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Land use classifications describe one or more uses of land having similar characteristics, but do not list every use or activity that may appropriately be within the classification. The Director will determine whether a specific use is within one or more use classifications, based on whether its characteristics are substantially incompatible with those typical of uses named within the classification.
(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19)
This section describes land use classifications classified as either a primary use or a secondary use. See § 155.108.050(C) (Types of Uses) for requirements that apply generally to primary and secondary uses.
(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 902-C.S., passed 8-18-20)
(1) Accessory dwelling unit (ADU). An attached or detached residential dwelling unit with complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. An ADU includes permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as an existing or proposed single-family residence or an existing multi-family residence is situated and meets the standards of § 155.316 (Accessory Dwelling Units). An accessory dwelling unit also includes:
(a) An efficiency unit, as defined in Cal. Health and Safety Code § 17958.1;
(b) Junior accessory dwelling unit as defined in Cal. Gov’t Code § 65852.22;
(c) A tiny house on wheels permitted in a residential zone district pursuant to § 155.304.130 (Tiny Houses on Wheels); and
(d) A manufactured home, as defined in Cal. Health and Safety Code § 18007.
(2) Accessory use. A land use that is incidental and subordinate to a primary land use located on the same lot.
(4) Agricultural processing. The processing of harvested crops to prepare them for onsite marketing, off-site sale, or processing and packaging elsewhere. Includes alfalfa cubing; corn shelling; grist mills; milling of flour, feed and grain; grain cleaning and grinding; hay baling and cubing; pre-cooling and packaging of fresh or dried fruits or vegetables; tree nut hulling and shelling; farm product warehousing and storage; drying of corn, rice, hay; and sorting, grading and packing fruits and vegetables. Includes the processing of crops grown off-site. Excludes manufacturing of food and products ready for sale to consumers (see "Manufacturing, Artisan" and Manufacturing, Light").
(5) Agriculture. The use of the land for commercial farming, crop production, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, and animal raising and production, including dairies. May include accessory uses for packing, processing, treating, and storing crops grown on site provided such accessory uses are secondary to crop production activities. Excludes the processing and packaging of agricultural products (see "Agricultural Processing"), slaughterhouses and animal product processing uses (see Animal Processing"), cannabis cultivation (see Municipal Code Chapter 158), community gardens (see "Parks and Playgrounds"), and the harvesting of plants and animals in an aquatic environment (see "Aquaculture").
(6) Airport. Facilities for the takeoff and landing of airplanes, including runways, aircraft storage buildings, public terminal building and parking, air freight terminal, baggage handling facilities, aircraft hangars, and related support activities.
(7) Animal keeping. The keeping of animals for personal use as provided in Municipal Code Chapter 91 (Animals).
(8) Animal processing. A facility where the slaughtering and/or processing of animals raised off-site takes place, including rendering plants and meat cutting and packing uses. Excludes manufacturing of consumer foods from animal products (see "Manufacturing, Heavy").
(9) Aquaculture. Facilities or areas for the cultivation of marine or freshwater fish, shellfish, or plants under controlled conditions. Includes aquaponics that integrates aquaculture with hydroponics by recycling the waste products from fish to fertilize hydroponically growing plants. Includes cultured oyster beds and similar uses.
(10) Automobile sales/repair. See “Vehicle Sales and Rentals (Indoor)”, “General Retail - Outdoor”, “Vehicle Cleaning and Repair”, or “Heavy Equipment Sales and Service”.
(11) Bars. Businesses devoted to serving alcoholic beverages for consumption by guests on the premises and in which the serving of food and/or recreation, amusement, and entertainment services are only incidental to the consumption of such beverages. Includes cocktail lounges, taverns, and other similar uses. Excludes tasting rooms ancillary to breweries, wineries, and other alcoholic beverage production uses.
(12) Bed and breakfast. See “Vacation Rental”.
(13) Business services and heavy commercial. Indoor commercial establishments providing goods and services to other businesses and/or engaged in heavy commercial activities that could impact neighboring properties. Includes contractor supply businesses, building contractors, large equipment repair, pipe yards, commercial dry-cleaning/laundry services, security services, custodial services, business-serving printers, taxi and delivery services, private ambulance dispatch services, property maintenance contractors, plumbing supply stores, and other similar businesses. Products and services may be provided to the general public only on a limited, secondary basis. Outdoor display, storage, and sales is a secondary use and is subject to separate regulations and restrictions (see General Retail - Outdoor).
(14) Cannabis uses. See Municipal Code Chapter 158 (Cannabis).
(15) Car dealership. See "Vehicle Sales and Rental (Indoor)" and “General Retail - Outdoor”.
(16) Car share facility. A formal or informal membership organization that owns motor vehicles that are parked on-site or in off-site areas. Members use the motor vehicles under the terms of their membership.
(17) Check cashing. A retail business owned or operated by a "check casher" as that term is defined in Cal. Civil Code § 1789.31.
(18) Civic institution. Public or non-profit institutions that support and contribute to the cultural development of the community and provide community-serving programs and services on-site. Includes libraries, museums, performing art centers (primarily non-retail), aquariums, zoos, environmental education centers, non-profit art centers and galleries, botanical gardens, and other similar uses. Excludes public and private schools, colleges and trade schools, and other similar educational facilities (see "Instructional Services" or "Schools, Public and Private").
(19) Colleges and trade schools. Institutions of higher education providing curricula of a general, religious or professional nature, typically granting recognized degrees or certificates. Includes junior colleges, business and computer schools, management training, vocational education, and technical and trade schools.
(20) Commercial fishing. The activity of catching fish and other seafood for commercial profit, mostly from wild fisheries. Includes ancillary fish and seafood processing; fish and seafood storage and distribution; and fish and seafood sales. Excludes cultivation of fish and seafood under controlled conditions (see "Aquaculture").
(21) Commercial lodging. A commercial establishment in a non-residential zoning district providing overnight accommodations to guests for 30 consecutive calendar days or less. Commercial lodging establishments may provide additional services, such as conference and meeting rooms, restaurants, bars, or recreation facilities available to guests and the general public. Includes hotels, motels, hostels, and other similar commercial establishments. Also includes dwelling units or portions thereof located in a non-residential zoning district rented to guests for 30 consecutive calendar days or less.
(22) Day care facility. A facility that provides nonmedical care and supervision of children or adults for periods of less than 24 hours. Includes nursery schools, day nurseries, child care centers, infant day care centers, cooperative day care centers, adult day programs, and similar uses. Day care facilities may be operated in conjunction with a school or church facility, or as an independent land use.
(23) Drive-thru facility. A facility where motorists may purchase products or obtain services without leaving their vehicles. Drive-thru facilities are a secondary use that must be associated with a primary use. Excludes vehicle fueling stations (see "Fuel and Service Stations").
(24) Emergency shelters. Housing with minimal supportive services for homeless persons that is limited to occupancy of one year or less. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay. Includes drop-in centers that provide food, showers, and laundry facilities, and other services to the homeless.
(25) Family day care home. A state-licensed facility that regularly provides care, protection, and supervision for children, in the provider's own home, for periods less than 24 hours per day, while the children's parents or guardians are away. Family day care homes are a secondary use that must be associated with a primary use.
(26) Family day care home, large. A home that provides family day care for 9 to 14 children as defined in Cal. Health and Safety Code § 1597.465.
(27) Family day care home, small. A home that provides family day care for up to eight children as defined in Cal. Health and Safety Code § 1597.44.
(28) Farmworker housing. Housing for transient labor, such as labor cabins or camps, incidental to a permitted agricultural use.
(29) Fitness, dance, or health facility. An indoor fitness center, gymnasium, athletic club, dance studio, yoga studio, or other similar use.
(30) Fitness, dance, or health facility, large. A facility with a floor area of 8,000 square feet or more.
(31) Fitness, dance, or health facility, small. A facility with a floor area of less than 8,000 square feet.
(32) Food-serving drive-thru facility. A drive-thru facility associated with a "restaurants, cafes, and beverage sales" use.
(33) Food truck. See “Mobile Vendor”.
(34) Freight terminals and transfer. Facilities for transfer and movement of freight, courier, and postal services by truck, rail, or sea.
(35) Fuel and service stations. A retail business supplying fuels, oil, and minor accessories for vehicles. Includes establishments supplying gasoline, hydrogen, and electric vehicle charging as a primary land use. Includes incidental food and beverage sales (maximum 3,500 square feet of convenience market), car wash facilities, and minor automotive repair and service. Excludes towing service (see "Vehicle Towing and Impound") and body and fender work, painting, and other major automotive repairs or cleaning and detailing as a primary use (see "Vehicle Cleaning and Repair"). Excludes electric vehicle charging stations installed in parking spaces and/or parking lots.
(36) Gas station. See “Fuel and Service Station”.
(37) General retail. Stores and shops selling merchandise to the general public, and which may include related services. Includes antique shops, art galleries, automotive supply stories, book stores, clothing stores, convenience markets, gift shops, furniture stores, drug stores, florists, liquor stores, pet shops, retail bakeries, supermarkets, garden supply stores, lumber yards, and other similar retail-based establishments.
(38) General retail - indoor. A general retail establishment where merchandise is stored and displayed indoors. Includes the temporary outdoor display of merchandise under covered-entryways, such as produce at grocery stores. Also includes temporary sidewalk displays of merchandise (which may require an encroachment permit and other permits). Excludes the prominent display/storage of merchandise in an outdoor setting as a part of regular business operations, which is a secondary use subject to separate limitations (see "General Retail - Outdoor"). General retail - indoor falls into three categories:
(39) General retail - indoor, large. A general retail indoor facility that is between 20,000 square feet and 50,000 square feet.
(40) General retail - indoor, small. A general retail indoor facility that is less than 20,000 square feet in total floor area.
(41) General retail - indoor, very large. A general retail indoor facility that is larger than 50,000 square feet in total floor area.
(42) General retail - outdoor. A supplemental outdoor area associated with a primary use (such as general retail - indoor) where merchandise is prominently stored and/or displayed for sale outdoors in a designated outdoor area as a regular part of business operations. General retail - outdoor is a secondary use that must be combined with another use (such as “General Retail - Indoor” or “Heavy Equipment Sales and Service”) and must include a building on-site that hosts the primary use, such as "Business Services and Heavy Commercial" or "General Retail - Indoor." General retail - outdoor includes boat/trailer sales, plant nurseries, garden supplies, lumberyards, statuary stores, headstone sales, and other similar establishments. Includes the outdoor sales of automobiles and large vehicle sales. Excludes purely indoor car dealerships (see "Vehicle Sales and Rental (Indoor)") and purely indoor large vehicle sales (see "Heavy Equipment Sales and Services"). A car sales business with both indoor sales rooms and outdoor sales lots requires approval of both uses ("Vehicle Sales and Rental (Indoor)" and "General Retail - Outdoor") and is subject to the regulations that apply to both uses. Excludes the temporary outdoor display of merchandise under covered-entryways, such as produce at grocery stores. Excludes the temporary sidewalk displays of merchandise (which may require an encroachment permit or other permits).
(43) General services. An indoor commercial establishment that provides services to the general public, involves frequent visits by customers, and which may involve limited product sales related to the service provided. Includes banks, funeral parlors, laundromats, photocopy stores, customer-serving dry cleaners, household item repairs, veterinary clinics, tattoo/piercing parlors, customer-serving printers, animal grooming with no overnight boarding, recording studios, and other similar uses that provide on-site services to customers. Excludes places of employment that do not provide on-site services directly to customers (see "Offices") and facilities that provide medical services (see "Medical Care Services"). Excludes establishments that provide body-care related services (see "Personal Services") and fitness-related establishments (see "Fitness, Dance, or Health Facility"). Excludes indoor commercial establishments that primarily provide recreation, amusement, and entertainment services (see "Indoor Commercial Recreation"), primarily serve alcoholic beverages (see "Bars"), or primarily sell prepared food and/or beverages (see "Restaurants, Cafes, and Beverage Sales").
(44) Government facilities. A facility operated by a governmental agency providing services to the general public. Includes governmental offices, public recreational facilities, community centers, public meeting spaces, civic auditoriums, fire stations, police stations, dispatch facilities, vehicle storage, and other similar facilities. Excludes schools (see "Schools, Public and Private"), facilities that primarily provide maintenance and repair services and storage facilities for vehicles and equipment (see "Public Agency Corporation Yard"), parks and playgrounds (see "Parks and Playgrounds"), public utilities (see "Public Utility"), facilities providing group-services to persons in need (see "Social Services") and homeless shelters (see "Emergency Shelters").
(45) Heavy equipment sales and service. Indoor retail establishments selling or renting industrial, construction, farm, or other heavy equipment for commercial use, including cranes, earth moving equipment, tractors, tractor trailers, combines, and heavy trucks. Outdoor display, storage, and sales is a secondary use subject to separate regulations and restrictions (see "General Retail - Outdoor").
(46) Home occupation. A business within a dwelling unit or residential site, with the business activity being subordinate to the residential use of the property.
(47) Hospice. See “Medical Care Housing”.
(48) Hospital. Facilities providing medical, psychiatric, or surgical services for sick or injured persons primarily on an in-patient basis, and including ancillary facilities for outpatient and emergency treatment, diagnostic services, training, research, administration, and services to patients, employees, or visitors. May include facilities for the takeoff and landing of helicopters.
(49) Hostel. See “Commercial Lodging”.
(50) Hotel. See “Commercial Lodging”.
(51) Indoor commercial recreation. A privately-owned commercial facility providing indoor recreation, amusement, and entertainment services. Includes video arcades, movie theaters, bowling alleys, indoor mini-golf, indoor batting cages, and other similar uses. Excludes businesses primarily devoted to serving alcoholic beverages (see "Bars") or primarily devoted to selling prepared food and/or beverages (see "Restaurants, Cafes, and Beverage Sales) for consumption by guests on the premises. Excludes establishments that provide body-care related services (see "Personal Services") and fitness-related establishments (see "Fitness, Dance, or Health Facility").
(52) Instructional services. Establishments that offer specialized programs in personal growth and development. Includes music studios/schools, drama schools, dance academies dedicated primarily to instruction, art schools, tutoring schools, and instruction in other cultural and academic pursuits.
(53) Kennel-animal boarding. A commercial facility for the keeping, boarding, training, breeding or maintaining of four or more dogs (four months of age or older), cats, or other household pet not owned by the facility owner or operator. Includes kennels, pet day care, and animal shelters. Excludes household pets for sale in pet shops (see "General Retail") and veterinary clinics (see "General Services").
(54) Manufacturing, artisan. Artistic, artisan, craft-oriented, and small-scale manufacturing businesses engaged in the on-site assembly of individually fabricated parts or the fabrication of custom/craft goods, and the incidental direct sale to consumers of primarily those goods produced on site. The facilities are compatible with a general retail and mixed-use setting. Goods are predominantly manufactured and fabricated involving the use of hand tools or small-scaled mechanical equipment and kilns that do not generate noise, odors, or vibration detectable beyond the interior walls of the facility. Typical uses include craft food and beverage, including alcoholic beverage production, ceramic studios, fabrics, inlays, tile work, weaving, leather work, limited woodwork, limited metal or glass work, candle making, custom tailors, custom wedding dress production, custom jewelry, and other similar uses. May include limited tasting-rooms ancillary to the craft production of alcoholic beverage production uses.
(55) Manufacturing, light. The manufacture of products in a manner that produces little or no noise, odor, fumes, dust, smoke, dirt, refuse, vibration, glare, and/or air or water pollution detectable beyond the interior walls of the facility and is unlikely to cause significant impacts on surrounding land uses. Products are commonly produced from previously prepared materials, of finished products or parts, including processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment, and packaging of such products. Does not produce or utilize toxic, hazardous, or explosive materials as an integral part of the manufacturing process. Includes the manufacture and production of clothing; mass-produced food and beverage products, including alcoholic beverage production; electronic, optical, and instrumentation products; electronic equipment and appliances; ice. Excludes the processing of harvested crops (see "Agricultural Processing"). May include tasting rooms ancillary to the craft production of alcoholic beverage production uses.
(56) Manufacturing, heavy. A facility accommodating manufacturing processes that involve or produce basic metals, building materials, chemicals, fabricated metals, paper products, machinery, textiles, or transportation equipment, and where the use may cause significant impacts on surrounding land uses. Includes manufacturing of chemical products; concrete, gypsum, and plaster products; paving and roofing materials; plastics and other synthetics, and rubber products; lumber and other wood products; tires; mass-produced food and beverage products, including alcoholic beverage products, paving and petroleum-based roofing materials; lime products; glass products. Also includes petroleum refining and related industries, oil and gas processing facilities, and ready-mix concrete batch plants. Excludes sales of ready-mix concrete incidental retail establishment (see "General Retail, Outdoor"), artisan and craftsman type operations (see "Manufacturing, Artisan"), and recapping and retreading of automobile tires (see "Vehicle Cleaning and Repair"). May involve the use of toxic, hazardous, or explosive materials. May include limited tasting rooms ancillary to the craft production of alcoholic beverage production uses.
(57) Medical care housing. A residential facility, licensed as a skilled nursing facility by the State of California, that provides 24-hour medical, convalescent or chronic care to individuals who are unable to care for themselves by reason of advanced age, chronic illness, or infirmity. Excludes facilities providing non-medical social and personal care to residents (see "Non-medical Care Housing").
(58) Medical offices and clinics. Facilities where medical, mental, dental, vision, or other personal health services are provided on an outpatient basis using specialized equipment. Includes offices for physicians, dentists, physical therapists, optometrists, diagnostic centers, blood banks and plasma centers, and emergency medical clinics offered exclusively on an out-patient basis. Includes mental health services such as marriage/family therapists, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other similar uses. Also includes alternative medicine facilities such as acupuncture, chiropractors, state-licensed therapeutic massage, nutritional consultation, herbalists, and other similar facilities. May include educational aspects such as medical instruction and/or training as well as house a laboratory, radiology/imaging, pharmacy, rehabilitation and other similar services as accessory uses.
(59) Micro/shared housing. Shared living quarters without separate kitchen or bathroom facilities for each room or unit, offered for rent to permanent or semi-transient residents for long-term occupancy (30 days or more). Includes rooming and boarding houses, single-room occupancy housing, dormitories, convents and monasteries, and other types of organizational housing. Excludes hotels, motels, bed and breakfast inns, and vacation rentals (see "Commercial Lodging" and "Vacation Rental") and state-licensed facilities proving social and personal care to residents (see "Non-Medical Care Housing").
(60) Mini-storage. One or more building in a controlled access and fully enclosed compound that contains separate self-storage spaces of varying size for the storage of customers' goods and possessions.
(61) Mobile home park. An area of land where two or more mobile home spaces are rented, or held out for rent, to accommodate mobile homes for more than 30 consecutive calendar days.
(62) Mobile vendor. Any vehicle from which a product is made, sold, or distributed at retail.
(63) Motel. See “Commercial Lodging”.
(64) Multi-family dwellings. Two or more residential units located on a single lot. Includes units side-by-side, units stacked vertically, and one or more units occupying the same site as a non-residential uses (mixed-use development). Excludes detached single-family homes with an accessory dwelling unit in compliance with § 155.316 (see "Accessory Dwelling Units").
(65) Neighborhood-serving retail and service. Retail and service establishments that primarily serve residents and employees within the immediate neighborhood. See § 155.224.030 (Neighborhood Market Overlay).
(66) Non-commercial places of assembly. Facilities that provides space for public or private meetings or gatherings. Includes places of worship, fraternal lodges, meeting space for clubs and other membership organizations, social halls, union halls, non-profit banquet centers, and other similar facilities.
(67) Non-food serving drive thru facility. A drive-thru facility associated with another use (such as “General Retail - Indoor”) that is not a "Food-Serving Drive-Thru Facility."
(68) Non-medical care housing. A state-licensed residential facility that provides non-medical social and personal care for residents. Includes community care facilities as defined in Cal. Health and Safety Code §§ 1500 et seq., residential care facilities for the elderly (Cal. Health and Safety Code §§ 1569 et seq.), facilities for the mentally disordered or otherwise handicapped (Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code §§ 5000 et seq.), alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities (Cal. Health and Safety Code § 11834.02), supportive housing (Cal. Gov’t Code § 65582), transitional housing (Cal. Gov’t Code § 65582), and other similar facilities.
(69) Non-medical care housing, large. A non-medical care facility for seven or more persons.
(70) Non-medical care housing, small. A non-medical care facility for six or fewer persons.
(71) Nursing home. See Medical Care Housing.
(72) Offices. A place of employment occupied by businesses providing professional services. Includes offices for accountants, architects, insurance agents, attorneys, engineers, real estate agents, travel agents, artist studios, and other similar professions. Excludes businesses that provide regular service to frequent walk-in customers (see "General Services"), medical offices (see "Medical Offices and Clinics"), governmental offices (see "Governmental Facility"), and art galleries that are primarily intended to display saleable art and attract retail sales (see "General Retail - Indoor"). Internal office space that is incidental to a different primary use is not considered an "office" use. For example, a manager's office at a manufacturing facility and the office of an inventory specialist at a grocery store are not considered separate or stand-alone office uses.
(73) Outdoor commercial recreation. A privately-owned commercial facility providing outdoor recreation, amusement, and entertainment services. Includes commercial batting cages, outdoor swimming pools, go-cart tracks, driving ranges, tennis courts, golf courses, miniature golf, and other similar uses. Excludes municipal parks and non-commercial recreational facilities (see "Parks and Playgrounds").
(74) Outdoor storage, non-retail. Non-retail storage of commercial goods in open lots as either a primary or secondary use. Excludes storage of merchandise for sale as part of a retail establishment (see "General Retail - Outdoor").
(75) Parking lots and structures. Surface lots and structures for use of occupants, employees, or patrons on the subject site or offering parking to the public for a fee when such use is the primary use on the lot and not incidental to another on-site activity.
(76) Parks and playgrounds. Parks and playgrounds as the primary use on the site that provides open space and/or outdoor recreational opportunities to the public. Includes athletic fields, picnic areas, tennis courts, tot lots, community gardens, cemeteries, and other similar outdoor facilities. Excludes indoor recreation centers (see "Government Facilities").
(77) Personal services. An indoor commercial establishment that typically provides one-on-one body-care related services that involve frequent visits by customers and that are typically scheduled on an appointment-basis. May involve limited product sales related to the service provided. Includes hair salons, nail salons, make-up application studios, skincare treatment salons, non-therapeutic massage, health spas, and other similar non-medical personal service uses. For therapeutic message and other clinical-health-related uses, see "Medical Offices and Clinics."
(78) Restaurants, cafes, and beverage sales. A business selling prepared food and/or beverages for on- or off-premise consumption. Includes full service, fast-food and carry-out restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, juice/smoothie bars, retail bakeries, and other similar eating and drinking establishments. Includes outdoor seating/service areas which are permitted by right. Excludes businesses primarily selling alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption (see "Bars"). Excludes grocery stores and alcohol sales for off-site consumption (see "General Retail - Indoor").
(79) Public agency corporation yard. Governmental facilities that primarily provide storage, maintenance and repair of vehicles, equipment, and supplies.
(80) Public utility. A permanent structure or facility providing a utility service to the general public. Includes generating plants, electric substations, solid waste collection, solid waste treatment and disposal, water or wastewater treatment plants, and similar facilities. Excludes electrical distribution lines, underground water/sewer lines, and similar utilities.
(81) Recreational vehicle parks. An establishment designed, established, or used for exclusive occupancy by two or more recreational vehicles. Recreational vehicle parks are owned by a single owner or organizations where RV spaces are temporarily rented or leased to a person occupying a recreational vehicle.
(82) Recycling collection facility. An incidental use that serves as a drop-off point for the temporary storage of recyclable materials but where the processing and sorting of such items is not conducted on site.
(83) Recycling processing facility. A facility that receives and processes recyclable materials. Processing means preparation of material for efficient shipment, or to an end-user's specifications, by such means as baling, briquetting, compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, mechanical sorting, shredding, cleaning, and remanufacturing. Includes salvage yards, upcycling, and vehicle salvage and wrecking.
(84) Residential lodging. See “Vacation Rental”.
(85) Resource protection and restoration. Lands and management activities dedicated to the protection and conservation of natural resources, such as aquatic environments, wetland and sensitive riparian habitat, water recharge areas, and rare or endangered plant or animal habitat.
(86) Schools, public and private. Educational institutions providing instruction to minors as required by the California Education Code. Includes public and private elementary, junior high, and high schools.
(87) Single-family home. A residential structure designed for occupancy by one household. A single-family dwelling provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
(88) Single-family home, attached (townhome). Two or more single-family dwelling units connected by common walls along the side property lines, sometimes called a townhouse or row house.
(89) Single-family home, detached. A detached building that contains one single-family dwelling. Includes individual mobile homes and manufactured housing units installed on a foundation system pursuant to Cal. Health and Safety Code § 18551 and meeting the standards of § 155.304.080 (Manufactured Housing) A detached single family home with an attached ADU remains a single-family home and is not considered a multi-family dwelling.
(90) Single room occupancy (SRO). See “Micro/Shared Housing”.
(91) Social services. Establishments providing group outpatient assistance and aid to those persons requiring counseling, services, activities, and/or treatment for psychological problems, addictions, learning disabilities, elderly, and physical disabilities. Includes welfare offices, child/adult protective services, service centers for disabled individuals, counseling centers for individuals with substance abuse disorder, and veteran services. Excludes homeless shelters (see "Emergency Shelters"), transitional and supportive housing (see "Non-medical Care Housing"), establishments providing individual (non-group) services (see "Medical Office"), after-school programs (see "Non-Commercial Places of Assembly") and adult day care centers (see "Day Care Facility").
(92) Supportive housing. See “Non-Medical Care Housing”.
(93) Timber production and harvesting. The cutting and removal of timber or other solid wood forest products for commercial purposes together with all of the work incidental to the harvest including construction and maintenance of roads, fuel breaks, fire breaks, stream crossings, landings, skid trails, beds for the falling of trees, and fire hazard abatement. Excludes cutting or removal of timber for creating building pads and access to a legal building site when such cutting or removal is approved as a part of the building and/or encroachment permit. Also excludes removal of up to five commercial tree species in residential zoning districts in conformance with § 155.304.140 (Tree Removal).
(94) Transitional housing. See “Non-Medical Care Housing”.
(95) Tree removal in residential zones. The cutting and removal of timber or other solid wood forest products for commercial purposes in conformance with § 155.304.140 (Tree Removal).
(96) Vacation rental. A dwelling unit or portions thereof located in a residential zoning district that is rented to guests for 30 consecutive calendar days or less. Includes two types of vacation rental, with the proprietor on-site and without the proprietor on-site as defined in § 155.304.150 (Vacation Rental).
(97) Vehicle cleaning and repair. An establishment for the cleaning, detailing, repair, alteration, restoration, or finishing of any vehicle, including, but not limited to, car wash and vehicle cleaning and detailing facilities, body repair, collision repair, painting, tire and battery sales and installation, motor rebuilding, tire recapping and retreading, and towing. Excludes cleaning and/or repair shops that are incidental to a vehicle sales or rental establishment on the same site (see "Vehicle Sales and Rentals (Indoor)" and "General Retail - Outdoor"). Excludes cleaning and/or repair shops that are incidental to a fuel or service station (see "Fuel and Service Stations").
(98) Vehicle sales and rental (indoor). The indoor sale or rental of new or used automobiles, motorcycles, light trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, and other similar vehicles. Includes the sale of vehicle parts and vehicle cleaning and repair, provided that these activities are incidental to the sale of vehicles. Excludes the sale and rental of tractor trailers and construction equipment (see "Heavy Equipment Sales and Service") and vehicle salvage and wrecking (see "Recycling Processing Facilities"). Outdoor display, storage, and sales is a secondary use subject to separate regulations and restrictions (see "General Retail - Outdoor").
(99) Vehicle towing and impound. Establishments primarily engaged in towing light or heavy motor vehicles, both local and long distance, and the on-site storage of towed vehicle. May provide incidental services, such as vehicle storage and emergency road repair services.
(100) Warehousing, wholesale, and distribution. A use engaged in storage, wholesale and distribution of manufactured products, supplies, and equipment to retailers; to industrial, commercial, institutional, farm, or professional business users; or to other wholesalers; or acting as agents or brokers in buying merchandise for or selling merchandise to such persons or companies. Includes merchant wholesalers; agents, merchandise or commodity brokers, and commission merchants; assemblers, buyers and associations engaged in the cooperative marketing of farm products.
(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 902-C.S., passed 8-18-20; Am. Ord. 916-C.S., passed 7-6-21; Am. Ord. 931-C.S., passed 2-15-22; Am. Ord. 938-C.S., passed 11-1-22; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23)
This section defines terms and phrases used in the Zoning Code that are technical or specialized, or which may not reflect common usage. If any definitions in this section conflict with others in the Municipal Code, these definitions control in the Zoning Code. If a word is not defined in the Zoning Code, the Director determines the appropriate definition.
(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19)
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(A) "A" terms.
ACCESSORY BUILDING. A building occupied by an accessory use. Includes detached garages, storage buildings, and sheds.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE. A structure secondary and subordinate to the primary building on the same lot.
ACCESSORY USE. A use that is subordinate to and dependent on the primary use on the same lot.
ADAPTIVE REUSE. The reuse of an existing building or site for a purpose other than the original use.
ADDITION. Any development or construction activity that expands the footprint or increases the habitable floor area of a building.
ADJACENT LOTS. Lots that share an interior side lot line.
ADVERTISE. To provide a notice or announcement in a public medium promoting a product, service, brand, campaign, or event, or publicizing a job vacancy. Advertisement includes text displaying the name of a business, text displaying the name of a product, text publicizing a service, business-specific logos, and product-specific logos.
ALLEY. A public or private roadway, not more than 30 feet wide, providing only secondary means of access to abutting property.
ALLOWED LAND USE. A land use permitted in a zoning district or overlay zone, either by right or with a use permit.
ALLOWED USE TABLES. Tables in the Zoning District Standards that identify allowed land uses and required permits within each zoning district.
ALTERATION. See MODIFICATION.
ANCILLARY USE. A use subordinate to the principal use on the same lot and serving a purpose incidental to the principal use.
APPLICANT. Any person, firm, partnership, association, joint venture, corporation, or an entity or combination of entities which seek city permits and approvals.
ARBOR. A shelter of vines or branches or of latticework covered with or intended to be covered with climbing shrubs or vines. See Figure 508-1.
ATTIC. The space within a building between the ceiling beams at the top story and the roof rafters.
AWNING. An overhang used as shelter attached to and projecting from an exterior building wall.
(B) “B” terms.
BALCONY. A platform that projects from the wall of a building that is surrounded by a railing or balustrade and may or may not require separate understructure for support.
BASEMENT. A story or space in a building whose floor is more than six feet below the average level of the adjoining ground. See Figure 508-2.
BASE ZONING DISTRICT. The primary zoning district, as distinguished from an overlay zone, that applies to a parcel of land as shown on the Zoning Map.
BEACON. A beam of light designed to draw attention to a particular location.
BUILDING. A structure having a solid roof supported by columns or walls, used or intended to be used for the shelter or enclosure of persons, animals or property. Includes “manufactured homes” and “mobile homes.”
BY-RIGHT. Permitted without any form of discretionary approval.
(C) “C” terms.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA). California state law (Cal. Public Resources Code §§ 21000 et seq.) requiring government agencies to consider the environmental consequences of their actions before taking action on a proposed project.
CARETAKER UNIT. A residential dwelling unit for one or more persons employed to provide oversight services on the site where the caretaker unit is located.
CARPORT. An accessory structure open on two, three or four sides and attached to, or detached from, a building and established for the loading or unloading of passengers or the storage or parking of an automobile.
COASTAL LAND USE PLAN. See LAND USE PLAN.
COASTAL ZONE. The area of land and water extending from the state’s outer seaward limit of jurisdiction inland to the boundary as shown in Eureka’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) as certified by the California Coastal Commission.
COASTAL ZONING DISTRICTS. See ZONING DISTRICTS, COASTAL.
COVERED PARKING SPACE. An area designated for parking within a garage, carport or other enclosed building or structure.
CHANGE OF USE. Conversion from one use classification to a different use classification as identified in § 155.504 (Land Use Classifications). The establishment of a different use within the same use classification as the existing use is not a CHANGE OF USE. For example, establishing a book store (classified as “General Retail”) in a space previously occupied by a bank (classified as “General Services”) is considered a CHANGE OF USE. Replacing the bank with a new laundromat (also classified as “General Services”) is not a CHANGE OF USE.
CHASE LIGHTING. A series of adjacent light bulbs that cycle on and off frequently to give the illusion of movement.
CITY. The City of Eureka.
CORE AREA. As identified in the General Plan, the traditional business center and cultural hub of Eureka, including Downtown, Old Town, the Library District and Bayfront Commercial.
COURTYARD. An unroofed area enclosed on two or more sides by building walls.
COVERED ENTRY. A building entrance covered by a roof, rigid canopy awning, marquee awning or other similar overhanging feature where the covering is attached to the building wall and is not supported by columns, walls or other vertical structural elements that extend to the ground. Excludes building entry areas that are enclosed on exterior-facing sides and/or where walls, columns or vertical structural elements support the roof. (See PORCH.)
(D) “D” terms.
DARK SKY COMPLIANT. A lighting fixture that meets the International Dark Sky Association’s (IDA) requirements for reducing waste of ambient light.
DECK. A platform, either freestanding or attached to a building, that is supported by pillars or posts.
DENSITY. The number of dwelling units on a lot. See § 155.112.030 (Density) for rules of measurement.
DEPARTMENT. The City of Eureka Development Services Department.
DEVELOPMENT. Any human-caused change to land or a structure that requires a permit or approval from the city.
DEVELOPMENT STANDARD. A physical or dimensional standard that applies to a development project or land use. Includes lot area, building height, setbacks from lot lines, floor area ratio, residential density, site coverage and other similar requirements.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. An agreement entered into between the City of Eureka and a property owner for the development of a property in accordance with Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 65864 et seq.
DIRECTOR. The City of Eureka Director of Development Services.
DISCRETIONARY ACTION. An action by the city that requires the exercise of individual/independent judgment or deliberation as a basis to approve or deny a project.
DRIVEWAY. A permanently surfaced area on a lot designed and required to provide direct access for vehicles between a street and a private garage, carport or other parking space, parking area or loading area.
DWELLING UNIT. A building or a portion of a building containing one or more habitable rooms used or designed for occupancy by one family for living and sleeping purposes, including kitchen and bath facilities.
(E) “E” terms. None.
(F) “F” terms.
FEATHER BANNER. A temporary sign in the form of a vertical banner made of flexible materials, (e.g., cloth, paper or plastic), the longer dimension of which is typically attached to a pole or rod that is driven into the ground or supported by an individual stand.
FAMILY. See HOUSEHOLD.
FENCE. A structure made of wood, metal, masonry or other material used as a screen or enclosure for a field, yard or lot. Excludes shrubs, trees and other vegetation.
FLAGS. Fabric, textile or material with colors and/or patterns which display a symbol of a nation, state, company or idea.
FLOOR AREA. The enclosed area of all floors of a building. See § 155.112.050 (Floor Area and Floor Area Ratio) for rules of measurement.
FLOOR AREA RATIO. An intensity measurement calculated by dividing the total floor area on a lot by the lot area.
FRONT STREET. The street with the highest annual average daily traffic (AADT) relative to the other streets abutting the site.
FRONTAGE, BUILDING. The linear measurement of a building wall that is parallel to a street or that abuts a parking lot or pedestrian walkway.
FRONTAGE, SITE. The portion of a site that abuts a street.
(G) “G” terms.
GARAGE. An enclosed structure or a part of a building designed or used for the storage of automobiles and other motor vehicles.
GENERAL PLAN. The General Plan of the City of Eureka prepared in accordance with Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 65300 et seq.
GRADE, FINISHED. The level of the ground after completion of site preparation, grading, earthwork or construction associated with a development project.
GRADE, NATURAL. The level of the ground prior to the start of any current or proposed site preparation, grading, earthwork or construction.
GRADING. Any and all activities involving earthwork, including placement or fill and/or excavation.
GROUND FLOOR. The first level of a building, other than a cellar or basement, that is closest to finished grade.
(H) “H” terms.
HABITABLE SPACE. An area within a building that is conditioned (heated or cooled) with a finished floor and a ceiling height averaging at least seven feet six inches. Excludes unfinished attics, cellars, crawl spaces and other similar utility areas.
HEARING BODY. A review authority that conducts a public hearing.
HOME OCCUPATION. A business conducted within a dwelling unit or from a residential site, with the business activity being subordinate to the residential use of the property.
HOUSEHOLD. One or more persons living together in a single residential unit, with common access to, and common use of, all living areas and all areas and facilities for the preparation and storage of food and who maintain no more than four separate rental agreements for the single residential unit.
(I) “I” terms.
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. The Coastal Zoning Code, codified in Ch. 156 (Coastal Zoning) of the Eureka Municipal Code, and certified by the Coastal Commission as meeting the requirements of the California Coastal Act of 1976.
INTENSITY. The amount or magnitude of development or use on a lot, typically measured as floor area ratio (FAR).
(J) “J” terms. None.
(K) “K” terms. None.
(L) “L” terms.
LANDSCAPING. The planting and maintenance of living plant material, including the installation, use and maintenance of any irrigation system for the plant material, as well as non-living landscape material (such as rocks, pebbles, sand, mulch, walls, fences or decorative paving materials).
LAND USE. An activity conducted on a site or in a structure, or the purpose for which a site or structure is designed, arranged, occupied or maintained. The meaning of the term USE is identical to LAND USE.
LAND USE PLAN (COASTAL LAND USE PLAN). The component of the City of Eureka’s Local Coastal Program (LPC) establishing the vision, goals, and policies for the coastal zone in accordance with the California Coastal Act of 1976.
LAND USE REGULATION. A regulation in the Zoning Code that primarily relates to the operation or placement of a use on a site as opposed to the physical form of the structures on the site. (See DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.)
LIVE/WORK UNIT. A building or space within a building that is used jointly for commercial and residential uses.
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM (LCP). The City of Eureka’s Land Use Plan, Implementation Plan, maps and other implementing actions certified by the Coastal Commission as meeting the requirements of the California Coastal Act of 1976.
LOCAL EMERGENCY. An event, situation or state of emergency that threatens the safety of persons and property in Eureka declared by the City Council in accordance with the California Emergency Services Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 8550 et seq.).
LOT AREA. The total horizontal area within the lines of a lot. See § 155.112.020 (Lot Area) for rules of measurement.
LOT. A parcel, site, tract or area of land whose boundaries have been established by a legal instrument such as a deed or map recorded with the County of Humboldt, and which is recognized as a separate legal entity for purposes of transfer of title. The meaning of PARCEL is identical to LOT. See Figure 508-3 for types of lots.
LOT, CORNER. A lot abutting two or more streets at their intersection.
LOT, INTERIOR. A lot with only one front lot line.
LOT, FLAG. A lot where the main portion of the lot area does not have access to a street other than by means of a corridor less than 20 feet wide.
LOT, THROUGH. A lot which has two or more front lot lines which do not intersect.
LOT, LEGALLY ESTABLISHED. A lot established in compliance with the California Subdivision Map Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 66410 et seq.).
LOT LINE. The lines bounding a lot. The meaning of PROPERTY LINE is identical to LOT LINE. See Figure 508-4 for types of lot lines.
LOT LINE, EXTERIOR SIDE. A lot line other than a front lot line on a corner lot abutting a street.
LOT LINE, FRONT.
(a) For an interior lot, the lot line abutting a street.
(b) For a through lot, both lot lines abutting a street.
(c) For a corner lot, either the shorter lot line facing the street, the lot line facing the primary street as defined in this section, the lot line facing the building’s primary entrance, or another lot line as determined by the Director based on the existing and/or proposed layout and function of the lot.
LOT LINE, INTERIOR SIDE. A lot line other than a rear line lot shared with another lot.
LOT LINE, REAR. The lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line, where such lot line is not also a street-facing lot line, unless determined otherwise by the Director based on the existing and/or proposed layout and function of the lot.
(M) “M” terms.
MANUFACTURED HOME. A single-family home built to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974. Includes structures known as MANUFACTURED HOUSING or MODULAR HOMES.
MINISTERIAL ACTION. A city action (approval or denial) that involves only the use of fixed standards or objective measurements and does not require the exercise of discretionary or subjective personal judgment.
MIXED-USE. Two or more different land uses located in one building or on one lot or development site.
MOBILE HOME. A type of “trailer,” “trailer coach” or “semi-trailer” as defined in the California Vehicle Code, and has the same meaning as “mobile home,” as defined in the California Health and Safety Code. Excludes modular or manufactured dwellings intended for assembly on-site on permanent foundations and not designed for subsequent or repeated relocation. Excludes recreational vehicles as defined in this section.
MODIFICATION. Any construction or physical change in the internal arrangement of rooms, supporting members of a structure or external appearance of any structure, not including painting.
MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS. The Residential Medium (R2) and Residential High (R3) Zoning Districts.
(N) “N” terms.
NATURAL GRADE. See GRADE, NATURAL.
NON-CONFORMING or NON-CONFORMITY. A lot, land use, site feature, sign, or structure that does not comply with the current Zoning Code, but was legally established under previous regulations.
NON-CONFORMING BUILDING. A legally established building that does not comply with the current Zoning Code.
NON-CONFORMING LOT. A legally established lot that does not comply with the current Zoning Code.
NON-CONFORMING SIGN. A legally established sign that does not comply with the current Zoning Code.
NON-CONFORMING SITE FEATURE. A legally established site feature that does not comply with the current Zoning Code.
NON-CONFORMING USE. A legally established land use that does not comply with the current Zoning Code.
(O) “O” terms.
OVERLAY ZONE. A secondary zoning designation that imposes additional regulations, allowances, limitations and/or special provisions beyond what is required and allowed by the underlying zoning district.
(P) “P” terms.
PARCEL. See LOT.
PARKING INDENTURE. A covenant record filed with the County Recorder guaranteeing that off-site parking will be maintained exclusively for a use for the duration of the use.
PARKING LOT. An area on a lot or within a structure used for or designed for temporary parking for more than four motor vehicles and available for public use, whether free, for compensation or as an accommodation for clients, employees, visitors or customers.
PARKING SPACE. Land or space privately owned, covered or uncovered, laid out for, surfaced and used or designed to be used for temporary parking or storage of standard motor vehicles.
PERGOLA. A structure usually consisting of parallel colonnades supporting an open roof of girders and cross rafters. See Figure 508-6.
PERMIT. A City approval required by the Zoning Code as listed in Table 404-1 in § 155.404 (Administrative Responsibilities).
PLANNING COMMISSION. The City of Eureka Planning Commission.
PORCH. A covered projecting platform that extends from the main wall of a building where the covering is supported by columns, walls or other vertical structural elements. A PORCH may be enclosed or unenclosed. ENCLOSED PORCHES must be at least 60% transparent on each exterior-facing side.
PRIMARY BUILDING. The building or structure that accommodates the primary use of the site.
PRIMARY DWELLING. On a lot with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), the detached single-family home established either before or concurrently with the ADU.
PRIMARY USE. The main purpose for which a site is developed and occupied, including the activities that are conducted on the site a majority of the hours during which activities occur.
PRIVATE AGREEMENT. An easement, covenant, deed restriction or other agreement entered into between private property owners.
PRIVATELY-OWNED PUBLIC SPACE. An outdoor area on private property which may be used by customers and/or the general public.
PROPERTY LINE. See LOT LINE.
PUBLIC NUISANCE. Any violation of the Municipal Code defined as such by the Eureka Municipal Code or that is, causes, or creates a condition of public nuisance as defined in Cal. Civil Code §§ 3479 and 3480.
PUBLIC UTILITY. A permanent structure or facility operated by a governmental agency providing a utility service to the general public. Includes facilities for the production, generation, storage, treatment or transmission of water; facilities for the production, generation, transmission or distribution of electrical energy; facilities for the collection, treatment and disposal of solid waste and wastewater and other similar facilities.
(Q) “Q” terms. None.
(R) “R” terms.
RECONSTRUCTION. See § 155.424.040(E) (Demolition and Reconstruction).
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV). A vehicular-type unit designed for temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, which either has its own motive power or is mounted on or drawn by another vehicle. The term RECREATIONAL VEHICLE includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Motor homes constructed as an integral part of a self-propelled vehicle;
(b) Travel trailers built on a chassis and drawn by a motorized vehicle;
(c) Campers mounted on a truck chassis;
(d) Camping trailers and similar folding structures mounted on wheels; and
(e) Park trailers built on a single chassis, mounted on wheels, with a gross trailer area not exceeding 400 square feet in the setup mode, and certified by the manufacturer as complying with ANSI A119.5.
REMODEL. A change or alteration in a building that does not increase the building's square footage.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. Any property used for residential purposes. Examples include single-family homes, condos, cooperatives, duplexes, townhouses, and multi-family residences.
RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS. The zoning districts listed in § 155.204 (Residential Zoning Districts).
RESOURCE-RELATED ZONING DISTRICTS. The zoning districts listed in § 155.220 (Resource-Related Zoning Districts).
REVIEW AUTHORITY. The city official or body responsible for approving or denying a permit application or other form of requested approval under the Zoning Code.
(S) “S” terms.
SECOND USE. A use subject to separate permit requirements and allowed only if combined with a primary use.
SETBACK. The required distance of a structure from a lot line or other feature. See § 155.112.040 (Setback) for rules of measurement.
SETBACK AREA. The two-dimensional area on a lot subject to the minimum setback requirement.
SIDE STREET. The street with a lower annual average daily traffic (AADT) relative to the other streets fronting the site or as defined by the Public Works Director.
SIGN. Any structure, object or device that contains letters, numbers, graphics, colors or other means of communication to advertise, announce or communicate information of any kind to the public. A structure, object or device without sign copy for 180 days or more is no longer considered a sign.
SIGN, ANIMATED. A sign which physically moves, rotates, revolves or has visibly moving or rotating parts of any kind.
SIGN, AWNING. A sign incorporated into, attached to or painted on the face or valance of an awning.
SIGN, BANNER. A temporary sign made of flexible vinyl, fabric or any non-rigid material with no enclosing framework on which a message or image is painted or otherwise affixed.
SIGN, BOX. A sign that contains all copy within a single enclosed cabinet that is mounted to a wall or other structure. BOX SIGNS, also referred to as CAN SIGNS, typically use slide-in panels to display messages.
SIGN, CANOPY. A sign attached to a fixed overhead shelter used as a roof, which may or may not be attached to a building.
SIGN COPY. The area of a sign occupied by letters, numbers, graphics or other content intended to communicate information.
SIGN, DETACHED. Any pole sign, monument sign or other types of sign not attached to a building.
SIGNS, DIGITAL. A sign that displays a visual image using liquid crystal cells or other types of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or their functional equivalent where the image can be easily changed, typically by remote control or computer programming. Also known as ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER (EMC) SIGNS. Excludes fuel price signs and internally illuminated window signs.
SIGN, DIGITALLY PRINTED. Any of the following:
(a) A sign where the entire sign copy is digitally printed onto wood, aluminum or other material and then trimmed as needed to complete the sign;
(b) A sign where the entire sign copy is digitally printed onto an adhesive material which is attached to a plastic panel and inserted into a box sign cabinet; and
(c) A sign where a single material is used for the sign copy and sign face (e.g., a pan face sign with an injected molded plastic).
SIGNS, DIRECTIONAL. A sign that provides directions to a place, structure or use, excluding signs installed by a public agency.
SIGN, DIRECTORY. A sign which lists and identifies the location of the occupants of a multi-tenant building or site. Excludes “property identification signs.”
SIGN FACE. The area of a sign where sign copy is placed.
SIGN, INFLATABLE BALLOON. A temporary sign consisting of a flexible envelope of non-porous materials that gains its shape from inserted air or other gas.
SIGNS, HUMAN DIRECTIONAL AND ADVERTISING. A sign that is held by or attached to a human being in any manner. Includes individuals dressed in costume intended to attract attention as human signs to a business for advertising purposes.
SIGN, INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED WINDOW. A sign placed in a window with individually illuminated letter, numbers or graphic not exceeding 12 square feet. Includes illuminated “open” signs and signs illuminated with LEDs, neon or other fluorescing gas.
SIGN, MARQUEE. A sign with changeable copy that advertises an event, performance, seminar, conference or show.
(a) ATTACHED MARQUEE SIGN. A marquee sign displayed on a permanent roof-like structure or canopy made of rigid materials supported by and extending from the facade of a building.
(b) DETACHED MARQUEE SIGN. A freestanding marquee sign not attached to a building.
SIGN, MONUMENT. A sign detached from a building and supported on the ground by one or more structural elements that are one-quarter or more of the width of the sign face. Internal supports, poles or pylons, if any, are enclosed by decorative covers or otherwise not exposed to view. Includes signs where supporting structural elements are architecturally dissimilar to the design of the sign. Excludes “pole signs.”
SIGN, NEON. A sign that features exposed small diameter tubing illuminated by neon or other fluorescing gas. Excludes signs with LEDs intended to simulate the appearance of neon and “internally illuminated window signs.”
SIGN, OFF-PREMISES. A sign advertising a land use, business, product or service not located or available on the site where the sign is located.
SIGN, POLE. A sign detached from a building and supported on the ground by one or more structural elements that are less than one-quarter the width of the sign face. Monument signs with supporting poles where the poles are encased to incorporate design features are not considered POLE SIGNS.
SIGN, POST. A temporary sign suspended from a horizontal swingpost or bracket that is attached to a vertical post mounted in the ground. Includes on-site real estate sales and rental signs.
SIGN, PROJECTING. A sign permanently attached to a building or wall such that the sign face or faces are perpendicular to the building or wall. Includes blade signs suspended under a bracket, armature or other mounting device.
SIGN, ROOF. A sign erected upon or directly above a roof and the parapet of a building.
SIGN, SANDWICH BOARD. A portable sign with two opposing flat faces designed to be self-supporting on the ground, typically displayed on a sidewalk or in a parking lot.
SIGN, SUSPENDED. A sign which is suspended under an awning, canopy, fascia or similar structure. Includes signs oriented parallel to the building façade suspended over a recessed entry.
SIGN, TICKER. An electronic reader board sign consisting of one or more lines of scrolling LED text.
SIGN, WALL. A sign attached to or painted on the exterior wall of a structure with the display surface of the sign approximately parallel to the building wall. Includes signs attached to but not extending above a fascia or parapet.
SIGN, WINDOW. A sign posted, painted, placed or affixed in or on a window exposed to public view. Any sign attached to a window, within two feet of a window or attached to a display located within two feet of a window is considered a WINDOW SIGN.
SIGN, YARD. A temporary freestanding sign with an “H”-shaped frame inserted into the ground within a street-facing yard. Includes political campaign signs displayed prior to elections.
SITE. A lot with any adjoining lots that are under single ownership or single control, and that are considered a unit for the purpose of development or other use.
SITE COVERAGE. The total horizontal area of all buildings on a lot divided by the lot area. See § 155.112.060 (Site Coverage) for rules of measurement.
SITE FEATURES. Physical improvements and modifications to a site excluding permanent buildings to serve on-site development and uses. Includes at grade flatwork, steps, ramps, retaining walls, planter boxes, decorative ornamental features, ground-mounted mechanical equipment, swimming pools and other similar improvements.
SPECIFIC PLAN. Any specific plan of the City of Eureka adopted in accordance with Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 65450 et seq.
STORY. The portion of a building between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the floor next above; except that, the topmost STORY is that portion of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling or roof above. A loft is not considered a STORY, but a mezzanine covering more than 1/3 of the floor area is a STORY.
STREET. A travel way more than 20 feet in width which affords a primary or principal means of access to abutting property. STREETS includes private roads and highways.
STREET-FACING BUILDING WALL.
(a) A building wall that is:
1. Parallel or substantially parallel to a street; and
2. Directly across a front or exterior side lot line.
(b) This definition excludes building walls parallel to an interior lot line, a rear lot line or an alley. See Figure 508-7.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected that requires attachment to the ground, or attachment to something located on the ground. Excludes objects temporarily attached to the ground, or which are easily moved, including dog houses, picnic tables, patio furniture and children’s play structures.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS. Any change in the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams, girders, floor, ceiling or roof joists and roof rafters, or a change in roof exterior lines which would prolong the life of the supporting members of a building.
SUBDIVISION. The division of land as defined in Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 66410 to 66499 (Subdivision Map Act). Includes condominium and community apartment projects.
(T) “T” terms.
TANDEM PARKING. An arrangement of parking spaces such that one or more spaces must be driven across in order to access another space or spaces.
TEMPORARY STRUCTURE. A structure that is erected for a limited period of time and that does not permanently alter the character or physical facilities of a property.
TEMPORARY USE. A short-term activity that occurs for a limited period of time and does not permanently alter the character or physical facilities of a property.
TENANT SPACE. A defined area within a building rented or occupied by a business or other non-residential land
TINY HOUSE ON WHEELS. An unpowered vehicle designed to be towed by another vehicle on a public street and intended to be permitted and used as an accessory dwelling unit. A tiny house on wheels is licensed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles as a recreational vehicle, but appears and functions as a permanent, year-round residence providing complete, independent living facilities for one household, while temporarily located on the same lot as the primary dwelling to which it is an accessory use. A TINY HOUSE ON WHEELS excludes recreational vehicles where the wheels are removed and the unit is attached to a conventional foundation (See "Manufactured Home").
TRELLIS. A frame of latticework used as a screen or as a support for climbing plants.
TOWNHOME. Two or more single-family dwelling units connected by common walls along the sides with either shared or unshared foundations.
TRANSLUCENT. Permitting light to pass through but diffusing it so that persons or objects on the opposite side are not clearly visible.
(U) “U” terms.
UNCOVERED PARKING SPACE. A parking space in an open area not enclosed in a garage, carport or other structure.
USE. See LAND USE.
USE PERMIT. Either a conditional use permit or a minor use permit.
(V) “V” terms.
(W) “W” terms.
WALL. A permanent upright linear structure made of wood, stone, concrete, masonry or other similar material.
WEEDS. Plants that were not included in an approved landscape plan for the property, are not valued where they are growing, are of vigorous growth relative to other plants within a landscape area and overgrow and choke out other plants within a landscape area.
(X) “X” terms. None.
(Y) “Y” terms. None.
(Z) “Z” terms.
ZONING DISTRICT. A defined area within the City of Eureka where uniform land use and development standards apply in accordance with the Zoning Code.
ZONING DISTRICT, COASTAL. A zoning district in the coastal zone regulated under Municipal Code Ch. 156 (Coastal Zoning).
ZONING DISTRICT, INLAND. A zoning district outside of the coastal zone regulated under the Zoning Code.
ZONING MAPS. The official maps adopted by the City Council identifying the boundaries of the zoning districts within the City of Eureka.
ZONING MAP, COASTAL. The official adopted and certified Zoning Map identifying the location of coastal zoning districts, incorporated by reference into Municipal Code Ch. 156 (Coastal Zoning).
ZONING MAP, INLAND. The official adopted Zoning Map identifying the location of zoning districts outside of the coastal zone, incorporated by reference into the Zoning Code.
(Ord. 902-C.S., passed 8-18-20; Am. Ord. 916-C.S., passed 7-6-21; Am. Ord. 931-C.S., passed 2-15-22; Am. Ord. 938-C.S., passed 11-1-22; Am. Ord. 951-C.S., passed 10-17-23)
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