Article 1 — GENERAL

(Amended by O-1669; O-1754)

Except as provided in Section 93.1.2. no building or structure shall be erected, substantially improved, or changed in use unless off street parking therefor has been provided as set forth in this Chapter.

(Amended by O-1669; O-1754; O-1816)

a) The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to any building or structure which existed in downtown Torrance on October 30, 1958, unless:

1. Such building or structure is to be used for public assemblies; or

2. Such building or structure is substantially improved or altered after March 1, 1967; or

3. A variance from or other exception to the provisions of this Code requiring off street parking has been granted for the lot or parcel of land on which such building or structure is situated; or

4. Such change in use is from residential to any other use or is from single family residential to two (2) family residential to any other residential use.

b) For the purpose of this Section, downtown Torrance is defined as the area within the following described boundaries:

Commencing at the intersection of Cota Avenue and the first alley north of Torrance Boulevard, easterly along said alley to the alley between Cravens Avenue and Sartori Avenue, then south to Torrance Boulevard, easterly along Torrance Boulevard to Border Avenue, south along Border Avenue to the first alley south of Carson Street, westerly along said alley to Gramercy Avenue, north and east along Gramercy Avenue to the first alley southwest to Cravens Avenue, northwesterly along said alley to Portola Avenue to Torrance Boulevard, west on Torrance Boulevard to Cota Avenue, north on Cota Avenue to the point of beginning.

c) The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to any building or structure on City-owned properties in the Meadow Park Redevelopment Project Area. Provided, however, that this exemption shall expire when the existing buildings or structures are demolished.

(Amended by O-1754)

a) A building or structure, other than one used for residential purposes, shall be deemed to have been substantially improved if the aggregate value of the structural additions and alterations thereto is thirty (30) percent or more of the replacement value of such building or structure based on Table 3-A of Section 303 of the Building Code of the City.

b) A building used for residential purposes shall be deemed to have been substantially improved if the aggregate value of the structural additions and alterations thereto is fifty (50) percent or more of the replacement value of such building or structure, based on Table 3-A of Section 303 of the Building Code of the City.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 93.1.3. of this Article, there shall be no alteration or addition to existing residential structures in relation to which no provisions have been made for garage space, unless one (1) such space for each unit is constructed as provided under the provisions of Section 93.5.2. of this Chapter.

(Amended by O-3207)

a) Modified gross floor area shall be calculated by measuring the total floor area from within the exterior surface of the walls of the building. The following areas on each floor shall not be included in that calculation and shall not be charged for parking:

1. Stairs

2. Toilets

3. Elevator shafts

4. Plumbing shafts

• 5. Air shafts

6. Mechanical equipment rooms which are used solely for the maintenance of the building.

b) In any building for which a building permit had been issued on or before January 1, 1988, the following named uses may utilize the modified gross floor area method of calculating the number of off-street parking spaces to be required for those uses, or any continuance, extension or renewal of those uses:

1. Banks, savings and loan and credit unions

2. Bowling alleys

• 3. Business and professional offices
• 4. Food and beverage establishments
• 5. Furniture and major appliance stores
• 6. Medical/dental clinics, medical professional offices
• 7. Mortuary
• 8. Retail and service commercial uses
• 9. Retail food markets
• 10. Warehouse and storage buildings
• 11. Pool and billiard halls
• 12. Health clubs
• 13. Required off-street loading spaces

c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, in the event any such building is destroyed or demolished or is extended, enlarged or remodeled so that the aggregate value of the structural additions and alterations or repairs thereto shall amount to thirty percent (30%) or more of the replacement value of such building or structure based on the Building Permit Fee

Table of the Building Code of the City, the parking requirements shall not be calculated by using the modified gross floor area method.

The owner of property used for parking shall maintain such area in good condition without holes and free of all weeds, dust, trash and other debris.

(Amended by O-3360; O-3485)

a) No person will use any existing parking lot for a temporary parking lot sales event or a temporary parking lot special event, as defined in Sections 91.2.165 and 91.2.166 respectively, without first obtaining the prior approval of a Temporary Parking Lot Event Permit issued from the Planning Director.

b) An application for a Temporary Parking Lot Event Permit must be filed with the Planning Department and will include the following:

• 1. A completed application form signed by the applicant and the property owner acknowledging and agreeing to all applicable conditions; and
• 2. A dimensioned plot plan of the proposed location. The plot plan must indicate the following information:

A) The existing on-site parking and circulation layout, and the total number of available on-site parking spaces;

• B) The total number and location of the parking spaces to be used for the proposed event;

F) The location and dimensions of all Christmas tree sales and storage areas, public activity areas, fenced areas, and distances between tree displays, parking areas and temporary structures as required by the Fire Department;

G) The location of existing buildings and any temporary tents; trailers, electrical or mechanical equipment, trash receptacles, and signs;

H) The location of required safety devices such as portable fire extinguishers, no smoking signs, and emergency exits; and,

• I) Any other information found by the Planning Director to be necessary for the review of the application.

c) A Temporary Parking Lot Event Permit must be obtained for each individual event. The Temporary Parking Lot Event Permit will be issued if in the judgement of the Planning Director the subject event will conform to the following criteria:

• 1. The location of the proposed event is within an existing parking lot area and is being held by a permanent on-site business;
• 2. The proposed event will not disrupt circulation of traffic within the parking lot or within the vicinity as determined by consideration of the following factors in relation to the location of the proposed parking lot event:

A) The location and design of on-site driveways;

• B) On-site parking and circulation, including pedestrian movements; and

• C) On-site lighting and traffic signage.

• 3. The proposed event will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or to the property of other persons located in the vicinity;
• 4. The proposed event will not cover more than ten (10) percent of the required parking spaces;
• 5. The proposed event will not cause a shortage of parking for or restrict access to the existing uses;
• 6. The business establishment proposing the event has not exceeded the maximum allowable number of four events per business establishment per calendar year;
• 7. There are no other events, as defined in Sections 91.2.165 and 91.2.166, occurring on the same parking lot and during the same time period; and
• 8. All temporary structures, equipment and debris will be removed and the parking lot area will be cleaned and restored to its original condition within one calendar day immediately following the last effective date of the approval for the event.

d) The operation of a pumpkin or a Christmas tree sales lot will be required to conform with the requirements of Subsections c) and d) 2 through d) 5 of Section 92.2.9 regulating pumpkin and Christmas tree sales on vacant property.

e) The Planning Director may impose additional conditions to the approval of the Temporary Parking Lot Event Permit to insure the preservation of the public peace, safety, health, and general welfare.

f) Any violations of this Section, other applicable Sections of the Torrance Municipal Code, and/or conditions of approval may result in enforcement actions, immediate suspension of the issued Seasonal Sales Permit and the denial of an application for such future sales permits by the operator and/or the property owner.

g) The Planning Director may charge a fee for such approvals as provided in City Council Resolution 94-91 as adjusted by resolution from time to time, but may waive such fee for good cause, as provided in Section 31.6.2 of this Code.

h) The decision of the Planning Director will be appealable to the Planning Commission in the same manner as provided in Section 92.30.11, and to the City Council pursuant to the provisions contained in Article 5 of Chapter 1 of Division 1

(Added by O-3756; Amended by O-3772)

a) Definitions.

1. “Mobile food vendor” means any person or entity operating a vehicle, trailer, car, wagon, bicycle, conveyance or structure on wheels, not firmly fixed to a permanent foundation and which is required to be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, that offers the sale of food or beverage.

2. “Mobile food vendor event” means a gathering of one (1) or more mobile food vendors.

3. “Food caterer” means a person or entity that prepares food at a kitchen facility approved by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health that is preordered and served at a private event which is not open to the general public.

b) Mobile food vendors operating on public or private property will be required to obtain a temporary parking lot event permit as required by Section 93.1.7 as well as be required to comply with the mobile food vending event requirements found in subsection (c) of this Section and the general operating requirements found in subsection (d) of this Section.

1. Exemptions from Temporary Parking Lot Event Permit Requirement.

A) Mobile food vendor events on Torrance Unified School District property are exempt from obtaining a temporary parking lot event permit. But, the mobile food vendors attending a mobile food vendor event on Torrance Unified School District property are still required to obtain all of the following:

i) Valid approvals from the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health including but not limited to a food handling permit or other health permit required by law shall possess and at all times display such required permit(s) in conspicuous view upon such vehicle and must also display the letter grade issued by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health (a mobile food vendor will post the most recent vehicle inspection report from the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health in lieu of the letter grade if the city where the mobile food vendor’s commissary is located has not adopted the Los Angeles County Code regarding the posting of letter grades);

ii) A City business license issued to the vehicle (tracked by the vehicle identification number) of that mobile food vendor that includes a vehicle inspection by the Police Department; and

iii) Proof of current registration and insurance for each mobile food vendor vehicle operating in the City.

B) Temporary parking lot event permits also do not apply to:

i) Food caterers delivering food to private events;

ii) Ice cream trucks as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 22456(c);

iii) Mobile food vendors that operate on nonresidential construction and/or industrial sites for less than twenty (20) minutes; or

iv) Any event that has received a special event permit.

2. Mobile food vendor events that are held on the City-owned parking lot that is located west of the Los Angeles County Courthouse parking lot, south of the Police Department’s east parking lot, and east of the Police Department’s main compound (the “Toyota Sports Complex Mobile Food Vendor Event Lot”) must comply with the mobile food vending event requirements found in subsection (c) of this Section and the general operating requirements found in subsection (d) of this Section subject to the following exemptions:

A) Subsection (c)(6) of this Section is modified to allow five (5) mobile food vendors per mobile food vendor event in the Toyota Sports Complex Mobile Food Vendor Event Lot.

B) Subsection (c)(13) of this Section is modified to allow for portable restroom facilities for customers of the mobile food vendor event in the Toyota Sports Complex Mobile Food Vendor Event Lot.

c) Mobile Food Vending Requirements.

1. A mobile food vendor, with the exception of Torrance Unified School District property, shall be subject to temporary parking lot event permit if a mobile food vendor or vendors will be operating on site for a period exceeding twenty (20) minutes.

2. A mobile food vendor and mobile food vendor events are not permitted on properties used or zoned for residential purposes.

3. Authorization from the property owner (or authorized agent) of the site/location on which the event is taking place on shall be required.

4. Mobile food vendor events shall be located a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from property zoned or used for residential purposes as measured from the event perimeter to residential property line.

5. Mobile food vendor events shall be limited to no more than twenty-six (26) days per calendar year per site or location as determined by the Community Development Director or his/her designee.

6. No more than ten percent (10%) of the total number of parking spaces provided on the site/location shall be displaced by mobile food vendor event and no more than ten (10) vendors per mobile food vendor event. A mobile food vendor event that displaces more than ten percent (10%) of the total parking may be approved on a case-by-case basis with Fire Department and Police Department concurrence based upon circulation, public health, safety and welfare.

7. A detailed and dimensioned site plan of the mobile food vendor event layout shall be provided with the temporary parking lot event permit application. The plan of the mobile food vendor event layout shall include the location of each mobile food vendor, adequate space for customer queues and safe pedestrian movement without interfering with circulation outside of the designated mobile food vendor event area, and location of all other activities or temporary structures associated with the mobile food vendor event.

8. Temporary parking lot event permit application shall include a list of each mobile food vendor participating, their active business license identification number, and vehicle identification number for each mobile food vendor vehicle that will be present.

9. Mobile food vendor event hours of operation shall be between 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.

10. All mobile food vendor vehicles shall remain parked and stationary during the mobile food vendor event. There shall be no mobile food vendor vehicle movement during the mobile food vendor event.

11. On- and off-site vehicular and pedestrian circulation shall be maintained at all times during the mobile food vendor event.

• 12. Handicap parking spaces and accessibility shall be maintained at all times during the mobile food vendor event.

13. The applicant shall demonstrate that there will be sufficient access to on-site restroom facilities provided for customers of the mobile food vendor event. Portable restroom facilities are not permitted.

14. Temporary tables and seating for patrons may be permitted within the mobile food vendor event area as part of the approved temporary parking lot event permit application and plan.

• d) General Operating Requirements.

1. Vending shall be from vehicle duly registered and licensed by the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles.

• 2. Each mobile food vendor shall be equipped with a trash receptacle of a size adequate to accommodate all trash and refuse generated by such vending.

3. Each mobile food vendor shall pick up and deposit in the trash receptacle on the vehicle any paper, cups, wrapper, litter or other refuse of any kind which were a part of the goods or merchandise supplied from the mobile food vendor vehicle and which have been left or abandoned within twenty-five (25) feet of the mobile food vendor vehicle on any public property other than in a trash receptacle provided for such purposes. No mobile food vendor or operator shall dispose of any trash or refuse in any such public or private trash receptacle other than a trash receptacle owned, operated or otherwise provided by and under the control of such mobile food vendor.

4. Each mobile food vendor causing the sale of or offering for sale any produce or other food item for which a food handling permit or other health permit is required by law shall possess and at all times display such required permit(s) in conspicuous view upon such vehicle and shall also display the letter grade issued by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health (a mobile food vendor will post the most recent vehicle inspection report from the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health in lieu of the letter grade if the city where the mobile food vendor’s commissary is located has not adopted the Los Angeles County Code regarding the posting of letter grades).

• 5. Each mobile food vendor shall have obtained valid approvals from the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department, and a City of Torrance business license which includes review of proper registration, proof of insurance and a vehicle safety inspection by the Police Department prior to operation.

6. Each mobile food vendor and mobile food vendor event shall be subject to the Torrance Municipal Code noise ordinance.

e) The issuance of a permit, certification, or approval under the provisions of this Section or Section 93.1.7 shall not constitute a waiver of any other requirement contained in the Torrance Municipal Code or any other law, ordinance or regulation, and all such requirements shall be complied with in addition to the obtaining of a permit, certification, or approval under the provisions of this Section.

f) The issuance of a permit, certification, or approval under the provisions of this Section or Section 93.1.7 shall not constitute an approval of any violation of any provision of this Section, or any law, ordinance or regulation, and a permit, certification, approval, or other document purporting to give authority to violate any law or ordinance shall not be valid with respect thereto.

g) Violations.

• 1. Any person who violates any provision of this Section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

2. Any violations of this Section, other applicable Sections of the Torrance Municipal Code, and/or conditions of approval may result in civil, criminal and/or administrative enforcement actions, immediate suspension of temporary parking lot event permit and denial of an application for future temporary parking lot event permits by the mobile food vendor and/or the property owner.

(Added by O-3922)

The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to any new building or structure within the boundaries of and utilizing the provisions of the Division 9, Chapter 1, Article 51 (Housing Corridor Overlay Zone). For the purpose of this Section, the boundaries of the Housing Corridor Overlay Zone are established by the City Zoning Map.