On June 15, 2021 the City of El Centro City Council approved the El Centro 2040 General Plan Update. The project updated the Land Use and Mobility Elements of the General Plan and adopted a new Environmental Justice Element. The Land Use Element, created new land use designations, overlays, and removed others. Also, on February 1, 2022 the City Council adopted the 6th Cycle Housing Element, which was certified by the Housing and Community Development Department. On November 15, 2022 the City Council approved the required changes to the ordinance under Phase I.

Phase II of the Zoning Ordinance update commenced in January 2023. This Phase of the focused on additional non-residential topics for compliance with the updated General Plan. In addition, it also revised several residential development standards in compliance with the Housing Element and General Plan. This item was recommended by the Planning Commission on July 23, 2024 to the Council for approval. In general updates to the El Centro Municipal Code clarify regulations, removes obsolete language, address community needs and align with both the General Plan and State Law.
The changes presented are part of Phase II of the Zoning Code Update and are available to view on the bottom of this webpage. In addition to Chapter 29 “Zoning” other chapters of the City’s Municipal Code are proposed for modification and are summarized below:

Chapter 12 – Garbage, Rubbish, and Solid Waste:

o Clarifies requirements for all property and business owners
o Secures receptacles, prohibits business use of public bins, allows shared enclosures
Chapters 18- Offenses, and Miscellaneous Provisions:
o Updates fencing regulations, defines barbed wire, and sets permit requirements for hazardous fencing.

Chapter 23 – Streets, Sidewalks, and Public Places:

o Introduces uniform roadway design standards for all city streets and alleys
o Emphasizes speed reduction and General Plan consistency in traffic calming
o Complete Streets Ordinance to enhance traffic safety and access for all, specifies design elements, and requires coordination between departments

Chapter 24 – Subdivision Regulations:

o References Complete Streets article, clarifies lot design standards, and removes redundant regulations

Chapter 29 – Zoning:

o Planned Unit Developments (PUD): Allows smaller lots and diverse housing types in R-1 zone
o Allowable Land Uses: Updates uses, permits, and expands Home Occupation Permit requirements
o Temporary Uses: Clarifies and adds allowable uses, exemptions for certain events
o Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)s and Junior ADUs: Updates to reflect state law changes
o Open Space Standards: Reduces requirements, allows flexibility for multi-unit projects between two to four units
o Design Standards: Removes subjective language, updates carport, privacy, and parking area requirements
o Parking Requirements: Allows tandem parking, modifies requirements
o Landscaping and Screening: Revises standards, updates plant lists and spacing requirements
o Procedures: Updates permitting procedures, changes approving body for large temporary uses to Planning Commission
o Definitions: Updates and adds definitions, removes outdated terms
o Clarifications: Corrects errors, adds references, and updates terminology
o Hazardous Fencing: Requires Administrative Committee Review.