; I do not reproduce long verbatim text from the code, but I cite the controlling § for every requirement.

District-by-district land-use breakdown

Each subsection below names the district in bold, states its purpose, lists the common permitted uses and uses requiring a use permit, and summarizes the key dimensional/development standards the ordinance assigns to that district. Each item cites the controlling code § and the file citation of the ordinance extract.

Notes:

• The official Zoning Map identifies where each district applies; see § 17.08.010 for mapping rules and how overlays apply .
• Where the ordinance references another chapter (for example ADUs, FAR, design review), I note the cross-reference and cite the primary district section.

A (Agricultural)

• Purpose: Preserve productive land and allow agricultural uses with limited development in specified parcels. § 17.16.010 .
• Typical permitted uses: Agriculture; Agricultural auxiliary structures; Single-family dwelling; Accessory dwelling unit; Agricultural employee housing; conservation/open-space uses; small-scale home occupations. See § 17.16.040 .
• Uses requiring a use permit: Agricultural produce/product processing or retail of products grown on the premises; Major home occupations; and other uses found similar by Town Council. See § 17.16.050 .
• Key standards: Minimum lot size 10 acres; Maximum density 1 unit per 10 acres (except employee housing); Maximum FAR 0.05; Maximum lot coverage 5% (see Table 17.16-1). See § 17.16.060 .
• Where it applies: designated parcels per the Zoning Map; site-specific conditions apply to certain APNs on Washington Street (see § 17.16.030) .

RS (Single-Family Residential)

• Purpose: Predominantly low-density single-family neighborhoods. § 17.20.010 .
• Typical permitted uses: Single-family dwelling; Accessory dwelling unit; Duplex; Residential auxiliary structures; Residential care facilities; Minor and moderate home occupations (some require administrative approval); Day care homes; Keeping of chickens and bees; Supportive and transitional housing. See § 17.20.030 .
• Uses requiring use permit: Major home occupations and other uses as determined by Town Council. § 17.20.040 .
• Key standards (Table 17.20-1): Maximum density 7 units/acre; Lot sizes for single-family 4,000–8,000 sq ft; FAR examples (lots ≤8,000 sq ft: living area FAR 0.30; total building 0.35; lots >8,000 sq ft: 0.25/0.30). See § 17.20.050 and Table 17.20-1 § 17.20.050 .
• Where it applies: parcels indicated on the map; new/expanded uses require design review or Master Development Plan for larger subdivisions (see § 17.20.020) .

RM (Mixed Residential)

• Purpose: Encourage a variety of housing types (attached and detached). § 17.24.010 .
• Typical permitted uses: Single-family; Duplex; Multifamily dwellings; Accessory dwelling units; Residential auxiliary structures; Residential care facilities; Home occupations; Day care; Keeping of chickens/bees; Supportive/transitional housing. See § 17.24.030 .
• Uses requiring use permit: Major home occupations and other discretionary uses. § 17.24.040 .
• Key standards (Table 17.24-1): Density 8–10 units/acre (min/max); Lot sizes: single-family 4,000–8,000 sq ft; Multifamily: 6,000 sq ft min; FAR examples: single-family 0.25; duplex 0.40 (max 3,200 sq ft); multifamily 0.40 (max 4,000 sq ft). See § 17.24.050 .

RM‑2 (Mixed Residential‑2)

• Purpose and special allowances: Similar to RM but with different density/coverage rules and references to Affordable Housing Overlay allowances. See Chapter heading § 17.26.x .
• Typical permitted uses: Multi-household residential types (single-family, duplex, multifamily) and accessory uses; see § 17.26.030 for the full list. § 17.26.030 .
• Key standards (Table 17.26-1): Density 10–20 units/acre (min/max); Lot sizes generally larger than RM (e.g., single-family 6,000 sq ft minimum); Lot coverage up to 60%; FARs similar to RM with caps and affordable housing exceptions. See § 17.26.050 and Table 17.26-1 § 17.26.050 .
• Note: Affordable Housing Overlay rules (Chapter 17.80) can alter densities; see Overlay section below .

H (Old Town Historic)

• Purpose: Preserve the scale and character of Old Town Yountville. § 17.28.010 (chapter header) .
• Typical permitted uses: Single-family dwellings; ADUs; Duplexes; Residential auxiliary structures; Residential care facilities; Minor/moderate home occupations; Day care; Keeping of chickens/bees; Supportive/transitional housing. See § 17.28.030 .
• Uses requiring a use permit: Multifamily dwellings; Major home occupations; Churches; and other uses as determined by Town Council. § 17.28.040 .
• Key standards (Table 17.28-1): Density up to 8 units/acre; Lot sizes: single-family 5,000–8,000 sq ft; FAR varies by lot size (special exemptions apply); Front setbacks vary by building height (10–20 ft); Side setbacks and garage dimensions specified; Height limits and FAR caps detailed in Table 17.28-1 and § 17.28.050. See § 17.28.050 .
• Intersection with historic rules: Properties in Old Town may also be subject to historic preservation review; see Yountville Historic Preservation.

PC (Primary Commercial), OTC (Old Town Commercial), RC (Retained Commercial), RSC (Residential‑Scaled Commercial)

• Purpose: These districts manage different commercial scales and locations — from pedestrian-oriented Old Town to larger primary commercial parcels. See Chapters § 17.60 (OTC), § 17.56 (RSC), and § 17.64 (RC) for details. .
• Typical permitted uses (examples by district):
  • RSC: Professional office (sometimes AP), general retail, minor/moderate home occupations, accessory residential/commercial uses. See § 17.56.040 .
  • OTC: A wide range of commercial uses—retail, restaurants (some location-limited), wine tasting rooms, mobile food vendors, personal services, medical office, banks, food/beverage production, indoor recreation, mixed-use, live/work—but many of those require a use permit and design review. See § 17.60.050 and § 17.60.060 (limitation on ground-floor uses along Washington Street) .
  • RC and PC: Have tailored permitted use lists and development standards with FAR caps and master-plan-driven setbacks; see § 17.64.030–.060 and related tables for exact limits. § 17.64.060 .
• Uses requiring use permit: Many commercial categories in these districts are discretionary (e.g., limited-service restaurants, wine tasting rooms, food production, banks, live/work, mixed-use) and often require design review in addition to a use permit. See § 17.56.050 (RSC) and § 17.60.050 (OTC) .
• Key standards: OTC/RC/RSC districts commonly have FAR limits typically around 0.25 for new development, with an additional 0.15 FAR bonus available for specified housing/professional-office alterations; front/setback/height specifics are in each district table (e.g., OTC Table 17.60-1). See § 17.60.070 and Table 17.60-1 § 17.60.070 .

MU (Mixed Use)

• Purpose: Encourage mixed residential/commercial development where mapped. § 17.96.010–.030 .
• Typical permitted uses: Minor/moderate home occupations (some AP), residential accessory uses, commercial accessory uses. See § 17.96.030 .
• Uses requiring use permit: Mixed-use development, live/work units, under-represented retail, commercial auxiliary structures, major home occupations. See § 17.96.040 .
• Key standards: Development standards and FAR rules are in Table(s) specific to MU and in Division 3/FAR chapters; MU allows combining residential and commercial within the FAR and setback framework (see § 17.96.040 and cross-references) .

Other districts / special zones

• MPR (Master Planned Residential), MHP (Mobile Home Park), PP (Parks/Playfields), PF (Public Facilities), PD (Planned Development), PD specifics: See respective chapters and tables (e.g., PF Table 17.48-1 § 17.48.060 for public-facility dimensional rules) .
• Planned Development (PD): Allows site-specific standards by Master Development Plan; refer to the PD chapter for permit and plan requirements (see legend and chapter listings § 17.12.010 and § 17.04.070–.080 for administration) .

Quick reference table — common, decision-relevant district rules

(For full use lists and full table rows see the official Use Table, Table 17.12-1 and each district’s table — § 17.12.010 and the district chapters) .

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (land-use items only)

• Confirm the parcel’s base zoning and any overlay(s) on the Town’s Zoning Map (see § 17.08.010) . Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel-specific notes.
• Confirm the proposed use is listed as P, AP, or UP in the applicable district (Table 17.12-1) § 17.12.010 .
• If the use is AP or UP, prepare the Administrative Use Permit or Use Permit materials per Chapter 17.196 or 17.200 and the findings in those chapters (refer to those chapters; not reproduced here). § 17.12.010 .
• Verify district-specific dimensional limits: lot size, density, FAR, setbacks, height (see the district’s table — e.g., Table 17.20-1, Table 17.28-1) § 17.20.050, § 17.28.050 .
• Confirm parking obligations per Chapter 17.116 (see Yountville Parking) and how overlays/bonuses affect parking requirements. § 17.48.060 (PF) references parking chapter for PF as example .
• Determine whether design review is required (new uses/expanded uses often trigger design review; see each district general conditions) and submit materials accordingly. See § 17.04.070–.080 and district general conditions (e.g., § 17.20.020) .
• Check overlays that modify base standards (e.g., Affordable Housing Overlay, Retail Overlay, Mixed Use Overlay); see Chapter 17.08.060 and the overlay chapters. § 17.08.060 .
• For adaptive re-use, housing, or conversions, verify any available FAR bonuses and corresponding restrictions (see FAR chapter § 17.100 and district FAR bonus references). § 17.100.010–.030 .
• Verify nonconforming status if the use predates the current code (see Yountville Nonconforming Uses) and review compliance/enforcement rules § 17.228.010. § 17.228.010 .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Yountville’s Title 17 organizes the town into named land-use districts (for example A, RS, RM, H, RSC, OTC, MU) and a master Use Table summarizes permitted (P), administrative permit (AP), and use-permit (UP) categories; most residential districts allow ADUs and small home occupations, while commercial districts permit retail/food/service uses but many of those are discretionary and require design review and a use permit. See the district chapters cited for the exact list of allowed uses and the specific dimensional caps (lot size, FAR, setbacks, height). Key governing sections include § 17.12.010, each district’s permitted‑uses section (for example § 17.20.030 for RS), and the development‑standards tables referenced in each district chapter.

Source References

• Town of Yountville Municipal Code, Title 17 — Zoning (Use Table and rules): § 17.12.010 . (ecode360 download mirror: https://ecode360.com/YO5040)
• Chapter A, Agricultural — § 17.16.010–.060, including permitted uses § 17.16.040 and site-specific conditions § 17.16.030 .
• Chapter RS, Single‑Family Residential — permitted uses § 17.20.030; development standards (Table 17.20-1) § 17.20.050 .
• Chapter RM, Mixed Residential — § 17.24.030–.050 (uses and Table 17.24-1) .
• Chapter H, Old Town Historic — permitted uses § 17.28.030; standards Table 17.28-1 § 17.28.050 .
• RSC, OTC and related commercial chapters: § 17.56.040–.050 (RSC) and § 17.60.050–.070 (OTC) for permitted and discretionary commercial uses and development standards .
• MU, Mixed Use — § 17.96.030–.040 (uses and UP triggers) .
• FAR rules and calculation/exemptions — Division 3, CHAPTER 17.100 § 17.100.010–.040 (floor area ratio rules and exemptions) .
• Overlays listing and application — § 17.08.060 (Creekside, Affordable Housing Overlay, Gateway, Retail, Mixed Use Overlay, etc.) .
• General compliance/enforcement — § 17.228.010–.040 (compliance and penalties) .

If you want the ordinance text for a specific parcel or the full Use Table image exported as a PDF/printable, tell me the APN or address and I’ll indicate the exact sections that apply and the likely discretionary permits triggered. Verify final, parcel‑specific interpretations with Town of Yountville Planning staff.

Retrieved passages

• Yountville Zoning Code (§ 9) High relevance show source text
• Yountville Zoning Code (§ 9) High relevance show source text
• Yountville Zoning Code (§ 9) High relevance show source text
• Yountville Zoning Code (Section 17.16.050) High relevance show source text
• Yountville Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance show source text
• Yountville Zoning Code (§ 9) High relevance show source text
• Yountville Zoning Code (Chapter 17.164) High relevance show source text
• Yountville Zoning Code (§ 17.60.050) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Town of Yountville Municipal Code, Title 17 — Zoning (Use Table and rules): **§ 17.12.010** . (ecode360 download mirror: ) (Title 17)
• Chapter A, Agricultural — **§ 17.16.010–.060**, including permitted uses **§ 17.16.040** and site-specific conditions **§ 17.16.030** . (Chapter A)
• Chapter RS, Single‑Family Residential — permitted uses **§ 17.20.030**; development standards (Table 17.20-1) **§ 17.20.050** . (Chapter RS)
• Chapter RM, Mixed Residential — **§ 17.24.030–.050** (uses and Table 17.24-1) . (Chapter RM)
• Chapter H, Old Town Historic — permitted uses **§ 17.28.030**; standards Table 17.28-1 **§ 17.28.050** . (Chapter H)
• RSC, OTC and related commercial chapters: **§ 17.56.040–.050** (RSC) and **§ 17.60.050–.070** (OTC) for permitted and discretionary commercial uses and development standards . (§ 17.56.040)
• MU, Mixed Use — **§ 17.96.030–.040** (uses and UP triggers) . (§ 17.96.030)
• FAR rules and calculation/exemptions — Division 3, CHAPTER 17.100 **§ 17.100.010–.040** (floor area ratio rules and exemptions) . (CHAPTER 17.100)
• Overlays listing and application — **§ 17.08.060** (Creekside, Affordable Housing Overlay, Gateway, Retail, Mixed Use Overlay, etc.) . (§ 17.08.060)
• General compliance/enforcement — **§ 17.228.010–.040** (compliance and penalties) . (§ 17.228.010)
• Yountville_ZoningCode.md

• Official Yountville code library