South Gate Municipal Code Ch. 11.21 Land Use Types

This chapter establishes the process and standards for the regulation of land uses as applicable to all zones and applied to all real property within the city. No land use may be permitted or established unless it is in full compliance with this title and the applicable conditions of approval.

(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)

All land uses shall conform to the purpose and intent of the applicable zone, and shall comply with the following:

A. Land Use Operations. No operations conducted on any property shall create objectionable and/or obnoxious dust, light, matter, mud, noise, odor, refuse, smoke, steam, vibration, maintenance needs of grounds or buildings, or other nuisance(s). No land use shall be detrimental to the health and welfare of the South Gate community.

B. Unlisted or Similar Compatible Uses. Any land use that is not specifically listed in the land use tables for the applicable zone shall not be allowed or permitted within the zone. However, the director shall have the authority to determine whether the proposed use may be permitted when all the following findings are made by the director in writing:

1. The characteristics of, and activities associated with, the proposed use are equivalent to and compatible with one or more of the listed permitted uses, and will not involve a higher level of activity or density than the permitted uses.

2. The proposed use is substantially similar to a listed permitted use.

3. The proposed use is compatible with the purpose and intent of the applicable zone.

4. The proposed use has similar traffic, noise, light, odor, and other operational impacts as a listed permitted use.

5. The operation of the proposed use will not be detrimental to existing uses in the area of influence.

Decisions of the director may be appealed as described in Chapter 11.50, Administration.

C. Unlisted Use Permit Findings. Consideration of and findings for the determination of the classification, permissibility, or applicability of an unlisted or similar compatible use, as defined in subsection (B) of this section, shall be based on the degree of compatibility between the use in question and adjacent uses. Technical evidence and scientific means, when available, shall be considered in determining the form and intensity of performance standards typically associated with any identifiable type of use in question.

D. Unlisted Standards and Permit Requirements. When the director makes the subsection (B) of this section findings in writing, the proposed use will be treated in the same regulatory manner as the zone listed use for allowable location(s), permits required, and all other applicable standards and requirements of this title.

E. Prohibited Uses. For the purposes of public health, safety, and general welfare, land uses listed in Table 11.21-1 are prohibited in any zone in the city, and are not subject to the director's discretion. The city represents a small portion of the entire metropolitan area, and constitutes a single, economic area of industry and commerce within Los Angeles County. Full provision is made for all types of uses necessary for industrial development within the county and thus the following uses, because of their nuisance and hazard characteristics if permitted within the developed area of South Gate, would defeat the basic purposes of zoning. The exclusion of these land uses from the city represents a reasonable regulation, because full provision for the appropriate locations of these uses is ensured by the total land use pattern of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Table 11.21-1 Prohibited Land Uses

F. Outdoor Display of Merchandise. Any outdoor display of merchandise shall be limited within the public right-of-way so that pedestrian access and travel is maintained and the character of the streetscape is not compromised. Outdoor display of merchandise is subject to the following requirements:

1. Items displayed must be items sold within the business (sale of off-site merchandise is not permitted).

2. No more than twenty percent of the length of the business storefront may be used for displaying merchandise.

3. Merchandise may only be displayed when the business is open.

4. Merchandise shall be located so that it does not impede pedestrian access or mobility into the store, or along the streetscape.

5. Signage associated with the merchandise is not permitted.

(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015; Ord. 2326 § 2, 2-9-2016; Ord. 2345 § 5, 3-13-2018)

All permitted land uses are identified by required permit types, consistent with Table 11.21-2. The land use permissions, as established by zone per Tables 11.21-3, 11.21-4, and 11.21-5 at the end of this chapter, shall be applicable to all existing and new uses, structures, and activities within the identified zone.

A. Permitted Land Uses. Table 11.21-2 identifies the permit types and city review references applicable to all zones. The land uses allowed by this title in each zone are listed in Table 11.21-3, and indicated by the type of land use permit required for each use.

Table 11.21-2 General Land Use Permit Types and Processes

B. Permit and Approval Requirements. Prior to the establishment of any land use identified in the tables of this chapter, the applicant shall obtain all necessary approvals and permits in compliance with all applicable requirements of this title. Chapter 11.51, Permits and Procedures, identifies the requirements of development proposals, and procedures and processing requirements for administrative and discretionary permit applications.

C. Land Use Implementation. All permitted and conditionally permitted uses shall be implemented consistent with the purpose and character of the applicable zone, and shall limit the impacts of the use from adjacent properties.

D. Additional Use Regulations. In addition to the regulations and development standards of the applicable zone, all land uses are subject to the specific use standards identified in the "Additional Use Regulations" column of the table. Refer to the referenced section for additional operational standards and regulations applicable to the use.

Table 11.21-3 Allowed Land Uses, Urban Mixed-Use Zones

Table 11.21-4 Commercial Industrial Zones Allowed Land Uses

Table 11.21-5 Residential Neighborhood Zone Allowed Land Uses

(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015; Ord. 2326 § 3, 2-9-2016; Ord. 2345 § 6, 3-13-2018; Ord. 2351 § 3, 6-26-2018)