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Chapter 2

Article 33 — SPACING OF BLIGHT INDUCING ENTERPRISES

Torrance Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-07 · Torrance

92.33.1 RESTRICTED USES.

(Amended by O-2942)

Adult bookstores, adult motion picture theaters, adult mini-motion picture theaters, and sexual paraphernalia stores are restricted uses for purposes of this Article.

92.33.2 DEFINITIONS.

(Amended by O-2942)

a) Adult Book Store: An establishment having as a substantial or significant portion of its stock in trade, books, magazines, and periodicals which are distinguished by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas as defined herein, or an establishment which devotes five (5) percent or more of its retail floor space to the sale or display of such material.

b) Adult Motion Picture Theatre: An enclosed or unenclosed building or structure with a capacity of fifty (50) or more persons, used more than ten (10) percent of the time for presentation of material distinguished or characterized with an emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or related to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas as defined herein, for observation by patrons therein.

c) Adult Mini-Motion Picture Theater: An enclosed or unenclosed building or structure having a capacity of fifty (50) persons or less which is used for presentation of material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or relating to specified sexual activities or to specified anatomical areas as defined herein, for observation by patrons therein.

d) Sexual Paraphernalia Store: An establishment having as a substantial or significant portion of its stock in trade materials designed for the use in or simulation of specified sexual activities as defined herein or an establishment which devotes more than five (5) percent of its retail floor space to the sale or display of such material. e) Specified Sexual Activities:

  1. Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal;

  2. Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, sodomy, sadism or masochism;

  3. Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic regions, buttock or female breast.

f) Specified Anatomical Areas:

  1. Human genitals or pubic region, buttocks or female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areola when not completely and opaquely covered.

92.33.3 LOCATION.

a) It shall be unlawful to locate any of the uses listed in Section 92.33.1. within a radius of one thousand (1,000) feet of any property zoned or used for residential purposes.

b) It shall be unlawful to locate any of the uses listed in Section 92.33.1. within a radius of one thousand (1,000) feet of any public school, park or playground.

c) It shall be unlawful to locate any of the uses listed in Section 92.33.1. within one thousand (1,000) feet of any existing structure or property containing such use.

92.33.4 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT.

The uses identified in Section 92.33.1. of this Code shall be permitted, subject to approval of a Conditional Use Permit in accordance with Chapter 5 of this Division, subject to the following criteria:

a) That the proposed use will not be contrary to the public interest or injurious to nearby properties.

b) That the proposed use will not encourage development or enlargement of a skid-row area.

c) That the establishment of an additional regulated use in the area will not be contrary to any program of neighborhood conservation, nor will it interfere with any program of urban renewal.

d) That a Conditional Use Permit shall be approved as required by Chapter 5 of this Division 9

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▸ Contents — Torrance Zoning Code
Torrance Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 1
  2. ▸ Chapter 2
    Overview
    1. Article 1 — CONTROLLED ZONING
    2. Article 2 — USES GENERALLY Revised 4/25 Revised 10/25
    3. Article 3 — HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS
    4. Article 4 — MINIMUM LOT AND BUILDING SITE AREAS
    5. Article 5 — YARDS
    6. Article 6 — EXPOSED EXTERIOR WALLS
    7. Article 7 — SPECIAL SETBACK LINE.
    8. Article 8 — ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
    9. Article 9 — ZONING APPLIED TO ANNEXED AREAS
    10. Article 10 — SPLITTING LOTS
    11. Article 11 — ACCESSIBILITY TO BUILDING SITE AND LIVING QUARTERS
    12. Article 12 — SIGNS
    13. Article 13 — FENCES, WALLS, RETAINING WALLS AND HEDGES
    14. Article 14 — AUTOMATIC REZONING OF SUBDIVIDED LAND
    15. Article 15 — GARAGE DOORS
    16. Article 16 — GARAGES FACING PUBLIC STREETS
    17. Article 17 — MOBILEHOMES AND MOBILEHOME PARKS
    18. Article 18 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
    19. Article 19 — UNAUTHORIZED SALE OF VEHICLES ON VACANT LOTS
    20. Article 20 — LIVING AREAS
    21. Article 21 — BUILDING DESIGN COMPATIBILITY
    22. Article 22 — NONCONFORMING USES, BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES
    23. Article 23 — ENFORCEMENT
    24. Article 24 — REAPPLICATION AFTER DENIAL OR WITHDRAWAL
    25. Article 26 — RECORDING CONDITIONS ON USE OF LAND
    26. Article 27 — EXTENSIONS OF TIME
    27. Article 28 — MODIFICATION OF CONDITIONS
    28. Article 29 — SUBDIVISION CONTROL
    29. Article 30 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    30. Article 32 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
    31. Article 33 — SPACING OF BLIGHT INDUCING ENTERPRISES
    32. Article 34 — AMENDMENT TO GENERAL PLAN
    33. Article 35 — NUISANCE ABATEMENT
    34. Article 36 — DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
    35. Article 37 — LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE PERMITS
    36. Article 38 — VACANT BUILDING AND LOT MAINTENANCE AND REGISTRAT…
    37. Article 39 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
    38. Article 40 — UNATTENDED COLLECTION BOXES
    39. Article 41 — VIEW EQUITY
    40. Article 42 — GARAGE SALES
    41. Article 43 — SHORT TERM RENTALS
    42. Article 44 — SHARED MOBILITY DEVICES
  3. Chapter 3 — OFF STREET PARKING
  4. Chapter 4 — VARIANCES - WAIVERS
  5. Chapter 5 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
  6. Chapter 6 — REZONING - PRECISE PLAN.
  7. Chapter 7 — OIL.
  8. Chapter 8 — HELICOPTERS
  9. Chapter 9 — SCHEDULE OF FEES
  10. Chapter 10 — TRIP REDUCTION AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
  11. Chapter 11 — SIGNS Revised 4/25

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