Chapter 23.31
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS

Sections:

23.31.010    Purpose.

23.31.020    Commercial and industrial zoning districts.

23.31.025    C-V-ATC zoning district – American Tin Cannery zoning.

23.31.030    Commercial and industrial zoning districts allowable land uses and permit requirements.

23.31.040    Commercial and industrial zoning districts development standards.

23.31.010 Purpose.

This chapter lists the commercial and industrial zoning districts as established by PGMC 23.12.010 and establishes the development standards and types of land uses permitted in each commercial and industrial zoning district. [Ord. 13-003 § 2, 2013].

23.31.020 Commercial and industrial zoning districts.

(a) Light Commercial (C-1). The C-1 zoning district provides for neighborhood scale and locally oriented retail, service, and office uses.

(b) Light Commercial and Hotel (C-1-T). The C-1-T zoning district was enacted by citizen initiative, and the standards of the district are included in the applicable sections of this chapter without modification from the initiative.

(1) Intent of District. The intent of the C-1-T district as described by the initiative is as follows:

(A) It is the intent of the people of the city of Pacific Grove in enacting the ordinance codified in this chapter to establish a zone district in the city’s downtown area where hotel use is permitted, as are all other uses listed in the C-1 district of this code, as said district may be from time to time amended by the council. The people have determined that the area of downtown defined by subsection (b)(2) of this section is appropriate for hotel development. Further, except as modified by this chapter, all provisions of the motel/hotel regulation ballot measure enacted by the people at the June 3, 1986, special municipal election, as set out at Chapter 23.52 PGMC, shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

(B) It is also the intent of the people of the city of Pacific Grove in enacting the ordinance codified in this chapter to provide for an exception to the strict regulations governing condominium development at Chapter 23.45 PGMC, said section enacted by the people at an election held in the city on November 2, 1982. The people have determined that the area of the downtown defined in subsection (b)(2) of this section is appropriate for condominium development in a manner less restrictive than defined by regulations set out in Chapter 23.45 PGMC. Further, except as modified by this chapter, the provisions of Chapter 23.45 PGMC shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

(2) Boundaries of District. The C-1-T district shall be that area defined by the block bounded by Lighthouse Avenue, Grand Avenue, Central Avenue and Fountain Avenue.

(3) Amendment. No provision of the C-1-T zoning district shall be repealed or amended except by a vote of the people.

(c) Downtown Commercial (C-D). The C-D zoning district is intended to provide for a range of uses including retail, restaurants, services, entertainment, and upper floor residential, and other compatible uses which enhance the vitality and character of the city’s historic commercial core.

(d) Forest Hill Commercial (C-FH). The C-FH zoning district serves as an entrance to the city, offering a variety of commercial and service uses while respecting nearby residential uses.

(e) Heavy Commercial (C-2). The C-2 zoning district is applied to areas of the city that are appropriate for service commercial and light manufacturing uses, which may involve outdoor storage or activity areas.

(f) Visitor Commercial (C-V). The C-V zoning district is applied to areas of the city appropriate for retail sales, commercial services, and institutional uses oriented to tourism.

(g) Restricted Industrial (I). The I zoning district is applied to areas of the city that are appropriate for service commercial and light manufacturing uses, which may involve outdoor storage or activity areas. [Ord. 13-003 § 2, 2013].

23.31.025 C-V-ATC zoning district – American Tin Cannery zoning.

(a) Boundaries of District. The C-V-ATC zoning district shall apply to the American Tin Cannery site that is comprised of Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 006-231-001, 006-234-004, and 006-234-005 and that segment of Sloat Avenue that is continuous to the American Tin Cannery site.

(b) Uses Permitted. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Pacific Grove Municipal Code, the following uses shall be permitted in the C-V-ATC zoning district:

(1) Hotels and any accessory uses, such as restaurants, bars and lounges, meeting and event facilities, spa and fitness facilities, parking, and buildings, spaces, and structures incidental to such uses, subject to first securing a use permit.

(2) All uses that are permitted in the C-V zoning district and additional uses permitted by subsequent amendment to the zoning ordinance.

(c) Development Standards. Development standards in the C-V-ATC zoning district, including floor area coverage, density, setbacks and height limits shall be in accordance with the applicable standards set forth in the local Coastal Program Land Use Plan, as updated or amended, or if no such standards are provided in the local coastal Program Land Use Plan, as updated or amended, in accordance with the standards set forth in the use permit or other required permit for a use allowed in the C-V-ATC zoning district.

(d) Except as modified by this section, all provisions of the motel/hotel regulation ballot measure enacted by the people at the June 3, 1986, special election, as set out at Chapter 23.52 PGMC, shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. [Ord. 16-009A § 1, 2016].

23.31.030 Commercial and industrial zoning districts allowable land uses and permit requirements.

Key to Zoning District Symbols
C-1	Light Commercial	C-FH	Forest Hill Commercial	I	Restricted Industrial
C-1-T	Light Commercial and Hotel	C-2	Heavy Commercial
C-D	Downtown Commercial	C-V	Visitor Commercial
P = Permitted use; counter review and determination required (see PGMC 23.70.020)				UP = Use permit required (see PGMC 23.70.080)
AUP = Administrative use permit required (see PGMC 23.70.030)				-- = Use not allowed

 

Table 23.31.030 Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements 

Use	Specific Use Regulations (PGMC)	C-11	C-1-T1	C-D1	C-FH1	C-2	C-V1	I
Industry, Manufacturing and Processing
Contract construction – no outdoor storage		P2	P2	--	P2	P3,4	P2	P3
Contract construction – outdoor storage		--	--	--	--	P3,4	UP	UP
Construction, large-scale equipment sales and rental		--	--	--	--	P3,4	UP	UP
Industrial, light		UP	UP	--	UP	AUP3,4	UP	AUP3,4
Recycling facility		UP	UP	--	UP	UP	UP	UP
Research and development facility		AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Storage – self-storage facility		--	--	--	--	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Warehousing, wholesaling and distribution		--	--	--	--	P3	P2	P3
Recreation, Education and Public Assembly
Commercial recreation facility – indoor (≤ 10,000 sf)	7.08, 7.12, 23.64.035	P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	P3
Commercial recreation facility – outdoor		AUP2	AUP2	--	--	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Community garden		AUP5	AUP5	AUP5	AUP5	AUP5	AUP5	--
Health/fitness studio (≤ 10,000 sf)		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	P3
Meeting facility, public or private (≤ 10,000 sf)		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P	P3
Park, playground (public)		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	P3
Public or quasi-public facility (≤ 10,000 sf)		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	P3
School, specialty (≤ 10,000 sf)		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	--
Theater or auditorium (≤ 10,000 sf)		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	P3
Residential
Accessory building or structure		P	P	P	P	P	--	UP
Condominium		UP	UP6	UP	UP	UP	--	UP
Duplex		P	P	P	P	P	--	UP
Dwelling group		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	--	UP
Emergency shelters						P9
Home business	23.16	P	P	P	P	P	--	UP
Large family day care home		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	--	--
Mixed-use (residential above or behind commercial)		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	--	--
Mobile home park		--	--	--	--	UP	--	UP
Multifamily dwelling
7 or fewer units	23.28.020	P	P	P	P	P	--	UP
8 or more units	23.28.020	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	--	UP
Residential care
Housing 6 or fewer persons		10	10	10	10	10	10	10
Housing 7 or more persons		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	--	UP
Rooming and boarding house		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	--	UP
Second unit	23.80	P	P	P	P	P	--	UP
Single-family dwelling		P	P	P	P	P	--	UP
Retail Sales
Automobile/vehicle sales and rental		AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Automobile/vehicle service station		AUP2	AUP2	--	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Bar/tavern/nightclub		--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Brew pub with food service	23.64.290	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	--
Farmers market		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	--
Flea market		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	--
Micro-brewery	23.64.290	--	--	--	UP	UP	UP	UP
Pub or sports bar with food service	23.64.290	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	--
Restaurant, general and formula general
w/ no alcohol sales	23.64.134	P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	--
w/ alcohol sales	23.64.134, 23.64.290	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	--
Restaurant, specialty (not formula)
w/ no alcohol sales	23.64.134; if formula, see also 23.64.115	P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	--
w/ beer and wine sales only	23.64.134, 23.64.290; if formula, see also 23.64.115	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	--
Restaurant, fast food (not formula) – w/ no alcohol sales	23.64.134; if formula, see also 23.64.115	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	--
Restaurant, drive-in/drive-through (not formula) – w/ no alcohol sales	23.64.134; if formula, see also 23.64.115	--	--	--	UP	--	--	--
Retail – general, except the following:		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	UP
Adult-oriented sales		UP7	UP7	--	UP7	--	--	--
Alcoholic beverage sales		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	AUP2	--
Auction houses		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Automobile rental		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Bail bonds		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Blood, plasma, tissue donation		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Body piercing/tattoo parlor		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Check cashing stores		--	--	--	P	P	P	P
Dollar/99 cent stores		--	--	--	P	P	P	P
Electric cigarette/e-vapor		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Gold and silver exchange stores		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Kennels or pet boarding**		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Pawn shops		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Recreational vehicle sales		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Meeting halls or places of assembly		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Tire sales and repair		P	--	--	P	P	P	P
Businesses from which minors excluded by law or owner		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	--
Floor area over 10,000 sf		AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Operating between 12:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP
Outdoor storage or displays		AUP	AUP	AUP	AUP	AUP1	AUP	AUP1
Retail – restricted		UP	UP	--	UP	UP	UP	UP
Wine bar	23.64.290	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Wine tasting room	23.64.290	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Services
Animal keeping/training facilities or veterinary service		AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Automobile/vehicle repair		AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Bank or financial service, except the following:		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	P3
Floor area over 10,000 sf at street level		AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
w/ drive-through		UP	UP	--	UP	UP	UP	UP
Business support service		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	P3
Car wash and detailing		AUP2	AUP2	--	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Catering and events	23.64.290	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	UP	UP	UP
Equipment/appliance rental and repair		AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Laundry or dry cleaning service		AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Lodging
Bed and breakfast inn –w/ beer and wine sales only	23.64.290	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP2	AUP3	AUP2	AUP3
Hotel or motel	23.64.290	--	UP8	--	--	--	--	--
Medical service
Ambulance service		UP	UP	--	UP	UP	UP	UP
Clinic or lab		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	P3
Medical office		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	P3
Hospital		UP	UP	--	--	UP	UP	UP
Mortuary or funeral home		UP	UP	--	UP	UP	UP	UP
Office, business or professional		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	UP	UP
Personal service	7.06	P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	UP
Personal service – restricted		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP
Printing or creative service		P2	P2	P2	P2	P3	P2	P3
Transportation and Infrastructure
Parking facility		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP
Public utility		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP
Radio or television station		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP
Taxi service	7.16	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP
Transit center		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP
Wireless telecommunication facility		UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP	UP
Temporary wireless telecommunications facility		CRD	CRD	CRD	CRD	CRD	CRD	CRD
Wireless eligible facilities request		AUP	AUP	AUP	AUP	AUP	AUP	AUP

End Notes:

1. No merchandise, tools, machinery, equipment, or materials shall be stored or displayed outside of a building, except as specifically permitted for retail uses under an administrative use permit. Temporary administrative use permits, good for not over 30 days, may be granted, pursuant to PGMC 23.70.030(b)(7), for temporary outdoor sales events of new merchandise by merchants holding use permits or otherwise qualified to operate within the applicable district; provided, that such outdoor sales are operated in conjunction with their established retail operations, and for Christmas tree sales, or other sales on private property, connected with festivals or holidays.

2. The permit type specified in this table applies to any new or enlarged commercial use which totals 10,000 square feet or less of interior floor space. An administrative use permit is required for any new or enlarged commercial use which results in either the use of more than one structure on a building site or a total of more than 10,000 square feet of interior floor space. A use permit is required where any new or enlarged commercial use exceeds 25,000 square feet in interior floor space.

3. A use permit is required for any new building or addition which adds more than 25,000 square feet of interior floor space or which results in a building having more than 40 feet in height.

4. Such uses may be granted subject to a use permit, when conducted within a building or enclosed by a fence, subject to architectural approval by the appropriate review authority for design and landscaping pursuant to Chapter 23.70 PGMC; and provided, that said fence and landscaping shall be of sufficient height and screening capacity to prevent the view thereof from any adjacent street or sidewalk.

5. Community gardens on vacant lots may be permitted by administrative use permit, pursuant to PGMC 23.70.030(b)(7), and shall be reviewable every six months and subject to such conditions as the administrative use permit may prescribe. The application shall be accompanied by a written agreement by the owner to grant the city a lien for any cost incurred by the city in restoring such property to its condition prior to such use, in the event the owner fails to make such restoration after such use ceases.

6. Condominium use shall be allowed, subject to first securing a use permit in each case, and subject to the building height, site coverage, and yard requirements of this chapter. The provisions of Chapter 23.45 PGMC shall not apply to development of condominiums in the C-1-T district. The council shall, by ordinance, establish standards, conditions and other regulations to govern the development of condominiums in the C-1-T district. Until and unless such standards, conditions and other regulations are in place, no application for such development shall be accepted or processed. Such standards, conditions and regulations established by the council shall be in addition to and harmonious with state law governing condominium development. See also PGMC 23.31.020(b)(1)(B).

7. Adult-oriented sales may comprise no more than 25 percent of floor area or stock-in-trade of a general retail business, must be located in the rear of the general retail business, and must not be visible from the exterior of the general retail business.

8. Hotel uses shall be allowed, subject to first securing a use permit in each case, and subject to the building height, site coverage, and yard requirements of this chapter. All other regulations and conditions of approval shall be as provided by use permit approved pursuant to this title. Said regulations and conditions shall include, without limitation, provisions for architectural review, land area per unit, neighborhood compatibility, landscaping, parking, traffic and accessory buildings. Required parking, if any, may be located on or off site, the location to be designated by the use permit. See also PGMC 23.31.020(b)(1)(A).

9. Outside the coastal zone only. In addition to the requirements of PGMC 23.31.040, emergency shelters shall be subject to the following standards:

a. Maximum of 25 beds.

b. Off-street parking shall be provided at a rate of one space per five beds plus one space per each staff person on duty.

c. On-site management shall be provided at all times the shelter is open. A management and security plan shall be prepared in consultation with the city manager or his or her designee which shall describe hours of operation; staffing; house rules and occupant screening procedures; on- or off-site services to be provided; security measures to ensure the safety of the occupants of the shelter and surrounding areas; and communications protocols to ensure effective coordination between shelter management, adjacent property owners and residents, and public safety personnel.

d. No emergency shelter shall be established closer than 300 feet from another emergency shelter, measured from the nearest property line.

e. Waiting and intake areas shall be screened from view from the public right-of-way.

10. Permitted subject to the same standards as apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone.

**When not associated with a veterinary clinic.

[Ord. 20-001 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 16-005 § 6, 2016; Ord. 15-013 § 4, 2015; Ord. 13-003 § 2, 2013].

23.31.040 Commercial and industrial zoning districts development standards.

Table 23.31.040 Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts Development Standards 

	C-1/C-1-T	C-D	C-FH1	C-2	C-V	I
Building Placement Requirements
Setbacks2
Front, min. (max.)	0'	0'	0' (20')	0'	0'	0'
Side (min.), except:	0'	0'	0'	0'	0'	0'
Adjacent to residential zone	5'	5'	5'	5'	10'	10'
Rear (min.), except:	0'	0'	10'	0'	0'	0'
Adjacent to residential zone	5'	5'	10'	5'	10'	10'
Building Form Requirements
Building height (max.)3	40' with max. site coverage of 75%; 30' with max. site coverage of 90%	40'	35'	40'	40' with max. site coverage of 75%; 30' with max. site coverage of 90%	40'
Site coverage (max.)4	75 – 90%, depending on building height	100%	75%	90%	75 – 90%, depending on building height	90%
Density Requirements
Number of dwellings per parcel	Max. allowed by the general plan residential land use category nearest to the site, up to 30 units per net acre.5, 6				N/A	Max. allowed by the GP residential land use category nearest to the site, up to 30 units per net acre.6
Floor area ratio	Max. allowed by the general plan
Lot Requirements
Lot area for new parcels (min.)7	2,000 sf
Other Requirements
Landscaping	See PGMC 23.64.195
Parking	See PGMC 23.64.190
Signs	See Chapter 20.04 PGMC

End Notes:

1. Refer to the Forest Hill specific plan for additional development regulations and guidelines including site planning, circulation and parking, resource protection, signs, lighting, and landscaping.

2. For mixed-use residential/commercial development where 50 percent or less of the street-level frontage is devoted to commercial usage, the setback standards in PGMC 23.24.060 shall apply.

3. For mixed-use residential/commercial development where 50 percent or less of the street-level frontage is devoted to commercial usage, the building height standards in PGMC 23.24.030 shall apply. Within the C-2 and I districts, a use permit is required in order to exceed the 40-foot building height limit.

4. For mixed-use residential/commercial development where 50 percent or less of the street-level frontage is devoted to commercial usage, the building coverage and site coverage standards in PGMC 23.24.050 and 23.24.051, respectively, shall apply.

5. Twenty-five units maximum in the C-1-T district. See also PGMC 23.31.020(b)(3).

6. Except as provided in End Note #5 above, higher residential densities are allowed if a finding can be made that the project furthers the goals of the general plan.

7. For mixed-use residential/commercial development where 50 percent or less of the street-level frontage is devoted to commercial usage, the building site area standards in PGMC 23.24.040 shall apply.

[Ord. 17-009 § 3, 2017; Ord. 13-003 § 2, 2013].