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.
"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.
|
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
|
-
| |
|
Animal-Retail Sales
|
-
|
P
|
-
| |
|
Equestrian Centers (CG Zone)
|
-
|
PC
|
-
|
(S)
|
|
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)
| |||
(4309-5/21/2024)
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.
C.
Repealed.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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, 4309-5/21/2024)
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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
|
 Single Horizontal Offsets: 20 Feet
|
 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.
 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.
 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.
(3522-2/02, 3868-3/10, 3774-10/07, 4038-12/14, 4091-10/16,
4174-3/19)
