Chapter 18.29

C-G (COMMERCIAL GENERAL)—REPLACES CHAPTERS 18.18, 18.19 AND 18.20

The Commercial General (C-G) Zone allows retail and commercial uses that are centered around retail, eating and drinking establishments, and entertainment to serve the needs of the community.

Table 1: Permitted Uses lists use categories and specific uses permitted within the C-G Zone. The uses and use categories indicated in the table have been grouped under major headings to aid locating a particular use. The uses listed consist of permitted uses, conditionally permitted uses, and permitted accessory uses. Across from each use listed is a column which indicates one of the following letters:

• "p" Permitted Use

• "c" Requires a Conditional Use Permit

• "a" Permitted as an Accessory Use

It is the intent that if a specific use is consistent with a use category listed as determined by Staff the specific use shall be treated as part of the corresponding use category, even if not specifically listed. In the event that there is difficulty categorizing a specific use the procedures set forth in Chapter 18.42, Similar Uses Permitted by Commission Determination, shall be followed.

==> picture [425 x 302] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 1: Permitted Uses
Permitted Use CG Zone
Animal/Pet
Small Animal Hospitals and Veterinary Clinics c
Dog kennels c
Grooming p
Automotive/Vehicle/Vessel
Fuel Service 8
Tire Sales and Service (not including retreading and recapping) c
Vehicle/Vessel Service c
Office
Administrative, Business, and Professional Offices 1,5
p
Charity and Philanthropic Institutions c1
Financial, Insurance, Real Estate Offices 1
p
General Office 1,5
p
----- End of picture text -----

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4562 on 2026-07-07

City of Norco, CA

NORCO CODE

§ 18.29.20

§ 18.29.20

==> picture [425 x 646] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 1: Permitted Uses
Permitted Use CG Zone
Medical and Dental Office 1
p
Public and Community Facilities
Auditoriums, meeting halls, banquet rooms, and community centers c
Bus Terminals, Depots and other similar transit facilities c
Child Care Centers 1
c
Churches and Religious Institutions c1
Education Facilities (Public and Private) c1
Government and Civic Uses 1
c
Museums and Libraries 1
c
Public Utility Uses c1
Entertainment/Recreation
Health Clubs c
Indoor and Outdoor Recreation c
Motel and Hotel c
Theater (Indoor) p
Medical
Ambulance Services 1
c
Hospitals and Healthcare Centers c1
Laboratories, Medical and Dental 1
p
Retail
Drug Store/Pharmacy p
Furniture Stores p
General and Specialized Retail p
Grocery Stores/Markets p
Home Improvement/Goods/Supplies/Appliances p
On-Site and Off-Site Liquor Sales c2
Plant Nursery 3
p
Reconditioned or Used Merchandise Stores c
Service Commercial
Bank p
----- End of picture text -----

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4562 on 2026-07-07

City of Norco, CA § 18.29.20

ZONING

§ 18.29.20

==> picture [425 x 468] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 1: Permitted Uses
Permitted Use CG Zone
Locksmith p
Mail Cargo Packaging Services p
Music/Dance/Photography/Art Studio p
Printing Services p
Repair Service (Non-Vehicle/Vessel and Non-Motorized) p
Cash for Gold Businesses 2,6
c
The processing, treatment, storage, or repair of products which are a
clearly incidental to the business conducted on the premises
Personal Services
Dry Cleaning, Tailoring, and Laundromats p
Hair/Nail Salon with ancillary massage services 7
p
Spa with ancillary massage services 7
p
Massage c
Eating and Drinking Establishments
Catering Establishments 4
p
Deli/Bakery p
Dine-In Restaurants p
Drive-Thru, Walk-Up, and Outdoor Eating Establishments c
Other
Auction Establishments (not including livestock sales) c
Radio and Television Broadcasting Studios c1
Wireless Communication Facilities c
----- End of picture text -----

Notes:

1. To encourage more convenient access and visibility for entertainment, retail, and service commercial uses, noted uses are not encouraged on urban arterial street frontages unless located on the second floor of a mixed use retail/commercial development.

2. Conditionally permitted as an ancillary use only.

3. Plant nurseries shall be permitted to have outdoor displays and sales as an ancillary use.

4. Cannot be located on urban arterial street frontages unless the use is ancillary to a restaurant.

5. Includes dispatch and office support services for the operation of taxicab/vehicles for hire businesses but does not include the storage, staging, standing, or parking of company vehicles on site.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4562 on 2026-07-07

City of Norco, CA § 18.29.20

NORCO CODE

§ 18.29.30

Notes:

6. Required to be within a viable business such as a jewelry store or other related retail business operation and must not exceed 20% of the floor area of such viable business. In addition, required to comply with all the legal requirements of gold buyers of the California Business and Professions Code and must submit periodic financial reports to the City Finance Department. All existing and new cash for gold businesses shall require approval of a conditional use permit, and can only be approved as an ancillary use subject to compliance with all the requirements of this item 6, upon the effective date of Ordinance 958.

7. Massage services shall not exceed 20% of the floor area of such business.

8. Attached car washes are allowed as an ancillary use to a fuel service station only; and only after approval of a noise impact study by the City showing compliance with applicable noise standards.

(Ord. 872, 2007; Ord. 955 Sec. 1, 2013; Ord. 958 Sec. 1, 2013; Ord. 960 Sec. 1, 2013; Ord. 1002 Sec. 1, 2016)

The development standards for the Commercial General Zone are detailed in Table 2: Development Standards and illustrated in Exhibits 18.29.30-1: Site Plan and 18.29.30-2: Elevation.

==> picture [425 x 335] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 2: Development Standards
Standard CG Zone
Minimum Lot Size 13,125sqft
Minimum Lot Width 75ft
Minimum Lot Depth 175ft
Minimum Street Side Setback:
Building 25ft
Parking 10ft
Minimum Interior Side Setback 1
0
Minimum Rear Setback 1
0
Maximum Building Height 35ft2
Maximum FAR N/A
Maximum Lot Coverage N/A
Landscaping Section 18.29.80
Parking and Loading Chapter 18.38
Signs Chapter 18.37
Wall, Fences, and Structures in the Setback Area Section 18.29.50
----- End of picture text -----

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4562 on 2026-07-07

City of Norco, CA § 18.29.30

ZONING

§ 18.29.70

Notes:

1. Where the property abuts a school site or any "A" or "R" zone a 50' building setback is required.

2. A CUP application may allow for a height increase up to 50'.

Exhibit 18.29.30-1: Site Plan

==> picture [129 x 94] intentionally omitted <==

Exhibit 18.29.30-2: Elevation

==> picture [67 x 47] intentionally omitted <==

The Planning Commission, or City Council may, as a part of the Site Plan Review procedure, impose any or all of the Performance Standards as specified in Section 18.25.14 of the M-2 zone.

The provisions of Section 18.31.08 (WALLS, FENCES, AND STRUCTURES IN THE SETBACK AREAS) shall apply. In addition, where a property in this zone abuts any "A" or "R" zone, or an LD or OS zone, a masonry wall six feet in height shall be erected and maintained along the common lot line.

A special trash pick-up area shall be provided for each building at a location and of a certain size as established after Site Plan Review and approval. Said trash area shall be completely enclosed and screened in accordance with Section 18.29.70 Screening and Buffering.

This section establishes standards for screening and buffering from adjacent properties and the public right of way for sensitive land uses, roof and ground mechanical equipment, trash enclosures, loading areas, and surface parking areas.

• A. Screening and Buffering of Sensitive Land Uses:

Opaque screening shall be installed to buffer sensitive land uses including, school sites, or

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4562 on 2026-07-07

City of Norco, CA § 18.29.70

NORCO CODE

§ 18.29.80

any "A" or "R" zone through the use and combination of landscaping and a masonry wall in compliance with Section 18.29.50 Walls, Fences, and Structures in the Setback Area.

• B.

• Mechanical Equipment, Trash Enclosures, and Loading Areas:

Roof & ground mechanical equipment, trash enclosures and loading areas shall be screened from view of the public right of way and adjacent properties. The screening shall integrate with the site and be architecturally compatible in material, color, and style with the buildings on the site. Landscaping shall be installed adjacent to walls. (See Exhibit 18.29.70-3: Equipment & Rooftop Screening)

Exhibit 18.29.70-3: Equipment & Rooftop Screening

==> picture [67 x 49] intentionally omitted <==

• C. Parking Areas:

For parking areas abutting the public right of way opaque screening shall be installed. The screening shall be a minimum of 36" in height in accordance with Section 18.29.80 Landscaping and no higher than 42". The screening shall consist of the use of one or a combination of the following; a landscaped berm, hedges, or masonry wall. Landscaping shall be installed adjacent to walls. (See Exhibit 18.29.70-4: Landscape Screening)

Exhibit 18.29.70-4: Landscape Screening

==> picture [67 x 49] intentionally omitted <==

• A. Minimum site landscaping requirements:

  1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated in Title 18 of the Municipal Code of the City, all property developed with a building or structure shall have landscaping in an amount equal to no less than fifteen percent (15%) of the total area of the property.

• B. Boundary landscaping requirements. As part of the required landscaping, the following boundary landscaping shall be provided:

  1. A minimum ten-foot-wide (10') planting area immediately adjacent to the right of way and along the extension of those lot lines of the property, including front and side yards which abut streets, shall be provided. However, that portion of the area required for landscaping, which constitutes an access way from the property to the street, need not be landscaped.

  2. A minimum of one 15-gallon tree shall be provided for every 25 feet of interior boundary on all building sites. The trees shall be located in the minimum ten-foot-

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4562 on 2026-07-07

City of Norco, CA

ZONING

§ 18.29.80

§ 18.29.80

wide (10') planting area. Trees may be clustered.

3. Any portion of and all of said required landscaped area shall be separated from any portion of the property which is used for parking or movement of vehicles by a wall or curb not less than six inches (6") higher in elevation than the adjacent area being used for vehicular parking or movement, unless waived to meet the requirements of the water quality management plan.

4. Any landscaping installed immediately adjacent to a lot line, which abuts a street, shall not exceed three feet (3') in height at any point within twenty five feet (25') (See Exhibits 18.29.80-5 and 18.29.80-6: Sight Triangle) of the intersection of a vehicular driveway and a street or sidewalk or the intersection of two or more vehicular driveways or streets.

Exhibit 18.29.80-5: Sight Triangle: Street to Street

==> picture [67 x 69] intentionally omitted <==

Exhibit 18.29.80-6: Sight Triangle: Driveway to Street

==> picture [67 x 81] intentionally omitted <==

• C. Parking area landscaping and screening requirements:

  1. Intent the purpose of the parking lot landscaping is as follows:

     • i. to provide shade throughout the parking area to reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the pavement;

     • ii. to screen cars from surrounding streets and properties;

     • iii. to avoid the negative aesthetic impacts of large parking areas;

     • iv. to orient planters and other landscape features to direct pedestrians to building entrances;

     • v. to encourage creative design of parking areas.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4562 on 2026-07-07

City of Norco, CA

NORCO CODE

§ 18.29.80

§ 18.29.90

Exhibit 18.29.80-7: Parking Lot Landscaping

==> picture [67 x 79] intentionally omitted <==

2. Minimum landscape requirements:

   • i. Of the total required property landscaping, 25 percent shall be located within the parking lot area.

• ii. Of the landscaping located in the parking lot area, there shall be one canopy tree installed for every five parking stalls, these trees may be clustered or evenly distributed. (See Exhibit 18.29.80-7: Parking Lot Landscaping)

  3. Boundary Trees. Required Boundary trees which shade parking areas may count towards the fulfillment of parking lot trees.

• D. Maintenance Requirements:

  1. A permanent irrigation system shall be installed and maintained at all times for irrigation of all landscaped areas.

  2. All landscaped areas shall be kept free of weeds, debris, and maintained in a healthy growing condition.

  3. Landscaping maintenance shall include but not be limited to pruning, weeding, fertilizing, mowing of lawns, removal of litter, and regular watering.

  4. Maintenance of any landscaping between the curb of the street abutting the parcel and the property line shall be the responsibility of the owner of the parcel, unless a recognized association or district has assumed responsibility for maintenance.

• E. Landscape Plan Review:

No building permit or occupancy permit shall be issued for any building or structure until landscaping plans for the property on which a building or structure is proposed have been submitted for review and approval by the City's Planning Department and/or Planning Commission pursuant to Site Plan approval. Such plans shall include, but not limited to, showing the following information:

1. The size and dimension of all landscaped areas;

2. The type and location of irrigation system to be installed and maintained;

3. The type of plant material for each area to be landscaped;

4. Manner of constructing planter curbs, including location thereof, height, width and type of materials thereof.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4562 on 2026-07-07

City of Norco, CA

ZONING

§ 18.29.90

§ 18.29.110

The provisions of Chapter 18.40 Site Plan Review shall apply.

The provisions of Chapter 18.41 Architectural Review shall apply.

Deleted by Ord. 701, July 1995.

(Ord. 294 Sec. 2(a) (part), 1974; Ord. 400 Sec. 1–3 (part), 1977; Ord. 639, Sec. 1, 1991)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4562 on 2026-07-07

City of Norco, CA

ZONING

§ 18.30.02

§ 18.30.16