Fresno Municipal Code Art. 67 Use Classifications

Use classifications describe one or more uses of land having similar characteristics, but do not list every use or activity that may appropriately be within the classification. The Director shall determine whether a specific use shall be deemed to be within one or more use classifications, or not within any classification in this article. The Director may also determine that a specific use shall not be deemed to be within a classification, whether or not generally named within the classification, if its unique characteristics are substantially incompatible with those typical of uses named within the classification.

(Added Ord. 2015-39, § 1, eff. 1-9-16).

Residential Housing Types. For the purposes of determining consistency with applicable sections of the California Government Code 'single/multi-unit' shall have the same meaning as 'single/multi-family' as it is used in the California Government Code.

Single-Unit Dwelling, Detached. A dwelling unit designed for occupancy by one household, and located on a separate lot from any other unit (except second living units, where permitted). This classification includes individual manufactured housing units installed on a foundation system pursuant to Section 18551 of the California Health and Safety Code.

Single-Unit Dwelling, Attached. A dwelling unit designed for occupancy by one household, located on a single lot and typically grouped together in a row of similar units. They may be attached through common vertical party wall(s) to one or more dwellings on abutting lots, or may appear to be attached, but are structurally independent.

Second Dwelling Unit. A dwelling unit providing independent living facilities for one or more persons that is located on a lot with primary dwelling(s). A second unit may be within the same structure as the primary unit, in an attached structure, or in a separate structure on the same lot.

Duplex. A single building on a lot that contains two dwelling units or two single-unit dwellings on a single lot. This use is distinguished from a Second Dwelling Unit, which is an accessory residential unit as defined by State law and this Ordinance.

Multi-Unit Residential. Three or more dwelling units on a site or lot. Types of multiple unit dwellings include townhouses, garden apartments, senior housing developments, and multi-story apartment buildings. This use includes multi-unit development in which individual units are occupied exclusively by one or more persons 62 years of age or older.

Cottage Housing Development. A group of single-unit homes, typically smaller than 1,200 square feet, that are arranged in common relation to one another, usually surrounding a shared landscaped area. Also known as a "pocket neighborhood."

Adult Family Day Care. A day-care facility licensed by the State of California that is located in a single-unit residence or other dwelling unit where a resident of the dwelling provides care and supervision for adults over the age of 18 for periods of less than 24 hours a day.

Small. A facility that provides care for six or fewer adults.

Large. A facility that provides care for seven to 12 adults.

Caretaker Residence. A dwelling unit occupied by employees or caretakers of the primary use on the site.

Domestic Violence Shelter. A facility providing sleeping accommodations for a maximum of eight persons, inclusive of any children or support staff using sleeping accommodations, located in a single-unit residence or other dwelling unit where survivors of domestic violence or sexual abuse are provided temporary housing, food, and other specialized services in compliance with California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 18290 et seq., and which may also be occupied by professional support staff provided by a sponsoring agent.

Elderly and Long-Term Care. Establishments that provide 24-hour medical, convalescent, or chronic care to individuals who, by reason of advanced age, chronic illness, or infirmity, are unable to care for themselves, and is licensed as a skilled nursing facility by the State of California, including, but not limited to, rest homes and convalescent hospitals, but not Residential Care, Hospitals, or Clinics.

Family Day Care. A day-care facility licensed by the State of California that is located in a single-unit residence or other dwelling unit where a resident of the dwelling provides care and supervision for children under the age of 18 for periods of less than 24 hours a day.

Small. A facility that provides care for eight or fewer children, including children who reside at the home and are under the age of 10.

Large. A facility that provides care for nine to 14 children, including children who reside at the home and are under the age of 10.

Group Residential. Shared living quarters without separate kitchen or bathroom facilities for each room or unit, offered for rent for permanent or semi-transient residents on a weekly or longer basis. This classification includes clean and sober facilities, other types of organizational housing, private residential clubs, and farmworker housing, but excludes Hotels and Motels, Residential Care Facilities, and Re-Entry Facilities.

Small. A facility that houses six or fewer persons.

Large. A facility that houses seven or more persons.

Lodging-to-Dwelling Conversions. The conversion of existing hotels or motels from a commercial lodging use to a residential use which will provide housing to non-transient residents and facilitate bringing such hotel or motel buildings into safe and habitable condition as required by State and local law.

Mobile Home Parks. A development designed and occupied by mobile homes including development with facilities and amenities used in common by occupants who rent, lease, or own spaces for mobile homes through a subdivision, cooperative, condominium, or other form of resident ownership.

Office-To-Dwelling. The conversion of existing office building(s) from an office use to a multi-unit residential use which will provide housing to residents and facilitate compliance of said structures into safe and habitable condition as required by State and local law.

Re-Entry Facility. A facility used for the rehabilitation and overnight accommodations of 25 or more individuals, including staff, who are (a) under the jurisdiction of a court, but not under confinement, or (b) individuals recently released from the jurisdiction of a court. Such facility shall be operated by the City, the State, the federal government, or a private party under contract with the City, the State, or the federal government for the purpose of providing treatment or rehabilitation intended to assist such individuals with their re-entry into the community.

Residential Care Facilities. Facilities that are licensed by the State of California to provide permanent living accommodations and 24-hour primarily non-medical care and supervision for persons in need of personal services, supervision, protection, or assistance for sustaining the activities of daily living. Living accommodations are shared living quarters with or without separate kitchen or bathroom facilities for each room or unit. This classification includes facilities that are operated for profit as well as those operated by public or not-for-profit institutions, including hospices, nursing homes, convalescent facilities, and group homes for minors, persons with disabilities, and people in recovery from alcohol or drug addictions. This use classification excludes Transitional Housing and Social Service Facilities.

Residential Care, General. A facility providing care for more than six persons.

Residential Care, Limited. A facility providing care for six or fewer persons.

Residential Care, Senior. A housing arrangement chosen voluntarily by the resident, the resident's guardian, conservator, or other responsible person; where residents are 60 years of age or older and where varying levels of care and supervision are provided as agreed to at the time of admission or as determined necessary at subsequent times of reappraisal. This classification includes continuing-care retirement communities and life care communities licensed for residential care by the State of California.

Single Room Occupancy. A residential facility containing housing units that may have kitchen and/or bathroom facilities and are guest rooms or efficiency units as defined by the State Health and Safety Code. Each housing unit is occupied by no more than two adults and is offered on a monthly rental basis or longer. This definition includes Single Room Occupancy Hotels, Boarding Homes, and extended stay hotels that offer rooms intended for long-term occupancy (30 days or more).

Supportive Housing. Dwelling units with no limit on the length of stay, that are occupied by the target population as defined in Section 50675.14 of the California Health and Safety Code, and that are linked to on-site or off-site services that assist the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving their health status, and maximizing their ability to live and, where possible, work in the community.

Transitional Housing. Dwelling units configured as rental housing developments, but operated under program requirements that call for the termination of assistance and recirculation of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at some predetermined future point in time, which shall be no less than six months.

(Added Ord. 2015-39, § 1, eff. 1-9-16; Am. Ord. 2018-25, § 35, eff. 6-11-18; Am. Ord. 2020-031, § 6, 9-1-20; Am. Ord. 2025-024, § 80, eff. 7-27-25; Am. Ord. 2025-023, § 6, eff. 12-26-25).

Cemetery. Establishments primarily engaged in operating sites or structures reserved for the interment of human or animal remains, including mausoleums, burial places, and memorial gardens.

Colleges and Trade Schools, Public or Private. Institutions of higher education providing curricula of a general, religious, or professional nature, typically granting recognized degrees, including conference centers and academic retreats associated with such institutions. This classification includes junior colleges, business and computer schools, management training, technical and trade schools, but excludes personal instructional services such as music lessons.

Community and Religious Assembly. A facility for public or private meetings including community centers, religious assembly facilities, civic and private auditoriums, union halls, meeting halls for clubs and other membership organizations. This classification includes functionally related facilities for the use of members and attendees such as kitchens, multi-purpose rooms, and storage. It does not include gymnasiums or other sports facilities, convention centers, or facilities, such as day care centers and schools that are separately classified and regulated.

Community Garden. Use of land for and limited to the cultivation and tillage of soil for the production, growing, and harvesting of any agricultural, floricultural, or horticultural commodity.

Conference/Convention Facility. One or more structures accommodating multiple assembly, meeting, and/or exhibit rooms, and related support facilities (e.g., kitchens, offices, etc.).

Cultural Institutions. Public or non-profit institutions engaged primarily in the display or preservation of objects of interest in the arts or sciences that are open to the public on a regular basis. This classification includes performing arts centers for theater, music, dance, and events; buildings of an educational, charitable, or philanthropic nature; libraries; museums; historical sites; aquariums; art galleries; and zoos and botanical gardens.

Day Care Centers. Establishments providing non-medical care for persons on a less than 24-hour basis other than Family Day Care. This classification includes nursery schools, preschools, and day care facilities for children or adults, and any other day care facility licensed by the State of California.

Emergency Shelter. A temporary, short-term residence providing housing with minimal supportive services for families or individuals experiencing homelessness, where occupancy is limited to 180 days or less, as defined in Section 50801 of the California Health and Safety Code. Medical assistance, counseling, and meals may be provided.

Government Offices. Administrative, clerical, or public contact offices of a government agency, including postal facilities and courts, together with incidental storage and maintenance of vehicles. This classification excludes corporation yards, equipment service centers, and similar facilities that primarily provide maintenance and repair services and storage facilities for vehicles and equipment (see Utilities, Major).

Hospitals and Clinics. State-licensed facilities providing medical, surgical, psychiatric, or emergency medical services to sick or injured persons. This classification includes facilities for inpatient or outpatient treatment, including substance-abuse programs as well as training, research, and administrative services for patients and employees. This classification excludes veterinaries and animal hospitals (see Animal Care, Sales, and Services).

Hospital. A facility providing medical, psychiatric, or surgical services for sick or injured persons primarily on an in-patient basis, and including ancillary facilities for outpatient and emergency treatment, sub-acute care facilities, diagnostic services, training, research, administration, and services to patients, employees, or visitors.

Clinic. A facility providing medical, psychiatric, or surgical service for sick or injured persons exclusively on an out-patient basis including emergency treatment, diagnostic services, administration, and related services to patients who are not lodged overnight. Services may be available without a prior appointment. This classification includes licensed facilities such as blood banks and plasma centers, and emergency medical services offered exclusively on an out-patient basis. This classification does not include private medical and dental offices that typically require appointments and are usually smaller scale. This classification includes substance abuse treatment and recovery programs which are not residential in nature and which exclusively administer counseling services.

Substance Abuse Treatment Clinic. A facility that administers medication, or supervises the self-administration of medication, for substance abuse treatment.

Instructional Services. Establishments that offer specialized programs in personal growth and development such as music, martial arts, vocal, fitness, and dancing instruction.

Park and Recreation Facilities, Public. Parks, playgrounds, recreation facilities, trails, wildlife preserves, and related open spaces, all of which are noncommercial. This classification also includes noncommercial playing fields, courts, gymnasiums, swimming pools, picnic facilities, tennis courts, golf courses, and botanical gardens, as well as related food concessions or community centers within the facilities.

Parking, Public or Private. Surface lots and structures which offer parking to the public for a fee, when such parking is not associated with another on-site activity.

Public Safety Facilities. Facilities providing public-safety and emergency services, including police and fire protection, correctional facilities, and emergency medical services, with incidental storage, training, and maintenance facilities.

Schools, Public or Private. Facilities for primary or secondary education, including public schools, charter schools, and private and parochial schools having curricula comparable to that required in the public schools of the State of California.

Social Service Facilities. Any noncommercial facility, such as homeless shelters; and facilities providing social services such as job referrals, housing placement, and which may also provide meals, showers, clothing, groceries, and/or laundry facilities, typically for less than 30 days. Specialized programs and services related to the needs of the residents may also be provided.

(Added Ord. 2015-39, § 1, eff. 1-9-16; Am. Ord. 2016-32, § 41, eff. 10-21-16; Am. Ord. 2018-25, § 36, eff. 6-11-18; Am. Ord. 2025-009, § 1, eff. 6-5-25).

Adult-Oriented Business. An establishment that, as a regular and substantial course of conduct, offers, sells or distributes adult-oriented merchandise, or that offers to its patrons materials, products, merchandise, services, entertainment, or performances that have sexual arousal, sexual gratification, and/or sexual stimulation as their dominant theme, or are characterized by an emphasis on specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas and are not customarily open to the general public because they exclude minors by virtue of their age. This classification does not include any establishment offering professional services conducted, operated, or supervised by medical practitioners, physical therapists, nurses, chiropractors, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family counselors, osteopaths, and persons holding licenses or certificates under applicable State law or accreditation from recognized programs when performing functions pursuant to the respective license or certificate.

Aircraft Sales, Services, and Storage. Uses related to the rental, sales and leasing, storage, repair, and washing of aircraft.

Animal Care, Sales and Services. Retail sales and services related to the boarding, grooming, and care of household pets including:

Grooming and Pet Stores. Retail sales of animals and/or services, including grooming, for animals on a commercial basis. Grooming or selling of dogs, cats, and similar small animals. Typical uses include dog bathing and clipping salons, pet grooming shops, and pet stores and shops. This classification excludes dog walking and similar pet care services not carried out at a fixed location, and excludes pet supply stores that do not sell animals or provide on-site animal services.

Kennels. A commercial, non-profit, or governmental facility for keeping, boarding, training, breeding, or maintaining four or more dogs, cats, or other household pets not owned by the kennel owner or operator. Typical uses include pet clinics, pet day care, grooming, animal hospitals for small animals, and animal shelters, but exclude pet shops and animal hospitals that provide 24-hour accommodation of animals receiving medical or grooming services.

Veterinary Services. Veterinary services for household pets. This classification allows 24-hour accommodation of animals receiving medical services, but does not include kennels (see Kennels) nor veterinary care for farm animals (see Agricultural Support Services).

Artist's Studio. Work space for an artist or artisan, including individuals practicing one of the fine arts or performing arts, or skilled in an applied art or craft. This use is distinguished by incidental retail sales of items produced on the premises and does not include joint living and working units (see Live-Work).

Automobile/Vehicle Sales and Services. Retail or wholesale businesses that sell, rent, and/or repair automobiles, boats, recreational vehicles, trucks, vans, trailers, and motorcycles, including the following:

Automobile Rentals. Rental of automobiles. Typical uses include car rental agencies.

Automobile/Vehicle Sales and Leasing. Sale or lease, retail or wholesale, of automobiles, light trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, and trailers, together with associated repair services and parts sales, but excluding body repair and painting. Typical uses include automobile dealers and recreational vehicle sales agencies. This classification does not include automobile brokerage and other establishments which solely provide services of arranging, negotiating, assisting, or effectuating the purchase of an automobile for others.

Automobile/Vehicle Repair, Major. Repair of automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, boats, and recreational vehicles, including the incidental sale, installation, and servicing of related equipment and parts, generally on an overnight basis. This classification includes auto repair shops, body and fender shops, transmission shops, wheel and brake shops, auto glass services, and vehicle painting, but excludes vehicle dismantling or salvaging and tire retreading or recapping.

Automobile/Vehicle Service and Repair, Minor. The service and repair of automobiles, light-duty trucks, boats, and motorcycles, including the incidental sale, installation, and servicing of related equipment and parts. This classification includes the replacement of small automotive parts and liquids as an accessory use to a gasoline sales station or automotive accessories and supply store, and quick-service oil, tune-up, and brake and muffler shops, where repairs are made or service is provided in enclosed bays and no vehicles are stored overnight, including tire sales and installation. This classification excludes disassembly, removal, or replacement of major components such as engines, drive trains, transmissions, or axles; automotive body and fender work; vehicle painting; or other operations that generate excessive noise, objectionable odors, or hazardous materials; and towing services. It also excludes repair of heavy trucks, limousines, or construction vehicles.

Large Vehicle and Equipment Sales, Service, and Rental. Sales, servicing, rental, fueling, and washing of large trucks, trailers, tractors, and other heavy equipment used for construction, moving, agricultural, or landscape gardening activities. Examples include cranes, earth moving equipment, tractors, combines, heavy trucks, etc. Includes large vehicle operation training facilities. Sales of new or used automobiles are excluded from this classification.

Service Station. Establishments primarily engaged in retailing automotive fuels or retailing these fuels in combination with activities, such as providing minor automobile/vehicle repair services; selling automotive oils, replacement parts, and accessories; and/or providing incidental food and retail services.

Towing and Impound. Establishments primarily engaged in towing light or heavy motor vehicles, both local and long distance. These establishments may provide incidental services, such as vehicle storage and emergency road repair services (for automobile dismantling, see Salvage and Wrecking).

Washing. Washing, waxing, detailing, or cleaning of automobiles or similar light vehicles, including self-serve washing facilities.

Banks and Financial Institutions.

Banks and Credit Unions. Financial institutions providing retail banking services. This classification includes only those institutions engaged in the on-site circulation of money, including credit unions, but excludes check-cashing businesses and payday lenders.

Check Cashing Businesses, Payday Lenders, and Similar Financial Services. Establishments that, for compensation, engage in the business of cashing checks, warrants, drafts, money orders, or other commercial paper serving the same purpose; that offer, originate, or make deferred deposit transactions in which the establishment/lender defers depositing a customer's personal check or electronically accessing a bank account until a specific date, pursuant to a written agreement, for a fee or other charge; or that engage in the business of making consumer or auto-title loans.

This category does not include State or federally chartered banks, savings associations, credit unions, or industrial loan companies. It also does not include retail sellers that are primarily engaged in the business of selling consumer goods, such as consumables to retail buyers, and that cashes checks or issues money orders as a service to its customers (for a fee not exceeding two dollars), incidental to their main purpose or business.

Banquet Hall. A facility, as part of a hotel or as a standalone facility, where various types of gatherings may occur. Banquet Hall activities include, but are not limited to, formal dinners, receptions, reunions, business meetings, benefits, and club meetings.

Business Services. Establishments providing goods and services to other businesses on a fee or contract basis, including printing and copying, blueprint services, advertising and mailing, equipment rental and leasing, office security, custodial services, photo finishing, model building, taxi or delivery services with two or fewer fleet vehicles on-site.

Corner Commercial. Small-scale commercial establishments within residential districts. Limited permitted uses are neighborhood-serving to provide convenient, walkable access to important amenities.

Eating and Drinking Establishments. Businesses primarily engaged in serving prepared food and/or beverages for consumption on or off the premises.

Bars/Nightclubs/Lounges. Businesses serving beverages for consumption on the premises as a primary use and including on-sale service of alcohol including beer, wine, and mixed drinks. This use includes micro-breweries where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed on-site and any food service is subordinate to the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Restaurant with Alcohol Sales. Restaurants providing food and beverage services, including the sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. Takeout or delivery service may be provided. This use includes micro-breweries where the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are subordinate to on-site food service.

Restaurant without Alcohol Sales. Restaurants providing food and beverage services without the sales of alcoholic beverages. Food and beverages may be consumed on the premises, taken out, or delivered. This classification also includes catering businesses or bakeries that have a storefront retail component.

Entertainment and Recreation. Provision of participant or spectator entertainment to the general public.

Cinema/Theaters. Facilities for indoor display of films, motion pictures, or dramatic, musical, or live performances. This classification may include incidental food and beverage services to patrons.

Cyber/Internet Café. A private establishment that offers access to the Internet to its customers, usually within the setting of a café where food and drink may be purchased.

Motorcycle/Riding Clubs. Facilities that support the activities of motorcycle interest groups.

Shooting/Archery Range. A facility designed for firearm or archery practice.

Large-Scale. This classification includes large outdoor facilities such as amusement and theme parks, sports stadiums and arenas, racetracks, amphitheaters, drive-in theaters, water parks, zoos, driving ranges, golf courses, miniature golf courses, and riding stables. Fully enclosed sports stadiums and arenas are also included. This classification may include snack bars and other incidental food and beverage services to patrons. Bars or restaurants with alcohol sales shall be treated as a separate use and shall be regulated accordingly, even when operated in conjunction with the entertainment and recreation use.

Small-Scale. This classification includes smaller and primarily indoor facilities such as fitness centers, health clubs, and gymnasiums; handball, racquetball, and tennis club facilities; ice or roller skating rinks; public swimming pools; bowling alleys; card rooms; dance halls; pool and billiards lounges; trampoline and bounce house establishments; and amusement arcades. This classification may include snack bars and other incidental food and beverage services to patrons. Bars or restaurants with alcohol sales shall be treated as a separate use and shall be regulated accordingly, even when operated in conjunction with the entertainment and recreation use.

Food and Beverage Sales. Retail sales of food and beverages for off-site preparation and consumption. Typical uses include food markets, groceries, and liquor stores.

Farmer's Markets. A commercial use primarily consisting of an organized display, indoors or outdoors, of agricultural products in their natural state for retail sale. Other products such as processed food (dried fruit, cheese or bread, for example), or artisan handiwork or art, are sometimes sold at Farmer's Markets as well. Farmer's Markets which take place within a fully enclosed building which is not disassembled when the Farmer's Market is not in operation shall be considered Healthy Food Grocers.

General Market. Retail food markets of food and grocery items for offsite preparation and consumption. Typical uses include full-service grocery stores, neighborhood grocery stores, and specialty food stores, such as retail bakeries; candy, nuts, and confectionary stores; meat or produce markets; vitamin and health food stores; cheese stores; and delicatessens. This classification may include small-scale specialty food production such as pasta shops with retail sales.

Healthy Food Grocer. A food and beverage retail sales establishment that (1) dedicates at least 50 percent of retail space to a general line of grocery products intended for home preparation, consumption and use; and (2) dedicates at least 30 percent of retail space to perishable goods including dairy, fresh, produce, fresh meats, poultry and fish, and frozen foods.

Liquor Stores. An establishment less than 10,000 square feet in size that sells liquor for off-site consumption and/or that devotes 30 percent or greater floor area to the selling of packaged alcoholic beverages (such as ale, beer, wine, and liquor) for off-site consumption.

Food Preparation. Businesses preparing and/or packaging food for off-site consumption, excluding those of an industrial character in terms of processes employed, waste produced, water used, and traffic generation. Typical uses include catering kitchens, bakeries with on-site retail sales, and small-scale specialty food production. This use includes micro-breweries, but does not include tasting rooms open to the public or sales for consumption on-site.

Funeral Parlors and Internment Services. An establishment primarily engaged in the provision of services involving the care, preparation, or disposition of human remains and conducting memorial services. Typical uses include crematories, columbaria, mausoleums, mortuaries, funeral chapels, and funeral homes.

Live/Work. A unit that combines a work space and incidental residential occupancy occupied and used by a single household in structure that has been constructed for such use or converted from commercial or industrial use and structurally modified to accommodate residential occupancy and work activity in compliance with the Building Code. The working space is reserved for and regularly used by one or more occupants of the unit.

Lodging. An establishment providing overnight accommodations to transient patrons for payment for periods of less than 30 consecutive calendar days.

Bed and Breakfast. A residential structure that is in residential use with one or more bedrooms rented for overnight lodging and where meals may be provided.

Hotels and Motels. An establishment providing overnight lodging to transient patrons. These establishments may provide additional services, such as conference and meeting rooms, restaurants, bars, or recreation facilities available to guests or to the general public. This use classification includes motor lodges, motels, and tourist courts, but does not include rooming houses, boarding houses, private residential clubs, or bed and breakfast establishments within a single-unit residence, which are separately defined and regulated.

RV Parks. A form of lodging designed to specifically accommodate travelers with recreational vehicles and/or trailers.

Maintenance and Repair Services. Establishments engaged in the maintenance or repair of office machines, household appliances, furniture, and similar items. This classification excludes maintenance and repair of vehicles or boats (see Automotive/Vehicle Sales and Services) and personal apparel (see Personal Services).

Offices. Offices of firms or organizations providing professional, executive, management, administrative or design services, such as accounting, architectural, computer software design, engineering, graphic design, interior design, investment, insurance, and legal offices, excluding banks and savings and loan associations (see Banks and Financial Institutions). This classification also includes offices where medical and dental services are provided by physicians, dentists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, optometrists, and similar medical professionals, including medical/dental laboratories within medical office buildings but excluding clinics or independent research laboratory facilities and hospitals (see Hospitals and Clinics).

Business and Professional. Offices of firms or organizations providing professional, executive, management, or administrative services, such as accounting, architectural, computer software design, engineering, graphic design, interior design, legal offices, and tax preparation offices.

Medical and Dental. Office use providing consultation, diagnosis, therapeutic, preventive, or corrective personal treatment services by doctors, dentists, medical and dental laboratories, and similar practitioners of medical and healing arts for humans licensed for such practice by the State of California. Incidental medical and/or dental research within the office is considered part of the office use, where it supports the on-site patient services.

Walk-In Clientele. An office business providing direct services to patrons or clients that may or may not require appointments. This use classification includes employment agencies, insurance agent offices, real estate offices, travel agencies, utility company offices, and offices for elected officials. It does not include banks or check-cashing facilities that are separately classified and regulated.

Personal Services.

General Personal Services. Provision of recurrently needed services of a personal nature. This classification includes barber shops and beauty salons, seamstresses, tailors, day spas, dry cleaning agents (excluding large-scale bulk cleaning plants), shoe repair shops, self-service laundries, video rental stores, photocopying, photo finishing services, and travel agencies mainly intended for the consumer.

Fortune Telling Service. An establishment engaged in or that professes to foretell future or past events or that is engaged in the practice of palmistry (the art or practice of reading a person's character or future from the lines on the palms of hands). Examples of this use type include astrologers, fortune tellers, palm and card readers, and psychics.

Massage Establishments. Any business, including a sole proprietorship, which offers massage therapy in exchange for compensation, whether at a fixed place of business or at a location designated by the patron. Massage therapy includes the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the human body, including, but not limited to, any method of pressure or friction against, or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, compression, pounding, vibrating, rocking or stimulating of, the external surfaces of the body with the hands or with any object or appliance. Exempted from this definition are massage therapists operating in conjunction with and on the same premises as a physician, surgeon, chiropractor, osteopath, nurse or any physical therapist who is duly State-licensed to practice their respective profession in the State of California, and out-service massage therapists certified pursuant to the California Business and Professions Code Section 4612.

Medical Marijuana Collective. A location where marijuana is cultivated collectively by more than one qualified patient (with valid identification card) or designated primary caregiver of a person with a valid identification card, in order to collectively or cooperatively cultivate and/or store marijuana for medical purposes, as provided in Health and Safety Code Section 1362.775.

Tattoo or Body Modification Parlor. An establishment whose principal business activity is one or more of the following: 1) using ink or other substances that result in the permanent coloration of the skin through the use of needles or other instruments designed to contact or puncture the skin; or 2) creating an opening in the body of a person for the purpose of inserting jewelry or other decoration.

Retail Sales.

Building Materials and Services. Retail sales or rental of building supplies or equipment. This classification includes lumber yards, tool and equipment sales or rental establishments, and includes establishments devoted principally to taxable retail sales to individuals for their own use. This definition does not include Construction and Material Yards or plant nurseries.

Convenience Retail. Establishments primarily engaged in the provision of frequently or recurrently needed small personal items or services for residents within a reasonable walking distance. These include various general retail sales and personal services of an appropriate size and scale to meet the above criteria. Liquor Stores shall not be considered Convenience Retail.

General Retail. The retail sale or rental of merchandise not specifically listed under another use classification. This classification includes retail establishments with 80,000 square feet or less of sales area; including department stores, clothing stores, furniture stores, pet supply stores, hardware stores, and businesses retailing the following goods: toys, hobby materials, handcrafted items, jewelry, cameras, photographic supplies and services (including portraiture and retail photo processing), medical supplies and equipment, pharmacies, electronic equipment, sporting goods, kitchen utensils, hardware, appliances, antiques, art galleries, art supplies and services, paint and wallpaper, carpeting and floor covering, office supplies, bicycles, and new automotive parts and accessories (excluding vehicle service and installation). Retail sales may be combined with other services such as office machine, computer, electronics, and similar small-item repairs.

Gun Shop. Any retail sales business engaged in selling, leasing, purchasing, or lending of guns, firearms, or ammunition.

Large-Format Retail. Retail establishments (over 80,000 square feet of sales area) that sell merchandise and bulk goods for individual consumption, including membership warehouse clubs.

Nurseries and Garden Centers. Establishments primarily engaged in retailing nursery and garden products—such as trees, shrubs, plants, seeds, bulbs, and sod—that are predominantly grown elsewhere. These establishments may sell a limited amount of a product they grow themselves. Fertilizer and soil products are stored and sold in package form only. This classification includes wholesale and retail nurseries offering plants for sale.

Pawn Shops. Establishments engaged in the buying or selling of new or secondhand merchandise and offering loans in exchange for personal property.

Second Hand/Thrift Store. A retail establishment that buys and sells used products, including through consignment, that may include clothing, furniture and household goods, jewelry, household appliances, musical instruments, business machines and office equipment, hand tools, and similar items. This use does not include book stores, antique stores, sale of used farm or construction equipment, junk dealers, scrap/dismantling yards, sale of used cars or other vehicles, or pawn shops.

Swap Meet/Flea Market. Any indoor or outdoor place, in an approved location, or for an approved activity where new or used goods or secondhand personal property is offered for sale or exchange to the general public by a multitude of individual licensed vendors, usually in compartmentalized spaces. The term swap meet is interchangeable with and applicable to: flea markets, auctions, open air markets, or other similarly named or labeled activities; but the term does not include supermarket or department store retail operations.

(Added Ord. 2015-39, § 1, eff. 1-9-16; Am. Ord. 2018-25, § 37, eff. 6-11-18; Am. Ord. 2018-66, § 71, eff. 1-18-19; Am. Ord. 2024-015, § 1, eff. 7-11-24).

Construction and Material Yards. Storage of construction materials or equipment on a site other than a construction site.

Custom Manufacturing. Establishments primarily engaged in on-site production of goods by hand manufacturing or artistic endeavor, which involves only the use of hand tools or small mechanical equipment and the incidental direct sale to consumers of only those goods produced on-site. Typical uses include ceramic studios, candle making shops, woodworking, and custom jewelry manufacturers.

Limited Industrial. Establishments engaged in light industrial activities taking place primarily within enclosed buildings and producing minimal impacts on nearby properties. This classification includes manufacturing finished parts or products primarily from previously prepared materials; micro-breweries where retail sales are clearly incidental and no alcoholic beverages are consumed on-site; commercial laundries and dry cleaning plants; monument works; printing, engraving and publishing; computer and electronic product manufacturing; furniture and related product manufacturing; and industrial services.

General Industrial. Manufacturing of products from extracted or raw materials or recycled or secondary materials, or bulk storage and handling of such products and materials. This classification includes operations such as food and beverage processing (excluding animal food manufacturing); production apparel manufacturing; photographic processing plants; leather and allied product manufacturing; wood product manufacturing; paper manufacturing; plastics and rubber products manufacturing; nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing; primary metal manufacturing; fabricated metal product manufacturing; and automotive and heavy equipment manufacturing. This classification does not include recycling or rendering.

Food and Beverage Processing. A facility combining raw food ingredients to produce packaged food products that can be easily prepared and served by the consumer. Examples include: parboiling, cooking, canning, bottling, freezing, or other methods to provide shelf-stable or freezer commodities for sale for human consumption. Additionally, this classification does not include the processing of animals.

Intensive Industrial. Industrial uses that regularly use hazardous chemicals or procedures or produce hazardous byproducts, including the following: manufacturing of acetylene, cement, lime, gypsum or plaster-of-Paris, chlorine, corrosive acid or fertilizer, insecticides, disinfectants, poisons, explosives, paint, lacquer, varnish, petroleum products, coal products, plastic and synthetic resins, and radioactive materials. This subcategory also includes biomass energy conversion, chemical manufacturing, animal food manufacturing, petrochemical tank farms, gasification plants, smelting, animal slaughtering, oil refining, asphalt and concrete plants, and tanneries. Intensive industrial uses have high potential for external impacts on the surrounding area in terms of noise, vibration, odor, hours of operation, and traffic. This classification does not include rendering.

Recycling Facility. A facility for receiving, temporarily storing, transferring and/or processing materials for recycling, reuse, or final disposal. This use classification does not include facilities that deal with animal matter nor does it include waste transfer facilities that operate as materials recovery, recycling, and solid waste transfer operations, which are classified as utilities.

Reverse Vending Machine. An automated mechanical device that accepts, sorts, and processes recyclable materials and issues a cash refund or a redeemable credit slip.

CRV Recycling Center. A facility available for the general public for the recycling of California Redemption Value (CRV) products such as glass, aluminum cans, and plastic beverage containers as defined by the State's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. Processing and sorting is not conducted on-site.

Recycling Processing Facility. A facility that receives, sorts, stores and/or processes recyclable materials.

Research and Development. A facility for scientific research and the design, development, and testing of electrical, electronic, magnetic, optical, pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotechnology components and products in advance of product manufacturing. Includes assembly of related products from parts produced off-site where the manufacturing activity is secondary to the research and development activities.

Salvage and Wrecking. Storage and dismantling of vehicles and equipment for sale of parts, as well as their collection, storage, exchange or sale of goods including, but not limited to, any used building materials, used containers or steel drums, used tires, and similar or related articles or property.

Warehousing, Storage, and Distribution. Storage and distribution facilities without sales to the public on-site or direct public access except for public storage in small individual spaces exclusively and directly accessible to specific tenants. This classification includes mini-warehouses.

Chemical and Mineral Storage. Storage of hazardous materials including, but not limited to: bottled gas, chemicals, minerals and ores, petroleum or petroleum-based fuels, and fireworks.

Indoor Warehousing and Storage. Storage within an enclosed building of commercial goods prior to their distribution to wholesale and retail outlets and the storage of industrial equipment, products and materials including, but not limited to, automobiles, feed, and lumber. Also includes cold storage, draying or freight, moving and storage, and warehouses. This classification excludes the storage of hazardous chemical, mineral, and explosive materials.

Outdoor Storage. Storage of vehicles or commercial goods or materials in open lots.

Personal Storage. Facilities offering enclosed storage with individual access for personal effects and household goods including mini-warehouses and mini-storage. This use excludes workshops, hobby shops, manufacturing, or commercial activity.

Wholesaling and Distribution. Indoor storage and sale of goods to other firms for resale; storage of goods for transfer to retail outlets of the same firm; or storage and sale of materials and supplies used in production or operation, including janitorial and restaurant supplies. Wholesalers are primarily engaged in business-to-business sales, but may sell to individual consumers through mail or internet orders. They normally operate from a warehouse or office having little or no display of merchandise, and are not designed to solicit walk-in traffic. This classification does not include wholesale sale of building materials.

(Added Ord. 2015-39, § 72, eff. 1-9-16; Am. Ord. 2018-66, § 72, eff. 1-18-19).

Airports and Heliports. Facilities for the takeoff and landing of airplanes and helicopters, including runways, helipads, aircraft storage buildings, public terminal building and parking, air freight terminal, baggage handling facility, aircraft hangar and public transportation and related facilities, including bus operations, servicing, and storage. Also includes support activities such as fueling and maintenance; storage; airport operations and air traffic control; incidental retail sales, coffee shops and snack shops; and airport administrative facilities, including airport offices, terminals, operations buildings, communications equipment, buildings and structures, control towers, lights; and other equipment and structures required by the United States Government and/or the State for the safety of aircraft operations.

Communication Facilities. Facilities for the provision of broadcasting and other information relay services through the use of electronic and telephonic mechanisms.

Antenna and Transmission Towers. Broadcasting and other communication services accomplished through electronic or telephonic mechanisms, as well as structures and equipment cabinets designed to support one or more reception/transmission systems. Typical uses include wireless telecommunication towers and facilities, radio towers, television towers, telephone exchange/microwave relay towers, cellular telephone transmission/personal communications systems towers, and associated equipment cabinets and enclosures.

Facilities within Buildings. Includes radio, television, or recording studios; telephone switching centers, but excludes Antennae and Transmission Towers.

Freight/Truck Terminals and Warehouses. Facilities for freight, courier, and postal services by truck or rail. This classification does not include local messenger and local delivery services (see Light Fleet-Based Services).

Light Fleet-Based Services. Passenger transportation services, local delivery services, medical transport, and other businesses that rely on fleets of three or more vehicles with rated capacities less than 10,000 lbs. This classification includes parking, dispatching, and offices for taxicab and limousine operations, ambulance services, non-emergency medical transport, local messenger and document delivery services, home cleaning services, and similar businesses. This classification does not include towing operations (see Automobile/Vehicle Sales and Service, Towing and Impound) or taxi or delivery services with two or fewer fleet vehicles on-site (see Business Services).

Transportation Passenger Terminals. Facilities for passenger transportation operations. Includes rail stations and bus terminals, but does not include terminals serving airports or heliports.

Utilities, Major. Generating plants; electric substations; solid waste collection, including transfer stations and materials recovery facilities; solid waste treatment and disposal; water or wastewater treatment plants; and similar facilities of public agencies or public utilities.

Utilities, Minor. Facilities necessary to support established uses involving only minor structures, such as electrical distribution lines, and underground water and sewer lines.

Waste Transfer Facility. A public or private facility that operates as a materials recovery, recycling, and solid waste transfer operation providing solid waste recycling and transfer services for other local jurisdictions and public agencies that are not located within the City of Fresno. The facility sorts and removes recyclable materials (including paper, metal, wood, inert materials such as soils and concrete, green waste, glass, aluminum and cardboard) through separation and sorting technologies to divert these materials from the waste stream otherwise destined for landfill.

(Added Ord. 2015-39, § 1, eff. 1-9-16).

Agricultural Labor Housing. Living accommodations for employees and their immediate families employed for the exclusive purpose of agricultural pursuits either on the premises or off site. It includes single or multi-unit dwellings, including mobile homes and dormitories. See California Health and Safety Code Sections 17021.5 and 17021.6.

Agricultural Processing. Establishments performing a variety of operations on crops after harvest, to prepare them for market on-site or further processing and packaging at a distance from the agricultural area including, but not limited to: alfalfa cubing; hay baling and cubing; corn shelling; drying of corn, rice, hay, fruits, and vegetables; pre-cooling and packaging of fresh or farm-dried fruits and vegetables; grain cleaning and custom grinding; custom grist mills; custom milling of flour, feed, and grain; sorting, grading, and packing of fruits and vegetables, tree nut hulling and shelling; cotton ginning; wineries, alcohol fuel production; and receiving and processing of green material, other than that produced on-site (commercial composting).

Agricultural Support Services. Agriculturally related services, such as storage of agricultural products; sales, maintenance, and repair of farm machinery and equipment; farm animal veterinary clinics; custom farming services; agriculturally related building, feed, and farm supply stores; agricultural waste handling and disposal services (e.g., manure, bedding and litter, composting); and other similar related services. This definition does not include the rendering or transport of deceased animals.

Animal Raising. The raising, grazing, or feeding of animals for animal products, animal increase, or value increase, and dairying as an accessory use on farms with dairy cattle.

Crop Cultivation. The cultivation of tree, vine, field, forage, and other plant crops intended to provide food or fibers. The classification excludes wholesale or retail nurseries (See Nurseries and Garden Centers), but includes plant nurseries where plants are grown for sale either on site or to be sold elsewhere.

Dairy. Shelter and other facilities for the feeding and milking of cattle and the extraction of milk, where the milk may be processed either on or off site.

Mining and Quarrying. The extraction of nonmetallic minerals, including dredging, and sand and gravel pit operations. This classification includes surface mining operations.

Produce Stand. Producer-owned and operated facility for the sale of vegetables, nuts, and other produce grown on the same site or as part of a shared multi-farm operation.

Rendering. A process in which animal tissue waste is converted into value-added materials such as lard, tallow, or high-protein meat and bone meal.

Sales Lot, Feed Lot, Stockyard. An open, fenced lot where cattle are fed prior to slaughter or transport, and which may include auction or other sales activities.

Slaughterhouse. Establishments engaged in the commercial butchering of animals.

Tasting Room. A retail sales facility which is ancillary to an on-site production facility, where customers may purchase and consume beverage and food products grown and/or processed on the site. Products offered for tasting and sale may include wine, beer, olive oil, cheese, and/or other food and beverage products. The floor area of the Tasting Room will not exceed 33% of the production floor area. Tasting Rooms which exceed this ratio will be classified as a Bar/Nightclub/Lounge, Restaurant, or other use as determined by the Review Authority.

Urban Farm. An agricultural use in an urban area, in a zoning district where urban land uses predominate. Urban farms may be of any size, though permit requirements may differ. Community-supported agriculture (CSA) farms, and private farms may all be considered urban farms.

(Added Ord. 2015-39, § 1, eff. 1-9-16; Am. Ord. 2017-33, § 31, eff. 7-30-17; Am. Ord. 2025-024, § 81, eff. 7-27-25).