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Earlier editions: 2026-07

Title 17 — Land Use›Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Permitted Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards

Westminster Municipal Code § 17.230.015 Industrial Zoning District Development Standards

Westminster Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Westminster

Cite as: Westminster Municipal Code § 17.230.015 · Text as of 2026-10-04

§ 17.230.005. Purpose.

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

A. M1 (Light Industrial) District. The M1 zoning district provides areas for low-intensity and low-impact industrial, manufacturing, and related uses. Typical uses include research and development facilities and laboratories, small-scale warehouses, and light manufacturing. The M1 zoning district is consistent with the Industrial land use designation of the General Plan.

B. M2 (Medium Industrial) District. The M2 zoning district provides areas suitable for a broad range of manufacturing businesses, wholesaling businesses, and limited warehousing and distribution facilities. The M2 zoning district is consistent with the Industrial land use designation of the General Plan.

(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 17.230.010. Industrial Zoning District Land Uses and Permit Requirements.

A. General Requirements. Table 2-6 identifies the uses of land permitted by this Title in each industrial zoning district, and the land use permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section 17.200.020B, Zoning District Regulations.

Note: Where the last column in the tables ("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 2-6 Permitted Uses and Permit Requirements For Industrial Zoning Districts

Land Use 1 Permit Requirements by District Permit Requirements by District Permit Requirements by District See Specific Use Regulations
Land Use 1 CM 2 M1 M2 See Specific Use Regulations
Industry, Manufacturing and Processing 3
Breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cideries P P P
Catering (for off-site consumption) P P P
Cleaning and dyeing plants – P P
Commercial kitchens and bakeries P P P
Food and beverage manufacturing – CUP 8 CUP 8 Section 17.400.060
Hazardous waste facilities, off-site – – CUP Section 17.400.105
Laundry facilities, commercial – carpet and upholstery P P P
Lumber yards – P P
Machine shop – P P
Manufacturing, assembly, welding, and/or fabrication: 4
Ceramics P P P
Concrete/cement – – P
Electronics P P P
Garments P P P
Glass studio – P P
Light sheet metal P P P
Musical instruments P P P
Signs P P P
Windows and doors P P P
Woodworking P P P
Media production – soundstages – P P
Packing plant for whole agricultural products – – P
Printing – commercial and wholesale P P P
Research and development (R&D) AUP P P
Self storage – – –
Warehousing and distribution facilities P P P
Wholesale sales P P P
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly
Broadcast facilities for radio and television P P P
Clubs, lodges, and fraternal organizations P – –
Commercial entertainment and recreation:
Amusement center CUP – –
Entertainment – in conjunction with eating and drinking establishments CUP – – Section 17.400.055
Indoor amusement/entertainment facilities:
Bowling alley P – –
Ice skating AUP – –
Pool and/or billiard rooms CUP – – Chapter 9.44
Limited entertainment – in conjunction with eating and drinking establishments AUP – – Section 17.400.055
Other defined indoor amusement/entertainment facilities:
Outdoor commercial recreation CUP – –
Theaters CUP – –
Health/fitness facilities CUP – –
Health/fitness facilities less than 5,000 square feet AUP
Public recreational and cultural facilities P P P
Private schools CUP – –
Religious places of worship CUP CUP CUP
Studios – art, dance, music, photography, etc. CUP CUP CUP
Tutoring centers P – –
Vocational and trade schools P – –
Residential Residential Residential Residential Residential
Emergency shelter CUP – –
Mobilehome park – minimum 10 acres CUP CUP CUP
Senior housing CUP CUP CUP Section 17.400.085
Retail Retail Retail Retail Retail
Accessory retail use 3 P P P
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 public eating place not containing a bar or lounge AUP AUP AUP
For an on-site tasting room in conjunction with a brewery, winery, distillery, or cidery AUP AUP AUP
Antique store P – –
Art/photography stores and galleries P – –
Bakery – retail P – –
Boat sales – new and used AUP P P
Building material stores – raw materials – P P
Drive-in and drive-through facilities P – – Section 17.400.050
Drug stores and pharmacies P – –
Eating and drinking establishments:
Café, coffee house, tea house CUP – – Section 17.400.030
Restaurant P – –
Restaurant – 10 seats or less P P P
Equipment sales and rentals – excluding vehicle P P P
Food and beverage sales:
Convenience stores P CUP CUP
Grocery stores P – – Section 17.400.065
Liquor stores CUP – –
Specialty stores P – –
Food-service cart – incidental to host use CUP – – Section 17.400.070
Furniture sales – finished or unfinished P – –
General retail stores P – –
Home improvement stores – sales and service P P P
Mobilehome sales CUP – –
Outdoor storage CUP CUP CUP
Plant nurseries (retail) and garden supply stores P – –
Recycling facilities – incidental use: Section 17.400.115
Large collection facility CUP CUP CUP
Reverse vending machines P P P
Small collection facility P P P
Second-hand stores CUP – –
Shopping center P – –
Swap meet 6 CUP – –
Vehicle sales, including automobiles and motorcycles:
New recreational vehicle sales P AUP AUP
New vehicles, retail 5 P AUP AUP
Used vehicles CUP CUP CUP
Vehicle parts sales – no installation and/or servicing P – –
Vehicle parts sales – with installation and/or servicing CUP P P
Wholesale vehicle dealer CUP CUP CUP
Warehouse retail stores P P P
Service Service Service Service Service
Acupressure CUP – –
Acupuncture P – –
Adult uses CUP – – Section 17.400.015
Animal sales and services:
Animal boarding and kennels CUP CUP 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 – –
Automated teller machines (ATMs) P P P
Banks and financial institutions P – –
Business and consumer support services P P P
Check-cashing business CUP – –
Construction contractors – P P
Hotels and motels 7 CUP – –
Massage establishments CUP – – Section 17.400.095
Medical services:
Ambulance services (more than 500 feet from residentially zoned parcel) AUP AUP AUP
Ambulance services (within 500 feet of residentially zoned parcel) CUP CUP CUP
Clinics AUP AUP AUP
Labs P P P
Hospitals CUP CUP CUP
Offices (medical or dental) P – –
Offices:
Administrative/business P – –
Government P – –
Production P – –
Professional P – –
Offices for wholesale businesses P – – Section 17.400.100
Personal services:
Barber P – –
Dry cleaning – pick-up/drop-off only P – –
Dry cleaning – with cleaning facilities P – –
Hair/nail salon P – –
Laundromat P – –
Mail-box services P – –
Shoe repair and service P – –
Tailoring P – –
Public safety facilities CUP CUP CUP
Public utility facilities CUP CUP CUP
Reflexology P – –
Service stations CUP CUP CUP Section 17.400.145
Vehicle services:
Accessories installation AUP P P
Auto body repair – P P Section 17.400.170
Automobile broker – office only and no vehicle display P – –
Car wash, full service CUP – –
Car wash, self service CUP – –
Maintenance/repair – excluding auto body repair CUP P P Section 17.400.170
Recreational vehicle storage facility – CUP – Section 17.320.030J
Towing, no storage – – CUP
Transportation and Communications Transportation and Communications Transportation and Communications Transportation and Communications Transportation and Communications
Bus depot CUP – –
Parcel delivery terminal CUP P P
Taxi dispatch yards – CUP CUP
Wireless communication facilities – screened and/or co-located P P P Section 17.400.175
Wireless communications facilities – unscreened – – – Section 17.400.175

Notes: P = Permitted Use; AUP = Administrative Use Permit Required; CUP = Conditional Use Permit Required; – = Prohibited Use

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 Retail commercial uses (occupying no more than 20 percent of the building), customarily incidental or directly related to the service or product manufactured or stored on the same property. Retail commercial uses (occupying no more than 20 percent of the building), customarily incidental or directly related to the service or product manufactured or stored on the same property.
4 The use of a blast furnace, incinerator, or similar industrial process is prohibited. The use of a blast furnace, incinerator, or similar industrial process is prohibited.
5 The sale of used vehicles, wholesale and repair/servicing are permitted as incidental uses to the primary retail sale of new vehicles. The sale of used vehicles, wholesale and repair/servicing are permitted as incidental uses to the primary retail sale of new vehicles.
6 Limited to indoor sales only. Limited to indoor sales only.
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.
8 CUP required only if the use is within 500 feet of any parcel zoned for residential uses, or parcels containing residential uses within a mixed-use development measured from the external boundaries of the site. Otherwise, the use is permitted by right but subject to the regulations in Section 17.400.060 . CUP required only if the use is within 500 feet of any parcel zoned for residential uses, or parcels containing residential uses within a mixed-use development measured from the external boundaries of the site. Otherwise, the use is permitted by right but subject to the regulations in Section 17.400.060 .

(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2478 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2490 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2623, 8/27/2025)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 17.230.015. Industrial Zoning District Development Standards.

A. General Requirements. Subdivisions, new land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures in the CM, M1, and M2 Zones shall be designed, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the requirements outlined in Table 2-7. In addition, the applicable development standards (e.g., landscaping, parking and loading, etc.) outlined in Article 3 shall apply to all industrial zoning districts.

Table 2-7 Industrial District Development Standards

Development Feature Requirements by Zoning District Requirements by Zoning District Requirements by Zoning District
Development Feature CM 1 M1 M2
Maximum building height:
Building/structures 2 stories or 35 feet 2 stories or 35 feet 2 stories or 35 feet
Flag pole 2 60 feet 60 feet 60 feet
Minimum lot size 10,000 SF 10,000 SF 7,200 SF
Minimum front yard 50 feet to the centerline of the street or highway that fronts the building site. 4 50 feet to the centerline of the street or highway that fronts the building site. 4 50 feet to the centerline of the street or highway that fronts the building site. 4
Minimum side yard 0 feet; or 20 feet, if the adjoining property is zoned for residential purposes. 3 Where the side yard adjoins a public right-of-way, the width of the side yard shall be not less than 10 feet. 0 feet; or 20 feet, if the adjoining property is zoned for residential purposes. 3 Where the side yard adjoins a public right-of-way, the width of the side yard shall be not less than 10 feet. 0 feet; or 20 feet, if the adjoining property is zoned for residential purposes. 3 Where the side yard adjoins a public right-of-way, the width of the side yard shall be not less than 10 feet.
Minimum rear yard 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. 3 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. 3 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. 3
Off-street parking and loading 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
Signs 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
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

Notes: SF = square feet

1 Providing the property is developed as a planned, unified shopping center, the development standards in Table 2-5 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.
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

B. Industrial Zoning District Performance Standards. All land uses proposed in the M1 and M2 zoning districts shall be operated and maintained so as not to be injurious to public health, safety, or welfare, and shall comply with the following standards.

  1. Air emissions. No approved land use shall generate or cause any visible dust, gases, or smoke to be emitted into the atmosphere, except as necessary for the heating or cooling of structures, and the operation of motor vehicles on the site. All uses and activities shall comply with the air quality regulations in Chapter 8.24, Air Pollution, of the WMC.

  2. Glare and heat. No direct or reflected glare or heat, whether from floodlights or from high temperature processes (including combustion or welding or otherwise), shall be visible or felt at or beyond the property line.

  3. Ground vibration. No approved land use shall generate ground vibration perceptible without instruments at any point along or outside of the property line of the use, except for motor vehicle operations.

  4. Noise. All uses and activities shall comply with the noise regulations in Chapter 8.28, Noise Control, of the WMC.

  5. Odor. No approved land use shall generate or emit any obnoxious odor or fumes perceptible at or beyond the property line. All uses and activities shall comply with the odor regulations in Chapter 8.24, Air Pollution, of the WMC.

  6. Late night business restrictions. Industrial 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.

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

Exceptions & meaning →

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