The purpose of the commercial districts is to implement the General Plan and Local Coastal Program commercial land use designations. Three commercial zoning districts are established by this chapter as follows:
A. 
The CO Office Commercial District provides sites for offices for administrative, financial, professional, medical and business needs.
B. 
The CG General Commercial District provides opportunities for the full range of retail and service businesses deemed suitable for location in Huntington Beach.
C. 
The CV Visitor Commercial District implements the Visitor Serving Commercial land use designation within the coastal zone and provides uses of specific benefit to coastal visitors. More specifically, the CV district provides opportunities for visitor-oriented commercial activities, including specialty and beach related retail shops, restaurants, hotels, motels, theaters, museums, and related services.
(3334-6/97, 3774-10/07, 4038-12/14, 4174-3/19)
In the following schedules, letter designations are used as follows:
"P" designates use classifications permitted in commercial districts.
"L" designates use classifications subject to certain limitations prescribed by the "Additional Provisions" that follow.
"PC" designates use classifications permitted on approval of a conditional use permit by the Planning Commission.
"ZA" designates use classifications permitted on approval of a conditional use permit by the Zoning Administrator.
"TU" designates use classifications allowed upon approval of a temporary use permit.
"P/U" for an accessory use means that the use is permitted on the site of a permitted use, but requires a conditional use permit on the site of a conditional use.
Use classifications that are not listed are prohibited. Letters in parentheses in the "Additional Provisions" column refer to provisions following the schedule or located elsewhere in the Zoning Ordinance. Where letters in parentheses are opposite a use classification heading, referenced provisions shall apply to all use classifications under the heading.
CO, CG, and CV Districts: Land Use Controls
P = Permitted
L = Limited (see Additional Provisions)
PC = Conditional use permit approved by Planning Commission
ZA = Conditional use permit approved by Zoning Administrator
TU = Temporary use permit
P/U = Requires conditional use permit on site of conditional use
- = Not Permitted
CO
CG
CV
Additional Provisions
Residential
(J)(Q)(R)(V)
Group Residential
PC
PC
PC
Multifamily Residential
-
-
PC
Public and Semipublic
(J)(Q)(R)(V)
Clubs and Lodges
P
P
-
Community and Human Services
Drug Abuse Centers
-
PC
-
Primary Health Care
L-11
L-11
-
Emergency Kitchens
-
L-2
-
Emergency Shelters
-
L-2
-
Residential Alcohol Recovery, General
-
PC
-
Residential Care, General
ZA
ZA
-
Convalescent Facilities
ZA
ZA
-
Cultural Institutions
L-14
L-14
L-14
Day Care, General
L-3
L-3
-
Day Care, Large-Family
P
P
-
(Y)
Emergency Health Care
L-2
L-2
-
Government Offices
P
P
ZA
Heliports
PC
PC
PC
(B)
Hospitals
PC
PC
-
Park & Recreation Facilities
L-9
L-9
L-9
Public Safety Facilities
ZA
ZA
ZA
Religious Assembly
ZA
ZA
PC
Schools, Public or Private
PC
PC
-
Utilities, Major
PC
PC
PC
Utilities, Minor
P
P
P
(L)
Commercial Uses
(J)(Q)(R)
Ambulance Services
-
ZA
-
Animal Sales & Services
L-16
Animal Boarding
-
ZA
-
Animal Grooming
-
P
-
Animal Hospitals
-
ZA
-
Animals—Retail Sales
-
P
-
Equestrian Centers (CG Zone)
-
PC
-
(S)
Pet Cemetery
-
PC
-
Artists' Studios
P
P
P
Banks and Savings & Loans
P
P
P
With Drive-Up Service
P
P
P
Building Materials and Services
-
P
-
Catering Services
P
P
P
Commercial Filming
P
P
P
(F)
Commercial Recreation and Entertainment
-
PC
PC
(D)
Communication Facilities
L-13
L-13
L-13
Eating and Drinking Establishments
P
P
P
W/Alcohol
ZA
ZA
ZA
(N)
W/Drive Through
-
P
P
W/Live Entertainment
ZA
ZA
ZA
(W)(Y)
W/Dancing
PC
PC
PC
(H)
W/Outdoor Dining
ZA
ZA
ZA
(X)
Food & Beverage Sales
-
P
L-12
W/Alcoholic Beverage Sales
-
ZA
ZA
(N)
Funeral & Interment Services
-
ZA
-
Laboratories
L-1
L-1
-
Maintenance & Repair Services
-
P
-
Marine Sales and Services
-
P
P
Nurseries
-
ZA
-
Offices, Business & Professional
P
P
P
Offices, Medical & Dental
P
P
P
Pawn Shops
-
ZA
-
Personal Enrichment Services
L-10
L-10
-
Personal Services
P
P
P
Research & Development Services
L-1
ZA
-
Retail Sales
-
P
P
(U)(V)
Secondhand Appliances/Clothing
-
P
-
Swap Meets, Indoor/Flea Markets
-
PC
-
(T)
Swap Meets, Recurring
-
ZA
-
Tattoo Establishments
-
ZA
-
Travel Services
P
P
P
Vehicle Equipment/Sales & Services
Automobile Rentals
-
L-8
L-8
L-12
Automobile Washing
-
ZA
-
Commercial Parking
-
ZA
ZA
(P)
Service Stations
-
PC
PC
(E)
Vehicle Equip. Repair
-
L-5
-
Vehicle Equip. Sales & Rentals
ZA
ZA
-
L-12
Vehicle Storage, Impound Yards
-
PC
-
(AA)
Vehicle Storage, Off-Site Auto Dealers
-
P/ZA
-
L-17 (BB)
Vehicle Storage, Recreational Vehicles
-
ZA
-
(CC)
Offices for Vehicle Equip. Sales & Rentals
L-15
L-15
-
Visitor Accommodations
Bed & Breakfast Inns
ZA
ZA
ZA
(K)
Hotels, Motels
-
PC
PC
(I)
Condominium-Hotel
-
-
PC
(Z)
Fractional Ownership Hotel
Quasi Residential
Timeshares
-
PC
-
(I)(J)
Residential Hotel
-
PC
-
(J)
Single Room Occupancy
-
PC
-
Industrial
(J)(Q)(R)(V)
Industry, Custom
-
L-6
L-6
Accessory Uses
(J)(V)
Accessory Uses & Structures
P/U
P/U
P/U
Temporary Uses
(F)(J)(V)
Animal Shows
-
TU
-
Circus and Carnivals and Festivals
-
TU
-
Commercial Filming, Limited
-
P
P
(M)
Real Estate Sales
P
P
P
Retail Sales, Outdoor
-
TU
TU
(M)
Seasonal Sales
TU
TU
TU
(M)
Tent Event
-
P
-
Trade Fairs
-
P
-
Nonconforming Uses
(G)(J)(V)
L-1 
Permitted if the space is 5,000 square feet or less; allowed with Neighborhood Notification pursuant to Chapter 241 if the laboratory space exceeds 5,000 square feet.
L-2 
Allowed with a conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator if the space is 5,000 square feet or less; allowed with a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission if the space exceeds 5,000 square feet. (See Section 230.52, Emergency Shelters.)
L-3 
Allowed with a conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator if the space is 2,500 square feet or less; allowed with a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission if the space exceeds 2,500 square feet.
L-4 
(Reserved)
L-5 
Only limited facilities are allowed subject to approval of a conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator, and body and fender shops are permitted only as part of a comprehensive automobile-service complex operated by a new vehicle dealer.
L-6 
Only "small-scale" facilities, as described in use classifications, are permitted with a maximum seven persons employed full time in processing or treating retail products, limited to those sold on the premises.
L-7 
Repealed.
L-8 
On-site storage limited to two rental cars or two cars for lease.
L-9 
Public facilities permitted, but a conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator is required for commercial facilities.
L-10 
Permitted if the space is 5,000 square feet or less; allowed with Administrative Permit approval if space exceeds 5,000 square feet.
In addition, personal enrichment uses within a retail building parked at a ratio of one space per 200 square feet, shall require no additional parking provided the use complies with the following:
•
Maximum number of persons per classroom does not exceed the number of parking spaces allocated to the suite based upon the square footage of the building; and
•
The instruction area does not exceed 75% of total floor area of the personal enrichment building area.
L-11 
Permitted if the space is 5,000 square feet or less; allowed with a conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator if the space exceeds 5,000 square feet.
L-12 
Permitted for existing facilities proposing to expand up to 20% of existing floor area or display area.
L-13 
For wireless communication facilities see Section 230.96, Wireless Communication Facilities. All other communication facilities permitted.
L-14 
Allowed with Neighborhood Notification pursuant to Chapter 241 if space is 5,000 square feet or less; allowed with a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission if the space exceeds 5,000 square feet.
L-15 
Includes businesses with the primary building use of office for vehicle retail sales and wholesale businesses which may display the maximum number of vehicles at any given time as required by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
L-16 
No person shall keep or maintain upon premises owned or controlled by him or her in the City, any kennel within 200 feet of any residential use. Refer to HBMC Section 7.12.150 - Kennels.
L-17 
Permitted pursuant to an Administrative Permit if the property is 300 feet or more from a parcel used or zoned for residential development. Permitted pursuant to a conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator if less than 300 feet from a parcel used or zoned for residential development.
(A)
(Reserved)
(B)
See Section 230.40, Helicopter Takeoff and Landing Areas.
(C)
(Reserved)
(D)
See Section 230.38, Game Centers; Chapter 5.28, Dance Halls; Chapter 9.24, Card Rooms; Chapter 9.32, Poolrooms and Billiards; and Chapter 9.28, Pinball Machines.
(E)
See Section 230.32, Service Stations.
(F)
See Section 241.20, Temporary Use Permits.
(G)
See Chapter 236, Nonconforming Uses and Structures.
(H)
For teen dancing facilities, bicycle racks or a special bicycle parking area shall be provided. These may not obstruct either the public sidewalk or the building entry. See also Chapter 5.28, Dancing Halls; Chapter 5.44, Restaurants - Amusement and Entertainment Premises; and Chapter 5.70, Adult Entertainment Businesses.
(I)
Only permitted on a major arterial street, and a passive or active outdoor recreational amenity shall be provided.
(J)
In the CV District the entire ground floor area and at least one-third of the total floor area shall be devoted to visitor-oriented uses as described in the certified Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan. Any use other than visitor serving commercial shall be located above the ground level, and a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission or the Zoning Administrator is required. Any use other than visitor serving commercial uses shall only be permitted if visitor serving uses are either provided prior to the other use or assured by deed restriction as part of the development. No office or residential uses shall be permitted in any visitor serving designation seaward of Pacific Coast Highway.
(K)
See Section 230.42, Bed and Breakfast Inns.
(L)
Collection containers are permitted in all commercial districts; recycling facilities as an accessory use to a permitted use shall be permitted upon approval by the Director with Neighborhood Notification pursuant to Chapter 241. See Section 230.44, Recycling Operations.
(M)
Subject to approval by the Police Department, Public Works Department, Fire Department and the Director. See also Section 230.86, Seasonal Sales.
(N)
The following businesses proposing to sell alcoholic beverages for on-site or off-site consumption are exempt from the conditional use permit process:
(1)
Retail markets with no more than 10% of the floor area devoted to sales, display, and storage of alcoholic beverages provided the sale of alcoholic beverages is not in conjunction with the sale of gasoline or other motor vehicle fuel.
(2)
Restaurants, bars, and liquor stores located 300 feet or more from any R or PS district, public or private school, church, or public use.
(3)
Florist shops offering the sale of a bottle of an alcoholic beverage together with a floral arrangement.
(O)
See Section 230.46, Single Room Occupancy.
(P)
See Chapter 231 for temporary and seasonal parking.
(Q)
Development of vacant land or additions of 10,000 square feet or more in floor area; or additions equal to or greater than 50% of the existing building's floor area; or additions to buildings on sites located within 300 feet of a residential zone or use for a permitted use requires approval of a conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator. The Community Development Director may refer any proposed addition to the Zoning Administrator if the proposed addition has the potential to impact residents or tenants in the vicinity (e.g., increased noise, traffic).
(R)
Projects within 500 feet of a PS District; see Chapter 244.
(S)
See Section 230.48, Equestrian Centers.
(T)
See Section 230.50, Indoor Swap Meets/Flea Markets.
(U)
See Section 230.94, Carts and Kiosks.
(V)
In the coastal zone, the preferred retail sales uses are those identified in the visitor serving commercial land use designation which provide opportunities for visitor-oriented commercial activities including specialty and beach related retail shops, restaurants, hotels, motels, theaters, museums, and related services.
(W)
Non-amplified live entertainment greater than 300 feet from a residential zone or use shall be permitted without a conditional use permit.
(X)
Outdoor dining with alcohol sales shall be permitted with a conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator. Outdoor dining without alcohol sales that is 400 square feet or less shall be permitted without a conditional use permit. If over 400 square feet with no alcohol sales, Neighborhood Notification shall be required pursuant to Chapter 241.
(Y)
Neighborhood Notification requirements pursuant to Chapter 241.
(Z)
In the CV District, condominium-hotels and/or fractional interest hotels are allowed only at the Pacific City (Downtown Specific Plan District 7) and Waterfront (Downtown Specific Plan District 9) sites. Refer to Downtown Specific Plan.
(AA)
Storage areas shall be screened from view on all sides by a solid wall made of either block, masonry, wood, vinyl or other similar material. The wall shall not be less than six feet in height and set back a minimum 10 feet from abutting streets with the entire setback area permanently landscaped and maintained.
(BB)
Storage areas shall be screened from view on all sides adjacent to a public right-of-way by a solid wall made of either brick, block, masonry, wood, vinyl or other similar material. The wall shall include a minimum ten foot return on all sides. The wall shall not be less than six feet in height and set back a minimum 10 feet from abutting streets with the entire setback area permanently landscaped and maintained.
(CC)
Storage areas shall be screened from view on all sides adjacent to a public right-of-way by a solid wall made of either block, masonry, wood, vinyl or other similar material. The wall shall include a minimum 10-foot return on all sides. The wall shall not be less than six feet in height and set back a minimum 10 feet from abutting streets with the entire setback area permanently landscaped and maintained. Screening on the remaining sides shall be evaluated based on proposed site conditions as determined during the entitlement process.
(3248-6/95, 3334-6/97, 3341-10/96, 3378-2/98, 3482-12/00, 3522-2/02, 3553-5/02, 3568-9/02, 3707-6/05, 3774-10/07, 3848-1/10, 3859-2/10, 4038-12/14, 4091-10/16, 4174-3/19, 4199-3/20)
The following schedule prescribes development standards for the CO, CG and CV districts. The first three columns prescribe basic requirements for permitted and conditional uses in each district. Letters in parentheses in the "Additional Requirements" column refer to standards following the schedule or located elsewhere in the zoning ordinance. In calculating the maximum gross floor area as defined in Chapter 203, the floor area ratio is calculated on the basis of net site area. Fractional numbers shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number. All required setbacks shall be measured from ultimate right-of-way and in accordance with definitions set forth in Chapter 203, Definitions.
CO, CG, and CV Districts: Development Standards
CO
CG
CV
Additional Requirements
Residential Development
(A)(B)
Nonresidential Development
(B)
Minimum Lot Area (sq. ft.)
10,000
10,000
10,000
(C)
Minimum Lot Width (ft.)
100
100
100
Minimum Setbacks
Front (ft.)
10
10
0
(D)(E)(O)
Side (ft.)
5
0
0
(F)
Street Side (ft.)
10
10
0
(E)
Rear (ft.)
5
0
0
(F)
Maximum Height of Structures (ft.)
40
50
50
(F)(G)
Maximum Wall Dimensions
(N)
Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
1.0
1.5
0.5
Minimum Site Landscaping (%)
8
8
8
(H)(I)
Building Design Standards
(O)
Fences and Walls
(J)(K)
Off-Street Parking/Loading
(L)
Outdoor Facilities
See § 230.74
(M)
Screening of Mechanical Equipment
See § 230.76
(M)
Refuse Storage Areas
See § 230.78
Underground Utilities
See Ch. 17.64
Performance Standards
See § 230.82
Nonconforming Structures
See Ch. 236
Signs
See Ch. 233
(A) 
Dwelling units shall be subject to the standards for minimum setbacks, height limits, maximum density, open space, balconies and bay windows, and parking for the RMH District. The setback standards shall apply only to the stories of a building that are intended for residential use.
(B) 
See Section 230.62, Building Site Required, and Section 230.64, Development on Substandard Lots.
(C) 
The minimum site area for a hotel or motel is 20,000 square feet.
(D) 
See Section 230.68, Building Projections into Yards and Required Open Space. Double-frontage lots shall provide front yards on each frontage.
(E) 
A minimum 50-foot setback is required along Beach Boulevard, Pacific Coast Highway and Edinger Avenue or 25-foot setback with the setback area entirely landscaped.
(F) 
Along a side or rear property line abutting an R district, a 10-foot setback is required, and structures within 45 feet of the district boundary shall not exceed 18 feet in height.
(G) 
See Section 230.70, Measurement of Height, and Section 230.72, Exceptions to Height Limits.
(H) 
Planting Areas.
(1) 
Required front and street side yards shall be planting areas except properties with 50-foot setback shall provide a minimum 10-foot-wide planting area along street frontages.
(2) 
Required side and rear yards shall be planting areas or shall be enclosed by a solid concrete or masonry wall at least six feet in height.
(3) 
Hotels and Motels. A 15-foot-wide landscaped strip shall be provided along all street frontages, except for necessary driveways and walks.
(I) 
See Chapter 232, Landscape Improvements.
(J) 
See Section 230.88, Fencing and Yards.
(K) 
A solid masonry or concrete wall at least six feet in height shall adjoin the site of an existing ground-floor residential use. However, where the portion of the site within 10 feet of the front property line is occupied by planting area or by a building having no openings except openings opposite a street property line, the Director may grant an exception to this requirement. A wall within 15 feet of a street property line shall not exceed 3.5 feet in height.
(L) 
See Chapter 231, Off-Street Parking and Loading.
(M) 
See Section 230.44, Recycling Operations and Section 230.80, Antennae.
(N) 
A front or street side wall surface shall be no longer than 100 feet without a break, a recess or offset measuring at least 20 feet in depth and one-quarter of the building length, or a series of offsets, projections or recesses at intervals of not more than 40 feet that vary the depth of the building wall by a minimum of four feet. The Director may grant exceptions or allow these standards to be modified for exceptional or unique structures subject to Design Review, Chapter 244.
Maximum Wall Length and Required Break
Zoning--Image-17.tif
Single Horizontal Offsets: 20 Feet
Zoning--Image-18.tif
Variable Offsets: 20 Feet and 4 Feet
(O) 
Two building design standards are established to make commercial areas more attractive and provide a unified streetscape:
(1) 
In the CV District a 10-foot minimum upper-story setback is required above the second story along street frontages.
Zoning--Image-19.tif
CV District: Upper-Story Setback
(2) 
In the CO and CV Districts, and on frontages adjacent to major or primary arterials in the CG District at least 40% of a building surface may be located at the minimum setback line if additional landscaping is provided on the site.
Zoning--Image-20.tif
Building Face at Setback Line
(3707-6/05, 3774-10/07, 4038-12/14, 4174-3/19)
All applications for new construction, initial establishment of use, exterior alterations and additions shall be submitted to the Community Development Department for review. Discretionary review shall be required as follows:
A. 
Zoning Administrator Review. Projects requiring a conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator; projects on substandard lots; see Chapter 241.
B. 
Design Review Board. See Chapter 244.
C. 
Planning Commission. Projects requiring a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission; see Chapter 241.
D. 
Projects in the Coastal Zone. A Coastal Development Permit is required unless the project is exempt; see Chapter 245.
(3522-2/02, 3868-3/10, 3774-10/07, 4038-12/14, 4091-10/16, 4174-3/19)