Yountville — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

Yountville's zoning rules are codified in Title 17 (Zoning) and set the Town's land-use designations, permitted and conditional uses, and the dimensional/development standards that apply to each mapped district. The Town Council adopts a legally incorporated Zoning Map that ties every parcel to a land use designation and any applicable overlays; interpretive rules for unclear map lines are also in the code. See § 17.04.010 and § 17.08.010 for title and map authority.

This page summarizes what Title 17 actually says about zoning in Yountville (district names, common permitted uses, and the key numeric standards you will see repeatedly in permit reviews). Where the ordinance text is silent or parcel-specific, I note that you must verify with the Town.

Note: links below point to related local pages for consistent application topics — for parking, setbacks and other measurable standards see Development Standards; for discretionary review, see Design Review; accessory units are governed by the ADU rules; and building code compliance remains under the state code. First usages of those topics are linked inline for convenience: the Town's Development Standards, Parking, Design Review, Overlay Districts, Historic Preservation, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

Division 2 of Title 17 establishes the land use designations (base districts) and the overlay designations applied on the Zoning Map. The code lists every map designation and the chapter that controls its rules: A, RS, RM, RM-2, H, MPR, MHP, PP, PF, PC, RSC, OTC, RC, PD (see § 17.08.050). Overlay types include C (Creekside), AHO (Affordable Housing Overlay), G (Gateway), RO (Retail Overlay), MU (Mixed Use Overlay) and others (§ 17.08.060).

Below is a district-by-district practical breakdown of the most decision-relevant items from Title 17. For each district I give the stated purpose, typical permitted uses (or the permit trigger), headline dimensional limits, and where that district is applied (the Zoning Map; verify with Planning). All numeric standards shown are taken from the ordinance tables cited.

How to read the district entries

• Bolded labels identify the Town's actual district codes (not generic labels).
• Each bullet includes the controlling code citation (the § called out in Title 17).
• Where the ordinance points to additional chapters (for example for accessory structures, parking, or FAR bonuses), I note those cross-references.

District-by-district (base districts in § 17.08.050)

A — Agricultural

• Purpose: Low-density agriculture and very limited development; preserves rural/agricultural uses. § 17.16.010.
• Typical permitted uses: Agricultural uses, limited housing for employees, and related auxiliary structures; see the district use table. § 17.16.060.
• Key standards: Maximum density 1 unit per 10 acres, min lot size 10 acres, FAR 0.05, front/side/rear setbacks 20 ft, and height limits ~28–30 ft (residential/nonresidential). § 17.16.060.
• Where it applies: Parcels shown as A on the Zoning Map; see § 17.08.010.

RS — Single‑Family Residential

• Purpose: Preserve low-density single-family neighborhoods. § 17.20.010.
• Permitted uses: Single‑family dwelling, Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) (regulated by Chapter 17.156), duplex, residential auxiliary structures, care facilities, home occupations (minor/moderate), day care, supportive/transitional housing, and accessory residential uses. § 17.20.030.
• Uses requiring permits: Major home occupations and other uses designated in the chapter require a use permit. § 17.20.040.
• Key standards (Table 17.20-1): Lot size single-family 4,000–8,000 sf, maximum density 7 units/acre, FAR varies by lot size (e.g., 0.30 living area on lots <8,000 sf), front setback 20 ft, side setback 5 ft, rear 20 ft, height generally two stories with explicit plate/peak limits. § 17.20.050.
• Notes: ADUs are allowed but subject to Chapter 17.156 and state ADU law — see the ADUs page.

RM — Mixed Residential

• Purpose & where to look: Multifamily and medium-density residential rules are in Chapter 17.24 (chapter text not reproduced here). Verify permitted multifamily use and standards directly in § 17.24.xx on the Zoning Map. § 17.08.050 lists RM as a base district.

RM‑2 — Mixed Residential‑2

• Purpose: Higher-density residential than RS; multifamily allowed under limits. (See Chapter 17.26.) § 17.26.010 et seq.
• Permitted uses: Multifamily types subject to chapter-specific lists; consult § 17.26.030/050 for permitted uses and Table 17.26-1 for standards.
• Key standards (Table 17.26-1): Front 20 ft, side 5 ft, rear 20 ft, height two stories for multifamily; single-family height exceptions noted, and minimum private open space requirements for multifamily (e.g., 200 sf per unit). § 17.26.050.

H — Old Town Historic

• Purpose: Maintain the historic character of Old Town; design review required for exterior changes. § 17.28.010.
• Permitted uses: Many residential uses similar to RS (single-family, ADUs, duplex), plus accessory residential uses; multifamily, churches, and major home occupations require a use permit. § 17.28.030–040.
• Key standards (Table 17.28-1): Density cap 8 units/acre, lot sizes (single-family 5,000–8,000 sf), FAR and setbacks per table, and design review is required for all construction to preserve scale/character. § 17.28.050.
• Design Review: New or renovated structures in H must obtain design review approval; see § 17.28.010 and the Town's Design Review program. Design Review.

MPR — Master Planned Residential

• Purpose: Large-scale, master-planned residential developments; see Chapter 17.32 for the controlling standards. Use and standards are parcel-specific and often tied to a Master Development Plan; consult the Zoning Map and Chapter 17.32. § 17.08.050.

MHP — Mobile Home Park Residential

• Purpose: Rules for mobile-home park developments (Chapter 17.36). See the code’s chapter for lot, spacing, and park rules. § 17.08.050.

PP — Parks & Playfields

• Purpose and standards: Public open space and recreation facilities; see Chapter 17.44 for detailed controls and applicable development restrictions. § 17.08.050.

PF — Public Facilities

• Purpose: Town-owned and public facilities (schools, civic buildings, utilities). § 17.48.010 et seq.
• Key standards (Table 17.48-1): FAR 0.25 for new development, setbacks per master plan, height: two stories maximum with specific plate/peak limits, and open space minimums dependent on lot size. § 17.48.060.

PC — Primary Commercial

• Purpose: Primary commercial corridor and uses; chapter is 17.52. The OTC and RSC chapters give examples of commercial policy that are similar in approach; see § 17.52 on the code for exact permitted uses and standards. § 17.08.050.

RSC — Residential‑Scaled Commercial

• Purpose: Small‑scale commercial serving neighborhoods while retaining residential scale. § 17.56.010 et seq.
• Permitted uses: Professional office (often by administrative use permit), general retail, minor/moderate home occupations, and accessory residential/commercial uses. § 17.56.040–050.
• Key standards (Table 17.56-1): FAR 0.25 (with possible +0.15 FAR bonus for alterations to existing commercial/professional buildings per § 17.178.040), front setback 15 ft, height two stories with explicit plate/peak limits, and top-story floor area limits (no more than 40% of building floor area at top story). § 17.56.060.

OTC — Old Town Commercial

• Purpose: Commercial core along Washington Street and adjacent blocks, pedestrian orientation required at street front. § 17.60.010 et seq.
• Permitted uses: Broad retail and service uses including restaurants (with some restrictions by location), tasting rooms (subject to restrictions), banks, medical offices, live/work, mixed use, mobile food vendors, etc.; many uses are allowed by right or by use permit depending on intensity. § 17.60.050–060.
• Key standards (Table 17.60-1): Max lot size 15,000 sf, FAR 0.25 (with the same +0.15 FAR option referenced), front setbacks variable by building height (10–20 ft), height two stories max, and ground-floor use limitations on Washington Street to ensure pedestrian orientation. § 17.60.070.

RC — Retained Commercial

• Purpose: Existing commercial properties retained under specific rules (Chapter 17.64). § 17.64.010 et seq.
• Permitted uses and standards: Table 17.64-1 sets FAR 0.25, height limits, top-story area caps, open-space minimums, and indicates Master Development Plan options for setbacks — see § 17.64.060.

PD — Planned Development

• Purpose: Custom development controls negotiated through a PD approval; Chapter 17.68 governs PD submissions and required Master Development Plans. § 17.08.050.

Headline standards table (quick reference)

This table pulls the most frequently applied numeric dimensions and the code citation to check for detail.

(These are summary highlights; always confirm the full table text in each chapter for exceptions, footnotes and cross-references such as FAR bonuses in § 17.178.040 which are referenced in several district tables.)

Overlay districts

Overlay designations (e.g., AHO — Affordable Housing Overlay, MU — Mixed Use Overlay, G — Gateway, RO — Retail Overlay, C — Creekside) add additional rules on top of the base district and are applied where shown on the Zoning Map. See § 17.08.060; Chapter numbers for overlays are listed in the code (e.g., Chapters 17.76–17.96). Overlay Districts.

Information Gaps (what I could not confirm from the retrieved materials)

• Precise permitted-use lists and full narrative for PC (Primary Commercial) and some chapters (for example Chapter 17.24 for RM) were not present in the extracted snippets I reviewed. Verify the full chapter texts for those districts. Not found in retrieved materials.
• The full text of design-review procedures and thresholds (Chapter 17.188) is referenced but its procedural sections were not fully extracted in the search results; verify exact submittal requirements there. Not found in retrieved materials.
• The exact language and criteria in § 17.178.040 (the FAR bonus mechanics) is referenced repeatedly by district tables; the table calls it out but the bonus rules themselves were not fully quoted here. Verify § 17.178.040 directly. Not found in retrieved materials.

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (pre‑application)

• Confirm the parcel’s land use designation on the Town Zoning Map (Title 17, § 17.08.010).
• Confirm whether any overlay(s) apply to the parcel (§ 17.08.060).
• Check the district’s permitted uses and use‑permit triggers (consult the district chapter: e.g., § 17.20.030 for RS; § 17.56.040 for RSC).
• Assemble development-limit numbers from the district’s table (lot size, FAR, setbacks, height). See the district Table entry (e.g., § 17.20.050 for RS).
• Confirm parking requirements per the Town’s parking chapter and provide parking plan. Parking.
• Confirm whether design review applies (required in H; other districts and certain project types reference design review). Design Review.
• If proposing an ADU, follow Chapter 17.156 and state ADU law. ADUs.
• Check for required environmental or historic analyses when demolition or work affects historic resources (historic rules referenced in Chapter 17.162 and § 17.162.060). Historic Preservation.
• Confirm whether your project seeks any FAR bonuses (e.g., per § 17.178.040); find the specific criteria before assuming bonus capacity. Not found in retrieved materials (verify § 17.178.040).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Yountville's Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) ties each parcel to a named district (for example RS for single‑family, OTC for Old Town Commercial, H for Old Town Historic). Each district chapter lists what you can build, what needs a discretionary permit, and the headline numeric limits — lot size, setbacks, height and FAR — that govern plan review. Always check the Zoning Map designation, any overlays, and the district’s table in Title 17 for the exact numbers and cross‑references (for parking, design review, ADUs, and FAR bonus rules).

Source References

• Title 17 (Yountville Zoning Ordinance). Citation of Title 17 title & purpose: § 17.04.010–§ 17.04.050.
• Zoning Map authority and rules: § 17.08.010, § 17.08.030, § 17.08.050 (land use designations), § 17.08.060 (overlays).
• RS district: Purpose, permitted uses, and development standards: § 17.20.010, § 17.20.030, § 17.20.050.
• A district (Agricultural): § 17.16.060 (Table 17.16‑1).
• RM‑2: Development standards: § 17.26.050 (Table 17.26‑1).
• H (Old Town Historic): Purpose and rules incl. design review: § 17.28.010–§ 17.28.050.
• RSC (Residential‑Scaled Commercial): Permitted uses and standards: § 17.56.040–§ 17.56.060 (Table 17.56‑1).
• OTC: Permitted uses and standards incl. Washington Street ground-floor rule: § 17.60.050–§ 17.60.070 (Table 17.60‑1).
• RC and PF district tables: § 17.64.060, § 17.48.060.
• Use table and “uses not listed” rule: Table 17.12‑1 and § 17.12.010.
• Compliance and enforcement (permit conformity): § 17.228.010–§ 17.228.020.

(Primary source: Town of Yountville Title 17 — Zoning, as retrieved from the Town’s published code pages and the consolidated Title 17 extract.)

Retrieved passages

• Yountville Zoning Code (§ 17.56.050) High relevance show source text
• Yountville Zoning Code (§ 9) High relevance show source text
• Yountville Zoning Code (CHAPTER 17.04) 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 (§ 9) High relevance show source text
• Yountville Zoning Code (Chapter 17.80) High relevance show source text
• Yountville Zoning Code (§ 17.04.080.) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Title 17 (Yountville Zoning Ordinance). Citation of Title 17 title & purpose: **§ 17.04.010–§ 17.04.050**. (Title 17)
• Zoning Map authority and rules: **§ 17.08.010**, **§ 17.08.030**, **§ 17.08.050 (land use designations)**, **§ 17.08.060 (overlays)**. (§ 17.08.010)
• RS district: Purpose, permitted uses, and development standards: **§ 17.20.010**, **§ 17.20.030**, **§ 17.20.050**. (§ 17.20.010)
• A district (Agricultural): **§ 17.16.060** (Table 17.16‑1). (§ 17.16.060)
• RM‑2: Development standards: **§ 17.26.050** (Table 17.26‑1). (§ 17.26.050)
• H (Old Town Historic): Purpose and rules incl. design review: **§ 17.28.010–§ 17.28.050**. (§ 17.28.010)
• RSC (Residential‑Scaled Commercial): Permitted uses and standards: **§ 17.56.040–§ 17.56.060** (Table 17.56‑1). (§ 17.56.040)
• OTC: Permitted uses and standards incl. Washington Street ground-floor rule: **§ 17.60.050–§ 17.60.070** (Table 17.60‑1). (§ 17.60.050)
• RC and PF district tables: **§ 17.64.060**, **§ 17.48.060**. (§ 17.64.060)
• Use table and “uses not listed” rule: **Table 17.12‑1** and **§ 17.12.010**. (§ 17.12.010)
• Compliance and enforcement (permit conformity): **§ 17.228.010–§ 17.228.020**. (§ 17.228.010)
• Yountville_ZoningCode.md

• Official Yountville code library