City of Glendale, CA SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS

§ 30.15.010 Purpose.

CE (Commercial, Equestrian Services) Zone. The CE zone is designed to encourage and support the development of equestrian related activities and other related uses required or desired by the inhabitants of the community. In order to properly accommodate these certain quasi-rural activities as located in an urbanized area, performance standards are imposed to promote compatibility with surrounding land uses and to protect the public health, safety and general welfare.

CEM (Cemetery) Zone. The CEM zone is intended as a zone to address the unique requirements of cemetery uses in a manner conducive to the public health, safety and general welfare and in accordance with the comprehensive general plan of the city.

MS (Medical Service) Zone. The MS zone is intended to encourage and support hospitals, including office, commercial, limited residential, and medical related uses in a campus environment. It is also the purpose of this zone to maintain the health, safety, and general welfare of the community.

SR (Special Recreation) Zone. The SR zone is intended as a zone for public and private open space and recreational uses and is intended to provide and protect open space, natural physical features and scenic resources in accordance with the comprehensive general plan of the city. Individual review of all uses and development is provided due to the unique and special characteristics of the variety of recreational uses possible in order to foster compatibility between uses and to protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the community.

(Ord. 5399 Attach. A, 2004; Ord. 5807 § 2, 2013)

§ 30.15.020 Special purpose district land uses and permit requirements.

Permitted Primary Uses and Structures. No building, structure or land shall be used and no building, structure or use in the special purpose zoning districts shall be erected, structurally altered, enlarged or established except the following permitted uses, buildings and structures identified with a "P" in Table 30.15-A.

Conditional Uses and Structures. The following uses and structures identified with a "C" in Table 30.15-A may be permitted in the special purpose zoning districts subject to approval of a conditional use permit (Chapter 30.42). The development standards of this zone shall apply except as otherwise provided herein.

Administrative Uses and Structures. The following uses and structures identified with an "A" in Table 30.15-A may be permitted in the special purpose zoning districts subject to approval of an administrative use permit (Chapter 30.49). The development standards of this zone shall apply except as otherwise provided herein.

Temporary Uses. Temporary uses (identified with a "T" in Table 30.15-A), allowed subject to approval and compliance with all applicable provisions of this Zoning Code.

Permitted Accessory Uses and Structures. Accessory uses, buildings and structures shall be permitted in zones identified with a "P" in Table 30.15-A.

Wireless Telecommunications Facilities. Wireless telecommunications facilities, identified with a "W" in Table 30.15-A may be permitted subject to the approval of a wireless telecommunications facility permit as set forth in Chapter 30.48 of this code.

Standards for Specific Uses. Where the last column in the following tables ("See Standards in Section or Chapter") includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use; however, provisions in other sections of this Zoning Code may apply as well.

Uses Not Listed. In the CE and CEM zones only, land uses that are not listed on Table 30.15-A, or are not shown in a particular zoning district are not allowed, except where other uses which the director of community development determines to be similar in nature, function and operation to listed permitted primary uses within these zones.

Table 30.15-A SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
LAND USE (1)(2)	PERMIT REQUIREMENT BY ZONE				See Standards in Section or Chapter
LAND USE (1)(2)	CE	CEM	MS	SR	See Standards in Section or Chapter
Accessory Buildings, Structures and Uses
Accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and/or junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU) on a lot developed with one residential dwelling unit			P		30.34.080
Accessory dwelling unit(s) (ADU), on a lot developed with more than one residential dwelling unit			P		30.34.080
Accessory use	P	P	P	P
Accessory living quarters or guest house not to exceed an aggregate area of 500 sq. ft. of floor area			P
Antennas (pole type) and flagpoles	P	P	P	P
Auditoriums		P	P
Caretaker's residences	P	P	P	P
Carts (freestanding, nonmotorized, portable type)			P	P	30.34.040
Dish antennas	P		P	P	30.32.050
Home occupations			P
Home-sharing			P		5.56
Manufacturing of containers for caskets, remains and flowers		P
Mobile medical trailers, temporary			T(5)
Museums		P
Nurseries and garden supplies		P
Reverse vending machines			P		30.12.040
Signs	P	P	P	P	30.33
Solar energy equipment	P	P	P	P	30.30.050
Agriculture, Open Space, and Resources
Apiaries				P
Open space/conservation areas				P
Education, Public Assembly, Recreation—General
Amphitheaters				P
Aquariums				P
Arboretums and botanical gardens				P
Auditoriums				P
Aviaries				P
Bandstands				P
Community gardens			P	P
Golf courses, country clubs, driving ranges and related facilities				P
Libraries				P
Local fairs				P
Museums				P
Observatories				P
Parks and playgrounds, private			P	P
Places of worship			P	P(4)
Public dances				P
Recreational camps				P
Riding academies or stables				P(3)
Stables, including boarding of horses, sale or exchange of horses and horse rentals	P
Swimming pools				P
Education, Public Assembly, Recreation Within a Public Park
Amphitheaters				P
Aquariums				P
Arboretums and botanical gardens				P
Auditoriums				P
Aviaries				P
Bandstands				P
Community center				P
Community gardens				P	30.34.045
Convention centers				P
Day care				A
Golf courses, country clubs, driving ranges and related facilities				P
Gymnasiums				P
Libraries				P
Local fairs				P
Museums				P
Observatories				P
Parks and playgrounds, public				P
Public dances				P
Recreational camps				P
Riding academies or stables				P(3)
Swimming pools				P
Institutional Uses
Cultural arts centers			P
Hospitals			P
Museums			P
Schools, physical instruction			C
Schools, private			C
Schools, private specialized education and training			C
Light Industrial Uses
Broadcasting studios and indoor support facilities—Productions			P
Medical and dental laboratories			P
Miscellaneous Uses
Non-emergency heliport			P
Parking lots			P
Parking structures, subject to PS overlay required setback standards			P		30.23, 30.32.110
Office Uses
Contractor's office and/or storage, temporary	T		T	T
Contractor's office			P
Medical and dental offices			P
Office			P
Office, consumer services			P
Recreational Uses
Children indoor play areas			P
Cyber-café establishments			P
Gyms and health clubs			P
Indoor recreation center			P
Private clubs and lodges			P
Residential Uses
Domestic violence shelter			P
Emergency shelter			P
Multiple residential dwelling units subject to provisions of the R-2250 zone			P
One residential dwelling per lot subject to provisions of the R-2250 zone			P
Residential congregate care living, limited			P
Residential congregate care living, medical			P
Residential congregate care living, non-medical			P
Senior housing			P
Retail Uses
Alcoholic beverage sales			A	A
Christmas tree sales lots, when maintained between November 1st and January 9th	T		T		5.36
Jewelry stores			P
Liquor stores			C
Pharmacy			P
Pumpkin sales lots, when maintained between October 15th and November 1st	T		T		5.36
Restaurant, counter service with limited seating			P
Restaurants, fast food			P
Restaurants, full service			P
Retail stores, general merchandise			P
Western retail and supply stores	P
Service Uses
Ambulance services			P
Banks and financial institutions			P
Business support services			P
Cemeteries		P
Day care centers			P
Gas station			P		30.34.020
Hotels and motels			P
Kennel and animal boarding	P			C
Massage establishment			C		5.64
Mortuaries and funeral homes			P
Personal services			P
Repair and maintenance, consumer products			P
Sanitary landfills and related recovery of materials				C
Transportation and Communications Uses
Utility and transmission facilities	C	C	C(6)	C
Wireless telecommunication facilities	W	W	W	W	30.48

Key to Permit Requirements	Symbol	See Chapter
Permitted use	P
Administrative use—Administrative use permit required	A	30.49
Conditional use—Conditional use permit required	C	30.42
Temporary use	T
Wireless telecommunications facilities permit required	W	30.48
Use not allowed

Notes:
(1)	See Section 30.03.010 regarding uses not listed.
(2)	See Chapter 30.70 for definitions of the land uses.
(3)	Not to be located nearer than 1/2 mile to the R1, R1R, ROS, R-3050, R-2250, R-1650 and R-1250 zones on which there is no H overlay zone.
(4)	Places of worship in the SR zone must have been in existence as of September 26, 2006.
(5)	Temporary mobile medical trailers must be used on a hospital site and are limited to a period of 2 years.
(6)	See Section 30.15.060 for additional standards.

(Ord. 5399 Attach. A, 2004; Ord. 5446 § 6, 2005; Ord. 5537 § 7, 2006; Ord. 5692 § 19, 2010; Ord. 5712 § 11, 2010; Ord. 5747 § 15, 2011; Ord. 5807 § 3, 2013; Ord. 5818 § 18, 2013; Ord. 5847 § 4, 2015; Ord. 5870 § 3, 2016; Ord. 5907 § 7, 2018; Ord. 5942 § 6, 2019; Ord. 5957 § 7, 2020; Ord. 6027, 5/14/2024)

§ 30.15.030 Special purpose district general development standards.

Table 30.15-B SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Development Feature	Requirement by Zoning District
Development Feature	CE	CEM	MS	SR
Minimum Site Size	N/A	20 acres minimum	N/A	N/A
Residential Density Maximum	N/A		1 dwelling unit for each 2,250 sq. ft. of lot area. On lots having a width of 90 feet or greater, there shall be not more than 1 dwelling unit for each 1,800 sq. ft. of lot area.	N/A
Lot Coverage (2)	N/A		Lots with 1 dwelling unit and lots with multiple residential dwelling units: 50% maximum including all accessory buildings. All other uses: N/A	N/A
Minimum Setbacks Required (2)	See Section 30.30.050 for setback exceptions		Hospital: N/A	N/A
Street Front	25 feet	N/A	1 dwelling unit or multiple residential dwelling units shall be subject to the R-2250 standards (3)	N/A
Street Side	5 feet	N/A		N/A
Interior not adjacent to residential zones	None	N/A	All other uses shall be subject to C3 Standards (4)	N/A
Interior adjacent to residential zones	N/A	N/A	10 feet	N/A
Maximum Height Limit (1)(2)(3)	35 feet	N/A	Properties with a frontage less than 90' have a maximum height limit of 26' District I—Properties with a frontage exceeding 90' have a maximum height limit of 41' District II—Properties with a frontage exceeding 90' have a maximum height of 50' District III—Properties with a frontage exceeding 200' have a maximum height of 90'	N/A
Landscaping (2)	As required by Chapter 30.31 (Landscaping)	N/A	As required by Chapter 30.31 (Landscaping)
Rooftop Equipment	See Chapter 30.30 (Site Planning)	N/A	See Chapter 30.30.020 (Site Planning)	N/A
Lighting	See Chapter 30.30 (Site Planning)	N/A	See Chapter 30.30.040 (Site Planning)	N/A
Trash Collection Areas	See Chapter 30.30 (Site Planning)	N/A	See Chapter 30.30.030 (Site Planning)	N/A
Parking and Loading	As required by Chapter 30.32 (Parking and Loading)	N/A	As required by Chapter 30.32 (Parking and Loading)	N/A
Design Review	As required by Chapter 30.47 (Design Review)			As required by Section 30.15.040(F) Development Plan review

Notes:
(1)	For exceptions to height limits for wireless telecommunications facilities, see Chapter 30.48.
(2)	For lot coverage, setback, height, and landscaping requirements related to solar energy equipment, see Section 30.30.050.
(3)	In the MS zone only, 1 dwelling unit shall comply with R-2250 standards and multiple residential dwelling units shall comply with the R-2250 standards, except for height and stories, which shall be determined by the district.
(4)	All parking structures shall be subject to the PS Overlay required setback standards, see Section 30.23.040(A).

(Ord. 5399 Attach. A, 2004; Ord. 5438 § 5, 2005; Ord. 5692 § 20, 2010; Ord. 5712 § 12, 2010; Ord. 5747 § 16, 2011; Ord. 5807 § 4, 2013)

§ 30.15.040 Additional special purpose district general development standards.

Limitations and Exceptions to Permitted Uses and Structures in the CE Zone.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the following limitation shall apply to the conduct of any use permitted in the CE zone. All uses except the riding, exercising, grooming or training of horses, parking, Christmas tree lots, pumpkin sales lots, provision and storage of shopping carts and vending machines, subject to very specific standards contained within this chapter, shall be conducted entirely within a completely enclosed building which is attached to a permanent foundation. There shall be no outside storage of tools, equipment, supplies or materials.

Shopping cart storage shall be located adjacent to the entry of a building and shall be screened with a minimum three foot, six inch high solid wall/fence or combination of fence and landscaping to obscure the visibility of shopping carts from the adjacent public rights-of-way. Where the director of community development, in his or her discretion, determines that screening interferes with the cart removal/retrieval “opening” given the unique location of the building (e.g., corner structure where cart storage may be visible from two or more intersecting public rights-of-way), the director of community development shall exempt the “opening” from the screening requirement and shall determine the orientation, location, size and configuration of the unscreened “opening.” Shopping cart storage shall not intrude into any required pedestrian passageway or public right-of-way. See subsection (A)(4) regarding shopping cart containment and control.

One outdoor vending machine shall be permitted for each 3,000 square feet of site area up to a maximum of eight such vending machines per site. Vending machines shall be attached to or located immediately adjacent to a building. Outdoor vending machines shall be accessible and shall not encroach into any required pedestrian access or walkway. For the purpose of this section, vending machines shall not include coin operated amusement devices, rides, scales or similar devices. All signs on an outdoor vending machine shall be regulated by Chapter 30.33 of this title.

All shopping carts shall be contained or controlled within the boundaries of store premises, in accordance with the standards set forth in Section 30.12.040(A)(1)(g).

Performance Standards for the CE Zone.

Purpose. In accordance with the goals and precepts of the comprehensive general plan of the city, environmental performance standards are hereby established to protect the community from hazards, nuisances and other negative factors; to ensure that land uses are not operated in such a manner as to cause a detrimental effect on adjacent land uses or the community environment; and to preserve and enhance the lifestyle of Glendale residents through the protection of the public health, safety and general welfare. The following guidelines shall be evaluated on the basis of whether or not the activity is obnoxious to a person of normal sensitivity.

General provisions. No land, building or structure in the CE zone shall be used or occupied in a manner so as to create or maintain any dangerous, injurious, noxious or otherwise objectionable condition caused by dust or other form of air pollution; noise; liquid or solid refuse or wastes; or any other substance, condition or element used in such a manner or in such amount as to adversely affect the surrounding area or adjoining premises.

Dust. Windborne dusts and debris across lot lines shall be prevented by planting, wetting, compacting, paving or other suitable treatment of land surface; storing, treating or enclosing materials; controlling sources of dust and debris by cleaning; or such other measures as may be required.

Odors. No odorous material shall be permitted so as to be obnoxious to persons of normal sensitivity as readily detectable from off-site.

General Provisions in the CEM Zone. No person shall bury or inter, or cause to be buried or interred in the city, the body or remains of any human being except in the CEM cemetery zone.

Landscaping and Screening in the CEM Zone. In the CEM zone, cemeteries shall be fenced or enclosed with walls or other appropriate fences a minimum of five and one-half (5 1/2) feet in height. When the property line of a cemetery is adjacent to residentially zoned property, it shall be of masonry or masonry facing. Cemetery boundaries not adjacent to a residentially zoned property may be fenced with appropriate landscaping and shrubbery to provide a sight-obscuring boundary. The principal entryways to cemeteries shall be clearly defined by architecturally treated entry gates and gate structures. Any space between a public street and a solid wall or fence shall be landscaped and permanently maintained. Such area shall not be used for interment.

Regulations in Major Ridgeline Areas, Secondary Ridgeline Areas, and Blue-Line Stream Areas. All subdivisions, development, building, construction, and grading in the SR Zone shall be regulated by Sections 16.04.030, 16.04.003, and 16.04.037 of this code as related to major ridgeline areas, secondary ridgeline areas, and blue-line stream areas. Any exception to the standards contained in these sections shall only be made by the planning commission/city council at a public hearing.

Development Plan Review. The following regulations shall apply to areas within the SR Special Recreation Zone.

The plans for any site development or for any building, construction, expansion, alteration, or for the increase or decrease of any existing area, or area to be acquired and developed for any permitted private or accessory use shall be submitted for review to the planning commission or to the city council with a recommendation from the planning commission for precise plan of design overlay zone (PPD) applications. Notwithstanding the above, the director of community development shall have the authority to review and approve minor alterations to project sites when, in his or her opinion, there are minimum impacts to surrounding uses and properties. Applications which involve wireless telecommunications facilities shall comply and be designed in accordance with the standards specified in Chapter 30.48 of this code. The director of community development shall set a public hearing before the planning commission. The director of community development or city clerk shall give notice of the public hearing to be held by the planning commission. The notice of the public hearing shall contain the date, time and place of the hearing and a general description of the proposed development and shall follow the requirements of Chapter 30.61, Hearings and Public Notice.

Development plans shall be reviewed as to their conformance with the comprehensive general plan, public access and circulation, effect of the design and construction of buildings, facilities, auxiliary uses and general plan of development upon the existing or planned uses and development of the surrounding private or public property, and the recreational objectives and services being offered to the public. For applications involving wireless telecommunications facilities, the planning commission shall also consider specific physical or technical factors which make infeasible the use of or co-location upon a preexisting antenna support structure or preexisting building or structure.

Development plans shall be approved, approved subject to conditions or denied by the planning commission. Conditions of approval may include, but shall not be limited to the following areas: setbacks, height, landscaping, access and circulation, parking, architectural design, site design, layout and configuration, hours of operation, security, buffering and screening techniques. The decision of the planning commission may be appealed to the city council pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2.88 of this code relating to the uniform appeal procedure.

For the duration of approved development plans for projects in the SR Special Recreation Zone, see Chapter 30.41.

The director of community development shall have the authority to modify approved landscape plans when modifications are consistent with California-friendly plantings or California-friendly landscaping as defined in Section 13.36.040 of this code.

(Ord. 5399 Attach. A, 2004; Ord. 5453 § 5, 2005; Ord. 5645 § 16, 2009; Ord. 5677 § 1, 2009; Ord. 5692 § 21, 2010; Ord. 5747 § 17, 2011; Ord. 5847 § 5, 2015)

§ 30.15.050 Special purpose district setback requirements and exceptions.

Street Front Setback.

In the CE zone, no person shall construct, locate or maintain within the space between a street and a setback line established by ordinance or by this title, any building, wall, fence or other improvement or structure except:

Driveways and walks, provided that a driveway shall be limited to that area reasonably necessary to provide safe and efficient ingress to and egress from off-street parking spaces or loading spaces located behind a setback area;

Eaves and awnings may project into a required setback area for a distance not to exceed 30 inches;

Flagpoles limited to one per site;

Footings and public utility vaults if fully subterranean;

Landscape accent lighting not to exceed 18 inches in height;

Necessary railings adjacent to stairways;

Retaining walls, planters or curbs which are not more than 18 inches in height above the ground surface existing at the time of construction;

Uncovered steps or landings not over four feet high as measured parallel to the natural or finished ground level at the location of the construction may project into the required setback area for a length of 14 feet measured parallel to the building.

No person shall store material or equipment within the space between a street and setback line established by ordinance or this chapter except temporarily during construction on the same premises.

Street Side Setback.

In the CE zone, no person shall construct within the space between a street and a setback line established by ordinance or by this title, any building, wall, fence or other improvement or structure except:

Eaves and awnings may project into a required setback area for a distance not to exceed 30 inches;

Flagpoles limited to one per site, not to exceed the height limit for buildings for this zone;

Footings and public utility vaults if fully subterranean;

Landscape accent lighting not to exceed 18 inches in height;

Necessary railings adjacent to stairways;

Retaining walls, planters or curbs which are not more than 18 inches in height above the ground surface existing at the time of construction;

Uncovered steps or landings not over four feet high as measured parallel to the natural or finish ground level at the location of the construction may project into the required setback area for a length of 14 feet measured parallel to the building.

No person shall store material or equipment within the space between a street and setback line established by ordinance or this chapter except temporarily during construction on the same premises.

(Ord. 5399 Attach. A, 2004; Ord. 5747 § 18, 2011; Ord. 5836 § 9, 2014)

§ 30.15.060 Additional medical service district general development standards.

Limitations and Exceptions to Permitted Uses and Structures.

The following limitations shall apply to the conduct of any use permitted in the MS zone:

All uses except temporary mobile medical trailers on a hospital site, outdoor eating areas, parking, growing plants, cut flowers, Christmas tree lots, outdoor commercial recreation, pumpkin sales lots, provision and storage of shopping carts, vending machines, service station uses, car washes and tire stores, subject to very specific standards contained within this title, shall be conducted entirely within a completely enclosed building which is attached to a permanent foundation. There shall be no outside storage of tools, equipment, supplies or materials. Mechanical equipment need not be fully enclosed, pursuant to subsection b., below.

Ground level transformers, air conditioning equipment (HVAC), fuel tanks, water heaters or similar equipment for a hospital use shall be screened on all sides visible from the public street rights-of-way adjacent to the property.

Transformers, air conditioning equipment (HVAC), fuel tanks, water heaters or similar equipment for all other uses shall be enclosed on the sides and the enclosure shall be at least six inches in height above the equipment. Walls and gates shall be of materials and color compatible with existing buildings on-site. The walls and gates shall be kept free of graffiti.

In the medical service zone, all uses shall be conducted in a manner so as not to be objectionable to a person of normal sensitivity by reason of noise, odor, dust, fumes, smoke, vibrations or other similar causes.

(Ord. 5807 § 5, 2013)