Solvang Municipal Code Ch. 7 Commercial and Industrial Districts

This chapter lists the commercial and industrial zones as established by section 11-4-2 and establishes the types of land uses allowed and development standards in each commercial and industrial zone.

(Ord. 24-0378, 12/9/2024)

A. Light Industrial (LI). The Light Industrial zone is intended to accommodate a range of light industrial uses characterized by light manufacturing, research and development facilities, warehouses, and processing facilities. Maximum allowed Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is 0.75.

B. Heavy Commercial (CH). The Heavy Commercial zone is intended to accommodate large scale commercial establishments and is characterized by wholesale, heavy commercial uses, and residential mixed-use development. Residential development is permitted in this designation in a vertical mixed-use format only. For vertical mixed-use developments, the ground floor shall remain a nonresidential use. Maximum allowed FAR is 0.65. Maximum allowable residential density shall be 20 dwelling units per one acre.

C. Retail Commercial (CR). This Retail Commercial zone is intended for uses that serve the everyday needs of residents. This designation is characterized by specialty shops, grocery stores, personal service establishments, and residential mixed-use development. Residential is permitted in this designation only in a vertical mixed-use format. For vertical mixed-use developments, the ground floor shall remain a nonresidential use. Maximum allowed FAR is 1.0, and allowable residential density shall be up to 20 dwelling units per one acre.

D. Village Mixed-Use (VMU). The Village Mixed-Use zone is intended for a mix of commercial establishments, residential, professional office, hotels, hospitality uses, visitor-serving uses, and entertainment venues. This designation provides for a variety of uses with an emphasis on visitor-serving uses within the Danish theme downtown area of the village design district. The ground floor shall remain a nonresidential use for all vertical mixed-use developments. Horizontal mixed-use developments are permitted so long as the uses facing the street frontage are commercial retail/service uses. Maximum allowed FAR is 3.0, and allowable residential density shall be up to 20 dwelling units per one acre.

E. Professional Office (PO). The Professional Office zone is intended for a range of office uses and is characterized by medical centers, general office uses, and residential mixed-use development. Residential uses are permitted in this designation in a vertical mixed-use format only. For vertical mixed-use development, the ground floor shall remain a nonresidential use. Maximum FAR allowed is 0.65, and allowable residential density shall be up to 20 dwelling units per one acre.

(Ord. 24-0378, 12/9/2024)

Table 11.6 - Commercial & Industrial Zones Allowable Uses and Permit Requirements 1

End Note

1. Permits Required. All uses identified as permitted or "P" may require approval of one or more of the following planning applications (as well as a building permit if a new or modified structure is involved):

Legend

(Ord. 24-0378, 12/9/2024)

Table 11.7 - Commercial and Industrial Zones Development Standards

End Notes

(Ord. 24-0378, 12/9/2024)

A. Parking and Storage of Trailers and Recreational Vehicles. It is unlawful to store or park a trailer, recreational vehicles, boats, boat trailers, accessory trailers, stock trailers, farm, construction, industrial equipment or similar article, vehicles or device on any lot within the Village Mixed-Use zone (VMU). This section shall not be interpreted to include vehicles legally parked in the public right-of-way, consistent with Chapter 3 of Title 7 of the Solvang Municipal Code.

B. Outdoor Storage and Trash Enclosures. Areas for trash or outdoor storage shall be enclosed and screened in such a manner as to conceal all trash or stored material from public view for all commercial and industrial uses.

C. Replacement of Landscaping. Any alteration to landscaped areas for the purpose of replacing all or a portion of the landscaped area with paving, hard surface or gravel shall first be reviewed and approved by the review authority prior to issuance a permit.

D. Landscaping and Screening for Light Industrial (LI) zone. The following additional performance standards shall apply to the Light Industrial (LI) zone.

1. Landscape Locations. The side and rear property lines shall be landscaped with a minimum of a five foot-wide planted area. When directly adjacent to a residential zone, the side and rear property lines shall be landscaped with a minimum of a 10 foot-wide planted area.

2. Screening from Adjacent to Properties. Where any portion of a lot abuts a lot in a residential or commercial zone, a masonry wall not less than six feet in height, but no greater than eight feet in height shall be erected along such abutting portion.

3. Outdoor Storage Screening. Outdoor storage areas shall be screened from view of any street by a wall with a minimum height of six feet, and a maximum height of eight feet. Such wall or fence shall be located no closer than five feet from the property line. The space between the wall or fence and the street shall be landscaped. Outdoor storage areas shall be located either on the rear or side portions of a development.

(Ord. 24-0378, 12/9/2024)