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Zoning Ordinance Updates

ZONING ORDINANCE OVERHAUL
         
 
Overview
The City of Hollister is embarking on a comprehensive overhaul of its Zoning Ordinance to better reflect current planning practices, comply with evolving State laws, and create a more user-friendly framework for residents, developers, and city staff. This effort is being led by the Planning Department in response to direction from the City Council, and is closely tied to the ongoing review of the 2040 Hollister General Plan.

The goal is to ensure that the Zoning Ordinance is clear, effective, and aligned with both community needs and legal requirements—now and into the future.
 
Proposed Phases of Overhaul 
 The Zoning Ordinance Overhaul is loosely divided into four "phases". The First Phase included updates to chapters to ensure consistency with new state laws and is ongoing as State regulations change. Phase 2 included an update to the Use Tables and Definitions sections for clarity and consistency, and was adopted in October 2025 (ORD 1267). Phase 3 is actively underway, and consists of updating the permitting procedures chapters. Adoption hearings for Phase 3 are anticipated in March and April 2026. The final phase, Phase 4, will address the remaining regulatory sections of the Zoning Ordinance. Phase 4 will consist of many study sessions to discuss various chapters of the Zoning Ordinance, leading to the ultimate goal of repealing and replacing the Zoning Ordinance with new, clear requirements throughout.

Recent and Upcoming Public Meetings and Events
Find information about public meetings and key events related to the comprehensive update to the Zoning Ordinance here.
 
 
March 26, 2026
Planning Commission
   Agenda
(will be published 72 hours before the meeting)
 
  • PC Adoption  Hearing for Zoning Procedures Chapters (ZOA 2025-4)
  • PC Adoption Hearing for Housing Element Implementation Zoning Amendments (ZOA 2026-1)
           
February 26, 2026
Planning Commission
  Agenda   
  • Fourth Study Session on Zoning Procedures Chapters
           
January 22, 2026
Planning Commission 
  Agenda  
  • Third Study Session on Zoning Procedures Chapters
           
November 20, 2026
Planning Commission
  Agenda  
  • Second Study Session on Zoning Procedures Chapters
           
September 25, 2026
Planning Commission
  Agenda  
  • First Study Session on Zoning Procedures Chapters

     RECENTLY ADOPTED ORDINANCES 
          Ordinance No.  Adopted Date  Description
1220 October 3, 2022  Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 2022-1
An Ordinance of the City of Hollister amending the zoning ordinance to change how the city calculate the density of a residential development from net density to gross and related modifications.
1225 December 19, 2022 Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 2022-2
An Ordinance of the City of Hollister amending the zoning ordinance to adopt Chapter 17.26, two-units residential developments and urban lot splits. 
1229 March 6, 2023 Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 2023-1
An Ordinance of the City of Hollister amending the zoning ordinance to repeal section 17.22.040, Accessory Dwelling Units, and replace with new chapter, Chapter 17.32, Accessory Dwelling Units
1230 March 6, 2023 Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 2023-2
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Hollister amending the zoning ordinance to repeal Article II, Density Bonus of Chapter 17.04, residential zoning districts, and replace with Chapter 17.34, Density Bonus and the adoption of an application fee related to Density Bonus Application.
1237 September 5, 2023 Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 2023-3
An Ordinance of the City of Hollister amending the zoning ordinance to repeal section 17.24.240, Planned Development Permits, and replace with a new chapter, Chapter 17.66, Planned Developments.
1252 August 6, 2024  Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 2023-4
An Ordinance of the City of Hollister approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2023-4 to adopt Chapter 17.36 Inclusionary Housing Program. 
1235 June 20, 2023 Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 2023-5
An Ordinance of the City of Hollister approving Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2023-5 to amend the City of Hollister Municipal Code to repeal Chapter 17,22,235 - Mobile Food and replace with a new chapter 10.50, amend Title 10 definitions, and amend Chapter 17 to address zoning districts where mobile food vending is permitted.
1260 April 21, 2025  Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 2023-6
An Ordinance of the City of Hollister approving an amendment to Title 13 Public Services to adopt Chapter 13.04 Title X, Outside Sewer Connections.
1262  August 18, 2025 Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 2025-1
An Ordinance of the City of Hollister approving a zoning ordinance amendment to Chapter 17.10, industrial and manufacturing zones to allow specialized schools in the M1 Zoning District and related amendments for clarity.
1267 October 20, 2025 Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 2025-3
An Ordinance of the City of Hollister approving zoning ordinance amendment 2025-3 amending various sections of Title Zoning to clarify definitions and use tables across all city zoning districts, as well as to provide minor clarification and legislative clean-up related to density bonus and to reflect changes in state law.