Santa Cruz Municipal Code Part 10 Service Station Regulations

It is the purpose of this part to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by assuring adequate numbers of service stations which afford equal access to the public, including elderly, handicapped and visitors in need of personal service and minor automobile repair and by establishing reasonable criteria for same. Further, the public safety and welfare is served by regulating conversion of stations from full service to self-service.

(Ord. 85-32 § 1, 1985).

No building permit or other permit shall be issued for the establishment, construction, conversion or modification of a service station unless a use permit and a design permit have been issued pursuant to Part 1 of Chapter 24.08, Use Permits, Part 5 of Chapter 24.08, Design Permit, and provisions of this part.

(Ord. 85-32 § 1, 1985).

All service stations shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Lot Area. Minimum land area for service stations shall be six thousand square feet for the first pump island, plus four thousand square feet for the second pump island; plus one thousand square feet for each additional pump island. In addition, there shall be one thousand square feet for each lubrication or nonmechanical washing bay.

2. Site Improvements. The arrangement of structures, islands, curbcuts, parking, and landscaping shall be such as to provide sufficient space to service vehicles efficiently and entirely on the site; to meet on-site parking, circulation, and maneuvering requirements; and to ensure the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians to, through, and from the site.

3. Drainage. All drainage from the property shall be collected on-site and conveyed to the storm sewer, if available. Water shall not drain across the sidewalks or any area reserved therefor.

4. Lighting. Lighting shall be directed onto the subject property only, so that the light source is not visible from adjacent properties. No luminaire shall exceed twenty feet above finished grade.

5. Signage. Freestanding signs shall not exceed fifteen feet in height and shall be so located as not to interfere with vehicle or pedestrian sight distances. Signs advertising prices shall be visible according to city regulations.

6. Service Activities. Hydraulic racks and service pits shall be located within a structure.

7. Outdoor Display and Sales. Outdoor display and sales areas for supplies and accessory items shall be limited to pump islands. Vending machines may be placed in approved locations outside of structures.

The sale or rental of automobiles, boats, habitable or utility trailers, trucks, and two-wheeled motor vehicles may be allowed only as part of an approved permit. Such activity shall not conflict with other uses on the site, shall be screened, and subordinate to the service station use.

8. Dead Storage or Refuse. Storage areas and refuse receptacles shall be completely screened from view and shall be of a design consistent with other structures on the site. Any wastes which might be transferred off the property by natural causes or sources, or which might be attractive to rodents or insects, shall be stored in closed containers. Trash enclosures shall be designed consistent with structures on the site.

9. Landscaping. Landscaping shall comprise a minimum of ten percent of the gross site area, exclusive of any required off-site landscaping improvements such as street trees, slope development, and the like. Landscaping shall be protected by a raised concrete curb or other approved material.

Landscaping shall be located so as not to obstruct necessary sight distances and traffic flow, to offer adjacent residential properties a degree of visual and audio screening, and shall be of such quality as to enhance the site and the surrounding area.

a. Parkway and driveway planters shall be located along street property lines as appropriate. Planting material shall be low-growing so as not to obstruct the view of drivers and customers; but shall be of sufficient height so as to clearly delineate driveways.

b. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be required in all landscaped areas.

c. All landscaping shall be permanently maintained.

10. Fences and Decorative Screening. Materials, textures, colors, and design shall be compatible with existing and/or proposed structures on the site, with development on adjacent properties, and the neighborhood. Fencing or screening, where bordering residential properties, is limited to six feet in height on that part of the property to the back of the residential setback line, and not more than three and one-half feet to the front of the setback line. Wheel stops shall be required in front of all fences and hedges.

11. Water, Air. Water and compressed air shall be made available during all business hours.

12. Restrooms. A restroom shall be made available to customers during all business hours.

13. Structures, Location. Pump islands shall be at least fifteen feet from a property line or, where abutting a residential district or use, not less than twenty-five feet from the residential property line; and shall be separated from each other by a distance of not less than twenty feet.

14. Design. Structures, including pump island canopies, shall be individually designed to suit the site, and shall be compatible with surrounding uses and shall have a complete elevation on all four sides of the building.

Reflective, glossy, and fluorescent materials shall not be permitted.

Unless unusual circumstances prevail, lubrication bays shall open to the side or rear of the site.

15. Operation. Operations conducted out of doors shall be limited to the dispensing of motor vehicle fuel, oil, water, compressed air, the changing of tires and minor servicing. The use shall comply with Zoning Ordinance performance standards.

(Ord. 85-32 § 1, 1985).

Conversion of full-service service stations to self-service stations shall not occur unless a use permit has been issued pursuant to Part 1, Chapter 24.08, Use Permits, and a design permit pursuant to Part 5, Chapter 24.08, Design Permit, in compliance with provisions of Section 24.12.930 of this part.

(Ord. 85-32 § 1, 1985).

No building permit or other permit shall be issued for the construction or establishment of a multipurpose service station or conversion of existing station to a multipurpose service station unless a use permit is issued pursuant to Part 1, Chapter 24.08, Use Permits, and Part 5, Chapter 24.08, Design Permit.

1. In addition to those standards established by Section 24.12.930, the following additional standards shall apply to multipurpose service stations:

a. Parking shall be provided for all existing and approved uses.

b. Structure(s) proposed for use as part of the multipurpose facility shall be of an appropriate design for the new use proposed.

(Ord. 85-32 § 1, 1985).