Chowchilla, California Zoning Map
Zoning, overlays and hazards on every parcel — and an answer to what the code actually lets you build. Compiled from current zoning data for all 16 districts.
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What's in the Chowchilla dataset
Every field below is available for any Chowchilla parcel, on the map and through the AI.
Zoning
- District code & full name
- Parcel boundary & APN
- All 16 districts mapped
Building controls
- Maximum building height
- Floor area ratio (FAR)
- Front setback
- Side setback
Overlays, hazards & AI
- Flood hazard & environmental layers
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- Powered by live parcel data
Where uses are permitted in Chowchilla
Share of Chowchilla's zoned land where each use is permitted.
- Single-family
- 29.57%
- Multi-family
- 31.21%
- ADU
- 29.15%
- Two-family
- 31.21%
- Retail
- 45.94%
- Eating & drinking
- 45.94%
- Office
- 10.44%
- Hotel / motel
- 9.43%
- Industrial
- 27.42%
- Storage & warehouses
- 64.58%
Chowchilla, California Zoning Districts: What Do They Mean?
Zoning districts are areas regulated by specific laws that determine land use, building types, and development rules. Each district below shows its zone type and which uses it permits.
| Zone Code | Category | Area | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
C-H Highway Commercial Zone | - | 306.9 ac | Standards & uses → |
C-N Neighborhood Commercial Zone | - | 67.1 ac | Standards & uses → |
C-S Service Commercial Zone | - | 308.9 ac | Standards & uses → |
I-H Heavy Industrial Zone | - | 1,466.3 ac | Standards & uses → |
Showing 4 of 16 districts
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What should developers know about Chowchilla zoning?
Chowchilla is a small Madera County city in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, and its 16 zoning districts reveal a town whose economy leans heavily on industry and goods movement. Heavy Industrial (I-H) is the largest non-open-space district at roughly 1,466 acres, with Light Industrial (I-L) adding about 578 acres - an industrial footprint unusually large for a city this size, reflecting Chowchilla's position along the Highway 99 corridor and its role in agricultural processing and logistics. Open Space (OS) covers about 1,848 acres, framing the city within the valley's agricultural landscape.
For developers and investors, the practical opportunity divides between that industrial base and a residential market organized around medium density. Medium Density Residential is the dominant housing category, split into R-M-5 (about 1,096 acres) and R-M-6 (about 422 acres), with Medium High Density (R-MH), High Density (R-H), and Low Density (R-L) rounding out the ladder. Commerce is corridor-oriented: Highway Commercial (C-H, about 307 acres) and Service Commercial (C-S, about 309 acres) are the largest commercial districts, suited to the through-traffic on Highway 99, while Neighborhood Commercial (C-N) serves local needs. Two mixed-use zones - Mixed Use (MX) and Downtown Mixed Use (MX-D) - point toward more integrated development around the town center. Public Facilities (PF) covers about 602 acres. Standards include FAR, density, height, coverage, lot dimensions, and setbacks by district. This is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice - verify with the local planning department before acquisition.
Chowchilla zoning: frequently asked questions
Why does Chowchilla have such a large industrial footprint?
For a small city, Chowchilla devotes an outsized share of land to industry - Heavy Industrial (I-H) at about 1,466 acres and Light Industrial (I-L) at about 578 acres - reflecting its Highway 99 location and role in agricultural processing and distribution. That makes it a practical target for warehouse, manufacturing, and logistics users seeking valley land with highway access.
What does the residential market look like in Chowchilla?
It centers on medium density. The two largest housing districts are R-M-5 (about 1,096 acres) and R-M-6 (about 422 acres), both Medium Density Residential, supplemented by Medium High (R-MH), High (R-H), and Low Density (R-L) zones. Developers will find the broadest by-right capacity in the medium-density tiers rather than at the extremes.
Where is commercial development best positioned in Chowchilla?
Along the highway. Highway Commercial (C-H, about 307 acres) and Service Commercial (C-S, about 309 acres) are the largest commercial districts and are oriented to Highway 99 through-traffic, making them suited to travel-, fuel-, and service-oriented retail. Neighborhood Commercial (C-N) handles smaller local-serving uses.
Are there opportunities for downtown or mixed-use projects?
Yes, on a modest scale. The Mixed Use (MX) and Downtown Mixed Use (MX-D) districts provide the framework for combining housing with commercial near the town center. These are the zones to focus on for walkable infill, though the footprints are small relative to the city's industrial and residential land.
How do California housing laws apply in a small city like Chowchilla?
State ADU and SB-9 provisions apply to qualifying residential parcels across Chowchilla's R-L, R-M, and R-H districts, generally allowing accessory units and, on eligible single-family lots, duplex conversions or lot splits. Given the city's medium-density emphasis, these laws can meaningfully expand unit counts, but the interaction with local lot-width and setback standards should be confirmed locally.
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Zoning data is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice. Verify with the Chowchilla planning department before acquisition or design.