In order to simplify land use regulations used throughout this title, the city has established a “use classification” system to group individual land use listings into general categories on the basis of common function, product, or compatibility characteristics. Use classifications describe one or more uses having similar characteristics but do not list every use or activity that may appropriately be within the classification. For example, “personal service use” includes a wide range of individual personal service uses (e.g., beauty parlor, dry cleaning, tanning salons, tailors). Rather than listing all such uses individually throughout this title, “personal service use” is listed once.
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015)
A. 
Use classifications established for the city of San Pablo are organized into the six categories below. Descriptions of each use classification in these categories are provided in Division VI, Glossary.
1. 
Residential use classes.
2. 
Recreation, resource preservation, open space, education, and public assembly use classes.
3. 
Utility, transportation, public facility, and communication use classes.
4. 
Retail, service, and office use classes.
5. 
Automobile and vehicle use classes.
6. 
Industrial, manufacturing, and processing uses.
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015)
The following rules apply to use classifications:
A. 
Specific use regulations. Additional use regulations for specific land uses are listed in Division V, Special Use Requirements.
B. 
Uses not listed. Land uses that are not listed in the zoning district tables are not allowed, except as otherwise provided for in this title.
C. 
Illegal uses. No use that is illegal under local, state, or federal law shall be allowed in any zoning district within the city.
D. 
Similar uses. When a use is not specifically listed in this title, it shall be understood that the use may be permitted if the zoning administrator determines that the use is substantially similar to other uses listed based on established criteria and required findings outlined in Section 17.18.040, Similar use determination. It is further recognized that every conceivable use cannot be identified in this title and, anticipating that new uses will evolve over time, the zoning administrator may make a similar use determination to compare a proposed use and measure it against those uses listed.
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015)
Generally, use classifications identify primary and longer-term use of property. Temporary uses which are incidental to the primary use and/or limited term in nature are listed and regulated in Chapter 17.64, Temporary Uses.
(Ord. 2015-002 § 3 (Exh. 1)(part), 2015)