Westminster Municipal Code § 17.220.005 Purpose (CA)

§ 17.220.005. Purpose.¶

This Chapter provides development and land use regulations for the commercial zoning districts established by Section 17.200.010. The purpose of the individual commercial zoning districts and the manner in which they are applied are as follows.

A. CR (Restricted Commercial) District. The CR zoning district identifies areas appropriate for primarily low-intensity office uses. Retail uses may be considered but require review by the Commission and final action by the Council.

B. C1 (Local Business) District. The C1 zoning district provides areas for the development of a broad range of retail, service, and entertainment uses designed to meet the shopping and service needs of the local residential and business communities.

C. C2 (General Business) District. The C2 zoning district provides areas for the development of free-way-oriented and regional-serving retail and office complexes, and complementary regional commercial centers.

D. CM (Commercial-Industrial) District. The CM zoning district provides areas for the development of planned, unified shopping centers. This district also provides areas for light-industrial uses. Uses for both commercial and industrial districts are outlined in Tables 2-4 and 2-6.

(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 17.220.010. Commercial Zoning District Land Uses and Permit Requirements.¶

A. General Requirements. Table 2-4 identifies the land uses permitted by this Title in the commercial zoning districts, and the land use permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section 17.200.020.B, Zoning District Regulations.

Note: Where the last column in the table ("See Specific Use Regulations") includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use; however, provisions in other sections of this Title may also apply.

Table 2-4 Permitted Uses and Permit Requirements For Commercial Zoning Districts

Land Use 1	Permit Requirements by District	Permit Requirements by District	Permit Requirements by District	Permit Requirements by District	See Specific Use Regulations
Land Use 1	CR	C1	C2	CM 2	See Specific Use Regulations
Industry, Manufacturing and Processing	Industry, Manufacturing and Processing	Industry, Manufacturing and Processing	Industry, Manufacturing and Processing	Industry, Manufacturing and Processing	Industry, Manufacturing and Processing
Printing – commercial and wholesale	–	–	P	–
Research and development (R&D)	–	–	–	CUP
Temporary storage containers	–	–	P	–	Section 17.400.160
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly
Broadcast facilities for radio and/or televisions		P	P	P
Clubs, lodges, and fraternal organizations	–	P	P	P
Commercial entertainment and recreation:
Amusement center/park	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Entertainment – in conjunction with eating and drinking establishments	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Indoor amusement/entertainment facilities:
Bowling alley	–	–	P	P
Ice skating	–	–	AUP	AUP
Pool and/or billiard rooms	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Other defined indoor amusement/entertainment facilities	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Limited entertainment – in conjunction with eating and drinking establishments	–	AUP	AUP	AUP	Section 17.400.055
Outdoor commercial recreation	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Theaters and auditoriums	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Dance halls, reception halls, banquet facilities or related uses	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Health/fitness facilities (with or without massage establishment)	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Health/fitness facilities (without massage establishment) less than 5,000 square feet		AUP	AUP	AUP
Publicly owned recreational and cultural facilities	P	P	P	P
Private recreational and cultural facilities	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
Private schools	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
Religious places of worship	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
Studios – art, dance, music, photography, etc.	–	P	P	P
Tutoring centers	–	P	P	P
Vocational and trade schools	–	AUP	AUP	CUP
Residential 3	Residential 3	Residential 3	Residential 3	Residential 3	Residential 3
Emergency shelters	–	–	CUP	CUP
Mobilehome park – minimum 10 acres	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
Residential care facilities – 7 or more clients	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
Residential with commercial (mixed-use)	PD/CP	PD/CP	PD/CP	PD/CP
Senior housing	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	Section 17.400.085
Retail	Retail	Retail	Retail	Retail	Retail
Adult uses	–	–	CUP	CUP	Section 17.400.015
Alcohol sales:
For off-site consumption	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
For on-site consumption	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
For on-site consumption associated with a bona fide eating place not containing a bar or lounge		AUP	AUP	AUP
Animal sales and services:
Pet shop/store	–	P	P	P
Antique store	–	P	P	P
Apparel: clothing, shoes, and accessories	–	P	P	P
Art/photography stores and galleries	–	P	P	P
Bakery (retail) or delicatessen	–	P	P	P
Boat sales – new and used	–	–	–	AUP
Book and stationery stores	–	P	P	P
Department stores	–	–	P	P
Drive-in and drive-through facilities	–	P	P	P	Section 17.400.050
Drug stores and pharmacies	–	P	P	P
Eating and drinking establishments:
Bars, night clubs	–	CUP	CUP	–
Café, coffee house, tea house	–	CUP 6	CUP 6	CUP 6	Section 17.400.030
Restaurant, take out	–	P	P	P
Equipment sales and rentals – excluding vehicle	–	P	P	P
Florist/flower shop	–	P	P	P
Food and beverage sales:
Convenience stores	–	P	P	P
Grocery stores	–	P	P	P	Section 17.400.065
Liquor stores	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Specialty stores	–	P	P	P
Food-service cart – incidental to host use	–	–	CUP	CUP	Section 17.400.070
Furniture (finished or unfinished), furnishings, and appliance stores	–	P	P	P
General retail stores	–	P	P	P
Home improvement stores – sales and service	–	P	P	P
Meat market	–	P	P	P
Mobilehome sales	–	–	CUP	CUP
Outdoor storage	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Plant nurseries (retail) and garden-supply stores	–	P	P	P
Second-hand stores (retail outlet only-no acceptance of donated products)	–	–	P	P
Second-hand stores (that facilitate donation or purchase of products)	–	–	CUP	CUP
Shopping center	–	P	P	P
Sporting goods and equipment store	–	P	P	P
Stationery and office supplies	–	P	P	P
Swap meet 4	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Vehicle sales, including automobiles and motorcycles:
New vehicles, retail 5	–	–	P	P
Used vehicles	–	–	CUP	CUP
Vehicle parts sales – no installation and/or servicing	–	P	P	P
Vehicle parts sales – with installation and/or servicing	–	–	CUP	CUP
New recreational vehicle sales 5	–	–	P	P
Wholesale vehicle dealer independently developed from a new vehicle dealership and involving the storage of vehicles on-site	–	–	CUP	CUP
Warehouse retail stores	–	–	P	P
Service	Service	Service	Service	Service	Service
Acupressure	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Acupuncture	P	P	P	P
Adult uses	–	–	CUP	CUP
Animal services:
Animal boarding and kennels	–	–	–	CUP	Section 17.400.025
Pet day care and grooming	–	AUP	AUP	AUP	Section 17.400.025
Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals	–	CUP	CUP	CUP	Section 17.400.025
Astrology and fortunetelling establishments	–	P	P	P
Automated teller machines (ATMs)	P	P	P	P
Banks and financial institutions (with/without drive-thru)	P	P	P	P
Bicycle repair, sales, and rental	–	P	P	P
Business and consumer-support services	–	P	P	P
Check-cashing business	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Day care facilities:
Adult day care centers	CUP	CUP	–	–
Child day care centers	CUP	CUP	–	–
Drive-thru facilities and services	–	P	P	P
Hotels and motels 7	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Laundromat – coin operated	–	P	P	P
Massage establishments as defined in Title 5	–	P	P	P	Section 17.400.095
Medical services:
Clinics	AUP	AUP	AUP	AUP
Labs	–	P	P	P
Hospitals	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
Offices (medical or dental)	P	P	P	P
Offices:
Administrative/business	P	P	P	P
Government	P	P	P	P
Production	P	P	P	P
Professional	P	P	P	P
Offices for wholesale businesses	–	P	P	P	Section 17.400.100
Pawnshops	–	AUP	P	–
Personal services:
Barber	–	P	P	P
Dry cleaning – pick-up/drop-off only	–	P	P	P
Dry cleaning – with cleaning facilities	–	–	P	P
Hair/nail salon	–	P	P	P
Laundromat	–	P	P	P
Mail-box services	–	P	P	P
Medical spa	–	AUP	AUP	–
Shoe repair and service	–	P	P	P
Spa/sauna	–	AUP	AUP	–
Tailoring	–	P	P	P
Public safety facilities	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
Public utility facilities	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
Recycling facilities – incidental use:					Section 17.400.115
Reverse vending machines	–	P	P	P	Section 17.400.115
Small collection facility	–	P	P	P	Section 17.400.115
Large collection facility	–	–	CUP	CUP	Section 17.400.115
Self storage	–	CUP	CUP	CUP	Section 17.400.140
Service stations	–	CUP	CUP	CUP	Section 17.400.145
Tattoo parlor or dermatography studio	–	CUP	CUP	–	Section 17.400.155
Ticket and travel agency	P	P	P	P
Vehicle services:
Accessories installation	–	AUP	AUP	AUP
Automobile broker – office only and no vehicle display	P	P	P	P
Car wash, full service	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Car wash, self service	–	CUP	CUP	CUP
Driving school	–	AUP	AUP	–
Maintenance/repair – excluding auto body repair	–	–	CUP	CUP	Section 17.400.170
Recreational vehicle storage facility	–	–	–	CUP
Rental	–	AUP	AUP	–
Towing, no storage	–	–	–	–
Transportation and Communications	Transportation and Communications	Transportation and Communications	Transportation and Communications	Transportation and Communications	Transportation and Communications
Bus depot	–	–	CUP	CUP
Wireless communication facilities – screened and/or co-located	P	P	P	P	Section 17.400.175
Wireless communications facilities – unscreened	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	Section 17.400.175

Notes: P = Permitted Use; AUP = Administrative Use Permit Required; CUP = Conditional Use Permit Required; – = Prohibited Use; PD/CP = Planned Development and Comprehensive Plan

1	See Article 7 for definitions of the land uses listed.	See Article 7 for definitions of the land uses listed.
2	Uses permitted in the CM zoning district shall be as follows:	Uses permitted in the CM zoning district shall be as follows:
	a.	Uses permitted in the C2 zoning district, subject to the restrictions provided in the above table and providing the property is developed as a planned, unified shopping center.
	b.	Uses permitted in the M1 zoning district, provided that if any portion of the property is developed for commercial uses not permitted by the M1 zoning district, compatibility of commercial and industrial uses shall be determined by development review as provided elsewhere in this Title.
	c.	Tables 2-4 and 2-6 provide a listing of permitted, conditionally permitted, and prohibited uses for the CM zone district.
3	Refer to Table 2-3 for development standards applicable to residential uses.	Refer to Table 2-3 for development standards applicable to residential uses.
4	Limited to indoor sales only.	Limited to indoor sales only.
5	The sale of used vehicles, wholesale of new vehicles and auto repair/servicing are permitted as incidental uses to the primary retail sale of new vehicles.	The sale of used vehicles, wholesale of new vehicles and auto repair/servicing are permitted as incidental uses to the primary retail sale of new vehicles.
6	Cafés, coffee houses and tea houses are permitted without a CUP if found in compliance with the provisions of Section 17.400.030 .	Cafés, coffee houses and tea houses are permitted without a CUP if found in compliance with the provisions of Section 17.400.030 .
7	All Conditional Use Permits for hotels and motels shall require City Council review and approval, following a public hearing review and recommendation by the Planning Commission.	All Conditional Use Permits for hotels and motels shall require City Council review and approval, following a public hearing review and recommendation by the Planning Commission.

(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2478 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2490 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2526 § 2, 2015)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 17.220.015. Commercial Zoning District Development Standards.¶

A. General Requirements. Subdivisions, new land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures in the CR, C1, C2, and CM zones shall be designed, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the requirements outlined in Table 2-5. In addition, the applicable development standards (e.g., landscaping, parking and loading) outlined in Article 3 shall apply to all commercial zoning districts. For applicable commercial development design guidelines, please refer to Section 17.400.040.

B. Late Night Business Restrictions. Commercial businesses, located within 150 feet of a parcel zoned for residential use with late night operations and late night hours, as defined in Article 7 of this Title shall require the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit.

Table 2-5 Commercial District Development Standards

Development Feature	Requirements by Zoning District	Requirements by Zoning District	Requirements by Zoning District	Requirements by Zoning District
Development Feature	CR	C1	C2	CM 1
Maximum building height:
Buildings/structures	2 stories not to exceed 35 feet	2 stories not to exceed 35 feet	Width of the street upon which the building faces; where a building has more than one street frontage, the width of the widest street shall apply	Width of the street upon which the building faces; where a building has more than one street frontage, the width of the widest street shall apply
Flag pole 2	60 feet	60 feet	60 feet	60 feet
Minimum lot size	6,000 square feet as required by Title 16 (Subdivisions)	6,000 square feet as required by Title 16 (Subdivisions)	6,000 square feet as required by Title 16 (Subdivisions)	6,000 square feet as required by Title 16 (Subdivisions)
Minimum front yard required	50 feet to the centerline of the street upon that the building site fronts 4	50 feet to the centerline of the street upon that the building site fronts 4	50 feet to the centerline of the street upon that the building site fronts 4	50 feet to the centerline of the street upon that the building site fronts 4
Minimum side yard required	20 feet, if the adjoining property is zoned for residential purposes 3 , 10 feet, if the property adjoins a public right-of-way, 0 feet if adjoining property is zoned for commercial or industrial uses	20 feet, if the adjoining property is zoned for residential purposes 3 , 10 feet, if the property adjoins a public right-of-way, 0 feet if adjoining property is zoned for commercial or industrial uses	20 feet, if the adjoining property is zoned for residential purposes 3 , 10 feet, if the property adjoins a public right-of-way, 0 feet if adjoining property is zoned for commercial or industrial uses	20 feet, if the adjoining property is zoned for residential purposes 3 , 10 feet, if the property adjoins a public right-of-way, 0 feet if adjoining property is zoned for commercial or industrial uses
Minimum rear yard required	10 feet; or 5 feet if the rear yard adjoins a public alley, public park, or public pedestrian way; or 25 feet if the property adjoins property zoned for residential purposes 2	10 feet; or 5 feet if the rear yard adjoins a public alley, public park, or public pedestrian way; or 25 feet if the property adjoins property zoned for residential purposes 2	10 feet; or 5 feet if the rear yard adjoins a public alley, public park, or public pedestrian way; or 25 feet if the property adjoins property zoned for residential purposes 2	10 feet; or 5 feet if the rear yard adjoins a public alley, public park, or public pedestrian way; or 25 feet if the property adjoins property zoned for residential purposes 2
Off-street parking and loading	As required by Chapter 17.320	As required by Chapter 17.320	As required by Chapter 17.320	As required by Chapter 17.320
Landscaping	As required by Chapter 17.310	As required by Chapter 17.310	As required by Chapter 17.310	As required by Chapter 17.310
Signs	As required by Chapter 17.330	As required by Chapter 17.330	As required by Chapter 17.330	As required by Chapter 17.330
Storage and loading of recyclable materials	As required by Section 17.300.045	As required by Section 17.300.045	As required by Section 17.300.045	As required by Section 17.300.045
Fences, walls used as fences, latticework screens, hedges, or thick growths of shrubs or trees, and open-mesh wire fences	As required by Section 17.300.030	As required by Section 17.300.030	As required by Section 17.300.030	As required by Section 17.300.030
Retail storefront visibility requirements	Retail storefronts shall provide a minimum 60 percent open exposure to the street or parking lot through the use of windows and doors	Retail storefronts shall provide a minimum 60 percent open exposure to the street or parking lot through the use of windows and doors	Retail storefronts shall provide a minimum 60 percent open exposure to the street or parking lot through the use of windows and doors	Retail storefronts shall provide a minimum 60 percent open exposure to the street or parking lot through the use of windows and doors

Notes:

1	Providing the property is developed as a planned, unified shopping center, the development standards in this table shall apply; however, if the property is developed for uses permitted in the M1 zoning district, then the development standards in Table 2-7 shall apply.
2	See Footnote 7 in Table 3-8, Permitted Signs by Type and Zoning District , for applicable standards and requirements.
3	Where the property adjoins property zoned for residential uses, the side yard shall not be used for storage purposes, including refuse and recyclable materials or other activities, except parking and traffic circulation.
4	For streets 80 feet or more in width setback is 20 feet or 20 percent of street width whichever is greater but no more than 30 feet
	For Westminster Blvd – 60 feet from centerline of street
	State Highways – 70 feet from centerline of street, except the following:
	If width is more than 100 feet – 20 percent of street width but not more than 30 feet
	On Beach Blvd, existing lots less than 50 feet in depth – 0 setback

(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2478 § 2, 2011)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 17.220.005. Purpose.¶

§ 17.220.010. Commercial Zoning District Land Uses and Permit Requirements.¶

§ 17.220.015. Commercial Zoning District Development Standards.¶

Explained in plain English