Sec. 38-29. C-2 Community Commercial District.

A. Description. The C-2 Community Commercial District is intended to provide sites for retail shopping areas containing a wide variety of commercial establishments, including: retail stores and businesses selling home furnishings, apparel, durable goods, and specialty items; restaurants; commercial recreation; service stations; and business, personal and financial services. Development standards are intended to prevent significant adverse effects on residential uses adjoining a C-2 district.

B. Land Use Regulations. In the following schedule, the letter “P” designates use classifications permitted in the C-2 district, and the letter “U” designates use classifications allowed on approval of a use permit. The “Additional Regulations” column includes certain limitations and references to regulations located elsewhere in this chapter which apply. If a use classification is not listed, it is prohibited.

1. Use Permit for Certain Hours of Operation. Any use adjacent to a residential zone which operates before 6:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. requires a use permit.

2. Use Permit for Large Projects. Any use occupying more than 5,000 square feet requires a use permit.

3. Use Permit for Outdoor Activities. All uses shall be conducted within a completely enclosed building. A Use Permit is required for all outdoor activities, except for service stations, electric substations, off-street parking, and loading facilities, nurseries, sidewalk cafes, and temporary uses.

C-2 COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT LAND USE REGULATIONS

Additional Regulations

Residential

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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C-2 COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT LAND USE REGULATIONS

Mixed Use U See Sec. 38-33(G), Mixed-use Projects Multi-family Residential Four or more units U Three or fewer units P Group Residential U Condominiums U See Sec. 38-26(M), Condominiums Single-family Residential U Supportive Housing -- four or more units U Transitional Housing -- four or more units U Supportive Housing -- three or fewer units P Transitional Housing -- three or fewer units P Accessory Dwelling Units P See Section 38-112.6 Commercial Uses See Sec. 38-33(G) Adult Businesses U See Sec. 38-33(I); prohibited adjacent to residential zone Animal Sales and Services Animal Boarding U Animal Grooming P Animal Hospitals U Animals -- Retail Sales P Artists’ Studios P Auction House U Bakeries P Banks and Savings and Loans P

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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C-2 COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT LAND USE REGULATIONS

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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C-2 COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT LAND USE REGULATIONS

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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C-2 COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT LAND USE REGULATIONS

Clubs and Lodges U Prohibited adjacent to residential zone Cultural Institutions U Day Care -- General U Emergency Medical Care P Government Offices U Park and Recreation Facilities U Public Recycling Facilities U Public Safety Facilities U PWS Facilities U Religious Assembly U Schools -- Public or Private U Utilities -- Major U Utilities -- Minor P Accessory Uses: Permitted on the site of a See Sec. 38-33(C),(G) permitted use, but requires a Use Permit if added on the site of a conditional use. Temporary Uses Require administrative approval by the Community Development Director

Nonconforming Uses

See Article 28

P = Permitted U = Use Permit Required

(Ord. 3697 § 3, 2025; Ord. 3653 § 19, 2022; Ord. 3641 § 12, 2021; Ord. 3554 § 8, 2016; Ord. 3544 § 6, 2016; Ord. 3472 § 1, 2012; Ord. 3443 § 6, 2010; Ord. 3436 § 2, 2009)

C. Minimum Lot Dimensions and Property Development Standards. The following schedule prescribes minimum lot dimensions and property development regulations for the C-2 district.

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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C-2 DISTRICT: DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

a Abutting or fronting on an R district, the standards of the adjacent district apply.

b Lot coverage over 50% requires a Use Permit.

c Use Permit is required for buildings with three stories or height in excess of 25 feet. Approval shall be based on Required Findings for Use Permits in Section 38-161 as well as Findings justifying an exception to the permitted height on the basis of achieving City priorities adopted by Council Resolution and compliance with existing Area Plan policies and City design guidelines.

Supplemental site regulations applicable to all C districts are included in Section 38-33. These establish requirements for:

• Accessory structures;

• Fences and retaining walls;

• Outdoor facilities;

• Eating and drinking establishments with take-out service;

• Live entertainment, game centers, amusement centers, bowling alleys and dance halls;

• Mixed use projects;

• Service stations and automobile washing;

• Adult entertainment; and

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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• Landscaping at scenic entrances.

Supplemental regulations applicable to all zoning districts in the city are contained in Article 17, and off-street parking requirements are found in Article 18.

1. Planting Areas. Visible yards not used for parking shall have a three-foot planting strip adjoining an interior property line within 50 feet of a street property line. Front and corner side yards that are not used for drives or walks shall be planting area. See Section 38-33(J) for landscaping at scenic entrances.

2. Fences and Walls. The maximum height of a fence or wall shall be six feet, except in a required front or corner side yard abutting a street where the maximum height shall be four feet.

   • a. Adjoining an R District or Existing Residential Use. A six-foot-high solid wall (three feet high within 15 feet of a street property line) shall adjoin the property line of an existing ground floor residential use or an R district.

3. Location of Parking. No parking shall be allowed in a front setback area. Where a parking or loading area is across the street from an R District, a 10-foot landscaped area shall separate the parking area from the street.

D. Review of Plans. Applications for new construction and exterior alterations and additions shall be submitted to the Community Development Department for review by the Development Review Committee and the Planning Commission. (Ord. 3715 § 16, 2025; Ord. 3653 § 19, 2022; Ord. 3424 §§ 1, 14, 2009)