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Title 17 — Zoning Code

§ 17.39

Pasadena Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Pasadena

17.39.010 - Purpose of Chapter

This Chapter lists the land uses that may be allowed within the zoning districts established by the East Colorado Specific Plan (ECSP), determines the type of land use permit/approval required for each use, and provides basic standards for site layout and building size.

(Ord. No. 7446, § 2, 5-12-2025; Ord. No. 7394, § 2(Exh. 1), 6-13-2022)

17.39.020 - Purposes of ECSP Zoning Districts

The purpose of the ECSP zoning districts is to implement the East Colorado Specific Plan by balancing and optimizing economic development, historic preservation, and the maintenance of local community culture, and to:

A.

Promote a vibrant mix of land uses, a unified streetscape, and a series of distinctive "places" along the Boulevard.

B.

Improve the appearance, function, and urban ambiance of East Colorado Boulevard.

C.

Identify areas of East Colorado Boulevard, which are appropriate locations for developing mixed-use and housing projects, and areas where commercial development should be concentrated.

D.

Retain the eclectic mix of uses and protect the vitality of small, independent businesses. Uphold Colorado Boulevard as a location for specialty and niche retail businesses.

E.

Beautify the streetscape though installation of street trees, street and median landscaping to soften the urban edge, and a consistent selection of urban furnishings.

F.

Create a pedestrian-friendly environment that balances the needs of pedestrians and vehicular traffic, recognizing the heavy local and regional use of Colorado Boulevard.

G.

Protect historic resources and honor the past of Colorado Boulevard and its surrounding communities through subarea identification and remembrance of Colorado Boulevard as Route 66.

H.

Effectively plan for the utilization of the light rail stations at Allen Avenue and Sierra Madre Villa at the 210 Freeway through the establishment of special development standards in these light rail "nodes".

(Ord. No. 7446, § 2, 5-12-2025; Ord. No. 7394, § 2(Exh. 1), 6-13-2022)

17.39.030 - Applicability

The standards of the ECSP zoning districts apply to proposed development and new land uses in the following areas, as shown on the Zoning Map.

A.

ECSP-CG-1. The Mid-City area.

B.

ECSP-CG-2. The College District area.

C.

ECSP-CG-3. The Gold Line-General Commercial area.

D.

ECSP-CL-3. The Gold Line-Limited Commercial area.

E.

ECSP-CG-4. The Route 66 area.

F.

ECSP-CG-5. The Lamanda Park area.

G.

ECSP-CG-6. The Chihuahuita area.

(Ord. No. 7446, § 2, 5-12-2025; Ord. No. 7394, § 2(Exh. 1), 6-13-2022)

17.39.040 - ECSP District Land Uses and Permit Requirements

A.

Allowable land uses and permit requirements. Table 3-3 identifies the uses of land allowed by this Zoning Code in each residential zoning district, and the land use permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section 17.21.030 (Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements). The land use permit requirements established by Table 3-3 are as follows.

follows.
Symbol Permit Requirement Procedure is in
Section:
P Permitted use, Code Compliance Certifcate required. 17.61.020
MC Conditional use, Minor Conditional Use Permit required. 17.61.050
AMC Conditional use, Administrative Minor Conditional Use Permit required. 17.61.050
C Conditional use, Conditional Use Permit required. 17.61.050
AC Conditional use, Administrative Conditional Use Permit required. 17.61.050
E Conditional use, Expressive Use Permit required. 17.61.060
TUP Temporary use, Temporary Use Permit required. 17.61.040
Use not allowed. (See Section 17.21.030.A regarding uses not listed.)

Note: the right column in the tables ("Specific Use Standards") will show a section number for regulations that apply to the particular use listed in addition to the other general standards of this Zoning Code.

TABLE 3-3 - ALLOWED USES AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
FOR ECSP ZONING DISTRICTS
LAND USE (1) PERMIT REQUIREMENT BY ZONE Specifc
ECSP
CG-1
ECSP
CG-2
ECSP
CL-3
ECSP
CG-3
ECSP
CG-4
ECSP
CG-5
ECSP
CG-6
Use
Standards
RESIDENTIAL USES
Accessory dwelling unit P 17.50.275
Junior Accessory dwelling unit P P P 17.50.275.E
Boarding houses P
Caretakers quarters P P P P P P P
Dormitories P
Fraternity/sorority housing P
Home occupations P P P P P P 17.50.110
Mixed-use projects (4) P P P P (2) P P (2) 17.50.160
Multi-family housing P P (2) P (2) 17.50.350
Residential accessory uses and structures P P P P P P 17.50.250
Residential care facilities, general C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6)
Residential care facilities, limited —(10) —(10) P P (2) P (2)
Single-family housing P
Single-room occupancy P 17.50.300
Supportive housing —(10) —(10) P P (2) P (2)
Transitional housing
(10)

(10)
P P (2) P (2)
RECREATION, EDUCATION & PUBLIC ASSEMBLY USES (7, 8, 9)
Clubs, lodges, private meeting halls (6) P P MC (5) P P P
Colleges - Nontraditional campus setting P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Colleges - Traditional campus setting C (6) C (6) C (6)
with safe parking MC MC MC 17.50.265
Commercial entertainment E (4) E (4) E (4) E (4) E (4) E (4) E (4) 17.50.130
Commercial recreation - Indoor C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.130
Commercial recreation - Outdoor C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.130
Cultural institutions P (6) P (6) P (6) P (6) P (6) P (6) P (6)
Electronic game centers C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.100
Internet access studio C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.100
Park and recreation facilities C C C C C P C
Religious facilities (6) C C C C C C C 17.50.230
with columbarium MC MC MC MC MC MC MC 17.50.230
with temporary homeless shelter C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) 17.50.230
with afordable housing P P 17.50.230
with safe parking MC MC MC MC MC MC MC 17.50.265
Schools - Public and private C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) 17.50.270
Schools - Specialized education and training P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Street fairs P P P P P P P
Tents TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP 17.50.320
OFFICE, PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SUPPORT USES (7, 8, 9)
Automated teller machines (ATM) P P P P P P P 17.50.060
Banks and fnancial services P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
with walk-up services P P P P P P P 17.50.060
Business support services P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Ofces - Accessory P P P P P P P
Ofces - Administrative business professional P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Ofces - Government P (6) P (6) P (6) P (6) P (6) P (6) P (6)
Ofces - Medical P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Research and development P P P P P P P 17.50.240
Work/live units C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.370
RETAIL SALES (7, 8, 9)
Alcohol sales - Beer and wine C C C C C C C 17.50.040
Alcohol sales - Beer and wine at Restaurants
(including fast food)
AC AC AC AC AC AC AC 17.50.040
Alcohol sales - Full alcohol sales C C C C C C C 17.50.040
Alcohol sales - Full alcohol sales at Restaurants
(including fast food)
AC AC AC AC AC AC AC 17.50.040
Animal services - Retail sales P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Bars or taverns C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.040
with live entertainment C C C C C C C 17.50.130
Building materials and supplies sales P (4) P (4)
Commercial nurseries C (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) 17.50.180
Convenience stores C C C C C C C
Food sales P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Internet vehicle sales P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Liquor stores C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.040
Pawnshops C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.200
Personal property sales P 17.50.190
Restaurants P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) 17.50.260
Restaurants, fast food P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) 17.50.260
Restaurants, formula fast food P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) 17.50.260
Restaurants with limited live entertainment P P P P P P P 17.50.260
Restaurants with walk-up window MC
(11)
MC
(11)
MC
(11)
MC
(11)
MC
(11)
MC
(11)
MC
(11)
17.50.260
Retail sales P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Seasonal merchandise sales P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) 17.50.180
Signifcant tobacco retailers C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.330
Swap meets C (4) C (4) C (4)
Temporary uses TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP
Vehicle services - Automobile rental P (4) P (4) P (4)
Vehicle services - Sales and leasing C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.360
Vehicle services - Sales and leasing - limited P P P P P P 17.50.360
Vehicle services - Service stations C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.290
SERVICES (7, 8, 9)
Adult day-care - General C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6)
Adult day-care - Limited P P C
Ambulance services P (4) P (4) P (4)
TABLE 3-3 - ALLOWED USES AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
FOR ECSP ZONING DISTRICTS
Animal services - Grooming P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Animal services - Hospitals P (4) P (4) P (4) 17.50.050
Catering services P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Charitable institutions C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6)
Child day-care centers P P P P 17.50.080
Child day-care - Large care home, 9 to 14
persons
P 17.50.080
Child day-care - Small care home, 1 to 8
persons
P
Drive-through business - Nonrestaurants C C C 17.50.090
Drive-through business - Restaurants C C C 17.50.090
Emergency shelters MC MC MC MC MC MC 17.50.105
Emergency shelters, limited P P 17.50.105
Filming, long-term C C C C C C C
Filming, short-term P P P P P P P
Laboratories P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Life/care facilities C C C C C C C 17.50.120
Lodging - Bed and breakfast inns C 17.50.140
Lodging - Hotels, motels C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.150
Low barrier navigation centers P P 17.50.153
Maintenance or repair services P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Massage establishments C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.155
Medical services - Extended care C (6) C (6)
Medical services - Hospitals C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6)
Mortuaries, funeral homes P (4) P (4) P (4)
Personal improvement services P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Personal services P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Personal services, restricted C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.200
Printing and publishing P (4) P (4) C (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Printing and publishing, limited P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4) P (4)
Public safety facilities C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6) C (6)
Sexually oriented businesses P P P P P P 17.50.295
Vehicle services - Vehicle/equipment repair C (4) C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.360
Vehicle services - Washing and detailing C (4) C (4) C (4) 17.50.290
Vehicle services - Washing/detailing, small-
scale
P P P P 17.50.290
INDUSTRY, MANUFACTURING & PROCESSING USES (7, 8, 9)
Industry, restricted C (4) C (4) C (4)
Industry, restricted, small-scale C C C C
Recycling - Small collection facility C C C C C C 17.50.220
Wholesaling, distribution and storage C (4)
Wholesaling, distribution and storage, small
scale
C
TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS & UTILITY USES
Alternative fuel/recharging facilities (4, 7, 8, 9) C C C C C C C
Accessory antenna arrays P P P P P P P
Communications facilities (4, 7, 8, 9) C C C C C C
Commercial of-street parking (7, 9) MC MC MC MC MC MC MC
Heliports C
Transportation terminals C C
with safe parking MC MC 17.50.265
Utility, major C C C C C C C
Utility, minor P P P P P P P
Vehicle storage (4, 7, 8) C
Wireless telecommunications facilities - Minor MC MC MC MC MC MC MC 17.50.310
Wireless telecommunications facilities - Major C C C C C C C 17.50.310
Wireless telecommunications facilities, SCL P P P P P P P 17.50.310
TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
Transit-oriented development (4, 7) P P 17.50.340
Notes:
(1) See Section
17.80.020 for defnitions of the listed land uses.
(2) Mixed-use projects and multi-family housing permitted only within 1/4 mile of light rail platform.
(3) Not used.
(4) Conditional Use Permit approval required for new construction exceeding 25,000 sq. ft. See Section 17.61.050.J
for additional requirements.
(5) A minor conditional use permit is required to establish a new use. An existing use is a permitted (P) use.
(6) A use established on a site greater than two acres after June 30, 1985, shall require a zone change to PS (Public,
Semi-Public).
(7) Uses subject to limitations on hours of operation. See Section
17.40.070 (Hours of Operation).
(8) If within 300 feet of an R District this use shall be limited to 10 one-way truck trips by large trucks per day per six-
day work week. This restriction shall apply to new uses and uses that expand by more than 30 percent of the gross
foor area. This restriction shall not apply if the site or the adjacent R District is within 500 feet of a freeway.
(9) No more than fve large trucks (except trucks associated with vehicle services - sales and leasing) shall be stored
on each lot. This restriction shall apply to new uses or uses that expand by more than 30 percent of the gross foor
area.
(10) The use is permitted if it is located within a mixed-use project.
(11) Minor Conditional Use Permit not required if Walk-Up Window complies with Section
17.50.260.

(Ord. No. 7446, § 2, 5-12-2025; Ord. No. 7435, § 15, 10-28-2024; Ord. No. 7420, § 3, 4-15-2024; Ord. No. 7418, § 2, 2- 26-2024; Ord. No. 7414, § 2, 9-11-2023; Ord. No. 7402, § 2, 9-19-2022; Ord. No. 7394, § 2(Exh. 1), 6-13-2022; Ord. 7326 § 6, 2018; Ord. 7321 § 3 (Exh. 1), 2018; Ord. No. 7313, § 6, 2017; Ord. 7300 § 6 (Exh. 5), 2017; Ord. 7255 § 5 (Exh. 4), 2015; Ord. 7210 § 4, 2011; Ord. 7164 § 6, 2009; Ord. 7160 §§ 7, 14, 2009; Ord. 7148 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2008; Ord. 7099 § 12, (Exh. 8), 2007; Ord. 7009 § 10, 2005)

17.39.050 - ECSP General Development Standards

Subdivisions, new land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures, shall be designed, constructed, and established in compliance with the requirements of this Section, in addition to the applicable standards (e.g., landscaping, parking and loading, etc.) in Article 4 (Site Planning and General Development Standards) and 5

(Standards for Specific Land Uses). Principal and accessory structures shall meet the same development standards unless otherwise modified in this Zoning Ordinance.

A.

Table 3-4 standards. The standards in Table 3-4 apply to residential projects, nonresidential projects and all projects, as noted, within a ECSP zoning district.

B.

Reserved.

TABLE 3-4 - EAST COLORADO SPECIFIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Development feature Requirement by Zoning District
ECSP-
CG-1
ECSP-
CG-2
ECSP-
CG-3
ECSP-
CL-3
ECSP-
CG-4
ECSP-
CG-5
ECSP-
CG-6
Minimum lot size Minimum area and width for new lots.
Determined through the subdivision process.
Residential density Maximum number of dwelling units per acre of site area.
Maximum density (7) 48
units/acre
(3)
48
units/acre
(3)
60
units/acre
(3)(4)
48/60
units/acre
(4)(5)
N.A. 48
units/acre
(3)
60
units/acre
(3) (4)
Residential standards Mixed-use projects shall comply with the standards of Section
17.50.160;in CL-3, single-
family uses shall comply with the RS-6 standards, multi-family projects shall comply with
those of the RM-48 district, except that two units on a lot shall comply with the RM-12
standards; all other districts follow the urban housing standards of
17.50.350.
Setbacks Fixed setbacks required. See Section
17.40.160 for setback measurement, allowed
projections and encroachments into setbacks, and exceptions to setbacks.
Front 5 ft (1) 5 ft (1) 5 ft (1) 5 ft (1) 5 ft (2) 5 ft (1) 5 ft (2)
Corner side 5 ft (1) 5 ft (1) 5 ft (1) 5 ft (1) 5 ft (2) 5 ft (1) 5 ft (2)
Side or rear 15 ft. and shall not project within the encroachment plane (17.40.160.D.3) when adjacent
to an RS or RM zone unless the adjacent lot is a PK overlay which is used for parking;
none required otherwise.
Height limit Maximum height of main structures. See
17.40.060 for height measurement and
exceptions to height limits. All structures shall also comply with the encroachment plane
requirements of
17.40.160
Maximum height 60 ft 45 ft 45/60 ft (6) 45/60 ft (6) 45 ft 45 ft 45/60 ft (6)
Transit-oriented
development
N.A. N.A. See
17.50.340
See
17.50.340
N.A. N.A. See
17.50.340
Driveway access For parcels less than 200 feet in width (street frontage), only one driveway shall be
permitted. To lessen the number of curb cuts and sloped depressions in the sidewalk,
driveways shall be shared with adjacent properties wherever possible
Building entries For parcels with frontage on Colorado Boulevard, a building or storefront entry shall be
oriented to Colorado Boulevard. A minimum of 50% percent of the street facade to a
height of eight feet must be visually transparent window display. The Director may waive
these requirements if they result in practical difculties.
Landscaping Chapter 17.44 (Landscaping)
Parking Chapter 17.46 (Parking and Loading)
Signs Chapter 17.48 (Signs)
Other applicable
standards
Chapter 17.40 (General Property Development and Use Standards)
Notes:
(1) The required fve-foot setback shall be used for expanded sidewalk treatment and/or pedestrian area (hardscape).
Additional front or corner yard setbacks are allowed only to create space for streetside plazas, patios, and building
entrances.
(2) The required fve-foot setback shall be landscaped. Additional front or corner yard setbacks are allowed only to
create space for streetside plazas, patios, and building entrances.
(3) Residential units are permitted only as part of a mixed-use project in which the residential and commercial uses
are combined in a single building. The residential uses may be above the commercial uses or behind the commercial
uses in compliance with
17.50.160.
(4) Within ¼ mile of the Allen Avenue and Sierra Madre Villa Light Rail platforms, the maximum residential density for
mixed-use projects shall be 60 units per acre.
(5) The maximum density for multi-family residential uses (excluding mixed-use projects) shall be 48 units/acre. The
applicable development standards shall be the urban housing provisions in Section
17.50.350 and maximum allowable
height shall be 45 feet.
(6) Within ¼ mile of the Allen Avenue and Sierra Madre Villa Light Rail Station Platforms the maximum height limit
shall be 60 feet. For multi-family residential uses (excluding mixed-use projects), the maximum height limit shall be 45
feet.
(7) See
Chapter 17.43 regarding density bonus provisions.

(Ord. No. 7446, § 2, 5-12-2025; Ord. No. 7394, § 2(Exh. 1), 6-13-2022; Ord. 7169 § 8, 2009; Ord. 7099 § 12, (Exh. 9), 2007; Ord. 7057 § 7 (Exh. 2), 2006; Ord. 7035 § 4, (Exh. 3), 2006; Ord. 7277 § 5, 2016)

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