§ 18.24 — Morgan Hill Zoning Code

18.24.020 - Land use regulations. ¶

A.

Permitted Land Uses. Table 18.24-1 identifies land uses permitted in the commercial zoning districts.

Table 18.24-1 Permitted Land Uses in the Commercial Zoning Districts

Key P Permitted Use A Administrative Use Permit required C Conditional Use Permit required — Use not allowed	Zoning District	Zoning District				Additional Regulations
	CO	CN	CG	CH	CS
Residential Uses
Caretaker Quarters	—	—	C	—	C
Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care	C	C	C	—	—
Residential Care Facilities	—	C	—	—	—
Public and Quasi-Public Uses
Colleges and Trade Schools	—	C	C	—	—
Community Assembly	C	C	C	—	—
Cultural Institutions	C	C	C	—	C
Day Care Centers	—	C	A	—	C
Government Ofces	—	P	P	—	C
Instructional Services	P	A	A	A	A
Medical Ofces and Clinics	P	P	P	A [4]	C [4]
Schools, Public and Private	C	C	C	—	—
Social Services	C	C	C	—	C
Commercial Uses
Animal-Related Uses	—
Animal Boarding	—	C	C	—	C
Cat Café	—	—	P	—	—	Title 6
Veterinarian Clinics and Hospitals	P	A	A	A	P
Banks and Financial Institutions	P	P	P	P	P
Business Support Services	—	P	P	P	P
Cinemas and Theatres	—	A	A	A	A
Commercial Recreation, Indoor
≤ 15,000 sq. ft.	C	P	P	P	P
> 15,000 sq. ft.	—	C	C	C	C
Drive-Through and Drive-In Facilities	C	C	C	C	C	18.92.040
Eating and Drinking Uses
Bars and Nightclubs	—	C	C	—	—
Restaurants, Fast Food	—	C	P	P	C
Restaurants, Sit-Down	—	C	P	P	C
Tasting Rooms	—	C	A	P	C

Funeral Parlors and Mortuaries	—	—	C	—	C
Lodging Facilities
Hotels and Motels	—	C	A	P	A
Mini-Storage	—	—	C	—	C
Personal Services	P	P	P	—	C
Plant Nurseries	—	—	C	—	P
Professional Ofces	P	P	P	P	P
Retail Uses
Convenience Markets	—	C	C	C	C
Convenience Market with Fuel and Service Station	—	C	C	C	C
General Retail	—	P	P	P	C
Home Improvement Centers	—	—	P	—	P
Liquor Store	—	C	C	C	C
Large Commodity Retail	—	—	C	—	C
Vehicle-Related Uses
Convenience Market with Fuel and Service Station	—	C	C	C	C
Fuel and Service Stations	—	C	C	C	C
Towing and Impound	—	—	—	—	C
Vehicle Rentals	—	C [2]	C [2]	P	P
Vehicle Repair and Maintenance, Minor	—	—	C	—	P
Vehicle Sales and Leasing	—	C [1]	C [1]	P	P
Vehicle Washing	—	C	C	C	C
Wholesaling	—	—	C	—	P
Industrial Uses
Construction and Material Yards	—	—	—	—	C
Food and Beverage Production
< 5,000 sq. ft. [3]	—	A	A	A	A
5,000 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft. [3]	—	A	A	C	A
> 10,000 sq. ft.	—	—	—	—	C
Research and Development	—	—	—	—	C
Warehousing and Distribution, Large and Small	—	—	—	—	C
Transportation, Communication, and Utility Uses
Freight Terminals and Transfer	—	—	—	C	—
Light Fleet-Based Services	—	C	C	—	C
Parking Lots and Structures	—	—	C	—	C
Recycling Facilities
Reverse Vending Machine	—	C	C	C	C
Recycling Collection Facility	—	—	—	—	C

Transportation Terminals		—	—	—	C
Utilities, Major	—	—	C	—	C
Wireless Communications Facilities	See Chapter 18.96
Other Uses
Accessory Uses	See Chapter 18.44
Temporary Uses	See Section 18.92.150

Notes:

[1] Allowed only when conducted entirely within an enclosed building without outdoor storage and display of vehicles.

[2] Vehicles stored outdoors must be fully screened from public view.

[3] On-site wholesale or retail sales required.

[4] Reproductive health community clinics consistent with Government Code Section 65914.900 are permitted by right.

B.

Additional Permits. In addition to permits identified in Table 18.24-1, development projects in the commercial zoning districts may also require a design permit pursuant to Section 18.108.040 (Design Permits). Modifications to a historic resource may require a Historic Alteration pursuant to Chapter 18.60 (Historic Resources).

C.

Outdoor Uses and Storage. In the commercial zoning districts, all uses shall be conducted wholly within a completely enclosed building except as follows:

1.

In the CS zoning district, outdoor storage associated with any permitted use is allowed with a conditional use permit.

2.

In the CG zoning district, outdoor storage and display associated with a home improvement center is allowed with a conditional use permit.

(Ord. No. 2277 N.S., § 5(Exh. A), 6-6-2018; Ord. No. 2310 N.S. § 1, 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 2362, § 4, 2-192025)

18.24.030 - Development standards. ¶

A.

General. Table 18.24-2 identifies development standards that apply in the commercial zoning districts.

B.

Residential Transition Standards. Where a property zoned in a commercial zoning district abuts a residential zoning district, projects shall comply with increased setbacks, upper story stepbacks, and landscaping standards as specified in Section 18.92.130 (Residential Transition Standards).

Table 18.24-2: Development Standards in the Commercial Zoning Districts

	CO	CN	CG	CH	CS	Additional Standards
Site Requirements
Lot Area, Minimum	6,000 sq. ft.	10,000 sq. ft.	10,000 sq. ft.	20,000 sq. ft.	10,000 sq. ft.
Lot Width, Minimum	60 ft.	100 ft.	100 ft.	70 ft.	100 ft.
Lot Depth, Minimum	100 ft.	100 ft.	100 ft.	125 ft.	100 ft.
Building Coverage, Maximum	50%	50%	50%	40%	50%
Structure Requirements
Setbacks, Minimum[1]						18.56.030
Front	20 ft.	25 ft.	25 ft.	40 ft.	25 ft.
Rear	20 ft.	20 ft.	20 ft.	20 ft.	20 ft.
Interior Side	10 ft.	0 ft.	0 ft.	0 ft.	0 ft.
Street Side	15 ft.	15 ft.	15 ft.	15 ft.	15 ft.
Height, Maximum	3 stories or 30 ft., whichever is less	2½ stories or 30 ft., whichever is less	3 stories or 35 ft., whichever is less	4 stories or 55 ft., whichever is less	3 stories or 35 ft., whichever is less	18.24.030.B; 18.56.020

[1] Where a property abuts a residential zoning district or residential land use designation, the property shall comply with increased setbacks, upper story stepbacks, and landscaping standards as specified in Section 18.92.130 (Residential Transition Standards).

(Ord. No. 2277 N.S., § 5(Exh. A), 6-6-2018; Ord. No. 2319 N.S., § 4, 1-20-2021)

Chapter 18.26 - INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS

18.26.010 - Purpose of the industrial zoning districts.

A.

General. The purpose of the industrial zoning districts is to provide locations to maintain and focus industrial development in economically and geographically strategic locations in Morgan Hill. Permitted land uses in the industrial zoning districts are limited to avoid potential conflicts that would adversely impact industrial activities. Development is designed to enhance the economic vitality of industrial areas and limit impacts on adjacent development.

B.

Specific.

1.

Commercial Industrial (CI). The purpose of the CI zoning district is to promote job-generating development of lands by allowing flexibility in the mix of industrial, office, and commercial uses that are compatible with existing development. Lodging uses (e.g., hotels) that support primary job generating uses within business districts are allowed.

2.

Light Office Industrial (IO). The purpose of the IO zoning district is to provide areas for mixed administrative and executive office uses in appropriate areas within the community.

3.

Campus Industrial (IC). The purpose of the IC zoning district is to provide an environment exclusively for and conducive to the development and protection of modern administrative facilities, research institutions and specialized manufacturing operations.

4.

Light Industrial (IL). The purpose of the IL zoning district is to provide areas for research, administrative, lighter manufacturing, wholesale and heavy service commercial uses not suitable in commercial districts.

5.

General Industrial (IG). The purpose of the IG zoning district is to provide areas for general industrial, manufacturing, wholesale and service uses needed by the city and region subject to regulations necessary to protect other nearby uses from hazards and noise and other disturbances.

(Ord. No. 2277 N.S., § 5(Exh. A), 6-6-2018; Ord. No. 2319 N.S., § 5, 1-20-2021)