Carson City Zoning Code
1 Introduction
9111.1 Title.
This Chapter may be cited as the Carson Zoning Ordinance.
9111.2 Authority.
9111.3 Purpose.
The purpose of this Chapter is to serve the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare by establishing land use districts designed to obtain the physical, environmental, economic and social advantages resulting from planned use of land in accordance with the General Plan of the City of Carson, and by establishing those regulations for the development and use of land and improvements within the various districts which will ensure that the growth and development of the City of Carson shall be orderly, attractive and efficient for the maximum benefit of its citizens.
9112 Explanation of Format of this Chapter.
The Zoning Map, as indicated by CMC 9114.1, delineates the zoning district applicable to each area of the City. The general purpose of each of these districts is indicated in CMC 9113.1.
There are four (4) basic categories of zoning districts: residential, commercial, industrial and open space/special use. Parts 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Chapter contain, respectively, most of the regulations applicable within each of these categories. Since many of the regulations are the same for all of the zoning districts within a category, separate sections of the regulations are not provided for each zoning district. Where different regulations exist among the zoning districts within the same category, these differences are shown as a part of each regulation.
For certain specific activities or land uses for which extensive regulations have been adopted as a part of the zoning regulations, these special provisions are set forth in Division 8 of either Parts 2, 3, 4 or 5, depending upon the type of use.
Parts 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Chapter contain regulations and provisions which, for the most part, are applicable to all zoning districts. Part 6 contains general development standards including those for vehicular access and parking, trash areas and signs. Part 7 provides for the procedures to be followed in administering and changing the regulations of this Chapter. Part 8 provides for the implementation and enforcement of these regulations, including provisions for the continuation or termination of nonconformities, that is, circumstances which were lawfully established but do not comply with current regulations because of subsequent changes in the regulations. Part 9 defines various words and phrases used in this Chapter.
9113.1 Names and Purposes of Zones.
The following zoning districts are hereby established, with their general purposes as indicated:
Residential Zones
RS – Residential, Single-Family. This zone is created for the establishment, expansion and preservation of residential areas which are to be developed with single-family detached dwellings and such other activities considered harmonious with such low density residential development.
RM – Residential, Multiple Dwelling. This zone is created for the establishment, expansion and preservation of residential areas which are to be developed with multiple dwellings or combinations of single-family and multiple dwellings, and such other activities considered harmonious with such medium and high density residential development.
RA – Residential Agricultural. This zone is created for single-family residential uses together with compatible crop cultivation and related agricultural activities on land which is not yet fully utilized for residential purposes.
Commercial Zones
CN – Commercial, Neighborhood Center. This zone is created primarily for convenience retail shopping facilities to serve surrounding neighborhoods. Characteristically, each center is anchored by a grocery store with small retail service shops and professional offices.
CR – Commercial, Regional Center. This zone is created primarily for a major center, with its peripheral areas, which serves a community or subregional area and offers a full range of retail merchandise and services.
CG – Commercial, General. This zone is created primarily to provide areas for all types of commercial activities not grouped in commercial centers.
CA – Commercial, Automotive. This zone is created primarily to maximize and group retail sales of new automobiles at dealerships and promote the development of an auto sales district with consistent and appealing landscaping, lighting, signage and compatible architectural elements.
MU-CS – Mixed-Use – Carson Street. This zone is created primarily to create a downtown retail and residential district which will provide a distinctive core area along Carson Street which includes the Civic Center. This designation provides for pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use (commercial/residential) development which may include market rate, affordable or senior housing and transit-oriented development.
MU-SB – Mixed-Use – Sepulveda Boulevard. This zone is created primarily to create a retail, office and residential district along the south side of Sepulveda Boulevard two hundred forty (240) feet east of Marbella Avenue and four hundred (400) feet west of Avalon Street. This designation provides for mixed-use (commercial/ residential) development which may include market rate, affordable or senior housing development, residential or commercial development. The lots are very shallow in this area which makes conventional development difficult. The purpose of this zone is to create the flexibility needed to develop a vibrant residential/commercial corridor.
Industrial Zones
ML – Manufacturing, Light. This zone is created primarily for small and medium size industrial uses which are not likely to have adverse effects upon each other or upon neighboring residential and commercial zones.
MH – Manufacturing, Heavy. This zone is created primarily for the full range of industrial uses which are acceptable within the community as a whole, with provisions for controlling any adverse effects upon the more sensitive areas of the City.
Open Space Zone and Special Uses
OS – Open Space. This zone is created for the enhancement, expansion and protection of large outdoor recreation areas, natural resource areas, ecological preserves and land subject to special hazards which make such land unsuitable for buildings.
SU – Special Use. This classification is created primarily in order to provide for special zone designations with appropriate regulations for certain large or unique land uses which have a major impact upon the surrounding community and which could not have been reasonably anticipated in the zoning pattern. (Ord. 03-1279, § 1; 06-1363, § 9; Ord. 07-1392, § 9)
9113.2 Overlay Districts.
The following special designations are hereby created and may be combined by notation on the Zoning Map with any of the zoning districts listed in CMC 9113.1 in order to accomplish additional purposes within such designated areas:
BP – Blimp Port. This designation is created to provide for the development and operation of blimp ports. Properties within this designation will be required to meet certain site requirements and development standards.
CEM – Cemetery. This designation is created to provide for the development and operation of cemeteries and related uses. Properties within this designation will be required to meet certain development standards that provide for adequate setbacks, screening, parking, landscaping, and signage.
COL – College. This designation is created to provide for the development of higher education institutions that may include classrooms, administrative offices, and accessory uses. Site development standards will not be required for properties preempted under State law. All academic uses will be regulated under the rules and regulations of the Board of Trustees of the California State University and Colleges, California State Department of Finance, California Public Works Board, Office of the State Fire Marshal and Office of the State Architect.
D – Design Overlay. This designation is created primarily to provide for Site Plan and Design Review of future development within the designated areas in order to achieve special standards of design, architectural quality, style and compatibility, landscape treatment, and functional integration of neighboring developments.
EMS – Electronic Marquee Signage. This designation is created to provide for the development and operation of two (2) freeway-oriented electronic marquee signs for outdoor advertising purposes, one (1) on a 91 Freeway-adjacent commercial zone parcel and one (1) on a 405 Freeway-adjacent commercial zone parcel. The only parcels eligible for this designation shall be those four (4) parcels identified and considered in connection with the April 2001 National Training Center Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse Number 2000101041) certified by the Board of Trustees of the California State University and College System.
MUR – Mixed-Use Residential. This designation is created to provide for pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use (commercial/residential) development, and high density residential development which may include market rate, affordable or senior housing, within designated areas in commercial zones.
ORL – Organic Refuse Landfill. This designation is created to provide for the public health, safety and general welfare by regulating uses of organic refuse landfill sites and ensuring that proper mitigation measures are taken to eliminate or minimize hazards to persons and property and environmental risks associated with such sites including, but not limited to, toxicity, fire, explosion and subsidence.
MHP – Mobilehome Parks. This designation is created to maintain, preserve, and promote mobilehome parks as an important source of affordable rental housing. The MHP overlay district is created over, and automatically applies to, all existing mobilehome parks within the City. For purposes of this subsection and CMC 9113.4, “existing mobilehome parks” is defined as all land improved or operating as mobilehome parks within the City as of the date of approval of the City’s General Plan Amendment No. 115-23 (April 4, 2023), except those areas improved or operating as mobilehome parks that have either (i) a valid relocation impact report approval resolution in effect as of April 4, 2023, pursuant to CMC 9128.21, or (ii) a valid approval of closure or cessation of use of a mobilehome park resulting from the entry of an order for relief in bankruptcy as stated in Government Code Section 65863.7(f) as of April 4, 2023. (Ord. 94-1039, § 1; Ord. 02-1245, § 1; Ord. 11-1479, § 1; Ord. 23-2303, § 4(A))
9113.3 Density Designations.
Where a number appears on the zoning map in combination with the symbol for a residential zone, such number indicates the permitted density of development as provided in CMC 9124. (Ord. 78-449)
9113.4 MHP Overlay District Conditionally Permitted Use.
Existing mobilehome parks, as defined in CMC 9113.2, that were improved or operating as mobilehome parks as of the date of approval of the City’s General Plan Amendment No. 115-23 (April 4, 2023) are automatically permitted and need not obtain a CUP in order to constitute a lawful use within the MHP overlay district. Newly proposed mobilehome park uses are conditionally permitted within the MHP overlay district; such uses may be permitted with approval of a conditional use permit (“CUP”) in accordance with CMC 9121.1 and 9131.1. Use for any other purpose in the MHP overlay district is strictly prohibited. (Ord. 23-2303, § 4(B))
9114.1 Zoning Map.
The map entitled “Zoning Map, City of Carson,” on file in the office of the City Clerk, City of Carson, is hereby made a part of this Chapter by this reference thereto. The boundaries and symbols (as identified in Division 3 of this Part) indicate the areas of the City to which the regulations of the various districts apply.
The boundaries and symbols shown on the Zoning Map shall be amended or revised only in accordance with Zone Changes adopted pursuant to CMC 9172.13 or Zoning Boundary Adjustments adopted pursuant to CMC 9172.24. (Amendments to zoning map: Ord. 78-421; Ord. 78-422; Ord. 78-425; Ord. 78-439; Ord. 78-456; Ord. 78-457; Ord. 79-465; Ord. 79-472; Ord. 79-476; Ord. 80-537; Ord. 80-538; Ord. 81-556; Ord. 82-604; Ord. 83-651; Ord. 86-734; Ord. 86-748; Ord. 86-753; Ord. 86-756; Ord. 86-757; Ord. 86-758; Ord. 86-759; Ord. 87-795; Ord. 87-811; Ord. 88-826; Ord. 88-827; Ord. 88-838; Ord. 88-839; Ord. 88-845; Ord. 88-846; Ord. 89-865; Ord. 89-866; Ord. 89-879; Ord. 90-914; Ord. 90-923; Ord. 90-927; Ord. 91-937; Ord. 91-950; Ord. 91-951; Ord. 91-953; Ord. 92-971; Ord. 94-1033; Ord. 94-1040; Ord. 97-1125; Ord. 99-1171; Ord. 00-1195; Ord. 00-1205; Ord. 02-1240; Ord. 02-1242; Ord. 02-1247; Ord. 02-1252; Ord. 03-1285; Ord. 04-1305, § 2; Ord. 05-1331, § 2; Ord. 05-1336, § 2; Ord. 05-1338, § 6; Ord. 06-1341, § 18; Ord. 06-1350, § 7; Ord. 06-1353, § 10; Ord. 06-1364, § 8; Ord. 06-1369, § 8; Ord. 07-1370, § 9; Ord. 07-1391, § 7; Ord. 07-1393, § 9; Ord. 07-1395, § 8; Ord. 08-1406, § 8; Ord. 08-1407, § 7; Ord. 10-1441, § 6; Ord. 11-1463, § 6; Ord. 11-1466, § 6; Ord. 12-1493, § 1; Ord. 12-1501, § 1; Ord. 12-1503, § 1; Ord. 13-1521, § 8; Ord. 13-1531, § 8; Ord. 16-1582, § 8; Ord. 17-1608, § 2; Ord. 17-1610, § 2; Ord. 17-1614, § 2; Ord. 20-2003, § 5; Ord. 20-2013, § 3; Ord. 22-2220, § 4; Ord. 22-2221, § 4; Ord. 24-2405, § 4; Ord. 24-2408, § 4)
9114.2 Interpretation of Zoning Map.
In determining the precise location of zoning boundaries as shown on the Zoning Map, the following rules shall be followed, with precedence given to the rules in the order listed:
A. Where properties on opposite sides of a freeway, railroad, street, alley, walkway or flood control easement or right-of-way are in different zoning classifications, the zoning boundary shall be considered to be the centerline of such right-of-way or easement unless otherwise clearly indicated. The centerline shall be considered to be the line which would become the property line in the event the right-of-way or easement were vacated. (Ord. 80-532, § 1)
B. Where the zoning boundary appears to be in the approximate location of a property line, the zoning boundary shall be considered to coincide with the property line unless otherwise clearly indicated.
C. The location of a zoning boundary shall be determined by scaling from the nearest reference points shown on the Zoning Map.
D. Where any area shown on the Zoning Map is without a zoning designation, such area shall be deemed to be classified in the RS Zone.
PART 2. RESIDENTIAL ZONES
Sections:
Division 1. Uses Permitted
§ 9121.12 Uses Permitted on Organic Refuse Landfill Sites.
§ 9121.2 Interpretation of Uses Permitted.
Division 2. Accessory Uses
§ 9122.1 Accessory Dwelling Units.
§ 9122.2 Outbuildings and Outdoor Uses.
§ 9122.6 Sale of Produce in RA Zone.
§ 9122.7 Motor Vehicle Repair and Service.
§ 9122.9 Sex Offender Residency Restrictions.
Division 3. Conditional Use Criteria
§ 9123 Conditional Use Criteria.
Division 4. Density
Division 5. Site Requirements
§ 9125.3 Street Frontage and Access.
Division 6. Site Development Standards
Buildings and Structures
§ 9126.12 Height of Buildings and Structures.
Yards and Open Spaces
§ 9126.22 Future Rights-of-Way.
§ 9126.27 Space Between Buildings.
Other Site Development Standards
§ 9126.3 Fences, Walls and Hedges.
§ 9126.41 Trash and Recycling Areas.
§ 9126.6 Parking, Loading and Driveways.
§ 9126.9 Site Planning and Design.
Division 7. Environmental Effects
Division 8. Special Requirements for Certain Uses
Residential Condominiums
§ 9128.12 Existing Residential Condominiums.
§ 9128.13 Application for Conditional Use Permit.
§ 9128.15 Development Standards.
§ 9128.16 Development Criteria.
§ 9128.17 Declaration of Covenants – Conditions and Restrictions.
Mobile Home Parks
§ 9128.21 Relocation Impact Report (RIR).
Subdivision Directional Signs
§ 9128.34 Agreement and Deposit.
Home Occupations
Multiple-Family Dwelling
§ 9128.51 Multiple-Family Dwelling.
§ 9128.52 Existing Multiple-Family Dwellings.
§ 9128.53 Application for Conditional Use Permit.
§ 9128.54 Development Standards.
§ 9128.55 Development Criteria.
Reserved
Single-Room Occupancy Housing
§ 9128.7 Single-Room Occupancy Housing.
Second Primary Units and Two (2) Unit Developments
§ 9128.82 Ministerial Review – Standard for Denial – Courtesy Notice.
§ 9128.84 Development Standards.
§ 9128.85 Total Number of Units.