Item Number: 2
City Council / Board of Directors
Public Hearing(s)
Meeting of: November 4, 2025
Submitted By:
Alex Jauregui, City Planner
Subject:
An Amendment to the Victorville Municipal Code with an environmental exemption, making various changes to Title 16, including but not limited to, new and updated land use allowances and standards related to state-mandated housing types, and an update to ministerial tentative map approvals
Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council:
(1) Open and conduct a Public Hearing to receive public testimony; (2) Close the Public Hearing;
(3) Find the Victorville Municipal Code Amendment categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3);
(4) Introduce Ordinance No. 2461 for adoption and first reading by title only to amend the Victorville Municipal Code; and
(5) Waive a further reading in full of proposed Ordinance No. 2461.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Approval of proposed Ordinance No. 2461 will enable the City to further fulfill the following Goals outlined in the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan:
Goal C. Community and Economic Development – The proposed amendment supports compliance with State law and the Housing Element by enabling ministerial approvals for urban dwelling units and small-lot subdivisions. These changes will expand housing choices, encourage reinvestment in underutilized areas, and strengthen neighborhood vitality. By promoting diverse and attainable housing, the amendment helps retain the 4 3
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local workforce, attract small-scale development, and foster long-term economic resilience.
Goal D. Reduce Homelessness – By facilitating streamlined approvals for urban dwelling units and related subdivisions, the amendment aligns with State mandates and the City’s Housing Element. It increases the supply of lower cost housing types, creating more opportunities for individuals and families at risk of homelessness. Expanding access to stable housing is a critical step toward addressing housing insecurity and supporting vulnerable populations.
Background:
The City of Victorville Planning Department typically processes amendments to Title 16 of the Victorville Municipal Code annually or as deemed necessary by the Planning Commission in order to comply with State law or update/revise the Victorville Municipal Code to address various land use issues and development standards. These types of amendments to Title 16 of the Victorville Municipal Code (known as the “Development Code”) are authorized by California Government Code Section 65850 and allow the City to adopt ordinances that regulate the use of land and buildings, establish requirements for off-street parking, etc. The Development Code memorializes the allowances provided by the California Government Code and codifies the procedures for amendment in Article 1 of Chapter 2 of the Development Code, titled “Amendments”, which requires a recommendation for adoption from the Planning Commission prior to consideration of an associated ordinance by the City Council.
The following proposal includes amendments that will implement provisions of recently adopted state legislature to streamline the approval process for small-scale urban dwelling unit housing projects and associated subdivision maps to facilitate infill development within specified residential areas. The proposed Code Amendment will incorporate objective standards and procedures to ensure that implementation remains consistent with State mandates, while maintaining the City’s development goals and neighborhood character as allowed by State law. Codifying these regulations within the VMC will support the Housing Element of the General Plan and provide clear guidance to staff, property owners, and developers regarding the application of these new housing allowances within the City.
At a regular meeting held October 8, 2025, the Planning Commission recommended City Council approval of the subject Victorville Municipal Code Amendments (Planning Case No. PLAN25-00013) by a vote of 4-0 (with one seat vacant).
Discussion:
In recent years, the State of California has enacted legislation (Attachment B) aimed at increasing housing production in urbanized areas. To comply with these mandates and support the City’s housing objectives, staff has prepared targeted amendments to the Development Code. These amendments define eligibility criteria, clarify applicable zoning districts, and establish procedural requirements for urban housing and subdivision 4 3
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projects processed under the new laws. The proposed changes are designed to ensure consistency with state law while maintaining local control through objective standards.
The proposed changes to the Development Code are discussed in the following synopsis of each Section and Subsection, the full text of which (including existing and deleted text) is located in proposed Ordinance No. 2461 (Attachment A). The proposed amendments updates and revises the Development Code as follows:
Victorville Municipal Code - Title 16
(Development Code)
Chapter 1 – Development Department
Article 3: Definitions
A definition for Urban Dwelling Units has been added to clarify the types of residential projects eligible for expedited review and approval under state law, including two-unit developments and small-lot subdivisions on parcels zoned for single-family or multi- family use. This definition excludes accessory dwelling units and requires compliance with applicable objective standards.
A definition for Urban Subdivisions has been included to identify residential land divisions such as urban lot splits and qualifying small-lot subdivisions that are subject to streamlined, administrative approval when associated with urban dwelling unit projects.
Definitions for Objective Standards and Ministerial Approval have been added to align with state law and to establish a clear framework for non-discretionary project review.
Chapter 2 – Administration
Article 5: General Administration
Adjusted the Permit and Approval Matrix to include Urban Subdivisions and specify that the approval authority is the Zoning Administrator. In conformance with State law, these types of housing projects must be reviewed and approved administratively and cannot be appealed to a higher level such as the Planning Commission or City Council.
Chapter 3 – Zoning and Land Use Requirements
Article 7: Land Use and Special Requirements
Added an Urban Dwelling Unit(s) land use category to Land Use Table 7-1 to reflect their allowances within zone districts that allow for single-family and multi-family zone 4 3
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districts. A note has been included to specify the types of Urban Dwelling Unit projects permitted within specific zone districts.
Chapter 3 – Zoning and Land Use Requirements
Article 8: Residential Districts
Updated Section 16-3.08.020: Development Standards to modify and create tables related to state-mandated housing types including:
oAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU): Standards for ADUs were previously added to Section 16-3.07.030(a) of the VMC as part of the adoption of Ordinance No. 2443 in September of 2023. This proposed Code Amendment organizes the existing development standards related to ADU development into an easy-to-read table format based on underlying residential zone districts to clarify, enhance usability for applicants and staff, and ensure consistent application of regulations across all applicable zoning designations.
oUrban Lot-Split: Standards for urban subdivisions related to the creation of two parcels from one existing single-family residential zoned property have been added, which outline minimum net lot areas for created parcels, and parking requirements setbacks for associated two-unit urban dwelling unit projects. These standards are objective and in conformity with State law. oSmall Lot Urban Subdivisions: Standards for urban subdivisions of up to 10 units within specified single-family and multi-family zone districts. Objective standards such as Floor Area Ratio minimums, minimum lot sizes prior to subdivision (1.5 acres for single-family zones and 5 acres for multi-family zones), density minimums, and setback information have been included that conform with associated state government codes.
Updated “Reserved” Section 16-3.08.050 to create a section for Urban Dwelling Units and Urban Subdivisions. This section now describes the purpose, applicability, application process, and standards associated with state-mandated urban housing and subdivision projects. This section outlines the eligibility criteria of properties and projects seeking to bypass requirements for discretionary review, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and public hearings, as well as specifies review timelines, objective standards that may be enforced, and occupancy requirements.
As proposed, the inclusion of this section will ensure compliance with state law as it relates to urban housing and subdivision projects, while maintaining the standards of the underlying residential zone districts as applicable. The inclusion of this information is to provide clear guidance to staff, property owners, and developers regarding the application of these new housing allowances within the City. 4 3
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Chapter 3 – Zoning and Land Use Requirements
Article 21: Off-Street Parking
Updated the off-street parking and loading requirements table to include standards related to urban dwelling units (which require 1 covered or uncovered space per unit) and Accessory Dwelling Units for which no parking is required. Included standards for parking spaces associated with Urban Dwelling Unit projects including minimum dimensions of 9-feet in width and 20-feet in length.
Chapter 4 – Subdivision Regulations (Private Development) Article 1: Administration
A new section has been added to designate the Zoning Administrator as the approval authority for tentative maps associated with urban subdivisions that comply with the Subdivision Map Act and meet all applicable standards outlined in this Code Amendment.
oSince the only state-mandated change to the subdivision process involves the reassignment of the reviewing and approval authority, no other regulations governing private subdivision development have been modified.
Prepared By:
Daisy Kawasaki, Senior Planner
Attachments: A. Ordinance No. 2461– Development Code Amendment B. State Housing Legislation Reference Packet
C. Background Information from Planning Commission's October 8, 2025, Meeting - Executive Summary, Excerpt Minutes, & Staff Report