Title 12 — Zoning

Chapter 12-43 — OUTDOOR DISPLAY OF MERCHANDISE

Santa Maria Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Santa Maria

Section 12-43.01. Outdoor storage and outdoor display of merchandise prohibited: Exceptions.

The outdoor storage and outdoor display of merchandise for sale by a business establishment is prohibited in all zoning districts in the City except for:

  • (a) Approved vehicle and trailer sales or rental;

  • (b) Heavy equipment and heavy machinery sales and rental;

  • (c) Newspaper stands or vending machines;

  • (d) Displays specifically permitted by state law or other sections of this chapter;

  • (e) Flowers, nursery plants and cut flowers when displayed in a manner and location approved by the Community Development Department or at a certified farmers' market or legal nonconforming swap meet;

  • (f) Lumber and building material yards with a conditional use permit;

  • (g) Tire sales facilities may display one tire rack within 10 feet of the building, provided the rack is stored inside the building when the business is closed;

  • (h) Temporary outdoor display permitted under Section 12-35.301 of this Code, including:

    • (1) Christmas trees,

    • (2) Garage sales,

    • (3) Fireworks sales,

    • (4) Temporary display and sale in connection with an established business,

    • (5) Pumpkins,

    • (6) Produce in connection with a Community Event, or conducted in association with a certified farmers' market operation or a legal nonconforming swap meet as provided in Section 1235.302(a )(16).

(Ord. 85-1109 § 1 (8), eff. 1/2/86; Ord. 90-1 § 2, eff. 3/8/90; Ord. 2005-04, eff. 5/19/05; Ord. 2009-04, eff. 1/20/09; Ord. 2009-06, eff. 3/19/09; Ord. 2017-05, eff. 6/1/17)

Section 12-43.02. Outdoor display of merchandise prohibited.

The outdoor display of merchandise by a business establishment is prohibited in all zones, notwithstanding the exceptions codified in subsections (a) through (h) of Section 12-43.01 of this title in the following areas:

  • (a) Areas set aside, required, designated or marked for vehicular parking, drive isles, driveways and emergency alleys, except as permitted under Section 12-35.301 and as approved by the Community Development Department;

  • (b) Public sidewalks, landscaped areas or parkways;

  • (c) Designated or required landscape areas on private property; or

  • (d) Private sidewalks so as to either create a safety hazard or to block the reasonable flow of pedestrian traffic or handicapped access.

  • (Ord. 85-1109 § 1 (8), eff. 1/2/86; Ord. 2005-04, eff. 5/19/05)

Section 12-43.03. Nonconforming uses inapplicable.

Chapter 12-31 regarding nonconforming uses, structures, lots and parking is inapplicable to this chapter.

(Ord. 85-85 § 1 (8) part), eff. 1/2/86)

Section 12-43.04. Violation is an infraction.

The violation of this section is an infraction as set forth in Section 1-6.01 of this Code. (Ord. 85-1109 § 1 (8), eff. 1/2/86)