Chapter 17.24 — Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts

This Chapter lists the land uses that may be allowed within the commercial and industrial zoning districts established by Section 17.20.020 (Zoning Map), determines the type of land use permit/approval required for each use, and provides basic standards for site layout and building size.

A.

General purposes. In addition to the purposes of this Zoning Code listed in Chapter 17.10, the general purposes of commercial and industrial district regulations are to:

Provide appropriately located areas consistent with the General Plan for a full range of office, retail commercial, service commercial, and manufacturing uses needed by residents of, and visitors to, the City and the region;

Strengthen the City's economic base, and provide employment opportunities close to home for residents of the City and surrounding communities;

Create suitable environments for various types of commercial uses and protect them from the adverse effects of inharmonious uses;

Minimize the impact of commercial development on adjacent residential districts;

Ensure that the appearance and effects of commercial buildings and uses are harmonious with the character of the area in which they are located;

Provide opportunities for residential development on the site of commercial development or on separate sites in certain commercial districts;

Ensure the provision of adequate off-street parking and loading facilities; and

Provide sites for public and semi-public uses needed to complement commercial development or be compatible with a commercial environment.

B.

Purposes of individual zoning districts. The additional purposes of each commercial and industrial district are as follows.

Commercial Office (CO) District. To provide a landscaped environment for offices of residential scale and for residential development that is protected from the more intense levels of activity associated with retail commercial development. The CO district is consistent with and implements the General Commercial land use designation of the General Plan.

Commercial Limited (CL) District. To provide sites for businesses serving the daily needs of nearby residential areas while establishing development standards that prevent significant adverse effects on residential uses within and adjoining a CL district; and provide opportunities for certain limited manufacturing and service uses that have impacts comparable to those of permitted retail uses to occupy space not in demand for retailing. The CL district is consistent with and implements the Neighborhood Commercial and General Commercial land use designations of the General Plan.

Commercial General (CG) District. To provide opportunities for the full range of retail and service businesses deemed suitable for location in Pasadena, including businesses not permitted in the CL district because they attract heavy vehicular traffic or traffic not destined for Pasadena residential areas or have certain adverse impacts; and provide opportunities for certain limited manufacturing uses that have impacts comparable to those of permitted retail and service uses to occupy space not in demand for retailing or services. The CG district is consistent with and implements the General Commercial land use designation of the General Plan.

Industrial General (IG) District. To provide sites for the full range of high technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, service, and distribution uses deemed suitable for location in Pasadena, to the extent feasible; and to minimize the impact of industry on adjacent residential districts.

A.

Permit requirements. Table 2-5 identifies the uses of land allowed by this Zoning Code in the commercial zoning districts, and the land use permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section 17.21.030 (Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements). The following land use permit requirements are established by Table 2-5.

Symbol Permit Requirement Procedure is in Section:

P Permitted use, Code Compliance Certificate 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.)

B.

Standards for specific land uses. Where the last column in the tables ("Specific Use Standards") includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use in addition to all other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code.

TABLE 2-5 - ALLOWED USES AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS

PERMIT REQUIREMENT BY ZONE Specific Use Standards LAND USE (1) CO CL, CL-2 CG IG

RESIDENTIAL USES

Accessory dwelling unit P P — — 17.50.275

Junior accessory dwelling unit P P 17.50.275.E.

Boarding houses — P — —

Caretakers quarters P P P MC

Dormitories — P — —

Fraternity/sorority housing — P — —

Home occupations P P — — 17.50.110

Mixed-use projects P (7, 8) P (7, 8) — — 17.50.160

Multi-family housing P P — —

Residential accessory uses and structures P P — — 17.50.210, 17.50.250

Residential care facilities, general C (2) C (2) — —

Residential care facilities, limited P P — —

Single-room occupancy — — P — 17.50.300

Single-family housing P (3) P (3) — —

Supportive housing P P — (4) —

Transitional housing P P — (4) —

RECREATION, EDUCATION & PUBLIC ASSEMBLY USES (7, 9)

Clubs, lodges, private meeting halls C C (5) P P

Colleges - Nontraditional campus setting P (8) P (8) P (8) P (8)

Colleges - Traditional campus setting C (2) C (2) C (2) —

with safe parking MC MC MC — 17.50.265

Commercial entertainment — E (8) E (8) E (8) 17.50.130

Commercial recreation - Indoor — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.130

Commercial recreation - Outdoor — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.130

Cultural institutions P (2) P (2) P (2) P (2)

Electronic game centers — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.100

Internet access studios — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.100

Park and recreation facilities C C C C

Religious facilities C (2) C (2) MC (2, 6) — 17.50.230

with columbarium P (2) P (2) P (2) — 17.50.230

 with temporary homeless shelter C P P — 17.50.230

with affordable housing P P P — 17.50.230

with safe parking MC MC MC — 17.50.265

Schools - Specialized education and training — P (8) P (8) P (8)

Schools - Public and private — C (2) C (2) — 17.50.270

Street fairs P P P P

Tents TUP TUP TUP TUP 17.50.320

OFFICE, PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SUPPORT USES (7, 9)

Automated teller machines (ATM) P P P P 17.50.060

Banks and financial services P (8) P (8) P (8) P (8)

with walk-up services P P P P 17.50.060

Business support services — P (8) P (8) P (8)

Offices - Accessory P P P P

Offices - Administrative business professional P (8) P (8) P (8) P (8)

Offices - Governmental P (2) P (2) P (2) P (2)

Offices - Medical P (8) P (8) P (8) P (8)

Research and development P P P P 17.50.240

Work/live units — — C — 17.50.370

RETAIL SALES (7, 9)

Alcohol sales - Beer and wine C C C C 17.50.040

Alcohol sales - Beer and wine at Restaurants AC AC AC AC 17.50.040 (including fast food)

Alcohol sales - Full alcohol sales C C C C 17.50.040

Alcohol sales - Full alcohol sales at Restaurants AC AC AC AC 17.50.040 (including fast food)

Animal services - Retail sales — P (8) P (8) P (8)

Bars or taverns — C (8) C (8) C (8) 17.50.040

with live entertainment — C C C 17.50.130

Building materials and supplies sales — — P P

Commercial nurseries C (8) C (8) P (8) P (8) 17.50.180

Convenience stores C C C C

Firearm sales — — — C (8)

Food sales P (8) P (8) P (8) P (8)

Internet vehicle sales — C (8) C (8) C (8)

Liquor stores C C C C 17.50.070

Pawnshops — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.200

Restaurants — P (8) P (8) P (8) 17.50.260

Restaurants, fast food — P (8) P (8) P (8) 17.50.260

Restaurants, formula fast food — P (8) P (8) P (8) 17.50.260

Restaurants with limited live entertainment — P P P 17.50.260

Restaurants with walk-up window — MC (10) MC (10) MC (10) 17.50.260

Retail sales C (8) P (8) P (8) P (8)

Seasonal merchandise sales P P P P 17.50.180

Significant tobacco retailers — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.330

Swap meets — — C (8) C (8)

Temporary uses TUP TUP TUP TUP

Vehicle services - Automobile rental — C (8) P (8) P (8)

Vehicle services - Sales and leasing — — P P 17.50.360

Vehicle services - Sales and leasing - limited — — P P 17.50.360

Vehicle services - Service stations — C (8) C (8) C (8) 17.50.290

SERVICES (7, 9)

Adult day care, limited P P P —

Adult day care, general C (2) C (2) C (2) C (2)

Animal services - Boarding — — P (8) P (8)

Animal services - Grooming — P (8) P (8) P (8)

Animal services - Hospitals — — P (8) P (8) 17.50.050

Catering services — P (8) P (8) P (8)

Charitable institutions C (2) C (2) C (2) C (2)

Child day-care centers P P P C 17.50.080

Child day care, large care homes, 9 to 14 persons P P — — 17.50.080

Child day care, small care homes, 1 to 8 persons P P P —

Detention facilities — — — C (2)

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 17.50.105

Emergency shelters, limited P P P — 17.50.105

Filming, long-term C C C C

Filming, short-term P P P P

Laboratories C (8) P (8) P (8) P (8)

Life/care facilities — C C — 17.50.120

Lodging - Bed and breakfast inns C (8) C (8) C (8) — 17.50.140

Lodging - Hotels, motels — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.150

Low barrier navigation centers P P P — 17.50.153

Maintenance and repair services — P (8) P (8) P (8)

Massage establishment — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.155

Medical services - Extended care C (2) C (2) — —

Medical services - Hospitals — — C (2) —

Mortuaries, funeral homes — P (8) P (8) P (8)

Personal improvement services — P (8) P (8) P (8)

Personal services — P (8) P (8) P (8)

Personal services, restricted — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.200

Printing and publishing — C (8) P (8) P (8)

Printing and publishing, limited C P P P

Public maintenance & service facilities — — C (2) C (2)

Public safety facilities C (2) C (2) C (2) C (2)

Sexually oriented business — — P — 17.50.295

Vehicle services - Vehicle equipment repair — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.360

Vehicle services - Washing and detailing — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.290

Vehicle services - Washing and detailing, small-scale — P P P 17.50.290

INDUSTRY, MANUFACTURING & PROCESSING USES (7, 9)

Commercial growing area — P P P 17.50.180

Industry, restricted — — C (8) C (8)

Industry, restricted, small scale — P P P

Industry, standard — — — P (8)

Recycling centers - Small collection facilities C C C C 17.50.220

Recycling centers - Large facilities — — C (8) C (8) 17.50.220

Wholesaling, distribution, & storage — — C (8) P (8)

Wholesaling, distribution, & storage, small-scale — — P P

TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS & UTILITY USES

Alternative fuel/recharging facilities (7, 8, 9) — C C C

Accessory antenna array P P P P

Communications facilities (7, 8, 9) — — P P

Commercial off-street parking (7, 9) C C C C

Heliports — — C C

Transportation dispatch facility — — C (8) C (8)

Transportation terminals — — C C

with safe parking — — MC MC 17.50.265

Trucking terminals — — — C (6)

Utility, major C (2) C (2) C (2) C (2)

Utility, minor P P P P

Vehicle storage (7, 8) — — C C

Wireless telecommunications facilities, major C C C C 17.50.310

Wireless telecommunications facilities, minor MC MC MC MC 17.50.310

Wireless telecommunications facilities, SCL P P P P 17.50.310

TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT

Transit-oriented development (7, 8) P P P P 17.50.340

Notes:
(1)  See Section 17.80.020 for definitions of the listed land uses.

(2)  Uses on sites greater than two acres that were established after June 30, 1985, shall require a zone change to PS (Public, Semi-Public). (3)  Allowed subject to the development standards of the RS-6 district, Section 17.22.040. (4)  The use is permitted if it is located within a Single-Room Occupancy facility. (5)  A club, lodge, or private meeting hall established prior to September 9, 1996, shall be a permitted (P) use. (6)  A minor conditional use permit is required to establish a new use. An existing use is a permitted (P) use. (7)  Use subject to limitations on hours of operation. See Section 17.40.070 (Hours of Operation). (8)  Conditional Use Permit approval required for new construction exceeding 25,000 sq. ft. See Section 17.61.050.J for additional requirements. (9)  No more than five large trucks (except trucks associated with vehicle services - sales and leasing) shall be stored on a lot. This shall apply to new uses or uses which expand by more than 30 percent of gross floor area. (10)  Minor Conditional Use Permit not required if Walk-Up Window complies with Section 17.50.260.

(Ord. No. 7435, § 4, 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. 7326 § 6, 2018; Ord. 7321 § 3 (Exh. 1), 2018; Ord. No. 7313, § 3, 11-13-2017; Ord. 7300 § 3 (Exh. 2), 2017; Ord. 7255 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2015; Ord. 7242, § 4 (Exh. 2), 2014; Ord. 7210 § 2, 2011; Ord. 7164 § 4, 2009; Ord. 7160 § 7, 2009)

Subdivisions, new land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures, shall be designed, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the requirements in Table 2-6, in addition to the applicable development standards (e.g., landscaping, parking and loading, etc.) in Article 3 (Site Planning and General Development Standards). Principal and accessory structures shall meet the same development standards unless otherwise modified in this Zoning Ordinance.

TABLE 2-6 - COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Requirement by Zoning District

Development Feature CO CL CG IG

Minimum lot size (1) Minimum area and width for new parcels.

Minimum area 7,200 sf Determined through subdivision process

Width 55 ft

Residential uses Standards applicable to residential uses where allowed in nonresidential districts.

Maximum density As required for RM- 16 units/acre in CL- Not applicable
48 district 2, per RM-32
elsewhere

Standards (2) As required for RM-
16 in CL-2, per RM-

32 elsewhere

Setbacks Minimum and maximum setbacks required. See Section 17.40.160 for setback
measurement, allowed projections into setbacks, and exceptions to setbacks.

Front 20 ft 5 ft (4) (5) 5 ft (4) (5)

Sides (each) 15 ft and shall not project within the encroachment plane (17.40.160.D.2) when adjacent
to an RS or RM-12 zone or the encroachment plane (17.40.160.D.3) when adjacent to an
RM-16, RM-32,or RM-48 zone unless the adjacent lot is a PK overlay which is used for
parking; none required otherwise except 10 ft for the CO zone.

Corner 15 ft 5 ft (4) (5) 5 ft (4) (5)

Rear 15 ft and shall not project within the encroachment plane (17.40.160.D.2) when adjacent
to an RS or RM-12 zone or the encroachment plane (17.40.160.D.3) when adjacent to an
RM-16, RM-32,or RM-48 zone unless the adjacent lot is a PK overlay which is used for
parking; none required otherwise except 10 ft for the CO zone.

Height limit 45 ft (3) 36 ft (3) 45 ft (3) 45 ft (3)

Floor area ratio (FAR) 0.80 0.70 (6) 0.80 0.90

Landscaping As required by Chapter 17.44 (Landscaping)

Lighting As required by Section 17.40.080

Parking Parking shall comply with Chapter 17.46 (Parking and Loading), provided that no
parking area shall be located between a building and a street, but shall be to the side or
rear of the buildings on the site.

Signs As required by Chapter 17.48 (Signs)

Notes:

(1)  See Section 17.40.030 regarding development on an undeveloped lot and section 17.40.040 regarding development on a substandard lot. (2)  Single-family residences shall meet the requirements of the RS-6 district (17.22.040); two units on a lot shall meet the requirements of the RM-12 district (17.22.040). (3)  Limited to 36 feet in height and two stories if abutting an RS or RM-12 district. In the CL district, a third story may be allowed to accommodate only if housing is not abutting an RS or RM-12 District. (4)  A building proposed as an infill project may be allowed no setback through the Design Review process if the review authority determines that a reduced front and/or corner setback would allow the proposed structure to match the established building placement pattern of the block. (5)  The setback requirements for a project with more than 25,000 square feet of floor area shall be determined as part of the Conditional Use Permit approval for the project. (6)  FAR is 1.0 for CL-2 zoned parcels located south of East California Boulevard, between South Hudson Avenue and South Mentor Avenue.

(Ord. No. 7419, § 4, 2-26-2024; Ord. 7135 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2008; Ord. 7099 § 5 (Exh. 4), 2007; Ord. 7078 § 7 (Exh. 1), 2006; Ord. 7058 § 6 (Exh. 4), 2006; 7035 § 3, 2006)

A.

Purpose. The provisions of this Section are intended to provide for pedestrian orientation and traditional building form in the commercial areas of the City. A principal design objective of this Zoning Code is for the street frontages in these areas to

have continuous building facades with as few interruptions as possible in the progression of stores and other buildings, creating highly attractive, pedestrian-oriented streetscapes.

B.

Applicability. The requirements of this Section apply to proposed development within the CL, CG, and IG zoning districts. The review authority may approve minor variations to these standards as deemed appropriate, provided that the review authority also first finds that the minor variation will still produce a building that complies with the purpose of this Section.

C.

Elevation of first floor. At least 75 percent of the street-fronting length of the first habitable floor of a nonresidential structure shall be located no more than two vertical feet above or below the sidewalk elevation at any point along the street property line.

D.

Building placement. Each building shall be designed so that its front facade occupies 100 percent of its front property line. The review authority may grant exceptions for:

A driveway that is necessary because no side street, alley, or easement can provide access to required parking on the rear of the lot or site;

The initial phases of a multiphased building project that will occupy the entire frontage upon completion;

A project proposed with a pedestrians-only plaza occupying a portion of the street frontage;

A pedestrian corridor; or

Double frontage or double-frontage corner lots or sites. The Review Authority shall determine which frontage is the primary frontage and which is the secondary frontage based on the character of the street frontages. A parking lot can face the street on the secondary frontage.

E.

Building treatment. Building design shall comply with the following requirements.

Windows. Clear, untinted glass windows shall occupy a minimum of 50 percent of the width of the building facade parallel to the public sidewalk, with a minimum height of eight feet, to allow maximum visual interaction between sidewalk areas and the interior of buildings. Mirrored, reflective glass or tinted glass shall not be allowed. After installation, clear glass windows shall not later be treated so as to become opaque or to be blocked so as to prevent visibility of the ground floor interior from the sidewalk.

Railings and decorative grilles. Any decorative railing or grille work that is placed in front of or behind street-level windows shall be at least 75 percent open to perpendicular view and no more than six feet in height above grade. No security gate or grille shall be installed on the exterior of any structure.

F.

Pedestrian access to buildings. The primary entrance of each ground-floor use shall be located within the primary building frontage, and shall be recessed a minimum of three feet when accessed from the public right-of-way. Walk-up facilities and entries shall be recessed and provide adequate queuing space to avoid interruption of pedestrian flow.

(Ord. 7057 § 4, 2006)