Fowler Municipal Code Ch. 9.210 Auto-Related Uses

This Chapter establishes the regulations and criteria for the development and operation of certain automobile and automobile-related uses. The intent of the standards is to regulate these uses for compatibility with surrounding uses.

The regulations and standards contained in this Chapter shall apply to the uses as contained herein, including vehicle rentals, sales, parts and supply stores, repairs and service, storage, and tow yards.

All automobile and automobile-related uses subject to the standards contained in this Chapter shall require approval of the specified permit as designated in the Tables of Allowed Land Uses and Approval Requirements in Article 3 (Zones) of this Title.

The following regulations shall apply to all auto-related uses contained in this Chapter.

A. Hours of operation shall be limited to no earlier than 6:00 a.m. and no later than 10:00 p.m., unless specifically approved otherwise.

B. The sound emanating from all motor vehicle and related uses shall be subject to all the applicable noise control regulations of the Fowler Municipal Code.

C. Exterior amplified sound systems are prohibited within one hundred (100) feet of a non-commercial use.

D. The property owner and/or individual responsible for said property shall take all steps necessary to ensure individuals shall not loiter upon the property before and after regularly established business hours.

E. Persons engaged in the delivery of motor vehicles for storage, sales, rental, display, or repair shall not stop or park within any public rights-of-way to off-load such vehicles without having an approved encroachment permit.

F. Access and on-site circulation shall be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer to ensure traffic flow from the public right-of-way onto and exiting from the site does not create a hazardous situation. A traffic flow diagram may be required to confirm compliance with this standard.

G. Appropriate best management practices shall be constructed and/or practiced to demonstrate compliance with all applicable regulations for the use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.

H. Dismantling of stored and/or parked vehicles shall be expressly prohibited within the public view, unless specifically approved otherwise.

I. Vehicles in inventory, including those waiting for service or repair, shall not be parked within the public right-of-way.

J. Outdoor storage of new or used tires is prohibited.

The following regulations shall apply to all vehicle rental uses, including trailer and recreational vehicle rental, truck and trailer rental, boat rental, equipment rental, and motorcycle rental.

A. Repairs, except incidental replacement/repair including such activities as the installation of windshield wiper blades or batteries or comparable activity, shall be prohibited, unless combined with an approved repair facility subject to the regulations set forth in Section 9.210.080 (Vehicle Repairs and Service).

B. Rental vehicles shall not be displayed in the customer/employee parking area, drive aisles, or other portions of the property not designed for vehicle display.

C. Vehicle storage or display is prohibited in the public right-of-way.

D. Vehicle storage or display shall be on an improved surface.

The following regulations shall apply to all vehicle sales uses, including trailer and recreational vehicle sales, truck sales, boat sales, equipment sales, and motorcycle sales.

A. Vehicles shall only be displayed for sale in approved display areas. Vehicles for sale shall not be displayed in the customer/employee parking area, drive aisles, or other portions of the property not designed for vehicle display per an approved site plan.

B. Sufficient space shall be provided for service drop-offs, if applicable, to prevent stacking of waiting vehicles onto a public street.

C. Repairs shall be conducted within an enclosed building. Repair facilities included with vehicle sales shall be reviewed and approved subject to the regulations set forth in Section 9.210.080 (Vehicle Repairs and Service).

D. On-site vehicle painting is prohibited.

E. Outdoor storage of new or used tires is prohibited.

F. Vehicle storage may be permitted as incidental to the primary use and shall be screened from public view in compliance with Section 9.210.090 (Vehicle Storage and Tow Yards). Vehicles displayed for sale in approved display areas are not subject to screening requirements.

G. When located adjacent to a property with a residential land use designation or residential zone district, as included in Chapter 9.120 (Residential Zones), a block wall of not less than six (6) feet in height shall be required along the entire length of the shared property line. The block wall shall be reduced to the maximum height allowed within the required front yard setback and as necessary to meet intersection sight distance requirements.

The following regulations shall apply to all vehicle parts and supply store uses.

A. No cars may be parked so as to block parking or drive aisles.

B. No parking overnight is permitted.

C. No vehicle repairs are permitted on-site, except those considered minor incidental repairs including battery replacement, windshield wiper replacement, fluid top-offs, and air filter replacement or similar minor activities.

The following regulations shall apply to all vehicle repairs and service uses, including major repair, stereo and sound system installation, body, paint and upholstery shops, boat service and repair, motorcycle service and repair, recreational vehicle service and repair, and heavy equipment service and repair.

A. Repairs shall be conducted within an enclosed building.

B. Service bay doors shall be oriented away from adjacent properties with a residential land use designation or residential zone district, as included in Chapter 9.120 (Residential Zones).

C. When located adjacent to a property with a residential land use designation or residential zone district, as included in Chapter 9.120 (Residential Zones), a block wall of not less than six (6) feet in height shall be required along the entire length of the shared property line. The block wall shall be reduced to the maximum height allowed within the required front yard setback and as necessary to meet intersection sight distance requirements.

D. Automobiles and vehicles shall not be stored outside of a building on-site for more than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours, unless stored in an approved storage area in compliance with the requirements of Section 9.215.090 (Vehicle Storage and Tow Yards).

The following regulations shall apply to all vehicle storage yards, including designated storage areas incidental to a primary use, recreational vehicle storage, boat and trailer storage, and heavy equipment storage.

A. All storage areas shall be screened from public view from any adjoining properties and from the public rights-of-way by a screened fence or a block wall not less than six (6) feet in height. The fence or wall shall be reduced to the maximum height allowed within the required front yard setback and as necessary to meet intersection sight distance requirements. Any gate(s) shall be constructed of materials to prevent view of the stored materials within the screened area.

B. Vehicle storage yards shall maintain the minimum required building setback for the zone in which the use is located.

C. All required front and street side setbacks shall be landscaped in compliance with Chapter 9.170 (Landscaping Standards).

D. Any vehicles not screened shall be operable and in good repair.

E. Storage areas shall be an improved surface.