Chapter 17 — A - MATRIX OF PERMITTED USES

El Monte Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · El Monte

17.A - Matrix of Permitted Uses

modified

A.

Permitted Uses. Table 17.A-1 prescribes the land use regulations for commercial zoning districts. Additional regulations are denoted in the right hand column. These designations apply strictly to the permissibility of land uses; applications for building structures may require other discretionary review. Home occupation businesses and nonresidential uses shall require a Business Occupancy Permit (BOP). Refer to Chapter 17.14 (Zoning Classifications and Map) of this title for a full listing of the different zoning districts.

B.

Unlisted Uses. Any land use not listed in Table 17.A-1 is not permitted in commercial zoning districts, except as outlined in Section 17.12.050 (Rules and Measurements - Additional Permitted Uses) of this title.

Table 17.A-1—Permitted Uses—Citywide Matrix

Residential -
Main Uses
R-
1A
R-
1B
R-
1C
R-
2
R-
3
R-
4
MMU UMU OMU C-
1
C-
2
C-3 M-1 M-2 MS/Z ST MV Notes
Residential
dwelling, single-
family, one on a
lot, one story
P P P P
1
P
1
P
1
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Residential
dwellings,
single-family,
greater than
one story
P P/D
2
D
2
P
1
P
1
P
1
17.122
Residential
dwellings,
single-family,
two (2) or more
detached on a
lot
P P P P
Residential
dwellings, two-
family, two
(2) attached or
detached on a
lot
P P P
Residential
dwellings,
multiple-family,
three (3) or
more attached
or detached on
a lot
P P P P P P3
Residential
dwellings,
multiple-family,
fve (5) or more
attached on a
lot
P P P P P P P P3 -/P4 P/C
5
P
Afordable
housing in
comm. areas
P P P P P 17.104
Corridor
housing
P P P P P P P P P P 17.110.040
Factory-built
housing
P P P P P P P P P P P6 P/C
7
P
Live-work unit M M C C C6 M7 M 17.110.060
Mixed-use
development -
Horizontal P P P6 P/C
7
P 17.110.070
Vertical8 P P P P P 17.110.070
Mobile home or
trailer park
C
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Planned
Residential
Development
(PRD)
R R R R R6 17.127
Religious
institutions
housing
P P P P P P P P P P 17.110.080
Senior housing C C C C C C C6 P P/C
7
P
Single room
occupancy
(SRO)
C6 17.110.090
Urban dwelling P P 17.110.110
Urban housing
development
P —/P
9
P/C
7
P 17.110.120
Residential -
Ancillary Uses
Accessory
building
P P P P P P P P P P P P 17.110.020
Accessory
Dwelling Unit
(ADU) and
Junior ADU
P P P P P P P P 17.110.030
Animals,
breeding and
raising
P P
Animals, horses P P
Animals,
husbandry
product
C C C C C
Community
garden
M M M M M M
Garage sale P P P P P P
Greenhouse or
conservatory,
private
P P P P P P
Home
occupation
business
P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 17.110.050
Lighted outdoor
sporting feld or
court, private
M M M M M M M M M
Transitional
parking
C C M M M
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Transitional use C C M M M 17.110.100
Community
Care Uses
Adult daycare
home -
Small, less than
seven (7) adults
P P P P P P
Large, seven (7)
to 12 adults
C C C C C
Adult daycare
facility, general
C C C C C* C
Alcoholism or
drug abuse
treatment
facility
C C C
Childcare
facility
C C C C C* C C
Elder care or
assisted living
facility
C C C C* C
Emergency
shelter -
Less than 25
beds/occupants
P P P 17.112.090
25 or more
beds/occupants
C C C 17.112.090
Family daycare
home -
Small, less
than nine (9)
children
P P P P P P
Large, nine (9)
to 14 children
Z Z Z Z Z Z
Group home -
Small, less
than (7)
residents
P P P P P P
Large, seven
(7) or more
residents
Z Z Z Z Z Z
Low barrier
navigation
center -
Less than 25
beds/occupants
P P P P P10 17.112.110
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
25 or more
beds/occupants
Z Z Z Z Z10 17.112.110
Residential care
home -
Small, less
than seven (7)
residents
P P P P P P
Large, seven
(7) to 12
residents
Z Z Z Z Z Z
Residential care
facility, general
C C C C C
Social
rehabilitation
facility
C C C
Supportive or
transitional
housing
P P P P P P P P10
Public & Quasi-
Public Uses
Electrical
distribution
substation
C —C C C C M M C
Government or
related facility
P P P P P P P P P P* P P P⁁ P P
Hospital or
clinic -
Hospital C
Urgent care or
medical clinic
P* P* P P P* P P P* P*
Recreation
facility -
Public P P P P P P P P P P P P⁁ P P
Private C C C C C C C
School &
educational
facility -
College or
university,
public
P P C C P P
College or
university,
private
C P C C C C
School &
educational
facility -
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
K-12, public P P P P P P P P P P P
K-12, private C C C C C C C C
Preschool,
public
P P P P P P P P P P* P P
Residential -
Main Uses
R-
1A
R-
1B
R-
1C
R-
2
R-
3
R-
4
MMU UMU OMU C-
1
C-
2
C-3 M-1 M-2 MS/Z ST MV Notes
Preschool,
private
C C C C C C C* C C
Specialized
education and
training
M M M M* M M C C
Tutoring and
educational
center
P* P* P P P* P* P* P*
Utility facility C C C C C C C C C C C C C
Wireless facility See notes * See notes 17.90& 92
Assembly &
Entertainment
Uses
Adult
entertainment
C C 5.16,5.98,
17.112.020
Ancillary
entertainment
P* P* P P* P P P*⁁ P* P*
Assembly or
meeting facility
C C C C C C C C C
Commercial
entertainment
C C C C C C⁁ C C
Commercial
recreation
facility -
Indoor C C C* C C C⁁ C C 5.76for
billiards
Outdoor C C C
Community
center
P P P P P* P⁁ P P
Cultural
institution
C C C C C C C* P⁁ P P
Family
entertainment
center
C C C C C C C
Gaming center
or arcade
C C C M/C
11
M/C
11
M/C
11
C C 5.96
Nightclub C C C C C C⁁ C C 5.32
Religious
institutions
C C C C C C C C
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Retail & Ofces
Uses
Alcohol sales
12-
Assembly and
entertainment
use, on-site13
C C C C C C C C⁁ C C 17.112.030
Bar or tavern,
on-site
C C C C C C C⁁ C C 17.112.030
Brew pub, on-
site and of-site
C C C C C C 17.112.030
Liquor store,
of-site
C C C C C C C 17.112.030
Restaurant,
limited hours,
on-site
C* C* M M M* M M M*⁁ M* M* 17.112.030
Restaurant,
on-site
C* C* C C C* C C M*⁁ C* C* 17.112.030
Retail store,
of-site
C C C C* C C C*⁁ C* C* 17.112.030
Cannabis
activity,
commercial -
Dispensary
P* P* P P P* P P P*⁁ P* P* 5.18
Convenience
store or
minimart
C* C* C C* C C M*⁁ M* C*
Food or
beverage
establishment -
Bakery or
pâtisserie, retail
P* P* P P P* P P P*⁁ P* P*
Bakery,
commercial
P P P
Food or
beverage
establishment
(cont.)
Cofeehouse
or ice cream
parlor
P* P* P P P* P P P*⁁ P* P*
Outdoor
seating/dining
P* P* P P P* P P P*⁁ P* P* 17.112.130
Restaurant P* P* P P P* P P P*⁁ P* P*
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Grocery store P* P* P P* P P P*⁁ P* P*
Multiple-tenant
center
M* M* P M M* M M P*⁁ M* M* 17.112.120
Ofces -
Ancillary P* P* P P P* P P P*⁁ P* P*
Administrative,
business
Professional
P* P* P P P* P P P* P* P*
Government P* P* P P P* P P P* P* P*
Medical and
dental
P* P* P P P* P P P* P* P*
Ofce supply
store
P* P* P P P* P P P*⁁ P* P*
Pawnbroker or
pawnshop
C C C 5.68
17.112.140
Pharmacy P* P* P P P* P P P*⁁ P* P*
Retail sales
(unless listed as
a separate use)
P* P* P P* P P P*⁁ P* P*
Secondhand
vendor
P* P* P P* P P P*⁁ P* P* 5.68
17.112.170
Showroom
sales
P P P P P P
Signifcant
tobacco retailer
C C C C 17.112.180
Vehicle retail
use -
Parts and
accessory store
P P P P* P P P
Sales and
lease, limited
M M M M* P P M
Sales and
lease, general
new & used
C C 17.112.190
Sales and
lease, general
used
C 5.96
17.112.190
Sales and
lease, major
C C C 17.112.190
Warehouse
retailer or retail
warehouse
P P P P
Wholesaler P P P
Service Uses
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Alternative
fnancial
establishment
M* 17.112.040
Ambulance
service
C M M
Animal service -
Animal
boarding/kennel
C14 C14 C
14
C M M 5.96
Animal
grooming
P P P P P* P P P⁁ P P
Veterinary
service or
animal
hospital/clinic
P P P P P P P
Appliance or
electronics
repair
P P P P P
Automated
Teller Machine
(ATM), walk-up
P* P* P P P* P P P*⁁ P P 17.112.050
Bail bonds M P P
Collection
containers -
Small Z Z 17.112.060
Large Z 17.112.060
Correctional
facility
C C C 17.112.070
Drive-thru
business -
Food or
beverage
establishment
C C C C C C C 17.112.080
Service or
retail
M M M M M* M M C C M 17.112.080
Financial
institution
P* P* P P P* P P P* P P
Funeral home
or mortuary
P15 P15 P P P P P
15
Hotels and
motels
C C C* C*⁁ C C 5.48
17.112.100
Ofce
concierge
service
P* P* P P P* P P P* P P
Personal
service use -
Residential -
Main Uses
R-
1A
R-
1B
R-
1C
R-
2
R-
3
R-
4
MMU UMU OMU C-
1
C-
2
C-3 M-1 M-2 MS/Z ST MV Notes
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
General P* P* P P P* P P P*⁁ P P 17.112.150
Restricted M* M* M M* M M M*⁁ M M 17.112.150
Massage C 5.56
17.112.150
Philanthropic or
charitable
institution
C C P* P* P P P* P P P* P P
Recycling
facility -
Mobile P P P P P P P P 17.112.160
Self-service Z Z Z Z P P Z 17.112.160
Small M Z Z 17.112.160
Large M M 17.112.160
Self-Storage C C
Vehicle service
uses -
Repair, limited M M P P 17.112.200
Repair, minor C C M M 17.112.200
Repair, major C C C 17.112.200
Rental,
automobile
M M M M
Rental, truck C C C
Service
station,
minimum
C C C C 17.112.210
Service
station, full
C C C 17.112.210
Washing
facility
C C C C 17.112.220
Wedding chapel M M M M* M M M M M
Industrial,
Transportation
& Other Uses
Cannabidiol
(CBD) products
manufacturer
P P
Cannabis,
commercial -
Cultivation,
distributor,
manufacturing
P16 P P 5.18
and
microbusiness
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Testing
laboratory
P P P* P P 5.18
Commercial
fulfllment
center
C17 P/C
18
P/C
18
Courier service
or messengers
M M
Distribution,
fulfllment or
warehouse
center -
Less than
100,000 square
feet
P P
100,000
square feet or
greater
C19 C19
Hazardous
materials, any
use involving
storage of
C C 17.50.100
Industrial hemp
processing
C C
Impound or tow
yard
C
Laboratory,
testing
P P
Laundry or dry
cleaning plant
P P
Machine shop P P
Manufacturing
(unless listed as
separate use) -
Ancillary Z P P
Commercial C20 P P
Light P P
General P
New industrial
construction
over 5,000 sq.
ft. and within
150 ft. of a
residential
zoning district
C C
Passenger
transport or taxi
service
C C C
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Recycling
processing
facility
C
Research and
development
P P
Rock, sand and
gravel storage
and Distribution
C
Temporary use See notes * See notes 17.124
Towing facility C
Transit station P P
Truck terminal C C
Vehicle parking
-
Attendant or
valet parking
M M C M M* M M M M M
Car sharing,
residential use
M M C M M* M M M 17.70.070.C.
Car sharing,
nonresidential
use21
M M M M M* M M M M M
Commercial
parking
M M M M M M C M M
Parking
structure
M M M
22
M*22 M M M M M
Shared
parking
Z Z Z Z Z* Z Z Z Z Z 17.70.070.D.
Vehicle
parking,
feet/ancillary
M M P P
Vehicle
parking, limited
C C
Vehicle
parking, general
C

Key:

  • Horizontal mixed-use projects in the C-3: Use may be permitted. Other uses shall be prohibited.

  • MMU, UMU, MS/Z, Stand MV: Use is pedestrian oriented and may occupy the ground floor of vertical mixed-use buildings. Other uses shall not be permitted on the ground floor.

⁁ MS: Use is pedestrian oriented and may occupy the ground floor of building facing Main Street west of Tyler Avenue. Other uses shall not be permitted on the ground floor.

  • Use not permitted.

P Use permitted by-right.

D Use permitted after review and approval of the Community Development Director.

M Use permitted after review and approval of a Minor Use Permit (MUP). C Use permitted after review and approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). R Use permitted after review and approval of a Planned Residential Development (PRD). Z Use permitted after review and approval of a Director Level Zoning Clearance (ZCD). List of Zoning Districts Acronyms: R-1 One-family Dwelling R-2 Low-density Multiple-family Dwelling R-3 Medium-density Multiple-family Dwelling R-4 High-density Multiple-family Dwelling MMU Mixed/Multiuse UMU Reserved for Urban/Multiuse OMU Reserved for Office/Multiuse C-1 Office Commercial C-2 Retail Commercial C-3 General Commercial M-1 Light Manufacturing M-2 General Manufacturing MS Downtown Specific Plan - Main Street Sub-Area Z Downtown Specific Plan - Zocalo Sub-Area ST Downtown Specific Plan - Station Sub-Area MV Downtown Specific Plan - Monte Vista Sub-Area Notes:

1 Subject to the development standards of the R-1A zoning district.

2 A maximum of 1½-stories shall require Community Development Director approval for properties located in the RHOD overlay.

3 Not permitted in the East Valley Entryway Area as shown on the city's Zoning Map or on Valley Boulevard at the intersections of Baldwin Avenue and Peck Road.

4 Only permitted in Main Street DOR-2 and Zócalo Subareas. Shall not be permitted in Main Street DOR-1.

5 Ground floor residential facing Santa Anita Avenue shall require approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).

6 Not permitted in the East Valley Entryway Area as shown on the city's Zoning Map or on Valley Boulevard at the intersections of Baldwin Avenue and Peck Road.

7 Ground floor residential facing Santa Anita Avenue shall require approval of a CUP.

8 For vertical mixed-use projects with residential, a minimum 50% of the total floor area shall be residential.

9 Only permitted in Main Street DOR-2 and Zócalo Subareas. Shall not be permitted in Main Street DOR-1.

10 Not permitted in the East Valley Entryway Area as shown on the city's Zoning Map or on Valley Boulevard at the intersections of Baldwin Avenue and Peck Road.

11 A CUP shall be required for arcade with more than 3,500 sq. ft. in Gross Floor Area (GFA). An MUP shall be required in all other instances.

12 If a use only has approval for beer and wine and wants to add distilled spirits, a new CUP or MUP shall be required.

13 Only applicable to assembly and entertainment uses permitted in the underlying zoning district.

14 Overnight boarding shall be limited to indoors.

15 Funeral home or mortuary shall not include crematories.

16 Limited to the East Valley Entryway Area, west of Durfee Avenue, as shown on the city's Zoning Map.

17 Limited to the East Valley Entryway Area, as shown on the city's Zoning Map.

18 A CUP shall be required for new construction or conversion from an existing building of 100,000 sq. ft. or greater in GFA. It shall not be required for a change in tenant. 19 Limited to new construction or conversion from an existing building.

20 Limited to the East Valley Entryway Area as shown on the city's Zoning Map.

21 Car sharing shall be permitted by-right if there is no on-site parking of vehicles (i.e. it is only an office use).

22 Parking structures shall be ancillary to a permitted use.

C.

Other Zoning Districts.

1.

For the Public Facilities(PF), Open Space (OS), Airport (AP), Railroad(RR) and Transitway (TW) zoning districts, refer to Chapter 17.44 (Public and Quasi-Public Zoning Districts) of this title.

2.

For the Residential Mobilehome Park (RMP) zoning district, refer to Chapter 17.24 (Multiple-family Dwelling Zoning District) of this title.

3.

For the Gateway specific plan, refer to Chapter 17.131 (SP-1, Gateway specific plan) of this title.

4.

For the Mountain View Specific Plan, refer to Chapter 17.132 (SP-2, Mountain View Specific Plan) of this title.

5.

For the Flair Spectrum specific plan, refer to Chapter 17.133 (SP-3, Flair Park specific plan) of this title.

6.

For the Esperanza Village specific plan, refer to Chapter 17.135 (SP-5, Esperanza Village specific plan) of this title. (Ord. No. 3053, § 3(Exh. A), 5-14-2025)