Vallejo Municipal Code Ch. 16.329 Outdoor Retail Display and Sales

These provisions ensure that outdoor displays of retail products do not interfere with, or be a hazard to, pedestrian or vehicular traffic; while being aesthetically pleasing and compatible with surrounding land uses. They apply whenever any retail business engages in the outdoor display of products or merchandise as permitted in the district where the business is located.

A. Zoning Compliance Review Required. Any request for outdoor retail sales and display activity shall require a zoning compliance review, pursuant to Chapter 16.603, Zoning Compliance Review.

B. Standards. Outdoor, retail sales and display shall be designed, located, and operated consistent with the following standards:

C. Allowed Area. The director shall evaluate each application for outdoor display on a case by case basis and subject to the provisions of this chapter, shall use the ratio of fifty square feet of outdoor display area for every one thousand square feet of enclosed retail store space as a guideline in determining the allowable number of square feet of display area, provided that any business permitted to have outdoor display is entitled to fifty square feet of outdoor area regardless of the number of square feet of enclosed retail store space. Any decision of the director with respect to the number of square feet of outdoor display area a business may have is subject to appeal pursuant to Section 16.602.14, Appeals.

1. Maximum area. The total outdoor display area for any business which is otherwise entitled to outdoor display shall not exceed seven hundred fifty square feet.

2. Display Location. The goods or merchandise displayed outdoors shall be immediately adjacent to the retail store and shall be on private property unless an encroachment permit is obtained from the city pursuant to Chapter 10.16, Encroachments on City Property, of the Vallejo Municipal Code.

3. Pedestrian Access. The goods or merchandise displayed outdoors shall permit safe pedestrian access and shall not cause pedestrians to walk in areas reserved for fire lanes, for parking, or for vehicular traffic.

4. Items Prohibited. The goods or merchandise displayed outdoors shall not consist of any goods or merchandise, such as mirrors or hubcaps, which are capable of reflecting sufficient sunlight to cause a traffic hazard for drivers of vehicles.

5. Racks. Unless in racks specifically designed for display, goods or merchandise displayed outdoors shall be stacked with due regard for safety and not in excess of six feet in height.

6. Storage. Outdoor retail display does not include "outdoor storage" or the placement of goods or merchandise outdoors which is screened or fenced in accordance with Chapter 16.505, Fences, Walls, and Screening.

7. Location. Displayed merchandise shall occupy a fixed, specifically approved, and defined area that does not disrupt the normal function of the site or its circulation, and does not encroach upon parking spaces, driveways, pedestrian walkways, or required landscaped areas.

a. The outdoor sales area shall be delineated by striping, enclosure, or otherwise approved boundary.

b. Outdoor sales and display areas shall not encroach into required setback areas. In zoning districts where no setback is required, the outdoor sales area shall be set back a minimum of fifteen feet from adjoining property lines, unless otherwise allowed by the review authority.

8. Hours of Operation. Outdoor sales are only allowed when the business is open for operation with the associated permanent structure. All sales facilities, signs and furniture shall be removed from the site at the close of daily business.

9. Screening. All outdoor sales and display areas, except for automobile displays and plant nurseries, shall be screened by a wall or fencing that complies with the requirements of Chapter 16.505 Fences, Walls, and Screening. The height of merchandise, materials, and equipment on display shall not exceed the height of the screening wall or fence.

10. Signs. Additional signs identifying the outdoor sales and display area, beyond those allowed for the subject use, shall not be permitted.

11. Rental of automobiles, trucks, and trailers. Except as otherwise provided by this code, in accordance with Table 16.301-B: Land Use Regulations, no rental trailers, trucks, or automobiles available to the public by lease or for sale, shall be stored on any commercial premises for outdoor display.