Chapter 19.60 — COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS

The purpose of this chapter is to establish zoning districts in the City that support commercial, industrial, general public, and community serving goods and activities, effectively implementing the General Plan. These districts provide sufficient and appropriately located land that supports the needs of City residents while minimizing their possible impacts on residential neighborhoods. (Ord. 2014-01 § 1)

The following list identifies the City of Plymouth commercial and industrial activity zoning districts and their characteristic uses, intensity, and general development guidelines:

• A. Village Commercial (VC). The designation covers most of the Downtown Historic District as well as land east of State Highway 49 and Old Sacramento Road. This zone is intended to consolidate uses into a walkable downtown and retain the character of historic building patterns. The historic pattern allows for zero front and side yard setbacks and two- to three-story building heights, and a floor area ratio (FAR) of 2.0. It is a mixed-use zone that allows for and encourages upper-floor residential living.

• B. Suburban Commercial (SC). Designed to be compatible within a neighborhood environment. Therefore, it limits the floor area ratio to 1.0 and requires a landscape surface ratio of 40%. A variety of neighborhood-serving goods and services, provided in a building scale that allows for

both auto and pedestrian ease of access. Design standards ensure compatibility with residential as well as other commercial uses.

• C. Highway Commercial (HC). Accommodates the remaining commercial areas adjacent to corridors and major intersections. This district requires a landscape surface ratio of at least 20%, for enhancement of the street edge, parking lot screening, and buffering of adjacent uses. Uses in this zone should adequately address vehicular and truck access and services while maintaining a visually pleasant image of the City. Limited drive-through and other auto-oriented commercial retail activities are appropriate here with consolidated (shared access) curb cuts.

• D. Commercial (C). This designation includes several parcels along State Highway 49 that were not rezoned through the 2013 Zoning Ordinance and Map Update process. The district is intended to:

  1. Provide areas where commercial activities would be most appropriate and most profitable for the long-term welfare of the City and its inhabitants;

  2. Protect such areas from encroachment by land uses that would be detrimental to commerce;

  3. Ensure a broad range of commercial enterprises and services remain in the City and available to residents of the City; and

  4. Encourage and promote visitors to engage in commerce in the City.

For the Commercial District's allowed uses, permit requirements, and development standards, refer to the Highway Commercial District.

• E. Industrial/Business Park (I/BP). Activities and other high intensity or potentially impactful uses are allowed in this zone. It is intended for community and region-serving employment, services, and minor processing. Outdoor storage and processing of materials is allowed with conditions to make the use less impactful to nearby adjacent residential or retail activities. These areas in the City also reflect the historic mineral resource deposits that could be accessed in the future. Additional open space buffers are required around the outer perimeter.

• (Ord. 2014-01 § 1)

Table 19.60.030-1 below identifies allowed uses and corresponding permit requirements for all Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts. Descriptions of all use types can be found in Chapter 19.98 (Glossary).

Use regulations in the table are shown using symbols as follows: "P," uses allowed by right; "AUP," uses that require an Administrative Use Permit; "CUP," uses that require approval of a Conditional Use Permit; and "N" symbolizes uses that are not permitted.

Note:

1. Temporary Use Permit is required. (Ord. 2014-01 § 1; Ord. 2014-03 § 2; Ord. 2014-04 § 2; Ord. 2016-01 § 5; Ord. 2017-01 § 4; Ord. 2025-04, 5/8/2025)

The following development standards apply to the Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts. These guidelines, along with other chapters in this title and other City Design Guidelines, are intended to assist property owners and business developers in planning for the appropriate use and development of land.

Note:

1. Any surface area that does not allow water to permeate the soil. (Ord. 2014-01 § 1)