Article II — Nonconforming Activities

A.

Activity Nonconforming Because It Is Not a Permitted Activity. Other than: 1) an Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activity, 2) an Automotive Servicing or Automotive Repair and Cleaning Activity in the D-BV Zones, or 3) Truck-Intensive Industrial Activities as defined in Section 17.103.065, Trucking and Truck- Related Industrial Activities, and Recycling and Waste-Related Industrial Activities in the M-40, CIX, IG, IO, D-DT-JLI, D-CE-5, D-CE-6, D-CO-5, and D-CO-6 Zones, whenever an activity that is nonconforming wholly or partly because it is not itself a permitted activity where it is located, occupies four hundred (400) square feet or more of floor area and hereafter discontinues active operation for a continuous period of one (1) year, or occupies less than four hundred (400) square feet of floor area and hereafter discontinues active operation for a continuous period of six (6) months, and the facilities accommodating or serving such activity are not utilized for another activity during such period, said facilities may thereafter be utilized only for a normally permitted or conditionally permitted activity pursuant to Subsection 17.114.070.A., except the former activity may be resumed after a longer period upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134.

B.

Whenever a nonconforming Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activity, or sale of alcoholic beverages at any full-service restaurant in a location described by Subsection 17.103.030.B, discontinues active operation for more than ninety (90) days or ceases to be licensed by the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, it may only be resumed upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134. However, if another activity has replaced it, the former activity may thereafter be resumed if and only if such resumption would constitute an allowable change under Subsection 17.114.070.A. Section 17.114.060 shall also apply.

C.

Whenever a nonconforming Automotive Servicing or Automotive Repair and Cleaning Activity in the D-BV Zones discontinues active operation for more than six (6) months, it may only be resumed upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134. However, if another activity has replaced it, the former activity may thereafter be resumed if and only if such resumption would constitute an allowable change under Subsection 17.114.070.A. Section 17.114.060 shall also apply.

D.

Whenever a nonconforming Truck-Intensive Industrial Activities as defined in Section 17.103.065, Trucking and Truck-Related Industrial Activity, or Recycling and Waste-Related Industrial Activity in the M-40, CIX, IG, IO, D-CE-5, D-CE-6, D-CO-5, and D-CO-6 Zones discontinues active operation for more than zero (0) days, based on purposeful abandonment, the right to continue the nonconforming use shall expire immediately upon discontinuance of use. However, if another activity has replaced it, the former activity may thereafter only be resumed if and only if such resumption would constitute an allowable change under Subsection 17.114.070.A. Section 17.114.060 shall also apply.

E.

Activity Nonconforming for Other Reasons. A nonconforming activity which is itself a permitted activity where it is located, and which is nonconforming only as to applicable off-street parking or loading requirements, performance standards, or other requirements applying to activities, may be resumed regardless of the period during which it may have discontinued active operation. However, if another activity has replaced it, the former activity may thereafter be resumed only if such resumption would constitute an allowable change under Section 17.114.070B. Section 17.114.060 shall also apply.

(Ord. No. 13812, § 4(Exh. A), 7-30-2024; Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2- 16-2016; Ord. No. 13270, § 3(Exh. A), 11-18-2014; Ord. No. 13251, § 5(Exh. A), 7-29-2014; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 12999, § 4(Exh. A), 3-16-2010; Ord. No. 12939, § 4(Exh. A), 6-16-2009; Ord. 12899 § 4, Exh. A (part), 2008; Ord. 12017 § 2, 1997; prior planning code § 7420)

A.

Nonconforming Nonresidential Activities. Facilities accommodating or serving a nonconforming Nonresidential Activity which are damaged or destroyed to the extent of not more than seventy-five percent (75%) may be restored to their prior condition and occupancy. If such damage or destruction exceeds

seventy-five percent (75%), the facilities may thereafter only be restored to accommodate or serve the prior nonconforming activity upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134.

B.

Nonconforming Residential Activities. Facilities accommodating or serving a nonconforming Residential Activity which are damaged or destroyed to the extent of not more than seventy-five percent (75%) may be restored to their prior condition and occupancy. If such damage or destruction exceeds seventy-five percent (75%), the facilities may thereafter only be restored to accommodate or serve the prior nonconforming Residential Activity provided all of the following conditions are met:

That documentation is provided which substantiates that such damage or destruction occurred involuntarily with respect to the owner of said facility or unit(s);

That no expansion in the number of living units occurs;

That plans for the proposal are approved pursuant to the design review procedure in Chapter 17.136; and

That a building permit is sought and obtained no later than three (3) years after the date of the facility's damage or destruction; the facility is repaired or replaced in compliance with the building code; and construction pursuant thereto is diligently pursued to completion.

If all of the preceding requirements are not met, the replacement or restoration of such facilities may be permitted upon the granting of a Conditional Use Permit pursuant to the Conditional Use Permit procedure in Chapter 17.134.

(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2- 2013; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. No. 12999, § 4(Exh. A), 3-16-2010; Ord. 12776 § 3, Exh. A (part), 2006: Ord. 11861 § 7, 1996: prior planning code § 7421)

A.

Activity Nonconforming Because It Is Not a Permitted Activity. The activities specified in the following table may be substituted for any of the indicated activities which is nonconforming wholly or partly because it is not itself a permitted activity where it is located:

Zone Prior Nonconforming Activity Activity Which May be Substituted for Prior Activity, Subject to the Provisions Listed Below This Table

Any zone. Any such activity. Any activity otherwise permitted or, upon the granting of a Conditional Use Permit pursuant to the Conditional Use Permit procedure in Chapter 17.134, any activity otherwise conditionally permitted in the same location.

Any Residential Any such Industrial Activity where it is not a Any Commercial Activity permitted in the CN-4 Zone or S-1 or S- permitted or conditionally permitted activity. Zone. 3 Zone. The following such Commercial Activities where they are not a permitted or conditionally permitted activity:

Research Service (see below)

General Wholesale Sales (see below)

Building Material Sales (see below)

Automobile and Other Light Vehicle Sales and (see below)
Rental

Automotive and Other Light Vehicle Repair and (see below)
Cleaning

Taxi and Light Fleet-Based Service (see below)

Animal Care (see below)

Animal Boarding (see below)

Undertaking Service (see below)

Scrap Operation (see below)

Any Commercial Activity permitted in the CC-2
Zone.

The following such Commercial Activities where they
are not a permitted or conditionally permitted
activity:

General Food Sales (see below)

Full-service restaurant (see below)

Limited Service Restaurant and Cafe (see below)

Fast-Food Restaurant (see below)

Convenience Market (see below)

Alcoholic Beverage Sales (see below)

Mechanical or Electronic Games (see below)

General Retail Sales (see below)

Consumer Service (see below)

Consumer Cleaning and Repair Service (see below)

Consumer Dry Cleaning Plant (see below)

Group Assembly (see below)

Personal Instruction and Improvement Services (see below)

Business, Communication, and Media Service (see below)

Broadcasting and Recording Service (see below)

Any Commercial Activity permitted in the CN-4
Zone.

The following such Commercial Activities where they
are not a permitted or conditionally permitted
activities:

Medical Service (see below)

Consultative and Financial Service (see below)

Administrative (see below)

Administrative Civic Activities. Administrative
Commercial Activities. Medical Service. Consultative
and Financial Service.

Any other Commercial Activity where it is not a Any Commercial Activity permitted in the CC-2
permitted or conditionally permitted activity. Zone.

Any Commercial Any such Commercial or Industrial Activity where it Any Commercial Activity permitted in the CC-2 Zone. is not a permitted or conditionally permitted activity. Zone.

Any Industrial Any such Commercial or Industrial Activity where it Any Commercial Activity permitted in the CC-2 Zone. is not a permitted or conditionally permitted activity. Zone.

Changes that do not constitute substitutions may be made in any activity which is nonconforming wholly or partly because it is not itself a permitted activity where it is located. The above substitutions and other changes may be made without regard for requirements on off-street parking and loading, conduct of activities within enclosed buildings, means of customer access, and total floor area which normally apply to activities, except as otherwise provided in Section 17.116.020.C. However:

If the nonconforming activity is itself conditionally permitted where it is located, no substitution or other change shall be made in it which would conflict with, or further conflict with, any requirement on off-street parking or loading, conduct of activities within enclosed buildings, means of customer access, or total floor area which normally applies to activities. (Changes which are allowed by Section 17.116.020B shall not be deemed to conflict or further conflict with the parking or loading requirements).

Conversions of dwelling units to use by a Nonresidential Activity shall be subject, where applicable, to the provisions of Section 17.102.230.

If the nonconforming activity is located at ground level on any lot in the CN-1 or CN-2 Zone, no change shall be made in the nature of the particular activity, except when the result is itself permitted in the same location, unless a Conditional Use Permit is granted pursuant to the Conditional Use Permit procedure. This

does not restrict a change in ownership, tenancy, or management where the previous line of business or other function is not changed.

For any nonconforming Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activity presently located in any zone in which it is not a permitted activity, no change shall be made in the activity which change requires obtaining a different type of alcoholic beverage sale retail license from the state of California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

No substitution or other change shall be made in any nonconforming activity which would conflict, or further conflict, with any applicable provision of the performance standards in Chapter 17.120, or of any kind of requirement not mentioned hereinabove which applies to activities.

In cases of discontinuance, damage, or destruction, the pertinent provisions of Sections 17.114.050 or 17.114.060 shall also apply.

If the activity resulting from a change allowed above is not a normally permitted and otherwise conforming activity, and is not authorized by a Conditional Use Permit or other special zoning approval, it shall be deemed a nonconforming activity and changes in it shall be subject to this Section.

B.

Activity Nonconforming for Other Reasons. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 17.114.050 and 17.114.060, an activity which is itself permitted or, upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure, an activity which is itself conditionally permitted may be substituted for any activity which is itself a permitted activity where it is located and which is nonconforming only as to applicable off-street parking or loading requirements, performance standards, or other requirements applying to activities. Changes other than substitutions may also be made in such activities. However, no substitution or other change shall be made which would create any new nonconformity, or increase any existing nonconforming, with respect to said requirements. (Changes which are allowed by Section 17.116.020.B shall not be deemed to conflict or further conflict with the parking or loading requirements.) If the activity resulting from the change does not meet such requirements, and is not authorized by a conditional use permit or other special zoning approval, it shall be deemed nonconforming and changes in it shall be subject to this Subsection.

(Ord. No. 13812, § 4(Exh. A), 7-30-2024; Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13596, § 2(Exh. A), 6-2- 2020; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. No. 12999, § 4(Exh. A), 3-16-2010; Ord. No. 12939, § 4(Exh. A), 6-16-2009; Ord. 12899 § 4, Exh. A (part), 2008; Ord. 12289 § 4 (part), 2000; Ord. 12016 § 2 (part), 1997; prior planning code § 7422)

A.

Nonresidential Activity Nonconforming Because It Is Not a Permitted Activity. Except as otherwise provided in Section 17.114.060, a Nonresidential Activity which is nonconforming wholly or partly because it is not itself a permitted activity where it is located may be extended, and the facilities accommodating or serving such activity may be altered or otherwise changed, subject to the requirements normally applying to uses where the activity is located and subject to the following provisions and exceptions:

Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (A)(3) of this Section, the floor area and overall outside dimensions of any building, or portion thereof, devoted to such activity shall not be increased; no open parking, loading, sales, display, service, production, or storage area accommodating or serving such activity shall be relocated or increased in size; and no such building or open area shall be wholly reconstructed. However, in the case of an establishment classified as an Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activity, the total floor area, open areas, or outside building dimensions occupied by the establishment may be increased as long as the amount of space actually devoted to the sale of alcoholic beverages is not increased by more than twenty percent (20%) of that already existing. See Tables 17.15.01 (L4), 17.17.01 (L4), and 17.19.01 (L7) for restrictions to this allowable expansion in the RD, RM, and RU Zones.

In the case of an establishment classified as an Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activity, the percentage of actual floor area devoted to the sale of alcoholic beverages shall not be increased by more than twenty percent (20%) of that already existing, except upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134.

New, wholly reconstructed, enlarged, or relocated structures or open areas devoted to off-street parking or loading serving such activity may be provided wherever Automotive Fee Parking Commercial Activities are permitted or, upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134, wherever Automotive Fee Parking Commercial Activities are conditionally permitted. In Residential Zones, such facilities for off-street parking may be provided in the situations, and subject to the conditions, prescribed in Section 17.116.075.

New Signs may be provided for such activity, but the aggregate area of display surface of all Signs serving such activity shall not be increased. All Signs shall be subject to the limitations, other than aggregate area of display surface, normally applying to Signs where they are located.

During any five-year period, beginning on or after the effective date of the zoning regulations or of any subsequent rezoning or other amendment thereto which makes such activity thus nonconforming, the aggregate cost of all alterations for which a building or sign permit is required, and which are intended for

any activity subject to this Subsection, shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the replacement cost, as estimated by the Building Services Department, of the facilities accommodating or serving such activity at the beginning of said period. However, the cost of alterations ordered by any governmental agency or permitted by Section 17.114.060 shall be exempt from said maximum cost.

No facility accommodating a nonconforming Automobile and Other Light Vehicle Gas Station and Servicing or Automotive and Other Light Vehicle Repair and Cleaning Commercial Activity shall be altered in exterior appearance, unless plans for the proposal have been approved pursuant to the design review procedure in Chapter 17.136.

A nonconforming Automobile and Other Light Vehicle Gas Station and Servicing or Automotive and Other Light Vehicle Repair and Cleaning Commercial Activity in the HBX-1 Zone may be extended, and the facilities accommodating or serving such activity may be altered or otherwise changed upon the granting of a conditional use permit (see Chapter 17.134) and approval pursuant to the Regular design review procedure in Chapter 17.136. This conditional use permit and design review approval may be granted only upon determination that the proposal is adequately buffered from the street and surrounding Residential Activities through landscaping and fencing.

B.

Residential Activity Nonconforming Because It Is Not a Permitted Activity. Except as otherwise provided in Section 17.114.060, a Residential Activity which is nonconforming wholly or partly because it is not itself a permitted activity where it is located may be extended, and the facilities accommodating or serving such activity may be altered or otherwise changed, subject to the following provisions:

The number of living units shall not be increased.

The amount of added or wholly reconstructed floor area devoted to such activity shall not exceed in the aggregate twenty percent (20%) of that already existing on the affected lot. If a new or wholly reconstructed floor area is developed, usable open space shall be provided for all living units on the lot in the amount required in the RU-2 Zone.

Existing usable open space shall not be reduced below, or if already less than shall not be reduced further below, the usable open space requirements applying in the RU-2 Zone.

All alterations and other changes shall conform to, or not further conflict with, the minimum yard and court and maximum height requirements and the limitations on Signs generally applying in the RM-3 Zone, as

well as to the requirements generally applying to uses where the activity is actually located.

C.

Activity Nonconforming for Other Reasons. Except as otherwise provided in Section 17.114.060, any activity which is itself a permitted activity where it is located and which is nonconforming only as to off- street parking or loading requirements, performance standards, or other requirements applying to activities may be extended, and the facilities accommodating or serving such activity may be altered or otherwise changed, in any way which does not result in a greater degree of nonconformity with respect to such requirements and which conforms to the requirements normally applying to uses where the activity is located.

(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13251, § 5(Exh. A), 7-29-2014; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. No. 12939, § 4(Exh. A), 6-16-2009; Ord. 12772 § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 12240 § 8, 2000; prior planning code § 7423)

required within one year.

Within one (1) year after the effective dates of Sections 17.102.160, 17.102.170 and 17.148.050, all previously legal but now nonconforming Adult Entertainment and Massage Service Activities shall be discontinued or shall be brought into full conformance with said sections except that such activities may continue for up to an additional two (2) years upon the granting of a conditional use permit, pursuant to Section 17.102.160B and the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134, and upon a determination that the activity is obligated under a written lease at the nonconforming location which exceeds one (1) year from the effective dates of Sections 17.102.160, 17.102.170 and 17.148.050 or that the activity has incurred such an investment of money in leasehold or other improvements such that a longer period is necessary to prevent undue financial hardship.

(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; prior planning code § 7425)

year.

Within one (1) year after the effective date of this Section or of any subsequent rezoning which makes an existing Scrap Operation Commercial Activity a nonconforming activity, all nonconforming Scrap Operation Commercial Activities located within a Residential Zone or within one hundred (100) feet of a Residential Zone and which wholly or partially occupy an open facility shall be discontinued or may continue only upon the granting of a conditional use permit, pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134; provided, however, that if the proposal does not conform to the use permit criteria at Section 17.134.050, but as an alternative a finding is made that the activity involves investment of money in leasehold or improvements such that a longer period is necessary to prevent undue financial hardship, then a conditional use permit shall be granted for a period not to exceed two (2) additional years.

(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; prior planning code § 7426)