Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Orange, CA (2026)
2 verified zoning overlays & bonuses rules for Orange, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Density Bonus Law
Chapter 17.15 incorporates California's Density Bonus Law, Government Code § 65915 et seq., directly into Orange's zoning code, so a qualifying affordable-housing project requests a bonus through major site plan review under § 17.10.060. Before permits issue for more than half the market-rate units, § 17.15.050 requires every affordable unit to be permitted first.
Orange City Density Bonus Ordinance
Some RestrictionsOrange, CA, Municipal Code §§ 17.15.010, 17.15.050 (Chapter 17.15, Density Bonus)
§ 17.15.010. Density Bonus. The City hereby incorporates by reference the state's Density Bonus Law, as contained in Government Code Section 65915, et seq., as may be amended from time to time. In enacting this chapter, it is the intent of the City to facilitate the development of affordable housing and to implement the goals, objectives, and policies of the Housing Element of the City's Genera...
Downtown Design Guide
Any development inside Orange's Old Towne District, from the Plaza to the residential quadrants, must conform to the Historic Preservation Design Standards for Old Towne Orange under § 17.14.250, or the Historic Preservation Objective Design Standards for qualifying multi-family projects. Commercial parcels in the district follow the identical requirement under § 17.18.220.
Orange Old Towne Design Standards
Significant RestrictionsOrange, CA, Municipal Code § 17.14.250 (Old Towne Design Standards); § 17.18.220 (Old Towne)
Developments within Old Towne shall conform to the Historic Preservation Design Standards for Old Towne Orange or, as applicable to qualifying multi-family housing projects, the Historic Preservation Objective Design Standards, as may be adopted and amended by resolution of the City Council and incorporated into this Zoning Ordinance by reference. Refer to Section 17.17.030 for delineation of t...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Orange city rules.
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