Lancaster Municipal Code Art. II General Commercial (C) Zone

The purpose and intent of the C zone is to provide the means necessary to implement the city general plan, specifically the "regional," "subregional," and "general commercial" categories, with the exception of that portion of the general commercial designation which lies within the central business district, as set forth in the text of the general plan and as delineated on the general plan map. This zone is also intended to allow the development of neighborhood, community, regional and travel oriented commercial uses within the city. This zone is intended to be consistent with applicable goals, objectives, policies and specific actions set forth by the general plan. This zone is intended to provide for the daily commercial needs of residents of the city and adjoining areas, visitors and businesses, in an urban environment with full urban services.

The provisions of the C zone, including but not limited to the property development regulations and design requirements contained herein, are intended to apply to all new building lots created and to all new construction, including new additions, permitted after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title.

It shall not be the intent of this title to render previously legally created building lots or legally constructed buildings which do not comply with the new property development regulations or other requirements of this title to be nonconforming where these lots or buildings complied with the ordinances in effect at the time of their creation or construction. However, proof of compliance with ordinances in effect at the time of creation or construction shall be the sole burden of the applicant or property owner. Such proof may include building permits, minutes of council or commission action, case files or other documentation.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.010)

A person shall not use any premises in the C zone, except as hereafter permitted in this title and subject to all regulations and conditions enumerated in this title.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.020)

Uses and permit requirements. The uses and permit requirements applicable to the commercial zones are identified in the Uses Matrix below. Extensive examples are given for the purpose of clarifying the types of uses allowed by each category. In addition, specific exceptions and development requirements have been applied to certain categories of uses where concerns may arise as to their impact on neighboring properties and the visual attractiveness of the city as a whole. Uses which do not fall into any other category, and are not temporary uses, uses subject to director's review, or uses subject to permit in these zones, shall be subject to interpretation of the director. All uses are subject to any stated exceptions, development requirements, and approval of a site plan as follows:

Commercial Zones — Uses Matrix

(Ord. 896 § 1 (Exh. A § 5), 2008; Ord. 753 § 1 (Exh. A § 3), 1999; Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.021)

(Ord. No. 1093, § 4(Exh. A), 10-11-2022; Ord. No. 1106, § 4(Exh. A), 10-10-2023; Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)

The following uses are considered as accessory uses to the permitted uses in the C zone:

A. Accessory buildings and structures customarily used in conjunction therewith;

Cargo containers shall not be used as accessory buildings or structures, and shall not be placed on private real property at any time except as permitted in conjunction with temporary uses allowed in Section 17.12.060.

1. This subsection does not apply to the following real property:

a. Real property owned, leased, rented, occupied or used by a public agency or entity;

b. Real property owned, leased, rented, occupied or used by a nonpublic or private school. For purposes of this subsection, "nonpublic school" means a private, nonsectarian school that enrolls individuals with exceptional needs pursuant to an individualized education program and is certified by the California Department of Education. For purposes of this subsection, "private school" means a full-time day school that provides instruction in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools of the state, by persons capable of teaching, and that files an annual private school affidavit as required by the California Department of Education. For purposes of this subsection, "private school" does not include a school that provides instruction in a building used for residential purposes. A nonpublic or private school is not exempt unless it is operating in conformity with all pertinent land use and technical code regulations.

c. Real property utilized for the placement of cargo containers that are used exclusively for the storage of emergency supplies to be used for the benefit of the public by a recognized governmental agency, such as the Los Angeles County Fire Department, in the event of a disaster or emergency situation. Placement of a cargo container for the storage of private supplies is not included in this exemption. Placement of cargo containers for this purpose shall be approved through a director's review.

B. Automobile body and fender repair, and painting and upholstering when such uses are incidental to the sale of new automobiles, provided:

1. That all operations are conducted within an enclosed building, and

2. That the use does not exceed 25% of its total area being devoted to service or repair, body and fender repair, painting or upholstering, and

3. That the use does not exceed one paint spray booth, and

4. That all areas or structures used shall be located or soundproofed so as to prevent annoyance or detriment to adjacent or abutting property, and

5. That all damaged or wrecked vehicles awaiting repair shall be effectively screened so as not to be visible from adjacent or abutting property of the same elevation, and

6. That all repair activities as described in this section shall be confined to the hours between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily, and

7. That no damaged or wrecked vehicles shall be stored for purposes other than repair and shall not constitute an automobile impound yard, and

8. That dismantling of vehicles for purposes other than repair or the sale of used parts is prohibited, and

9. That adequate off-street parking be available to permit such activity;

C. Minor repair of boats which repair is incidental to the sale of boats provided all operations, other than the storage of boats held for sale, are conducted within an enclosed building;

D. Day nursery for children provided such services are offered by an employer solely for use by the children of the employees;

E. Manufacturing, processing, packaging, treating and storage related to, incidental to, and operated in conjunction with the business conducted on the premises, provided:

1. That such activity is restricted to the ground floor of the building or buildings and does not occupy more than 25% of said ground floor area, and

2. That not more than 5 employees are engaged in such activity, and

3. That a commercial appearance is maintained by providing office or window display space or both, along the entire street frontage of the building or buildings, except doorways, to a depth of not less than 2 feet, and

4. That any portion of the building or buildings devoted to such activity is not nearer than 50 feet to any residential zone, and

5. That the building is constructed, that the machinery and equipment are installed and maintained, and that the activity is conducted in such a way, that all noise, vibration, dust, odor and all other objectionable consequences will be confined or reduced to an extent necessary to ensure that no annoyance or injury will result to persons or property in the vicinity, and

6. That any such activity is conducted wholly within a completely enclosed building;

F. Rental, leasing or repair of articles which are sold on the premises, provided such rental, leasing or repair is incidental to the retail sales of such articles;

G. Electric Vehicle Charging Station. An electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) shall be permitted as an accessory use within any existing legal single-family or multiple-family residential garage or carport, or within any existing legal commercial parking space in a parking lot or in a parking garage, subject to all applicable city code requirements and the following:

1. Electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) for public use shall be subject to the following requirements:

a. The EVCSs shall be located in a manner which will be easily seen by the public for informational and security purposes and shall be illuminated during evening business hours; and

b. Be located in desirable and convenient parking locations which will serve as an incentive for the use of electric vehicles; and

c. The EVCS pedestals shall be protected as necessary to prevent damage by automobiles; and

d. The EVCS pedestals shall be designed to minimize potential damage by vandalism and to be safe for use in inclement weather; and

e. Complete instructions and appropriate warnings concerning the use of the EVCS shall be posted on a sign in a prominent location on each station for use by the operator; and

f. One standard nonilluminated sign, not to exceed 4 square feet in area and 10 feet in height, may be posted for the purpose of identifying the location of each cluster of EVCSs; and

g. The EVCS may be on a timer that limits the use of the station to the normal business hours of the use(s) which it serves to preclude unauthorized use after business hours.

2. Electric vehicle charging stations for private use shall:

a. Be located in a manner which will not allow public access to the charging station; and

b. Comply with subsections G.1.c., d. and e. of this section.

H. Mini Wireless Telecommunication Facilities. This category includes all mini wireless telecommunication facilities subject to the requirements of Section 17.40.640.

I. Cargo containers that are present on private real property, for any use or purpose, on the effective date of this section shall be removed within six months from the effective date, unless the property owner obtains the requisite approvals and permits in conjunction with temporary uses allowed in Section 17.12.060 and otherwise complies with all regulations pertaining to cargo containers.

J. Collection bins, subject to the approval process and operating requirements set forth in Chapter 17.45 of this code.

This subsection does not apply to real property owned, leased, rented, occupied or used by a public agency or entity, or by a nonpublic or private school, as defined in Section 17.12.050.A. of this code.

(Ord. 753 § 1 (Exh. A § 2 (part)), 1999; Ord. 713 § 3 (part), 1995; Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.022)

(Ord. No. 921, §§ 5, 6, 6-9-09; Ord. No. 964, § 1, 5-24-2011; Ord. No. 1098, § 2, 1-24-2023)

The following uses are considered as temporary uses in the C zone:

A. The placement and use of a temporary office in conjunction with a construction or development project undertaken pursuant to an active building permit. A temporary office shall be placed on the lot or parcel which is part of the project, or on property adjoining the construction or development site with the written consent of the property owner. The placement of a temporary office shall not occur until the building permit is obtained. The temporary office shall be removed within 30 days after the permit is expired, revoked, or finalized.

B. Use of commercial coaches as temporary offices subject to the provisions of Article X of Chapter 17.40 and this zone.

C. 1.

Storage of building materials, machinery and equipment used in conjunction with a construction or development project undertaken pursuant to an active building permit. Storage shall be on the lot or parcel which is part of the project, or on property adjoining the construction or development site with the written consent of the property owner. Storage shall not occur until the building permit is obtained. Storage shall be removed within 30 days after the permit is expired, revoked, or finalized.

2. Cargo containers may be used for the temporary construction storage described in (1) of this subsection. A cargo container approved pursuant to this subsection shall not require a separate permit. The number and location of cargo containers used for temporary construction storage shall be subject to the review and prior written approval of the building official and directors of planning and housing and neighborhood revitalization or their duly authorized representatives. Application for approval of cargo containers for temporary construction storage shall be made on a city-approved form and shall indicate the number of the building permit obtained for the construction or development project for which the temporary construction storage is requested, the size of each cargo container, the proposed location of each container on the property, and the date on which each container shall be placed on the property.

3. The time period for which a cargo container may be used for temporary construction storage is limited to the time when the building permit is active. An active building permit means one that has not expired, been revoked, or been finalized. Cargo containers used for temporary construction storage shall be removed from the property within 30 calendar days of the expiration, revocation or finalization of a building permit.

4. Cargo containers used for temporary construction storage shall not exceed eight feet in width, eight feet six inches in height, and 40 feet in length.

5. Cargo containers used for temporary construction storage shall conform to the following standards:

a. Cargo containers shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any property line and a minimum of 10 feet from any structure.

b. Cargo containers shall not be stacked on top of each other or on any other structure.

c. Cargo containers shall not encroach upon, block, obstruct, or reduce in any manner any required exits, windows or vent shafts of structures, or any parking spaces, driveways, private streets, or public rights of way.

d. Cargo containers shall not be used for human habitation or occupied by individuals for any reason.

e. Cargo containers shall not have any electrical, plumbing, heating or air conditioning installations or systems, and shall not be connected to a power source.

f. Refuse, garbage, trash and debris, as well as hazardous substances, as defined by state or federal law, shall not be placed or stored in, against, on, or under a cargo container at any time.

D. 1.

Cargo containers may be used for temporary storage of items related to the use of commercial-zoned property, including but not limited to business inventory, office furniture, office supplies, office equipment and other items, when a structure is undergoing rehabilitation, repair, remodeling, alteration or other construction work under an active building permit.

2. The number and location of cargo containers used for temporary commercial storage shall be subject to the review and prior written approval of the building official and directors of planning and housing and neighborhood revitalization or their duly authorized representatives. A cargo container approved under this subsection shall not require a separate permit. Application for approval of cargo containers for temporary commercial storage shall be made on a city-approved form and shall indicate the number of the building permit obtained for the repair, remodeling, alteration or other work for which the temporary commercial storage is requested, the size of each cargo container, the proposed location of each container on the property, and the date on which each container shall be placed on the property.

3. The time period for which a cargo container may be used for temporary commercial storage is limited to the time when the building permit is active. An active building permit means one that has not expired, been revoked, or been finalized. Cargo containers used for temporary commercial storage shall be removed from the property within 30 calendar days of the expiration, revocation or finalization of a building permit.

4. Cargo containers used for temporary commercial storage shall not exceed eight feet in width, eight feet six inches in height, and 40 feet in length.

5. Cargo containers used for temporary commercial storage shall conform to the standards set forth in Section 17.12.060.C.5.

E. 1.

Cargo containers may be used for emergency storage of items related to the use of commercial-zoned property, including but not limited to business inventory, office furniture, office supplies, office equipment and other items, when a structure becomes uninhabitable due to fire, flood, earthquake, vandalism, or other such act against the structure.

2. Cargo containers used for emergency storage shall require a container permit. The number and location of cargo containers used for emergency commercial storage shall be subject to the review and prior written approval of the directors of planning and housing and neighborhood revitalization or their duly authorized representatives. Upon such approval, and payment of a container permit fee in an amount established by city council, a container permit shall be issued.

3. Cargo containers may be used for emergency commercial storage for a period not to exceed fifteen (15) calendar days. This use may be extended for an additional ten (10) calendar days upon the prior written approval of the directors of planning and housing and neighborhood revitalization.

4. Cargo containers used for emergency commercial storage shall not exceed eight feet in width, eight feet six inches in height, and 40 feet in length.

5. Cargo containers used for emergency commercial storage shall conform to the standards set forth in Section 17.12.060.C.5.

F. 1.

Cargo containers may be used for storage of items related to the use of commercial-zoned property, including but not limited to business inventory, office furniture, office supplies, office equipment and other items, in conjunction with relocation to or from a property or in preparation for storage of such items at a storage facility.

2. Cargo containers used for relocation storage shall require a container permit. The number and location of cargo containers used for relocation storage shall be subject to the review and prior written approval of the directors of planning and housing and neighborhood revitalization or their duly authorized representatives. Upon such approval, and payment of a container permit fee in an amount established by city council, a container permit shall be issued.

3. Cargo containers may be used for relocation storage for a period not to exceed 15 calendar days. This use may be extended for an additional 10 calendar days upon the prior written approval of the directors of planning and housing and neighborhood revitalization.

4. Cargo containers used for relocation storage shall not exceed eight feet in width, eight feet six inches in height, and 40 feet in length.

5. Cargo containers used for relocation storage shall conform to the standards set forth in Section 17.12.060.C.5., except as provided in 6. of this subsection.

6. Cargo containers used for relocation storage may be placed in parking lots so long as no more than 10% of the provided parking spaces are used for this purpose.

G. Cargo containers that are present on private real property, for any use or purpose, on the effective date of this section shall be removed within six months from the effective date, unless the property owner obtains the requisite approvals and permits in conjunction with temporary uses allowed in this section and otherwise complies with all regulations pertaining to cargo containers.

This subsection does not apply to real property owned, leased, rented, occupied or used by a public agency or entity, or by a nonpublic or private school, as defined in Section 17.12.050.A. of this code.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995; prior zoning ord. § 221.023)

(Ord. No. 921, § 7, 6-9-09)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), adopted May 27, 2025, repealed § 17.12.070, which pertained to uses subject to director's review and approval and derived from Prior zoning ord. § 221.024; Ord. 753 § 1 (Exh. A § 4), adopted 1999; Ord. 758 § 1 (Exh. A § 4 (part)), adopted 1999; Ord. 711 § 15 (part), adopted 1995; Ord. 896 § 1 (Exh. A § 6), adopted 2008; Ord. No. 941, § 1, adopted Feb. 9, 2010; Ord. No. 999, § 5, adopted Aug. 26, 2014; Ord. No. 1016, § 1, adopted Dec. 13, 2016; Ord. No. 1093, § 4(Exh. A), adopted Oct. 11, 2022; Ord. No. 1106, § 4(Exh. A), adopted Oct. 10, 2023.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), adopted May 27, 2025, repealed § 17.12.080, which pertained to uses subject to conditional use permits and derived from Prior zoning ord. § 221.025; Ord. 711 § 15 (part), adopted 1995; Ord. 753 § 1 (Exh. A § 5), adopted 1999; Ord. 896 § 1 (Exh. A §§ 7—9), adopted 2008; Ord. No. 1007, § 5, adopted Oct. 13, 2015; Ord. No. 1093, § 4(Exh. A), adopted Oct. 11, 2022; Ord. No. 1106, § 4(Exh. A), adopted Oct. 10, 2023.

Where a conflict in interpretation occurs regarding application of Sections 17.12.030, 17.12.040, 17.12.050, or 17.12.060 to any specific case the director shall determine the interpretation.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.026)

(Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)

Refer to Article III Adjustment Permits.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.027)

(Ord. No. 1016, § 2, 12-13-2016; Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)

A. A site plan (with vicinity map) and building elevations, drawn to scale and reflecting the accurate dimensions of the buildings and property, shall be required of any person seeking to erect new buildings or structures, make additions to any existing buildings or structures, site temporary commercial coaches, or otherwise grade, improve or develop any lot or portion thereof for a permitted use prior to the issuance of any grading or building permit. The site plan shall be accompanied by an appropriate development application and both shall be filed with the planning department. The director or his designated representative shall review the site plan for conformance with the provisions of this title. The site plan shall demonstrate conformance with height regulations, property development regulations, sign regulations or a sign program required by the city for multiple-tenant projects, off-street parking requirements, the adopted City of Lancaster Design Guidelines, any other requirements established for the adopted zoning designation in which the property(ies) is (are) located, and any other applicable city ordinances, standards, guidelines or policies. In addition to the conditions and requirements imposed by the ordinance codified in this title and other city ordinances, standards, guidelines and policies, the director may place conditions on the approval of the site plan where the director finds that such action is necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. At such time as the site plan complies with the requirements of the ordinance codified in this title and other city ordinances, standards, guidelines or policies, the site plan shall be approved by the director or his designated representative. The site plan approval shall be valid for 2 years from the date of approval. A site plan shall be considered "used" when the slab of a major building in the project is poured and inspected, although circumstances in each case may vary and the final determination as to "use" of a site plan review shall be made by the director. Three one-year extensions of the approval may be granted by the director provided such written request for an extension is received not less than 60 days prior to expiration, and any significant environmental changes which have occurred since the original approval have been addressed. Any extension granted shall be conditioned to comply with the city's current design guidelines as adopted by the city council, unless the applicant can demonstrate to the director's satisfaction that such compliance will impose an undue hardship on the project. In the event the site plan or an extension thereof is denied, the applicant may appeal the decision in accordance with Section 17.36.030. All projects constructed in accordance with an approved site plan shall be permanently maintained as approved. Any desired subsequent changes shall be submitted for approval as an amendment to the site plan. Prior to occupancy the site shall be inspected for compliance with the site plan. All improvements shall be installed and functioning before occupancy will be allowed.

Where the director determines that the requirements of this section surpass the city's need for project review of a particular development proposal, the director may exercise discretion and apply the provisions of Article VI of Chapter 17.32, Director's Review, in its place.

B. Fees Required. When the appropriate development application is filed per subsection A of this section it shall be accompanied by the filing fee established by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. §§ 221.040, 221.041)

(Ord. No. 924, § 1, 8-25-09; Ord. No. 956, § 3, 1-11-2011)

A. General Regulations.

1. No new building or commercial coach shall be erected, constructed, moved onto, or established on an existing legal lot or parcel of land unless said building or commercial coach shall comply with all of the regulations set forth in city ordinances, standards, guidelines or policies and subsection B of this section or Article X of Chapter 17.40, Commercial Coaches as Temporary Offices, which are pertinent to its placement on said lot or parcel.

2. No existing building or commercial coach located on an existing legal lot or parcel of land shall be convened, enlarged or moved unless said building, or addition thereto, shall comply with all of the regulations set forth in city ordinances, standards, guidelines, or policies and subsection B of this section or Article X of Chapter 17.40, Commercial Coaches as Temporary Offices, which are pertinent to its placement on said lot or parcel.

3. No new lot shall be created and no building, or portion thereof, existing on such new lot shall be used, unless said lot and said building location shall comply with all of the regulations set forth in city ordinances, standards, guidelines or policies and subsection B of this section which are pertinent to the area and dimensions for new lots and the placement or location of buildings on said lot.

B. C Zone. Wherever property is designated as a C zone on the zoning map the following regulations, specific or general, shall apply:

1. Lot Dimensions. The following minimum lot dimensions shall apply to all lots created after the adoption of this section, except those lots created within the boundaries of an approved shopping center to accommodate individual tenants. (Those lots which were legally created, prior to the adoption of this section, in compliance with ordinances in effect at the time of their creation need not comply unless involved in a new subdivision or change in lot configuration other than a lot line adjustment as provided in Title 16 of this code.)

* Also denotes minimum street frontage.

See Section 17.40.070, 17.40.080, 17.40.090 A. or 17.40.090 B. in the event public use or required street dedication would reduce the net lot area, lot width, or lot depth of an existing lot to less than the required minimum.

2. Yard Requirements.

a. Fences and Walls Permitted. Fences and walls may be erected and maintained in required yards subject to the requirements specified herein:

1. Front Yards. Fences and walls within a required front yard shall not exceed a height of 6 feet.

2. Corner Side Yards, Interior Side, and Rear Yards. Fences and walls within a required corner side yard, interior side, and/or rear yard shall not exceed 6 feet.

3. Retaining Walls. Retaining walls not to exceed 6 feet in height are permitted in all yards.

4. Retaining Walls Topped with Walls or Fences.

a. Where a retaining wall protects a cut below the natural grade and is located on a front, side or rear lot line, such retaining wall may be topped by a fence or wall of the same height that would otherwise be permitted at the location if no retaining wall existed. Where such retaining wall contains a fill, the height of the retaining wall built to retain the fill shall be considered as contributing to the permissible height of a fence or wall providing, however, that in any event an open-work non-view-obscuring fence of 3½ feet may be erected at the top of the retaining wall for safety protection.

b. Where a wall or fence is located in the required yard adjacent to a retaining wall containing a fill, such wall or fence shall be set back from said retaining wall a distance of one foot for each one foot in height to a maximum distance of 5 feet, provided, however, that this does not permit a wall or fence in required yards higher than permitted by this section. The area between such wall or fence and said retaining wall shall be landscaped and continuously maintained in good condition.

5. Fences and Walls Exempted. Where a fence or wall exceeding the heights specified is required by any law or regulation of the state of California, a fence or wall not exceeding such required height is permitted.

6. Measurement of Fence and Wall Height. The height of a fence or wall shall be measured at the highest average ground level within 3 feet of either side of said wall or fence. In order to allow for variation in topography, the height of a required fence or wall may vary an amount not to exceed 6 inches, provided, however, that in no event shall the average height of such fence or wall exceed the maximum height specified.

7. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, if site plans and/or other pertinent information required by the Director for the proposed use are first submitted to and approved by the Director in accordance with Article VI of Chapter 17.32, the Director may permit fences or walls within any required yard to a height not to exceed 8 feet, subject to materials requirements, and other conditions of approval.

8. Commercial uses adjacent to or across a street or alley from residentially zoned property or property developed with a residential use shall provide a minimum 6-foot-high masonry wall along all common lot lines. All walls shall be consistent with the site's architecture and, in instances where visible from the public right-of-way, shall be constructed with decorative materials.

9. Temporary Fence. If site plans and/or other pertinent information required by the Director for the posed use are first submitted to and approved by the Director in accordance with Article VI of Chapter 17.32, a temporary fence may be installed on vacant property, subject to the time limits, materials, and other conditions of approval. Temporary fencing materials may include chain link.

10. Prohibited Fence Materials. The use of chain link, metal panels, fabric or temporary material, non-durable wood, barbed wire, razor wire, electrical fence, glass, and other similar objects of a hazardous characteristic shall not be permitted for commercial uses. If site plans and/or other pertinent information required by the Director for the proposed use are first submitted to and approved by the Director in accordance with Article VI of Chapter 17.32, chain link with black, green, or other colored fabric may be installed as temporary construction fencing for properties with an active building permit in good standing, subject to time limits, materials, and other conditions of approval.

b. Additions or modifications to buildings or uses, either constructed or having received building permit approval, or having been legally established prior to May 4, 1983, may be allowed with respect to yards of lesser dimension than required in this subsection where, in the opinion of the Director, allowing less than full compliance with the yard requirements would impose no substantial detriment to abutting property or improvements thereon. In rendering a decision on whether to allow a reduction of the required yard, the Director shall consider whether:

3. Height Regulations. The height of buildings shall be as follows:

a. No building or structure in the C zone shall exceed a height of 50 feet or 3 stories, whichever is less. This section does not apply to conditional use permit uses which shall be subject to Article I of Chapter 17.32. (See Article XII of Chapter 17.40 for general exceptions.)

b. No commercially used building in the C zone which is within 100 feet of any RR, SRR, or R zone shall exceed a height of 2 stories or 35 feet, whichever is less.

c. No building may be constructed which would shade any existing active solar energy system on adjoining property without the consent of the affected property owner.

d. Exception for Solar Systems. Solar collectors may exceed the height limit when mounted on the roof of a legal, conforming building. The right to exceed the height limit shall be exercised only in the event that: there is no other practical means or location for achieving an efficient placement on the building or site in question; such collectors may exceed the height limit only to the extent necessary to achieve efficient placement; in no case shall such solar collectors (or related equipment) encroach more than 5 feet beyond the limit. Also the placement of a solar collector shall not shade or otherwise diminish the efficiency of existing solar collectors on neighboring property, or preclude such property from sufficient solar access to successfully operate a solar energy system sufficient to serve the needs of the business or occupants.

4. Reserved.

5. Landscaping. No landscaping shall be placed in a manner which shades or would ultimately shade any existing solar energy system from the sun on a contiguous lot.

6. Outside display. All displays shall be located wholly within an enclosed building with the exception of the following:

a. Amusement rides and devices;

b. Automobile sales, limited to automobiles, tractors, and trucks under 2 tons held for sale and rental only;

c. Automobile service stations, limited to automobile accessories and facilities necessary to the dispensing of petroleum products only;

d. Boat sales, limited to boats held for sale or rental only;

e. Carnivals—Commercial;

f. Christmas trees and wreaths, sale of;

g. Crops, field, tree, bush and row, including nursery stock, flowers and vines;

h. Electric distribution substations;

i. Equipment rental;

j. Gas metering and control stations, public utility;

k. Mobilehome sales, limited to mobilehomes held for sale or rental only;

l. Parking lots;

m. Pumpkins and other seasonal agricultural products, sale of;

n. Recreational vehicle sales, limited to recreational vehicles held for sale or rental only;

o. Signs, existing outdoor advertising;

p. Temporary outdoor sales subject to Section 17.12.040;

q. Trailer sales, box and utility, limited to trailers held for sale only.

7. Trash enclosure location(s) and access shall be designed to the satisfaction of the Director. The trash enclosures shall meet the following requirements:

8. Locate trash enclosures away from view, from primary entrances drive or streets;

9. Design the trash enclosure to be a minimum of 165 square feet;

10. Accommodate source separation of recyclable materials in accordance with State requirements;

11. Design trash enclosures with a non-combustible, overhanging, trellis or roof cover; and

12. Separate trash enclosure from adjacent parking with a 6-foot wide minimum planter.

13. Automobile fueling stations shall be required to designate adequate space for the installation of at least one hydrogen fueling pump and all associated infrastructure. At the discretion of the director, the installation and operation of said pump(s) may be required.

(Ord. 711 §§ 15, 44 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.050)

(Ord. No. 907, § 5, 10-28-2008; Ord. No. 1016, § 3, 12-13-2016; Ord. No. 1028, § 1, 7-11-2017; Ord. No. 1070, § 4(Exh. A), 1-14-2020; Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)

A person shall not use, install, or construct any sign in the C zone except as specifically permitted in this section. Signs shall be subject to all regulations and conditions, including without limitation submittal of a sign plan, set forth in the ordinance codified in this title and any other ordinance now existing or hereafter adopted by the city regulating the installation, use and/or construction of signs. A comprehensive sign plan for multiple-tenant projects or an individual sign plan for single-tenant projects, must be submitted to and approved by the director or a designated representative. Sign plans must be fully dimensioned, including the proposed sign location, elevations, colors and materials. A person who has first obtained approval of the sign plan and all required permits and inspection approval shall be permitted to use, install or construct signs as specified in the C zone.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.060)

A. The provisions of this section regulating signs shall not apply to the following signs except as otherwise indicated herein:

1. Official notices issued by any court, public body or public officer;

2. Notices posted by any public officer in performance of a public duty, or for any person in giving legal notice;

3. Traffic, directional, warning or informational signs or banners required or authorized by the public authority having jurisdiction over such signs;

4. Official signs used for emergency purposes only;

5. Permanent memorial or historical signs, plaques or markers;

6. Public utility signs, provided such signs do not exceed 3 square feet in area;

7. Any signs for a shopping center of 10 net acres or more which are lawfully erected in accordance with a city-approved sign program required as a condition of approval of the conditional use permit authorizing the shopping center;

8. Any signs for a shopping center of less than 10 net acres which are lawfully erected in accordance with a city-approved sign program required as a condition of the site plan approval.

B. Prohibited Signs. The following signs shall be prohibited in the C zone and may not be included in any sign plan.

1. Signs which contain or utilize:

a. Any exposed incandescent lamp,

b. Any revolving beacon light,

c. Any continuous or sequential flashing operation, except signs displaying time of day, atmospheric temperature or having programmable electronic public service messages only,

d. Any system for display of time of day, atmospheric temperature or programmable electronic public service messages in which:

1. The messages are not public service in nature, or

2. The proposed display has any illumination which is in continuous motion or which appears to be in continuous motion, or

3. The message is changed at a rate faster than one message every 4 seconds, or

4. The interval between messages is less than one second, or

5. The intensity of illumination changes, or

6. The display is located less than 100 feet on the same side of the street, or 200 feet across the street, from residentially zoned property;

2. Any notice, placard, bill, card, poster, sticker, banner, sign, advertising or other device calculated to attract the attention of the public which any person posts, prints, sticks, stamps, tacks or otherwise affixes, or causes the same to be done to or upon any street, right-of-way, public sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, lamppost, hydrant, tree, telephone pole or lighting system, or upon any fixture of the police or fire alarm system of the city of Lancaster or the county of Los Angeles;

3. Any sign which is placed in a manner which would obstruct a driver's or pedestrian's vision and thus create a hazard, or potential hazard, to the public health, safety or welfare;

4. Any strings of pennants, banners or streamers, clusters of flags, strings of twirlers or propellers, flares, balloons, and similar attention-getting devices, including noise-emitting devices, with the exception of the following:

a. Automobile sales uses only may utilize pennants, banners or streamers subject to the following conditions:

1. All such displays must be positioned horizontally and parallel to the ground and shall maintain a minimum height of 14 feet and a maximum height of 18 feet from grade level.

2. All lines supporting such devices shall be secured in a taut manner and shall exhibit no more than 5 inches sag or droop at midline. No more than 3 such lines may be placed above one another and such lines shall be located along street frontages only.

3. All pennants, banners or streamers shall be maintained in good condition. Such devices which have become torn, tattered, faded or otherwise fallen into disrepair shall be removed or replaced.

b. National state, local governmental, institutional or corporate flags properly displayed,

c. Holiday decorations in season used for an aggregate period of 60 days in any one calendar year;

5. Awning or entrance canopy signs;

6. Devices dispensing bubbles and free-flowing particles of matter;

7. Devices projecting, or otherwise reproducing the image of a sign or message on any surface or object;

8. New outdoor advertising signs;

9. Pole signs;

10. Portable signs;

11. Projecting signs;

12. Revolving signs of any kind;

13. Roof signs;

14. Sidewalk signs;

15. Signs advertising or displaying any unlawful act, business or purpose;

16. Signs emitting or amplifying sounds for the purpose of attracting attention;

17. Temporary signs, except as otherwise specifically permitted by this title;

18. Off-premises signs constituting a commercial advertisement that is not located on the site of the business or entity indicated or advertised by the sign including temporary, portable, mobile signs affixed to a wall, structure, or vehicle.

C. General Sign Regulations. The following regulations apply to all signs in the C zone:

1. In no case shall a lighted sign or lighting device thereof be placed or directed so as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a street, sidewalk or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.

2. Existing outdoor advertising signs are subject to Section 17.40.210.

3. Signs, except outdoor advertising signs, may be single-, double- or multi-faced, provided that:

a. The distance between the faces of any double-faced sign, other than a "V" shaped projecting sign, shall not exceed 36 inches.

b. The separation between the intersecting faces of any multi-faced sign shall not exceed 12 inches.

4. Any sign located on vacant and unoccupied property, and which was erected for an occupant or business unrelated to the present occupant or business, or any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer exists shall be removed within 30 days after the purpose for, or use utilizing such sign has been removed from such property.

5. Any permitted sign may be a changeable copy sign.

6. All signs shall be designed in the simplest form and be free of any exposed bracing, angle iron, guy wires, cables or similar devices.

7. The exposed backs of all signs visible to the public shall be suitably covered, finished and properly maintained.

8. All signs shall be maintained in good repair, including display surfaces which shall be kept neatly painted or posted.

9. Any sign which does not conform to the provisions of this title shall be made to conform or shall be removed as provided in subsection B.4. of Section 17.32.850 except as provided in Section 17.32.850B.4.c.

10. Except where otherwise specifically provided by this title, sign regulations established pursuant to this title shall not apply to signs within a building, arcade, court or other similarly enclosed area where such signs are not visible to the public without entering such facilities.

11. The height of all signs shall be measured from the highest point of the sign.

D. Computation of Sign Area. Computation of the surface area of any sign face shall consist of all lettering, figures, symbols, designs and pictures, together with all framing, background material, colored or illuminated areas, and attention-attracting devices forming an integral part of the overall display, but excluding all support structures, except that:

1. Superficial ornamentation of a non-message-bearing character which does not exceed 5% of the surface area of the sign face shall be exempted from computation.

2. Wall signs painted on or affixed directly to a building wall or façade, and having no discernible boundary, shall have the areas between letters, words intended to be read together, and any device intended to draw attention to the sign message included in any computation of surface area of the sign face.

3. Signs placed in such a manner, or bearing a text, as to require dependence upon each other in order to convey meaning shall be considered one sign and the intervening areas between the signs shall be included in any computation of surface area of the sign face.

4. Spherical, cylindrical or other 3-dimensional signs shall be considered to have 2 faces. The area of each sign face shall consist of ½ of the total area of the 3-dimensional sign.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.061)

(Ord. No. 1070, § 4(Exh. A), 1-14-2020; Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)

Business signs may be permitted in the C zone subject to Section 17.12.230, and the restrictions of this section. For more information concerning specific types of signs see Section 17.04.240, Definitions.

A. Wall Business Signs.

1. Area Permitted.

a. Each ground floor business establishment fronting on and/or oriented toward one or more streets may be permitted (See Section 16.04.060 of this code for the definitions of the different classifications of streets):

1. On lots or parcels abutting or directly across a local or collector street from residentially zoned property, a maximum of one square foot of wall sign area for each one linear foot of building frontage;*

2. On all other lots or parcels a maximum of 3 square feet of wall sign area for each one linear foot of building frontage;

3. If building identification signs are used, the area of such signs shall be subtracted from the area permitted for wall signs.

* EXCEPTION. In instances where businesses abut residentially zoned property but the proposed signs do not face toward residentially zoned property, the Director may determine the amount of signage to be permitted not to exceed the maximum of 3 square feet for each one linear foot of building frontage.

b. Where a ground floor business establishment fronts only on a parking lot, alley, open mall, landscaped open space, or other public way, the exterior building wall facing such parking lot, alley, open mall, landscaped open space, or other public way shall be considered a building frontage for purposes of computing permitted wall sign area.

c. Secondary Wall Signs. A ground floor business establishment having entrances intended for and regularly utilized by the public on the side of a building not considered to be building frontage by this section shall be permitted one secondary wall sign on each such side provided the sign does not exceed ½ the sign area permitted on the building frontage of said business. The combined area of all signs shall not exceed that specified in subsection A.1. of this section. Additional secondary wall signs may be permitted on frontages without a public entrance subject to a Director's Review.

d. Except as provided in subsection A.1.c. of this section, permitted sign area shall be used only on the face of the building wall for which it was calculated. No sign area may be transferred from one building frontage to another.

e. Any building containing business establishments which front only on an indoor mall having a limited number of entrances, shall be considered a single establishment for the purpose of computing the wall sign area permitted on the exterior walls of such building.

f. Each ground floor business establishment shall be permitted a minimum sign area of 20 square feet for each building frontage.

g. Each business establishment located above the ground floor which has an individual entrance from the outside of the building may be allowed a wall sign near the individual entrance in accordance with the area permitted for ground floor uses under subsection A.1.a.1) of this section. Such business establishments which are served by a common entrance may not have signs above the ground floor.

h. Each business establishment located on the ground floor or second floor having no building frontage shall be permitted a maximum of 4 square feet of sign area facing the street. Such business establishments may not have signs above the ground floor.

2. Height Permitted. Wall business signs shall not extend above:

a. Eighteen inches below the top of the wall of a single-story building;

b. The lowest point of a sloping roof of a single-story building.

3. Projection Permitted. Wall business signs shall not project more than 18 inches from the building wall to which they are attached. Freestanding signs may not project over the public right-of-way.

4. Lighting. Wall business signs may be internally or externally lighted, but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

B. Freestanding Business Signs.

1. Monument Signs and Post Signs. Monument Signs and Post Signs shall comply with the following standards:

a. Frontage. Monument and post signs may be permitted on any lot or parcel of land for each street frontage having a continuous distance of 150 feet or more. Such signs may also be permitted as provided in subsection B.9. of this section.

b. Area Permitted.

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the maximum freestanding business sign area that shall be permitted for each street frontage or for each combination of frontages considered to be a single frontage under either subsection B.9.a. or b. of this section is:

a. On lots or parcels where the street frontage abuts or is directly across a local or collector street from residentially zoned property, 50 square feet total sign area;

2. On all other lots or parcels, 150 square feet total sign area.

Where the locational requirements of Section 17.12.140 et seq. permit additional freestanding business signs on the same frontage, sign area allocated for each sign may be any proportion provided that the sum does not exceed the maximum permitted sign area established herein for a specific frontage or combination of frontages and that they conform to all other requirements of Section 17.12.140 et seq.

c. Height Permitted. Monument and post signs shall not exceed a maximum height of 12 feet measured vertically from ground level at the base of the sign, or 3 feet below the roof line, whichever is least.

d. Location of Signs on All Lots and Parcels.

1. Monument and post signs shall not be located nearer than 50 feet from any lot line, other than a lot line adjoining a street.

2. Monument and post signs shall not be located nearer than 150 feet from any other freestanding business sign on the same frontage on the same lot, parcel of land, or within any shopping center.

3. Monument and post signs shall be directed toward the street frontage from which the area of the sign is computed.

e. Projection.

1. Monument and post signs shall not project over the roof of any building or structure.

2. Monument and post signs shall not project over any public right-of-way.

f. Movement. Monument and post signs shall not rotate, move or simulate motion in any way.

g. Lighting. Monument and post signs may be internally or externally lighted, but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

h. Other requirements for monument signs.

1. Sign copy shall be displayed within one sign structure. No other signage shall be attached to or placed on the monument sign.

2. All electrical service to the sign shall be underground and hidden from view.

i. Exceptions.

1. If a lot or parcel of land is a corner lot, the distances of any 2 intersecting street frontages may be combined and considered as a single frontage for the purpose of erecting and/or maintaining a single freestanding business sign adjacent to the corner formed by the intersecting street frontages, provided that:

a. The total combined distance of the 2 street frontages is 150 feet or more with no frontage less than 50 feet; and

b. No street frontage shall be used in combination as described herein more than once; and

c. Such sign or signs comply with all area, height, projection, lighting, movement, and locational requirements established elsewhere in this title.

2. If any application for Director's Review, including a site plan and an architectural sketch of the proposed sign, is first submitted to and approved by the Director as provided in Article VI of Chapter 17.32, the street frontages of 2 or more contiguous lots or parcels of land may be combined and considered as a single frontage for the purpose of jointly erecting and/or maintaining one freestanding business sign, provided that:

a. The combined street frontage is 150 feet or more; and

b. Such lots or parcels of land share a common street frontage; and

c. Such sign complies with all area, height, projection, lighting, movement and locational requirements established elsewhere in this title; and

d. If one such lot is a corner lot, only frontage along the street common to all lots or parcels of land so combined shall be used in these computations and all other frontages shall be considered separately.

3. If an application for Director's Review, including a site plan and an architectural sketch of the proposed sign, is first submitted to and approved by the Director as provided in Article VI of Chapter 17.32, one monument sign 42 inches or less in height may be erected and/or maintained on a lot or parcel of land having less than 150 feet of continuous street frontage. However if a monument sign greater than 42 inches in height or a post sign is desired by the applicant the Director, in approving any such application shall make the following findings in addition to those specified in Section 17.32.790:

a. That no freestanding business sign currently exists on the subject property; and

b. That it is not practical for the applicant to combine the street frontage of said property with the frontage of one or more contiguous properties in order to comply with the minimum frontage requirement pursuant to subsection B.1. of this section; and

c. That surrounding buildings, structures or topographical features would substantially obstruct the visibility of a wall sign as permitted by this section for a distance of 100 feet, on one or both sides of such sign, measured along the center line of the street upon which such property fronts; and

d. That the requested sign is necessary for the effective identification of businesses located on said premises; and

e. That the requested sign will not obscure or significantly detract from existing legal signing located on surrounding properties; and

f. That the requested sign does not constitute a detriment to public health, safety and welfare; and

g. That the requested sign is in compliance with all other provisions of this title.

4. If the obstruction referred to in subsection B.9.c.3) of this section is a nonconforming sign, the Director shall require, as a condition of approval, that the proposed sign be removed no later than the date specified by this title for removal of the nonconforming sign. Such date for removal shall not be extended except in the instance where the amortization period for said nonconforming sign has been extended by the approval of an application for nonconforming use and structure review. In such instance, the new removal date shall not extend beyond the new amortization period established for said nonconforming sign.

The maximum permitted area of such sign shall be in the following ratio:

a. On lots or parcels where the street frontage abuts or is across a local or collector street from residentially zoned property, ½ square foot of sign area for each foot of street frontage up to a maximum of 50 square feet total sign area; and

b. On all other lots or parcels, 1½ square feet of sign area for each foot of street frontage up to a maximum of 150 square feet total sign area.

5. Proposals for shopping centers of more than 2 net acres but no greater than 10 net acres shall require the submittal of an overall sign program which is subject to the Director's Review and approval. Shopping centers of greater than 10 net acres in size shall require an overall sign program as a condition of the required conditional use permit.

6. Pylon Signs. Pylon Signs shall comply with the following standards:

a. Number. One sign for each site with a minimum of 150 feet of frontage on a major arterial.

b. Height. Maximum of 12 feet. For signs over 12 feet in height a Conditional Use Permit shall apply.

c. Location. Signs shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from interior side lot lines. Criteria for determining the precise location of signs shall include, but not limited to, visibility from the street, proximity to other signs and buildings, frontage and configuration of the site. Each sign shall a minimum of 100 square feet of landscaped planter area proportionally surrounding the sign, which shall be in addition to any other required landscaped area.

d. Street Address. All signs shall contain a street address.

e. Design Guidelines. Signs permitted per this section shall comply with any sign design guidelines that may be adopted by the City or as may be determined by the Director.

f. Design Review. All signs shall be reviewed and approved or conditionally approved with a Director's Review or Conditional Use Permit. Factors that the Director or Commission will consider include, but are not limited to the following:

1. That the sign does not interfere with the ability of adjoining properties or uses to have visible signage;

2. That the sign does not detract from architectural features of the building; and

3. That the sign does not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian movement or with visibility for vehicular or pedestrian movements.

C. Under Marquee Sign. Each business establishment may be permitted under marquee signs subject to the following restrictions:

1. Area permitted: Maximum of 3 square feet total sign area.

2. Number permitted:

a. Maximum of 2 per tenant; and

b. One for each entrance.

3. Height above sidewalk: Shall not be less than 8 feet.

4. Lighting. Under marquee signs may be internally or externally lighted, but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

D. Window Signs. Each business establishment may be permitted display window signs subject to the following restrictions:

1. Area permitted: Maximum of 25% of the window area.

2. Lighting. Window signs may be internally or externally lighted, but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

E. Incidental Business Signs. Each business establishment may be permitted incidental business signs provided:

1. That such signs are wall signs or window signs or are displayed within an existing freestanding sign structure; and

2. That such signs do not exceed 3 square feet in sign area or 6 square feet in total sign area; and

3. That the sum of the sign areas of all such signs does not exceed 10 square feet.

4. Incidental business signs may be internally or externally lighted but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.063)

(Ord. No. 1070, § 4(Exh. A), 1-14-2020; Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)

Building identification signs may be permitted in the C zone subject to the following restrictions:

A. Area Permitted. One wall-mounted sign may be permitted provided:

1. Such sign does not exceed 6 square feet in sign area where located less than 30 feet above ground level measured at the base of the building below said sign; or

2. Such sign does not exceed 2% of the exterior wall area of the building wall on which it is mounted, excluding penthouse walls, where located more than 30 feet above ground level measured at the base of the building below said sign.

3. The area of the building identification sign shall be subtracted from the area permitted for wall signs.

B. Height Permitted. Such signs shall not extend above a line 18 inches below the highest point of a parapet wall or the lowest point of a sloping roof.

C. Lighting. Building identification signs may be internally or externally lighted but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.064)

Temporary signs may be permitted in the C zone subject to the following restrictions:

A. Area Permitted. Temporary signs which are posted or erected for 90 days or less shall not exceed 16 square feet in sign area or 32 square feet in total sign area as defined in Section 17.04.240. Temporary signs which have obtained a permit pursuant to subsection G of this section and which are posted or erected for more than 90 days shall not exceed 32 square feet in sign area or 64 square feet in total sign area.

B. Height Permitted.

1. Freestanding temporary signs shall not exceed 6 feet in height.

2. Temporary signs which are posted, attached or affixed to buildings of more than one story shall not be higher than the finished floor line of the second floor of such building.

3. Temporary signs which are posted, attached or affixed to a single-story building shall not extend above:

a. Eighteen inches below the top of the wall of the building;

b. The lowest point of a sloping roof of the building.

C. Projection Permitted. Where temporary signs are attached to a wall such signs shall not project more than 18 inches from the building wall to which they are attached.

D. Lighting. Temporary signs shall not be lighted.

E. Placement. Temporary signs shall not be placed on public property (see Section 17.12.150 B.2.), or in any manner that would endanger the public (see Section 17.12.150.B.3.).

F. Duration. No temporary sign shall be posted for more than 90 days without obtaining a sign permit pursuant to subsection G of this section. No sign permit for a temporary sign shall be valid for more than one year. Upon written request for an extension, the director may grant an extension for up to one additional year, upon making a finding in writing that the sign is otherwise in compliance with the requirements of Section 17.12.140 et seq. and that the extension is necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the sign has been posted. No additional extensions may be granted. All temporary signs shall be removed within 14 calendar days after occurrence of the event, if any, which is the subject of the temporary sign. The date of the posting shall be permanently and legibly marked on the lower right-hand corner of the sign face.

G. Permit Required. Any person who proposes to post or erect a temporary sign for more than 90 days shall file an application for a sign permit with the department of community development. The applicant shall also file a statement of responsibility as required in subsection I of this section.

H. Standards for Approval.

1. Within 7 working days the director or his designated representative shall act upon the application for a temporary sign permit.

2. The action on the application shall be based on character; location; design, including design elements such as material, letter style, colors, sign type, and shape; and the provisions of Section 17.12.140 et seq.

3. If the action is to disapprove, the notice of disapproval shall specify the reasons therefor.

I. Statement of Responsibility. Each person desiring to post or erect a temporary sign(s), regardless of duration, shall submit to the department of community development a statement of responsibility in a form approved by the director with a description sufficient to identify the temporary sign(s), the locations of the sign(s) to be posted, and certifying a named individual who is responsible for removing each temporary sign. In the event the responsible individual fails to remove the temporary sign(s) as required by subsection F of this section, the temporary sign(s) shall be deemed abandoned and may be removed by the city, the cost of which removal shall be payable by the responsible individual.

J. Removal of Unauthorized, Unmaintained or Dangerous Signs.

1. Temporary signs for which a statement of responsibility has not been submitted and, if required, a permit has not been obtained, are subject to immediate removal by the city without compensation. The city may, at its option, also pursue legal action under Section 17.04.220.

2. Temporary signs which are deemed by the city to constitute a threat to the public health and safety are subject to immediate removal by the city without compensation. (Some examples might include signs which are not secured against the wind or are placed in a manner which would interfere with the vision of drivers or pedestrians.) The city's cost of removal shall be payable by the responsible individual.

3. Temporary signs for which a statement of responsibility has been submitted and, if required, a permit has been obtained, and which do not pose a threat to public health and safety but are otherwise posted in violation of Section 17.12.140 et seq. shall be subject to removal in accordance with the following procedures. The city shall provide written notice to the responsible individual for each temporary sign established pursuant to subsection I of this section, that the sign is in violation of Section 17.12.140 et seq.; shall specify the nature of the violation; and shall direct the responsible individual therefor to remove or alter such temporary sign.

If the responsible individual fails to comply with the notice within 3 working days after such notice is mailed, the sign(s) shall be deemed abandoned, and may be removed by the city, the cost of which shall be payable by the responsible individual to the city.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.065)

Freestanding or wall-mounted directional and/or information signs may be permitted in the C zone subject to the following restrictions:

A. Area Permitted. Directional and/or informational signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in sign area or 24 square feet in total sign area.

B. Height Permitted.

1. Wall-mounted directional and/or information signs shall not extend above a line 18 inches below the highest point of a parapet wall or the lowest point of a sloping roof.

2. Freestanding directional and/or informational signs shall not exceed 10 feet in height measured from the base of the sign.

C. Lighting. Directional and/or information signs may be internally or externally lighted but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

D. Location of Signs. All such signs shall be located on-site.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.067)

The following special purpose signs may be permitted in the C zone as provided herein:

A. Community Identification Signs. If a site plan is first submitted to and approved by the director, as provided in Article VI of Chapter 17.32, freestanding community identification signs may be permitted in any zone at or near the entrance to an unincorporated community subject to the following restrictions:

1. Area Permitted. Such signs shall not exceed 96 square feet in sign area or 192 square feet in total sign area.

2. Height Permitted. Such signs shall not exceed a maximum height of 12 feet measured vertically from the base of the sign.

3. Lighting. Community identification signs may be internally or externally lighted but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

4. Design. Such signs shall be architecturally related to the area in which they are located.

B. Civic Organization Signs. If a site plan is first submitted to and approved by the director, as provided in Article VI of Chapter 17.32, freestanding civic organizations signs may be permitted in any zone at or near the entrance to the city subject to the following restrictions:

1. Area Permitted. Such signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in sign area or 100 square feet in total sign area.

2. Height Permitted. Such signs shall not exceed 12 feet in height measured vertically from the base of the sign.

3. Lighting. Civic organization signs shall be unlighted.

4. Design. Such signs shall be architecturally related to the area in which they are located.

C. Bulletin or Special Event Signs. One freestanding or wall-mounted bulletin or special event sign may be erected and maintained on each lot or parcel of land in the C zone developed for a publicly owned, charitable, religious or educational institution subject to the following restrictions:

1. Area Permitted. Such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in sign area or 100 square feet in total sign area.

2. Height Permitted.

a. A wall-mounted sign shall not extend above a line 18 inches below the highest point of a parapet wall or the lowest point of a sloping roof.

b. A freestanding sign shall not exceed 12 feet in height measured vertically from the base of the sign.

3. Lighting. Bulletin or special event signs may be internally or externally lighted, but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

4. Design. Such sign shall be architecturally related to the structure to which it is appurtenant.

5. Location of Sign. A freestanding sign shall not be located nearer than 25 feet to any lot line.

D. Fuel Pricing Signs. Fuel pricing signs shall be monument signs and are permitted for each business offering gasoline or other motor vehicle fuel for sale subject to the following restrictions:

1. Area Permitted.

a. One sign, not to exceed 30 square feet in sign area or 60 square feet in total sign area, shall be permitted for each street frontage.

b. If said business is located on a corner, one sign, not to exceed 50 square feet in sign area or 100 square feet in total sign area, shall be permitted at the corner in lieu of separate signs on each of the intersecting frontages.

c. The area per sign face of a combined freestanding business and fuel pricing sign shall not exceed the sum of the permitted areas per sign face of the 2 combined signs, nor shall permitted sign areas be transferred between sign faces of a combined freestanding business and fuel pricing sign.

2. Height Permitted.

a. No separate freestanding sign shall exceed 12 feet in height at a corner or 5 feet in height elsewhere. Such height shall be measured vertically from the base of the sign.

b. No combined business and fuel pricing sign or no business sign to which fuel pricing panels are mounted shall exceed the maximum permitted height of a freestanding business sign as established in Section 17.12.160.

3. Lighting. Fuel pricing signs may be internally or externally lighted, but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

4. Location of Sign. A separate freestanding sign shall not be located nearer than 25 feet from any existing freestanding sign or from any lot line, other than a lot line adjoining a street.

E. Outdoor Menu Signs for Restaurants with Drive-Through or Car Service. Outdoor menu signs shall be separate freestanding signs and may be permitted for each business offering food to drive-through or car service customers subject to the following restrictions:

1. Area Permitted. One sign, not to exceed 24 square feet in total sign area may be permitted for each business. In the event the business has more than one drive-through service facility, 2 signs may be permitted which may share the total sign area permitted herein but shall not exceed it.

2. Height Permitted. No outdoor menu sign shall exceed a height of 6 feet.

3. Lighting. Outdoor menu signs may be internally or externally lighted but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

4. Design. Such signs shall be designed to serve the needs of the motorist customer and shall be permanently affixed to the ground.

5. Location of Sign. No outdoor menu sign shall be located in any required yard.

F. Temporary Window Signs. Temporary window signs may be placed in the display windows of a business at which a merchandise sale or change in the status of the business is taking place subject to the following restrictions:

1. Area Permitted. Such signs shall not cover more than 25% of the display window area.

2. Height Permitted. The height of the display window where the sign is placed.

3. Lighting. No lighting other than what permanently exists in the display window.

4. Location of Signs. Such signs shall be placed on display windows only and shall not be placed on the glass of any door.

5. Time. Such signs may be permitted for up to 10 days in any calendar month.

G. Time, Temperature, and Public Service Message Signs. Signs using any system for the display of time of day, atmospheric temperature, or programmable electronic messages shall be wall, post or monument signs and may be permitted subject to the prohibitions in Section 17.12-.150B and the following restrictions:

1. Area Permitted. One sign not to exceed 24 square feet in total sign area may be permitted for each street frontage, up to a maximum of 2 for each business.

2. Height Permitted. No such sign shall exceed a height of:

a. For monument or post signs: 12 feet;

b. For wall signs: not less than 18 inches below the top of the wall of a single-story building.

3. Location of Sign. Such signs shall be placed not closer than 500 feet to any business already using this type of sign.

4. Other. Such signs must not violate the restrictions imposed by Section 17.12.150 B.1.d.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.068)

The automobile parking facilities required by this section shall be provided and permanently maintained as such unless and until a substitute has been provided which is in full compliance with the provisions of this title. The following parking requirements shall be complied with in the C zone:

A. General Conditions. The provisions of this section shall apply at the time that:

1. A building or structure is erected; or

2. An existing building or structure is altered or enlarged to increase the occupancy capacity.

B. Parking Requirements by Use.

1. Except as provided for in subsection B.5, below, for all uses, the developer, property owner, or authorized agent shall determine the number of parking spaces sufficient for the proposed use, and shall provide justification acceptable to the director of community development and/or the planning commission to support the determination.

2. Mixed-Use, in Conjunction with Multi-Family Residential Use. The developer, property owner, or authorized agent shall determine the number of parking spaces sufficient for the non-residential portion of the mixed-use development, and shall provide justification acceptable to the director of community development and/or the planning commission to support the determination. The parking requirement for the multi-family portion shall be consistent with Section 17.08.100 of the residential zones.

3. Multi-Family Uses. The parking requirement for multi-family uses shall be consistent with Section 17.08.100 of the residential zones.

4. All uses shall provide parking for disabled persons in accordance with federal and state requirements.

5. Except as necessary to comply with requirements to provide electric vehicle supply equipment installed parking spaces or parking spaces that are accessible to persons with disabilities, for sites located within one-half mile of a major transit stop as defined in Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code, no parking is required, except:

a. Event centers shall provide parking for employees and other workers.

b. Development projects where any portion is designated for use as a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast inn, or other transient lodging (except where a portion of a housing development project is designated for use as a residential hotel, as defined in Section 50519 of the Health and Safety Code) shall provide parking in accordance with the minimum parking requirements of subsection B.1, above.

c. Development projects for which, within 30 days of the receipt of a completed application, the city finds that based on a preponderance of the evidence in the record that not imposing or enforcing minimum automobile parking requirements on the development would have a substantially negative impact on any of the following:

1. The city's ability to meet its share of the regional housing need in accordance with Section 65584 for low- and very low-income households.

2. The city's ability to meet any special housing needs for the elderly or persons with disabilities identified in the analysis required pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 65583.

3. Existing residential or commercial parking within one-half mile of the housing development project.

d. Subsection (c) above shall not apply for the following projects:

1. Housing development projects that dedicate a minimum of 20% of the total number of housing units to very low, low-, or moderate-income households, students, the elderly, or persons with disabilities.

2. Housing development projects that contain fewer than 20 housing units.

3. Housing development projects subject to parking reductions based on the provisions of any other applicable state law.

(Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. §§ 221.070—221.075)

(Ord. No. 1016, § 4, 12-13-2016; Ord. No. 1106, § 4(Exh. A), 10-10-2023; Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)

The following design requirements shall be met for development in the C zone:

A. General requirements applicable to all development:

1. Access.

a. Automobile.

1. Driveways providing access to the site may be required to be combined, relocated, or otherwise limited in order to minimize traffic conflicts and improve public safety. All driveways shall be constructed to comply with current city standards. All driveway locations are subject to the approval of the director of public works.

2. Entry drives into parking areas shall be of sufficient depth to provide for vehicle stacking appropriate to the size, location and intensity of the project served.

3. Access to drive-through facilities shall have a sufficient depth to provide vehicle stacking for not less than 7 automobiles at a depth of 24 feet per automobile per drive-through facility. (One bank teller station equals one such facility.) Such stacking space shall be designed in a manner which will not restrict access to or from parking spaces, aisles or driveways.

4. Private internal roadways shall be constructed at the minimum widths necessary for safe traffic circulation in order to minimize heat absorption and storm water runoff.

b. Pedestrians and Bicycles.

1. On-site pedestrian walkways serving all commercial buildings, freestanding or common walls as in a shopping center, shall be installed in a manner which will promote direct, safe and convenient pedestrian access to public sidewalks, crosswalks and transit stops with minimal interruption by vehicular traffic. Where the walkways are interrupted by traffic the design of the crosswalk shall be intended to slow the speed of traffic.

2. Such pedestrian walkways shall be provided to each abutting street which is served by a sidewalk. The walkways shall be clearly designated through the use of raised walkways, decorative paving, placement of lighting, landscaping, shading devices, or other design features.

3. Pedestrian walkways and seating should be visible from buildings, parking facilities, and rights-of-way to the greatest degree possible to provide surveillance of these areas.

4. Access for bicycles shall be provided for all sites abutting or adjacent to planned bicycle and/or trail routes.

5. Bicycle parking shall be provided in a convenient location near the entrance of the building.

c. Public Transit.

1. Opportunities for turnouts, shelters and pedestrian access shall be provided at a location which is convenient to building entrances for all sites abutting expressways or arterial streets that are served by public transit routes.

2. If deemed necessary by the city for project mitigation, the city will consult with the bus company to determine appropriate improvements per the transportation demand and trip reduction measures of Ordinance No. 633.

2. Paving. Parking areas, as well as the maneuvering areas and driveways used for access thereto shall be paved with:

a. Concrete surfacing to a minimum thickness of 3½ inches with expansion joints as necessary; or

b. Asphalt surfacing, rolled to a smooth, hard surface having a minimum thickness of 2 inches after compaction, and laid over a base of crushed rock, gravel or other similar material compacted to a minimum thickness of 4 inches.

c. For commercial truck parking and drive aisles, asphalt surfacing rolled to a smooth hard surface having a minimum thickness of 3 inches after compaction and, at a minimum, designed to accommodate a traffic index (TI) of 6.5 as calculated in accordance with the latest edition of the CalTrans Highway Design Manual. Large commercial projects may need a greater TI based upon their use.

d. Other alternative material that will provide at least the equivalent in service, life and appearance of the materials and standards which would be employed for development pursuant to subsection A.2.a. or b.

e. The director of public works, at the request of the director, shall review and report on the adequacy of paving where alternative materials are proposed under subsection A.2.d. The director of public works may approve such alternative materials if, in his opinion, the evidence indicates compliance with subsection A.2.d.

3. Size and Marking of Spaces.

a. No less than 75% of parking spaces shall exhibit dimensions of 9 feet wide by 20 feet long or 10 feet wide and 18 feet long in 90-degree parking, or 9 feet wide by 18 feet long in 45- or 60-degree parking, with required disabled person parking spaces as provided by federal and state law.

b. Compact Spaces. No greater than 25% of the parking spaces may exhibit minimum dimensions of 8 feet in width by 18 feet in length. Such spaces shall be labelled "compact car only" in a manner acceptable to the director.

c. No parking shall occur in the first 10 feet of a required front or street side yard.

d. Where parking abuts an alley, the improved alley may be used as an aisle subject to approval of the parking lot design. (See the following diagrams for parking design options.)

4. Circulation. Entrances and exits shall be clearly identified. Vehicular circulation should be "one-way" in each aisle or "two-way" if the aisle width is a minimum of 20 feet. No aisle shall be less than 12 feet in width.

5. Location of Parking Spaces. Parking spaces used to meet requirements for commercial centers shall not be located in the rear of the center unless direct customer access to the buildings is permitted from these locations.

6. Loading Spaces. Number and location of such spaces shall be required as specified by the director.

7. Shopping Cart Storage. Those uses which require shopping carts for use by their customers shall provide designated storage areas in the parking lot area. Shopping cart storage areas shall be shown on the site plan as distinct and separate from the parking spaces and identify the cart storage capacity. Such storage areas shall not be placed in any required parking space.

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8. Buffering. A masonry wall of not less than 5 nor greater than 6 feet in height shall be provided at the property line where the activities of a commercial use are anticipated to be incompatible with existing commercial or industrial uses or to protect an area from adverse climatic conditions (wind, blowing sand, etc.). It shall be the burden of the applicant to prove to the satisfaction of the director or a designated representative that the project will not create or be subject to conditions necessitating a wall at the time of site plan review if a wall is not desired.

9. Building Design.

a. Shopping centers shall be designed with a common architectural theme for all buildings in the center, including freestanding uses. The center shall utilize building style, form, size, color and materials that are compatible with adjoining development, planned or existing.

b. Building placement shall complement the design of adjoining sites to facilitate the convenient and logical functioning of neighboring uses. Where more than one building is to be developed on the site, the buildings shall be laid out in clusters or as necessary to create outdoor patios, courts and walkways in a landscaped setting. Building and parking layout shall be varied to avoid a "strip commercial appearance."

c. Roof treatment shall be the same on the entire periphery of the building, except where a different treatment is required by the city building code. Where screening of rooftop equipment is necessary such screening shall be designed to complement the architecture of the building.

d. Building components such as windows, doors, eaves and parapets shall have good proportions and relationships to one another and shall utilize canopies and/or overhangs to shade windows during summer months. Buildings should be designed to utilize natural light for internal illumination through the use of courts, skylights, and other design options.

e. Building articulations should be utilized to minimize the visual effects of large expanses of blank wall.

f. Utility doors, access panels, fire doors, loading docks, and other openings shall be treated as part of the architectural composition of buildings.

g. An exterior color scheme for all buildings or additions thereto shall be submitted with the building elevations for approval. The color scheme for existing neighboring buildings shall be indicated and considered.

h. Solar access and prevailing winds should be considered in building design and orientation.

i. Additions to existing buildings shall generally conform to the design of the existing building. New building size, materials and color shall be consistent with the scale and design of the building to which it is attached.

j. The use of corrugated metal buildings is prohibited in this zone.

k. Shower facilities shall be provided for employees as follows:

1. Freestanding buildings not within a shopping center or other commercial center which have a gross floor area of 50,000 square feet to 100,000 square feet shall provide one shower for each gender and 0.5 clothing lockers for each required bicycle parking space. An additional shower for each gender shall be provided for each additional 100,000 square feet of gross floor area or portion thereof.

2. Shopping centers or other commercial centers shall provide showers and lockers at the same rate as subsection A.9.k.1) of this section for the total gross square footage of the center. The center may consolidate the showers in a common facility within the center rather than providing them by individual use.

3. The floor area for showers shall not be included in the calculations for parking requirements for a freestanding building or shopping center or other commercial center.

10. Landscaping.

a. Landscape designs shall be consistent throughout a project site. Unrelated and random choice or placement of plant materials shall be avoided; however, variety may be employed to intensify distinction between spaces or to strengthen a sense of entry, place or movement, or to promote energy conservation.

b. The type, scale and proportion of landscape materials shall be appropriate to the site and/or structures to which they relate.

c. Landscaping should be placed in a manner which will minimize the provision of hiding places for criminals near doors, windows, or other possible points of building entry as well as allow patrol officers a clear view of such points of entry.

d. Plant material shall be selected for interest in its structure, texture, color, ultimate growth and water efficiency. Plants that are native or climate adaptive to the high desert area of Lancaster and/or others that will be hardy, harmonious with project design, and of good appearance shall be used. Drought-resistant varieties of plants shall be used wherever feasible. Turf shall not be permitted except for recreational areas. Drought-resistant varieties of plants shall be used in accordance with Title 8, Chapter 8.50 Landscaping Installation and Maintenance of the Lancaster Municipal Code.

e. Landscaped areas shall be irrigated by an automatic system with separate stations for each hydrozone. The irrigation system shall be designed and equipped to incorporate water conservation techniques such as drip systems, moisture sensors and anti-drain valves. Sprinkler systems shall be designed to prevent water from falling onto impervious surfaces. The system shall comply with Title 8, Chapter 8.50, Landscaping Installation and Maintenance of the Lancaster Municipal Code.

f. All areas within a site which has been approved by the city for development as a site plan or approved phase thereof, which are not needed for buildings, sidewalks, vehicle access or parking shall be landscaped.

g. All landscaped planter areas shall be completely bordered by a 6-inch P.C.C. curbing to prevent irrigation runoff and act as a wheel stop where necessary. Where used as a wheel stop the 6-inch curb may be counted toward the required length of the parking space.

h. All parking lots shall be landscaped with shade trees to achieve 50% coverage at maturity.

i. For all lots, not less than 15% of the lot area remaining after the area to be covered by building has been subtracted from the total lot area, shall be landscaped.

j. Where off-street parking areas abut local or collector streets, such areas shall be separated from an abutting street by a continuous landscaped planter which extends parallel to the street frontage of the parking area. Said planter shall be a minimum of 10 feet in width exclusive of perimeter curbs. Up to ½ of the perimeter landscape area may be counted toward fulfilling the requirements of subsection A.10.i. of this section.

k. Trees and landscaping shall be utilized wherever possible to shade buildings as a means of enhancing energy conservation and provide protection against strong winds. Deciduous trees and/or vines should be used where passive solar heat gain is desired in buildings during the winter months.

l. At least 10% of all trees installed shall be from a 24-inch box or larger and shall be placed to ameliorate the effect of large, windowless building walls and to emphasize focal points within the development. No other tree shall be less than 15-gallon size. At least 75% of all shrubs shall be of 5-gallon size, and no shrub shall be less than one-gallon size. Ground covers shall be planted no further apart than 6 inches on center.

m. All landscaped areas shall be continuously and properly maintained in good condition.

11. Lighting. The intent of this requirement is to properly illuminate the site without producing an adverse impact on neighboring property. Exterior lighting of the building and site shall be provided, maintained and utilized during the hours of darkness in accordance with the following requirements:

a. Exterior lighting shall be part of the architectural concept. Fixtures, standards, and all exposed accessories shall be compatible with building design.

b. Placement of lighting shall be in accordance with recognized crime prevention, and safety principles.

12. Outside Storage. Outside storage is permitted on the rear of a lot or parcel of land in the C zone when the storage area is paved and such storage is strictly incidental to the permitted use existing in a building on the front portion of the same lot or parcel of land and provided no storage is higher than the enclosure surrounding it nor nearer than 50 feet to the front property line. Any outdoor area used for storage shall be completely enclosed by a solid masonry wall and sight-obscuring gate (chain link with slats is not acceptable), not less than 5 feet nor more than 6 feet in height, except that the director may approve the substitution of a fence or decorative wall where in his opinion, such wall or fence will adequately comply with the provisions of this section. All such requests for substitution shall be subject to the provisions of Article VI of Chapter 17.32, Director's Review.

13. Screening.

a. All rooftop mechanical equipment, ducts, tanks, satellite antennae, etc., shall be enclosed or otherwise screened from view from all sides of the building. (This requirement does not include wind powered turbines used for ventilation.)

b. Where mechanical equipment, junction boxes, satellite antennae, meters, and similar utility equipment is ground mounted it shall be enclosed or, screened from view where necessary to preclude visibility from streets and adjacent properties.

c. Valves and other ground mounted equipment serving building sprinkler systems and irrigation backflow prevention devices shall be enclosed, screened or placed underground to preclude visibility from streets and adjacent properties.

d. Loading areas shall be screened from view only where necessary to preclude visibility from streets and adjacent properties.

e. Parking areas adjacent to streets shall be screened with landscaping in the required yards and with low decorative walls, berms or combinations thereof. Where walls are used they shall be placed so as not to obscure landscaped areas from the street.

14. Service for Utilities. All on-site utility services shall be underground.

15. Signs.

a. The colors, materials and lighting of every sign shall be restrained and harmonious with the building and site to which it principally relates.

b. The number of graphic elements on a sign shall be held to the minimum needed to convey the sign's major message and shall be composed in proportion to the area of the sign face.

c. Use of individual letters for all signing is preferred and encouraged over "cabinet" signs. Where cabinet signs are utilized, such cabinet must be integrated into the design of the building or structure.

d. The light source of externally illuminated signs shall not be visible.

e. No sign shall be placed in a manner which would obstruct a driver's or pedestrian's vision and thus create a hazard to public safety, and shall not be placed in or over any public right-of-way.

f. Street numbers of all buildings shall be prominently located and of sufficient size to be easily read from the street by public safety personnel (i.e., police, fire, ambulance).

16. Refuse/Recycling Storage. Commercial, industrial and institutional uses shall have on the same lot or parcel a refuse/recycling storage area at a ratio of 20 square feet of refuse/recycling storage area for each 1,000 square feet or portion thereof of net floor area of the facility, but not less than 6 feet in width nor less than 18 feet in length (exterior dimension). Such storage areas shall include separate containers for waste and for materials to be recycled. Each container shall be clearly marked or color coded for its intended use. Such storage areas shall be enclosed on 3 sides by a minimum 5-foot-high reinforced masonry or concrete wall with a sight-obscuring gate of noncombustible materials (chain link with slats is not acceptable) which is the same height as the enclosing walls. The floor of the enclosure shall be of concrete construction and the walls shall be protected by a concrete curb not less than 2 inches high by 6 inches wide or conventional concrete wheel stops to preclude damage by dumpsters. Such storage areas shall not be placed in a location which is openly exposed to a fronting street or a neighboring residential area.

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17. Hazardous Materials. Applicants must obtain the approval of the Los Angeles County fire department prior to obtaining any city permits for any use which includes the use of hazardous materials or the storage of hazardous materials or wastes.

18. Radioactive Materials. The use of radioactive materials shall be limited to measuring, gauging or calibration equipment.

19. Noise. Uses which generate noise by the nature of their function and/or processes shall be required to demonstrate that the noise levels emitted from the use shall not exceed 65 dBA at any property line which abuts a residential zone, residential use, or other noise-sensitive use. A detailed noise attenuation study by a qualified acoustical engineer may be required by the director or his designated representative to determine appropriate mitigation and methods to incorporate same into project design. Site design methods which may be utilized to reduce noise include:

a. The use of building setbacks and dedication of noise easements to increase the distance between the noise source and receiver;

b. The location of uses and orientation of buildings which are compatible with higher noise levels adjacent to noise generators or in clusters to shield more noise-sensitive areas and uses;

c. The placement of noise-tolerant land uses, such as parking areas, between the noise source and receiver;

d. The placement of noise-tolerant structures, such as garages or carports, to shield noise sensitive areas;

e. Clustering of office or commercial structures to reduce interior open space noise levels.

20. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS). New commercial development shall provide for electric vehicle charging stations in the manner prescribed as follows:

a. New residential uses shall provide EVCSs in accordance with Section 17.08.150T.

b. New commercial, industrial, and other uses with the building or land area, capacity, or numbers of employees listed herein shall provide the electrical service capacity necessary and all conduits and related equipment necessary to ultimately serve 2% of the total parking spaces with EVCSs in a manner approved by the building and safety official. Of these parking spaces, 1/2 shall initially be provided with the electric vehicle supply equipment necessary to function as on-line EVCSs upon completion of the project. The remainder shall be installed at such time as they are needed for use by customers, employees or other users. EVCSs shall be provided in disabled person parking spaces in accordance with state requirements.

1. Construction of a hospital of 500 or more beds, or expansion of a hospital of that size by 20% or more.

2. Construction of a post-secondary school (college), public or private, for 3,000 or more students, or expansion of an existing facility having a capacity of 3,000 or more students by an addition of at least 20%.

3. Hotels or motels with 500 or more rooms.

4. Industrial, manufacturing, or processing plants or industrial parks that employ more than 1,000 persons, occupy more than 40 acres of land, or contain more than 650,000 square feet of gross floor area.

5. Office buildings or office parks that employ more than 1,000 persons or contain more than 250,000 square feet of gross floor area.

6. Shopping centers or trade centers that employ 1,000 or more persons or contain 500,000 square feet of gross floor area.

7. Sports, entertainment, or recreation facilities that accommodate at least 4,000 persons per performance or that contain 1,500 or more fixed seats.

8. Transit projects (including but not limited to transit stations and park and ride lots).

B. When adjacent to residentially zoned property, the following requirements shall also be applied:

1. Artificial lighting used to illuminate the premises shall be directed away from adjacent residentially zoned properties.

2. Where multi-story buildings are to be utilized on lots abutting residentially zoned properties, such buildings shall be located or oriented in a manner which will minimize visual intrusion into neighboring residentially zoned property. (This may be accomplished by setting the building back from the abutting property line beyond the distance required for the yard, selective placement of windows, orienting the building in a manner which will not give occupants a direct view into the yards or windows of neighboring residents.)

3. No signs shall be placed in a manner which visually intrudes into adjoining residentially zoned property.

4. Trees shall be utilized as a means of improving the interface between commercial and residential uses where appropriate.

5. Buffering. When abutting residentially zoned property, a masonry wall of not less than 5 nor greater than 6 feet in height and with a 10 foot landscaped setback shall be provided at the property line in accordance with the provisions for walls specified in Section 17.28.030C to minimize conflicts between commercial and residential uses. Trees shall be utilized to screen areas visible above the wall. This requirement shall be modified, where necessary to preclude interference with line-of-sight of a driver within 10 feet of any street or alley, down to a maximum height of 42 inches. The design of the wall shall be considered as part of the site plan review. The site and any buildings thereon shall be designed to locate noise- and odor-generating equipment and activity in a manner which will have a minimal impact on abutting residentially zoned property. Such techniques may include, but are not limited to, no windows on the building wall(s) facing residentially zoned property, insulating structures housing equipment against noise, limitation of the hours of equipment operation, and other controls designed for specific problems. It shall be the burden of the applicant to prove that his project will not have a detrimental effect on neighboring residential property at the time of site plan review.

C. Air Quality. Uses located within 500 feet of any residential use or residential zone shall not emit smoke, dust or fumes of any kind in conjunction with any process. All uses shall comply with the air quality standards of the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) or the city of Lancaster, whichever is more restrictive.

(Ord. 713 § 5 (part), 1995; Ord. 711 § 15 (part), 1995: prior zoning ord. § 221.080)

(Ord. No. 907, § 5, 10-28-2008; Ord. No. 1016, §§ 4—7, 12-13-2016; Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)