Part 11 — Live/Work Units

The provisions in this part shall apply to live/work units, as defined in Chapter 20.88 CMC (Definitions) and where allowed in compliance with Chapters 20.20 (Commercial and Industrial Zones) and 20.28 CMC (Mixed-Use Zones).

The Cudahy Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 764, passed November 4, 2025.

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Live/work units are considered nonresidential facilities and count towards the nonresidential floor-area ratio, not the residential density. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

The nonresidential component of a live/work project shall be a use allowed within the applicable zone in compliance with Chapters 20.20 and 20.28 CMC. A live/work unit shall not be allowed to include any of the following land uses or activities:

• A. Vehicle repair and service.

• B. Maintenance and repair services.

• C. Storage of flammable liquids or hazardous materials beyond that normally associated with a residential use.

• D. Manufacturing or industrial activities, including but not limited to welding, machining, or any open flame work.

E. Any other activity or use, as determined by the director of community development to not be compatible with residential activities and/or to have the possibility of affecting the health or safety of live/work unit residents due to the potential for the use to create dust, glare, heat, noise, noxious gases, odor, smoke, traffic, vibration or other impacts, or would be hazardous because of materials, processes, products, or wastes. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

Where ground-floor commercial uses are required, live/work units shall not exceed 25 percent of the ground-floor building area. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

A. Floor Area Requirement. A live/work unit shall have a minimum floor area of at least 750 square feet. The nonresidential portion of the live/work unit shall be at least 25 percent but no more than 50 percent of the area of each unit in order to ensure that the residential portion remains accessory to the primary commercial use and complies with California Building Code requirements. All floor area other than that reserved for living space shall be reserved and regularly used for working space.

B. Separation of and Access to Individual Units. Each live/work unit shall be separated from other units and other uses in the building. Access to each unit shall be provided from shop fronts, directly from the sidewalk parallel to the primary or secondary street, or from common access areas, corridors, or halls. The access to each unit shall be clearly separate from other live/work units or other uses within the building. Living space shall be located in the rear ground level or second floor and above to maintain activity and commercial access along the frontage.

The Cudahy Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 764, passed November 4, 2025.

Page 127 of 293

Title 20 Zoning | Cudahy Municipal Code

C. Facilities to Accommodate Commercial Activities. A live/work unit shall be designed to accommodate nonresidential uses as evidenced by the provision of ventilation, interior storage, flooring, and other physical improvements of the type commonly found in exclusively nonresidential facilities used for the same work activity.

D. Integration of Living and Working Space. Areas within a live/work unit that are designated as living space shall be an integral part of the live/work unit and not separated (or occupied and/or rented separately) from the work space, except that mezzanines and lofts may be used as living space subject to compliance with the other provisions of this part, and living and working space may be separated by interior courtyards or similar private space. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

A. Occupancy. A live/work unit shall be occupied and used only by the operator of the business within the unit, or a household of which at least one member shall be the business operator.

B. Business License Required. At least one of the residents of a live/work unit shall be required to have a business license with the city of Cudahy, issued pursuant to CMC Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations).

C. Sale or Rental of Portions of Unit. No portion of a live/work unit may be separately rented or sold as a commercial space for any person not living in the premises or as a residential space for any person not working in the same unit.

D. Nonresident Employees. One person who does not reside in the live/work unit may work in the unit unless this employment is prohibited or limited by the conditional use permit, if a conditional use permit is required in the respective zone. The employment of two or more persons who do not reside in the live/work unit may be permitted, subject to a conditional use permit approval, based on additional findings that the employment will not adversely affect traffic and parking conditions in the site vicinity. The employment of any persons who do not reside in the live/work unit shall comply with all applicable building code, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and other state and federal regulations.

E. Client and Customer Visits. Client and customer visits to live/work units are permitted. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).