Three Industrial zoning districts are established by this chapter as follows:
A. 
The IG General Industrial District provides sites for the full range of manufacturing, industrial processing, resource and energy production, general service, and distribution.
B. 
The IL Limited Industrial District provides sites for moderate-to low-intensity industrial uses, commercial services and light manufacturing.
C. 
The RT Research and Technology District provides sites for manufacturing, research and development, technology, and professional offices in addition to traditional industrial uses.
These three districts will herein be referred to as the "Industrial Districts."
(3254-10/94, 4039-12/14, 4183-10/19)
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.
"Neighborhood Notification" designates use classifications that require an Administrative Permit by the Director. 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.
IG, IL, and RT 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
IG
IL
RT
Additional Provisions
Residential
Group Residential
PC
PC
PC
(I)
Public and Semipublic
(A)(L)
Community and Human Service Facilities
P
P
P
(K)
Day Care, General
ZA
ZA
ZA
Heliports
PC
PC
PC
(N)
Maintenance and Service Facilities
ZA
ZA
ZA
Public Safety Facilities
P
P
P
Religious Assembly
ZA
ZA
ZA
Schools, Public or Private
L-6
L-6
L-6
Utilities, Major
PC
PC
PC
Utilities, Minor
L-7
L-7
L-7
(O)
Commercial Uses
(D)(L)
Ambulance Services
ZA
ZA
ZA
Animal Sales and Services
Animal Boarding
ZA
ZA
ZA
Animal Hospitals
ZA
ZA
ZA
Artists' Studios
P
P
P
Banks and Savings and Loans
L-1
L-1
L-1
Building Materials and Services
P
P
P
Catering Services
-
P
P
Commercial Filming
ZA
ZA
ZA
Commercial Recreation and Entertainment
L-2
L-2
PC
Communication Facilities
L-12
L-12
L-12
Eating and Drinking Establishments
L-2
L-2
L-2
w/Live Entertainment
ZA
ZA
ZA
(R)
w/Alcohol
ZA
ZA
ZA
Food and Beverage Sales
ZA
ZA
ZA
Hospitals and Medical Clinics
-
PC
PC
Laboratories
P
P
P
Maintenance and Repair Services
P
P
P
Marine Sales and Services
P
P
P
Nurseries
P
P
P
Offices, Business and Professional
L-10
L-10
L-10
(C)
Personal Enrichment
L-9
L-9
L-9
Personal Services
L-1
L-1
L-1
Quasi-Residential
PC
PC
PC
(J)
Research and Development Services
P
P
P
Sex-Oriented Businesses (regulated by Ch. 5.70)
L-11
L-11
L-11
Figure Model Studios (regulated by Ch. 5.60)
PC
PC
PC
(Q)
Swap Meets, Indoor/Flea Markets
PC
PC
PC
(P)
Vehicle/Equipment Sales and Services
Service Stations
L-4
L-4
L-4
Vehicle/Equipment Repair
P
P
P
Vehicle/Equipment Sales/Rentals
L-5
L-5
L-5
Vehicle Storage, Impound Yards
PC
PC
PC
(T)
Vehicle Storage, Off-Site Auto Dealers
P/ZA
P/ZA
P/ZA
(H)(U)(W)
Vehicle Storage, Recreational Vehicles
P/ZA
P/ZA
P/ZA
(H)(V)
Visitor Accommodations
ZA
ZA
ZA
Warehouse and Sales Outlets
L-8
L-8
L-8
Industrial (See Chapter 204)
(B)(L)(M)
Industry, Custom
P
P
P
Industry, General
P
P
P
Industry, Limited
P
P
P
Industry, R & D
P
P
P
Wholesaling, Distribution & Storage
150,000 square feet or less
P
P
P
Greater than 150,000 square feet
P
P
ZA
RT Flex Space
-
-
P
Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing
P
P
P
(L-13)
Accessory Uses
Accessory Uses and Structures
P/U
P/U
P/U
(C)
Temporary Uses
Commercial Filming, Limited
P
P
P
(S)
Real Estate Sales
P
P
P
Trade Fairs
P
P
P
(E)
Nonconforming Uses
(F)
(4310-5/21/2024; 4333-4/15/2025)
L-1 
Only allowed upon approval of a conditional use permit by the Zoning Administrator for a mixed use project, subject to the following requirements:
A. 
Minimum site area: three acres.
B. 
Maximum commercial space: 35% of the gross floor area and 50% of the ground floor area of buildings fronting on an arterial highway.
C. 
Phased development: 25% of the initial phase must be designed for industrial occupancy. For projects over 500,000 square feet, the initial phase must include five percent of the total amount of industrial space or 50,000 square feet of industrial space, whichever is greater.
L-2 
Permitted only when designed and operated for principal use by employees of the surrounding industrial development as an ancillary use to a primary industrial use. When designed for general public use, permitted after considering vehicular access and complying with minimum parking requirements.
L-3 
(Reserved)
L-4 
Only fueling stations offering services primarily oriented to businesses located in an Industrial District are allowed with a conditional use permit by the Planning Commission.
L-5 
No new or used automobile, truck or motorcycle retail sales are permitted.
L-6 
Only schools offering higher education curriculums are allowed with conditional use permit approval by the Planning Commission. No elementary or secondary schools are permitted.
L-7 
Recycling operations as an accessory use are permitted if more than 150 feet from R districts; recycling operations as an accessory use less than 150 feet from R districts or recycling operations as a primary use are allowed upon approval of a conditional use permit by the Zoning Administrator. See Section 230.44, Recycling Operations.
L-8 
Allowed upon conditional use permit approval by the Planning Commission when a single building with a minimum area of 100,000 square feet is proposed on a site fronting an arterial. The primary tenant shall occupy a minimum 95% of the floor area and the remaining 5% may be occupied by secondary tenants.
L-9 
Permitted if the space is 5,000 square feet or less; allowed by conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator if the space is over 5,000 square feet.
L-10 
Accessory administrative, management, regional or headquarters offices incidental to a primary industrial use within the IG and IL Districts are limited to 10% of the floor area of the primary industrial use. Accessory office uses incidental to a primary use within the RT District are limited to 30% of the floor area of the primary use.
Accessory office spaces exceeding the limits above shall require a conditional use permit to the Zoning Administrator supported by a parking demand study for all uses on site.
Medical/dental offices, insurance brokerage offices, and real estate brokerage offices, except for on-site leasing offices, are not permitted in any Industrial District.
L-11 
Allowed subject to the following requirements:
A. 
A proposed sex-oriented business shall be at least 500 feet from any residential use, school, park and recreational facility, or any building used for religious assembly (collectively referred to as a "sensitive use") and at least 750 feet from another sex-oriented business. For purposes of these requirements, all distances shall be measured from the lot line of the proposed sex-oriented business to the lot line of the sensitive use or the other sex-oriented business. The term "residential use" means any property zoned RL, RM, RMH, RH, RMP, and any properties with equivalent designations under any specific plan.
To determine such distances the applicant shall submit for review a straight line drawing depicting the distances from the lot line of the parcel of land on which the sex-oriented business is proposed which includes all the proposed parking and:
1. 
The lot line of any other sex-oriented business within 750 feet of the lot line of the proposed sex-oriented business; and
2. 
The lot line of any building used for religious assembly, school, or park and recreational facility within 500 feet of the lot line of the proposed sex-oriented business; and
3. 
The lot line of any parcel of land zoned RL, RM, RMH, RH, and RMP and any parcels of land with equivalent designations under any specific plans within 500 feet of the lot line of the proposed sex-oriented business.
B. 
The front façade of the building, including the entrance and signage, shall not be visible from any major, primary or secondary arterial street as designated by the circulation element of the General Plan adopted May 1996, with the exception of Argosy Drive.
C. 
Prior to or concurrently with applying for a building permit and/or a certificate of occupancy for the building, the applicant shall submit application for Community Development Department staff review of a sex-oriented business zoning permit with the drawing described in subsection A, a technical site plan, floor plans and building elevations, and application fee. Within 10 days of submittal, the Director shall determine if the application is complete. If the application is deemed incomplete, the applicant may resubmit a completed application within 10 days. Within 30 days of receipt of a completed application, the Director shall determine if the application complies with the applicable development and performance standards of the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance. Said standards include but are not limited to the following:
1. 
Chapter 203, Definitions; Chapter 212, Industrial Districts; Chapter 230, Site Standards; Chapter 231, Off-Street Parking and Loading Provisions; Chapter 232, Landscape Improvements; and Chapter 236, Nonconforming Uses and Structures.
2. 
Section 233.08(B), Signs. Signage shall conform to the standards of the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance except:
a. 
Such signs shall contain no suggestive or graphic language, photographs, silhouettes, drawings, statues, monuments, sign shapes or sign projections, or other graphic representations, whether clothed or unclothed, including without limitation representations that depict "specified anatomical areas" or "specified sexual activities"; and
b. 
Only the smallest of the signs permitted under Section 233.08(B) shall be visible from any major, primary or secondary arterial street, such streets shall be those designated in the circulation element of the General Plan adopted May 1996, with the exception of Argosy Drive.
3. 
Compliance with Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 5.70.
D. 
The Director shall grant or deny the application for a sex-oriented business zoning permit for a sex-oriented business. There shall be no administrative appeal from the granting or denial of a permit application thereby permitting the applicant to obtain prompt judicial review.
E. 
Ten working days prior to submittal of an application for a sex-oriented business zoning permit for staff review, the applicant shall: (1) cause notice of the application to be printed in a newspaper of general circulation; and (2) give mailed notice of the application to property owners within 1,000 feet of the proposed location of the sex-oriented business; and (3) the City of Huntington Beach, Department of Community Development by first class mail.
The notice of application shall include the following:
1. 
Name of applicant;
2. 
Location of proposed sex-oriented business, including street address (if known) and/or lot and tract number;
3. 
Nature of the sex-oriented business, including maximum height and square footage of the proposed development;
4. 
The City Hall telephone number for the Department of Community Development to call for viewing plans;
5. 
The date by which any comments must be received in writing by the Department of Community Development. This date shall be 10 working days from staff review submittal; and
6. 
The address of the Department of Community Development.
F. 
A sex-oriented business may not apply for a variance pursuant to Chapter 241 nor a special sign permit pursuant to Chapter 233.
G. 
A sex-oriented business zoning permit shall become null and void one year after its date of approval unless:
1. 
Construction has commenced or a certificate of occupancy has been issued, whichever comes first; or
2. 
The use is established.
H. 
The validity of a sex-oriented business zoning permit shall not be affected by changes in ownership or proprietorship provided that the new owner or proprietor promptly notifies the Director of the transfer.
I. 
A sex-oriented business zoning permit shall lapse if the exercise of rights granted by it is discontinued for 12 consecutive months.
L-12 
For wireless communication facilities see Section 230.96, Wireless Communication Facilities. All other communication facilities permitted.
L-13 
Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing Requirements.
1. 
Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing uses without eating and drinking for public sales or service are permitted.
2. 
A maximum 1,000 square feet of indoor and/or outdoor eating and drinking area per business shall be permitted through an Administrative Permit with Neighborhood Notification pursuant to Chapter 241.
3. 
Indoor and/or outdoor eating and drinking areas greater than 1,000 square feet per business shall require a conditional use permit by the Zoning Administrator.
(A)
Repealed.
(B)
A conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator is required for any new use or enlargement of an existing use, or exterior alterations and additions for an existing use located within 150 feet of an R district. The Director may waive this requirement if there is no substantial change in the character of the use which would affect adjacent residential property in an R District.
(C)
Accessory office uses greater than the maximum allowable percentage of the floor area of the primary industrial use shall require a conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator and a parking demand study demonstrating the adequate provision of on-site parking for all uses contained onsite.
(D)
In IG and IL Districts only, commercial space excluding business and professional office, not to exceed 25% of the floor area of the primary industrial use, is allowed with a conditional use permit from the Zoning Administrator, provided that it is intended primarily to serve employees of the industrial use, no exterior signs advertise the adjunct use, the adjunct use is physically separated from the primary industrial use, and the primary industrial fronts on an arterial.
(E)
See Section 241.22, Temporary Use Permits.
(F)
See Chapter 236, Nonconforming Uses and Structures.
(G)
(Reserved)
(H)
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.
(I)
Limited to facilities serving workers employed on-site.
(J)
Limited to single room occupancy uses. (See Section 230.46.)
(K)
Limited to emergency shelters. (See Section 230.52, Emergency Shelters.)
(L)
Development of vacant land and/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).
(M)
Major outdoor operations require conditional use permit approval by the Planning Commission. Major outside operations include storage yards and uses utilizing more than one-third of the site for outdoor operation.
(N)
See Section 230.40, Helicopter Takeoff and Landing Areas.
(O)
See Section 230.44, Recycling Operations.
(P)
See Section 230.50, Indoor Swap Meets/Flea Markets.
(Q)
See L-11(A) relating to locational restrictions.
(R)
Non-amplified live entertainment greater than 300 feet from a residential zone or use shall be permitted without a conditional use permit. Neighborhood Notification requirements when no entitlement required pursuant to Chapter 241.
(S)
Subject to approval by the Police Department, Public Works Department, and Fire Department and the Community Development Director.
(T)
In all districts, 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.
(U)
In all districts, 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 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.
(V)
In all districts, 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 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. Screening on the remaining sides shall be evaluated based on proposed site conditions as determined during the entitlement process.
(W)
Auto storage uses on public agency owned property shall be permitted by right pursuant to submittal of a Parking Area Plan. See Section 231.26.
(3254-10/94, 3378-2/98, 3523-2/02, 3568-9/02, 3703-3/05, 3708-6/05, 3724-02/06, 3788-12/07, 3843-11/09, 3860-2/10, 4039-12/14, 4092-10/16, 4183-10/19, 4198-3/20)
The following schedule prescribes development standards for the Industrial Districts. The first three columns prescribe basic requirements for permitted and conditional uses in each district. Letters in parentheses in the "Additional Requirements" column reference requirements following the schedule or located elsewhere in this title. 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.
IG
IL
RT
Additional Requirements
Residential Development
(M)
Nonresidential Development
Minimum Lot Area (sq. ft.)
20,000
20,000
15,000
(A)(B)
Minimum Lot Width (ft.)
100
100
75
(A)(B)
Minimum Setbacks
(A)(C)
Front (ft.)
10; 20
10; 20
10; 20
(D)
Side (ft.)
0
15
0
(E)(F)
Street Side (ft.)
10
10
10
Rear (ft.)
0
0
0
(E)
Maximum Height of Structures (ft.)
40
40
40
(G)
Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
0.75
0.75
1.0
Minimum Site Landscaping (%)
8
8
8
(H)(I)
Fences and Walls
See § 230.88
Off-Street Parking and Loading
See Ch. 231
(J)
Outdoor Facilities
See § 230.74
Screening of Mechanical Equipment
See § 230.76
(K)
Refuse Storage Area
See § 230.78
Underground Utilities
See Ch. 17.64
Performance Standards
See § 230.82
(L) (N)
Nonconforming Uses and Structures
See Ch. 236
Signs
See Ch. 233
(A) 
See Section 230.62, Building Site Required, and Section 230.64, Development on Substandard Lots.
(B) 
Smaller lot dimensions for new parcels may be permitted by the Zoning Administrator with an approved development plan and tentative subdivision map.
(C) 
See Section 230.68, Building Projections into Yards and Required Open Space. Double-frontage lots shall provide front yards on each frontage.
(D) 
The minimum front setback shall be 10 feet and the average setback 20 feet, except for parcels fronting on local streets where only a 10-foot setback is required.
All Industrial Districts. An additional setback is required for buildings exceeding 25 feet in height (one foot for each foot of height) and for buildings exceeding 150 feet in length (one foot for each 10 feet of building length) up to a maximum setback of 30 feet.
(E) 
In all Industrial Districts, a 15-foot setback is required abutting an R district and no openings in buildings within 45 feet of an R district.
(F) 
A zero-side yard setback may be permitted in the Industrial Districts, but not abutting an R district, provided that a solid wall at the property line is constructed of maintenance-free masonry material and the opposite side yard is a minimum of 30 feet.
Exception. The Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission may approve a conditional use permit to allow a 15-foot interior side yard opposite a zero-side yard on one lot, if an abutting side yard at least 15 feet wide is provided and access easements are recorded ensuring a minimum 30-foot separation between buildings. This 30-foot accessway must be maintained free of obstructions and open to the sky, and no opening for truck loading or unloading shall be permitted in the building face fronting on the accessway unless a 45-foot long striped area is provided solely for loading and unloading entirely within the building.
(G) 
See Section 230.70, Measurement of Height. Within 45 feet of an R district, no building or structure shall exceed a height of 18 feet.
(H) 
Planting Areas. Required front and street-side yards adjacent to a public right-of-way shall be planting areas except for necessary drives and walks. A six-foot wide planting area shall be provided adjacent to an R district and contain one tree for each 25 lineal feet of planting area.
(I) 
See Chapter 232, Landscape Improvements.
(J) 
Truck or rail loading, dock facilities, and the doors for such facilities shall not be visible from or be located within 45 feet of an R district.
(K) 
See Section 230.80, Antennae.
(L) 
Noise. No new use shall be permitted, or exterior alterations and/or additions to an existing use allowed, within 150 feet of an R district until a report prepared by a California state-licensed acoustical engineer is approved by the Director. This report shall include recommended noise mitigation measures for the industrial use to ensure that noise levels will conform with Chapter 8.40 of the Municipal Code. The Director may waive this requirement for change of use or addition or exterior alteration to an existing use if it can be established that there had been no previous noise offense, that no outside activities will take place, or if adequate noise mitigation measures for the development are provided.
(M) 
Group residential or accessory residential uses shall be subject to standards for minimum setbacks and height of the RH District.
(N) 
Performance Standards. The following regulations provided herein apply to all activities, processes, and uses within the Industrial Districts and are provided solely for reference in conjunction with Chapter 230.82. Existing and proposed uses within the Industrial Districts must conform to all federal, state, and City laws, ordinances, and standards at all times.
1. 
Dust, Fumes and Odors. Emissions of dust, odors, smoke, fumes or particulate must comply with all rules established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) or their successor agencies.
2. 
Electromagnetic Interference. No electromagnetic interference with electronic equipment beyond the property line shall be permitted and shall be in compliance with applicable Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations.
3. 
Glare. Significant, direct glare shall not be visible beyond the property line of the applicable use.
4. 
Heat and Humidity. Heat emitted shall not increase the temperature of another property in excess of five degrees Fahrenheit.
5. 
Noise. Chapter 8.40 of the Municipal Code, Noise Control, shall be enforced.
6. 
Waste Disposal Discharge. Discharge of any liquids or solids into any body of water, watercourse, sewage system, or ground shall not be permitted, except in compliance with applicable regulations of the State of California Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board or their successor agency.
7. 
Waste Containment. Storage and handling of wastes shall be practiced so as to prevent nuisance, health, safety and fire hazards. Any hazardous waste shall be stored in a closed container.
8. 
Vibration. Vibration transmitted through the ground shall not be produced with the exception of vibration from temporary uses, i.e. construction and vehicles entering and exiting.
9. 
Location of Measurements. Measurements for determining compliance with the standards of this Section shall be taken at the lot line of the establishment or use that is the source of a potentially objectionable condition, hazard, or nuisance.
(3254-10/94, 4039-12/14, 4183-10/19)
All applications for new construction and 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 including a zero-side yard exception; projects on substandard lots.
B. 
Design Review Board. See Chapter 244.
C. 
Planning Commission. Projects requiring a conditional use permit from the Commission.
D. 
Projects in the Coastal Zone. A Coastal Development Permit is required unless the project is exempt; see Chapter 245.
(3254-10/94, 3708-6/05, 3869-3/10, 4039-12/14, 4092-10/16, 4183-10/19)