Etna Municipal Code Ch. 17.40 General Commercial, G-C

The General Commercial (G-C) zoning district is intended to be applied to areas suitable for commercial use outside of the historic town center consistent with the Commercial Center 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 G-C district:

A. Animal grooming and veterinary offices.

B. Artist studios and artisan crafts manufacturing and sales.

C. Automobile and vehicle sales and rental.

D. Automobile service stations.

E. Banks and financial services.

F. Business and professional offices.

G. Business support services.

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

I. Convenience stores and pharmacies.

J. Craft food and beverage production.

K. Grocery stores and supermarkets.

L. Health clinics, medical offices, and laboratories.

M. Indoor entertainment facilities.

N. Indoor sports and fitness facilities.

O. Media production.

P. Off-sale alcoholic beverage sales.

Q. Personal services.

R. Printing and publishing.

S. Retail food establishments.

T. Residential uses.

1. Emergency shelters pursuant to Section 17.76.110 (Emergency shelters).

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

U. Restricted retail sales.

V. Retail sales.

W. Small adult day programs.

(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 G-C district subject to issuance of a building permit, business license, or other required permit(s):

A. Certified farmers' markets.

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

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

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

E. Signs pursuant to Chapter 17.64 (Signs).

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

G. 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 G-C district upon approval and validation of a conditional use permit in addition to any other permits or licenses required for the use.

A. Animal boarding and animal hospitals.

B. Building material stores and yards.

C. Car washing and detailing.

D. Clubs, lodges, and private meeting halls.

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

F. Equipment sales and rental.

G. Event centers.

H. Food and beverage manufacturing.

I. Funeral homes.

J. Garden centers and plant nurseries.

K. Hospitals and hospice care.

L. Large adult day programs.

M. Mobile food commissaries.

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

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

P. Outdoor commercial recreation facilities.

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

R. Places of worship and spiritual assembly.

S. Public and private schools.

T. Public and quasi-public facilities.

U. Residential uses:

1. Dormitories.

2. Duplex residential.

3. Dwelling groups.

4. Multifamily residential.

5. Residential care homes and residential care facilities.

6. Single-family residential.

7. Single-room occupancy pursuant to Section 17.76.100 (Single-room occupancy).

8. Small employee housing.

9. Supportive housing.

10. Transitional housing.

V. Restricted personal services.

W. Theaters and playhouses.

X. Transient occupancy uses:

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

2. Hostels.

3. Hotels and motels.

Y. 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: 10,000 square feet.

B. Minimum width: 80 feet.

C. Minimum depth. 90 feet.

(Ord. 230, 12/22/2025)

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

B. Maximum lot coverage: 80%.

C. Maximum building height.

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

2. Accessory structures: 25 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.

a. Adjacent residential district: 20 feet.

b. Adjacent mixed-use or nonresidential district: 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.

i. Interior side yard: 10 feet.

ii. Exterior side yard: 15 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)