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Chapter 30 — Zoning

§ 30-19. SD SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE.

Compton Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-07 · Compton

§ 30-19.1. Purpose (SD).

[Added by Ord. #1640, § 9153.1]

The Specific Development Zone is established to provide more flexibility in permitted land uses than is allowed by the base zone in certain areas and greater environmental and architectural control over specific developments than otherwise be imposed.

§ 30-19.2. Combination With Other Zones (SD).

[Added by Ord. #1640, § 9153.2]

Land classified in the Specific Development Zone may be combined with any commercial zone and if so classified shall be shown by the addition of the letters "SD" after the letter designation of the base zone on the Official Zoning Map of the City.

§ 30-19.3. Uses (SD).

[Added by Ord. #1640, § 9153.3; Ord. #2282 § 25]

The following uses and buildings shall be permitted in the Specific Development Zone:

  • a. Principal Permitted Uses.

    1. Any use permitted in the C-L (Limited Commercial), C-M (Commercial Manufacturing) or M- L (Limited Manufacturing) Zone, except those uses specifically prohibited.

    2. Indoor marijuana cultivation is allowed consistent with State law which permits no more than six live marijuana plants to be planted, cultivated, harvested, dried, or processed within a single private residence or inside an accessory structure located upon the grounds of a private residence that is fully enclosed and secured as long as the marijuana cultivation activities comply with the regulations set forth in paragraph c of subsection 9-24.4 .

  • b. Uses Permitted Subject to a Conditional Use Permit. The following uses and buildings may be permitted in the Specific Development Zone provided a Conditional Use Permit has been obtained pursuant to the provisions of Section 30-26 :

    1. Any use and building which requires a Conditional Use Permit in the base zone or under Section 30-26 .

    2. Any use and building which requires outside storage or display.

§ 30-19.4. Prohibited Uses (SD).

[Added by Ord. #1640, § 9153.4; Ord. #2282 § 25]

The following uses and building shall be prohibited in the Specific Development Zone:

  • a. Any use and building, the primary purpose of which is the care, maintenance, repair, sale, rental, towing or storage of vehicles, or the sale, rental, rebuilding or storage of used vehicle parts.

  • b. Bars and liquor stores.

  • c. Billboards.

  • d. Car washes.

  • e. Clothing and apparel manufacturing (including shoe manufacturing).

  • f. Pool halls.

  • g. Soft drink bottling.

  • h. Any use and building which, by its nature, produces noise, dust, traffic involving large trucks, or outside storage that the Architectural Review Board of the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City deems incompatible with the surrounding area.

  • i. Commercial marijuana uses, except as permitted by subsection 9-24.4 .

  • j. Marijuana cultivation outdoors upon the grounds of a private residence.

  • k. Marijuana cultivation indoors that does not comply with Section 30-19.3a .

§ 30-19.5. Development Regulations (SD).

[Added by Ord. #1640, § 9153.5]

Any use and building proposed pursuant to this subsection (other than those uses permitted in the base zone) shall comply with the following regulations, and any permit issued shall be subject to such provisions as are established as conditions of approval:

  • a. Types of Development. Uses and buildings other than those permitted in the base zone shall only be permitted for new developments or on properties where substantial redevelopment is proposed. Substantial redevelopment shall mean a project of rehabilitation of buildings and sites, the cost of which equals or exceeds 40% of the estimated market value of the land and improvements at the time the project is proposed to the City. Estimated market value shall be agreed to by the Community Redevelopment Agency.

  • b. Property Development Standards. All development and rehabilitation plans shall require the explicit approval of the Architectural Review Board in the manner set forth in subsection 30-19.7

and conform to the following requirements, unless a variation has been obtained pursuant to the provisions of subsection 30-19.6 .

  1. Setback lines. No building shall be constructed upon any parcel within 25 feet of a front lot line or within 15 feet of a street side lot line. The Architectural Review Board may impose additional setback requirements of up to 40 feet from the front lot line and up to 25 feet from the street side lot line if it finds that:

    • (a) Such additional restrictions are required to maintain an aesthetic scale of development because of the proposed building height or size of a lot; or

    • (b) Such additional setback is required for the adequate screening from the general public of exterior noise, dust, or the unsightly appearance of the structure or building.

In no event shall any improvement except landscaping and vehicle ingress and egress be allowed within 10 feet of any front or street side lot line for any parcel, except that a six-foot solid wall of approved construction and material may be erected at the side street lot line in place of the ten-foot landscaping easement. Each setback shall be dedicated to the City as a landscaping easement in perpetuity, but it shall be the owner's duty to maintain it. If, at the City's sole option, the City finds that the owner is not maintaining the landscaping easement properly, it may maintain such easement itself and bill the owner. No building permit shall be issued unless such dedication, in form satisfactory to the City, shall have been made by the owner and accepted on behalf of the City.

  1. Buildings. Buildings shall be of a tiltup concrete type or its equivalent. There shall be no corrugated metal buildings allowed.

  2. Architectural style of buildings and other improvements. All buildings and other improvements constructed upon a parcel of land shall be of a similar or compatible architectural style. All buildings shall be limited to the highest architectural and engineering standards and should exhibit a high degree of imagination and utility. To the fullest extent possible, all buildings and other improvements shall be so designed as to be compatible with surrounding buildings and be in scale with the surrounding area. All air conditioning or other equipment located on the roof of a building shall be screened from public view in a manner approved by the Architectural Review Board.

  3. Landscaping. Every parcel of land shall be landscaped so as to positively enhance the attractiveness of the development, to aid in circulation, and to accentuate the architectural composition of the buildings and the identification of the site as a modern and unified development. In particular, the following shall apply:

    • (a) A minimum of 10% of the total area of a parcel to be developed shall be landscaped with adequate provisions for irrigation. The required landscaping easement shall be included in this computation.

    • (b) A total of one tree for every 50 linear feet of street frontage and one tree for every 10,000 square feet or fraction thereof of parcel area shall be planted.

    • (c) All landscaping materials shall be of a size and maturity as determined by the Architectural Review Board so as to be in general scale with the development proposal.

    • (d) All landscaping shall be irrigated by an automatically controlled sprinkler system.

    • (e) All landscaping shall be maintained in a well-kept, thriving condition; and any destroyed or diseased trees, shrubs or other vegetation shall be replaced as necessary.

    • (f) Berms or other natural-type land forms created by shrubs or low-branching trees shall be encouraged in lieu of fences (where the same are not required for security or visual

screening) for the articulation of vertical borders, definition of circulation routes, or closure of constructed vistas.

  • (g) All buildings shall be set in a park-like atmosphere and be bordered by landscaping whenever possible.

  • (h) In general, unrelieved parking areas without any landscaping to soften their appearance should be avoided.

  1. Signs.

    • (a) Purpose. All signs shall be for the purpose of identification or direction only and shall contain no advertising; except that a company logo or slogan may, at the option of the Architectural Review Board, be considered identification.

    • (b) Restrictions. There shall be no revolving, flashing or moving signs permitted. No pennants, bunting or similar devices for commercial display shall be permitted; except that for a period not to exceed 30 days, bona fide real estate agent may erect open house flags to advertise properties either for sale or lease.

  • (c) Regulations governing permitted signs. All signs, including wall-painted "supergraphics," shall be approved by the Architectural Review Board. In making this determination, the Architectural Review Board shall be guided by the following considerations:

    - (1) In general, freestanding signs shall be discouraged; however, one freestanding sign which identifies a specific development may be allowed if it is in scale with the development and is of good design. 
    
    - (2) All signs in any given development shall be of compatible proportions and size with each other and with the development. 
    
    - (3) Each applicant shall prepare, and the Architectural Review Board shall approve, designs for typical individual tenant identification signs at the time of submittal of these plans to the Architectural Review Board. Such typical design shall include, but not be limited to, criteria on sign size, shape, location, construction and materials. All signs shall be in conformance with one overall theme as chosen by the applicant and as approved by the Architectural Review Board. 
    
    - (4) In general, it shall not be permissible to place signs in the landscape easement, except that the Architectural Review Board may approve such signs if they are: 
    
       - a. Freestanding signs as allowed in paragraph c1 above. 
    
       - b. Monument signs that are in scale with the development and are an integral part of the landscaping design approved by the Architectural Review Board. 
    
    - (5) No sign may project over the roof line of a building nor shall any sign exceed 10% of the total facade area for any tenant. 
    
    - (6) Notwithstanding the above, the Architectural Review Board may reject any proposed sign or combination of signs if, in its estimate, the design, location, color or size is incompatible with the development in the surrounding area.
    
  1. Loading and unloading spaces. In general, loading and unloading docks shall be constructed at the rear of buildings. Any docks at the sides or front of buildings shall be screened so as to be visually unobtrusive.

  2. Utilities. Every applicant shall make every effort to underground all on-site utilities. The Community Redevelopment Agency will facilitate this with off-site undergrounding of utilities to the extent feasible as determined by that Agency.

  3. Trash. All trash enclosures shall be shielded from public view by a block wall, or fence and landscaping.

  4. Conservation of energy. All construction shall incorporate an awareness of and commitment to the conservation of total energy used, specifically the consumption of fossil fuels. The use of innovative design and construction techniques, such as increased insulation, reduction of heat loss surfaces, solar energy devices, sun shades, etc., will be encouraged.

  5. Exterior lighting. All lighting in buildings, landscaping, parking lots, and similar facilities shall be directed away from all adjoining and nearby residential property. Such lighting shall be arranged and controlled so as not to create a nuisance or hazard to traffic or to the living environment. This provision is also applicable to arc lights, searchlights and similar lighting devices.

  6. Maintenance. Each owner shall be responsible for the maintenance in good order, repair and condition of the exterior of all buildings, structures and other improvements, all landscaping, and all walkways and driveways. Each owner shall repair or replace such improvements upon the parcel if the same should be damaged or destroyed by any casualty.

§ 30-19.6. Variations (SD).

[Added by Ord. #1640, § 9153.6]

Under certain circumstances, a variation from the provisions of Section 30-19 may be permitted. In order to permit such a variation, the Architectural Review Board must determine that:

  • a. Unless the variation is permitted, practical difficulties and unnecessary hardships would occur inconsistent with the general purpose and intent of these provisions and the Redevelopment Plan for the Walnut Industrial Park;

  • b. There are exceptional circumstances or conditions applicable to the property or the intended development which do not apply generally to other properties having the same standards, restrictions, and controls;

  • c. Permitting the variation will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to property or improvements in the area; and

  • d. Permitting the variation will not be contrary to the objectives of these provisions and the Redevelopment Plan for the Walnut Industrial Park.

In permitting any such variation, the Architectural Review Board shall impose such conditions as are necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare, and to assure compliance with the purposes of these provisions and the Redevelopment Plan for the Walnut Industrial Park.

§ 30-19.7. Procedures (SD).

[Added by Ord. #1640, § 9153.7]

The following procedures shall apply to any development proposed under Section 30-19 :

  • a. Architectural Review and Approval. No building, structure or other improvement shall be commenced, erected, placed or altered on any parcel unless the plans and specifications showing the plot layout, all exterior elevations, structural design, materials and colors, parking, signs and landscaping shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Architectural Review Board, which may condition its approval upon the implementation of any

recommendations, limitations or determinations not in conflict with the provisions of this Section 30-19 . No permit shall be issued for the new construction or substantial rehabilitation of any building, structure or other improvement covered by said provisions until approval has been granted by the Architectural Review Board. If the Architectural Review Board fails to approve or disapprove a proposed design, plan, location, or other item within 90 days after plans and specifications have been submitted, approval will not be required, and the provisions of this subsection 30-19.7 will be deemed to have been fully complied with. The requirement of approval set forth herein is in addition to, and not substituted for, any and all other restrictions herein contained.

  • b. Appeals. An applicant may appeal an adverse decision of the Architectural Review Board to the Council. Within 10 days from the mailing of the notice of decision of the Architectural Review Board, the appellant shall file an appeal in duplicate with the City Clerk, who shall immediately forward the duplicate to the Council. The appeal shall set forth the grounds relied upon by the appellant. Within 10 days following the filing of the appeal, the Council shall set the matter for hearing and shall give notice of the time and place for said hearing to the appellant. The Council may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, the decision of the Architectural Review Board or may modify any decision or determination, or may impose such conditions as the facts warrant, and its decision or determination shall be final. Any hearing may be continued from time to time.

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Contents — Compton Zoning Code
Compton Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 30 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. § 30-1. PURPOSE.
    2. § 30-2. TITLE.
    3. § 30-3. DEFINITIONS.
    4. § 30-4. ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONES.
    5. § 30-5. OFFICIAL ZONING MAP.
    6. § 30-6. ZONE BOUNDARIES.
    7. § 30-7. RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURE ZONE (R-A).
    8. § 30-8. LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE (R-L).
    9. § 30-9. MEDIUM-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE (R-M).
    10. § 30-10. HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE (R-H).
    11. § 30-11. SPECIAL REGULATIONS: RESIDENTIAL ZONES.
    12. § 30-12. LIMITED COMMERCIAL ZONE (C-L).
    13. § 30-13. COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING ZONE (C-M).
    14. § 30-14. LIMITED MANUFACTURING ZONE (M-L).
    15. § 30-15. HEAVY MANUFACTURING ZONE (M-H).
    16. § 30-16. BUFFER ZONE (B).
    17. § 30-17. AUTOMOBILE PARKING ZONE (P).
    18. § 30-18. PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONE (D).
    19. § 30-19. SD SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE.
    20. § 30-20. GENERAL REGULATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS.
    21. § 30-21. OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING.
    22. § 30-22. SIGN REGULATIONS.
    23. § 30-23. NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND USES.
    24. § 30-24. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
    25. § 30-25. SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION.
    26. § 30-26. CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS.
    27. § 30-27. VARIANCES.
    28. § 30-28. CHANGES OF ZONE AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS.
    29. § 30-29. ZONING OF ANNEXED LAND.
    30. § 30-30. UNLISTED USES.
    31. § 30-31. CONFORMITY REQUIRED.
    32. § 30-32. USES BY THE CITY EXCEPTED.
    33. § 30-33. CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY.
    34. § 30-34. INTERPRETATION OF PROVISIONS.
    35. § 30-35. INVALIDITY OF PERMITS AND LICENSES ISSUED IN ERROR.
    36. § 30-36. ENFORCEMENT.
    37. § 30-37. VIOLATIONS: NOTICES.
    38. § 30-38. ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE.
    39. § 30-39. ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE; APPEALS.
    40. § 30-40. PENALTIES.
    41. § 30-41. REPEAL OF FORMER PROVISIONS.
    42. § 30-42. PLANNING FEES.
    43. § 30-43. LANDSCAPING.
    44. § 30-44. FENCING.
    45. § 30-45. DESIGN REVIEW.
    46. § 30-46. PERSONAL WIRELESS SERVICE FACILITIES ORDINANCE.
    47. § 30-47. AFFORDABLE HOUSING DENSITY BONUS.
    48. § 30-48. UNATTENDED DONATION BOXES.
    49. § 30-49. EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY ZONE.
    50. § 30-50. (RESERVED)
    51. § 30-51. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES ESTABLISHMENT REGULATIONS.
    52. § 30-52. A MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ALL COMMERCIAL M…
    53. § 30-54. SPECIFIC PLAN ZONE REGULATIONS.

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