Shafter Zoning Code § 11.270 Used Automobile and Light

Intent

This Section is intended to ensure that used automobile/light truck sales lots do not create adverse impacts on adjacent properties and surrounding neighborhoods due to insufficient on-site customer and employee parking, traffic generation, including road testing of vehicles, obstruction of traffic, visual blight, bright lights, noise, fumes, or drainage run-off. The following special conditions shall apply to used automobile sales lots.

All used automobile/light truck sales lots shall comply with the provisions of this Section in addition to the development standards and permit requirements of the BP (Business Park) zone district.
- a. Location

Used automobile/light truck sales lots are permitted only in the portion of the BP (Business Park) District located on the south side of Lerdo Highway, as identified in Table 6.C of this Title.

b. Minimum Lot Size

The minimum lot size for used automobile/light truck sales lots shall be one (1) acre.

c. Site Plan Review

A site plan shall be reviewed and approved in accordance with Section 2.80.4 of this title prior to establishment of a used automobile/light truck sales lot within the “Used Automobile and Light Truck Sales District”.

d. Permanent Structure Required

Specific Use Development Standards

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A site-constructed structure shall be provided for offices, repair facilities, and retail sales of used automobiles and/or light trucks. No pre-manufactured structures, including commercial modulars, coaches, or trailers, shall be allowed.

Signs

All permanent and temporary signs shall comply with the requirements specified in Chapter 14 of this Title.

f. Parking

(1) Areas designated for employee and customer parking shall not be used for vehicle storage or display.
(2) All display, parking, storage, and maneuvering areas shall comply with the requirements specified in Section 13.60 (Parking Regulations) of this Chapter.
(3) All vehicle display, parking, and maneuvering areas shall be surfaced with a minimum of three (3) inches of asphalt concrete paving or a material of higher quality, as approved by the City Engineer.
(4) Vehicles for sale shall not be displayed outside of the designated display area, as identified on the approved site plan for the facility.
(5) All vehicles displayed for sale shall be operable and must meet all Department of Motor Vehicles Standards of Operation.
(6) Any non-operable vehicles or vehicles being stored prior to being placed on display for sale shall be stored within a fenced and screened storage area.

g.

Landscaping

A minimum of five (5) foot-wide landscape strips shall be provided outside the public right-of-w ay along the street frontage perimeter of the site.

h.
Washing of Vehicles

All washing, rinsing, or hosing down of vehicles and of the property shall comply with the requirements specified in Section 11.260 (Vehicle Repair Facilities) of this Chapter.

i.
Loading and Unloading of Vehicles

Loading and unloading of vehicles shall be conducted in accordance with the following provisions:

Specific Use Development Standards

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CITY OF SHAFTER DEVELOPMENT CODE

(1) The sales lot operator is deemed to be responsible and liable for any activities of a common carrier, operator, or other person controlling such loading activities, to the extent any such activities violate the provisions of this subsection.
(2) Off-loading locations shall be established either on-site or offsite, and shall be subject to the approval of the City Engineer if within the public right-of-way. Loading and unloading activities shall not block the ingress or egress of any adjacent property.
j.

Storage of Vehicles to be Repaired

(1) Vehicles brought on site for repair purposes shall not be parked or stored on any public street or alley.
(2) Vehicles brought on-site for repair purposes shall be parked in either required parking spaces, reserved for such purposes and shall be no more than 600 square feet, or stored within a fenced and screened storage area.
k.

Repair of Vehicles

The repair and service facility portion of any used automobile/light truck sales facility shall comply with the provisions of Section 11.260 (Vehicle Repair Facilities) of this Chapter.

Queuing of Vehicles

On-site queuing area or lanes for service customers shall be provided which shall be large enough to accommodate a minimum of one and a half vehicles for each service bay in the facility. One-site driveways may be used for queuing, but may not interfere with access to required parking spaces. Regular parking spaces may not double as queuing spaces.

Noise Control

(1) Loudspeakers are permitted provided that noise levels are maintained below fifty-five (55) dBA at the property boundary.
(2) All noise generating equipment exposed to the exterior shall be muffled with sound absorbing materials to reduce noise levels below fifty-five (55) dBA at the property boundary.
n.
Toxic Waste Storage and Disposal
(1) Gasoline storage tanks shall meet all applicable State and local health regulations, and shall be constructed and maintained under the same conditions and standards that apply to service stations.

Specific Use Development Standards

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(2) Any handling, treatment, storage, or use of hazardous materials shall be subject to the requirements of Section 10.110 (Hazardous Materials Management) of this Title.
o. Air Quality
- (1) Brake washers shall be installed and utilized in all service stalls or areas which perform service on brakes containing asbestos or other materials known to be harmful when dispersed in air.
- (2) Mechanical ventilating equipment shall direct exhaust away from adjacent residential properties.
- (3) Exhaust systems shall be equipped with appropriate and reasonably available control technology to minimize or eliminate noxious pollutants which would otherwise be omitted.