Chapter 17.042 — RETAIL COMMERCIAL (C-1) ZONE

Pismo Beach Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Pismo Beach

17.042.010 Purpose of zone.

The retail commercial or C-1 zone is intended to provide:

  • A. Appropriately located areas and opportunities for retail store, offices and service establishments for the

convenience of the public in order to encourage mutually beneficial relationship to each other.

  • B. Stable, attractive commercial development which will afford a pleasant pedestrian shopping environment.

  • C. Adequate space for off-street parking and loading.

17.042.020 Permitted uses.

Uses in the C-1 zone are subject to the general provisions and exceptions set forth in Chapters 17.102, 17.105 and 17.121 and are as follows:

A. Retail stores, offices and service establishments which do not involve any kind of manufacturing and all retail outlets except those restricted to the C-2 and C-M zones. Examples of permitted uses include but are not limited to the following: antique shops, art studios, bakeries, grocery stores, drug stores, banks, offices, indoor theaters, laundromats, restaurants and similar retail, office or service uses.

  • B. Uses and structures which are incidental or accessory to any of the permitted uses in the C-1 zone.

  • C. Affordable housing as a secondary use (i.e., upper floors of C-1 buildings);

  • D. Vacation rental in existing residence; in new units, vacation rental shall only be a secondary use (i.e., second floor or rear of C-1 buildings in conjunction with a permitted business) ;

  • E. Check-cashing establishment (see Chapter 5.11);

  • F. Gold and silver exchange (see Chapter 5.11);

  • G. Massage establishment–accessory (see Chapter 5.11);

  • H. Pawn shop (see Chapter 5.11);

  • I. Resale establishment (see Chapter 5.11);

  • J. Smoke shop (see Chapter 5.11);

  • K. Tattoo establishment (see Chapter 5.11). (Ord. O-2019-006 § 5 (part), 2019: Ord. O- 2019-004 § 7, 2019: Ord. O-2015-006 § 2 (part), 2015: Ord. O-2014-005 § 2 (part), 2014)

17.042.030 Uses requiring conditional use permits.

  • A. Public parking lots (see Chapter 17.108);

  • B. Public and private parks, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities;

  • C. Service stations (see also Section 17.105.100);

  • D. Major medical facilities;

  • E. Public buildings, churches and schools;

  • F. Lodges and fraternal organizations;

  • G. Billiards, bowling alleys, miniature golf courses and skating rinks;

  • H. Amusement halls and arcades spaced at least five hundred feet apart from any other amusement hall, arcade or adult business or R-1, R-2, R-3, MH or P-R zones (See Chapter 17.068 of this Title);

  • I. Outdoor retail sales and services other than those permitted by this chapter, such as plant nurseries, pottery shops, etc., but not including uses restricted to the C-2 and C-M zones;

J. Apartments as secondary uses (i.e., second floor or rear of C-1 buildings in conjunction with a permitted business);

  • K. Uses allowed by overlay zones, if applicable, (i.e., visitor-serving overlay zone);

  • L. Hotels and motels;

  • M. Indoor auto, boat and similar sales;

  • N. Other similar uses deemed compatible by the planning commission;

  • O. Massage establishment–primary (see Chapter 5.11). (Ord. O-2019-006 § 5 (part), 2019)