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Title 21 — ZONING

§ 21.10

Campbell Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-08 · Campbell

21.10.010 - Purpose of chapter—Applicability.

A.

Commercial, office, and industrial zoning districts. This chapter provides regulations applicable to development and new land uses in the commercial, office, and industrial zoning districts established by Section 21.04.020, (Zoning districts established). The purpose of this chapter is to achieve the following:

1.

Provide convenient and appropriately distributed commercial areas for retail and service establishments, including neighborhood and office uses required by residents of the city in a manner consistent with the general plan;

2.

Enhance the visual quality of the commercial streets by extending the structures along the street, thereby forming a street-wall effect;

3.

Enhance the visual image of the city through good design and appropriate structure placement. Visual quality can also be improved through appropriate and complementary structure scale, which means the relationship of new development to existing structures;

4.

Provide for the development of non-polluting, clean industrial uses to broaden the economic/employment base of the city, while ensuring compatible integration with nonindustrial uses, in a manner consistent with the general plan;

Upgrade the existing function and appearance of the city's industrial areas by encouraging high quality development;

6.

Provide adequate space to meet the needs of commercial and industrial development, including off-street parking and loading;

7.

Minimize traffic congestion and avoid the overloading of utilities;

8.

Minimize excessive illumination, noise, odor, smoke, unsightliness, and other objectionable influences; and

9.

Promote high standards of site planning and landscape design for the commercial and industrial developments within the city.

(Ord. No. 2293, § 1(Exh. B), 5-2-2023)

21.10.020 - Commercial, office, and industrial zoning districts.

The purpose and zoning district map symbols of individual commercial, office, and industrial zoning districts are as follows:

A.

Professional Office Zoning District.

1.

Purpose: The Professional Office zoning district is intended for the development of professional offices in locations served by primary access, yet inappropriate for commercial development because of the proximity to residential uses. The type of offices allowed in this zoning district include administrative, professional, and research, and may provide customer service and instruction for personal or professional enrichment or be more corporate in nature. The Professional Office zoning district is consistent with the Professional Office land use designation of the General Plan.

2.

Zoning District Map Symbol: PO

B.

Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District.

Purpose: The Neighborhood Commercial zoning district is intended to provide for retail sales, offices, and services serving the daily needs of nearby residents of the city and to promote stable and attractive commercial development which will be compatible with neighboring residential uses. This zoning district is designed to encourage the location of commercial uses at major intersections within residential areas. These areas should be designed to accommodate the auto in a manner that is also friendly to and harmonious with pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The architecture of the structures should be compatible with the neighborhood. Grocery stores, laundries, personal services, pharmacies, and restaurants are prime examples of neighborhood commercial uses. The Neighborhood Commercial zoning district is consistent with the Neighborhood Commercial land use designation of the General Plan.

2.

Zoning District Map Symbol: NC

C.

General Commercial Zoning District.

1.

Purpose: The General Commercial zoning district is intended to provide a wide range of retail sales and business and personal services primarily oriented to the automobile customer and accessible to transit corridors, to provide for general commercial needs of the city, and to promote a stable and attractive commercial development which will afford a pleasant shopping environment. The building forms should typically frame the street, with parking lots located either behind or under the structures they are designed to serve. Auto related uses (e.g., auto repair) are generally prohibited from locating in this zoning district. The General Commercial zoning district is consistent with the General Commercial land use designation of the General Plan.

2.

Zoning District Map Symbol: GC

D.

Research and Development Zoning District.

1.

Purpose: The Research and Development zoning district is intended to provide a stable environment conducive to the development and protection of specialized manufacturing, packaging, printing, publishing, testing, and research and development with associated administrative office facilities often providing a campus-like environment as a corporate headquarters. These facilities are operated and maintained in a clean and quiet manner and continually meet the standards identified in this chapter and in this Zoning Code. The Research and Development Zoning District is consistent with the Research and Development land use designation of the General Plan.

Zoning District Map Symbol: RD

E.

Light Industrial Zoning District.

1.

Purpose: The Light Industrial zoning district is designed to encourage sound industrial development (e.g., light manufacturing, industrial processing, storage and distribution, warehousing), in addition to service commercial uses (e.g., motor vehicle repair facilities) in the city by providing and protecting an environment exclusively for this type of development, subject to regulations identified in this Zoning Code which are necessary to ensure the protection of nearby residential uses from hazards, noises, or other related disturbances. Industries producing substantial amounts of hazardous waste, odor, or other pollutants would be prohibited. Businesses serving commercial uses (e.g., food service or office supply) would generally be allowed as ancillary uses, subject to appropriate development and design standards and guidelines. The Light Industrial zoning district is consistent with the light industrial land use designation of the General Plan.

2.

Zoning District Map Symbol: LI

(Ord. No. 2293, § 1(Exh. B), 5-2-2023)

21.10.030 - Commercial, Office, and Industrial land uses.

The permissibility of land uses in Commercial, Office, and Industrial districts shall be as specified by Table 2-5 (Land Use Table - Commercial, Office, and Industrial Zoning Districts) subject to the operational and locational standards contained in Article 3. Land uses that are listed as (P) are permitted and approved by issuance of a zoning clearance in compliance with Chapter 21.40 (Zoning Clearances). Land uses listed as (AC) may be allowed subject to the approval of an Administrative Conditional Use Permit and land uses listed as (C) may be allowed subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit, in compliance with Chapter 21.46 (Conditional use permits). Land uses listed as (X) and those not otherwise listed are prohibited and shall not be allowed. The list of land uses is organized by headers which themselves do not convey an intended land use.

Table 2-5

Land Use Table — Commercial, Office, and Industrial Zoning Districts

Zoning District Map Symbol
# Land Use NC GC PO RD LI Special Use
Requirements
Manufacturing, Processing, and Storage
1 Artisan products, small-scale
assembly
X P X P P
2 Building material stores/yards X X X X C
3 Chemical products X X X X C
4 Clothing products manufacturing X X X P P
5 Contractor's equipment yards X X X X C
6 Electronics and equipment
manufacturing
X X X P P
7 Food and beverage product
manufacturing
X X X P P
8 Furniture/cabinet shops X X X P P
9 Glass products manufacturing; X X X P P
10 Handicraft industries, small scale
assembly
X P X P P
11 Laboratories X X X X P
12 Laundries/dry cleaning plants X X X P P
13 Lumber and wood products, including
incidental mill work
X X X X P
14 Machinery manufacturing X X X P P
15 Metal products fabrication X X X P P
16 Outdoor storage X X X X C
17 Paper products manufacturing X X X P P
18 Pharmaceutical manufacturing X X X P P
19 Plastics and rubber products X X X P P
20 Printing and publishing X X X P P
21 Recycling facilities - processing
facility
X X X X C
22 Research and development X X X P P
23 Rug and upholstery cleaning X X X X P
24 Sign manufacturing X X X P P
25 Storage facilities (one facility per
every fve thousand people of the
population)
X X X X C
26 Textile products manufacturing X X X P P
27 Warehousing, wholesaling and
distribution facility, incidental.
X X X X P
28 Warehousing, wholesaling and
distribution facility, primary.
X X X X P
Recreation, Education, Public Assembly
29 Commercial child day care centers C C C X X Section
21.36.080
30 Commercial schools C C X X X
31 Community/cultural/recreational
center
C C C X X
32 Golf courses and golf driving ranges X C X X X
33 Libraries, public P P C X X
34 Membership organization facilities X X C X X
35 Miniature golf courses X C X X X
36 Museums, public C C X X X
37 Public assembly uses C C C X C
38 Studios, large
a. When studio uses occupy 10% or
less of the gross non-residential foor
area of a property or shopping center.
1
P P X C C
b. When studio uses occupy 20% or
less of the gross non-residential foor
area of a property or shopping center.
1
AC AC X C C
c. All others. C C X C C
39 Studios, small
a. When studio uses occupy 10% or
less of the gross non-residential foor
area of a property or shopping center.
1
P P X C C
b. When studio uses occupy 20% or
less of the gross non-residential foor
area of a property or shopping center.
1
AC AC X C C
c. All others. C C X C C
40 Schools—K-12, private C C C X X
41 Schools—K-12, public P P P X X
42 Tutoring centers, large Section
21.36.243
a. When tutoring uses occupy 20% or
less of the gross non-residential foor
area of a property or shopping center.
AC AC P X X
b. All others. C C P X X
43 Tutoring centers, small Section
21.36.243
a. When tutoring uses occupy 20% or
less of the gross non-residential foor
area of a property or shopping center.
AC AC P X X
b. All others. C C P X X
44 Universities/colleges, private C C C X X
45 Universities/colleges, public P P X X X
Retail
46 Alcohol sales, ofsite C C X X X Section
21.36.142
47 Alcohol sales, onsite C C X X X Section
21.36.144
48 Alcohol sales, ancillary onsite Section
21.36.145
a. In conjunction with full service
restaurants.
AC AC X X X
b. In conjunction with quick service
restaurants or cafes.
C AC X X X
c. All others. C C X X X
49 Ancillary retail uses serving industrial
uses
X X X C C
50 Garden centers/plant nurseries C P X X X
51 Gasoline stations C C X X X
52 Grocery stores
a. When the tenant space is less than
20,000 gross square-feet in area.
AC AC X X X
b. All others. C C X X X
53 Outdoor retail sales and activities X C X X X
54 Pet stores C C X X X
55 Retail stores, general merchandise
a. When the tenant space is less than
10,000 gross square-feet in area.
P P X X X
b. When the tenant space is less than
20,000 gross square-feet in area.
AC AC X X X
c. All others. C C X X X
56 Second-hand/thrift stores with onsite
acquisition
X C X X X
57 Shopping centers (greater than ten
thousand square feet)
C C X X X
58 Shopping centers (under ten
thousand square feet)
P P X X X
59 Vending machines P P X X X
Entertainment
60 Arcades C C X X X Section
21.36.030
61 Dancing and live entertainment C C X X X
62 Drive-in theaters X C X X X
63 Indoor amusement
/entertainment/recreation centers
a. When the use occupies 10% or
less of the gross non-residential foor
area of a property or shopping center.
1, 2
C P X X X
b. When the use occupies 20% or
less of the gross non-residential foor
area of a property or shopping center.
1
C AC X X X
c. All others. C C X X X
64 Nightclubs X C X X X
65 Outdoor
amusement/entertainment/recreation
centers
X C X X X
66 Theaters, movie or performing arts X C X X X
General Services
67 Adult day care facilities X C X X X
68 Automated teller machines (ATM's) P P X X X
69 Banks and fnancial services P P X X X
70 Bed and breakfast inns (only in
historic structures)
X C X X X
71 Business support service X X X P P
72 Cat and dog day care facilities X C X X C
73 Cat and dog grooming facilities
Zoning District Map Symbol
a. When cat and/or dog care,
boarding, or grooming facilities
cumulatively occupy 10% or less of
the gross non-residential foor area of
a property or shopping center.1, 2
C P X X C
b. When cat and/or dog care,
boarding, or grooming facilities
cumulatively occupy 20% or less of
the gross non-residential foor area of
a property or shopping center.1
C AC X X C
c. All others. C C X X C
74 Cat Boarding facilities X C X X C
75 Catering business X X X X C
76 Catering business, only when ancillary
to a restaurant
P P X X X
77 Check cashing X C X X X
78 Construction equipment rentals X X X X C
79 Dog Boarding facilities X X X X C
80 Dry cleaning P P X X X
81 Equipment rental establishments X C X X X
82 Health/ftness centers Section
21.36.095
a. When the tenant space is less than
10,000 gross square-feet in area.
AC AC C C C
83 Hotel C P X X X
84 Laundromats, self-service P P X X X
85 Massage establishments X C C X X Section
21.36.270
86 Motel C P X X X
87 Payday lender X C X X X
88 Personal services, general P P X X X
89 Personal services, limited X C X X X
90 Photocopying P P X X X
91 Photography studio/supply shop P P X X X
92 Recycling facilities—Reverse vending
machines
C C X X X
93 Recycling facilities—large collection
facility
X X X X C
94 Recycling facilities—small collection
facility
C C X X X
95 Repair and maintenance, consumer
products
P P X X P
96 Sign shops X C X X P
97 Tanning studios C C X X X
98 Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals C C X X C Section
21.36.250
99 Video rental stores C C X X X
Motor Vehicles, Trailers, and Watercraft
100 Marine sales (new and used),
with/without service facilities
X X X X C
101 Motor vehicle—cleaning, washing,
and detailing
X C X X C
102 Motor vehicle—dismantling X X X X C
103 Motor vehicle—leasing X C X X C
104 Motor vehicle—oil change facilities X C X X C
105 Motor vehicle—painting X X X X C
106 Motor vehicle—parts and supplies
(very limited maintenance/installation)
X C X X X
107 Motor vehicle—renting X C X X C
108 Motor vehicle—repair and
maintenance (minor and major/only
within an enclosed structure)
Section
21.36.140
a. When the tenant space is less than
10,000 gross square-feet in area.2
X X X X AC
b. All others. X X X X C
109 Motor vehicle—sales X C X X C
110 Motor vehicle—tune-up X X X X C
111 Motor vehicle—tune-up—light duty
only
X X X X C
112 Motor vehicle—window tinting X X X X C
113 Trailer sales X X X X C
Food Services
114 Banquet facilities X C X X X
115 Drive-in/drive-in service C C X X X
116 Restaurants or cafes, quick service C AC X X X
117 Restaurants, full service P P X C C
Medical Services
118 Ambulance service X P X X P
119 Convalescent/rest homes C C X X X
120 Hospitals X C X X X
121 Medical services, clinics
a. When the use occupies 10% or
less of the gross non-residential foor
area of a property or shopping center.
1
AC P P C X
b. When the use occupies 20% or
less of the gross non-residential foor
area of a property or shopping center.
1
AC AC P C X
c. All others. C C P C X
122 Medical services, extended care C C X C X
123 Medical services, laboratories X C C C C
Ofces
124 Ofces, professional P P P AC AC
125 Travel agencies P P X X X
Transportation, Parking, and Communications
126 Alternative fuels and recharging
facilities
AC AC AC AC AC
127 Broadcast and recording studios C C C C C
128 Parking lots/structures, public P P C C C
129 Radio or television transmitters C C C C C
130 Radio stations X C X C C
131 Satellite television or personal internet
broadband dishes/antenna (less than
3 feet in diameter)
P P P P P
132 Towing services X X X X C Section
21.36.240
133 Trucking/freight terminal X X X X P
134 Wireless telecommunications facilities May be allowed in compliance
with CMC
Chapter 21.34
(Wireless Communications
Facilities)
Chapter 21.34
Other Uses
135 Caretaker/employee housing X C X C C Section
21.36.040
136 Emergency shelters; within parcels
depicted by Figure II-63 (Parcels
Allowing Emergency Shelters) of the
City of Campbell Housing Element
P P P P P Section
21.36.085
137 Emergency shelters; outside parcels
depicted by Figure II-63 (Parcels
Allowing Emergency Shelters) of the
City of Campbell Housing Element
C C X C C Section
21.36.085
138 Collection containers, small P P X P P Section
21.36.245
139 Collection containers, large X P X P P Section
21.36.245
140 Government ofces and facilities
(local, State or federal)
C C C C C
141 Late night activities C C C C C
142 Drive-through/drive-up service/drive-
up window
X C X X X
143 Outdoor seating, when more than
twelve total seats
AC AC X X X
144 Outdoor seating, when twelve total
seats or less
P P X X X
145 Philanthropic collection trailers C C X X X
146 Public utility service yards X X X C X
147 Public utility structures and service
facilities
C C X C C
148 Public works maintenance facilities
and storage yards
X C X C C
149 Sexually oriented business X X X X P Chapter 5.55 and
Section 21.35.205
150 Temporary uses May be allowed in compliance
with CMC
Chapter 21.45
(Temporary Uses)
Chapter 21.45
151 Transitional housing C C X X C
152 Warehousing, wholesaling and
distribution facility, incidental (less
than ffty percent of foor area);
X X X P X
Zoning District Map Symbol
Expressly Prohibited Uses
153 Any business that includes smoking
tobacco on site (e.g., smoking
lounges, hookah lounges, etc.)
X X X X X
154 Any use inconsistent with state or
federal law
X X X X X
155 Any use which is obnoxious or
ofensive or creates a nuisance to the
occupants or commercial visitors of
adjacent buildings or premises by
reason of the emissions of dust,
fumes, glare, heat, liquids, noise,
odor, smoke, steam, vibrations, or
similar disturbances
X X X X X
156 All incineration X X X X X

(1)

When located more than fifty-feet from a public right-of-way, as measured from the back of a public sidewalk (or the back of the public curb/pavement of the public right-of-way where a public sidewalk is not present), on a ground-floor where a Tier 1 or Tier 2 requirement is indicated on the Form-Based Zone Map.

(2)

When located more than five hundred-feet, as measured between the nearest property lines, from properties with a residential and/or mixed-use land use designation excepting properties with a "General Commercial/Light Industrial" land use designation.

(Ord. No. 2293, § 1(Exh. B), 5-2-2023; Ord. No. 2306, § 18, 4-16-2024)

21.10.040 - Commercial, Office, and Industrial subdivision standards.

In addition to the permitting procedures and requirements contained in Title 20 (Subdivision and Land Development), the minimum area, width, and frontage of parcels proposed in new subdivisions in commercial, office, and industrial zoning districts shall be as specified by Table 2-6 (Minimum Parcel Sizes for Newly Created Parcels — Commercial, Office, and Industrial Districts). Areas of special limitations may also be identified on the zoning map as a number with the number indicating the minimum parcel area for subdivision in thousands of square feet (i.e., 80 = 80,000 sq. ft. minimum).

Table 2-6

Minimum Parcel Sizes for Newly Created Parcels — Commercial, Office, and Industrial Districts

Zoning Map Symbol Minimum Parcel Area:
Square Feet/Net Acre
Minimum Lot Width:
Feet
Minimum Public
Frontage: Feet
NC No minimum. 0 0
GC No minimum.
PO No minimum.
RD As depicted on the
zoning map.
LI 6,000 sq. ft.

(Ord. No. 2293, § 1(Exh. B), 5-2-2023)

21.10.050 - Commercial, Office, and Industrial development standards.

New land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures, shall be designated, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the requirements in Table 2-6 (Minimum Parcel Sizes for Newly Created Parcels — Commercial, Office, and Industrial Districts) and in Table 2-7 (General Development Standards - Commercial, Office, and Industrial Zoning Districts), in addition to the development standards contained in Article 3 (e.g., landscaping, fences, parking and loading, signs) and Article 4 (e.g., accessory structures).

Table 2-7

General Development Standards — Commercial, Office, and Industrial Districts

Zoning District Map Symbol
Development
Standard
NC GC PO RD LI
Maximum foor area
ratio
1.0
(1)
1.0
(1)
1.0
(1)
1.0
(1)
1.0
(1)

Setbacks required

Setbacks required
Front 15 ft. 10 ft. 15 ft. 20 ft. 10 ft.
Side (each) A minimum of fve
feet or one-half the
height of the building
wall adjacent to the
side property line
(whichever is
greater).
A minimum of fve
feet or one-half the
height of the building
wall adjacent to the
side property line
(whichever is
greater).
(3)
(7)
A minimum of fve
feet or one-half the
height of the building
wall adjacent to the
side property line
(whichever is
greater).
10 ft. A minimum of fve
feet or one-half the
height of the building
wall adjacent to the
side property line
(whichever is
greater) when the
side property line
abuts a residentially
zoned property or 5
feet when the side
property line does
not abut a
residentially zoned
property.
(4)
(5)
Street side 15 ft. 10 ft. 15 ft. 10 ft. 10 ft.
Rear 10 ft.
(2)
10 ft.
(2)
(6)
A minimum of fve
feet or one-half the
height of the building
wall adjacent to the
rear property line
(whichever is
greater).
10 ft.
(2)
10 ft.
(2)
(6)
Maximum height
limit
35 ft. 75 ft. 35 ft. 45 ft. 45 ft.

(1)

Properties located within the Pruneyard/Creekside District 3.0 acres and larger shall be allowed to develop at a maximum F.A.R. of 2.0 as provided for by LU-8.7 of the General Plan. Properties located within the Winchester Boulevard Master Plan (WBMP) shall have a maximum F.A.R. of 1.5 as provided for on page 24 of the WBMP.

(2)

The Planning Commission may grant a reduction or allow a structure to be placed on the rear property line and may designate that additional landscaping and setback requirements be provided at the front of the parcel.

(3)

The Planning Commission may allow a side setback of no less than five feet irrespective of building wall height where a property line abuts a non-residentially zoned property, when it finds that the reduced setback would enhance the architectural integrity of the building.

(4)

The Planning Commission may allow a side setback of less than five feet where a property line abuts a nonresidentially zoned property, when it finds that:

a.

The height of the building wall, inclusive of a parapet, adjacent to the side property line is no taller than thirty-feet and limited to one-story; and

b.

The proposed building is designed for and would be limited to general industrial use, including manufacturing, processing, warehousing, storage, assembly, and fabrication.

(5)

No side setback shall be required for a proposed building on the side property line where abutting a nonresidentially zoned property when designed for, and limited for use as, an emergency shelter in accordance with CMC 21.36.085 (Emergency shelters) when the height of the building wall, inclusive of a parapet, adjacent to any side property line is no taller than thirty-feet and limited to one-story.

(6)

No rear setback shall be required for a proposed building when designed for, and limited for use as, an emergency shelter in accordance with CMC 21.36.085 (Emergency shelters).

(7)

A side setback of five feet shall be required for a proposed building when designed for, and limited for use as, an emergency shelter in accordance with CMC 21.36.085 (Emergency shelters).

(Ord. No. 2293, § 1(Exh. B), 5-2-2023)

Chapter 21.11 - MIXED-USE DISTRICTS

21.11.010 - Purpose of chapter—Applicability.

A.

Mixed-use zoning districts. This chapter provides regulations applicable to development and new land uses and alterations to existing land uses in the mixed-use zoning districts established by Section 21.04.020, (Zoning districts established). The purpose of this chapter is to achieve the following:

1.

Provide for a convenient and appropriate distribution of uses which broaden the economic/employment base of the city, while ensuring compatible integration with residential uses, in a manner consistent with the general plan;

Increase the number and diversity of housing options available in the city;

3.

Enhance the visual image of the city through good design and appropriate structure placement. Visual quality can also be improved through appropriate and complementary structure scale, which means the relationship of new development to existing structures;

4.

Upgrade the existing function and appearance of designated areas;

6.

Provide adequate space to meet the needs of the uses served, including off-street parking and loading;

7.

Minimize traffic congestion and avoid the overloading of utilities; and

8.

Minimize excessive illumination, noise, odor, smoke, unsightliness, and other objectionable influences.

(Ord. No. 2293, § 1(Exh. B), 5-2-2023)

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