Chapter 13-8 — Commercial Districts

Sec. 13-8.100 Specific Purposes. ¶

In addition to the general purposes listed in Section 13-5.100, the specific purposes of the commercial districts are to:

A. Reserve appropriately located areas for a full range of retail commercial, service commercial and professional and administrative offices consistent with the General Plan.

B. Provide an opportunity for retail stores and offices to concentrate for the convenience of the public in a mutually beneficial relationship to each other and to provide commodities and services that will meet the needs of the community and neighborhood areas they serve.

C. Give favorable consideration to new retail development that would generate substantial new sales, for businesses that would provide substantial employment, high growth technical businesses (particularly biotech, flex office and incubator uses), health care services, restaurants and innovative mixed-use development proposals. Encourage uses that bring additional revenues (retail sales, property tax) either directly or indirectly to the City.

D. Create a strong and successful focus or center for business and activities that would provide services, shopping opportunities which would attract employees, clients, and patrons from a regional area, while not disturbing existing residential and community oriented areas. Where appropriate, allow limited commercial uses in residential areas to promote access to services.

E. Encourage local and regional commercial uses that can benefit from substantial regional traffic on I-80, SR-4, and San Pablo Avenue.

F. Promote development of a regional commercial recreation center or complex.

G. Expand the range of recreational activities and opportunities available in the community and allow for a mix of private commercial and public/semi-public recreation and support uses that contribute to a full service recreational facility within a property or project.

H. Provide sites for public and quasi-public uses needed to complement commercial development.

The additional purposes of each commercial zoning district are:

A. CG General Commercial. To permit a wide variety of commercial uses that will attract clientele from both Hercules and adjacent communities as well as those using I-80 and Highway 4. The character of the buildings will typically be suburban in nature and 1 to 2 stories in height, with a FAR of 0.20 to 1.00 (typical FAR of 0.30). Higher height may be allowed; provided, that such height conforms to the overall character of the development and does not adversely impact surrounding development.

B. CC Community Commercial. To accommodate commercial development including retail, office, and service uses that serve residents and employees within the City with a FAR of 0.20 to 1.00 (typical FAR of 0.25). Generally, the location of these areas lack direct access and visibility from regional routes, effectively excluding businesses that require patronage from a regional market.

C. CR Recreational Commercial. To allow properties to be developed and used for recreational activities that are conducted as a business with a FAR of 0.20 to 0.40 (typical FAR of 0.25). Recreational Commercial sites can vary widely in size according to use, from less than 1 acre (batting cages) to more than 100 acres

(golf course). However, the site is to be of sufficient size to accommodate the recreational facilities and activities without impacting surrounding properties. [Ord. 515 § 2, 2018; ZO § 8.100.]

Sec. 13-8.200 Review of Plans and General Conditions. ¶

Plans for all new and expanded development and uses shall be submitted to the Community Development Director as per Section 13-40.300. The following general conditions shall apply to all areas designated for commercial use within this Chapter.

All new and expanded commercial development shall apply for an administrative or conditional use permit and shall be subject to Chapter 13-42, Design Review.
General Commercial and Community Commercial projects of 10 acres or more and all Recreational Commercial projects shall require a planned development plan as per Chapter 13-48.
A lighting and fencing plan is to be prepared as part of the planned development plan for Recreational Commercial projects to minimize night lighting and recreational activity impacts on adjacent properties, especially those with residential uses.
New and expanded recreational commercial facilities and activities that are expected to generate significant noise levels shall have a noise management plan approved as part of the planned development plan or the use permit. [Ord. 515 § 2, 2018; ZO § 8.200.]

Sec. 13-8.300 Performance Standards. ¶

The standard performance standards for development specified in Chapter 13-31 shall be met. In addition, the following specific performance standards shall be met:

The planning and development of commercial areas shall minimize the effects on existing residential areas.
Provide pathways and bicycle racks or storage facilities to encourage pedestrian and bicycle travel for home to work and home to local shopping trips.
Adequate fencing is to be provided and maintained to reasonably contain recreational activities and equipment within the property.
Noise from recreational activities and equipment should be controlled through facility design and operations to meet community noise standards, especially in areas with adjacent residential uses. [Ord. 515 § 2, 2018; ZO § 8.300.]

Sec. 13-8.400 Land Use Regulations. ¶

All new and expanded development and uses that are allowed in the commercial zoning districts are identified in Table 13-8.1. The following uses may be permitted in the designated commercial zoning districts subject to compliance with Chapter 13-49 and approval by the Community Development Director. Use permits, administrative or conditional, are required for all new and expanded commercial development. [Ord. 515 § 2, 2018; ZO § 8.400.]

Sec. 13-8.500 Property Development Regulations. ¶

The property development regulations presented in Table 13-8.2 establish basic site and design requirements for commercial zoning districts. All regulation standards are minimum amounts unless otherwise stated.

Table 13-8.1 Land Use Regulations: Commercial District


Commercial Uses
Retail Sales
Auto, Mobile Home, Equipment Sales/Rental	C	C	—
Auto Fuel and Service, Carwash, Mini-marts	C	C	—
Building Material Sales	C	C	—
Convenience Stores	C	C	—
Drive-in and Drive-through Sales and Services	A	C	—
Dry Cleaners and Laundries	C	C	—
Furniture, Furnishings and Hardware Stores	C	C	—
Grocery and/or Liquor	C	C	—
Mail Order Sales and Vending	A	A	—

			CR
Outdoor Retail Sales and Services
Permanent	C	C	C(1)
Temporary	A	A	A(1)
Recreation and Entertainment	C	C	C(1)
Restaurants, Delicatessens and Bars	A	A	C(1)
With liquor service	C	C	C(1)
Retail Stores
2,000 sq ft or less	A	A	A(1)
More than 2,000 sq ft	C	C	C(1)
Shopping Centers	C	C	—
Recreational Facilities
Athletic Clubs	A	A	A
Clubhouse	—	—	A
Batting Cages	C	C	A
Tennis Facility	C	C	A

			CR
Golf Course/Driving Range	—	—	C
Other Commercial Athletic Facilities	C	C	C
Services and Ofces
Amusement Centers/Arcades	C	C	C(1)
Ambulance and Emergency Services	A	C	—
Business Support Services	A	A	—
Hotels, Motels, and Inns	C	C	C(1)
Mini-Storage	C	—	—
Mortuaries, Columbariums and Cemeteries	C	C	—
Medical
Medical and Dental Clinics and Services	A	A	—
Hospitals and Laboratories	C	C	—
Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals	C	C	—
Commercial Uses (Continued)
Ofces and Banks

	CG	CC	CR
2,000 sq ft or less	A	A	A(1)
More than 2,000 sq ft	A	C	C(1)
Personal Services	A	A	A(1)
Repair and Maintenance	A	A	A(1)
Vehicle Repair and Maintenance	C	C	—
Video/Media Rentals	C	C	—
Warehouses and Storage Facilities	C(2)	C(2)	A(1)
Wholesale Sales	C	C	—
Residential Uses
Caretaker and Employee Housing	A	A	A
Residential Care Facility (7 or more residents)	C	C	—
Senior Congregate Care	C	C	—
Senior Housing	C	C	—

			CR
Supportive Housing (Residential Care Facility Large	C	C	—
Type)
Transitional Housing (Residential Care Facility Large	C	C	—
Type)
Public and Quasi-Public Uses
Clubs and Lodges	C	C	C
Daycare Facilities (for employees and visitors)	A	A	A
Daycare, General	C	C	—
Government Ofces	A	A	—
Libraries, Museums and Galleries	C	C	C(1)
Park and Recreation Facilities	A	A	—
Public Safety Facilities	A	A	—
Religious Assembly	C	C	—
Schools, Public or Private	C	C	—
Urgent Medical Care	A	C	—

CG CC CR
Utility Facilities C C — Accessory Uses and Structures A A A(1) Key to Land Use Regulations A Administrative Use Permit Required C Conditional Use Permit Required — Use Not Allowed (1) Facility or use is directly related to the primary recreational commercial use of site. (2) Facility or use is directly related to the primary commercial use of site.
o	Table 13-8.2 Property Development Regulations: Commercial District
		CG	CC	CR	See Also
Site Area (sf)		—	—	20,000
Density (FAR)

		CG	CC	CR	See Also
	Range	0.20 to 1.00	0.20 to 1.00	0.20 to 0.40
	Typical	0.30	0.25	0.25
Lot	Size (sq ft)	10,000	10,000	20,000
Lot	Frontage (ft)	100	100	100
Lot	Depth (ft)	100	100	—
Setbacks
	Front (ft)	20	20	20
	Rear (ft)	0(2)	0(2)	0(2)
	Side (ft)	5	5	15
	Corner Side (ft)	10	10	15
Landscaping Minimum		10%	10%	20%
Building Height (ft)		[ 3 stories or 35 feet ]
Parking					Chapter 13-32
Signage					Chapter 13-34

		CC
Key to Land Use Regulations
(1)	Minimum setbacks unless lesser development plan.	setbacks are approved as part of a planned
(2)	Minimum rear lot setback shall be 20 feet when adjacent to existing residences or residentially zoned area.

[Ord. 515 § 2, 2018; Ord. 512 § 2, 2018; Ord. 484 § 4, 2015; ZO § 8.500.]

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The Hercules Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 555, passed March 25, 2025.

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