Aliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.18.020 Permitted uses in nonresidential districts

A. Purpose and Intent. The purpose and intent of the nonresidential zoning districts is to provide for a range of business and commercial land uses to support the needs of residents, visitors and the city’s workforce consistent with the plans and policies of the general plan land use and other elements.

B. Nonresidential Districts. The purpose of each nonresidential district is as follows:

1. Town Center Commercial (CT) District. To provide for large-scale community and regional-serving commercial uses located in the city’s town center consistent with the general plan commercial town center designation. The Aliso Viejo town center is a mixed use center intended to function as the community’s urban core, central business district and community shopping area. Examples of permitted uses include community retail and commercial services, offices, theaters, art galleries and entertainment facilities, hotels/motels and restaurants, and recreation and community facilities.

2. Community Commercial (CC) District. To provide for general commercial uses consistent with the general plan community commercial designation. Examples of permitted uses include retail stores, restaurants, lodging, community facilities, personal services, business services, and financial services of a citywide or regional nature.

3. Neighborhood Commercial (CN) District. To provide for local-serving neighborhood commercial uses consistent with the general plan neighborhood commercial designation. The CN district is established to provide for a variety of retail and service needs for nearby neighborhoods. Examples of permitted uses include retail stores, gas stations, personal services, community facilities, medical and professional offices and restaurants.

4. Professional Office (PO) District. To provide for business and professional office complexes consistent with the general plan professional office designation. The PO district is established to provide for the development and maintenance of an optimal environment for moderate intensity professional and administrative office uses and related uses on sites with large landscaped open spaces and off-street parking facilities. Examples of permitted uses include offices, support facilities, and community facilities.

5. Business Park 1 (BP-1) District. To provide business and employment-generating development, including a range of light industrial uses and supporting offices and services consistent with the general plan business park designation. This is a planned business district designed to provide a balanced economic and employment base for the community. Examples of permitted uses include research and development, limited service and retail commercial, offices, and community facilities.

6. Business Park 2 (BP-2) District. To provide for a wide range of industrial, research, manufacturing, storage, and warehouse uses that may not be desirable in the BP-1 district. Performance standards to achieve compatibility with other permitted and conditionally permitted uses may be required through a discretionary permit process. Examples of permitted uses include those uses allowed in the BP-1 district plus “wet” laboratories, major truck distribution facilities, and construction equipment storage.

C. Supplemental Nonresidential Regulations. Regulations for fences and walls, accessory structures, landscaping, screening and other supplemental nonresidential regulations are set out in Chapter 15.22 AVMC. [Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].

A. Development Permits Required. Table 15.18.020 in this section indicates whether a use or structure is permitted within a zoning district. However, in most cases, development to establish a land use requires approval of a site development permit and/or other permits as set out in AVMC 15.74.020.

B. Table of Permitted Uses. Table 15.18.020 specifies those uses and structures which are permitted within each nonresidential district. If a use or structure is not listed as permitted, it is prohibited unless specifically determined to be permitted pursuant to AVMC 15.06.050. The letters in the columns beneath the district designations mean the following:

1. “P” – The use is permitted as a principal use within the district.

2. “A” – The use is permitted only if accessory to the principal use on the site.

3. “C” – The use is permitted as a principal or accessory use if a conditional use permit is approved.

4. “AUP” – The use is permitted as a principal or accessory use if an administrative use permit is approved.

5. “TUP” – The use is permitted on a temporary basis if a temporary use permit is approved.

6. “NP” – The use is not permitted in the district.

Land uses are grouped as follows in the following table:

• Automotive Uses

• Dining, Drinking and Entertainment Uses

• Lodging and Group Care Uses

• Office, Retail and Service Uses

• Public, Recreation and Assembly Uses

• Research, Industrial and Heavy Commercial Uses

• Accessory Uses

• Temporary Uses

• Other Uses

TABLE 15.18.020: PERMITTED USES IN NONRESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

[Ord. 2022-227 § 7; Ord. 2020-218 § 3; Ord. 2018-202 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2018-194 § 4; Ord. 2017-187 § 3; Ord. 2016-181 § 3; Ord. 2015-172 § 3; Ord. 2015-165 § 4 (Exh. A); Ord. 2014-161 § 4 (Exh. A); Ord. 2013-151 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2013-150 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2012-146 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2012-140 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2011-131 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].

A. Table of Development Standards. The following table contains development standards for nonresidential districts:

TABLE 15.18.030: NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

[Figure][Figure]

[Ord. 2015-165 § 4 (Exh. A); Ord. 2011-131 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].

Single-story buildings shall not exceed 300,000 square feet of total gross floor area. [Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].