(A) 
Purpose. The purpose of the commercial districts is to:
(1) 
Broaden, improve, and diversify the Springfield economy while maintaining or enhancing environmental quality and Springfield’s natural heritage.
(2) 
Strengthen and maintain strong, connected employment centers and economic corridors to support small, medium, and large businesses.
(3) 
Establish, strengthen, and maintain viable commercial centers to improve the community’s access to goods and services.
(4) 
Make development decisions predictable and cost effective.
(B) 
Applicability. The provisions in this section apply to development in the Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Community Commercial (CC), Major Retail Commercial (MRC), and the General Office (GO) Districts. These districts are identified on the City’s official Zoning Map. Properties designated within each district that contain additional standards must comply with the provisions of the applicable district, except as may be modified by this section. The districts serve different uses as described below.
Land Use District
Location and Characteristics
Neighborhood Commercial (NC)
This district is intended to provide opportunities for sites to provide day to day commercial needs.
Community Commercial (CC)
This district is intended to provide opportunities for sites to provide for a wide range of retail sales, retail service, and professional office uses. This district is intended to include all existing strip commercial areas.
Major Retail Commercial (MRC)
This district is intended to provide opportunities for sites suitable for shopping centers.
General Office (GO)
This district is intended to provide opportunities for office uses as a transition, providing a buffer between residential districts and more intensive commercial development at the boundaries of a Community Commercial or Major Retail Commercial district.
(6443)
(A) 
For the purpose of this SDC 3.2.300, uses and activities are classified into use categories on the basis of common functional, product, or physical characteristics, as described below.
(1) 
Determination. Uses are assigned to the category whose description most closely describes the nature of the primary use. Developments may have more than 1 primary use. Developments may also have 1 or more accessory uses.
When a use’s category is not clearly identifiable, the Director determines the applicable use category through a Type 2 approval process. The Director will consider the following factors to determine what use category the use is in, and whether the activities constitute primary uses or accessory uses:
(a) 
The description of the activity in relationship to the characteristics of each use category;
(b) 
The relative amount of site or floor space and equipment devoted to the activity;
(c) 
Relative amounts of sales from each activity;
(d) 
The customer type for each activity;
(e) 
The relative number of employees in each activity;
(f) 
Hours of operation;
(g) 
Building and site arrangement;
(h) 
Vehicles used with the activities;
(i) 
The relative number of vehicle trips generated by the activities;
(j) 
The signage for the proposed use(s) and activities;
(k) 
How the use advertises itself; and
(l) 
Whether the activities function independently of other activities on the site.
(2) 
Multiple Uses. When all of the primary uses of a development fall within 1 use category, then the development is assigned to that use category. When the primary uses of a development fall within different use categories, each primary use is classified in the applicable category and is subject to the regulations for that category.
(3) 
Determination of Similar Land Use. Subject to prior submittal and approval of an application pursuant to Type 2 procedures, uses and development similar to uses and development in Table 3.3.320 may be allowed if found by the Director to be “clearly similar” to the uses and development allowed by Table 3.3.320. The applicant has the burden to provide sufficient information to allow the Director to make findings on the following criteria.
The Director must make findings that the proposed use is “clearly similar” based on the following criteria:
(a) 
The use and development are consistent with the purpose of this section.
(b) 
When compared with the uses and development permitted by Table 3.2.420, the use and development are similar to 1 or more of these uses and development based on an analysis of the:
(i) 
Goods or services traded from the site;
(ii) 
Bulk, size, and operating characteristics of the proposed use and development; and
(iii) 
Parking demand, customer types and traffic generation.
(c) 
The use and development comply with the other applicable provisions of this section.
Similar use determinations that are not “clearly similar” because they do not meet the standards above, must be made in conformance with the procedures in SDC 5.11.100, Interpretations.
(6443)
(A) 
Retail Sales and Service. The code provides for 3 types of retail sales and service uses. The 3 types include automobile dependent uses; automobile oriented uses; and non-automobile dependent or oriented uses. The distinctions are specified below.
(1) 
Automobile-Dependent Use. Uses where automobiles and/or other motor vehicles are served by the use and the use would not exist without them, such as vehicle repair, gas station, car wash, or auto and truck sales.
(2) 
Automobile-Oriented Use. Uses where automobiles and/or other motor vehicles are an integral part of the use, such as drive-up, drive-in, and drive-through facilities.
(3) 
Non-Automobile Dependent or Oriented Use. Retail sales and service uses that do not qualify as automobile dependent or automobile oriented.
(B) 
Eating and Drinking Establishment. Eating and drinking establishment uses include but are not limited to: restaurants, cafes, and similar types of land uses that prepare and serve edible goods for consumption by the customer including beverage service.
(C) 
Offices and Clinics. Office and clinic uses include, but are not limited to: a wide range of business and professional offices; and medical clinics and offices. Examples of these uses include doctor, dentist, chiropractor, optometrist, research, processing, and laboratory facilities.
(D) 
Warehouse and Wholesale Sales.
(1) 
Warehouse and wholesale sales uses include the wholesale storage or movement of goods by a company for themselves or other firms. Goods are generally delivered to other firms or the final consumer, except for some will-call pickups. There is little on-site sales activity with the customer present. Wholesale sales refers to the sale, lease, or rent of products primarily intended for industrial, institutional, or commercial businesses. The uses emphasize on-site sales or order taking and often include display areas. Businesses may or may not be open to the general public, but sales to the general public are limited as a result of the way in which the firm operates. Products may be picked up on site or delivered to the customer.
(2) 
Examples of warehouse and wholesale sales uses include, but are not limited to: regional distribution headquarters including storage, wholesale warehouses used by retail stores such as furniture and appliance stores; household moving and general freight storage; cold storage plants, including frozen food lockers; wholesale distribution centers; truck/freight terminals; bus barns; parcel delivery services; major post offices; grain terminals; and the stockpiling of sand, gravel, or other aggregate materials. Additionally, wholesale sales includes sale or rental of machinery, equipment, heavy trucks, building materials, special trade tools, welding supplies, machine parts, electrical supplies, janitorial supplies, restaurant equipment, and store fixtures; mail order houses; and wholesalers of food, clothing, auto parts, building hardware, and office supplies.
(3) 
Exceptions.
(a) 
Uses that involve the transfer or storage of solid or liquid wastes are classified as waste-related uses.
(b) 
Uses that engage primarily in sales to the general public are classified as retail sales and service.
(c) 
Uses that engage in sales on a membership basis are classified as retail sales and service.
(E) 
Secondary Use. Secondary use means a use that is integrated with the primary use, is not stand alone, and is not permitted in the absence of a primary use.
(F) 
Accessory Use. Accessory use means a use that is subordinate to the primary use.
(6443)
(A) 
The land uses listed in Table 3.2.320 are permitted in each of the applicable districts, subject to Site Plan Review approval and the provisions of this section.
Table 3.2.320 Permitted Uses
Land Use
Commercial District
Applicable code standards
NC**
CC
MRC
GO
Commercial
Retail Sales and Service (non-automobile dependent/oriented)
P*
P
P
P*
SDC 3.2.330
Retail Sales and Service (automobile dependent)
N
P*
P*
N
SDC 4.7.115
Retail Sales and Service (automobile oriented)
N
P*
P*
N
SDC 4.7.115
Marijuana Business: marijuana retail outlet (recreational or medical)
N
P*
P*
N
SDC 4.7.177
Recreation Facilities
P*
P*
P*
N
SDC 4.7.205
Eating and Drinking Establishments (with drive-through)
P
P
P
N
 
Eating and Drinking Establishments (without drive-through)
P
P
P
P*
SDC 3.2.330
Offices and Clinics
P
P
P
P
 
Animal Hospital, Animal Clinic, or Kennel
N
P*
N
N
SDC 4.7.110
Garden Supply or Feed Store
N
P
P*
N
SDC 3.2.330
Manufactured unit as a temporary construction office, security quarters, or general office
P*
P*
P*
P*
SDC 4.7.185, 4.8.110, and 4.8.120
Manufactured home as a manufactured home sales office
P*
P*
P*
N
SDC 4.8.115
Lodging
Hotels and Motels
N
P
P
N
 
Short Term Rentals (Type 1 and 2)
P*
P*
N
N
SDC 4.7.355
Hostel
P
P
N
N
 
Emergency Housing
N
P
N
N
 
RV Park
N
P*
N
N
SDC 4.7.220
Industrial
Manufacture or assembly of goods or products to be sold on premises
N
P*
N
N
SDC 3.2.330
Warehouse and Wholesale Sales
N
P*
N
N
SDC 3.2.330
Residential
Residential uses in areas designated mixed use in: the Springfield Comprehensive Plan; a Refinement plan; or in mixed use district in this code
P*
P*
P*
N
SDC 3.2.330
Conversion from commercial to residential use
P*
P*
P*
P*
SDC 4.7.215
One single-unit dwelling, attached or detached, as a secondary use
P
P
N
N
SDC 3.2.220 thru 3.2.225
Income-qualified housing
P*
P*
P*
P*
SDC 4.7.370 and 4.7.405
Family Child Care Home
P
P
P
P
 
Child Care Center
P*
P*
P*
P*
SDC 4.7.340
Transportation Facilities
Dock, Boat Ramp, and Marinas
N
D
N
N
 
Heliport or Helistop
N
P*
P*
N
SDC 4.7.240
Transit Station
N
P*
P*
N
SDC 4.7.240
Linear Park
P
P
P
P
 
Bicycle Paths and Pedestrian Trails
P
P
P
P
 
Other
Secondary Use (as defined)
P
D
D
P*
SDC 3.2.330
Accessory Use (as defined)
P*
P*
P*
P*
SDC 4.7.360
Agricultural cultivation of vacant land
N
P
P
N
 
Public and Institutional
Private/Public Elementary and Middle Schools
D*
D*
N
N
SDC 4.7.195 and 5.9.110
Branch Educational Facilities
P
P
P
N
 
Place of Worship
P*
P*
P*
P*
SDC 6.1.110
Club (see definition SDC 6.1.110)
P
P
P
N
 
Hospital
P
P
P
N
 
Community Service; includes Governmental Offices
P
P
P
P
 
High impact public utility facilities
P*/D
P*/D
P*/D
P*/D
SDC 4.7.160
Low impact public utility facilities
P
P
P
P
 
Communication towers, including antennas and relay equipment
N
D
D
N
 
Wireless Telecommunications System (WTS) Facilities
See SDC 4.3.145
See SDC 4.3.145
See SDC 4.3.145
See SDC 4.3.145
SDC 4.3.145
P = Permitted Use; D = Discretionary Use permit required; N = Not Allowed;
*
Permitted subject to cited code standards.
**
Subject to SDC 4.7.375, where applicable.
(6443; Ord. No. 6466, 11/20/2023; Ord. No. 6482, 7/1/2024)
In addition to applicable provisions contained elsewhere in this code, the development standards listed in this section apply to all development in commercial districts. In cases of conflicts in this section between the general standards and the area-specific standards, the area-specific standards apply.
(A) 
Lot Area, Dimensions, and Coverage. The following Table 3.2.325(A) sets forth the commercial district lot area, lot dimension, and coverage standards.
Table 3.2.325(A) Commercial District Lot Area, Dimension, and Coverage Standards
Development Standard
NC
CC
MRC
GO
Minimum lot/parcel size
6,000 square feet
6,000 square feet
6,000 square feet
6,000 square feet
Individual lease space size
15,000 square feet maximum
N/A
N/A
N/A
Minimum frontage, see (A)(1) below
50 feet
50 feet
50 feet
50 feet
Panhandle lot/parcel minimum frontage, both single and double panhandles
Not permitted
40 feet
Not permitted
Not permitted
Maximum lot/parcel coverage
35%
Limited only by requirements of other sections of this code
Minimum landscaping
Perimeter and interior landscaping area combined coverage must not be less than 20% of the total development area.
Minimum landscaping area established by standards in other sections of this code.
Maximum parking, loading, and vehicular circulation area coverage
45%
Lot/parcel coverage established by standards in other sections of this code.
(1) 
The frontage standard does not apply when the following are met:
(a) 
The lots/parcels have been approved as part of a Master Plan, Site Plan, Subdivision, or Partition application; and
(b) 
Access has been guaranteed via a private street or driveway by an irrevocable joint use/access agreement as specified in SDC 4.2.120(A).
(B) 
Setbacks.
(1) 
Setbacks provide separation between commercial and non-commercial uses for fire protection/security, building maintenance, sunlight and air circulation, noise buffering, and visual separation. All developments must meet applicable fire and building code standards, which may require greater setbacks than those listed in this section (e.g., for combustible materials, etc.).
(2) 
Required setbacks are measured from the special street setback in SDC 4.2.105(M), where applicable.
(3) 
The following setback standards apply to all structures, except as otherwise provided by this section.
(a) 
Front, Street Side Yard, and Through Lot Rear Building Setback.
(i) 
All commercial districts (NC, CC, MRC, and GO).
A. 
The minimum building setback is 10 feet.
(b) 
Interior Side, Rear Yard Building Setback.
(i) 
All commercial districts (NC, CC, MRC, and GO).
A. 
The building setback is zero, except when abutting residential or CI district, the building setback is 10 feet.
(c) 
Parking, Driveway, or Outdoor Storage Setback.
(i) 
Neighborhood Commercial. The minimum yard setback for parking, driveway, or outdoor storage is 7 feet from any property line.
(ii) 
Other commercial districts (CC, MRC, and GO). The minimum yard setback for parking, driveway, or outdoor storage is 5 feet from any property line.
(d) 
Setback Exceptions.
(i) 
There are no setbacks required for buildings in the Downtown Exception Area.
(ii) 
Architectural extensions may extend into any 5-foot or larger setback by no more than 2 feet.
Table 3.2.325(B) summarizes the above setback standards.
Table 3.2.325(B) Setback Standards
Development Standard
NC
CC
MRC
GO
Front, Street Side Yard, and Through Lot Rear
Building Setback
10 feet
10 feet
10 feet
10 feet
Setback for parking, driveway, or outdoor storage
7 feet
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
Interior Side, Rear Year Setbacks
Building setback
0 feet
0 feet
0 feet
0 feet
Setback for parking, driveway, or outdoor storage
7 feet
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
Interior Side, Rear Year Setbacks when abutting residential or CI district
Building setback
10 feet
10 feet
10 feet
10 feet
(C) 
Height.
(1) 
The following building height standards are intended to promote land use compatibility and flexibility for commercial development at an appropriate community scale.
(a) 
Buildings and structures in the Neighborhood Commercial District are limited to the maximum height of 20 feet.
(b) 
Buildings and structures in the Community Commercial, Major Retail Commercial, and General Office Districts have no maximum height, except when abutting a residential district. When abutting a residential district the following height standards apply:
The height of a structure must not exceed the height permitted in the adjacent R-1 or R-2 residential land use district for a distance of 50 feet. For the adjacent R-1 zone the applicable height limit is 35 feet and R-2 zone the applicable height limit is 50 feet.
(2) 
Incidental equipment, as defined in SDC 6.1.110 may exceed the height standard.
Table 3.2.325(C) summarizes the above height standards.
Table 3.2.325(C) Height Standards
Development Standard
NC
CC
MRC
GO
Maximum height
20 feet
No maximum height, except when abutting residential districts.
When directly abutting an R-1 or R-2 district, the height of a structure must not exceed the height permitted in the adjacent R-1 or R-2 residential land use district for a distance of 50 feet from the property line.
(6443; Ord. No. 6466, 11/20/2023; Ord. No. 6482, 7/1/2024)
(A) 
NC Development Standards.
(1) 
Small-scale repair and maintenance services must take place entirely indoors, and buildings must be utilized to ensure that noise or odor do not disturb the normal operation and tranquility of neighboring residential and business areas.
(B) 
CC Development Standards.
(1) 
In the CC District, the manufacturing or assembly of goods or products must occur indoors, must not generate more noise, odor or other physical attributes than the permitted uses, must occupy less than 50 percent of the floor area of the building, and the goods or products must be sold on premises.
(2) 
In the CC District, buildings used for the overnight accommodation of animals, and structures that enclose animals outside of buildings, must be constructed to ensure that noise or odor do not disturb the normal operation or tranquility of neighboring residential, business, campus industrial or public land uses.
(C) 
MRC Development Standards.
(1) 
Garden supply and feed and seed stores must be permitted only as secondary uses in the MRC District. The bulk storage or sales of fertilizer, feed or plant materials that require heavy equipment for loading is prohibited.
(D) 
GO Development Standards.
(1) 
The cumulative total area of sit-down restaurants and delicatessens, secondary retail uses and exercise studios in the GO District must be limited to no more than 10 percent of the gross floor area of the office building in which they are sited.
(E) 
Commercial Districts in Areas Designated Mixed-Use on the Springfield Comprehensive Plan Map. In commercial districts in areas designated mixed-use on the Springfield Comprehensive Plan Map or a Refinement Plan diagram, Plan District map, or Conceptual Development Plan, multiple unit housing developments must meet the standards as specified in the applicable regulation. R-2 and R-3 District standards contained in this code must be followed where the Springfield Comprehensive Plan Map, a Refinement Plan diagram, Plan District map, or Conceptual Development Plan does not specify development standards, or in areas where no applicable regulation has been prepared.
(Ord. No. 6482, 7/1/2024)