BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT BRAGG
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION 18 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE (ILUDC 1-26) TO:Amend Title 18.22.020 - Purposes of Commercial Zoning Districts and Title 18.22.050 - Commercial District Site Planning and Building Standards to allow multifamily development and set minimum densities for multifamily and mixed-use projects. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION 18 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE (ILUDC 1-26) TO:Amend Title 18.22.020 - Purposes of Commercial Zoning Districts and Title 18.22.050 - Commercial District Site Planning and Building Standards to allow multifamily development and set minimum densities for multifamily and mixed-use projects.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION 18 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE (ILUDC 1-26) TO:
Amend Title 18.22.020 - Purposes of Commercial Zoning Districts and Title 18.22.050 - Commercial District Site Planning and Building Standards to allow multifamily development and set minimum densities for multifamily and mixed-use projects.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION 18 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE (ILUDC 1-26) TO:
Amend Title 18.22.020 - Purposes of Commercial Zoning Districts and Title 18.22.050 - Commercial District Site Planning and Building Standards to allow multifamily development and set minimum densities for multifamily and mixed-use projects.
ORDINANCE NO. XXX-2026
WHEREAS, California Constitution Article XI, Section 7, enables the City of Fort Bragg (the “City”) to enact local planning and land use regulations; and WHEREAS, the authority to adopt and enforce zoning regulations is an exercise of the City’s police power to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Bragg (“City”) adopted a General Plan in 2002 which established policies for all lands within Fort Bragg city limits and its sphere of influence; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Bragg (“City”) adopted an Inland General Plan and certified an Environmental Impact Report Addendum (“EIR Addendum”) for the General Plan on December 2, 2012; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Bragg (“City”) adopted an Inland Land Use and Development Code and Negative Declaration on February 10, 2014; and WHEREAS, the adoption of an Inland Land Use and Development Code is necessary to: 1) provide a regulatory framework for implementation of the Inland General Plan; 2) to implement new state planning and land use requirements; and 3) update zoning regulations in accordance with City Council policy direction; and WHEREAS, the lack of rental and for sale housing is a substantial concern for individuals and families of all demographics, ages, and economic backgrounds in Fort Bragg; and WHEREAS, the City desires to ensure that housing development occurs in an orderly manner, in accordance with the goals and objectives of the General Plan and reasonable land use planning principles; and WHEREAS, Section 18.94.040 states that the Planning Commission shall forward a written recommendation, and reasons for the recommendations, to the Council based on the findings identified in Section 18.94.060; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held duly noticed public hearings on August 26, 2026, to consider the Zoning Amendment, accept public testimony; and formally adopted a resolution with their written recommendations regarding the proposed ordinance changes; and WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on September 14, 2026, to consider the Zoning Amendment, accept public testimony; and formally Introduce the Ordinance by Title Only; and WHEREAS, the project is exempt from CEQA through the Commonsense Exemption (15061.b.3) because the commercial parcels located in the Inland Zone are already exempt from compliance with CEQA as they all qualify for the in-fill categorical exemption. Additionally an EIR Addendum has been prepared for the proposed project; and NOW, THEREFORE, The Fort Bragg City Council, based on the entirety of the record before it, which includes without limitation, CEQA Public Resources Code §21000, et seq. and State CEQA Guidelines, 14 California Code of Regulations §15000, et seq.; the Fort Bragg Inland General Plan; the Fort Bragg Inland Land Use and Development Code; State law; all reports and public testimony submitted as part of the City Council meeting of September 14, 2026 and City Council deliberations; and any other evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code §21080(e) and §21082.2), the Fort Bragg City Council does ordain as follows:
Section 1. Legislative Findings. The City Council hereby finds as follows:
The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Ordinance; and On August 26, 2026, the Planning Commission held properly noticed public hearings to consider recommending the proposed amendment to the Inland Land Use and Development Code to the Fort Bragg City Council for adoption and adopted a resolution in support of the City Council’s adoption of the amendment to the ILUDC pursuant to Gov. Code Section 65355.
On September 14, 2026, the City Council held a properly noticed public hearing to consider adoption of the minor amendment to the Inland Land Use and Development Code.
The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City as it intends amendments to be consistent with recently adopted State laws; and The proposed amendment is consistent with the General Plan Policies and Programs, The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of the Inland Land Use Development Code, The project is not exempt from CEQA through the Commonsense Exemption (15061.b.3), The documents and other material constituting the record for these proceedings are located at the Community Development Department.
For adoption of the EIR Addendum, there is no new information of substantial importance that shows that:
The project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the previous EIR; Significant effects previously examined will be substantially more severe than shown in the previous EIR; Mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact be feasible, and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects of the project, but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative; or Mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from those analyzed in the previous EIR would substantially reduce one or more significant effects on the environment, but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative.
Section 2. Based on the foregoing, the City Council hereby Amend Title 18.22.020 - Purposes of Commercial Zoning Districts as follows:
8.22.020 - Purposes of Commercial Zoning Districts
The purposes of the individual commercial zoning districts and the manner in which they are applied are as follows.
A. CN (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district. The CN zoning district is applied to areas of the City that are appropriate for small-scale facilities providing convenience shopping and services for adjacent residential neighborhoods. The maximum allowable residential density within the CN district for the residential component of a mixed-use project or multifamily project is 12 dwelling units per acre; the maximum floor area ratio (FAR) is 0.40. The CN zoning district implements and is consistent with the CN land use designation of the General Plan.
B. CO (Office Commercial) zoning district. The CO zoning district is applied to areas of the City that are intended to serve the office and institutional needs of the community that cannot be accommodated within the CBD zoning district. Other related and office-supporting uses may also be allowed. The maximum allowable residential density within the CO district for either the residential component of a mixed use project or multifamily project is 24 dwelling units per acre; the maximum floor area ratio (FAR) is 0.40. The CO zoning district implements and is consistent with the CO land use designation of the General Plan.
C. CBD (Central Business District) zoning district. The CBD zoning district is applied to the core of the downtown which is the civic, cultural, and commercial center of the City. The CBD zone is intended to accommodate retail stores, government and professional offices, theaters, and other similar and related uses in the context of pedestrian-oriented development. The maximum allowable residential density within the CBD zone for the residential component of a mixed use project is 40 dwelling units per acre; the maximum floor area ratio (FAR) is 2.0. The CBD zoning district implements and is consistent with the CBD land use designation of the General Plan.
D. CG (General Commercial) zoning district. The CG zoning district is applied to areas of the City that are appropriate for less compact and intensive commercial uses than those accommodated within the CBD zone. Allowable land uses are typically more auto-oriented than pedestrian-oriented, and may include automotive and service-related uses, a wide range of retail stores, including those selling large products (appliances, home furnishings, building materials, etc.). The maximum allowable residential density within the CG district for the residential component of a mixed use project or multifamily project is 24 dwelling units per acre; the maximum floor area ratio (FAR) is 0.40. The CG zoning district implements and is consistent with the CG land use designation of the General Plan.
E. CH (Highway Commercial) zoning district. The CH zoning district is applied to sites along Highway 1 and arterials at the entry points to the community. Allowable land uses include lodging, restaurants, and retail stores. The maximum allowable residential density within the CH district for the residential component of a mixed use project or multifamily project is 24 dwelling units per acre; the maximum floor area ratio (FAR) is 0.40. The CH zoning district implements and is consistent with the CH land use designation of the General Plan.
Section 3. Based on the foregoing, the City Council hereby Amends 18.22.050 - Commercial District Site Planning and Building Standards, as follows:
18.22.050 - Commercial District Site Planning and Building Standards A. General standards. Subdivisions, new land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures shall be designed, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the requirements in Tables 2-8 and 2-9 in addition to the applicable development standards (e.g., landscaping, parking and loading, etc.) in Article 3.
TABLE 2-8 - CN, CO, AND CBD DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Development Feature
Requirement by Zoning District
CN
Neighborhood Commercial
CO
Office Commercial
CBD
Central Business District
Residential density
Maximum n Number of dwelling units allowed in a project. The actual number of units allowed will be determined by the City through subdivision or planning permit approval, as applicable.
See § 18.42.170 for second unit exemption.
Maximum Allowable density
6-12 units per acre for Multifamily
1-12 units per acre for Mixed-Use
12- 24 units per acre for Multifamily
1-24 units per acre for Mixed-Use
40 units per acre for Mixed Use Projects
Setbacks
Minimum and, where noted, maximum setbacks required for primary structures. See § 18.30.100 for exceptions to these requirements. See Chapter 18.42 for setback requirements applicable to a specific land use.
Front
Same as the front setback for an R zone on the same block; 10 ft elsewhere.
20 ft for buildings 20 ft or more in height; 15 ft for other buildings.
None allowed - Building facades shall abut the back of the public sidewalk, except as provided in § 18.22.060.
Side - Interior (each)
Same as the front setback required for an R zone abutting the side property line; none required elsewhere. 10 ft; 15 ft adjacent to an abutting R zone.
None required
Side - Street side
None required
Same as front setback
None required
Rear
15 ft; 5 ft adjacent to an alley.
10 ft; 15 ft adjacent to an abutting R zone; 5 ft adjacent to an alley. 15 ft for a building 12 ft or more in height on a site abutting an R zone; 5 ft adjacent to an alley; none required elsewhere.
Floor area ratio (FAR)
Maximum allowable floor area ratio for nonresidential projects. FAR may be increased with Use Permit approval to accommodate housing units and/or live-work units in a mixed use or multifamily project to a maximum FAR of 2.0 for a mixed use project.
0.40 0.40
2.00 Site coverage
Maximum percentage of the total lot area that may be covered by impervious surfaces.
See § 18.42.170 for accessory dwelling units/junior accessory dwelling units exemption.
Maximum coverage
No limitation
Height limit
Maximum allowable height of structures. See § 18.30.060 (Height Limits and Exceptions) for height measurement requirements, and height limit exceptions. See Chapter 18.42 for height requirements applicable to a specific land use.
Maximum height
25 ft; 35 ft with Use Permit approval only for multifamily or mixed-use projects. 25 ft; 35 ft with Use Permit approval.
35 ft and 3 stories; 45 ft and 3 stories with Use Permit approval.
Fencing
See § 18.30.050 (Fences, Walls, and Screening)
Landscaping
See Chapter 18.34 (Landscaping Standards)
Parking
See Chapter 18.36 (Parking and Loading)
Signs
See Chapter 18.38 (Signs)
TABLE 2-9 - CG AND CH DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Development Feature
Requirement by Zoning District
CG
General Commercial
CH
Highway Commercial
Residential density
Maximum n Number of dwelling units allowed in a project. The actual number of units allowed will be determined by the City through subdivision or planning permit approval, as applicable. See § 18.42.170 for accessory dwelling units/junior accessory dwelling units exemption.
Maximum Allowable density
12- 24 units per acre for Multifamily
1-24 units per acre for Mixed-Use
Setbacks
Minimum and, where noted, maximum setbacks required for primary structures. See § 18.30.100 for exceptions to these requirements. See Chapter 18.42 for setback requirements applicable to a specific land use.
Front
10 ft on Main Street and Highway 20; same as the front setback for an R zone on the same block; none required elsewhere. 15 ft on Main Street and Highway 20; same as the front setback for an R zone on the same block; 5 ft required elsewhere.
Side - Interior (each)
Same as the front setback required for an R zone abutting the side property line; none required elsewhere.
Side - Street side
Same as front setback.
Rear
5 ft adjacent to an alley; 15 ft adjacent to an abutting residential zone; none required elsewhere. 10 ft adjacent to an alley; 15 ft adjacent to residential zone; none required elsewhere.
Floor area ratio (FAR)
Maximum allowable floor area ratio for nonresidential projects. May be increased with Use Permit approval to accommodate housing units and/or live-work units up to an FAR of 2.0 for a mixed use or multifamily project.
0.40 Maximum floor area
Maximum floor area allowed for commercial buildings in the locations noted. See § 18.42.170 for accessory dwelling units/junior accessory dwelling units exemption. a. Between the Noyo River and Pudding Creek bridges - 50,000 sf. b. North of Pudding Creek bridge - 30,000 sf.
Height limit
Maximum allowable height of structures. See § 18.30.060 (Height Limits and Exceptions) for height measurement requirements, and height limit exceptions. See Chapter 18.42 for height requirements applicable to a specific land use.
Maximum height
35 ft; 45 ft with Use Permit approval.
35 ft
Fencing
See § 18.30.050 (Fences, Walls, and Screening)
Landscaping
See Chapter 18.34 (Landscaping Standards)
Parking
See Chapter 18.36 (Parking and Loading)
Signs
See Chapter 18.38 (Signs)
Section 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the Ordinance. The City Council of the City of Fort Bragg hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases may be held invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 5. Effective Date and Publication. This ordinance shall be and the same is hereby declared to be in full force and effect from and after thirty (30) days after the date of its passage. Within fifteen (15) days after the passage of this Ordinance, the City Clerk shall cause a summary of said Ordinance to be published as provided in Government Code §36933, in a newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the City of Fort Bragg, along with the names of the City Council voting for and against its passage.
The City Council does hereby adopt the EIR addendum at a regular meeting of the City of Fort Bragg held on September 14, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing Ordinance was introduced by Councilmember ________ at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fort Bragg held on September 14, 2026, and adopted at a regular meeting of the City of Fort Bragg held on ___________, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSE:
Jason Godeke Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Diana Paoli, City Clerk
PUBLISH: Date, 2026 and Date, 2026 (by summary).
EFFECTIVE DATE: Date, 2026
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