Chapter 19.60 — GENERAL COMMERCIAL (CG) ZONES

Prior history: amended during 4/94 supplement and by Ords. 1601, 1618, 1630 and 1637.

19.60.010 Purpose. ¶

The purpose of the general commercial zoning district is to establish regulations for retailing, offices and service establishment offering goods and services to the general public which will assure maximum compatibility with surrounding residential areas as well as minimize adverse traffic impacts resulting from commercial development.

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 1687, Exh. A (part), 1995)

19.60.020 Applicability of Regulations. ¶

No building, structure, or land shall be used, and no building or structure shall be erected, structurally altered, or enlarged in a CG zone, otherwise than in conformance with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable provisions of this title.

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 1687, Exh. A (part), 1995)

19.60.030 Permitted, Conditional and Excluded Uses. ¶

Permitted, Conditional and Excluded Uses that may be conducted from property zoned general commercial (CG), are identified in Table 19.60.030, Permitted, Conditional and Excluded Uses in General Commercial Zoning Districts below.

Table 19.60.030: Permitted, Conditional and Excluded Uses in General Commercial Zoning Districts

	Zoning Districts		CG
	Uses

		Zoning Districts		CG
		1. Retail businesses, such as, but not limited to: food stores (excluding convenience markets), drugstores, apparel shops, variety stores and hardware stores		P
		2. Restaurants (without bar facilites), where: all public entrances face away from low-density residental (1-5 Dwelling Units an Acre) developments that share property lines and where the required customer parking is located within close proximity of the entrance		P
		3. Farmer's Market		CUP - Admin.
		4. Eatng establishments
		a. Full-service restaurants with bar facilites, and		CUP - Admin.
		b. Any entertainment facilites (e.g., dancing, live music) in associaton with full-service or fast-food restaurant		P
		5. Any commercial establishments with drive-through facilites		CUP - PC
		6. Late evening actvites which occur between eleven p.m. through seven a.m.		CUP - Admin.
		7. Ofces such as those below, provided that such uses do not comprise more than twenty-fve percent of the building space in a shopping center: Professional, General, Administratve, Business ofces, Business services, such as: advertsing bureaus, credit reportng, accountng and similar consultng agencies, stenographic services, and communicaton equipment buildings		P
		8. Commercial Ofce uses such as those below which directly serve the public Banks, Financial insttutons, Insurance agencies Real estate agencies, Travel agencies, Photography, and Similar studios		P

		Zoning Districts		CG
		9. Laundry facilites, including those below, provided that the solvents used in the cleaning process shall not be used or stored in any manner not approved by the State Fire Marshal and provided the establishment received approval from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Self service operatons Full service operatons; and Retail dry cleaning establishments. Dry cleaning is limited to items directly delivered to the establishment by retail customers		P
		10. Private clubs, lodges, or fraternal organizatons
		a. Uses in (10) above as subordinate uses in buildings intended primarily for other permited uses provided for in this secton		P
		b. Uses in (10) above as principal use buildings		CUP - PC
		11. Fraternity and sorority houses		CUP - PC
		12. Limited repair services, such as: Jewelry, Household appliance, Business machine repair shops Personal electronic devices		P
		13. Personal service establishments such as: Barbershops, Beauty parlors, Massage establishments, Shoe repair shops, and Tailor shops		P
		14. Accessory facilites and uses customarily incidental to permited uses and otherwise conforming with provisions of Chapter 19.100 of this ttle		P
		15. A maximum of four video game machines, provided these machines are incidental to the main actvity of the business		P
		16. Pet shops facilites for pet services such as, bathing, clipping, trimming, grooming, pet day care, and similar services for pets
		a. Uses in (16) above which are located in a sound-proof structure and are in compliance with Santa Clara County Health Department regulatons and chapter 8.05 of this Code.		P
		b. Uses in (16) above which are not located in a sound-proof structure and are in compliance with Santa Clara County Health Department regulatons and chapter 8.05 of this Code.		CUP - Admin.
		17. Child care centers, Day nurseries, and Playgrounds		CUP - PC
		18. Vocatonal and specialized schools, dance and music studios, gymnasiums and health clubs
		a. When the uses in (18) above cumulatvely comprise < 50% of the space in a shopping center, provide adequate parking as determined by Chapter 19.124 and meet noise requirements as determined by Chapter 10.48		P
		b. When the uses in (18) above cumulatvely comprise 50% of the space in a shopping center, provide adequate parking		CUP - Admin.

		Zoning Districts		CG
		as determined by Chapter 19.124 and meet noise requirements as determined by Chapter 10.48
		19. Retail/service kiosks that meet the following: Are located in an unenclosed space visible from public streets or other publicly owned space, Where adequate parking is provided as determined by Chapter 19.124, Which do not result in trafc or circulaton impacts, Have atractve designs and landscaping, and Are compatble with the surrounding architecture		CUP - Admin.
		20. Other uses which, in the opinion of the Director of Community Development, are similar to the permited uses in the CG zoning district, and which do not have the potental to create signifcant adverse impacts to the surrounding area due to odor, dust, smoke, glare, fumes, radiaton, vibratons, noise, trafc or liter		P
		21. Commercial parking and parking garages		CUP - PC
		22. Convenience markets		CUP - PC
		23. Hotels, motels, and boardinghouses		CUP - PC
		24. Liquor stores		CUP - PC
		25. Drinking establishments		CUP - PC
		26. Commercial recreaton establishments, such as: Indoor theaters, Bowling alleys, Billiard and pool parlors, Dance halls, Skatng rinks, and Arcades		CUP - PC
		27. Mortuaries		CUP - PC
		28. Automotve service statons, automobile washing facilites		CUP - PC
		29. Automobile, trailer, tre and boat sales and rental, limited to new and used vehicles in operable conditon		CUP - PC
		30. Automobile and Tire repair shops		CUP - PC

	Zoning Districts		CG
		31. Business actvites which display merchandise in an unenclosed space visible from a public street or adjoining residental property, except actvites which display merchandise in compliance with requirements of Secton 19.60.050:
		a. The display of merchandise in front of stores with ≥ 20,000 square feet of foor area.		P
		b. The display of merchandise in front of stores with < 20,000 square feet of foor area.		CUP - Admin
		32. Business actvites which provide services in an unenclosed space visible from a public street or adjoining residental property, except actvites which provide services in compliance with requirements of Secton 19.60.050.		CUP - Admin
		33. Outdoor Seatng compatble with Chapter 19.124 of this code		P
		34. Business actvites which incorporate contractng services for which a contractng license issued by the State is required		CUP - PC
		35. Other commercial uses which are neither permited uses nor excluded uses and which are, in the opinion of the Planning Commission, consistent with the character of a general commercial		CUP - PC

	Zoning Districts		CG
	(CG) zone of the same general character listed in this secton, and which do not create signifcant adverse impacts to the surrounding area due to odor, dust, fumes, glare, radiaton, vibraton, noise, trafc or liter
	36. Businesses where the primary actvity is related to the on-site manufacturing, assembly or storage of building components intended for use by general contractors or wholesalers		Ex
	37. Storage garages, and other wholesale businesses, except computer hardware and sofware and communicatons businesses for which the City may generate sales tax revenue where the primary actvity is to conduct sales and services to other businesses rather than to direct retail customers		Ex
	38. Other uses which, in the opinion of the Planning Commission, are objectonable by reason of odor, dust, smoke, glare, fumes, radiaton, vibraton, noise, trafc or liter shall be excluded		Ex
	39. Warehouses		Ex
	40. Lumberyards		Ex
	41. Nurseries and greenhouses		Ex
	42. Commercial excavatng of building or constructon materials		Ex
	Key: P –Permited Use -– Not Allowed CUP - Admin.– Conditonal Use Permit issued by the Director of Community Development CUP - PC– Conditonal Use Permit issued by the Planning Commission CUP - CC– Conditonal Use Permit issued by the City Council Ex– Excluded Uses

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 2056, (part), 2010; Ord. 1844, § 1 (part), 2000; Ord. 1784, (part), 1998; Ord. 1687, Exh. A (part), 1995; Ord. 24-2266, Att. A, 2024)

19.60.050 Land Use Activity. ¶

Land Use Criteria. Unless otherwise provided by a conditional use permit, the following regulations shall apply to all users governed by this chapter.

The activity must be conducted entirely within a building or enclosed patio or atrium except for:

Vehicular parking including the parking of business related vehicles that comply with the sign, off-street parking, and noise regulations;

Outdoor seating for restaurants in accordance with the requirements of Section 19.60.0430.

Special promotional events undertaken by permitted businesses;

The display of merchandise in front of stores must be displayed under a roof overhang or canopy and must be displayed in an organized, neat, and safe fashion, in accordance with the requirements of Section 19.60.0430.

Incidental activities directly related to the permitted business. The incidental activity must comply with noise standards, all other applicable health and safety regulations and must use equipment which, when not in use, is stored in an approved enclosed space.

The activity must comply with the City noise standards, including pick-up and delivery times. Some activities are permitted when located in a sound-proof space. A sound-proof space is an enclosed area which is designed to prevent internally generated noise from being audible from a receptor located outside of the structure. An acoustical engineer shall certify the design and operating conditions of a sound-proof space.

The activity must involve direct retailing of goods or services to the general public. The retailing and servicing activity must comprise at least fifty percent of the floor space, including enclosed patio and atrium space, and must represent the primary emphasis of the business. Window displays shall reflect the retail emphasis.

Certain activities which require a hazardous material plan are permitted subject to permitting or licensing by an authorized public agency charged with the responsibility to protect the public health and welfare regarding the involved hazardous material. Examples: swimming pool and spa supply, photo finishing, dental office.

The activity complies with applicable off-street parking standards including shared parking arrangements specified in the off-street parking ordinance.

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 24-2266, Att. A, 2024; Ord. 25-2277, Exh. A (part), 2025)

19.60.060 Development Standards. ¶

Table 19.60.060 sets forth the rules and regulations pertaining to the development of property located in the General Commercial (CG) zoning district.

Table 19.60.060: Development Standards

A. Lot Area and Coverage	No minimum lot area or coverage. However, if specifed in the General Plan or applicable Specifc Plan, must comply with that standard. Must have sufcient area to satsfy of-street parking and loading requirements contained in this ttle.
B. Height of Buildings and Structures	30 feet unless otherwise permited by the General Plan or applicable Specifc Plan.
C. Required Setbacks for Buildings and Enclosed Pato/Atrium Space – Setbacks are established based upon policies contained in the General Plan and/or applicable Specifc Plan. When setbacks are not established in other land use or zoning documents, the setbacks in the CG zone shall apply.
1. Front Yard	Established based upon special policies contained in the General Plan and/or applicable specifc plan to: Insure sufcient space to provide adequate light, air and visibility at intersectons; Assure general conformity to yard requirements of adjacent or nearby zones, lots or parcels; and Promote excellence of development.
2. Minimum Side and Rear Yard	No side or rear yard setback required unless lot abuts any residental or agricultural-residental zone in which case the following regulatons apply:
a. Side Yard Setback
i. Interior Side	12 feet, or a total setback equal to one foot of additonal setback for each foot of height of a commercial building measured from its eave line or top of parapet, whichever is more restrictve.
ii. Street Side of Corner Lot	12 feet
b. Rear Yard Setback	20 feet, or a total setback equal to one and one-half feet of additonal setback for each foot of height of a commercial building measured from its eave line or top of parapet, whichever is more restrictve.
D. Noise Standards
1. New Constructon and uses that have a high probability of generatng noise that adjoin residental districts shall be:

a. Exterior Walls	Designed to atenuate all noise emanatng from interior retail space.
b. Loading Docks and	Located away from residental districts. Required Fire
Doors	Doors are excluded.
c. Mechanical and other equipment	Air conditoning, exhaust fans, and other mechanical equipment shall be acoustcally isolated to comply with the noise ordinance
d. Sound Wall	Install a minimum eight-foot-high masonry sound wall on
	or adjacent to the common property line
e. Acoustcal Engineer	Design and operatonal space must be certfed by an acoustcal engineer that the above sound atenuaton measures comply with the intent of the regulaton and the
	City's community noise ordinance
2. In additon to (1) above, retail structures in a mixed use residental development shall employ noise atenuaton techniques recommended by an acoustcal
engineer to comply with the community noise ordinance.

E. Odors – New construction and uses that have a high probability of generating odors adjoining residential developments or in mixed-use residential developments shall employ odor abatement techniques, including but not limited to, the installation of activated charcoal filtration systems and/or similar odor abatement systems certified by an air quality specialist for use.

F. Lightng – New lightng fxtures for any new site constructon or building
improvements: shall meet the requirements in Chapter 19.102
	1. Shall be designed to provide an efectve year-
	round landscaping screen in the setback area adjoining any lower-density residental property.
	The intent of the plan is to screen the building from the rear yard of a residence within fve
	years.
G. Landscaping Plan	2. Shall be maintained, with appropriate irrigaton,
	provided to all landscaped areas.
	3. Shall comply with the requirements of Chapter
	14.15 of the Municipal Code.
	4. Shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter
	14.18 of the Municipal Code.
	1. The following amenites and utlites shall be installed subject to the specifcatons of the
	subdivision ordinance:
	All utlites including water, gas, sanitary and
	storm sewers, underground power systems,
	and
	Amenites including, lightng electroliers, curbs, guters, streets and sidewalks and
	Connectons to main systems shall be installed subject to the specifcatons of the
H. Utlites	subdivision ordinance of the City. 2. All wires, pipes, cables, utlites and connectons
	shall be placed in underground or subsurface conduits subject to the specifcatons of the
	subdivision ordinance of the City.
	3. Underground vaults, or, utlity spaces integrated within buildings, if allowed, or alternatvely, well
	screened areas, if underground vaults or spaces
	integrated within buildings are deemed to be
	infeasible by the City Engineer and the Director
	of Community Development, must be provided for the installaton of the necessary utlites.
I. Mechanical Equipment	Air conditoning, exhaust fans, and other mechanical equipment shall be visually screened.

(Ord. 21-2225, Att. A (§ 4), 2021; Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 24-2266, Att. A, 2024)

CHAPTER 19.64: PERMITTED, CONDITIONAL AND EXCLUDED USES IN OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS