Mountain View Municipal Code Div. 3 Standards for Specific Land Uses

The following land uses have specific regulations pertaining to operations and development standards applicable to both the ML and MM zoning districts:

a. Crop, tree farming, livestock. Crop and tree farming and livestock of the cow, horse, sheep or goat species is permitted in the ML and MM districts, where at least ninety (90) percent of the acreage required by Chapter 5 of the city code is open and unimproved and subject to the provisions of that Chapter.

b. Restaurant serving liquor or restaurant with entertainment (serving or not serving liquor). Restaurants providing live entertainment, or permitting dancing, or serving liquor for consumption on the premises which will not impair the present or potential use of adjacent or nearby properties are conditionally permitted in the ML and MM districts.

c. Retail and services. Appropriate retail and service uses are conditionally permitted in the ML and MM districts, such as cafés or service stations necessary to serve those districts.

d. Warehouse retail. Warehouse retail stores which meet the following criteria are conditionally permitted in the ML and MM districts:

1. The building and site design shall complement the surrounding industrial development. It shall be comparable to the architectural and design quality expected of new buildings in the area, including quality of materials, building design, building orientation, site design, landscaping and buffering. The building shall reflect the retail aspect of the use by incorporating storefront features, such as facade ornamentation and special detailing which identify the entryway and provide pedestrian-level interest to the facade.

2. Warehouse retail uses shall comply with the basic site development regulations of the ML or MM district regarding area and yard requirements, landscaping, screening, etc., unless otherwise described in this Section. The zoning administrator shall evaluate sign needs and determine the size, height, lighting, shape, color, number and location of signs based on the CRA standards in Section 36.36.55.

3. Warehouse retail buildings and facilities shall be screened or buffered, as appropriate, to ensure compatibility with adjacent land uses. Particular attention shall be given to screening or providing buffers for parking, loading and storage areas, trash containers, auto service areas, areas with high noise levels and other features that are visible or can be heard from off-site.

4. When evaluating applications for warehouse retail uses near residential areas, particular attention shall be given to the potential traffic, noise, visual and other effects of warehouse retail uses on the residential uses.

5. Retail commercial parking requirements, including number and design standards, shall apply unless the zoning administrator grants exceptions or imposes special requirements based on the nature of this use. The zoning administrator shall specifically consider the impacts of the use and parking of shopping carts on the parking lot design.

6. The zoning administrator may approve shared parking with an adjoining industrial use if compatible hours of operation can be proven and deed restrictions, long-term parking agreements or other legally binding instruments are recorded.

7. Because of high on-site pedestrian and auto activity, the design shall include clearly defined building entrances, specially designated areas to accommodate customer pickup and pedestrian walks from the parking areas to the building.

8. The use shall be allowed in P (planned community) districts that reference the ML or MM district, provided that the applicable precise plan specifically lists warehouse retail as a conditional or provisional use.

9. The use shall be located only on streets where there is adequate traffic capacity.

e. Religious institutions. Religious institutions where it is demonstrated that they are convenient and in close proximity to residential neighborhoods are conditionally permitted in the ML and MM districts.

f. Drive-up or drive-in facilities. Any use which has as a part of its design or function drive-up or drive-in facilities are conditionally permitted in the ML and MM districts, where special attention has been given to mitigate problems of noise, air pollution, excessive pavement, congestion, litter, unsightliness and access to the disabled.

g. Child-care centers and highly sensitive uses. No new child-care facility(ies) or highly sensitive use(s) shall be permitted in the ML or MM districts with the following exception where both subsection 1.(a) and 1.(b) can be met:

1. A child-care facility may be permitted if it meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Operation. The child-care facility is owned, operated and located on a company's site and exclusively serves parents employed in the company.

(b) Adjacent uses. The child-care facility is located at least one thousand (1,000) feet from the boundaries with adjacent properties zoned for industrial use or the adjacent property owner(s) agree(s) in writing to prohibit the use of extremely hazardous material on their property and notify any tenants of this restriction.

(c) Conditional use permit. The child-care facility received conditional use permit approval as provided in city code Section 36.48. The conditional use permit shall be in effect only while the same company occupies the site.

2. Specific district requirement for the ML district only. The portion of the ML district along Polaris Avenue and Wright Avenue may be considered for highly sensitive uses subject to a conditional use permit as provided in Section 36.48, except that all ML properties in the vicinity must receive public notice of the hearing in addition to standard noticing requirements.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13; Ord. No. 9.18, § 4, 10/23/18; Ord. No. 10.19, § 3, 6/25/19; Ord. No. 3.2026, § 6, 3/10/26.)

The following land uses have specific regulations pertaining to operations and development standards:

a. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted in the ML zoning district:

1. Restaurants, retail, and service uses. Restaurants, retail, and service uses to serve employees in the ML district that meet the following criteria:

(a) The use is a minor, and clearly ancillary, part of a larger permitted or conditional use on a parcel.

(b) The total floor area of the commercial uses does not exceed three thousand (3,000) square feet.

(c) The use is not immediately adjacent to loading docks, outside storage and equipment areas or other activity areas with high noise levels, odors or other conditions undesirable for commercial uses.

(d) The use is not on a parcel, or adjacent to a parcel, where extremely hazardous materials, as defined in Section 36.60.13, are used.

(e) Parking is provided at a ratio that is no less than the ratio required for the primary use on the site.

(f) Signs are permitted pursuant to Article XII of the city code. In addition, commercial uses permitted under this Section are allowed a freestanding sign with an area not to exceed ten (10) square feet.

2. Wholesale, warehousing and data centers. Wholesale businesses, warehousing, and data centers, when conducted within a fully enclosed building.

b. Conditionally permitted uses. The following uses are conditionally permitted in the ML zoning district:

1. Community assembly use. Any community assembly use which the zoning administrator finds to be consistent with the purpose of this Article and which will not impair the present or potential use of adjacent properties.

c. Accessory uses. The following accessory uses in the ML District are permitted subject to development review approval and permits:

1. Accessory uses and buildings customarily appurtenant to a permitted use.

2. Outside storage and equipment areas amounting to not more than four (4) percent of the total lot, which shall be screened from view from adjoining streets or properties.

3. Incidental services, such as cafeterias, fitness, or laundry facilities to serve employees.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13; Ord. No. 3.2026, § 6, 3/10/26.)

The following land uses have specific regulations pertaining to operations and development standards:

a. Conditionally permitted uses. The following uses are conditionally permitted in the MM zoning district:

1. Offices. Offices, provided that the landscaping complies with the underlying zoning district requirements.

2. Education or recreation uses. Uses of an educational or recreational nature considered appropriate for the MM district, such as service or industrial job training.

b. Accessory uses. The following accessory uses in the MM district are permitted subject to development review approval and permits:

1. Incidental services, such as cafeterias, fitness or laundry facilities to serve employees.

2. Other accessory uses and buildings customarily appurtenant to a permitted use.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13; Ord. No. 3.2026, § 6, 3/10/26.)