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Title 19 — Development Code

§ 19.16

Twentynine Palms Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Twentynine Palms

19.16.010 - Purpose

The purpose of this Chapter is to describe the character and intent of the commercial land use districts, identify allowed uses and establish development standards for the districts. The commercial land use districts are Office Commercial (CO), General Commercial (CG), Neighborhood Commercial (CN) and Tourist Commercial (CT).

The Service Commercial (CS) district is included in Chapter 19.18 with the Community Industrial (IC) district because of the nature of services and uses allowed in the district.

(Ord. No. 310, § 4(Exh. A), 9-26-2023)

19.16.020 - Description and Intent of Land Uses

A.

Office Commercial (CO). The CO district allows for single- and multi-tenant offices, including legal, design, engineering, medical, real estate and government services. Ancillary commercial uses to support these services may be permitted, including cafes, copying services and newsstands. The CO district permits limited residential uses as means of providing opportunities for mixed-use developments.

B.

General Commercial (CG). The CG land use serves as the City's primary commercial designation, allowing a broad range of commercial, retail, professional office and service-oriented businesses, including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels/motels and specialty retail stores.

C.

Neighborhood Commercial (CN). The CN land use allows limited commercial uses, typically goods and services housed in relatively small commercial centers that serve residents of the neighboring community. Typical uses include beauty salons, coffee shops and dry cleaners. Uses within this district are required to be compatible with their surrounding residential district(s).

D.

Tourist Commercial (CT). The CT land use allows tourism-oriented uses, such as resorts, RV parks, golf courses, restaurants, gift shops, art galleries, hotels/motels and entertainment facilities, primarily intended to serve visitors of the Joshua Tree National Park and the Marine Corps Base.

(Ord. No. 310, § 4(Exh. A), 9-26-2023)

19.16.030 - Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements

Allowed uses and permit requirements for the commercial land use districts are provided in Table 19.16.030-1 (Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements). The table lists all use-related permits for primary uses that are permanent in nature. Additional permit requirements are listed in Chapters 19.28

through 19.64 related to permits and procedures. Allowed temporary uses are listed in Chapter 19.34 (Temporary Use Permit and Standards). Allowed accessory uses are listed in Chapter 19.70 (Accessory Uses and Structures).

Table 19.16.030-1

Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements

Use CO CG CN CT Notes
ALCOHOL RELATED USES
Alcoholic beverage sales
- all types
- SPR SPR SPR See
Chapter 19.138
(Special Regulated
Uses)
AUTOMOTIVE RELATED SALES AND SERVICES
Automobile rental agency AUP1 AUP - AUP1 See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
Automotive parts and
accessories stores
- AUP - - See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
Automotive repair - minor
(e.g., brakes, tires,
radiators, electrical)
- AUP - - See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
Automotive repair - major
(e.g., engine and
transmission
repair/rebuild)
- CUP - CUP See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
Automotive stereo and
sound system installation
- AUP - - See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
Body, paint and
upholstery shops
- CUP - - See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
Car wash - full-service - CUP - CUP
Car wash - self-service - AUP AUP AUP
Gas station CUP CUP CUP CUP
Motorcycle sales/service - CUP - - See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
Motor vehicle sales, new
and used
- CUP - - See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
Parking: commercial
lot/garage
AUP AUP AUP AUP
Towing service (with tow
truck parking; no auto
storage)
- AUP - - See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
Trailer and mobile home
sales and rental
- CUP - - See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
Truck and trailer rental - AUP - - See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
DAY CARE FACILITIES
Commercial day care,
large (8 or more children)
AUP AUP AUP AUP1 See
Chapter 19.114
(Community Care
Facilities)
Commercial daycare,
small (fewer than 8
children)
SPR SPR SPR SPR See
Chapter 19.114
(Community Care
Facilities)
EATING/DRINKING PLACES AND FOOD SERVICES
Banquet facilities - AUP AUP AUP
Bar/cocktail lounge - CUP CUP CUP See
Chapter 19.138
(Special Regulated
Uses)
Catering establishment - AUP AUP AUP
Fast food/quick serve: See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
With drive-through CUP AUP CUP CUP
Without drive-through AUP SPR AUP AUP
Restaurants (sit-
down/full-service)
AUP AUP AUP AUP
ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION
Amusement park
(including simulated
racing, e.g., slick track,
dragsters)
- CUP - CUP
Athletic felds CUP CUP CUP CUP
Auditoriums and other
public assembly facilities
CUP CUP CUP CUP
Commercial Recreation
Indoor - AUP AUP AUP
Outdoor - CUP CUP- CUP
Non-motorized Bicycle
Motocross Facility (BMX)
- AUP AUP AUP
Live entertainment AUP AUP AUP AUP
Movie theater - CUP CUP- CUP
Motorized/of-road
motocross facility
- - - CUP
Recording and sound
studios
AUP AUP AUP AUP
Theaters (live
performance):
Outdoor - CUP - CUP
Indoor CUP CUP CUP CUP
LODGING
Bed and Breakfast - - - AUP Chapter 19.106 (Bed
and Breakfast Uses)
Hotels/Motels /Resorts CUP CUP CUP CUP
Recreational vehicle
parks and campgrounds,
- CUP See
Chapter 19.124
(Mobile Home and
Special Occupancy
Parks)
Vacation Home Rental VHR VHR VHR VHR Chapter 19.41
(Vacation Home
Rental)
RETAIL/WHOLESALE SALES
General Retail AUP AUP AUP AUP
Art galleries and art
supply store
P P P P
Bakeries:
Retail Only SPR SPR SPR SPR
Wholesale - AUP AUP AUP
Building materials and
hardware stores:
Within completely
enclosed building3
- CUP - -
With outdoor storage3 - CUP - -
Boat sales - CUP - - See
Chapter 19.104
(Automobile and
Vehicle Related
Uses)
Farmers market uses CUP CUP CUP CUP See
Chapter 19.110
(Farmers Market
Uses)
Feed store - AUP - AUP
Food locker (for
individual home locker
rental only; no
slaughtering permitted)
- AUP - AUP
Guns and ammunition
stores
- AUP AUP AUP
Pawnbrokers/pawnshops - AUP - CUP
Swap Meet:
Indoor swap meet - AUP - AUP
Outdoor swap meet - CUP - CUP
Wholesale stores and
distributors
- CUP - -

SERVICES

SERVICES
Business services:
Blueprinting services SPR - -
Exterminating service SPR - -
Equipment sales and
rental
AUP - AUP
General ofce uses:
Administrative
professional, medical,
real estate, property
management, etc.
SPR SPR SPR
Photocopying/duplicating
services
SPR SPR - SPR
Photography studio SPR SPR SPR SPR
Financial services:
Banks, credit unions, etc. AUP AUP AUP AUP
Check cashing/payday
advance
- CUP - -
Mortgage/lending AUP AUP AUP AUP
Other fnancial services AUP AUP AUP AUP
Live/ Work Development - - AUP AUP
Mixed Use Development - AUP - -
Personal services:
Barber, beauty, nail salon SPR SPR SPR SPR
Dry cleaner - AUP AUP AUP
Funeral parlor, mortuary - CUP - -
Laundry - commercial - CUP - -
Laundry - self-serve - AUP AUP AUP
Massage Establishments - CUP - -
Pet grooming -
commercial
- SPR AUP AUP
Tailor SPR SPR SPR SPR
Tattoo/body piercing - AUP - -
Taxidermy - AUP - -
Recycling collection
facilities:4
See
Chapter 19.132
(Recycling Facilities)
Small - to 500 sq. ft. in
area
- AUP AUP AUP
Large - 500+ sq. ft. in
area
- - - -
Repair services:
Computer, home
electronics and small
home appliances
AUP AUP - AUP
Furniture refnishing - AUP - -
Furniture re-upholstery - AUP - -
Home appliances - AUP - -
Jewelry/watches/clocks SPR SPR SPR SPR
Lawnmower/garden
equipment
AUP AUP -
Locksmith/key shop SPR SPR SPR -
Shoe repair SPR SPR SPR -
AGRICULTURAL AND RELATED USES
Plant nurseries -
cultivation of plants,
indoors or outdoors
CUP CUP -
INSTITUTIONAL USES
Animal hospital:
Small animals - AUP AUP AUP
Large animals - - - -
Churches, synagogues,
temples and other
religious facilities
CUP CUP CUP CUP
Residential or community
care facilities serving 6 or
fewer persons
P P P P
Residential or community
care facilities serving 7 or
- CUP AUP - See
Chapter 19.114
(Community Care
more persons Facilities)
Congregate care facilities
serving 6 or fewer
persons
P P P P
Congregate care facilities
serving 7 or more
persons
- CUP AUP - See
Chapter 19.114
(Community Care
Facilities)
Supportive
housing/transitional
housing
P - -
Community center CUP CUP CUP CUP
Convalescent
hospital/care facility
CUP CUP CUP -
Low Barrier Navigation
Center
P P - -
Governmental facilities P P AUP P
Public safety uses and
facilities
P P P P
Hospitals - CUP - -
Studios such as music
conservatories, dancing
schools, and other
schools that ofer training
in nonindustrial
professions
AUP AUP AUP AUP
Schools, private CUP CUP CUP CUP
RESIDENTIAL USES AND CARE FACILITIES
Caretaker's residence AUP AUP AUP AUP
Multiple-family dwellings P P - -
Single-family residences P P AUP AUP
Single-room occupancy
facilities
CUP CUP CUP CUP Chapter 19.136
(Single-room
Occupancy
Facilities)
Mobile home parks - - - CUP See
Chapter 19.124
(Mobile Home and

Special Occupancy Parks)

Special Occupancy
Parks)
COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES, AND UTILITIES
Communication facilities CUP CUP CUP CUP See also
Chapter
19.140
(Telecommunications
Facilities)
Taxi Dispatch Service6 - AUP - AUP
Taxi Stands7 - AUP - AUP
Transportation facilities CUP CUP CUP CUP
Utility and service uses
and structures
P P P P
TEMPORARY AND INTERIM USES (See
Chapter 19.34,Temporary Use Permit and Standards)
ACCESSORY USES (See
Chapter 19.70,Accessory Uses and Structures)
  • = Prohibited

P = Permitted

AUP = Administrative Use Permit

CUP = Conditional Use Permit

Notes:

3May include outdoor nursery/plant sales up to 25% of building area. For nursery as a primary use, see Agricultural and Related Uses.

4CUP required when not accessory to a primary retail store use.

5CUP required when not accessory to a primary use.

6Up to two taxi cabs may be parked at any one time at the taxi dispatch office, and must be in operable order. Only those companies licensed by the Morongo Basin Transit Authority (MBTA) may operate a Taxi Dispatch Service. The establishment of a Taxi Stand at a Dispatch Service location is allowed, but may not cause a decrease in the established parking lot to cause a deficiency. Accessory structures for shading and shelter may be constructed, but must be requested at the time of the review of the Administrative Use Permit. No maintenance of Taxis are allowed at Taxi Dispatch Service locations.

7Taxi Stands may only be placed within an established off-street parking lot and with the permission of the property owner in an established location. Up to two taxi cabs may be parked at any one time at the taxi stand, and must be in operable order. Only those companies licensed by the Morongo Basin Transit Authority (MBTA) may operate a Taxi Stand. The establishment of such Taxi Stands may not cause a decrease in the established parking lot to cause a deficiency. Accessory structures for shading and shelter may be constructed, but must be requested at the time of the review of the Administrative Use Permit. No maintenance of Taxis are allowed at Taxi Stands.

(Ord. No. 310, § 4(Exh. A), 9-26-2023)

19.16.040 - Development Standards

All new land uses and structures or alterations to existing land uses and/or structures in the commercial land use districts shall be designed, constructed and established in compliance with the development standards in Table 19.16.040-1 (Development Standards).

Table 19.16.040-1

Development Standards

Standard C-O C-G C-N C-T Additional
Requirements
ALLOWED DENSITY (Dwelling Units per Gross Acre)
Minimum - - - -
Maximum 2 8 12 12
LOT SIZE AND DIMENSIONS
Minimum Lot
Size
15,000 sq. ft. 15,000 sq. ft. 10,000 sq. ft. 20,000 sq. ft.
Minimum Lot
Width
100 ft. 100 ft. 80 ft. 100 ft.
Minimum Lot
Depth
150 ft. 150 ft. 125 ft. 150 ft.
Minimum Width
to Depth Ratio
1:3 1:3 1:3 1:3
MINIMUM SETBACKS (Feet)
Front 15 15 25 25 Chapter 19.68
(General
Development
Standards and
Exceptions)
Side 10 10 10 10 Chapter 19.68
(General
Development
Standards and
Exceptions)
Street Side 15 15 15 25 Chapter 19.68
(General
Development
Standards and
Exceptions)
Rear 10 10 10 10 Chapter 19.68
(General
Development
Standards and
Exceptions)
Distance
Between
Buildings
N/A N/A N/A N/A
FLOOR AREA RATIO
Maximum 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.75
LOT COVERAGE - Maximum percentage of the total
impervious surfaces
lot area that may be covered by structures and
Maximum 60 60 60 60
BUILDING HEIGHT (Feet)
Maximum 45 45 35 45 Chapter 19.68
(General
Development
Standards and
Exceptions)
UNIT SIZE (Square Feet)
Minimum N/A N/A N/A N/A Residential
units must be a
minimum of
400 square
feet.

(Ord. No. 310, § 4(Exh. A), 9-26-2023)

Chapter 19.18 - Service Commercial (CS) and Community Industrial (IC) Districts[[6]]

Footnotes:

--- ( 6 ) ---

Editor's note— Ord. No. 310, § 4(Exh. A), adopted Sept. 26, 2023, repealed the former Ch. 19.18, §§ 19.18.010—19.18.040, and enacted a new Ch. 19.18 as set out herein. The former Ch. 19.18 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from original codification.

19.18.010 - Purpose

The purpose of this Chapter is to describe the character and intent of the Service Commercial (CS) and Community Industrial (IC) land use districts, identify allowed uses and establish development standards for the districts. This Chapter includes the districts that accommodate manufacturing uses and which also allow for heavier commercial uses.

(Ord. No. 310, § 4(Exh. A), 9-26-2023)

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