Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map Update
In July 2021, the City of Dixon embarked on a comprehensive update to the City’s Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map that will result in a user-friendly Zoning Ordinance that serves as an effective tool to implement the recently adopted General Plan, shape future growth, and help realize the community’s vision of preserving and enhancing the small town character, while also providing for new growth that enhances quality of life, including new jobs that provide employment for local residents and a range of housing types that will be affordable to people of all ages. The comprehensive update to the Zoning Ordinance and Map will also include some some associated minor/technical General Plan land use map and text amendments.
This webpage serves as your one-stop shop for information about the project. We invite you to take a look around, share your thoughts, and check back often for updates on the process and to review draft documents.
Latest News 
Following the completion of the study 3 sessions in Spring 2023, staff and the consultant have considered comments and made further refinements and prepare a public review Draft Zoning Ordinance. A Public Review Draft of the Zoning Ordinance, and Zoning Map was released on December 1, 2023 to allow the public to review the draft. The associated General Plan land use map and text edits and associated Municipal Code amendments were also prepared and released for review. As of December 1, 2023, project entered the adoption process for final review and action.
The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the Draft Zoning Ordinance at their February 13th, 2024 meeting and ultimately recommended approval of the General Plan amendments and the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and Map update (with 4 recommendations). The City Council considered the project at their April 2, 2024 meeting. Following public hearing and review, the Council approved the project. The General Plan amendments were approved by Resolution and are effective immediately, while the updates to the Zoning Ordinance, Map and various Municipal Code sections were introduced on April 2nd, approved and will undergo a 2nd reading on May 7, 2024. If passed on May 7, 2024, the Ordinance will become effective 30 days thereafter, or June 7, 2024. The most current version of review draft is provided below as "City Council Approved" and includes the changes from the Planning Commission hearing on Feb 13th,
To receive updates and upcoming notice of the City Council hearing, please sign up "Sign Up for Updates" section below. See below in "Project Documents" section for the "Public Review Draft" documents and all documents associated with the update project.
About
Why Update the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map?
The current Zoning Ordinance, Title 18 in the Municipal Code, has not been updated comprehensively in decades. Outdated regulations can sometimes hinder community objectives and economic development.
The recent adoption of the General Plan 2040 has created an obligation and opportunity for a comprehensive update of the Zoning Ordinance, creating a concise and user-friendly set of regulations that will clearly communicate and effectively implement the new General Plan’s policies and incorporate its carefully crafted direction for the development, maintenance, and improvement of land and properties.
What is a Zoning Ordinance?
While the General Plan sets forth a wide-ranging and long-term vision for the City, the Zoning Ordinance specifies how each individual property can be used to achieve those objectives. Zoning is the body of rules and regulations that control what is built on the ground, and what uses occupy buildings and sites. Zoning determines the form and character of development, such as the size and height of buildings, and also includes provisions to ensure that new development and uses will fit into existing neighborhoods by establishing the rules for being a “good neighbor.”
Zoning Ordinances typically do the following:
- Divide a city into various zones;
- List permitted uses within those zones;
- Provide for conditional and accessory uses;
- Establish development standards such as building heights, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, signage, and landscaping; and
- Provide for administrative procedures for variances, conditional use permits, design review and zone changes or text amendments.
What is the Process and How Long Will It Take?
The City has taken the first steps to initiate the project, selection of the consultant to lead the efforts. The City recently hired Miller Planning Associates (MPA), along with RRM Design Group, to lead the Zoning Ordinance update project. The project will move from research and evaluation of City policies, regulations, and development to the development of an overall framework for the new Zoning Ordinance. New and updated regulations will be drafted for review and consideration and revised, based on input received. The community is encouraged to participate throughout the process which we anticipate will take about 1.5-2 years, tentatively concluding by winter of 2023.
Who Can Participate?
All residents, business owners, and other stakeholders within Dixon are encouraged to take part in this project and shape the future of the community.
How Can I Get Involved?
We are soliciting citizen participation in all phases of the project. There are many ways to get involved! See below for participation information.
Project Documents
City Council Adoption Adoption Hearing(s) - April 2, 2024
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Planning Commission Adoption Recommendation Hearing - February 13, 2024
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Public Review Draft
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Study Session #3 (Monday, April 24, 2023, 6:30 pm)
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Study Session #2 (Monday, March 20, 2023, 6:30 pm)
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Study Session #1 (Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 6:30 pm)
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Study Session Documents for Joint Planning Commission/City Council Study Sessions in Jan, Feb and March 2023
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Workshop and Survey Input Summary (September - October 2022)
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Community Workshops (July - August 2022)
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Other Resources
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Contract/RFP
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| Existing City Documents |
Upcoming Meetings
City Council hearing on adoption, TBD
Meetings to Date
- October 5, 2021, the City selects and approves contract with Miller Planning Associates to lead the Zoning Ordinance and Map Update process.
- February 1 and February 8, 2022, the City Council and Planning Commission received the same presentation at their respective meetings. These presentations were an introduction to to the project, with an overview of zoning, the scope of project, next steps and some preliminary discussion points. A copy of the presentation can be viewed here. Video, including the presentations, can be viewed 2/1/22 City Council and 2/8/22 Planning Commission meetings.
- March 8, 2022, the Planning Commission was presented with the Recommendations Memo which summarized the principal findings of the initial assessment of the current Zoning Code and present “big ideas” for the update, which will be further developed and refined as draft regulations are created. A copy of the staff report with the recommendations memo can viewed here. Video, including the presentations, can be viewed at 3/8/22 Planning Commission meeting (Starts at 2:01:25 into the meeting)
- On Wednesday, July 20 and Thursday, July 21, 2022, the City hosted two public workshops to solicit input on the Zoning Ordinance update process. Video of the power point and audio from the room can be viewed here - July 20th video/July 21st video. For materials from this workshop, including the survey form, presentation board, presentation slides, please see project documents above.
- January 31, 2023 - The Planning Commission and City Council held a joint study session to review Draft Zoning Ordinance (specifically the Draft District and Use regulations and Draft Zoning Map). Video from meeting. Documents from meeting are listed above
- March 20, 2023 - The Planning Commission and City Council held the 2nd joint study session to review Draft Zoning Ordinance (Citywide regulations). Video from meeting. Documents from meeting are listed above
- April 24, 2023 - The Planning Commission and City Council held the 3rd joint study session to review Draft Zoning Ordinance (Follow up on Corridor Mixed Use regulations and Draft ADministrative Provisions). Video from meeting. Documents from meeting are listed above
- February 6, 2023 - The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing to consider their recommendation for the adoption of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and Map update and approval of minor General Plan amendments. Video and documents from the meeting are listed above
Submit Comments
We would like to hear from you! Please provide your comments by clicking here. If you would like to receive project updates, check the box at the end of the form.
Sign Up for Updates
To sign up to receive notifications for the project, please click here.
Contact Us
City staff are available to answer questions or to provide additional information on the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map Update project. Email Raffi Boloyan, Community Development Director at rboloyan@cityofdixon.us.
