Santa Rosa Zoning Code Ch. 20-23 Commercial Zoning Districts (§ 20-23.010 – § 2023.080)

This chapter lists the land uses that may be allowed within the commercial zoning districts established by Section 20-20.020 (Zoning Map and Zoning Districts), determines the type of land use permit/approval required for each use, and provides basic standards for site layout and building size.

(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004)

The purposes of the individual commercial zoning districts and the manner in which they are applied are as follows:

A.

CO (Office Commercial) district. The CO zoning district is applied to areas appropriate for administrative, business, financial, medical, professional, and public office uses, together with similar and related compatible uses. Residential uses may also be accommodated as part of mixed use projects. The CO zoning district is consistent with and implements the Office land use classification of the General Plan.

B.

CN (Neighborhood Commercial) district. The CN zoning district is applied to areas within and adjacent to Residential neighborhoods appropriate for limited retail and service centers for convenience shopping. Uses in these centers are intended to provide for the day-to-day needs of local neighborhoods and workplaces, but not to be of such scope and variety as to attract substantial traffic volumes from outside the neighborhood. New development is encouraged to include both a residential and nonresidential component as noted by Section 20-23.030 (Commercial district land uses and permit requirements). The CN zoning district is consistent with and implements the Neighborhood Shopping Center land use classification of the General Plan.

C.

CG (General Commercial) district. The CG zoning district is applied to areas appropriate for a range of retail and service land uses that primarily serve residents and businesses throughout the City, including shops, personal and business services, and restaurants. Residential uses may also be accommodated as part of mixed use projects, and independent residential developments. The CG zoning district is consistent with the Retail and Business Services land use classification of the General Plan.

D.

CV (Motor Vehicle Sales) district. The CV zoning district is applied to areas appropriate for a concentration of new and used motor vehicle sales establishments and related support uses.

The CV zoning district is consistent with the Retail and Business Services land use classification of the General Plan.

E.

CMU (Core Mixed Use) district. The CMU zoning district is applied to areas within downtown Santa Rosa to foster a mix of residential and nonresidential uses to activate the greater Old Courthouse Square area and key transit corridors. The principal objectives of the CMU designation are to strengthen the role of this area as a business, governmental, retail, tourism, entertainment, and cultural hub for the region, and to accommodate significant new residential development. New residential development will serve as a catalyst for increased activity and create a built-in market for retail, service, and entertainment uses. High-rise

development in all residential or mixed-use buildings is envisioned in a walkable, bikeable environment with public gathering places such as plazas, courtyards, or parks and easy access to public transit. The CMU zoning district implements and is consistent with the Core Mixed Use land use classification of the General Plan.

F.

SMU (Station Mixed Use) district. The SMU zoning district is applied to areas within downtown Santa Rosa to provide for a range of visitor-serving uses, including retail, restaurants, entertainment, cultural amenities, and hotels in proximity to the Downtown SMART station. While commercial uses are emphasized, new multifamily housing will also be allowed to support the daytime and evening vitality of the Downtown Station Area. New development will be required to respect the historic character of the Railroad Square area, adding to the mix of uses and enhancing the walkable, pedestrian-oriented streets and public spaces that attract locals, SMART train riders, and visitors from the wider region. The SMU zoning district implements and is consistent with the Station Mixed Use land use classification of the General Plan.

G.

MMU (Maker Mixed Use) district. The MMU zoning district is applied to areas within downtown Santa Rosa to emphasize a balanced mix of residential, creative, and maker-oriented uses, including artisan shops, studios, media production, printing and publishing, distilleries and micro-breweries, cannabis, tech start-ups, research and development facilities, limited light industrial uses, and other home-based businesses. Multifamily residential and live/work units are encouraged in all-residential or mixed-use buildings. Supportive uses that contribute to a vibrant village atmosphere, such as bodegas, specialty food stores, cafés, coffee shops, performing arts venues, theatres, restaurants, schools, and educational facilities are also permitted. The MMU zoning district implements and is consistent with the Maker Mixed Use land use classification of the General Plan.

H.

NMU (Neighborhood Mixed Use) zoning district. The NMU designation is applied to areas within downtown Santa Rosa to allow for new multi-family residential development in all-residential or mixed-use buildings, together with a broad mix of uses that primarily serve local residents, including professional office, retail, entertainment, service, and other neighborhood-scale supporting uses. Permitted housing developments

include low and mid-rise apartments and condominiums, as well as small-lot single-family attached dwellings (e.g., duplexes, triplexes, townhomes.) Live-work spaces and maker-oriented uses are permitted subject to performance standards. The NMU zoning district is consistent with and implements the Neighborhood Mixed Use land use classification of the General Plan.

I.

CSC (Community Shopping Center) district. The CSC zoning district is applied to areas appropriate for complexes of retail establishments, anchored by a large grocery store, serving clients from the community as a whole and in particular surrounding residential neighborhoods. These centers are intended to be designed to facilitate pedestrian and bicycle access in addition to vehicular access. Proposed commercial development is required to include a residential component when significant additions or reconstruction is proposed as noted by Section 20-23.030 (Commercial district land uses and permit requirements), Table 2-6 and Section 20-23.080. The CSC zoning district is consistent with and implements the Community Shopping Center land use classification of the General Plan.

J.

TV-M (Transit Village-Mixed) district. The TV-M zoning district is applied to areas within approximately onequarter mile of a transit facility outside of the Downtown Station Area that are appropriate for a mix of higher density residential, office and commercial uses. Development is designed and oriented to create a central

node of activity at or near the transit facility. The minimum allowable density is 40 dwellings per acre; there is no maximum density. The TV-M zoning district is consistent with and implements the Transit Village Mixed Use land use classification of the General Plan.

(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004; Ord. 3950 § 8, 2010; Ord. 3987 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2020-014 § 9; Ord. 2021-012 § 11; Ord. 2025-014, 11/18/2025)

Table 2-6 identifies the uses of land allowed by this Zoning Code in the commercial zoning districts, and the land use permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section 20-21.030 (Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements).

Note: Where the last column in the table ("Specific Use Regulations") includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use. Provisions in other sections of this Zoning Code may also apply.

P - Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance Required

TABLE 2-6 Allowed Land Uses P - Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance Required and Permit Requirements for MUP - Minor Conditional Use Permit Required Commercial Districts CUP - Conditional Use Permit Required S - See Specific Use Regulations for Permit*

P - Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance Required

TABLE 2-6 Allowed Land Uses P - Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance Required and Permit Requirements for MUP - Minor Conditional Use Permit Required Commercial Districts*

P - Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance Required

TABLE 2-6 Allowed Land Uses P - Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance Required and Permit Requirements for MUP - Minor Conditional Use Permit Required Commercial Districts*

CUP - Conditional Use Permit Required S - See Specific Use Regulations for Permit

P - Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance Required

TABLE 2-6 Allowed Land Uses P - Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance Required and Permit Requirements for MUP - Minor Conditional Use Permit Required Commercial Districts*

CUP - Conditional Use Permit Required S - See Specific Use Regulations for Permit

Sales

Center