Chapter 18.132 — PS PUBLIC/SEMIPUBLIC ZONE

The purposes of the public/semi-public zone are to:

• A. Provide notice to all of the extent of a site approved for a public or semipublic use by delineating it on the zoning map;

• B. Retain and preserve public and semipublic areas needed for the growth and general welfare of the city as a whole;

• C. Allow for joint use and joint development opportunities between public, semipublic and private uses.

• (Ord. 1068 § 1, 1997)

• A. Generally. Buildings, structures and land shall be used and buildings and structures shall hereafter be erected, structurally altered or enlarged only for the following uses, plus such other uses as the director of community development determines to be similar and not more obnoxious or detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, in accordance with the findings set forth on Section 18.192.040 of this title. The determination of the director may be appealed to the planning commission and thereafter the city council pursuant to Chapter 18.212 of this title. All uses and storage shall be conducted within a totally enclosed building except for outdoor storage which is accessory to a permitted or conditional use and screened from view from the public right-of-way.

• B. Specifically.

  1. Public uses, including government agencies, libraries, post offices, fire stations, public safety facilities, museums, civic centers, community centers, and similar local, state or federal uses;

  2. Governmental research facilities;

  3. Governmental maintenance yards;

  4. Utility offices;

  5. Utility structures, substations, and distribution facilities provided all equipment and appurtenances are within an enclosed structure or screened from view;

  6. Water reservoirs and tanks;

  7. Parking facilities;

  8. Wholesale nurseries, orchards, and the raising of field crops;

  9. Parks and open space;

  10. Wireless communication facilities pursuant to Chapter 18.150 of this title;

  11. Accessory massage permitted with the following primary businesses: medical doctor's office and similar uses;

  12. Emergency shelters subject to the following provisions:

  - a. Maximum Density. The maximum number of beds/persons is twelve; 
  
  - b. Parking. Parking shall meet the requirements of Chapter **18.156** of the San Dimas Municipal Code; 
  
  - c. Waiting/Intake Area. The shelter may have a waiting and intake area no larger than one hundred square feet combined; 
  
  - d. On-Site Manager. The shelter must have at least one on-site manager at all times during hours of operation; 
  
  - e. Distance Requirements. The distance between emergency shelters shall be a minimum of three hundred feet. No emergency shelter shall be located within three hundred feet of any public park and/or school; 
  
  - f. Security. The emergency shelter shall provide a security plan that ensures the safety of the residents, visitors and employees. The plan shall be reviewed by the director of development services and shall include, but is not limited to, the following: 
  
     - i. Color, security surveillance system with recording capability; 
  
  - ii. On-site security guard(s), the number of security guards shall be based on the following ratio of one guard for every ten patrons; 
  
  - iii. Adequate external lighting shall be provided for security purposes. The lighting shall be stationary, directed away from adjacent properties and meets the requirements of Section 18.156.080(D)(11) of the San Dimas Municipal Code;
  

• g. Length of Stay. Emergency shelter shall only be provided for a time period of six months for any individual resident;

  • h. Laundry Facility. The shelter shall provide laundry facilities or services adequate for the number of residents;

  • i. Outdoor Activities. Any emergency shelter adjacent to a residential use shall limit outdoor activities to the following hours: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday;

  • j. Pay Phone. There shall not be any outdoor public telephones on the site nor along the public right-of-way in front of the facility;

  • k. Signage. No signs are permitted on the property relating to its use as a shelter for the homeless;

  • l. Toilets. No outdoor toilets are allowed on the site unless during construction or a special event;

  • m. Shelter Provider. The agency or organization operating the emergency shelter shall comply with the following requirements:

    • i. Staff and services shall be provided to assist residents to obtain permanent shelter and income;

    • ii. A written management plan including, as applicable, provision for staff training, neighborhood outreach, security, screening of residents to insure compatibility with services provided at the facility, and for training, counseling, and treatment outreach programs for residents;

13. Year-round emergency shelters subject to the following provisions:

Year-round emergency shelters shall comply with the same provisions of emergency shelters, Section 18.132.020(B)(12), with the exceptions of length of stay for residents which is not limited to any number of days.

(Ord. 1068 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1185 § 9, 2008; Ord. 1193 § 3, 2010; Ord. 1324, 6/10/2025)

The following uses may be permitted provided a conditional use permit is first obtained pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 18.200 of this title:

• A. Medical, dental, and health services;

• B. Professional offices;

• C. General research facilities;

• D. Educational institutions;

• E. Vocational schools;

• F. Community care facilities, including resident schools;

• G. Church and related facilities;

• H. Child care centers;

• I. Hospitals;

• J. Animal hospitals and veterinary facilities;

• K. Utility structures, substations, and distribution facilities where equipment and appurtenances are not within an enclosed structure or screened from view.

• (Ord. 1068 § 1, 1997)

• A. The director of community development may approve ancillary or incidental uses to be established on properties used for public/semipublic purposes subject to conditions, including but not limited to conditions which regulate the nature, operation, frequency, or duration of the joint use. The following uses may be allowed, plus such other uses as the director of community development determines to be similar and not more obnoxious or detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, in accordance with the findings set forth in Section 18.192.040 of this title. The determination of the director may be appealed to the planning commission and thereafter the city council pursuant to Chapter 18.212 of this title.

  1. Accessory and incidental retail, food service, or child care services related to the primary use, such as a school bookstore, hospital gift shop, cafeteria, or employer-provided child care;

  2. Accessory storage facilities, including barns or greenhouses, in which the primary use may be either on-site or off-site;

  3. Programs or fund-raising events, either on a temporary or regular basis;

  4. Use of facilities for meetings or classes unrelated to the primary use;

  5. Use of facilities by recreational clubs, leagues, or organizations;

  6. Parking agreements;

  7. Temporary uses pursuant to Chapter 18.196 of this title.

• B. In approving a joint use, the director of community development shall make the following findings:

  1. The proposed joint use is a secondary and minor use of the facility;

  2. The proposed joint use shall not conflict with or impede the operational needs and/or orderly development of the primary use;

  3. The proposed joint use is compatible with the various provisions of the municipal code, including parking, noise, signs, and business licenses;

  4. The proposed joint use is a reasonable use of land consistent with the general plan land use designation and zoning classification.

• (Ord. 1068 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1324, 6/10/2025)

• A. Development standards shall be determined and approved at the time of development plan review; provided, that if the development plan fails to address a development standard(s), the standards set forth in the administrative professional zone shall apply.

• B. An approved development plan may be amended subject to the review procedure as set forth in Section 18.132.060 of this chapter.

• (Ord. 1068 § 1, 1997)

Development plan review shall be required. No person shall construct any building or structure, or relocate, rebuild, alter, enlarge, or modify any existing structure until a development plan has been reviewed and approved pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 18.12 of this title. (Ord. 1068 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1324, 6/10/2025)

Appeals of decisions and determinations by the director of community development and planning commission may be filed by a party pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 18.212 of this title. (Ord. 1068 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1324, 6/10/2025)