Vista Municipal Code § 18.42 C-3 Commercial Zone

Section 18.42.010 Permitted Uses

In a C-3 zone the following uses are permitted:
A. All uses permitted by subsection A and B of Section 18.40.010, subject to the same

conditions and restrictions applicable to the uses permitted by such subsection, unless the use is specified elsewhere in Section 18.42.020, 030 as requiring a minor or special use permit. B. The following additional uses, when conducted in conformity with the limitations specified in Section 18.42.070: 1. The manufacturing, assembling, compounding or treating of articles or merchandise from the following previously prepared materials: bone, canvas, cloth, felt, fur, glass, leather (except machine belting), paper, plastics, shell, textiles and yam. 2. Assembly of electrical appliances, electronic instruments and devices, and radios and phonographs, including the manufacture of small parts only, such as coils, condensers, transformers, crystal holders, and the like. 3. Ceramic products manufacturing; provided, that the total capacity of all kilns in any one establishment may not exceed eight cubic feet and that there shall be no pulverizing of clay. 4. Scientific instrument and equipment manufacturing or precision machine shop. 5. Addressograph service 6. Body work preparation and painting of automobiles, recreational vehicles and mobile homes. 7. Book bindery 8. Box lunch preparation or catering establishment with less than five catering vehicles. 9. Candy, confectionery or ice cream manufacturing 10. Cosmetics, toiletries (except soap) or perfume manufacturing or blending 11. Jewelry manufacturing, including manufacturing of products from precious or semiprecious stones or metals. 12. Laboratories, experimental, film, motion picture, research and testing 13. Motion picture reconstruction or motion picture studio (no outdoor sets) 14. Optical goods manufacturing 15. Packaging business 16. Storage building or warehouse 17. Similar establishments upon specific approval by the Planning Commission.

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18. Medical Cannabis Dispensary
19. Adult Use Cannabis Business
Uses customarily incident to the above uses, and accessory buildings, when located on

the same lot. Prior Code Appendix A 1451; Ord. No. 93-7, Amended, 03/23/93; Measure Z, Added, 12/11/18; Ord. No. 2021-6, Amended 6/22/21)

Section 18.42.020 Special Uses

All those uses permitted by special use permit in the C-1 or C-2 zones are permitted by special use permit in the C-3 zone, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in Sections 18.38.050 and 18.38.060. If a use is permitted by Section 18.42.010 A or B, a special use permit is not required. Prior Code Appendix A 1451; Ord. No. 93-7, Amended, 03/23/93)

Section 18.42.030 Minor Uses

In a C-3 zone, the following uses are permitted, provided a minor use permit is obtained

in accordance with the provisions of this title: A. Day care and boarding of children B. Parks C. Public buildings and uses D. Radio and television transmitters E. Recreational facilities F. Large and small recycling processing facilities G. Rental/leasing of motor vehicles and trailers other than in a vehicle sales lot where the activity is an ancillary (secondary) use on a site containing another use which is considered the primary use (e.g., automobile service station or other retail sales or service activity) and such use would result in an intensification of the primary use(s) on the site. Such rentals may include commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles (house cars), or trailers when specified by the use permit. H. Repealed I. Schools J. Mobile showers K. Mobile laundry services Prior Code Appendix A 1451; Ord. No. 92-16, Amended, 09/08/92; Ord. No. 2023-5, Amended, 2/14/23)

Section 18.42.040 Prohibited Uses

Prior Code Appendix A 1451; Ord. 2015-20, Repealed 11/10/15)

Section 18.42.050 Development Standards

In a C-3 zone:
A. Permitted Floor Area. The total building floor area on a lot shall not exceed two

times the square foot area of the lot. B. Permitted Building Height. No building or structure shall exceed two stories or 35 feet in height, whichever is less; provided, that if any such building or structure is constructed along or adjacent to a line bordering any property zoned for residential use, such building or structure shall be set back from the boundary of the residentially zoned property in an amount equal to the side yard required in such adjacent zone and; provided further, however, that buildings and structures of greater height may be erected if a special use permit is issued therefore in accordance with the provisions of this title.

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C. Permitted Site Coverage. Buildings may cover any area not required by this title for setbacks, landscaping, or parking. Any area of the lot not covered by buildings shall be paved or landscaped. D. Yard Requirements. No building wall, as defined in the building code, shall be closer than three and one-half feet to any street line; provided, however, that property zoned for residential or residential-professional use, a five-foot side yard setback shall be maintained for a distance of 15 feet from the street line and no open side shall be closer than 40 feet to any such common property line. E. Landscaping Requirements. 1. Boundary landscaping shall be planted and maintained along all street lines abutting the property except for the area required for street access. The width of the landscaping shall be a minimum of three feet except that such landscaping may be curved at a lesser width within six feet of any street accessway. Such landscaping shall be enclosed by a six-inch-wide concrete curbing, except where adjacent to a building, and provided with permanent watering facilities. Landscaping shall not be more than three feet high within 15 feet of either side of any street accessway. 2. In addition, at least five percent of any parking area shall be landscaped, reasonably distributed throughout such parking area, and shall be provided with permanent watering facilities. F. Screening Requirements. 1. On any exterior boundary line which is a common property line with any property zoned for residential use, a masonry wall six feet in height, measured from the finished grade of the residential property, shall be provided, except that any portion of such wall within 15 feet of any street line shall be no greater than three feet in height. In cases where the finished building site elevation of adjoining residential zoned property is more than six feet above or below that of the adjoining C-3 zoned property, the required masonry wall may be reduced in height or waived by the Planning Director to the extent it is reasonably found not to serve any useful screening purpose. 2. Refuse Collection and Storage. a. All developments shall provide a central location(s) for the collection and storage of refuse. Existing developments will be subject to these requirements as provided for by Section 18.58.590 of this code. b. Areas designated for the collection and storage of solid waste material shall conform with the provisions of Section 18.58.590 of this code. 3. All mechanical equipment, including ducting, whether at ground or rooftop level, shall be contained in a completely enclosed structure. All wall air conditioner units shall be blocked from view with material that is reasonably compatible and in harmony with the architectural styling and detailing of the building. G. Lighting. All lighting of buildings, landscaping, parking areas and other facilities shall be hooded and directed to reflect away from adjoining properties. Prior Code Appendix A 1452; Ord. No. 94-25, Amended, 10/25/94)

Section 18.42.060 Building Site Area

In a C-3 zone, there is no minimum area requirement for lots or building sites.

Prior Code Appendix A 1452)

Section 18.42.070 Limitations on Use

The following limitations shall apply to operations in the C-3 zone:
A. Except for the uses specified in Section 18.42.030 (J) and (K), all activities other

than incidental storage shall be conducted wholly within a completely enclosed building.

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Vista Municipal Code

B. All buildings shall be so constructed, all machinery and equipment shall be so

installed and maintained, and all activities shall be so conducted that all noise, vibration, dust, odor and other deleterious factors shall be confined and reduced to the extent that no annoyance or injury will result to persons residing the vicinity of the use. (Prior Code Appendix A 1454) Section 18.42.080 Utilities

A. 1. All new and existing utility distribution facilities, including cable television

lines, within the boundaries of any lot or building site where a building permit is requested or within any half-street abutting such lot or building site shall be placed underground, except with regard to a building permit for improvements of less than 25 percent of the value of the existing building, as to existing facilities. 2. The permittee is responsible for complying with the requirements of this section, and he shall make the necessary arrangements with each of the serving utilities, including licensed cable television operators, for the installation of such facilities. 3. Transformers, terminal boxes, meter cabinets, pedestals, concealed duct, and other facilities necessarily appurtenant to such underground utilities and street lighting systems may be placed above ground. B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the installation and maintenance of overhead electric transmission lines in excess of 34,500 volts and long distance and trunk communications facilities. C. The installation of cable television lines may be waived when, in the opinion of the director of planning, no licensed cable television operator is found to be willing and able to install cable television lines in the subdivision. D. 1. When there is less than 600 feet of line requiring conversion, an in-lieu fee may be applied if approved by the Public Works Director. The fee will be established on a cost- per-foot basis using a typical 600-foot project of feeder circuit or local distribution circuit. 2. In-lieu fees shall be deposited in a special undergrounding account to be used as approved by the City Council for future undergrounding of utilities. 3. This subsection may be applied to building permits existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section at any time before certificate of occupancy is granted. Prior Code Appendix A 1455)

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Chapter 18.44

M-1 Light Manufacturing Zone