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Title 130 — ZONING

Chapter 130.22 — COMMERCIAL ZONES

El Dorado County Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-02 · El Dorado County

Sec. 130.22.010 - Zones Established; Applicability.

A.

As provided in the General Plan Policy 2.2.1.2 (Land Use Designations), this Chapter establishes a number of commercial zones to direct specific categories of commercial uses to the appropriate areas of the County.

B.

This Chapter lists the uses that are allowed within the Commercial zones established by Section 130.12.020 (Zoning Map and Zones) in Article 1 (Zoning Ordinance Applicability) of this Title, describes the types of planning permit/approval required for each use and provides basic standards for site layout and building size.

C.

The various Commercial zones and the manner in which they are applied are as follows:

Commercial, Professional Office (CPO). The CPO, Professional Office Commercial Zone is intended to regulate the development of land suitable for professional, administrative, and business offices and offices mixed with low to high intensity residential uses. It is intended that this zone be utilized as a transition between residential areas and higher intensity commercial uses by creating an environment which is compatible with surrounding residential uses while providing adequate economic incentive for development of such office space. Retail sales that are incidental to the primary office uses in this zone, are allowed subject to the provisions of the Ordinance.

Commercial, Limited (CL). The CL, Limited Commercial Zone, designates areas suitable for lower intensity retail sales, office and service needs of the surrounding area while minimizing conflicts with the residential uses and outside traffic into the area. Mixed use development compatible with surrounding uses would also be appropriate.

Commercial, Main Street (CM). The CM, Main Street Commercial Zone, allows a wide range of pedestrian-oriented retail, office, and service uses, and mixed use development comprised of commercial and residential uses. Flexible development standards are applied to facilitate preservation of historic structures and to encourage new development compatible with the identity of each unique community. This zone is generally appropriate for historic downtown areas or town centers.

Commercial, Community (CC). The CC, Community Commercial Zone, provides for the retail sales, office, and service needs of the residents residing within the surrounding community and accommodates the commercial and service needs of visitors to the County. Mixed use development compatible with General Plan densities is appropriate in this zone.

Commercial, Regional (CR). The CR, Regional Commercial Zone, provides for large-scale retail services for a regional trade area. The CR zone applies to regional shopping centers that serve a market beyond the community and are located along arterials and at major intersections that provide convenient automobile access. Residential uses are generally inappropriate in the CR zone.

Commercial, General (CG). The CG, General Commercial Zone provides a mix of more intensive commercial uses, such as light manufacturing, automobile repair, and wholesale activity; where outdoor storage or activity commonly occurs; and where residential, civic, and educational uses are limited to avoid conflicts with allowed uses.

Commercial, Rural (CRU). The CRU, Commercial Rural Zone is utilized to provide limited commercial uses to support agricultural, tourism, recreational and resource based industry, as well as surrounding residential uses in the Rural Regions.

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 130.22.020 - Matrix of Allowed Uses.

Uses are allowed in commercial zones subject to the requirements of this Title as designated in Table 130.22.020 (Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for the Commercial Zones) below:

Table 130.22.020—Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for the Commercial Zones

CPO: Commercial, Professional Office CL: Commercial, Limited CM: Commercial, Main Street CC: Commercial, Community CR: Commercial, Regional CG: Commercial, General CRU: Commercial, Rural P A TUP CUP MUP TMA —- Allowed use (Article 4: Special Use Regulations) Administrative permit required (130.52.010) Temporary use permit required (130.52.060) Conditional Use Permit required(130.52.021) Minor use permit required (130.52.020) Temporary mobile home permit (130.52.050) Use not allowed in zone

Use Type CPO CL CM CC CR CG CRU Specific Use Regulation
Commercial
Animal Sales and Service: Kennel, Commercial — — — P P P CUP
Pet Grooming and Pet Stores — P P P P P —
Veterinary Clinic — P P P P P P
Automotive and Equipment: Fuel Sales — P CUP P P P CUP
Paint and Body Shops — — — CUP — P CUP
Repair Shops — — — CUP CUP P CUP
Sales and Rental — — — CUP CUP P CUP
Vehicle Storage CUP — — CUP — P CUP 130.40.320
Banks and Financial Services P P P P P P P
Bars and Drinking Establishments CUP P P P P P P
Brewery Large Commercial — — CUP P CUP P CUP
Micro Brewery CUP CUP CUP CUP P P P
Brewpub CUP P P P P P P
Taproom Brewery CUP P P P P P P
Broadcasting and Recording Studio P — P P P P —
Building Supply Store — — — P P P P 130.40.220
Business Support Services — — P P P P P
Child Day Care Center A A A A A CUP P 130.40.110
Commercial Cannabis — — — Commercial Cannabis Use Permit required (See Article 4 - Special Use Regulations - Chapter 130.41 - Commercial Cannabis) —
Commercial Recreation: Arcade — P P P P P P
Indoor Entertainment — — P P P — —
Indoor Sports and Recreation — P — P P P —
Large Amusement Complex — — — CUP CUP — —
Outdoor Entertainment — — CUP CUP CUP — CUP
Outdoor Sports and Recreation — — — — CUP — CUP 130.40.210
Contractor's Office: On-site A A A A A A A 130.40.190
Off-site TUP — TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP
Distillery, Craft CUP CUP CUP CUP P P P
Drive-Through Facility P/CUP 6 P/CUP 6 P/CUP 6 P/CUP 6 P/CUP 6 P/CUP 6 P/CUP 6 130.40.140
Employer-sponsored Child Day Care Center A A — A A A A 130.40.110
Food and Beverage Retail Sale — P P P P P P
Free Food Distribution Center — — — — — CUP CUP
Funeral and Internment Services — P CUP P — P CUP
Lodging Facilities: Bed and Breakfast Inn — CUP P P — — P 130.40.170
Health Resort and Retreat Center — — — P — — P
Hotel and Motel CUP — P P P — P
Maintenance and Repair — — CUP P P P P
Medical Services: Hospital CUP — — P CUP CUP —
Clinic CUP P P P P — P
Long-Term Care Facility — CUP P — — CUP
Mobile/Manufactured Home Sales Lots — — — A — P — 130.40.220
Offices: Professional P P P P CUP P P
Medical P P P P CUP P P
Recycling Facilities — — — P/A — P/A CUP 130.40.280
Restaurant CUP P P P P P P
Retail Sales and Service: Indoor Sales — P P P P P P
Outdoor Sales — CUP CUP P CUP P P 130.40.220
Temporary Outdoor Sales A/TUP TUP 1 TUP 1 A/TUP A/TUP A/TUP A/TUP
Personal Services P/CUP P P P P P P
Property Services — P — P — P P
Specialized Education and Training P P P P — CUP — 130.40.230
Storage, Self — — — CUP — P CUP 130.40.320
Tobacco Retail 7 — P P P P P P 130.40.340
Trade School: Indoor CUP CUP — CUP — P CUP
Outdoor — — — — — CUP CUP
Winery: Production — — CUP — — P P
Full-service Facilities — P CUP P — P P
Industrial
Laundries, Commercial — CUP — CUP — P P
Light Manufacturing: — — CUP 2 CUP — P CUP
Ceramic Products — — CUP 2 CUP — P/CUP 3 CUP
Lightweight Nonferrous Metal Casting Foundry — — CUP 2 CUP — P/CUP 3 CUP
Mineral Exploration and Mining See Table 130.29.070.1 (Mineral Exploration and Mining)
Printing and Publishing — — — CUP — P —
Research and Laboratory Services P — — P — P P
Storage Yard, Equipment and Material: Permanent — — — — — P CUP 130.40.320
Temporary TUP — — TUP TUP TUP TUP
Wholesale Storage and Distribution — — — CUP — P CUP
Agricultural
Nursery, Commercial Retail — P CUP CUP — P P
Packing: Off -site Products — CUP — — — P P
Residential
Caretaker Unit: Permanent A A A A A A A 130.40.120
Temporary TMA TMA TMA TMA TMA TMA TMA
Child Day Care Home 5, 6 Small Family Day Care Home — A — A — — A 130.40.110
Large Family Day Care Home — A — A — — A
Community Care Facility: Small or Large CUP P — P — — P
Dwelling (as Part of a Mixed Use Development) Permitted by Design Review (See Section 130.52.030—Design Review Permit in Article 5—Planning Permit Processing, of this Title)
Emergency Shelter — — — CUP — P —
Employee Housing: Commercial Caretaker, Permanent A A A A A A A 130.40.120
Commercial Caretaker, Temporary TMA TMA TMA TMA TMA TMA TMA
Construction — — — — — A A 130.40.190. B.5
Home Occupation 4 See Table 130.40.160.1 (Home Occupation Use Matrix)
Transitional Housing: Large, only — — — CUP — A — 130.40.360
Recreation and Open Space
Golf Course — — — CUP — — CUP
Marina: Motorized Craft — — — CUP — CUP CUP
Non-Motorized Craft — — — P — — P
Parks: Day Use A A A A A — A 130.40.210
Nighttime Use CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP — —
Snowplay Area — — — CUP — CUP CUP
Special Events, Temporary TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP
Swimming Pool, Public — CUP — CUP — — — 130.40.210
Tennis Courts, Public — CUP — CUP — — —
Trail Head Parking and Staging Area — — — CUP — CUP P
Civic
Cemeteries — — — CUP — CUP —
Churches and Community Assembly Indoor CUP CUP P P — CUP CUP
Outdoor CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP — CUP
Community Services: Intensive — — — CUP CUP CUP CUP
Minor P P P P P — P
Schools: College and University P — CUP P CUP — — 130.40.230
Elementary and Secondary, Private CUP — CUP CUP — — —
Transportation
Airports, Airstrips and Heliports — — — CUP — CUP CUP
Intermodal Facility CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP P —
Parking Lot P P P P P P P
Utility and Communications
Telecommunication Facilities A/CUP A/CUP A/CUP A/CUP A/CUP A/CUP A/CUP 130.40.130
Public Utility Service Facilities: Intensive CUP — — CUP CUP CUP CUP 130.40.250
Minor P P P P P P P
Wind Energy Conversion System See Table 130.40.390.1 (WECS Use Matrix) 130.40.390
NOTES: 1 Excluding Subsection 130.40.220.E (Garage Sales) in Article 4 (Specific Use Regulations) of this Title. 2 Limited to small-scale, artisanal production of goods (See Article 8 (Glossary: "Light Manufacturing") of this Title. 3 CUP for larger scale, 'general industrial' use. 4 As part of the residential component of a mixed use development. 5 As a rental of an existing legal nonconforming residential structure.

6  CUP required when adjacent to any residential zoned lot or residential use. 7  Must meet the setback requirements of Chapter 130.40.340 and licensing requirements of Chapter 8.68.

(Ord. No. 5097, § 2, 1-8-2019; Ord. No. 5112, § 2, 9-10-2019; Ord. No. 5127, § 2, 9-1-2020; Ord. No. 5210, § 2, 10-22-2024; Ord. No. 5241, §§ 2, 16, 8-19-2025)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 130.22.030 - Commercial Zones Development Standards.

Allowed uses and associated structures shall comply with the following development standards listed in Table 130.22.030 (Commercial Zones Development Standards) below in this Section, in addition to any other applicable requirements of this Title unless a variance is obtained in compliance with Section 130.52.070 (Variance) in Article 5 (Planning Permit Processing) of this Title, or standards are modified pursuant to a Development Plan permit in compliance with Section 130.52.040 (Development Plan Permit) in Article 5 (Planning Permit Processing) of this Title.

Table 130.22.030—Commercial Zones Development Standards

Development Attribute CPO CL CM CC CR CG CRU
Minimum Lot Size 1 (in square feet) 6,000 4,000 None 4,000 100,000 2 10,000 10,000
Minimum Lot Width (in feet) 60 60 20 60 70 70 100
Residential Density Range for Mixed Use See Section 130.40.180 (Mixed Use) N/A
Setbacks (in feet) Front and Second- ary Front 3 10 10 Min. 0 Max. 10 10 20 10 30
Sides and Rear 4 0 or 5 0 or 5 0 or 5 0 or 5 0 or 5 0 or 5 30
Sides and Rear (Abutting R, R1A, R2A, R3A, and RE Zoned Land) 5 10 or 30 30
Maximum Building Height (in feet) 50 50 50 50 50 50 40
Floor Area Ratio 6 .85 .85 2.0 .85 .85 .85 .50
Notes: 1 Mixed use development and commercial condominiums subject to Section 130.40.180 (Mixed Use Development) in Article 4 (Specific Use Regulations) of this Title. 2 Does not limit the creation of new smaller lots within a regional commercial facility. 3 Subject to Landscaping requirements in the site planning and design manual. 4 Zero lot line with fireproof wall and no openings, meeting building and fire code requirements, otherwise the 5 foot setback applies. 5 Subject to Landscaping Ordinance requirements in the site planning and design manual. 6 Ratio of allowable floor area to lot area. 7 Lots that are created for access road, parking areas, common area landscaping and open space purposes are exempt from the area and width standards of the respective zones.
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