Division 5 — TEMPORARY USES
El Centro Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · El Centro
Sec. 29-224. - Intent and purpose. ¶
Temporary uses support economic vitality, provide benefits to residents and businesses, and offer unique venues for retail, recreation, and entertainment. Temporary uses can attract interest, activate spaces, add character, and increase pedestrian traffic to an area, which can extend economic benefits to all commercial activities within that area. However, temporary activities and events, if unregulated, can have an adverse effect on the public health, safety and welfare due to noise, traffic, safety, and health hazard impacts.
It is the intent of this division to require a temporary use permit for certain uses which are customarily provided on a seasonal or temporary basis, and to ensure that such uses are conducted in a manner that minimizes potential problems of unsightliness, traffic congestion or incompatibility with surrounding permanent land uses.
(Ord. No. 24-03, § 2, 9-17-24)
Sec. 29-225. - Temporary uses listed. ¶
The following Table 29-225.1 contains a list of temporary uses along with their allowable duration and frequency.
| Temporary Use | Time Duration | Frequency of Use | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) Circuses, carnivals, rodeos, sports events or similar outdoor |
Not more than ten (10) calendar days. |
Not more than ten (10) calendar days of |
Requests to exceed this time limitation will require the submittal |
| Temporary Use | Time Duration | Frequency of Use | Limitations |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| entertainment or enterprises. |
operation in any calendar year. |
and approval of a conditional use permit by planning commission. |
|
| (b) Seasonal outdoor business, such as Christmas tree sales lots, Halloween pumpkin sales, fower booths, and other holiday sales. |
No one (1) temporary use or activity shall exceed 30 calendar days in any calendar year. |
Not more than ninety (90) calendar days of operation on one (1) lot in any calendar year. |
|
| (c) Outdoor temporary sales, such as grand openings and sidewalk promotions, related to an existing business with a valid city business license. |
Not more than four (4) calendar days. |
Not more than four (4) calendar days every three (3) months. |
Must be conducted within commercial zones, solely on private property, and not encroach within the public right-of-way or occupy required parking, unless approved by the City. |
| (d) Subdivision sales ofces, model home complexes and directional signs. |
May remain for up to twelve (12) months after establishment of use. |
May be renewed for two (2) six (6)-month periods, for good cause shown, upon approval of a written request, submitted to the community development director thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the permit. |
Sales ofces may be established for pre-sales or leasing prior to construction of the project. Prior to the close of a sale of any of the model homes as a single-family residence, any portion used for commercial purposes will be converted to its intended residential purpose, including fagpoles. In no event shall time extensions allow the temporary use to remain for more than two (2) years. |
| Temporary Use | Time Duration | Frequency of Use | Limitations |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (e) Outdoor art and craft sales, shows and exhibits. |
Not more than fve (5) calendar days of operation or exhibition in any sixty (60) calendar day period. |
No more than thirty (30) total calendar days per year. |
Must be conducted within commercial zones, solely on private property, and not encroach within the public right-of-way or occupy required parking, unless approved by the city. |
| (f) Temporary business ofces in trailer coaches constructed for such use. |
Not to exceed one (1) year. |
||
| (g) Automobile tent sales. |
No more than fve (5) consecutive operational days within a thirty (30)- day period. |
A maximum of eight (8) times a year by the business conducting the sale. |
Only when all sales transactions are completed in the city. Only permitted in the CT, CG and CH zones on parcels of land, or portions thereof, that comply with all zoning and development standards of this chapter when conducted by a business having a valid city business license and a valid California Department of Motor Vehicles retail sales license. |
| (h) Stand-alone, temporary automatic teller machines (ATMs) of any duration. |
Not permitted unless provided on a site permanently developed in compliance with all applicable provisions of this chapter. |
||
| (i) Mobile food facilities on private property. |
See mobile vendor requirements inchapter 16, article VIII. Mobile food facilities operating as part of a special event permitted by the city shall comply with the requirements of the approved special event permit. |
||
| Temporary Use | Time Duration | Frequency of Use | Limitations |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (j) Animal raising projects |
Not to exceed six (6) months. |
See requirements and conditions insection 29- 171. |
|
| (k) Temporary activating uses on vacant lots or in vacant buildings in non- residential and mixed use zones, including temporary retail or services uses, such as bike kitchens and pop- up shops, or sporadic events. |
Up to six (6) months at the discretion of the Director. |
Eligible for up to two additional six-month renewal periods not to exceed a maximum of eighteen (18) months for the same use. |
Conditions of approval may be modifed by the Director during the renewal process, as necessary, to ensure compatibility with the surrounding area. |
(Ord. No. 24-03, § 2, 9-17-24; Ord. No. 25-05, § 4, 10-21-25)
Sec. 29-226. - Temporary use permit required. ¶
(a)
Except as hereinafter provided, a temporary use permit shall be required for the uses listed in section 29225. The temporary use permit shall be filed with and approved or denied by the community development director and may be subject to a filing fee and refundable deposit. The director may place conditions on the temporary use permit, such as buffers, hours of operation, maintenance, lighting, improvements, parking, performance guarantees, property maintenance, signs, surfacing, time limits, and traffic circulation. Specified conditions must be deemed reasonable and necessary to protect the health, safety, or general welfare, including but not limited to the following:
(1)
The temporary use shall not be detrimental to property or improvements in the surrounding area or to the public health, safety, or general welfare.
(2)
The temporary use shall not have substantial adverse noise impacts on nearby residential uses. No temporary use permit holder shall shout, make any outcry, blow a horn, ring a bell or use any other sound
device including any loudspeaker, radio or amplifying system where sound of sufficient volume is emitted or produced therefrom capable of being plainly heard upon the streets, alleys, parks or other public places.
(3)
Permanent alterations to the site are prohibited.
(4)
If the property is developed, the site of the temporary use shall contain an area that supports the temporary use without encroaching into or creating a negative impact on existing buffers, open space, landscaping, pedestrian and vehicular traffic movements (including emergency vehicle access), and parking space availability.
(5)
If the property is undeveloped, the site of the temporary use shall contain sufficient land area to allow the temporary use to occur, as well as any parking and traffic movement that may be associated with the temporary use, without disturbing sensitive or protected resources, including required buffers.
(6)
Temporary structures shall be located so as to not interfere with the normal operations of any permanent use located on the property.
(7)
The temporary use shall not violate any applicable conditions of approval that apply to the principal use on the site.
(8)
Off-street parking shall be adequate to accommodate the proposed temporary use.
(9)
All approved temporary signs associated with the temporary use shall be removed when the activity ends.
(10)
All inspections and permits required by applicable construction codes have been approved and passed.
(11)
If playgrounds are included they shall be reviewed and regulated as part of the temporary use permit.
(12)
Fencing and screening shall be reviewed and regulated as part of the temporary use permit.
(13)
All merchandise and equipment must be removed from the temporary location by noon on the day after the date the permit expires, and all accompanying litter shall be cleared from said location on or before said time.
(14)
Vacant lots used for temporary activating uses shall be maintained free of weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, garbage, junk, debris, building materials, vehicles, cars, boats, campers, any accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, notices (except those required by federal, state or local law), discarded personal items, including but not limited to, furniture, clothing, large and small appliances, graffiti, tagging or similar markings. The property owner or other responsible person must inspect the property at reasonable intervals or take other reasonable steps to ensure that there is no dead or dying vegetation, litter, weeds, graffiti, debris or materials accumulating on the property.
(15)
Vacant buildings used for temporary activating uses must comply with building and fire codes.
(b)
The following uses and activities are exempt from the requirement to obtain a temporary use permit, provided they conform to all standards and conditions listed in section 29-226(a) and obtain applicable special event permits:
(1)
Contractors' offices and storage yards on the site of an active construction project.
(2)
Manufactured home residences provided for security purposes on the site of an active construction project, which shall be subject to review by the assistant community development director for proper set-up and utility connection.
(3)
Special events permit. This permit is processed through the community services department and provides a uniform procedure for temporary public and private events, which includes community events (e.g., parade, farmers market, walk-a-thon, festival), as defined in section 29-34, "S" definitions.
(4)
Emergency public health and safety facilities established by a public agency.
(5)
Events held exclusively on city property and that are in conjunction with the city use.
(6)
Events held exclusively at a school site that are in conjunction with the school use.
(7)
Events held exclusively on religious institution or facility site and that are in conjunction with that religious institution or facility use.
(8)
Garage and yard sales held on private property, in compliance with chapter 16, article XIV.
(c)
Appeals process pursuant to article V division 10 of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 24-03, § 2, 9-17-24)
Sec. 29-227. - Condition of site following temporary usage. ¶
Each site occupied by a temporary use shall be left free of debris, litter, or any other evidence of the temporary use upon completion or removal of the use, and shall thereafter be used only in accord with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 24-03, § 2, 9-17-24)