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Title 17 — Zoning

Chapter 17.235 — PERSONAL STORAGE FACILITIES

El Cajon Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · El Cajon

§ 17.235.010. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the development and operation of personal storage facilities, also known as self-storage or mini-warehouse facilities. (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

§ 17.235.020. Conditional use permit required.

A conditional use permit shall be required for the establishment and operation of a self-storage facility and such conditional use permit shall only be authorized in compliance with the land use tables identified in Chapter 17.145 of this title. The conditional use permit shall be processed as described in Chapter 17.50 of this title.

(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

§ 17.235.030. Conduct of use.

With the exception of motor vehicles and boats, all storage shall occur within a completely enclosed building.

(Ord. 5018 § 118, 2015)

§ 17.235.040. Prohibited activities.

The following uses and activities are expressly prohibited at self-storage facilities:

  • A. Vehicle repairs.

  • B. Manufacturing.

  • C. The conduct of any business activity other than the operation of the self-storage facility and any approved accessory services.

  • (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

§ 17.235.050. Caretaker unit.

A self-storage facility may include a single caretaker's unit subject to the parking requirements listed in this chapter.

(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

§ 17.235.060. General development standards.

A self-storage facility shall satisfy all of the development standards for the zone in which it is located and all other general development standards listed in this title except as specifically modified by this chapter.

(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

§ 17.235.070. Parking.

Off-street parking shall be provided as follows:

  • A. One parking space per every 250 square feet of gross floor area dedicated to office use. Such parking shall be provided in close proximity to the office.

  • B. Two parking spaces for the caretaker's unit. Such parking shall be provided in close proximity to the caretaker's unit.

  • C. At least two parking spaces located in close proximity to exterior doorways or elevator entrances leading to storage units with internal access from common hallways.

  • D. The planning commission may require additional parking based upon the physical design and proposed floor area of the self-storage facility.

  • (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010; Ord. 5018 § 120, 2015)

§ 17.235.080. Loading areas.

Self-storage facilities shall provide adequate loading areas for all storage units. Such loading areas shall have a minimum width of 10 feet, shall be located directly adjacent to all exterior doorways providing direct access to individual storage units, and shall be clearly marked and signed as loading areas. The loading areas shall be provided separate from and in addition to any required emergency vehicle access lanes, or on-site driveway aisles.

(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

§ 17.235.090. Fences, walls, and gates.

Self-storage facilities may include fences, walls, and gates as permitted in the zones in which they are located. Where justified, the planning commission may approve walls or fences with a greater height. However, no such fence or wall shall obstruct the visibility of motorists. Automated security gates shall be permitted but shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from the public right-of-way and shall not impede or obstruct the required parking and loading areas or the required emergency vehicles access.

(Ord. 5018 § 122, 2015)

§ 17.235.100. Trash and recycling enclosures.

Self-storage facilities shall provide at lest one double binned trash and recycling enclosure designed in compliance with the requirements of Section 17.130.160 . Such enclosures shall be placed in a convenient location for the use of self storage patrons. Additional trash and recycling enclosures may be required based upon the physical design and proposed floor area of the self-storage facility. (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

§ 17.235.110. Landscaping.

Landscaping shall be required for self-storage facilities pursuant to the requirements of Section 17.195.100 . However, landscaping shall not be required in loading areas. (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

§ 17.235.120. Truck, trailer and moving van rentals.

Truck, trailer, and moving van rentals may be authorized at self-storage facilities provided that rental trucks and trailers are parked on-site in designated parking areas that are outside of the parking, loading, and emergency access lanes required for the self-storage use. Furthermore, trucks and trailers may not be parked in areas that are visually prominent as viewed from the public right-ofway.

(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

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Contents — El Cajon Zoning Code
El Cajon Zoning Code
  1. Title 17 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. Chapter 17.05 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    2. Chapter 17.10 — ADMINISTRATION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT
    3. Chapter 17.15 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONES, BOUNDARIES AND PREZONING
    4. Chapter 17.20 — AMENDMENTS
    5. Chapter 17.25 — PROCEDURES, HEARINGS, NOTICES AND FEES
    6. Chapter 17.30 — APPEALS
    7. Chapter 17.35 — EXPIRATIONS, TIME EXTENSIONS, AND PERMIT REVOC…
    8. Chapter 17.40 — ADMINISTRATIVE ZONING PERMIT
    9. Chapter 17.45 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENT REGULATIONS
    10. Chapter 17.50 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
    11. Chapter 17.55 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
    12. Chapter 17.57 — MINOR AMENDMENT
    13. Chapter 17.58 — MINOR USE PERMIT
    14. Chapter 17.60 — PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) PERMIT
    15. Chapter 17.63 — SUBSTANTIAL CONFORMANCE REVIEW
    16. Chapter 17.65 — SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN PERMIT
    17. Chapter 17.70 — SPECIFIC PLAN
    18. Chapter 17.75 — TEMPORARY USE PERMIT
    19. Chapter 17.80 — VARIANCE
    20. Chapter 17.105 — DEFINITIONS
    21. Chapter 17.115 — GENERAL LAND USE REGULATIONS AND PERFORMANCE …
    22. Chapter 17.120 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
    23. Chapter 17.125 — GENERAL LOT REQUIREMENTS
    24. Chapter 17.130 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    25. Chapter 17.135 — M-U (MIXED-USE) OVERLAY ZONE
    26. Chapter 17.140 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
    27. Chapter 17.145 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
    28. Chapter 17.150 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES
    29. Chapter 17.155 — O-S (OPEN SPACE) ZONE
    30. Chapter 17.160 — P (PARKING) ZONE
    31. Chapter 17.165 — PRD (PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT) ZONE
    32. Chapter 17.170 — H (HILLSIDE OVERLAY) ZONE
    33. Chapter 17.175 — MH (MOBILE HOME OVERLAY) ZONE
    34. Chapter 17.180 — ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES
    35. Chapter 17.185 — PARKING STANDARDS
    36. Chapter 17.190 — SIGNS
    37. Chapter 17.195 — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
    38. Chapter 17.205 — AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS
    39. Chapter 17.210 — ALCOHOL SALES AND DEEMED APPROVED ALCOHOL SAL…
    40. Chapter 17.212 — DEEMED APPROVED LODGING ESTABLISHMENT
    41. Chapter 17.215 — AUTOMOTIVE FUELING STATIONS
    42. Chapter 17.220 — DENSITY BONUS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPM…
    43. Chapter 17.225 — MISCELLANEOUS SPECIAL USES AND REGULATIONS
    44. Chapter 17.230 — MOTION PICTURE THEATERS
    45. Chapter 17.235 — PERSONAL STORAGE FACILITIES
    46. Chapter 17.240 — TOBACCO SHOPS, SMOKE SHOPS AND ELECTRONIC/VAP…
    47. Chapter 17.243 — PERSONAL CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA
    48. Chapter 17.245 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
    49. Chapter 17.250 — SECONDHAND MERCHANDISE STORES AND PAWN SHOPS
    50. Chapter 17.255 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
    51. Chapter 17.260 — AIRPORT OVERLAY ZONE
    52. Chapter 17.265 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS

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