Zoning Districts and Purpose Statements in Nevada City

Nevada City divides its territory into various base zoning districts, as established in [Section 17.08.010]. These districts serve specific land use functions, ranging from agricultural and residential to industrial and commercial, as outlined in the general provisions of Title 17.

Below are the base zoning districts and their corresponding purposes as defined in the city’s code:

Agriculture and Residential Districts

• AF - Agriculture Forestry Zone The purpose is to preserve agricultural and forestry use in the urban fringe, particularly on land suited for eventual development in other uses. This allows for the orderly, compact provision of utilities and facilities [Section 17.16.010].

• RR - Rural Residential Zone This zone is intended to stabilize and protect residential characteristics and to encourage a suitable environment for families, limited strictly to single-family uses and appurtenant services [Section 17.20.010].

• R1 - Single-Family Residential Zone The purpose is to stabilize and protect single-family residential characteristics and environments. This district is consistent with single-family and mixed residential General Plan designations [Section 17.24.010].

• R2 - Multiple-Family Residential Zone This zone is designed to stabilize and protect residential areas where a compatible mingling of single-family and multi-family dwellings is anticipated [Section 17.28.010].

• R3 - High Density Multiple-Family Residential Zone The purpose of this zone is to implement the General Plan's urban high-density land use designation. It aims to provide lands for greater density to accommodate affordable housing sites with access to public services and transit [Section 17.30.010].

Commercial and Employment Districts

• OP - Office and Professional Zone Established to accommodate office space and mixed-use residential development. This zone often acts as a transition between commercial and residential areas, encouraging pedestrian activity while reducing environmental impacts [Section 17.32.010].

• LB - Local Business Zone A neighborhood shopping zone intended for retail and service establishments that meet the daily needs of local residents. This zone accommodates mixed-use residential development to support pedestrian activity [Section 17.36.010].

• GB - General Business Zone Intended to provide a location for the sale of commodities, performance of services, repair facilities, and tourist-oriented sales. It also accommodates mixed-use residential development [Section 17.40.010].

• EC - Employment Center Zone Encourages the development of light assembly, manufacturing, and research and development uses. Permitted uses are primarily employment-oriented with limited, incidental retail sales [Section 17.44.010].

• SL - Service Lodging Zone This zone encourages the development and enhancement of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast facilities, along with incidental uses that serve these lodging facilities [Section 17.52.010].

Public, Recreational, and Open Space Districts

• OS - Open Space Zone The purpose is to provide for the creation and permanent maintenance of natural and landscaped open space for aesthetics, recreational opportunities, resource management, and development mitigation [Section 17.56.010].

• P - Public Zone Provides zoning for federal, state, county, and city government uses, as well as recreation areas, cemeteries, and quasi-public utility uses incidental to public services [Section 17.60.010].

• PR - Public/Recreation Zone Provides for public use with development limited to recreational facilities managed by public entities, with up to 25% of the property usable for compatible public services like schools, libraries, or fire stations [Section 17.64.010].

Sections Cited

• Section 17.08.010 (Zoning districts established)
• Section 17.16.010 (AF Purpose)
• Section 17.20.010 (RR Purpose)
• Section 17.24.010 (R1 Purpose)
• Section 17.28.010 (R2 Purpose)
• Section 17.30.010 (R3 Purpose)
• Section 17.32.010 (OP Purpose)
• Section 17.36.010 (LB Purpose)
• Section 17.40.010 (GB Purpose)
• Section 17.44.010 (EC Purpose)
• Section 17.52.010 (SL Purpose)
• Section 17.56.010 (OS Purpose)
• Section 17.60.010 (P Purpose)
• Section 17.64.010 (PR Purpose)