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Visalia Overview
Visalia, CA Municipal Code
VISALIA, CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL CODE
PREFACE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF VISALIA
Title 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Title 2 ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
Title 3 REVENUE AND FINANCE
Title 4 RESERVED
Title 5 BUSINESS REGULATIONS
Title 6 ANIMALS
Title 7 RESERVED
Title 8 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Title 9 PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
Title 10 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Title 11 RESERVED
Title 12 STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES
Title 13 PUBLIC SERVICES
Title 14 RESERVED
Title 15 BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
Title 16 SUBDIVISIONS
Title 17 ZONING
Chapter 17.02 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 17.04 DEFINITIONS
Chapter 17.06 ZONE CLASSIFICATIONS
Chapter 17.08 AGRICULTURAL ZONE
Chapter 17.10 OPEN SPACE ZONE
Chapter 17.12 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE
Chapter 17.14 [RESERVED]
Chapter 17.16 MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONES
Chapter 17.18 COMMERCIAL ZONES
Chapter 17.19 MIXED USE ZONES
Chapter 17.20 OFFICE ZONES
Chapter 17.22 INDUSTRIAL ZONES
Chapter 17.24 BUSINESS RESEARCH PARK ZONE
Chapter 17.25 USES IN THE COMMERCIAL, MIXED USE, OFFICE, AND INDUSTRIAL ZONES
Chapter 17.26 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 17.28 SITE PLAN REVIEW PERMIT
Chapter 17.30 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Chapter 17.32 SPECIAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 17.34 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING FACILITIES
Chapter 17.36 FENCES, WALLS AND HEDGES
Chapter 17.38 CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
Chapter 17.40 NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
Chapter 17.42 VARIANCES
Chapter 17.44 ZONING AMENDMENTS
Chapter 17.46 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
Chapter 17.48 SIGNS
Chapter 17.50 AIRPORT ZONE
Chapter 17.52 QUASI-PUBLIC ZONE
Chapter 17.54 GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS
Chapter 17.56 HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICT
Chapter 17.58 DOWNTOWN RETAIL OVERLAY DISTRICT
Chapter 17.60 DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
Chapter 17.62 ADULT-ORIENTED BUSINESSES
Chapter 17.63 MICRO-BREWERY/MICRO-WINERY OVERLAY DISTRICT
Chapter 17.64 MOBILE FOOD VENDING
Title 18 AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION
STATUTORY REFERENCES FOR CALIFORNIA CITIES
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE FOR VISALIA, CALIFORNIA
ORDINANCE LIST AND DISPOSITION TABLE
Chapter 17.18
COMMERCIAL ZONES
Sections:
17.18.010   Purpose and intent.
17.18.015   Applicability.
17.18.020   Permitted uses.
17.18.030   Conditional and temporary uses.
17.18.040   Required conditions.
17.18.050   Off-street parking and loading facilities.
17.18.060   Development standards in the C-N zone.
17.18.070   Development standards in the C-R zone.
17.18.080   Development standards in the C-S zone.
17.18.010   Purpose and intent.
   A.   The several types of commercial zones included in this chapter are designed to achieve the following:
   1.   Provide appropriate areas for various types of retail stores, offices, service establishments and wholesale businesses to be concentrated for the convenience of the public; and to be located and grouped on sites that are in logical proximity to the respective geographical areas and respective categories of patrons that they serve in a manner consistent with the general plan;
   2.   Maintain and improve Visalia's retail base to serve the needs of local residents and encourage shoppers from outside the community;
   3.   Accommodate a variety of commercial activities to encourage new and existing business that will employ residents of the city and those of adjacent communities;
   4.   Maintain Visalia's role as the regional retailing center for Tulare and Kings Counties and ensure the continued viability of the existing commercial areas;
   5.   Maintain commercial land uses that are responsive to the needs of shoppers, maximizing accessibility and minimizing trip length;
   6.   Ensure compatibility with adjacent land uses.
   B.   The purposes of the individual commercial zones are as follows:
   1.   Neighborhood Commercial Zone (C-N). The purpose and intent of the neighborhood commercial zone district is to provide for small-scale commercial development that primarily serves surrounding residential areas, wherein small office uses as well as horizontal or vertical residential mixed use are also supported, and provide standards to ensure that neighborhood commercial uses are economically viable and also integrated into neighborhoods in terms of design, with negative impacts minimized, with multimodal access, and context-sensitive design. Neighborhood Commercial development shall be subject to design review and public input. There should be 10 to 15 dwelling units per gross acre where residential uses are included. Shopping centers shall be of a total size of 5 to 12 acres and located no closer than one mile from other General Plan designated Neighborhood Commercial locations, or from existing grocery stores, anchored by a grocery store or similar business no larger than 40,000 square feet in size, and include smaller in-line stores of less than 10,000 square feet. Alterations and additions in existing nonconforming centers may be permitted, subject to design review and conditions of approval to minimize neighborhood impacts.
   2.   Regional Commercial Zone (C-R). The purpose and intent of the regional commercial zone district is to provide areas for retail establishments that are designed to serve a regional service trade area. The uses permitted in this district are to be of a large-scale regional retail nature with supporting goods and services. Uses that are designed to provide service to residential areas and convenience, neighborhood and community level retail are not permitted, while office uses are to be limited.
   3.   Service Commercial Zone (C-S). The purpose and intent of the planned service commercial zone district is to provide areas that accommodate wholesale, heavy commercial uses, such as lumberyards and construction material retail uses, etc., and services such as automotive, plumbing, and sheet metal fabrication. It is intended that uses in this district be those that can be compatible with heavy truck traffic and noise. Uses that would restrict the operation of generally permitted heavy commercial businesses are not provided in this district. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: prior code § 7310)
17.18.015   Applicability.
   The requirements in this chapter shall apply to all property within the C-N, C-R, and C-S zone districts. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017)
17.18.020   Permitted uses.
   Permitted uses in the C-N, C-R, and C-S zones shall be determined by Table 17.25.030 in Section 17.25.030. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017; Ord. 2016-06, 2016; Ord. 2015-04 § 2, 2015; Ord. 2015-01 § 2, 2015; Ord. 2014-07 § 3 (part), 2014; Ord. 2012-10, 2012; Ord. 2012-08, 2012; Ord. 2012-02, 2012; Ord. 2011-07 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2010-16, 2010; Ord. 2009-02, 2009; Ord. 2006-17, 2006; Res. 2004-75 (part), 2004; Ord. 2004-08 § 3, 2004; Res. 2004-14 (part), 2004; Res. 2003-95 (part), 2003; Res. 2002-83, 2002; Res. 2002-26, 2002; Res. 2001-40, 2001; Res. 2001-29, 2001; Ord. 2000-01 § 6, 2000; Ord. 9903 § 3, 1999; Ord. 9717 § 2 (part), 1997; amended by council August 13, 1997; amended by council June 3, 1996 and May 20, 1996: prior code § 7328)
17.18.030   Conditional and temporary uses.
   Conditional and temporary uses in the C-N, C-R, and C-S zones shall be determined by Table 17.25.030 in Section 17.25.030. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: Ord. 2016-06, 2016; Ord. 2015-04 § 2, 2015; Ord. 2015-01 § 2, 2015; Ord. 2014-07 § 3 (part), 2014; Ord. 2012-10, 2012; Ord. 2012-08, 2012; Ord. 2012-02, 2012; Ord. 2011-07 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2010-16, 2010; Ord. 2009-02, 2009; Ord. 2006-17, 2006; Res. 2004-75 (part), 2004; Ord. 2004-08 § 3, 2004; Res. 2004-14 (part), 2004; Res. 2003-95 (part), 2003; Res. 2002-83, 2002; Res. 2002-26, 2002; Res. 2001-40, 2001; Res. 2001-29, 2001; Ord. 2000-01 § 6, 2000; Ord. 9903 § 3, 1999; Ord. 9717 § 2 (part), 1997; amended by council August 13, 1997; amended by council June 3, 1996 and May 20, 1996: prior code § 7328)
17.18.040   Required conditions.
   A.   A site plan review permit must be obtained for all development in all C-N, C-S, and C-R zones, subject to the requirements and procedures in Chapter 17.28.
   B.   All businesses, services and processes shall be conducted entirely within a completely enclosed structure, except for off-street parking and loading areas, gasoline service stations, outdoor dining areas, nurseries, garden shops, Christmas tree sales lots, bus depots and transit stations, electric distribution substation, and recycling facilities;
   C.   All products produced on the site of any of the permitted uses shall be sold primarily at retail on the site where produced;
   D.   All new construction in existing C-N zones not a part of a previously approved planned development shall conform with development standards determined by the site plan review committee. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: prior code § 7319)
17.18.050   Off-street parking and loading facilities.
   Off-street parking and off-street loading facilities shall be provided as prescribed in Chapter 17.34. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017: prior code § 7325)
17.18.060   Development standards in the C-N zone.
   The following development standards shall apply to property located in the C-N zone:
   A.   Minimum site area: five (5) acres.
   B.   Maximum building height: fifty (50) feet.
   C.   Minimum required yards (building setbacks):
   1.   Front: fifteen (15) feet;
   2.   Rear: zero (0) feet;
   3.   Rear yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: fifteen (15) feet;
   4.   Side: zero (0) feet;
   5.   Side yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: fifteen (15) feet;
   6.   Street side yard on corner lot: ten (10) feet.
   D.   Minimum required landscaped yard (setback) areas:
   1.   Front: fifteen (15) feet;
   2.   Rear: five (5) feet (except where a building is located on side property line);
   3.   Rear yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: five (5) feet;
   4.   Side: five (5) feet (except where a building is located on side property line);
   5.   Side yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: five (5) feet;
   6.   Street side on corner lot: ten (10) feet. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017)
17.18.070   Development standards in the C-R zone.
   The following development standards shall apply to property located in the C-R zone:
   A.   Minimum site area: five (5) acres.
   B.   Maximum building height: fifty (50) feet.
   C.   Minimum required yards (building setbacks):
   1.   Front: twenty (20) feet;
   2.   Rear: zero (0) feet;
   3.   Rear yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: fifteen (15) feet;
   4.   Side: zero (0) feet;
   5.   Side yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: fifteen (15) feet;
   6.   Street side yard on corner lot: ten (10) feet.
   D.   Minimum required landscaped yard (setback) areas:
   1.   Front: twenty (20) feet;
   2.   Rear: five (5) feet;
   3.   Rear yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: five (5) feet;
   4.   Side: five (5) feet (except where a building is located on side property line);
   5.   Side yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: five (5) feet;
   6.   Street side on corner lot: ten (10) feet. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017)
17.18.080   Development standards in the C-S zone.
   The following development standards shall apply to property located in the C-S zone:
   A.   Minimum site area: five thousand (5,000) square feet.
   B.   Maximum building height: sixty (60) feet.
   C.   Minimum required yards (building setbacks):
   1.   Front: ten (10) feet;
   2.   Rear: zero (0) feet;
   3.   Rear yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: fifteen (15) feet;
   4.   Side: zero (0) feet;
   5.   Side yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: fifteen (15) feet;
   6.   Street side yard on corner lot: ten (10) feet.
   D.   Minimum required landscaped yard (setback) areas:
   1.   Front: ten (10) feet;
   2.   Rear: five (5) feet (except where a building is located on side property line);
   3.   Rear yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: five (5) feet;
   4.   Side: five (5) feet (except where a building is located on side property line);
   5.   Side yards abutting an R-1 or R-M zone district: five (5) feet;
   6.   Street side on corner lot: ten (10) feet. (Ord. 2017-01 (part), 2017)