Zoning Districts of Colusa, California
Colusa, CA features 18 general zoning districts, including R-1 through R-4 (Residential), C-N, C-G, and C-H (Commercial), and several Mixed-Use (M-U) options. Additionally, 11 Special Combining Districts (such as HD for High Density Housing) apply extra regulations to general zones. All newly annexed or unmapped land defaults to the R-1 Single-Family Residence District.
The City of Colusa establishes specific zoning districts to regulate the use of land, buildings, and structures. These regulations are designed to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare while guiding the city's development in accordance with its General Plan [Sec. 1.04, 1.06].
General Zoning Districts
The city is divided into several classes of general districts, ranging from residential and commercial to industrial and mixed-use designations [Sec. 2.01].
Residential Districts
- R-1: Single-Family Residence District
- R-2: Two-Family Residence District
- R-3: Neighborhood Apartment District
- R-4: General Apartment District
Commercial and Business Districts
- C-N: Neighborhood Business District
- C-G: General Commercial District (intended for facilities necessary for public service and convenience) [Sec. 10.01]
- C-H: Highway Service Commercial District
Industrial Districts
- M-1: Light Industrial District
- M-2: General Industrial District
- M-L: Limited Industrial District
Mixed-Use Districts
- M-U-B: Bridge Street Mixed Use District
- M-U-D: Downtown Mixed Use District
- M-U-M: Main Street Mixed Use District
- M-U-R: Residential Mixed Use District
Special Purpose Districts
- P-D: Planned Development District
- P-F: Public Facilities District (intended for properties used for public or public utility purposes) [Sec. 16.01]
- O-S: Open Space District (intended for natural preservation, buffers, recreation, or conservation) [Sec. 17.01]
- F-W: Floodway District
Special Combining Districts
Combining districts apply additional regulations to a general zoning district when the two are used in tandem [Sec. 2.02].
- A: Agricultural Combining District
- B: Special Building Site Combining District
- CD: Special Civic District Combining District (requires Planning Commission review for buildings near public sites) [Sec. 21.01]
- CM: Cannabis Manufacturing Combining District
- F: Special Highway Frontage Combining District
- FP: Flood Plain Combining District
- H: Special Height Combining District
- HD: High Density Housing Combining District (intended to create diverse housing types for all income levels) [Sec. 42.01]
- P: Special Parking Combining District
- O: Special Divided Ownership District
- AO: Special Adult-Oriented Combining District
District Boundaries and Default Classifications
Where uncertainty exists regarding the boundaries of a district on the Zoning Map, specific rules apply:
- Default Classification: Any land not included within a district boundary on the Zoning Map, as well as all newly annexed lands, are automatically classified as R-1 Single-Family Residence Districts until officially reclassified [Sec. 3.02].
- Boundary Lines: District boundaries typically follow street lines, alley lines, or lot lines. If uncertainty remains, the planning director determines the location of the boundary [Sec. 3.02, 32.02].
- Vacated Property: If a public street or alley is abandoned, the regulations of the abutting property apply to the vacated area [Sec. 32.02].
Fire Zone Designations
For fire protection purposes, the city is divided into two primary fire zones that encompass specific zoning districts [Sec. 28.01]:
- Fire Zone Two: Includes R-3, R-4, C-G, C-N, C-G-F (Special Highway Frontage), M-1, M-2, and M-L districts [Sec. 28.02].
- Fire Zone Three: Includes R-1 and R-2 districts [Sec. 28.03].
- Discretionary Designations: Fire zones for P-D, P-F, O-S, and F-W districts are designated by the city council based on recommendations from the fire chief and building official [Sec. 28.05].