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Title 14 — ZONING

§ 14.05

San Rafael Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Rafael

14.05.010 - Specific purposes.

In addition to the general purposes listed in Section 14.01.030, the specific purposes of the commercial and office districts include the following:

A.

To promote specialized commercial environments which provide appropriately located areas for retail, service and office development, and provide the city with a wide range of neighborhood, local and regional serving uses;

B.

To promote appropriately located businesses which provide local employment opportunities and/or generate tax revenue for the city;

C.

To promote commercial and office projects at appropriate building intensities and trip-generation characteristics which will maintain acceptable traffic-operating standards;

D.

To promote high-quality design in new or remodeled commercial and office development consistent with design guidelines;

E.

To promote and encourage commercial and office sites and designs which are accessible by a variety of transportation means;

F.

To promote San Rafael's downtown area as a viable commercial and financial center, and as an urban center with a mixture of civic, social, entertainment, cultural and residential uses;

G.

To retain and enhance the Northgate Shopping Center and surrounding retail area as a regional shopping center;

H.

To provide housing opportunities by encouraging a variety of housing in mixed-use districts.

The additional purposes of each commercial district follow.

I.

General Commercial District (GC). The general commercial district promotes a full range of retail and service uses in major shopping centers and certain areas of the city which have freeway or major street access and visibility. Residential use is allowed with a use permit. Offices are a conditional secondary use, for example, on portions of sites with poor retail visibility. Floor area ratio (FAR), trip allocation and design criteria vary throughout the district in response to specialized conditions recognized in the general plan.

J.

Neighborhood Commercial District (NC).

1.

The neighborhood commercial district provides convenient shopping areas within residential neighborhoods for retail items and personal services which may be needed on a frequent basis for vicinity residents. Examples of convenience goods or services include supermarkets, pharmacies, dry cleaners and personal service establishments. Within this district, a limited amount of office and residential use may be allowed, only if in mixed-use developments. Office uses shall provide a service convenience to local residents. Neighborhood commercial areas are intended to reduce trips to more distant major commercial areas.

2.

Neighborhood commercial retail uses are limited in order to ensure compatibility with residential neighborhoods and to concentrate region-serving goods and services in locations outside of neighborhoods and in proximity with one another.

3.

Neighborhood commercial development is intended to be compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhood in terms of building height (typically one to two (2) stories, with up to three stories for a retail/residential mixed-use building), setbacks and landscaping.

K.

Office District (O). The office district provides opportunities for the siting of a variety of administrative, professional, medical and general business offices. This district also allows residential use, and limited convenience retail and service uses to support office uses and serve local employees. The office district is intended to provide an attractive, landscaped environment with outdoor amenities such as courtyards, plazas, benches, seating areas and pedestrian/bicycle paths. FAR, trip allocation and design criteria vary throughout the district in response to localized conditions recognized in the general plan.

L.

Downtown Mixed Use (DMU) District. The downtown mixed use district encompasses the 265-acre downtown area, which is the commerce and employment center of the city. Allowable uses, design intent, and development standards and regulations are defined and specified in the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan and form-base code which is adopted by separate ordinance and incorporated herein by reference.

M.

Commercial/Office District (C/O). The commercial/office district promotes retail, office, mixed retail/office/residential uses, and cultural facilities. The commercial/office district is different from the downtown zoning districts in that it provides greater opportunity for office and financial uses in first-floor locations. Residential units are promoted to provide evening and weekend activity, increase the city's supply of housing units and support downtown activities and uses.

N.

Residential/Office Districts (R/O).

1.

The residential/office district is a transitional area between the downtown zoning districts and nearby residential areas. This district promotes residential, office, and mixed-use residential/office projects. This district also provides limited retail and personal service uses which support residential and office uses, and which are compatible with such uses. Gasoline service stations are allowed along major arterials such as Second Street.

2.

This district is characterized by lower development intensity than in the downtown zoning districts. The residential/office district is also intended to be less intense in terms of evening and weekend activity than the downtown zoning districts.

O.

Francisco Boulevard West Commercial District (FBWC).

1.

The Francisco Boulevard West commercial district provides a wide range of specialty retail uses with regional appeal, including sales of automobiles, bulk retail items, building materials and other regionserving goods. The Francisco Boulevard West district is intended to accommodate large-scale developments and shopping centers with specialty retail tenants. Assemblage of parcels shall be encouraged in this district in order to promote larger scale development projects. Residential use is also allowed in this district.

2.

This area is expected to be the focus of major redevelopment in the future. Until redevelopment occurs, it is recognized that there will be many nonconforming uses within the Francisco Boulevard West commercial district, and it is intended that existing legal nonconforming uses may remain as viable interim uses. Section 14.16.270, Nonconforming structures and uses, contains general provisions on nonconforming uses which apply in these instances. However, these types of interim uses are not permitted on any additional sites within the Francisco Boulevard West district.

(Ord. 1831 § 1 (part), 2004; Ord. 1757 § 1, 2000; Ord. 1694 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 1996; Ord. 1625 § 1 (part), 1992).

(Ord. No. 1996, div. 2(Exh. A, 5.1), 8-16-2021)

14.05.020 - Land use regulations (GC, NC, O, C/O, R/O, FBWC).

A.

Francisco Boulevard West Commercial District (FBWC): Land use regulations for new development and/or redevelopment.

1.

New development and redevelopment within the Francisco Boulevard West commercial district shall be subject to initial use permit review by the planning

commission. Master use permits shall be required for multi-tenant shopping center developments, specifying the types of uses which may go into the center, approving an initial roster of tenants, and identifying procedures for subsequent review and approval of future tenants when changes in occupancy occur.

2.

Prerequisites for initiating the use permit review process are as follows:

a.

The proposed use is listed on the commercial matrix as requiring a conditional use permit and meets the review criteria specified in subsection (A)(3) of this section;

b.

In the event the proposed use is not listed on the commercial matrix as requiring a conditional use permit, but the proposed use meets the review criteria specified below, application for determination may be made to the planning commission. The planning commission shall determine whether the proposed use is consistent with the specified review criteria for the Francisco Boulevard West commercial district.

3.

Review criteria for evaluating proposed uses in new development and redevelopment projects in the Francisco Boulevard West commercial district are listed below. In order to initiate the use permit process as

indicated in either subsection (A)(2)(a) or (A)(2)(b) of this section, the proposed project must meet one (1) or more of the following criteria:

a.

Generates high tax revenue;

b.

Constitutes a large-scale business;

c.

Constitutes a multi-tenant center with shops which provide related services or types of goods; and/or

d.

Has a regional market base.

P: Permitted by right; C: Conditional use permit; CZ: Conditional use permit/zoning administrator; A: Administrative use permit; Blank: Not allowed.

Table 14.05.020

Type of Land Use Type of Land Use GC NC O C/O R/O FBWC* Additional Use
Regulations
Commercial Uses
Animal sales and service, excluding
exterior kennels, pens or runs
See
Chapter 10.24
Animal care facilities CZ CZ CZ CZ See
Chapter 14.17
standards.
Animal retail sales P P P
Boat sales CZ CZ
Building materials and supplies
Brick, gravel, rock, concrete,
lumber and tile sales
P* P* C *See Outdoor
storage.
Electrical supply stores P* P* C
Equipment rental business P* P* C
Glass and window stores P* P* C
Hardware stores P* P* P* P* C
Paint stores P* P* C
Plumbing stores (and ancillary
service)
P* P* C
Business sales and service
Blueprint and photocopy shops P P P P
Computer services P P P P
Locksmith shop P P P P
Ofce furniture sales and rentals P P P P C
Ofce supply and business
machine shops
P P P P C
Printing shops P P P CZ
Cannabis Related Uses
Cannabis Testing/lab P (2) P (2) *Subject to additional
regulations and
permitting (See
SRMC
Chapter
10.96)
Cannabis Delivery P (2) P (2) *Subject to additional
regulations and
permitting (See
SRMC
Chapter
10.96)
Cannabis Manufacturing
Cannabis Distribution
Card rooms See
Chapter 10.36
Cofee roasters CZ CZ
Food and beverage service
establishments
Brew pubs CZ CZ CZ
Catering establishments P CZ P
Cocktail lounges C C
Fast food restaurants C C C
Food service establishment, high
volume
C C
Food service establishment (with
or without incidental serving of
beer or wine or ancillary bar), but
without a cocktail lounge, live
entertainment as defned under
Chapter 14.03,and/or dancing
(1) 1,000 sq. ft. or less in size P P P P P C
(2) More than 1,000 sq. ft. in size P CZ CZ P CZ CZ
Food service establishment with
a cocktail lounge, live
entertainment, and/or dancing
CZ CZ CZ CZ
Live entertainment/dancing
(without food service)
C C C
Outdoor eating areas A* A* A* A* A* A* For outdoor eating
areas on private
property see Section
14.17.110 standards.
For outdoor seating
areas located on city
sidewalks, see
Section
14.16.277
standards. For
outdoor eating areas
on parking spaces
within the public
right-of-way, see
Chapter 11.70
—"Streetaries"
Outdoor Eating
Areas.
Food and beverage stores
Bakeries, retail (and ancillary
food service)
P P P P P C
Candy stores and
confectioneries
P P P
Convenience markets CZ CZ CZ CZ
Grocery stores and supermarkets P* P* P* C C *Operating between
11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
requires a use permit
(CZ) to review
lighting, noise, and
compatibility with
surrounding
residential uses.
Liquor stores
(1) Less than 200 ft. from
residential district
CZ CZ CZ CZ CZ
(2) 200 ft. or more from
residential district
P P P C C
Fortunetelling A A See
Chapter 14.17
standards. *Rear
ground level or 2nd
foor or above.
Funeral interment services
(including mortuaries, but excluding
crematories)
CZ CZ
Kiosks A A A A A See Section
14.16.225 standards
Motor vehicle sales and service
(including automobiles,
motorcycles, trailers, trucks and
recreational vehicles)
Auto detailing CZ
Coin-op washing C C C C
Gasoline stations (including mini-
markets, and minor repair, such
as tune-ups, brakes, batteries,
tires, and mufers)
C C C C C C See Section
14.16.160
regulations. For
repair, see
Chapter
14.17 standards.
Rentals CZ CZ CZ
Repairs, major (engine work,
painting, and body work)
CZ See
Chapter 14.17
standards.
Repairs, minor (tune-ups, brakes,
batteries, tires, mufers and
upholstery)
CZ CZ CZ CZ C See
Chapter 14.17
standards.
Sales, new or used vehicles
(1) Five or fewer vehicles
displayed or stored on-site
CZ CZ CZ
(2) More than fve vehicles
displayed or stored on-site
C C C
Sales, parts and supplies P P C
Sales, tires and ancillary service CZ CZ CZ
Music rehearsal/recording studios CZ CZ
Outdoor storage, including
temporary or permanent storage
containers
CZ CZ CZ CZ C
Personal service establishments
Artistic and photographic
studios, without sale of
equipment or supplies
P P P
Barber shops/beauty salons P P P P P C
Dry cleaning establishments,
with no on-site processing
P P P P P
Dry cleaning establishments,
with on-site processing
CZ CZ CZ CZ CZ
Laundromats (self service) P P P P
Massage and/or bodywork
ofces or establishments
P P P P P See
Chapter 8.34
Nail salons P P P P P
Seamstress/tailor P P P P P
Shoe repair P P P P P
Recreational facilities (indoors)
Bowling alleys C C C See
Chapter 10.32
Game arcades C C See
Chapter 14.17
standards.
Fitness/recreation facility CZ CZ CZ CZ CZ
Poolhalls/billiards C C C
Theaters C C C C
Retail
Antique stores P P C
Apparel stores P P C
Appliance stores (and ancillary
repair)
P P C
Art, craft, music and
photographic supply stores
P P P C
Auctions P P See
Chapter 10.16
Bicycle shops P P P C
Book, gift, stationery stores P P P C
Department stores P P C
Discount stores P P C
Type of Land Use Type of Land Use GC NC O C/O R/O FBWC* Additional Use
Regulations
Drug stores and pharmacies P* P* P* C C *Operating between
11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
requires a use permit
(CZ) to review
lighting, noise, and
compatibility with
surrounding
residential uses.
Electronics sales (televisions,
radios, computers, etc.)
P P C
Florist shops P P P P P
Furniture stores and upholstery
shops (and ancillary repair)
P P C
Gun shops C C See
Chapter 14.17
standards.
Jewelry stores P P
Plant nurseries and garden
supply
P* P* P* C *See Outdoor
storage.
Secondhand stores and
pawnshops
CZ CZ See
Chapter 10.20
Shoe stores P P C
Shopping centers C C C C
Sporting goods stores P P C
Stamp and coin shops P P
Swimming pool supplies P P
Tobacco retailer, signifcant C C C Shall not be located
within 1,000 feet from
schools (public and
private elementary,
junior high, and high
schools), public
parks, public
libraries, arcades,
youth/teen centers,
community/recreation
centers, licensed day
care centers for
children, shopping
malls, and houses of
worship with
organized youth
programs, as
measured from the
property lines of each
parcel.
Toy stores P P P C
Variety stores P P C
Video sales and rentals P P P
Ofces and Related Uses
Financial services and institutions P P P P P P
Medical services (medical, dental
and health-related services, with
sale of articles clearly incidental to
the services provided)
Clinics C C C C** C **4th Street west of D
Street: Rear ground
level or 2nd foor or
above.
Hospitals C
Major medical facilities, including
extended care facilities
(treatment and convalescent) and
children's treatment facilities
C C
Laboratories CZ CZ CZ CZ** CZ **4th Street west of D
Street: Rear ground
level or 2nd foor or
above.
Medical ofces CZ CZ P P* P *4th Street west of D
Street: Rear ground
level or 2nd foor or
above.
Ofces, general CZ P* P P** P *Rear ground level or
2nd foor or above.
**4th Street west of D
Street: Rear ground
level or 2nd foor or
above.
Public, Quasi-Public and
Community Uses
Clubs and lodges, including youth
groups
C C C
Community gardens P P P P P P Subject to
performance
standards outlined in
Chapter 14.17.
Public facilities
Administrative ofces C P P* P *Rear ground level or
2nd foor or above.
Day services center C C C C C
Job center C
Libraries, museums and other
cultural facilities
C C C C C
Public and utility facilities
(corporation, maintenance or
storage yards, utility distribution
facilities, etc.)
C
Public facilities, other (police, fre,
paramedic, post ofce, etc.)
C C C C C C
Public parks, playgrounds, and
recreation facilities
P P P P P
Religious institutions C C C C C
Schools
Parochial, private C C C* C *Rear ground level or
2nd foor or above.
Public P P P P P
Specialized education and
training
CZ CZ CZ CZ
Residential Uses * * * *See
Chapter 14.17
standards.
Single-family residential C C
Duplex residential C
Multifamily residential A(3) A(3) P A(3) P A(3)
Accessory dwelling units P P P P P P See standards,
Section
14.16.285
Junior accessory dwelling units P P P P P P See standards,
Section
14.16.285
Animal keeping CZ CZ CZ CZ CZ CZ See
Chapter 14.17
standards.
Caretaker's residence CZ CZ CZ CZ CZ C
Emergency shelters for the
homeless
Permanent P/C C C See Section
14.16.115.
Temporary or rotating C C C C C C
Home occupations P P P P P P See
Chapter 14.16
regulations.
Live/work quarters A A A A A A See
Chapter 14.17
standards.
Mobile home park C
Residential care facilities for the
handicapped
Small (0—6 residents) P P P P P P
Large (7 or more residents) P P P P P P
Residential care facilities, other
Small (0—6 residents) P P P P P P
Large (7 or more residents) C C C C C C
Rooming or boarding houses A C A A A A See
Chapter 14.17
standards.
Day Care
Day care facility, child or adult
Family day care
Small (0—8 children or adults) P P P
Large (9—14 children) CZ CZ A See
Chapter 14.17
standards.
Large (9—14 adults) CZ CZ CZ
Day care center (15 or more children
or adults)
CZ CZ CZ CZ CZ C
Visitor Accommodations
Hotels, motels, or bed and breakfast
inns
C C C C
Transportation Facilities
Bus stations C C C
"Park and ride" facilities CZ CZ CZ C
Parking facilities, commercial or
municipal
CZ CZ CZ CZ C
Taxi stations C C C
Transit stations or transitways C C C See
Chapter 10.60
Temporary Uses
Temporary uses A A A A CZ A See
Chapter 14.17
standards.
Accessory Structures and Uses
Accessory structures and uses
customarily incidental to a permitted
use and contained on the same site
P P P P P P See
Chapter 14.16
regulations.

(1) Reserved.

(2) Shall not be located within six hundred feet (600′) from schools (public and private), as measured from the property lines of each parcel.

(3) See Section 14.17.100 (Residential uses in commercial districts).

(Ord. 1838 § 21, 2005; Ord. 1831 § 1 (part), 2004; Ord. 1815 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1797 § 3, 2003; Ord. 1765 § 1 (part) (Exh. B (part)), 2001; Ord. 1751 § 2, 2000; Ord. 1742 § 2, 1999; Ord. 1694 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 1996; Ord. 1693 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1689 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1663 § 1 (part), 1994; Ord. 1641 § 1 (part), 1993; Ord. 1625 § 1 (part), 1992).

(Ord. No. 1882, Exh. A, § 12, 6-21-2010; Ord. No. 1923, § 2(Exh. A), 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 1924, § 1, 9-152014; Ord. No. 1955, (Exh. A, §§ 3, 4), 3-19-2018; Ord. No. 1964, § 2(Exh. B) §§ 3, 4, 11-19-2018; Ord. No. 1996, div. 2(Exh. C, 2.1), 8-16-2021; Ord. No. 2002, div. 7, 12-6-2021; Ord. No. 2015, § 2, 9-6-2022; Ord. No. 2016, § 3, 10-3-2022)

14.05.022 - Land use regulations (DMU).

All land use regulations applicable to the DMU district are contained within the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan Form-Based Code, which is adopted by separate ordinance and incorporated herein by reference.

(Ord. 1838 § 22, 2005; Ord. 1831 § 1 (part), 2004; Ord. 1815 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1797 § 4, 2003; Ord. 1765 § 1 (Exh. B (part)), 2001; Ord. 1763 § 1 (part), 2001; Ord. 1757 § 2 (Exh. Z-1), 2000: Ord. 1751 § 2, 2000; Ord. 1742 § 2, 1999; Ord. 1725 § 1 (Exh. A), 1998; Ord. 1694 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 1996).

(Ord. No. 1882, Exh. A, § 13, 6-21-2010; Ord. No. 1923, § 2(Exh. A), 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 1924, § 1, 9-152014; Ord. No. 1996, div. 2(Exh. A, 5.2), 8-16-2021; Ord. No. 2002, div. 8, 12-6-2021)

14.05.030 - Property development standards (GC, NC, O, C/O, R/O, FBWC).

NR: Not required unless otherwise noted in additional standards. NA: Not applicable.

Note: See Chapter 14.16, Site and Use Regulations, for additional regulations pertaining to floor area ratio, and site development standards. See Chapter 14.23, Variances, and Chapter 14.24, Exceptions, for allowable adjustments to these standards, and Chapter 14.25, Environmental and Design Review Permits, for a listing of improvements subject to review and design guidelines and criteria for development.

Table 14.05.030

Table 14.05.030
GC NC O C/O R/O FBWC Additional
Standards
Minimum lot area (sq.
ft.)
6,000 6,000 7,500 2,000/
building
6,000 6,000
Minimum lot
area/dwelling unit (sf)
(Max. residential
intensity)
1,000 1,800 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 (A), (O)
Floor area ratio (Max.
nonresidential intensity)
* * * * * * * See Section
14.16.150
Minimum lot width (ft.) 60 60 60 NR 60 60
Minimum yards:
Front (ft.) NR NR 20 NR NR NR (B)
Side (ft.) NR NR 6 NR NR NR (B)
Street side (ft.) NR NR 10 NR NR NR (B)
Rear (ft.) NR NR 20 NR NR NR (B)
Maximum height of
structure (ft.)
36 36 feet; 30
feet for a
residential-
only
building
36 36 36 36 (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H)
Maximum lot coverage NR NR 40% NR NR NR (P)
Minimum landscaping 15% 10% 25% NR 10% 15% (I), (J), (K), (L)
Usable outdoor area NR NR NR NR NR NR (M)
Parking * * * * * * * Based on use. See
Section
14.18.040

(A)

There is no minimum lot area requirement for a boarding house.

(B)

Where the frontage of a block is partially in an R district, the front yard shall be the same as required for that R district, and when the side and/or rear of the lot(s) abuts an R district, the respective side and/or rear yard shall be ten feet (10′). Parking or maneuvering shall be permitted within the required side and rear yards provided that a minimum six-foot (6′) wide landscape buffer area, excluding curbs, is provided adjacent to the side and rear property lines.

(C)

Exceptions may be granted for a height above thirty-six feet (36′), subject to the provisions of Chapter 14.24, Exceptions.

(D)

Hotels have a four (4) story fifty-four-foot (54′) height limit. A one-story twelve-foot (12′) height bonus may be approved as part of a design review permit by the planning commission if it finds that the hotel will provide a significant community benefit, and the design is consistent with this title.

(E)

Repealed 3/18/96.

(F)

Buildings existing or approved as of January 1, 1987 which are more than three (3) stories in height shall not be considered nonconforming, and are listed in Section 14.16.040, Buildings over three (3) stories.

(G)

See general plan downtown height map for lot-specific height limits.

(H)

A height bonus may be permitted in residential development as provided for in Section 14.16.190, Height bonus.

(I)

Where the frontage of the lot(s) is adjacent to or across from an R district, fifty percent (50%) of the front yard shall be landscaped. Where the side yard abuts an R district, a minimum three feet (3′) of buffer landscaping must be provided. Where the rear of the lot abuts an R district, ten feet (10′) of buffer landscaping must be provided.

(J)

In the GC district, a minimum fifteen feet (15′) of the front setback must be landscaped. Landscaped portions of the public right-of-way may be included, subject to approval by the hearing body.

(K)

For parking lot landscaping, see Section 14.18.160, Parking lot screening and landscaping.

(L)

A landscaped amenity area for employees and the public is encouraged in office and commercial projects.

(M)

Provision of usable outdoor area is encouraged in residential development as part of a mixed-use project.

(N)

Intentionally not used.

(O)

A density bonus may be granted, as provided for in Section 14.16.030.

(P)

The maximum lot coverage restriction established for the office (O) district shall not apply to solar panels installed over existing paved parking spaces; consistent with Section 14.16.307.

(Ord. 1838 § 23, 2005; Ord. 1831 § 1 (part), 2004; Ord. 1782 Exh. A (part), 2002; Ord. 1694 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 1996; Ord. 1625 § 1 (part), 1992).

(Ord. No. 1882, Exh. A, §§ 14, 15, 6-21-2010; Ord. No. 1923, § 2(Exh. A), 6-16-2014; Ord. No. 1964, § 2(Exh. B) § 5, 11-19-2018; Ord. No. 1990, div. 1.2, 3-1-2021)

14.05.032 - Property development standards (DMU).

All property development standards applicable to the DMU district are contained within the Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan Form-Based Code, which is adopted by separate ordinance and incorporated herein by reference.

(Ord. 1838 § 24, 2005; Ord. 1782 Exh. A (part), 2002; Ord. 1694 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 1996).

(Ord. No. 1882, Exh. A, §§ 16, 17, 6-21-2010; Ord. No. 1996, div. 2(Exh. A, 5.3), 8-16-2021)

Chapter 14.06 - INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS (I, LI/O, CCI/O, LMU)

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