Council introduces zoning and development-code updates, excludes ADU provision for later review
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Summary
The Lodi City Council on Oct. 15 introduced a package of zoning and development-code amendments—including new tobacco and alcohol use-permit rules, corrections to residential density and missing-middle provisions—and voted to remove an accessory dwelling unit section for later revision. First reading passed.
The Lodi City Council on Oct. 15 voted to introduce a broad package of zoning and development-code amendments and to waive the first reading, while excluding one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) provision for separate review.
Deputy Community Development Director Cynthia March told the council the ordinance package updates the development code to align with the general plan and state law, adopts the California Historic Building Code as a first step toward local historic-preservation rules, creates a new chapter regulating retail tobacco operations and locations, and adds clarified alcohol sale categories and objective use-permit requirements.
March said the tobacco section would require use permits and place new limits on where tobacco retailers and smoke shops may locate, including a 500-foot buffer from youth-oriented facilities and limits on proximity between tobacco retailers. She described a transition approach for existing businesses: “Any that are existing that are legally existing would be grandfathered in,” and noted staff found roughly 20 retailers without state licenses who would have to legalize their status to remain.
Council members asked whether the new rules would force existing stores to close. March replied that legally nonconforming uses could remain at their current level if they continue to operate legally; retailers without state licenses could face state enforcement until they obtain licensing.
Other changes include an alcohol section that spells out objective findings for on- and off-sale uses, corrections to the residential medium-density (RMD) height standard (to three stories), provisions to allow certain religious uses in industrial zones with a use permit, reductions to parking requirements for one-bedroom senior units, and a foundation for future “missing middle” housing rules.
The council also agreed to remove one ADU-related section (listed in the packet as 17.36.0.13) from the current motion so staff can revisit it in the Phase 4 amendments, citing recent state changes and a comment letter the city received that requires further review. March said staff will return with revisions in 2026.
A motion to waive first reading and introduce the ordinance (excluding the ADU section) was made and the first reading passed. The council did not record a roll-call vote in the public record excerpt; staff will return with the ordinance for second reading and final adoption as scheduled under the council’s ordinance calendar.
What’s next: Staff will prepare the ordinance language for second reading and will continue coordination with state agencies on licensing and enforcement details for tobacco retailers. The ADU provision will be revised and returned during the next phase of code amendments.
