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Earlier editions: 2026-09

Title 17 — ZONING›Article III — USE AND ZONE DISTRICT REGULATIONS

Colfax Municipal Code § 17.80.030 Industrial zone general development standards

Colfax Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Colfax

Cite as: Colfax Municipal Code § 17.80.030 · Text as of 2026-10-04

17.80.010 - Purpose.

This chapter provides regulations applicable to primary uses in the industrial zoning district established by Section 17.16.10 (zoning districts established). The purposes of the industrial zoning district are to designate areas appropriate for the maintenance, establishment and protection of light industrial uses and heavy industrial uses, where uses do not produce objectionable effects observable beyond the boundaries of the site.

Industrial uses that have limited outdoor storage and the emission of limited amount of visible gasses, particulates, steam, heat, odor, vibration, glare, dust, and noise may be compatible operating in relatively close proximity to commercial and residential uses. These uses include indoor manufacturing, processing, assembly, high technology, research and development and storage uses.

Wholesale and heavy commercial activities and industrial processes are subject to approval of administrative permits or conditional use permits, and are to be limited to areas of the industrial zone not close to commercial and residential uses.

(Ord. No. 519, 8-8-2012; Ord. No. 556, § 1(Exh. A), 12-13-2023)

Exceptions & meaning →

17.80.020 - Permitted use types.

Primary uses are permitted in industrial zones subject to the requirements of this title as designated below:

A. Principally permitted use, designated as "P";

B. Conditionally permitted use, designated as "CUP"; and

C. Administratively permitted use, designated as "AP."

Primary use types not listed or designated by a dash (-) are not permitted in that zone district. Any use that occupies more than 15,000 square feet of indoor area, outdoor area, or a combination of indoor and outdoor area in the Industrial zone is subject to a conditional use permit.

Accessory uses and structures are permitted in industrial zones subject to the requirements set forth in Chapter 17.96.

SEE CHAPTER 17.32 "PERMIT AND VARIANCE REQUIREMENTS" FOR INFORMATION ON USE PERMITS AND OTHER TYPES OF PERMITS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED, REGARDLESS OF HOW A USE IS CLASSIFIED IN THIS CHART.

INDUSTRIAL ZONE DISTRICT PERMITTED USES

OPEN SPACE USE TYPES I
Resource Protection and Restoration P
CIVIC USE TYPES
Community Assembly (8) CUP
Community Services AP
Essential Services AP
Intensive Public Facilities CUP
Power Generating Facilities (7) Power Generating Facilities (7)
Emergency P
Supplemental/Individual Use CUP
General Power Production CUP
Passive Power P
Public Parking Services P
Schools Schools
College and University CUP
Social Services Social Services
Food Distribution(2) AP/CUP
Food Service(3) AP/CUP
Emergency Shelter(4) AP/CUP
RESIDENTIAL USE TYPES
Caretaker/Employee Housing AP
COMMERCIAL USE TYPES
Adult-Oriented Businesses CUP
Animal Sales and Service (10) Animal Sales and Service (10)
Kennels (9) P
Veterinary Clinic AP
Veterinary Hospital P
Automotive and Equipment Automotive and Equipment
Automotive Body and Equipment Repair AP
Automotive Rental P
Automotive Repairs AP
Automotive Sales P
Carwash and Detailing P
Commercial Parking P
Heavy Equipment Rental and Sales P
Gasoline Sales P
Impound Yards AP
Broadcasting and Recording Studios P
Building Material Stores P
Business Support Services P
Commercial Cannabis Activities Commercial Cannabis Activities
Cultivation P
Cultivation Nursery P
Distributor P
Manufacturer P
Microbusiness P
Retailer P
Testing Laboratory P
Commercial Recreation Commercial Recreation
Indoor Entertainment AP
Indoor Sports and Recreation P
Outdoor Entertainment CUP
Outdoor Sports and Recreation P
Large Amusement Complexes CUP
Day Care Center, Secondary (Employees Only) P
Eating and Drinking Establishments, Convenience P
Maintenance and Repair P
Nightclubs (1) CUP
Nursery, Retail P
Offices, Professional P
Personal Services AP
Retail Sales and Services P
Specialized Education and Training Specialized Education and Training
Vocational Schools AP
Specialty Schools AP
Storage Facility, Self-service (11) CUP
Storage Facility, Recreational and Large Vehicles CUP
INDUSTRIAL USE TYPES
Equipment and Materials Storage Yards AP
General Industrial AP
Hazardous Materials Handling AP
Laundries, Commercial P
Light Manufacturing P
Mineral Extraction and Processing (12) CUP
Printing and Publishing P
Recycling, Scrap and Dismantling Recycling, Scrap and Dismantling
Enclosed P
Unenclosed AP
Research Services P
Specialized Industrial AP
Wholesale and Distribution
Light P
Heavy CUP
TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION USE TYPES
Antennas and Communications Facilities (5)
Developed Lot AP
Undeveloped Lot AP
Heliport CUP
Intermodal Facilities (6) AP
Telecommunication Facilities (5) P/AP/CUP

Notes:

(1) Additional requirements are contained in Chapter 17.164.

(2) Additional requirements are contained in Chapter 17.148.

(3) Additional requirements are contained in Chapter 17.144.

(4) Additional requirements are contained in Chapter 17.140.

(5) Additional requirements are contained in Chapter 17.132.

(6) Additional requirements are contained in Chapter 17.136.

(7) Additional requirements are contained in Chapter 17.180.

(8) Food service or distribution facilities are allowed in conjunction with this use with approval of an admin permit.

(9) Kennels are also subject to the regulations set forth in Colfax Municipal Code Chapter 6.12 (kennels).

(10) These establishments are exempt from Municipal Code Chapter 6.20 (limitations on number of animals).

(11) Additional requirements are contained in Chapter 17.176.

(12) Additional requirements are contained in Chapter 17.163.

(Ord. No. 519, 8-8-2012; Ord. No. 542, § 1(Exh. B), 7-8-2020; Ord. No. 556, § 1(Exh. A), 12-13-2023)

Exceptions & meaning →

17.80.030 - Industrial zone general development standards.

A. General. Permitted uses and structures shall comply with the city's adopted community design guidelines, applicable specific plans, and any other applicable requirements of this title.

B. Maximum Height. There shall be no height requirements in the industrial districts, except that within one hundred (100) feet of the boundary of any adjoining district, no building shall exceed the height limit established for a main building in such adjoining district.

C. Exceptions to Height Limits. Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection 17.80.030B., the following structures are permitted to exceed the maximum height limits, as follows:

  1. Architectural Features, Mechanical Equipment. Chimneys, vents, and other architectural or mechanical appurtenances on buildings may be a maximum of fifteen (15) percent higher than the height limit of the applicable zone.

D. Area, Lot Coverage and Yards. There shall be no area, lot coverage and yard requirements in the industrial districts, except that for any parcel in an industrial district having a lot line in common with a lot in an adjoining district or lying directly across a street or alley (other than a freeway) from such adjoining district, the front, side and rear yards as prescribed for such adjoining district shall be maintained.

E. Fences and Walls. Any area outside of a building in the industrial districts used for an activity other than off-street parking and loading shall be completely enclosed or screened appropriate to that use so that the use does not interfere with or infringe upon adjacent properties or traffic.

F. All uses in the industrial districts must comply with any applicable requirements set forth in Article IV - general development regulations and Article V - special area and specific use regulations.

(Ord. No. 519, 8-8-2012)

Exceptions & meaning →

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