Cudahy Municipal Code § 20.20.010 Intent and purpose

Four commercial and industrial zones are established to meet the commerce and service needs of the resident and business communities while ensuring compatibility with adjacent land uses. The zones are designed to accommodate different types and intensities of commercial and industrial development.

A. Neighborhood Commercial Zone (NC). The Neighborhood Commercial Zone provides areas for convenient commercial services for Cudahy residents not living in proximity to the Atlantic Avenue District. The Neighborhood Commercial Zone allows for small-scale businesses such as corner produce stores, mini-markets, and small business offices.

B. Entertainment Zone (Ent). The Entertainment Zone accommodates large-scale entertainment uses that attract patrons from Cudahy, surrounding communities, and the region. All uses are required to be designed to provide pedestrian interest and accessibility along Atlantic Avenue, with vehicular access and parking located to the rear of the parcels.

C. Innovative Industrial (I-Ind). The Innovative Industrial Zone allows for a flexible mix of uses facilitating job interactivity beyond standard business hours. The Innovative Industrial Zone allows highly flexible space for start-ups, light industrial, office, and live/work. The adaptive reuse of once industrial buildings/spaces is allowed. The Innovative Industrial Zone responds to and accommodates the evolving nature of industrial businesses, by encouraging young businesses in “green” biotechnical, software, and other emerging industries.

D. Light Industrial (LI). The Light Industrial Zone provides space for a variety of jobs generating light industrial uses that can operate in close proximity to residential uses without presenting health and safety risks. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

A. Permitted Uses. Table 20.20-1 identifies the permitted uses within all commercial and industrial zones.

B. Conditional Uses. Certain uses may be subject to special conditions regarding the location, operation, design, or special permitting requirements of the use. References to these provisions are made in Table 20.20-1.

C. Prohibited Uses. If a use is not specifically listed in Table 20.20-1, that use is prohibited. However, the director of community development shall have the authority to determine whether the proposed use shall be permitted based on the finding that the use is similar to and no more detrimental than a particular use permitted in the zone, pursuant to the provisions of CMC 20.08.050(C).

D. New Merchandise. Any use that involves the sale of merchandise, retail or wholesale, shall limit these sales to only new merchandise. This shall not apply to antique shops, secondhand stores, used vehicle sales, and other uses approved by the director of community development.

E. Prohibition on Heavy Equipment in Industrial Zones. Manufacturing and assembly use in I-Ind and Light Industrial Zones are limited as follows:

1. No drop hammers or automatic screw machines.

2. No punch presses in excess of five-ton capacity.

3. Any motors used to operate lathes, drill presses, grinders, shapers, milling machines, saws, polishers, or metal cutters shall not exceed one horsepower capacity.

F. Residential Uses in Entertainment Zone. In the Entertainment Zone, residential uses are only permitted in conjunction with a mixed-use development. Residential uses are not permitted on the ground floor. All mixed-use developments with a residential component shall have less than two-thirds of the total floor area devoted to residential uses.

Table 20.20-1. Permitted and Conditionally Permitted Uses in Commercial and Industrial Zones

(Ord. 760 § 6 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 744 § 6 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 730 § 31, 2022; Ord. 710 § 2, 2020; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

Table 20.20-2 identifies the development standards applicable to all development in commercial and industrial zones. Certain development standards may be subject to special conditions. References to these provisions are provided here or are referenced in Table 20.20-2.

A. Shared Property Lines with a Lot Zoned for Residential Use.

1. Wall Required. Whenever a commercially or industrially zoned lot shares a side or rear property line with an exclusively residential or a mixed-use zoned lot, a minimum six-foot-high solid masonry wall shall be provided, along or adjacent to all such side and rear lot lines. The wall shall conform to the height regulations applicable to front yard areas of the residentially zoned lot having the common lot line. The wall shall be measured from the commercially or industrially zoned lot. A landscape buffer shall also be provided along the shared lot lines on the commercially or industrially zoned lot.

2. Setbacks in Industrial Zones. Where an industrial zone adjoins a residential zone, each lot or parcel of land in the industrial zone adjoining a lot or parcel of land in a residential zone shall have a rear yard not less than 30 feet in depth along the contiguous property line.

B. Driveway Abutting a Building Wall Facing Side or Rear Yard. Wherever a permitted driveway abuts a wall of a building facing a side or rear yard area, that portion of the wall shall be located at least 20 feet from the lot line.

Table 20.20-2. Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones

C. Additional Height. For projects that do not require a development agreement pursuant to CMC 20.20.040, building height standards in Table 20.20-2, when indicated by a plus (+) symbol, provide for additional floors with the provision of community benefit with city council approval. These can include, but are not limited to:

1. Incorporation of affordable, workforce, or low income housing.

2. Incorporation of public or community facilities.

3. Innovative use of shared parking and transportation demand management measures.

4. Efficient and innovative use of infrastructure and renewable resources.

5. Incorporation of public art.

D. Additional Design Standards for Entertainment Zone. The design standards for mixed-use zones found in CMC 20.28.030, 20.28.050, and 20.28.060 shall apply to mixed-use development in the Entertainment Zone. (Ord. 744 § 6 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

Repealed by Ord. 744. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

A. Accessory Structures and Uses. Accessory structures and buildings are allowed as approved by the director of community development.

B. Vending Machines, Regular and Water. Vending machines shall be permitted as an accessory use, with the following limitations:

1. Vending machines, including and not limited to coin-operated vending machines, newsracks, video or game machines, and children’s rides, must be installed within an enclosed building with a minimum floor area of 1,000 square feet.

2. Video or game machines subject to the following requirements:

a. No more than three game machines shall be permitted at any one business, provided all other applicable licenses and permits required by this code are obtained.

b. Any establishment with a game machine shall prohibit persons 17 years of age and under from using any game machine between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This restriction shall not apply during school holidays and school vacations recognized by public schools within the city.

3. Water vending machines subject to the following requirements:

a. Machines must be installed within an enclosed building with a minimum floor area of 1,000 square feet.

b. All required approvals of the Los Angeles County Health Department and the local water service company shall be obtained before installation.

c. All required plumbing or electrical permits for this use shall be obtained before permanent installation.

d. There shall be a minimum clearance of six feet in front of the machine.

e. There shall be no more than one water vending machine allowed for each 10,000 square feet of gross floor area occupied per individual business.

f. A city of Cudahy business license is required for each machine pursuant to CMC 5.08.650.

g. Water vending machines shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.

h. A backflow device shall be installed on each machine.

i. Any water vending machine that becomes a legal nonconforming use as a result of the adoption of the ordinance that adopted this section, or of any subsequent amendment thereto, shall be removed or altered to conform to the regulations within 180 days of the effective date of the ordinance that generated the nonconformity, unless an extension is requested and granted by the planning commission based upon the inability of the vending machine operator to recoup its original investment in the installation costs of the machine or for other good cause.

C. Reverse Vending Machines. Reverse vending machines shall be permitted as an accessory use; provided, that all of the following standards are complied with and a zoning clearance has been obtained pursuant to Chapter 20.84 CMC, Permit Procedures:

1. Each reverse vending machine must be capable of dispensing cash for aluminum and nonaluminum metals, glass, and plastic.

2. Each reverse vending machine shall be located adjacent to a building wall and within 20 feet from the main entrance to a supermarket.

3. The size and bulk of each reverse machine shall not exceed 50 square feet and the height shall not exceed eight feet.

4. The location of each reverse vending machine shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation.

5. Each reverse vending machine shall be constructed with durable waterproof and rustproof materials.

6. Each reverse vending machine shall be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation.

7. Each reverse vending machine shall be available and in operation during the operating hours of the supermarket.

8. Signage on a reverse vending machine shall not exceed a total background sign face area of four square feet, exclusive of operating instructions.

9. Each reverse vending machine shall clearly identify the type of materials that may be deposited, operating instructions, and the identity and phone number of the owner or a person to call if the machine is inoperative.

10. Each reverse vending machine shall be maintained in a clean and litter-free condition on a daily basis.

11. The color of the reverse vending machine shall be in harmony with the surrounding buildings and development.

12. No reverse vending machine shall be located within 100 feet of a residential zone. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

A. Outdoor Storage of Materials. Outdoor storage of materials shall be limited to the accessory storage of goods sold or utilized by the principal use of the lot where permitted by Table 20.20-1. All materials shall be entirely screened from view from public rights-of-way by a minimum six-foot-high solid fence or masonry wall.

B. Outdoor Storage Areas. Any areas developed and/or used for outdoor storage and use shall comply with the most current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits Implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP) and maintenance of those BMPs.

C. Uses Restricted to Indoors. No manufacturing or assembly operations shall be performed outside of an enclosed building. With the exception of the following uses or businesses, all activities shall be conducted within a completely enclosed building:

1. Outdoor dining and food service in conjunction with a cafeteria, cafe, restaurant or similar establishment.

2. Motor vehicles, trailers, or boat sales.

3. Pool and spa sales.

4. Nursery plants and flower sales.

5. Newspaper stalls, subject to standards in CMC 20.20.030.

6. Other outdoor sales and display areas as approved pursuant to subsection (D) of this section.

7. Other uses as approved by the director of community development through the zoning code interpretation process pursuant to Chapter 20.84 CMC, Permit Procedures.

D. Outdoor Sale and Display Location.

1. Outdoor sale and displays on a permanent basis are permitted with the issuance of a conditional use permit.

2. Temporary outdoor sales and display are permitted with a temporary use permit pursuant to Chapter 20.84 CMC, Part 4, including temporary sales and displays on public sidewalks.

3. The outdoor display and/or sale area(s), where permitted, shall be located entirely on private property, except as provided in CMC 20.84.260. Outdoor display and merchandise shall occupy a fixed, specifically approved, and defined location that does not disrupt the normal function of the site or its circulation, and does not encroach upon driveways, landscaped areas, parking spaces, area(s) required for ingress and egress to the parking area(s), or ADA and pedestrian walkways. Outdoor displays shall not obstruct traffic safety sight areas or otherwise create hazards for pedestrian or vehicle traffic.

4. The outdoor display and sale of merchandise shall only be allowed during the business’s permitted regular hours of operation. All evidence of outdoor display and sale must be removed at close of the business’s permitted regular hours of operation.

E. Storage of Construction Materials. The storage of materials used in the construction of a building or building project during the construction and 30 days prior to and thereafter, including the contractor’s temporary office, provided any lot or parcel of land so used shall be a part of the building project or on property adjoining the construction site.

F. Vehicle Service Uses (Neighborhood Commercial Only). Automobile service uses established in the NC Zone shall comply with the standards in CMC 20.28.020(E)(7). (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

In addition to the requirements contained in this chapter, regulations contained in the following chapters may apply to development in the commercial and industrial zones:

(Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).

Provisions of this chapter adopted by a vote of the people of the city shall not be construed to supersede, repeal, nullify, or otherwise render inapplicable or unenforceable any other provision of this code not in conflict with such, including but not limited to nonconflicting provisions of Titles 15, 16, 19 and 20 CMC. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between provisions of this chapter that have been adopted by a vote of the people of the city and any provisions of this code adopted by the city council, the provisions of this chapter shall govern and control but only to the limited extent of the conflict or inconsistency and no further. All such conflicts or inconsistencies shall be construed narrowly so as to allow for the broadest application of all other provisions of this code adopted by the city council. The city council further reserves and retains the right to amend or modify, in its sole and absolute discretion, any and all provisions of this code, excluding the provisions approved by a vote of the people of the city, to the extent any such amendments or modifications are not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter that have been approved by a vote of the people of the city. (Ord. 730 § 34, 2022).