Title 17

Chapter 5

Shafter Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Shafter

COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS

COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
5.10 PURPOSE AND INTENT ........................................................................................... 5-1
5.20 COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS .......................................................... 5-1
5.30 COMMERCIAL USE REGULATIONS ....................................................................... 5-2
5.40 COMMERCIAL SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS .............................................. 5-7

Commercial Districts

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CITY OF SHAFTER DEVELOPMENT CODE

CHAPTER 5

5.10 PURPOSE AND INTENT

  1. The General Plan outlines goals, objectives, and policies regarding the character and location of commercial uses and development within the City. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide regulations which implement those goals, objectives and policies, and which assure the availability of commercial uses within the City. Commercial Districts should be conveniently located, efficient, attractive, and designed in a manner which ensures safe and convenient commercial activity, in order to serve the retail and service commercial needs of Shafter residents and businesses.

  2. It is the further intent of the regulations contained in this Chapter:

    • a. To provide appropriately located areas for retail stores, service establishments, and commercial commodities and services required by residents of the City and the surrounding market area;

    • b. To encourage the concentration of commercial and office uses for the convenience of the public, and to secure mutually beneficial relationships to one another;

    • c. To provide adequate space to meet the needs of commercial development, including off-street parking and loading areas;

    • d. To minimize traffic congestion and to avoid the overloading of utilities by regulating the construction of buildings of excessive size relative to the land uses in the City;

    • e. To protect commercial properties from noise, odor, smoke, unsightliness, and other objectionable influences incidental to industrial uses; and

    • f. To promote high standards of site planning, architecture and landscape design for commercial developments within the City.

5.20

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS

  1. General Commercial (GC)

The primary purpose of the General Commercial (GC) District is to provide sites for commercial uses which serve a large segment of the population with a wide variety of retail, wholesale, service, and office uses.

  1. Neighborhood Commercial (NC)

The primary purpose of the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) District is to satisfy the daily shopping needs of City residents by providing for a wide range of common retail and personal services in a centralized location. This district encourages the construction of conveniently located neighborhood centers which provide for limited retail and service commercial uses, in a manner which is compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhood.

Commercial Districts

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CHAPTER 5

CITY OF SHAFTER DEVELOPMENT CODE

  1. Downtown Commercial (DC)

The General Plan outlines the goals, objectives and policies establishing the character and location of the Downtown Commercial District. It is the purpose of this Section to provide regulations which implement those goals, objectives and policies which assure the preservation of the character and vitality of the original Shafter townsite.

The provisions of this Chapter are intended to ensure that the limited commercial and office related development permitted within the Downtown Commercial District respects the historic significance of the townsite by requiring that all proposed buildings and structures reflect the downtown’s architectural theme and are compatible with the surrounding residential community, as described in the General Plan Environmental Management Program.

5.30

COMMERCIAL USE REGULATIONS

Identified on Table 5.A of this Chapter are those land uses or activities which may be permitted in each of the commercial districts, subject to the provisions of this Title and applicable General Plan policies. Table 5.A also identifies those land uses and activities which are permitted in specified commercial districts, but not in others. This Table also indicates the development procedure and the approval type by which each listed land use or activity may be permitted in each of the commercial zone districts.

Table 5.A Uses Permitted Within Commercial Districts

Legend

  • Not Permitted in This District

  • P Permitted Subject to Consistency Assessment

C Permitted Subject to Approval of a Conditional Use Permit Application

USE GC NC DC
A. Office and Related Uses
1.
Administrative and executive offices.		 P P P
2.
Artist andphotographic studio, includingsale of equipment or supplies.		 P P P
3.
Clerical andprofessional offices		 P P P
4.
Financial services and institutions		 P P P
5.
Medical, dental and related health services for humans, including clinics,
laboratories, and sale of articles clearlyincidental to the servicesprovided.		 P P P
B. Commercial Uses
1.
Adult entertainment
2.
Agricultural		 C C C
3.
Ambulance service		 C
4.
Antique shops		 P P P
5.
Apparel stores(sales)		 P P P
6.
Art, music, dance, studios,photographic studios and supplies,galleries		 P P P

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CITY OF SHAFTER DEVELOPMENT CODE

CHAPTER 5

USE GC NC DC
7.
Appliance stores and repair		 P P
8.
Arcades		 C C C
9.
Auto supplystore		 P P P
10. Automotive washing (self or full service) P C
11. Auction houses C
12. Automotive rental agencies(excludingoutdoor storage) P
13. Automotive rental agencies with outdoor storage of vehicles C C C
14. Automotive-paint and body C
15. Automotive dealerships subject to Section 11.100 of this Title P
16. Automobile repair C C
17. Bail bond services P
18. Bakeries(retail) P P P
19. Barber and beautyshops P P P
20. Bicycle shop/non-motorized P P P
21. Blueprint andphotocopyservices P P
22. Boat and RV(service and sales) C
23. Book,gift, and stationarystores P P P
24. Buildingmaterials sales/home improvement(indoors) P P P
25. Buildingmaterials sales/home improvement(outdoor displayor storage) C C
26. Camera shops P P P
27. Candle shops P P P
28. Candystores and confectioneries P P P
29. Cateringestablishments P P P
30. Cemetery (Human)
31. Cleaningandpressingestablishments P P P
32. Clothingand costume rental P P P
33. Cocktail lounge/Bar, including upgrading an existing ABC license (e.g. Beer
and Wine to a hard liquor license) (Refer to Section 11.50 of this Title)		 C C
34. Communication and telecommunication facilities(radio and television) C C C
35. Commercial recreational facilities(indoor) P C C
36. Commercial recreational facilities(outdoor) C C C
37. Convenience store(includingalcohol sales) C C C
38. Convenience store(no alcohol sales) P P P
39. Dairy products stores P P P
40. Department stores P P
41. Draperyand decoratingshops P P
42. Dressmakingshops P P P
43. Drivingschools P
44. Drugstore/pharmacy P P P
45. Electronic coin-operatedgames(commerciallyoperated)less than fivegames P P P

Commercial Districts

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CITY OF SHAFTER DEVELOPMENT CODE

USE GC NC DC
46. Electronic coin-operated games (commercially operated) five or more games
(subject to Section 11.90 of this Title)		 C C C
47. Drive-in/-through business includingtheaters and restaurants C C
48. Feed tack stores P P P
49. Firearms sales, repair, and ammunition sales pursuant to Section 11.1310 of
this Title		 P P
50. Fireworks stand, subject to Section 11.160 of this Title P P P
51. Floral shops P P P
52. Food stores and supermarkets P P P
53. Floor coveringstores(mayinclude incidental repair) P P P
54. Furniture stores, repair and upholstery P P
55. General retail stores P P P
56. Hardware stores(no outdoor storage) P P P
57. Hardware stores(outdoor storage) C
58. Health clubs, studios for dance, martial arts, weight trainingand similar uses P P P
59. Hobbyshops P P P
60. Hotels and motels P C
61. Insurance services P P P
62. Janitorial services and supplies P P P
63. Jewelrystores P P P
64. Kiosks(parkinglot filmprocessingand keyshops) P P P
65. Laundry pick-up and delivery agencies and self-service laundries (includes
diaper service)		 P P P
66. Liquor stores C C C
67. Locksmith shops P P P
68. Meat markets P P P
69. Mortgage services P P P
70. Mortuaries C C
71. Motorcycle shops(sales and service) P C
72. Music stores P P P
73. Newspaper and magazine stores P P P
74. Mini storage(forpublic use) C
75. Nurseries and garden supply stores (provided all equipment and supplies are
kept within a buildingor fenced enclosed area)		 P P P
76. Office and business machines(sales, service and repair) P P P
77. Paint and wall coveringstores P P P
78. Parkingfacilities(off site) P C
79. Pet shops P P P
80. Political orphilanthropic headquarters P P P
81. Potterysales P P P
82. Printingand copyshops(other than newspaper) P C P

Commercial Districts

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CITY OF SHAFTER DEVELOPMENT CODE

CHAPTER 5

USE GC NC DC
83. Recycling collection facilities including reverse vending machines and small
collection facilities subject to Section 11.190 of this Title		 P P P
84. Plumbingshops and Supplies P P
85. Real Estate Services P P P
86. Restaurants other than fast foods (refer to Section 11.50 of this Title):
a. With entertainment and/or serving alcoholic beverages, including
upgrading an existing ABC license (e.g. Beer and Wine lo a hard liquor
license)
b. Without entertainment and/or servingalcoholic beverages		 C
P		 C
P		 C
P
87. Shoppingcenters C C C
88. Shoe stores(sales and repairs) P P P
89. Second-hand stores/pawn shops P P
90. Service station (without convenience sales) subject to Section 11.220 of this
Title)		 P P P
91. Service stations with convenience store, with or without alcoholic beverage
sales		 C C C
92. Sporting good stores P P P
93. Stampand coin shops P P P
94. Stationarystores P P P
95. Statue shops P P P
96. Signpaintingshops within an enclosed building P P
97. Surveyingservices P P
98. Swimming pool and spa(sales, service and supply) P P
99. Telegraph offices C
100. Tailor shops P P P
101. Tattooparlor C C
102. Taxidermists(noprocessing) P P P
103. Television(radio sales and repair) P P P
104. Theaters, includingmotionpicture and liveperformingarts C C
105. Tire sales and service C C
106. Toystores P P P
107. Travel agencies P P P
108. Trophystore P P P
109. Truck(tractor only)and RV wash(self or full-service) C
110. Upholsteringshops(indoor only) P P
111. Varietystores P P P
112. Veterinary offices and animal hospitals including exterior kennels, pens or
runs		 C
113. Veterinary offices and animal hospitals excluding exterior kennels, pens or
runs		 P P P
C. Public and Quasi-Public Uses
1.
Auditoriums		 C C

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CITY OF SHAFTER DEVELOPMENT CODE

USE GC NC DC
2.
Daynurseries, nurseryschools, and child care facilities,per State law		 C C C
3.
Hospitals		 C C
4.
Convalescent homes		 C C C
5.
Convention hall, trade show, exhibit buildingwith incidental food service		 C
6.
Churches		 C C C
7.
Clubs, lodges, fraternities and sororities		 C C C
8.
Communication and telecommunication facilities (not including radio and
television)		 C C C
9.
Educational institutions(including public orprivate vocational schools)		 C C C
10. Fire andpolice stations P P P
11. Public administration buildings and Civic Centers P P P
12. Public libraries and museums P P P
13. Publicparks and recreation facilities(public orprivate) P P P
14. Public utilities and public service sub-stations, reservoirs, pumping plants and
similar installations not including public utility offices, unless project otherwise
entails apublic hearing; then Permitted		 C C C
15. Residential care facility (per State law) C C C
16. Post offices P P P
17. Public utilityservices offices P P P
18. Transportation C C C
19. Emergencyshelters with EmergencyShelter(ES)overlayzone P
D. Residential Uses
1.
Single familyresidential dwellings
2.
Residence in conjunction with a business		 C C
3.
Multi-Familyresidential dwellings		 C C C
4. Single-room occupancy units (SRO), Supportive housing, Target population,
and Transitional housingas defined in Section 1.90		 C
E.Manufacturing Uses
1.
Oil & Gas exploration and production; subject to the provisions of Chapter 9
of this Title		 C C C
F. Accessory Uses
1.
Accessoryuses and structures located on the same site as apermitted use		 P P P
2.
Accessory uses and structures located on the same site as a use permitted
subject to a Conditional Use Permit		 C C C
G. Temporary Uses
1.
*Temporary uses as prescribed in Chapter 2, Permits and Approval, Section
2.90, arepermitted subject to issuance of a TemporaryUse Permit.		 * * *
H. Other uses similar to, and no more objectionable than the uses identified above, shall be
reviewedper theprocess required by the similar use, as determined by the Planning Commission.

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CITY OF SHAFTER DEVELOPMENT CODE

CHAPTER 5

  • 5.40 COMMERCIAL SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

    1. General Requirements

Table 5.B of this Chapter describes the minimum site development standards applicable to proposed and existing development in all commercial zone districts. All commercial development shall conform to the standards established in this Section.

  • a. A development or commercial center may, for purposes of meeting the minimum site size standards, consist of a combination of parcels whose total net acreage meets the minimum site size criteria, provided that the design for the entire site is integrated and unified.

  • b. In addition to the minimum standards established in Table 5.B, developments within the commercial zone districts shall also comply with the special requirements contained in Section 5.40.2 of this Chapter, Chapter 12 (Performance Standards) of this Title, other City regulations and ordinances, and the General Plan.

Table 5.B Commercial Site Development Minimum Standards

REQUIREMENT GC NC DC
1. Minimum site area(square feet, net) 6,500 6,500 5,000
2. Minimum site width, in feet 65 65 50
3. Minimum site depth, in feet 100 100 100
4. Front buildingsetback, in feet 0 0 0
5. Side street buildingsetback area, street sides, in feet 0 0 0
6. Rear setback 0 0 0
7. Maximum Floor Area Ratio 0.50 0.50 0.50
8. Buildingheight, in feet, maximum 45 35 35

  1. Special Requirements:

    • a. All uses in the commercial districts shall comply with the provisions of Section 10.290 (Screening Requirements) of this Title.

    • b. Where off-street parking areas in the Neighborhood Commercial or General Commercial Districts are situated in a visual corridor, as may be defined in a precise plan adopted by the City Council, screening, such as a landscaped earthen berm or decorative wall no less than two (2) feet in height, shall be erected between the street right-of-way and the parking area.

    • c. In all commercial zone districts, no external security bars shall be permitted on structures.

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  • d. Parking for each use shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 13 of this Title.

  1. Exceptions

    • a. The creation of new lots within the commercial zone districts shall conform to the minimum allowable dimensions, except in the case of commercial condominium lots or lots within a shopping center, in which case no minimums are established; provided the commercial development is consistent with other requirements of this Title and applicable City standards, regulations, and ordinances.

    • b. Parcels created within shopping centers are exempt from the site development standards stated herein, as they relate to minimum site areas, and minimum lot width and depth, as long as a conceptual development plan for the entire center has been approved and if appropriate easements for reciprocal access parking and maintenance are provided.

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