The P-O Professional Office District is established to create a restrictive district for low intensity office, professional or commercial uses which may be located in close proximity to all types of residential uses. Rezoning to the P-O Zone should be carefully reviewed to ensure compatibility with existing development and neighborhoods.
(Ord. 2012-2 § 2, 9-25-2012)
The following uses, and uses determined to be similar, shall generally be permitted in the Professional Office (P-O) Zoning District when conducted entirely within a building:
Art, craft and music stores.
Bakery, donut, and ice cream shops.
Banks and financial institutions.
Barbershops, beauty shops and similar personal services.
Book, card, and stationery stores.
Business and professional offices.
Camera shops.
Clothing and apparel stores.
Delicatessens.
Florist shops.
Gift and novelty stores.
Jewelry, watch, and clock sales and related servicing.
Medical and dental offices and clinics.
Newspaper and magazine sales.
Optical goods sales and service.
Photography supply and/or studios.
Public and semi-public offices and institutions, including City Hall, Police Department and U.S. Post Office facilities.
Public and semi-public utility uses, except corporation, service, or similar yards.
Restaurants, except fast food restaurants and those with drive-through service.
Secondhand shops.
Shoe stores.
Single-room occupancy.
Television, radio, electronics and appliance repair.
Travel agencies.
(Ord. 2012-2 § 2, 9-25-2012; Ord. 2025-2 § 16, 7-8-2025)
The following accessory buildings and uses shall be permitted in the Professional Office (P-O) Zoning Districts subject to administrative approval:
A. 
Accessory uses and buildings customarily appurtenant to a permitted or conditional use, such as incidental storage facilities.
B. 
Signs which pertain only to a permitted or an approved conditional use located on the premises.
C. 
Temporary buildings and uses as provided in Chapter 5.22 NCC.
(Ord. 2012-2 § 2, 9-25-2012)
Any principal permitted use which is not conducted entirely within a building shall be required to obtain a conditional use permit. In addition, the following uses, and uses determined to be similar, may be permitted in the Professional Office (P-O) Zoning District subject to approval of a conditional use permit:
Music and dance studios and schools.
Nursery, preschool, day care facilities.
Physical fitness studios, health clubs and spas.
Print shops.
Private clubs, lodge halls and meeting facilities.
Supportive housing.
Transitional housing.
Wholesale operations primarily serving the local community.
Residential uses which are compatible with the Retail Commercial District such as residential uses in buildings previously used for residential purposes, owner-occupied residential uses located in the rear of buildings or above the ground floor.
(Ord. 2012-2 § 2, 9-25-2012; Ord. 2025-2 § 17, 7-8-2025)
The following uses are prohibited in the Professional Office (P-O) Zoning District:
A. 
Light industrial and heavy commercial uses and services.
B. 
Storage of commercial and industrial vehicles, except for the purpose of loading and unloading.
C. 
The storage or warehousing of merchandise or products in the building or on the premises, unless otherwise approved.
D. 
The outdoor storage of merchandise or products.
E. 
The assembly, compounding, manufacturing, or processing of merchandise or products, except such as are customarily incidental or essential to permitted district uses.
F. 
Any use which is obnoxious or offensive or creates a nuisance to the occupants or commercial visitors of adjacent buildings or premises by reason of the emissions of dust, fumes, glare, heat, liquids, noise, odor, smoke, steam, vibrations, or similar disturbances.
(Ord. 2012-2 § 2, 9-25-2012)
The following standards shall apply to all land uses, development and subdivisions in the Professional Office (P-O) Zoning District:
A. 
Minimum lot area: 7,500 square feet.
B. 
Minimum lot width: 50 feet.
C. 
Minimum front yard setback: None required unless adjacent to a residential zoning district or alley. In such instances, a 10-foot front yard setback is required.
D. 
Minimum rear yard setback: None required unless adjacent to a residential zoning district or alley. In such instances, a 10-foot rear yard setback is required.
E. 
Minimum side yard setbacks: None required unless adjacent to a residential zoning district. In such instances, the minimum side yard setback shall be 10 feet.
F. 
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): The floor area ratio shall not exceed 0.50.
G. 
Minimum landscaped area: 10 percent of the total lot area.
H. 
Maximum building height: 35 feet.
I. 
Architectural and Site Plan Review. Where new construction is proposed, architectural and site plan review shall be required prior to issuance of a building permit.
J. 
Other Applicable Provisions. Other provisions of this title as applicable such as off-street parking and loading, signs, landscaping and screening, trash enclosures, etc.
(Ord. 2012-2 § 2, 9-25-2012)