28.020 DeHnitions of Specialized Terms and Phrases.

As used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this Section, unless the

context in which they are used clearly requires otherwise.

A DeHnitions, "A."

Abut. Adjoin or border on.

Adult oriented business. As deMned in Chapter 10.

Adult Day Program. Any community-based facility or program that provides care to persons 18 years of age or

older in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or

for the protection of these individuals on less than a 24-hour basis.

Alcoholic Beverage Establishment. A commercial and non-commercial establishment wherein alcoholic

beverages are sold, served, or given away for consumption on the premises, excluding full-service restaurants.

Typical alcoholic beverage establishments include but are not limited to the following recognized types of

establishments: bars, cocktail lounges, ballrooms, dance bars, piano bars, billiard or game parlors, bowling alleys

and nightclubs.

Alley. A public or private way which aQords only secondary access to abutting property.

Arborist. 1) A person currently certiMed by the Western Article of the International Society of Arboriculture as an

expert on the care of trees; 2) a consulting arborist who satisMes the requirements of the American Society of

Consulting Arborists; or 3) other qualiMed professionals who the Director determines have gained through

experience the qualiMcations to identify, remove, or replace trees.

Artisan Shop. A retail store selling art glass, ceramics, jewelry, and other handcrafted items, where the facility

includes an area for the crafting of the items being sold.

Artisan/Craft Product Manufacturing. Establishments manufacturing and/or assembling small products

primarily by hand, including but not limited to jewelry, pottery, ceramics, small glass and metal art, and craft

products. May also include small scale artisanal food and beverage product manufacturing.

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Automated Teller Machine (ATM). Computerized, self-service machines used by banking customers for Mnancial

transactions, including deposits, withdrawals and fund transfers, without face-to-face contact with Mnancial

institution personnel. The machines may be located at or within banks, or in other locations.

Auto Parts Sales. Stores that sell new automobile parts and accessories. Establishments that provide installation

services are instead included under "Vehicle Services - Repair and Maintenance - Minor." Does not include tire

recapping establishments, which are found under "Vehicle Services" or businesses dealing exclusively in used

parts, which are included under "Recycling - Scrap and Dismantling Yards."

Auto and Vehicle Sales and Rental. A retail or wholesale establishment selling and/or renting automobiles,

trucks and vans, trailers and motorcycles (bicycle sales are included under "General Retail"). May also include

repair shops and the sales of parts and accessories, incidental to vehicle dealerships. Does not include: the sale of

auto parts/accessories separate from a vehicle dealership (see "Auto Parts Sales"); mobile home, recreational

vehicle, or watercraft sales (see "Mobile Home, RV and Boat Sales"); tire recapping establishments (see "Vehicle

Services"); businesses dealing exclusively in used parts, (see "Recycling - Scrap and Dismantling Yards"); or "Gas

Stations," which are separately deMned.

B DeHnitions, "B."

Bank, Financial Services. Financial institutions including:

banks and trust companies other investment companies

credit agencies securities/commodity contract brokers and

dealers

holding (but not primarily operating) security and commodity exchanges

companies

lending and thrift institutions vehicle Mnance (equity) leasing agencies

See also, "Automated Teller Machine."

Bar/Tavern. A business where alcoholic beverages are sold for on-site consumption, which are not part of a larger

restaurant. Includes bars, taverns, pubs, and similar establishments where any food service is subordinate to the

sale of alcoholic beverages. May also include beer brewing as part of a microbrewery. Does not include adult

oriented businesses (also see “Night Club”).

Bed and Breakfast Inn (B&B). A residential structure with one household in permanent residence, with three or

more bedrooms furnished for compensation for overnight lodging, where meals may be provided subject to

applicable Health Department regulations. Does not include room rental, which is separately deMned (see

“Rooming, Lodging, Boarding House, or Short-Term Vacation Rental”).

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Bedroom. Any space in the conditioned area of a dwelling unit or accessory structure located along an exterior

wall, but not including the following: hall; bathroom; kitchen; living room, dining room, family room, laundry room,

closet/dressing room opening oQ of a bedroom. If a home oOce, library or similar room is proposed, it may be

exempted from being considered a bedroom if there is no closet and at least one of the following is present: a) a

minimum 4 foot opening, without doors, into another room; or b) a half wall (4 foot maximum height) between the

room and another room. A detached building which contains only a half bath will not routinely be considered as

having a bedroom unless it is speciMcally identiMed and permitted as a guest house.

Block. The properties abutting on one side of a street and lying between the two nearest intersecting or

intercepting streets, or nearest intersecting or intercepting street and railroad right-of-way, unsubdivided land, or

watercourse.

Building. See “structure”

Building and Landscape Materials Sales – Indoor. Retail establishments selling hardware, lumber and other

large building materials. Includes paint, wallpaper, glass, and Mxtures. Includes all these stores selling to the

general public, even if contractor sales account for a major proportion of total sales. Establishments primarily

selling electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning equipment and supplies are classiMed in “Wholesaling

and Distribution.”

Building and Landscape Materials Sales – Outdoor. See “Storage-Yard, Outdoor”

Building Height. Measured as the vertical distance between the average Mnish grade and the midpoint between

the eaves and ridge of a gambrel, hip or gable roof, or the highest point of a Nat or shed roof, or the ridge of the

rooNine of a mansard roof. When either of the following occurs, a dormer shall also be considered a roof for the

purposes of determining building height:

■ the width of the roof of the dormer exceeds 49% of the width of the roof of the building; or

■ the width of the dormer measured from building wall to building wall exceeds 49% of the width of the

building measured from building wall to building wall.

All building elevations are required to comply with the height limit for the zoning district in which the property is

located.

Business Support Service. An establishment within a building that provides services to other businesses.

Examples of these services include:

blueprinting Mlm processing and photo Mnishing (retail)

computer related services (rental, repair) protective services

copying and quick printing services security systems service

(Ord. 2820 § 4, 2022.)

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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C DeHnitions, "C."

Catering. A business that prepares and delivers food for consumption on the premises of a client. Does not

include mobile food vendors.

Child Care Center. A child day care facility (other than a family day care home) as deMned in facility (other than a

family day care home) as deMned in 65915, subdivision (h), paragraph (4) and successor statuses including, but not

limited to, infant centers, preschools, extended day care facilities and school age child care centers that provides

non-medical care and supervision for minor children for periods of less than 24 hours and is licensed by the

California State Department of Social Services. Excludes “Child Day Care,” below.

Child Day Care. Facilities that provide care, protection and supervision of children, in the care giver’s home, for

periods of less than 24 hours per day, while the parents or authorized representatives are away. These facilities

include the following, all of which are required to be licensed by the State of California Department of Social

Services.

1. Large Family. A home that provides family child care for up to 12 children, or for up to 14 children. These

   capacities include children under age 10 who live in the licensee’s home and the assistant provider’s children

under age 10. A large family day care home is required to comply with the requirements of Section 7.060.

2. Small Family. A home that provides family child care for up to six children, or for up to eight children.

These capacities include children under age 10 who live in the licensee’s home.

Combining District. Special regulations to be invoked where appropriate or necessary in addition to basic district

regulations.

Commercial Recreation - Indoor. Establishments providing indoor amusement and entertainment services for a

fee or admission charge, including:

bowling alleys electronic game arcades (video games, pinball,

etc.)

coin-operated amusement arcades ice skating and roller skating

dance halls, clubs and ballrooms pool and billiard rooms as primary uses

This use does not include adult oriented businesses, which are separately deMned. Four or more electronic games

or coin operated amusements in any establishment, or a premises where 50 percent or more of the Noor area is

occupied by amusement devices, are considered an electronic game arcade as described above; three or fewer

machines are not considered a land use separate from the primary use of the site.

Commercial Recreation - Outdoor. Facilities for various outdoor recreational activities, where a fee is charged for

use. Examples include:

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amusement and theme parks miniature golf courses

go-cart tracks water slides

golf driving ranges

May also include commercial facilities customarily associated with the above outdoor commercial recreational

uses, including bars and restaurants, video game arcades, etc.

Community Meeting Facility. A multi-purpose meeting and/or recreational facility typically consisting of one or

more meeting or multi-purpose rooms, which may also include kitchen and/or outdoor cooking or eating facilities,

that area available for use by various groups for such activities as meetings, parties, receptions, dances, etc.

Community meeting facilities include community center and the following.

1. Club, Lodge, Private Meeting Hall. Permanent, headquarters-type and meeting facilities for organizations

operating on a membership basis for the promotion of the interests of the members, including facilities for:

business associations political organizations

civic, social and fraternal organizations professional membership organizations

labor unions and similar organizations other membership organizations

2. Religious Facility. A facility operated by a religious organization to provide a place for worship, or the

promotion of religious activities. This use includes: churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, etc., and their

accessory uses on the same site, such as living quarters for staQ, fund-raising sales, bazaars, dinners, parties, or

other outdoor events on the same site. Other uses deMned in the Implementing Zoning Ordinance and identiMed

in Tables 4.1 through 4.5, which may be maintained by religious organizations, such as full-time educational

institutions, hospitals, or recreational camps, shall be permitted as set forth in Tables 4.1 through 4.5 of the

Implementing Zoning Ordinance.

Conference/Convention Facility. One or more structures accommodating multiple assembly, meeting, and/or

exhibit rooms, and related support facilities (e.g., kitchens, oOces, etc.).

Coverage. The percent of the total site area covered by structures, open or enclosed, excluding uncovered steps,

patios and terraces.

Crop Production, Horticulture, Orchard, Vineyard. Commercial agricultural production Meld and orchard uses,

including the production of the following, primarily in the soil on the site and not in containers, other than for

initial propagation prior to planting in the soil on the site:

Nowers and seeds ornamental crops

tree nuts Meld crops

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trees and sod melons

vegetables grains

wine and table grapes fruits

Also includes associated crop preparation services and harvesting activities: mechanical soil preparation; irrigation

system construction; spraying. May also include the sale of products grown on site. Does not include greenhouses

which are instead deMned under "Plant Nursery" or containerized crop production, which is instead deMned under

"Plant Nursery."

D DeHnitions, "D."

Demolition. The removal of 50 percent or more of the exterior walls of a building or structure or the relocation of

a building from one parcel of land to another or the raising of an existing structure beyond what is required for a

new foundation. The initial determination of demolition is made by the community development director.

Development Project. Any project which would, if carried out, establish or permit to be established any new or

changed use of any real property, building, structure or sign.

Driveway, Residential. A way that is typically paved and provides direct access from a public or private street to

an individual dwelling unit or to the garage or parking area for the residential unit.

Dwelling, Accessory. An attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living

facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. It shall

include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation on the same parcel as that on

which the single- or multifamily household dwelling is or will be situated and meeting the requirements of Section

7.030.

Dwelling, Attached. A building containing a single dwelling unit and having one or more walls in common with

another such unit with each unit located on a separate lot.

Dwelling, Caretaker. A permanent residence that is secondary or accessory to the primary use of the property

and used for housing a caretaker employed on the site of any nonresidential use where needed for security

purposes.

Dwelling, Detached. A building designed for and/or occupied exclusively by one household that has no walls in

common with any other structure or dwelling unit.

Dwelling, Group. A group of two or more detached dwellings located on one parcel of land in one ownership and

meeting the requirements of Section 7.040. No more than three dwelling units shall be erected in a dwelling

group. An accessory dwelling is not included as a dwelling for the purposes of a dwelling group.

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Dwelling, Junior Accessory. A unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a

single-family residence and meeting the requirements of Section 7.035. A junior accessory dwelling unit may

include separate sanitation facilities, or may share sanitation facilities with the existing structure.

Dwelling, Multiple. A building designed or used exclusively as a residence including two or more separate

dwelling units. This deMnition includes but is not limited to duplexes, triplexes, apartments, and condominiums

under a common ownership.

Dwelling, Single Household. A freestanding building designed for and/or occupied by one household.

Dwelling Unit. A room or group of internally connected rooms that have sleeping, cooking, eating, and sanitation

facilities, but not more than one kitchen, which constitute an independent housekeeping unit, occupied by or

intended for one household on a long-term basis. (Ord. 2738 § 7, 2020; Ord. 2711 § 7, 2020.)

E DeHnitions, "E."

Emergency Shelter. Emergency shelter means housing with minimal supportive services for homeless persons

that is limited to occupancy of six months or less by a homeless person.

F DeHnitions, "F."

Farm Animal Keeping. Raising of livestock and poultry, dairying, or animal husbandry.

Fence. A device or portion thereof designed to separate or screen property areas and not to carry super-imposed

load.

Fitness/ Health Facility. A Mtness center, gymnasium, health and athletic club, which may include any of the

following: sauna, spa or hot tub facilities; indoor tennis, handball, racquetball, archery and shooting ranges and

other indoor sports activities. Does not include adult entertainment businesses.

Floor area, Gross. The entire area within the walls of a building, measured in a horizontal plane from the outside

edge of exterior wall to exterior wall, in square feet.

Floor Area Ratio. The gross Noor area of all buildings on a lot divided by the building site area (see exhibit below).

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Fueling Station/Gas Station. A retail business selling gasoline and/or other motor vehicle fuels, and related

products. A gas station may also include a convenience store, vehicle services, and restaurant facilities.

Furniture/Fixtures Manufacturing, Cabinet Shop. Manufacturers producing: wood and metal household

furniture and appliances; bedsprings and mattresses; all types of oOce furniture and public building furniture and

partitions, shelving, lockers and store furniture; and miscellaneous drapery hardware, window blinds and shades.

Includes furniture re-upholstering businesses, wood and cabinet shops, but not sawmills or planing mills, which

are instead included under "Manufacturing - Heavy."

G DeHnitions, "G."

Garage, or Carport. Parking space and shelter for automobiles or other vehicles, where the size of the parking

space complies with the provisions of Section 11.070(I) (Parking Stall Size).

1. A garage is a completely enclosed attached or detached accessory structure with an operational door

2. A carport is an attached or detached accessory structure enclosed on no more than two sides.

A garage or carport complies with the requirements of this Zoning Code for "covered" parking spaces.

Garage Sale. A sale of articles belonging to one or more households, held for a period not to exceed three

consecutive days, at a frequency not to exceed once every two months at any single location.

General Retail. Stores and shops selling many lines of merchandise. Examples of these stores and lines of

merchandise include, but are not limited to:

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antique stores drug stores and pharmacies

art galleries, retail furniture, furnishings, and appliances

artists’ supplies toys and games

jewelry musical instruments, parts and accessories

auto parts sales second hand stores

bicycles specialty shops

books, magazines, and newspapers sporting goods and equipment

cameras and photographic supplies department stores

clothing, shoes, and accessories wine shops

convenience stores

Golf Course, Country Club. Golf courses, and accessory facilities and uses including: clubhouses with bar and

restaurant, locker and shower facilities; driving ranges; "pro shops" for on-site sales of golMng equipment; and golf

cart storage and sales facilities.

Grade, Finish. The ground surface immediately adjacent to the exterior base of a structure.

Grade, Natural or Existing. The contour of the ground surface before grading.

Groceries, Specialty Foods. A retail business where the majority of the Noor area open to the public is occupied

by food products packaged for preparation and consumption away from the store.

Guest House. A detached living quarters of permanent construction, without kitchen or cooking facilities, clearly

subordinate and incidental to the main building on the same lot, and intended for use by occasional guests of the

occupants of the main building. (Ord. 2820 § 5, 2022.)

H DeHnitions, "H."

Home Occupation. A commercial activity conducted in a dwelling located in a Residential, Mixed Use, or

Commercial zoning district, which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential

purposes and in accordance with the provisions of , which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the

dwelling for residential purposes and in accordance with the provisions of 7.050.

Hotel or Motel. A facility with guest rooms or suites, with or without kitchen facilities, rented to the general public

for transient lodging. Hotels typically include a variety of services in addition to lodging; for example, restaurants,

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meeting facilities, personal services, etc. Also includes accessory guest facilities such as swimming pools, tennis

courts, indoor athletic facilities, accessory retail uses, etc.

Household. A person or group of people who live together in a single dwelling unit, but not including the renting

of rooms.

I DeHnitions, "I."

No deHnitions beginning with “I”

J DeHnitions, "J."

No deHnitions beginning with “J”

K DeHnitions, "K."

Kennel, Animal Boarding. A commercial facility for the grooming, keeping, boarding or maintaining of four or

more dogs (four months of age or older), or four dogs or cats for sale in pet shops or patients in animal hospitals.

See also "Veterinary Clinic, Animal Hospital."

Kitchen. A room or space within a building used or intended to be used for cooking or preparation of food, which

included any of the following: stove, oven, range top.

L DeHnitions, "L."

Laboratory - Medical, Analytical, Testing. A facility for testing, analysis, and/or research. Examples of this use

include medical labs, soils and materials testing labs, and forensic labs.

Laboratory – Cannabis. Testing laboratories that oQer or perform testing of cannabis or cannabis products in

accordance with Petaluma Municipal Code sections 10.15.020 and 10.15.040, and the current City of Petaluma

Cannabis Permit Regulations.

Laundry, Dry Cleaning Plant. A service establishment engaged primarily in high volume laundry and garment

services, including: carpet and upholstery cleaners; diaper services; dry cleaning and garment pressing;

commercial laundries; linen supply. These facilities may include accessory customer pick-up facilities. These

facilities do not include coin operated laundries or dry cleaning pick up stores without dry cleaning equipment; see

"Personal Services."

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Library, Museum, Art Gallery. A public or quasi-public facility, examples of which include: aquariums,

arboretums, art galleries and exhibitions, botanical gardens, historic sites and exhibits, libraries, museums,

planetariums, and zoos. May also include accessory retail uses such as a gift/book shop, restaurant, etc.

Lot or Parcel. A recorded lot or parcel of real property lawfully created as required by applicable Subdivision Map

Act and City ordinance requirements, including this Zoning Ordinance. Types of lots include the following:

Corner Lot. A lot located at the intersection of two or more streets, where they intersect at an interior angle of not

more than 135 degrees. If the intersection angle is more than 135 degrees, the lot is an interior lot.

Flag Lot. A lot having access from the building site to a public street by means of private right-of-way strip.

Interior Lot. A lot abutting only one street.

Reverse Corner Lot. A corner lot the side line of which is substantially a continuation of the front property line of

the Mrst lot to its rear.

Double Frontage Lot. An interior lot with frontage on two generally parallel streets.

Lot Area. Gross lot area is the total area included within the lot lines of a lot, exclusive of adjacent dedicated street

rights of way. Net lot area is the gross area of the lot, exclusive of:

1. Easements for streets or driveways that are not for the exclusive use of the lot on which the easement is

located:

2. The access strip required to serve a Nag lot.

Lot, Depth. The average linear (or mean horizontal) distance between the front and rear lot line lines or between

the front lot line and the intersection of the two side lot lines if there is no rear not line.

Lot Frontage. The property line of a site abutting a street, other than the street side line of a corner lot.

Lot, Width. The horizontal distance between the side lot lines.

Lot Line or Property Line. Any recorded boundary of a lot. The types of lot lines are as follows:

Front Lot Line. On an interior lot, the property line separating the parcel from the street. The front line on a

corner lot is the line with the shortest frontage. If the street fronting lot lines of a corner lot are equal in

length, the front lot line shall be determined by the Director. On a double frontage lot, both lot lines are front

lot lines and the lot is considered to have no rear lot line.

Interior Lot Line. Any lot line not abutting a street that is not a rear lot line.

Rear Lot Line. A property line that does not intersect the front lot line, which is most distant from and most

closely parallel to the front lot line.

Side Lot Line. Any lot line that is not a front or a rear lot line.

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Street Side Lot Line. On a corner lot, the lot line with the longest frontage.

M DeHnitions, "M."

Maintenance/Repair Service - Client Site Services. Base facilities for various businesses that provide services on

the premises of their clients. Includes gardening, janitorial, pest control, water and smoke damage recovery, and

similar services; and maintenance/repair services for appliances, computers, electronics, elevators, equipment,

HVAC, instrument, where the service is provided on the client site.

Maintenance/Repair Service - Equipment, Appliances. A business that provides repair and/or maintenance

services for appliances, computers, electronics, and other types of non-vehicular related equipment that is

brought to the facility by the client. These businesses do not operate on the same site as a retail establishment

that sells the product being maintained or repaired. When these services operate from a retail establishment that

sells the products being maintained or repaired, they are instead considered part of the retail use.

Manufactured/Mobile Home. A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is

eight body feet or more in width, or 40 body feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is 320 or more

square feet, and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a

permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air

conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein; except that such term shall include any structure which

meets all the requirements of this paragraph except the size requirements and with respect to which the

manufacturer voluntarily Mles a certiMcation and complies with the standards established under this part. ,

transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width, or 40

body feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is 320 or more square feet, and which is built on a

permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when

connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems

contained therein; except that such term shall include any structure which meets all the requirements of this

paragraph except the size requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily Mles a certiMcation

and complies with the standards established under this part. 18007.

Manufacturing – Cannabis. Businesses that manufacture and sell topical or edible cannabis products using

cannabis infusions, infusion processes, or cannabis concentrates only business to business (non-retail) in

accordance with Petaluma Municipal Code section 10.15.040 and the current City of Petaluma Commercial

Cannabis Permit Regulations. Excludes manufacturing of cannabis products involving volatile solvents, and

repackaging cannabis or cannabis products or re-labeling cannabis or cannabis product containers.

Manufacturing/Processing - Light. A facility accommodating manufacturing processes and establishments

engaged in the assembly, fabrication, and conversion of already processed raw materials into products, where the

operational characteristics of the manufacturing processes and the materials used are unlikely to cause signiMcant

impacts on surrounding land uses or the community. Examples of light manufacturing uses include, but are not

limited to, the following:

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clothing and fabric product manufacturing metal products fabrication, machine and

welding shops

electronics, equipment, and appliance paper product manufacturing

manufacturing

food and beverage product manufacturing

Manufacturing/Processing - Medium Intensity. A facility accommodating manufacturing processes that involve

and/or produce building materials, fabricated metal products, machinery, and/or transportation equipment,

where the intensity and/or scale of operations is greater than those classiMed under "Manufacturing - Light," but

where impacts on surrounding land uses or the community can typically be mitigated to acceptable levels.

Examples of medium intensity manufacturing uses include, but are not limited to, the following:

lumber and wood product manufacturing stone and cut stone product manufacturing

machinery manufacturing structural clay and pottery product

manufacturing

motor vehicles and transportation equipment

Manufacturing/Processing - Heavy Intensity. A facility accommodating processes that involve and/or produce

basic metals, building materials, chemicals, fabricated metals, paper products, machinery, textiles, and/or

transportation equipment where the intensity and/or scale of operations may cause signiMcant impacts on

surrounding land uses or the community.

Meals Assembly. A facility that provides a location for clients to assemble meals from ingredients and take them

oQsite for cooking and consumption. Meals may also be assembled onsite for clients to pickup at the facility. No

eating facilities are provided.

Media Production. Facilities for motion picture, television, video, sound, computer, and other communications

media production.

Medical Service - Health Care Facility. A facility, place, or building that is maintained and operated to provide

medical care. Includes nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, medical clinics, and home health agencies, all of

which are licensed by the California State Department of Health Services, and deMned in that is maintained and

operated to provide medical care. Includes nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, medical clinics, and home

health agencies, all of which are licensed by the California State Department of Health Services, and deMned in

1200 et seq.

Medical Service - Minor. A facility other than a hospital where medical, dental, mental health, surgical, and/or

other personal health care services are provided on an outpatient basis. Includes medical oOces (for example

oOces for chiropractors, dentists, medical doctors, optometrists, prescription opticians, psychologists/

psychiatrists, etc.), outpatient facilities which may include surgery, urgent care facilities, dental laboratories, and

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medical laboratories. May include massage therapy and acupuncture when not part of a personal service or spa

establishment.

Medical Service - Major. Hospitals and similar facilities engaged primarily in providing diagnostic services, and

extensive medical treatment, including surgical and other hospital services. These establishments have an

organized medical staQ, inpatient beds, and equipment and facilities to provide complete health care. May include

on-site accessory clinics and laboratories, accessory retail uses and emergency heliports (see the separate

deMnition of "Accessory Retail Uses").

Mobile Home, RV, and Boat Sales. Retail establishments selling both mobile home dwelling units, and/or various

vehicles and watercraft for recreational uses. Includes the sales of boats, campers and camper shells, jet skis,

mobile homes, motor homes, and travel trailers.

Mortuary, Funeral Home. Funeral homes and parlors, where deceased are prepared for burial or cremation,

funeral services may be conducted.

N DeHnitions, "N."

Night Club. A facility serving alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption, and providing entertainment, examples

of which include live music and/or dancing, comedy, etc. (also see “Bar/Tavern”).

O

DeMnitions, "O."

OIce. This Code distinguishes between the following types of oOces. These do not include medical oOces (see

"Medical Service - Minor").

1. Accessory. An oOce facility incidental and accessory to another business or sales activity that is the

primary use. These are permitted accessory to any other use allowed in all zones established by this code.

2. Government. An administrative, clerical, or public contact and/or service oOce of a local, state, or federal

government agency. Includes post oOces, but not bulk mailing distribution centers, which are under “Truck or

Freight Terminal.”

4. High Employee. An oOce-type facility characterized by high employee concentration, and occupied by

businesses engaged in information processing. Examples of these uses include, but are not limited to:

airline, lodging chain, and rental car company reservation centers

consumer credit reporting

data processing services

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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health management organization (HMO) oOces where no medical services are provided

insurance claim processing

mail order and electronic commerce transaction processing

telemarketing

5. Professional/Administrative. An oOce-type facility occupied by businesses that provide direct

professional services and/or is engaged in the production of intellectual property. Examples of these uses

include, but are not limited to:

accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services Mnancial management and investment

counseling

advertising agencies single or small group psychologists/

psychiatrists/counselors

attorneys management and public relations services

commercial art and design services media production services

construction contractors (oOce facilities only) design services including architecture,

engineering,

photographers and photography studios landscape architecture, urban planning

court reporting services educational, scientiMc and research

organizations

One Foot Lambert. Equals brightness equivalent to one lumen per square foot reNected from a surface. One

lumen per square foot is equal to a square foot illuminated evenly by one foot candle at any point.

Outdoor Advertising Structure. Any device which is used or designed so that it may be used to direct attention

to a business, profession, commodity, service, or entertainment, conducted, sold, or oQered elsewhere than upon

the lot where such sign is located.

P DeHnitions, "P."

Park. City owned land whose primary purpose is recreation, includes, but is not limited to, playMelds and courts,

swimming pools, recreational facilities, community gardens, playgrounds, trails, and nature preserves.

Parking Facility, Public or Commercial. Includes both day use and long-term public and commercial garages,

parking lots and structures, except when accessory to a primary use. (All primary uses are considered to include

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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any customer or public use oQ-street parking required by the Zoning Code). Also include “park and ride” lots. Does

not include dismantling yards.

Performance Standards. Regulations for the control of “dangerous or objectionable elements” as deMned in

Article XX.

Personal Services. Establishments providing non medical services to individuals as a primary use. Examples of

these uses include:

barber and beauty shops massage (licensed, therapeutic, non-sexual)

clothing rental pet grooming with no boarding

dry cleaning pick up stores with limited shoe repair shops

equipment

home electronics and small appliance repair tailors

laundromats (self service laundries) tanning salons

locksmiths

These uses may also include accessory retail sales of products related to the services provided.

Personal Services - Restricted. Personal services that may tend to have a potentially oQensive eQect upon

surrounding areas and which may need to be dispersed to minimize their adverse impacts. Examples of these

uses include:

check cashing stores soup kitchens

fortune tellers spas and hot tubs for hourly rental

palm and card readers tattoo and body piercing services

psychics

Petroleum Product Storage and Distribution. A facility for the bulk storage and wholesale distribution of

gasoline, diesel fuel, and/or other fuels and petroleum products.

Plant Nursery. A commercial agricultural establishment engaged in the production of ornamental plants and

other nursery products, grown under cover either in containers or in the soil on the site, or outdoors in containers.

The outdoor production of ornamental plants in the soil on the site is instead included under "Crop Production,

Horticulture, Orchard, Vineyard." Also includes establishments engaged in the sale of these products (e.g.,

wholesale and retail nurseries) and commercial-scale greenhouses. The sale of house plants or other nursery

products entirely within a building is also included under "General Retail."

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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Printing and Publishing. A small scale establishment engaged in printing by letterpress, lithography, gravure,

screen, oQset, or electrostatic (xerographic) copying; and other establishments serving the printing trade such as

bookbinding, typesetting, engraving, photoengraving and electrotyping. This use also includes establishments that

publish newspapers, books and periodicals; establishments manufacturing business forms and binding devices.

"Quick printing" services are included in the deMnition of "Business Support Services."

Public Safety Facility. A facility operated by a public agency including Mre stations, other Mre prevention and Mre

Mghting facilities, police and sheriQ substations and headquarters, including interim incarceration facilities.

Q DeHnitions, "Q."

No deHnitions beginning with “Q”

R DeHnitions, "R."

Recreational Vehicle. A motor home, travel trailer, truck camper, or camping trailer, with or without motive

power, designed for human habitation for recreational, emergency, or other occupancy, that meets all of the

following criteria: (1) It contains less than 320 square feet of internal living room area, excluding built-in

equipment, including, but not limited to, wardrobe, closets, cabinets, kitchen units or Mxtures, and bath or toilet

rooms. (2) It contains 400 square feet or less of gross area measured at maximum horizontal projections. (3) It is

built on a single chassis. (4) It is either self-propelled, truck-mounted, or permanently towable on the highways

without a permit. Also includes a “park trailer” as deMned by-in equipment, including, but not limited to, wardrobe,

closets, cabinets, kitchen units or Mxtures, and bath or toilet rooms. (2) It contains 400 square feet or less of gross

area measured at maximum horizontal projections. (3) It is built on a single chassis. (4) It is either self-propelled,

truck-mounted, or permanently towable on the highways without a permit. Also includes a “park trailer” as deMned

byCalifornia Health & Safety Code 18009.3. California Health & Safety Code, Section 18010.

Recycling Facility. This land use type includes a variety of facilities involved with the collection, sorting and

processing of recyclable materials. Recyclable materials include reusable domestic containers and other materials

which can be reconstituted, re-manufactured, or reused in an altered form, including glass, metals, paper and

plastic. Recyclable material does not include refuse or hazardous materials.

Research and Development (R&D). A facility for scientiMc research, and the design, development and testing

components in advance of product manufacturing, and the assembly of related products from parts produced oQ-

site, where the manufacturing activity is secondary to the research and development activities.

Residential Facilities, Adult (ARF). Facilities of any capacity that provide 24-hour non-medical care for adults ages

18 through 59, who are unable to provide for their own daily needs. Adults may be physically handicapped,

developmentally disabled, and/or mentally disabled.

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill (RCFCI). Facilities with a maximum licensed capacity of 25. Care

and supervision is provided to adults who have Acquired Immune DeMciency Syndrome (AIDS) or the Human

ImmunodeMciency Virus (HIV).

Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE). Provide care, supervision and assistance with activities of daily

living, such as bathing and grooming. They may also provide incidental medical services under special care plans.

The facilities provide services to persons 60 years of age and over and persons under 60 with compatible needs.

RCFEs may also be known as assisted living facilities, retirement homes and board and care homes. The facilities

can range in size from six beds or less to over 100 beds. The residents in these facilities require varying levels of

personal care and protective supervision. Because of the wide range of services oQered by RCFEs, consumers

should look closely at the programs of each facility to see if the services will meet their needs.

Restaurant, Café, CoJee Shop. A retail business selling ready-to-eat food and/or beverages for on- or oQ-

premise consumption. These include eating establishments where customers are served from an ordering counter

for either on- or oQ-premise consumption (“counter service”); establishments where customers are served food at

their tables for on-premise consumption (“table service”), which may also provide food for take-out; and

exclusively pedestrian-oriented facilities that serve from a walk-up ordering counter. This use does not include a

mobile food vendor.

Retail Sale – Cannabis means a maximum of up to three diQerent premises permanently located in the City

where cannabis is oQered for on-site retail sale to consumers, and a maximum of up to two diQerent premises

permanently located in the City that deliver cannabis as part of a retail sale, with all such operations and premises

licensed by the State of California pursuant to the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act,

California Business and Professions Code Section 26000 et seq., as may be amended, in accordance with State law,

the requirements of this code, the Petaluma Municipal Code, and the current City of Petaluma Commercial

Cannabis Permit Regulations. Unless otherwise speciMed, “cannabis retailer” means both a retailer selling medical

cannabis and medical cannabis products to patients with valid physician’s recommendations, and a retailer

oQering adult-use cannabis and cannabis products for adults 21 years of age and over, in accordance with State

law, the requirements of this code, the Petaluma Municipal Code, and the current City of Petaluma Commercial

Cannabis Permit Regulations.

Retaining Wall. Any wall erected to hold back or support a bank of earth.

Rooming or Boarding, Accessory. A portion of a dwelling where lodging and boarding are provided for no more

than 3 persons for a period of 30 days or longer.

Rooming, Lodging or Boarding House. A dwelling or part of a dwelling where lodging is furnished for

compensation to three or more persons living independently from each other for a period of 30 days or longer.

Meals may also be included. (Ord. 2890 § 2, 2024.)

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

Ch. 28 Glossary | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance Page 20 of 26

S DeHnitions, "S."

School. A private academic educational institution, including:

boarding school high school

community college, college, or university military academy

elementary, middle and junior high schools

School – Specialized Education and Training. A private academic educational institution, providing specialized

education/training. Examples include the following:

art school establishments providing courses by mail

ballet and other dance school language school

business, secretarial and vocational music school

computers and electronics school professional school (law, medicine, etc.)

drama school seminaries/religious ministry training facility

driver education school

Also includes facilities, institutions and conference centers that oQer specialized programs in personal growth and

development, such as Mtness, environmental awareness, arts, communications, and management. Does not

include pre-schools and child day care facilities (see "Child Day Care Facilities"). See also the deMnition of "Studios -

Art, Dance, Martial Arts, Music, etc." for smaller-scale facilities oQering specialized instruction.

Scrap and Dismantling Yard. Outdoor establishments primarily engaged in assembling, breaking up, sorting, and

the temporary storage and distribution of recyclable or reusable scrap and waste materials, including auto

wreckers engaged in dismantling automobiles for scrap, and the incidental wholesale or retail sales of parts from

those vehicles. Includes light and heavy processing facilities for recycling (see the deMnitions above). Does not

include: places where these activities are conducted entirely within buildings; secondhand stores; the sale of

operative used cars; or landMlls or other waste disposal sites.

Short-Term Vacation Rental. A dwelling, part of a dwelling, or dwelling as an accessory or secondary unit

furnished for compensation for a period of less than 30 days. Meals may also be included. Does not include room

rental for 30 days or more, which is separately deMned (see “Rooming, Lodging, or Boarding House”).

Setback. The required distance by which a structure, parking area, or other development feature must be

separated from a property line, other structure, development feature (e.g. back of sidewalk, or curb) or street

center line.

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

Ch. 28 Glossary | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance Page 21 of 26

Setback, Front. The required area extending across the full width of a site measured from the front property line,

street plan line, or access easement to the primary structure. The depth of the front setback is measured as the

minimum horizontal distance between the front property line, street plan line, or access easement and a line

parallel thereto with the required minimum distance determined by the development standards for the applicable

zoning district.

Setback, Rear. The required area extending across the full width of a site measured from the rear lot line and a

structure. The depth of a rear setback is measured as the minimum horizontal distance between the rear property

line and a line parallel thereto with the required minimum distance determined by the development standards for

the applicable zoning district.

Setback, Side. The required area extending from the front property line, street plan line, or access easement to

the rear property line. The width of a side setback is the minimum horizontal distance between an interior side

property line and a line parallel thereto with the required minimum distance determined by the development

standards for the applicable zoning district.

Setback, Street Side. The required area extending from the front property line, street plan line, or access

easement to the rear property line. The width of a street side setback is the minimum horizontal distance between

the street side property line and a line parallel thereto with the required minimum distance determined by the

development standards for the applicable zoning district for a corner or reverse corner lot.

Sports and Entertainment Assembly Facility. A large-scale indoor or outdoor facility accommodating spectator-

oriented sports, concerts, and other entertainment activities. Examples of this land use include amphitheaters,

race tracks, stadiums and coliseums. May also include commercial facilities customarily associated with the above

uses, including bars and restaurants, gift shops, video game arcades, etc.

Storage - Warehouse, Indoor Storage. Facilities for the storage of commercial goods of any nature. Includes cold

storage. Does not include storage or mini-storage facilities oQered for rent or lease to the general public. (see also

“Wholesaling and Distribution” and “Truck or Freight Terminal”).

Storage - Outdoor Storage Yard. The open storage of various materials outside of a structure other then fencing,

either as an accessory or principal use.

Street. A public or private right-of-way which provides a public means of access to abutting property. The term

“street” shall include avenue, drive, circle, road, parkway, boulevard, highway, thoroughfare, or any other similar

term, but not alley. The term shall include the total width of the dedicated right-of-way.

Structure. Anything constructed or erected which requires location on the ground or which is attached to

something having location on the ground, excluding vehicles designed and used only for the transportation of

people or goods, a swimming pool or spa, a fence, or a wall used as a fence.

Structure, Accessory. A building or structure normally subordinate, and the use of which is incidental, to the

primary use of the site.

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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Structure, Accessory Detached. An accessory building or structure with a minimum separation from a primary

structure or building of at least three feet. For purposes of measurement, roof eaves and overhangs, bays,

balconies, and other projections shall be considered points of reference. For the purposes of this code, any

structure not meeting the separation requirement is considered attached to the primary structure and is subject

to the development standards for the primary structure.

Studio - Art, Dance, Martial Arts, Music, etc. Small scale facilities, typically accommodating one group of

students at a time, in no more than one instructional space. Larger facilities are included under the deMnition of

"Schools - Specialized education and training." Examples of these facilities include: individual and group instruction

and training in the arts; production rehearsal; photography, and the processing of photographs produced only by

users of the studio facilities; martial arts training studios; gymnastics, yoga and similar instruction; and aerobics

and gymnastics studios with no other Mtness facilities or equipment.

Supportive Housing. Housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the Target Population, and that is

linked to an onsite or oQsite service that assists the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing,

improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and, when possible, work in the

community. Supportive housing is a residential use subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential

uses of the same type in the same zone.

Swimming Pool. A pool, pond, land, or open tank intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains

water over 18 inches deep. “Swimming pool” includes in-ground and above ground pools, hot tubs and spas and

portable spas and non-portable wading pools.

T DeHnitions, "T."

Target Population. Persons with low incomes who have one or more disabilities, including mental illness, HIV or

AIDS, substance abuse, or other chronic health condition, or individuals eligible for services provided pursuant to

the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500) of the

Welfare and Institutions Code) and may include, among other populations, adults, emancipated minors, families

with children, elderly persons, young adults aging out of the foster care system, individuals exiting from

institutional settings, veterans, and homeless people.

Telecommunication Facility. A facility that transmits and/or receives electromagnetic signals. It includes

antennas, microwave dishes, horns, and other types of equipment for the transmission or receipt of such signals,

telecommunication towers or similar structures supporting said equipment, equipment buildings, parking area,

and other accessory development. Telecommunications facilities are further classiMed by type (i.e., exempt, mini,

minor and major) in supporting said equipment, equipment buildings, parking area, and other accessory

development. Telecommunications facilities are further classiMed by type (i.e., exempt, mini, minor and major) in