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 also included 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

As of May 2024, the project to comprehensively update the Dixon Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map is now completed. This project also included minor amendments to the General Plan land use map and two land use designations. The City Council adopted the General Plan amendments on April 2, 2204 and also passed the first reading of an Ordinance adopting the Comprehensive Update to the Zoning Ordinance and Map.  On May 7, the City Council conducted the 2nd reading and passed the Ordinance to print. The new Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map became effective on June 6, 2024.  See below for more information on this completed project, including the "Project Documents" section which includes all past drafts, staff reports, documents and other materials associated with the update project.  

The Final Adopted Zoning Ordinance, and Zoning Map, and associated General Plan amendments are linked here. The updated zoning code will be codified into Title 18 of the Dixon Municipal Code by our Municipal Code publisher, but that may take a little time after the June 6, 2024 effective date. So, make sure to use the adopted version here in the meantime 


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 Outdated regulations can sometimes hinder community objectives and economic development.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 hired Miller Planning Associates (MPA), along with RRM Design Group, in Fall of 2021 to lead the Zoning Ordinance update project. The project will moved 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 were drafted for review and considered and revised, based on input received. The community was encouraged to participate throughout the process, through updates and meeting before the Planning Commission and Council, 3 public workshops and community wide survey, and various events at which input was solicited. The update process ended up taking 2.5 years, and concluded Spring of 2024.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

Final Adopted Documents
City Council Adoption Hearing(s) -  April 2, 2024 and May 7, 2024

Planning Commission Adoption Recommendation Hearing - February 13, 2024 

Public Review Draft   
Study Session #3 (Monday, April 24, 2023, 6:30 pm)
Study Session #2 (Monday, March 20, 2023, 6:30 pm) 
Study Session #1 (Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 6:30 pm)
Study Session Documents for Joint Planning Commission/City Council Study Sessions in Jan, Feb and March 2023
Workshop and Survey Input Summary (September - October 2022)
Community Workshops  (July - August 2022)
Other Resources 
Contract/RFP
Existing City Documents

Upcoming Meetings

None, City Council hearing on adoption occurred April 2, and May 7, 2024


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. Documents from meeting are listed above 
  • April 2, 2024 - The City Council conducted a public hearing to consider the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and Map update and approval of minor General Plan amendments. The Council ultimately approved the General Plan amendments and waived 1st reading and introduced the Ordinance for the Comprehensive Update to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map and associated municipal code amendment.  
  • May 7, 2024  - The City Council waived 2nd reading and adopted the Ordinance for the Comprehensive Update to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map and associated municipal code amendments.  Documents from meeting are listed above. The new Ordinance will become effective after 30 days of adoption, or June 6, 2024


Contact Us

City staff are available to answer questions or to provide additional information on the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map . Please email planningdepartment@cityofdixon.us.