Vallejo Municipal Code Ch. 16.316 Drive-in and Drive-Through Facilities

These regulations ensure that drive-in and drive-through facilities operate in a manner that protects public health, safety and welfare and does not detract from the aesthetic character of districts and neighborhoods. More specifically, to prevent:

A. Interference with vehicle circulation and pedestrian activity;

B. The generation of solid waste and litter in the surrounding area;

C. Light, glare, and noise that will adversely affect nearby residents and surrounding businesses.

All restaurants with a drive-through require approval of a Major Use Permit under Chapter 16.606, Minor and Major Use Permits.

A. Circulation. Drive-through facilities shall provide safe, unimpeded movement of vehicles at street access points, in travel aisles, and parking areas. A site plan showing directional movements for interior traffic circulation shall be provided for review by the Public Works Director.

B. Pedestrian Walkways. Vehicle aisles shall not intersect with interior pedestrian walkways, unless no alternative exists. In such cases, pedestrian walkways shall have clear visibility, emphasized by enhanced paving or markings.

C. Queuing. Vehicular queuing areas shall be provided to ensure that vehicles waiting for service will not interfere with public rights-of-way, private streets, or with on- or off-site parking and circulation. The queuing area size and location shall be reviewed and approved by the Public Works Director. Automobile stacking shall comply with Section 16.508.10, Stack-up spaces for Drive-in and Drive-Through Facilities.

D. Screening. Each drive-through aisle shall be screened with a combination of decorative walls and landscape to a height of 36 inches to prevent headlight glare and direct visibility of vehicles from adjacent streets and parking lots.

E. Site Design.

1. Drive-through elements shall be placed to the side or rear of the building. Drive-through windows shall be oriented away from the street frontage and provide adequate screening measures through landscaping and design to minimize visibility of the drive-through.

2. The design of freestanding drive-through facilities shall be compatible with the principal building, in terms of building color, materials, and form.

F. Site Maintenance. The site shall be maintained free of litter and graffiti at all times. The owner or operator shall provide for daily removal of trash, litter, and debris from premises and on all abutting sidewalks within 100 feet of the premises. One permanent, non-flammable trash receptacle shall be installed near to the entrance/exit of the building and near the drive-through lane.

G. Solid waste, Recycling, and Organic Waste. Solid waste and recycling containers shall be provided in locations suitably enclosed and screened from a public right-of-way.