Title 17 — ZoningDivision II — Zones, Allowable uses, and Development Regulations

Chapter 17.10 — COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ZONES

Los Alamitos Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Los Alamitos

§ 17.10.010. Purpose of Zones.

The purposes of the commercial and industrial zones are as follows:

  • A. Commercial-Professional Office Zone (C-O). The C-O zone is established to accommodate administrative and professional offices, retail commercial uses, restaurants and other food service uses, and other complementary uses and facilities. The C-O zone implements the General Plan Professional Office land use designation.

  • B. General Commercial Zone (C-G). The C-G zone is established to accommodate a wide range of retail sales, business, dining, personal, and professional services, as well as entertainment and

lodging. The land uses allowed in this zone will generally serve the entire community and the region. The C-G zone implements the General Plan Retail Business land use designation.

  • C. Planned Light Industrial Zone (P-L-I). The P-L-I zone is established to accommodate manufacturing, research and development, product assembly, equipment repair, and other light manufacturing businesses that have limited environmental impact in terms of noise, traffic, odors, hazardous materials use/production, and vibration. Other allowed uses include indoor commercial recreation uses such as fitness studios, sports courts/fields, and sports instructional facilities, provided such uses can be found compatible with and not detrimental to the operations of the primary permitted light industrial uses. The regulation of uses and standards of development identified for the P-L-I zone are those deemed necessary to provide the proper environment for industrial businesses, and to provide the proper safeguards to protect nearby residential, commercial, and public uses. The P-L-I zone implements the General Plan Planned Industrial land use designation.

  • (Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 16-03 § 4, 2016; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)

§ 17.10.020. Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial and Industrial Zones.

  • A. Use Regulations. This section, and Table 2-04 (Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial and Industrial Zones) in particular, identifies the uses of land that may be allowed within each of the zones established in Section 17.04.020 (Zones Established) and indicates whether any special permit is required for each allowable use.

  • B. Permitted Uses, Use Permits, and Uses Not Allowed.

    1. Permitted Use ("P"). A permitted use is a use permitted as a matter of right, subject to compliance with applicable provisions of this Zoning Code, including Site Development Permit—Major and Minor (Chapter 17.44 ) and a building permit or other permit required by the Municipal Code.

    2. Permitted as an Accessory Use ("A"). Accessory uses that are clearly incidental to a primary permitted or conditionally permitted use are permitted as a matter of right, subject to the requirements of this Zoning Code, including Section 17.28.035 (Accessory Structures — Nonresidential Zones).

    3. Administrative Use Permit ("AUP"). Uses that are allowed subject to the approval of an Administrative Use Permit (Chapter 17.32 ).

    4. Conditional Use Permit ("CUP"). Uses that are allowed subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 17.32 ).

    5. Temporary Use Permit ("TUP"). Temporary uses are subject to the approval of a Temporary Use Permit (Chapter 17.46 ).

    6. Uses Not Allowed ("—"). Uses with an "—" indication in Table 2-04 are not allowed in the specified zone.

  • C. Specific Use Regulations. All uses, regardless of the type of permit that may be required, shall comply with applicable provision of this Zoning Code. In addition, if there is a section number in the last column of the Table 2-04 labeled Specific Use Regulations, the use is also subject to the referenced provisions.

  • D. Zoning Permit Required. For any use permitted as a matter of right, such use shall require approval of a Zoning Permit in compliance with Chapter 17.50 (Zoning Consistency Review).

  • E. Multiple Uses on a Single Site. When a proposed project includes multiple land uses and more than one type of land use permit is required, the most restrictive land use permit shall apply to the entire project application.

  • F. Director Determination. Land uses are defined in Division 7 (Definitions). In cases where a specific land use or activity is not defined, the Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in Table 2-04 or not found to be substantially similar to the land uses, as determined by the Director, are prohibited.

  • G. Prohibited Uses. The following uses are specifically prohibited in all commercial and industrial zones:

    1. All Cannabis Activities, including Cannabis Deliveries, Commercial Cannabis Activities, and Commercial Cultivation, even by Qualified Patients and Caregivers

    2. Freight and/or Truck Terminals

    3. Gun and Ammunition Stores

    4. Manufacturing—Heavy

    5. Recycling, Large Collection

  1. Recycling, Processing Facility

    1. Salvage Yard

    2. Swap Meets—Indoor or Outdoor

    3. Tobacco and Vape Stores

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Table 2-04: Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial and Industrial Zones
P: Permitted Use CUP: Conditional Use Permit
A: Permitted as an Accessory Use —: Use not allowed
AUP: Administrative Use Permit TUP: Temporary Use Permit
Use Permit Required by Zone Specifc Use Regulations
C-O C-G P-L-I
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture—Commercial
Indoor
CUP
Community Gardens AUP AUP
BUSINESS, FINANCIAL, AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
Automated Teller Machines
(ATMs)— Drive-Up
AUP AUP AUP
Business Support Services P P P
Check Cashing and/or
Payday Loans
CUP
Financial Institutions and
Related Services (without
drive-through facilities)
P P
Offce, Business and
Professional (not including
P P CUP 1) In the C-G zone inmulti-story
structures, offces may occupy up
to 100 percent of the gross foor
Use Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Specifc Use Regulations
--- --- --- --- ---
C-O C-G P-L-I
Medical and Dental Offce, or
Industrial Support Offce)
area in the second and higher
stories, and up to 15 percent of the
ground foor upon verifcation of the
square footage by the Director. In
no case shall any single offce
space on the ground foor exceed
3,000 square feet total
2) In the C-G zone, insingle-story
structures located in shopping
centers, up to 15 percent of the
gross foor area of the center is
allowed for offce uses upon
verifcation of the square footage by
the Director. In no case shall any
single offce space exceed 3,000
square feet total
Offce, Industrial Support
Offce
P P P
Offce, Medical and Dental
Offce
See Medical-Related and
Care Uses
Offce, Public Utility
Commercial
P P/CUP P In the C-G zone, permitted on
properties with non-arterial street
frontage. CUP required for ground-
foor tenant spaces on properties
with arterial street frontage
CANNABIS USES
Cannabis Deliveries See Section17.28.090(Cannabis
Uses)
Commercial Cannabis
Activities
See Section17.28.090(Cannabis
Uses)
Commercial Cultivation,
Even by Qualifed Patients
and Caregivers
EATING AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS
Bars, Lounges, Nightclubs,
and Tasting Rooms
CUP CUP CUP
Food Preparation/Catering
(no on-site sales or service)
AUP P
Restaurant—Full or Limited
Service, Serving Alcohol
CUP CUP CUP See Section17.28.060(Alcoholic
Beverage Retail Sales)
Restaurant—Full or Limited
Service, No Alcohol Sales
P P CUP
Restaurant—Accessory
Outside Seating Areas
300 sf or less
301 sf or more
AUP/CUP
CUP
AUP/CUP
CUP
Any outdoor dining area with
alcoholic beverage sales shall
require a CUP
See Section17.28.200(Outdoor
Dining)
Use Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Specifc Use Regulations
--- --- --- --- ---
C-O C-G P-L-I
Restaurant with Drive-
Through Facilities
CUP CUP
Snack Bar A A A
INDUSTRY, MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING, AND WAREHOUSING
Brewery, Winery, or Distillery AUP CUP In C-G zone, only as microbrewery,
winery, or distillery with associated
retail sales or restaurant use
Data Centers CUP
Hazardous Waste Facilities CUP See Section17.28.170(Hazardous
Waste Facilities)
Food Processing P
Furniture and Fixtures
Manufacturing, Cabinet
Shops, and Woodworking
Shops (wholesale sales
only)
P
Laboratory—Medical,
Analytical, Research, Testing
P P/CUP P In C-G zone, CUP required on
ground-foor tenant spaces of
properties with arterial street
frontage
Laundries and Dry-Cleaning
Plants
P
Manufacturing—Heavy
Manufacturing—Light P Pottery manufacturing and
underground bulk storage of
petroleum or gas require CUPs
Recycling, Small Collection
Facility
CUP See also Municipal Code Chapter
8.12(Integrated Waste
Management)
Research and Development P
Reverse Vending Machine CUP See also Municipal Code Chapter
8.12(Integrated Waste
Management)
Storage—Outdoor A See Section17.28.220(Outdoor
Storage)
Warehouse, Wholesaling
and Distribution
P
LODGING
Hotel and Motel CUP P CUP
Homeless Shelters—up to
20 beds
P See Section17.28.160(Emergency
Shelters)
Homeless Shelters—more
than 20 beds
CUP See Section17.28.160(Emergency
Shelters)
MEDICAL-RELATED AND CARE USES
Ambulance Fleet CUP
Use Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Specifc Use Regulations
--- --- --- --- ---
C-O C-G P-L-I
Clinic and Urgent Care P P/CUP P 1) In C-G, CUP required on
properties with arterial street
frontage
2) In P-L-I zone, allowed only as
incidental to an allowed industrial
use
Day Care Center CUP CUP CUP See Section17.28.130(Day Care,
General)
In P-L-I zone, day care limited to
use by employees of the primary
use
Health Facilities, Therapy
and Rehabilitation
P P/CUP In C-G zone, CUP required on
properties with arterial street
frontage
Hospital CUP CUP
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Offce, Medical and Dental
Offce
P P/CUP P 1) In the C-G zone, CUP required
on ground-foor tenant spaces on
properties with arterial street
frontage
2) In the C-G zone, in multi-story
structures, offces may occupy up
to 100 percent of the gross foor
area in the second and higher
stories, and up to 15 percent of the
ground foor upon verifcation of the
square footage by the Director. In
no case shall any single offce
space on the ground foor exceed
3,000 square feet total. These
standards shall apply to all offce
uses, including Professional. Such
determination/ verifcation shall
occur through the Zoning Permit
process
3) Insingle-storystructures
located in shopping centers, up to
15 percent of the gross foor area of
the center is allowed for offce uses
upon verifcation of the square
footage by the Director. In no case
shall any single offce space
exceed 3,000 square feet total.
These standards shall apply to all
offce uses, including Professional.
Such determination/verifcation
shall occur through the Zoning
Permit process
4) In P-L-I zone, allowed only as
incidental to an allowed industrial
use
Residential Care Facilities CUP CUP
Use Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Specifc Use Regulations
--- --- --- --- ---
C-O C-G P-L-I
PUBLIC AND ASSEMBLY USES
Cultural Institutions P P
Public Assembly Facilities CUP
Religious Assembly Facilities CUP CUP
Schools, Private CUP CUP
Trade and Vocational
Schools
CUP CUP CUP
Traffc School P P P
Tutoring and Education
Centers
AUP P
RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT
Adult Businesses P See Section17.28.040(Adult
Businesses)
Arcade (Electronic Game
Center)
CUP CUP See Section17.28.070(Arcades)
Commercial Recreation—
Indoors
CUP CUP CUP
Commercial Recreation—
Outdoors
CUP
Entertainment, Indoor
1
CUP
2
CUP
2
1) Excludes uses that are regulated
under Section 17.28.40 (Adult
Businesses)
2) Auditoriums, meeting halls, and
theaters allowed in C-G only
Health/Fitness Facilities
Health/Fitness Facilities—
Small
P P P
Health/Fitness Facilities—
Large
CUP CUP CUP
RETAIL USES
Alcohol Beverage Sales
Alcohol Sales, for Off-Site
Consumption
CUP See Section17.28.060(Alcoholic
Beverage Retail Sales)
Alcoholic Beverage Sales
(for on-site or off-site
consumption, in
conjunction with an allowed
use)
CUP CUP CUP In grocery stores of 8,000 square
feet or more in size, a CUP is not
required if the total alcoholic
beverage sales area is less than
20% of the total sales area, as
determined by the Director
See Section17.28.060(Alcoholic
Beverage Retail Sales)
Animal Retail Sales CUP CUP
Building Materials and
Services, Indoor
CUP P
Use Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Specifc Use Regulations
--- --- --- --- ---
C-O C-G P-L-I
Building Materials and
Services, Outdoor
CUP Must be located at least 300 feet
away from R-1, R-2, R-3, MH, and
C-F zones
Convenience Store CUP P CUP Any convenience store with alcohol
sales requires a CUP
Farmers' Market CUP
1
P CUP CUP for recurring farmers' market
Grocery Store P
Nurseries and Garden
Centers
P P
Outdoor Temporary and/or
Seasonal Sales
TUP TUP TUP
Recreational Equipment
Rentals—Indoor Only
P P P
Retail Sales—General P P P/CUP Permitted Use in the P-L-I zone for
storefronts facing Katella Avenue,
Los Alamitos Boulevard, and
Cerritos Avenue; CUP required for
all other areas of the P-L-I zone
Retail Sales—Restricted CUP CUP CUP In P-L-I zone, only allowed in
storefronts facing Katella Avenue,
Los Alamitos Boulevard, and
Cerritos Avenue
Thrift Store P P P/CUP 1) Permitted Use in the P-L-I zone
for storefronts facing Katella
Avenue, Los Alamitos Boulevard,
and Cerritos Avenue; CUP required
for all other areas of the P-L-I zone
2) See Section17.28.300(Thrift
Stores)
Vehicle Sales and Rental P P Incidental repair allowed only in P-
L-I zone
Large Vehicle, Construction,
and Heavy Equipment Sales,
Service, and Rental
CUP
SERVICE USES
Animal Care, Services
Animal Boarding/Kennels,
Grooming
CUP
Veterinary Services, Large
Animal
CUP
Veterinary Services, Small
Animal
CUP CUP CUP
Funeral Parlors and
Internment Services
CUP
Instructional Services P P CUP
Use Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Specifc Use Regulations
--- --- --- --- ---
C-O C-G P-L-I
Maintenance and Repair
Services—Indoor
P
Moving Companies, Storage
Allowed
CUP
Personal Services, General P P P In P-L-I zone, allowed only as
incidental to an allowed industrial
use
Personal Services,
Restricted
CUP CUP
Recording Studio P
Social Service Facilities CUP
Storage
Storage—Personal CUP
Storage—Outdoor
Recreational Vehicle
Storage
CUP
Vehicle Repair and Services
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Impound Yard - no
dismantling or wrecking
CUP Storage and activities shall be
conducted within an enclosed
structure or an area enclosed by
solid, decorative masonry walls
with solid gates not less than six
feet in height. Walls and gates shall
be maintained in a sound and
aesthetically pleasing fashion.
Vehicles shall be screened from
public view and shall not be
stacked higher than the block wall.
Vehicles may not be stored outside
the enclosed yard area. Storage
areas shall be paved and
landscaped in compliance with
applicable standards
Service/Fueling Station CUP CUP CUP See Section17.28.080(Automobile
Service Stations and Automobile
Repair Uses)
Vehicle Washing/Detailing CUP CUP Mobile vehicle washing/detailing
permitted if meets National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System requirements
Vehicle Service, Major AUP 1) Vehicle storage and repair
activities shall be conducted within
an enclosed structure or an area
enclosed by solid, decorative
masonry walls with decorative solid
gates not less than 6 feet in height
2) Vehicles shall be screened from
public view and shall not be visible
above the block wall
Use Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Permit Required by Zone Specifc Use Regulations
--- --- --- --- ---
C-O C-G P-L-I
3) Vehicles may not be stored
outside the enclosed yard area
4) Vehicle storage areas shall be
paved and landscaped in
compliance with applicable
standards
Vehicle Service, Minor CUP P
TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE USES
Car Sharing—Parking AUP AUP AUP Car sharing parking spaces may
not occupy any space required for
another use
Parking Facility—Temporary TUP TUP TUP
Utility Facilities—Staffed CUP CUP P
Utility Facility—Unstaffed AUP AUP AUP
Vehicle Charging Stations—
Commercial
AUP AUP AUP Does not include private parking
spaces
Vehicle Storage CUP
Wireless Communication
Facilities— Minor
AUP AUP AUP See Section17.28.270(Wireless
Communications Facilities)
Wireless Communication
Facilities— Major
CUP CUP CUP See Section17.28.270(Wireless
Communications Facilities)
Wireless Telecommunication
Facilities, Satellite Dish
Antenna
P P P Subject to Site Development Permit
—Minor (see Section17.44.020(C))
See Section17.28.270(Wireless
Communications Facilities)
OTHER USES
Caretaker Quarters AUP Permitted only when used
exclusively by a caretaker or
superintendent incidental to an
allowed primary use
Donation Boxes—Outdoors P P P See Chapter5.54(Regulation of
Unattended Donation Boxes)
Drive-Through or Drive-Up
Facilities
CUP CUP
Vending Machine A A A Allowed indoors only as accessory
to a permitted use

(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 691 § 1, 2006; Ord. 09-09 § 1, 2009; Ord. 11-06 § 2, 2011; Ord. 13-02 § 1, 2013; Ord. 13-04 § 4, 2013; Ord. 14-03 § 4, 2014; Ord. 14-08 § 2, 2014; Ord. 14-09 § 2, 2014; Ord. 15-08 § 2, 2015; Ord. 15-11 § 5, 2016; Ord. 15-12 § 3, 2016; Ord. 16-03 § 5, 2016; Ord. 16-05 § 1, 2016; Ord. 17-09 § 4, 2017; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019; Ord. 21-02 §§ 6—12, 2021; Ord. 2025-11, 11/17/2025)

§ 17.10.030. Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones.

The general property development standards for the C-O, C-G, and P-L-I zones shall be as set forth in Table 2-05: General Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones. Exceptions to these standards are set forth in Section 17.10.040 (Exceptions to Development Standards in Commercial and Industrial Zones).

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Table 2-05: General Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones Table 2-05: General Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones Table 2-05: General Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones Table 2-05: General Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones Table 2-05: General Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones
Development
Feature
Requirement by Zone Additional
Requirements
C-O C-G P-L-I
Lot size Minimum area, width, and depth for newly created
lots
Lot area No
requirement
6,000 sq. ft. 6,000 sq. ft.
Lot width No
requirement
60 ft. 60 ft.; 160 ft. when
adjacent to a
residential zone,
school, or park
Lot depth No
requirement
100 ft. 100 ft.; 200 ft. when
adjacent to a
residential zone,
school, or park
Floor area ratio
(FAR)
1.50 FAR 1.00 FAR 1.50 FAR
Height limit—Main
structures
3 stories or
40 ft.
3 stories or 40
ft.
3 stories or 40 ft. 1) See Sections
17.16.040(Height
Measurement and
Exceptions) for
exceptions and
17.16.020(C) for
restrictions adjacent
to residential zones
2) In all zones,
buildings up to 60
feet in height allowed
with a Conditional
Use Permit
Setbacks Minimum setbacks required. Also see Section
17.16.130(Sight Safety Triangle)
Front 15 ft. None required 15 ft. See Section
17.10.040(Front
Setbacks in CO
Zone)
Sides Not required
unless
abutting a
residential
zone, then
10 ft.
Not required
unless
abutting a
residential
zone, then 15
ft.
Not required unless
abutting a residential
zone, then 40 ft.
Street side yard
(Corner lot)
10 ft. None required 15 ft.
Table 2-05: General Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones Table 2-05: General Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones Table 2-05: General Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones Table 2-05: General Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones Table 2-05: General Development Standards for Commercial and Industrial Zones
--- --- --- --- ---
Development
Feature
Requirement by Zone Additional
Requirements
C-O C-G P-L-I
Rear 10 ft.; where
rear lot abuts
a C-G or P-L-
I zone, no
setback is
required
Not required
unless
abutting a
residential
zone, then 15
ft.
10 ft., unless abutting
a residential zone,
then 40 ft.

(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 16-03 § 6, 2016; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)

§ 17.10.040. Exceptions to Development Standards in Commercial and Industrial Zones.

  • A. Height of Public Facilities Structures. Structures at schools, religious institutions, hospitals, and other permitted institutional uses may have a maximum height of 50 feet. For any structure that exceeds the height limit for the zone in which it is located, the front, rear, and side setbacks shall be increased one foot for each one foot by which each structure exceeds the height limit established for the zone.

  • B. Additional Height via CUP. For all other uses, a maximum height of five stories/60 feet may be allowed upon approval of a Conditional Use Permit. Factors to be considered by the Planning Commission in whether to grant the additional height are as follows:

    1. A structure with increased height shall be located at least 100 feet from a residential zone.

    2. The Planning Commission may require that vision into adjacent residences be limited from a structure with increased height.

    3. Open space shall constitute 10 percent of the total site area, in addition to any amount required to be landscaped.

    4. The structure shall have no more gross floor area than could have been achieved if the structure were 40 feet or less in height. In computation of gross floor area, floor area devoted to parking shall be disregarded.

  • C. C-O Height Restrictions Adjacent to Residential Zone. When adjacent to a residential zone, in the C-O zone height limits shall be:

    1. 25 feet/one story within 25 feet of a residential zone.

    2. 35 feet/two stories within 25 to 75 feet of a residential zone.

    3. 50 feet/three stories within 76 to 150 feet of a residential zone.

  • D. Front Setbacks within C-O Zone. Front setbacks within the C-O zone shall extend across the full width of the lot (except for access drives, walks, fences, and minor ornamental structures). The Planning Commission may allow staggering of setbacks as part of a total development plan, but in no case shall a setback of less than 10 feet be allowed.

  • E. Metal Structures Setbacks in P-L-I Zone.

    1. Metal structures may be located closer than 100 feet to the street if the following conditions prevail:

      • a. The sheet metal comprises 25 percent or less of the exterior wall area of the structure; or

      • b. The sheet metal consists of panels with baked enamel or similar finish; or

      • c. The structure is concealed from view from the public street by walls, fences, landscaping, or other structures.

    2. Metal structures shall be set back a minimum of 150 feet from any property line along a freeway or major/secondary highway, and 100 feet from the property line along any other street.

  • (Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)

§ 17.10.050. Other Applicable Regulations.

New land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures, shall be designed, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the requirements in Division 3—Site Planning and General Development Standards and Division 4—Regulations for Specific Land Uses and Activities.

(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)