Etna Municipal Code § 17.36.020 Permitted uses

The Town Center (T-C) zoning district is intended to be applied to commercial, residential, and mixed-use properties in the historic town center. Its purpose is to encourage a broad array of compatible retail, professional, entertainment, civic, and other uses that contribute to a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environment consistent with the Central Mixed Use land use designation.

(Ord. 230, 12/22/2025)

Subject to issuance of a building permit, business license, and/or other required permits, none but the following uses, or uses which in the opinion of the city council are similar, will be allowed as principally permitted uses in the T-C district:

A. Animal grooming and veterinary offices.

B. Artist studios and artisan crafts manufacturing.

C. Automobile service stations, no fuel sales.

D. Banks and financial services.

E. Business and professional offices.

F. Business support services.

G. Community gardens pursuant to Section 17.76.170 (Community gardens).

H. Convenience stores and pharmacies.

I. Craft food and beverage production, no coffee roasting.

J. Garden centers and plant nurseries.

K. Grocery stores and supermarkets.

L. Health clinics, medical offices, and laboratories.

M. Indoor sports and fitness facilities.

N. Media production.

O. Mixed-use developments of two or more uses permitted pursuant to this section.

P. Personal services.

Q. Printing and publishing.

R. Public and quasi-public facilities.

S. Residential uses.

1. Low barrier navigation centers pursuant to Section 17.76.260 (Low barrier navigation centers).

2. Residential uses permitted by right pursuant to Chapter 17.28 (High Density Residential, R-3) when included in a vertical mixed-use development.

T. Retail food establishments.

U. Retail sales.

V. Small adult day programs.

W. Theaters and playhouses.

(Ord. 230, 12/22/2025)

When established or constructed concurrently with or subsequent to the principally permitted use, the following uses are permitted in the T-C district subject to issuance of a building permit, business license, or other required permit(s):

A. Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units pursuant to Chapter 17.96 (Accessory Dwelling Units).

B. Certified farmers' markets.

C. Cottage food operations, home-based businesses, and live-work units pursuant to Chapter 17.80 (Live/Work Units and Home-Based Businesses).

D. Mobile food sales pursuant to Chapter 17.92 (Mobile Food Sales).

E. Short-term rentals pursuant to Chapter 17.84 (Short-Term Rentals).

F. Signs pursuant to Chapter 17.64 (Signs).

G. Temporary outside sales such as sidewalk or patio sales not exceeding three days in any 30-day period.

H. Usual and customary structures associated with a principally permitted use, including fences and walls pursuant to Section 17.76.120 (Fences, walls, hedges, and equivalent screening).

(Ord. 230, 12/22/2025)

The following uses are permitted in the T-C district upon approval and validation of a conditional use permit in addition to any other permits or licenses required for the use.

A. Automobile service stations that include fuel sales.

B. Animal boarding and animal hospitals.

C. Clubs, lodges, and private meeting halls.

D. Coffee roasters.

E. Drive-in and drive-through sales and services.

F. Indoor entertainment facilities.

G. Large adult day programs.

H. Mobile food commissaries.

I. Mobile food courts pursuant to Chapter 17.92 (Mobile Food Sales).

J. Off-site parking and shared parking facilities pursuant to Chapter 17.60 (Off-Street Parking).

K. Parks, picnic areas, and playgrounds (no use permit when associated with development approved by city council).

L. Places of worship and spiritual assembly.

M. Public and private schools.

N. Residential uses pursuant to Chapter 17.28 (High Density Residential, R-3) when the residential use is located at street level.

O. Restricted personal services.

P. Restricted retail sales (alcoholic beverage sales by right).

Q. Transient occupancy uses:

1. Bed and breakfast inns pursuant to Chapter 17.88 (Bed and Breakfast Inns).

2. Hostels.

3. Hotels and motels.

R. Other uses similar to those listed in this section.

(Ord. 230, 12/22/2025)

A. Minimum parcel size.

1. Existing parcels: 2,500 square feet.

2. New parcels: 5,000 square feet.

B. Minimum width.

1. Existing parcels: 25 feet.

2. New parcels: 50 feet.

C. Minimum depth.

1. Existing parcels: 50 feet.

2. New parcels: 90 feet

(Ord. 230, 12/22/2025)

A. Dwelling units per acre: One to 20 units.

B. Maximum lot coverage.

1. Existing parcels: 100%.

2. New parcels: 75%.

C. Maximum building height.

1. All uses, except as specified herein: 45 feet.

2. Accessory structures: 20 feet.

3. Building and structures taller than established height limits may be permitted pursuant to Section 17.76.190 (Height limits).

D. Minimum setbacks.

1. Front yard: None.

2. Rear yard.

a. Adjacent residential district: 10 feet.

b. Adjacent mixed-use or nonresidential district: None.

3. Side yard.

a. Adjacent residential district: 10 feet.

b. Adjacent mixed-use or nonresidential district: None.

E. Minimum distance between buildings: As required by California Building Code.

F. Minimum parking: As specified in Chapter 17.60 (Off-Street Parking).

(Ord. 230, 12/22/2025)