Culver City City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 7
DEFINITIONS
§ 17.700.005 PURPOSE.
This Article provides definitions of terms and phrases used in this Title that are technical or specialized, or that may not reflect common usage. If any of the definitions in this Article conflict with definitions in other provisions of the CCMC, these definitions shall control for the purposes of this Title. If a word is not defined in this Article, or in other provisions of the Title, the most common dictionary definition is presumed to be operative.
(Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part) Ord. No. 2024-006)
§ 17.700.010 DEFINITIONS OF SPECIALIZED TERMS AND PHRASES.
The following definitions are in alphabetical order.
A. Definitions, "A".
Accessory Dwelling Unit. An attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multiple-family dwelling is or will be situated.
Accessory Dwelling Unit, Junior. An attached residential dwelling unit within a proposed or existing single-family dwelling that is no more than 500 square feet in size. A junior accessory dwelling unit may share sanitary facilities with the primary dwelling unit but shall include a kitchen or efficiency kitchen consistent with applicable State and Building Code statutes.
Accessory Food Service. A use accessory to a primary retail use, occupying no more than 20% of the gross floor area of the primary use, where customers are served prepared food and/or beverages from a walk-up ordering counter for either on- or off-premise consumption.
Accessory Retail Use. The retail sales of various products (including food) in a store or similar facility that is located within a health care, hotel, office, industrial, or studio complex for the purpose of serving employees or customers of the primary use and is not visible from public streets. These uses include pharmacies, gift shops, and food service establishments within hospitals, as well as convenience stores and food service establishments within hotel, office, and industrial complexes.
Accessory Structure. A structure that is physically detached from, secondary, and incidental to, and commonly associated with, the primary structure.
Accessory Use. A use customarily incidental to, related and clearly subordinate to a principal use established on the same parcel, which does not alter the principal use, nor serve property other than the parcel where the principal use is located.
Accessory Uses and Structures, Residential. Any use and/or structure that is customarily a part of or clearly incidental to a residence, which does not change the character of the residential use and/or household. These uses include the following detached accessory structures, and other similar structures normally associated with a residential use of property:
Garages; | Spas and hot tubs; |
Gazebos; | Storage sheds; |
Greenhouses; | Swimming Pools; |
Outdoor recreational amenities, such as tennis and other on-side sport courts; | Workshops. |
Also includes the indoor storage of automobiles (including their incidental restoration and repair), personal recreational vehicles and other personal property, accessory to a residential use. Does not include home satellite dish and other receiving antennas for earth-based TV and radio broadcasts; see "Telecommunications Facilities."
Adult Business. Any adult bookstore, adult hotel or motel, adult motion picture arcade, adult motion picture theater, cabaret, sexual encounter center, or any other business or establishment that offers its patrons merchandise, services, or entertainment characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, but not including those uses or activities, the regulation of which is preempted by State law.
Adult Day Care Facilities. State-licensed facilities that provide non-medical care and supervision for more than six adults for periods of less than 24 hours.
Agent. A person authorized in writing by the property owner to represent and act for a property owner in contacts with City employees, committees, Commissions, and the Council, regarding matters regulated by this Title.
Aisle. A driveway that also serves as a maneuvering space for ingress and egress to one or more adjacent parking spaces.
Alcoholic Beverage Sales. The retail sale of beer, wine, and/or other alcoholic beverages for on- or off-premise consumption.
Alley. A public or private roadway, generally not more than 30-feet-wide, that provides vehicle access to the rear or side of parcels having other public street frontage, and that is not intended for general traffic circulation.
Allowed Use. A use of land identified by Article 2 (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses and Zone-Specific Standards) as a permitted or conditional use that may be established with a land use permit and, where applicable, site plan review and/or building permit approval, subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of this Title.
Alteration. Any construction or physical change in the internal arrangement of rooms or the supporting members of a structure, or a change in the external appearance of any structure, not including painting. See also "Structural Alteration."
Amnesty Program. The policies adopted under Resolution No. 97-R067 to establish consistent enforcement policies and practices regarding unpermitted property conversions and building constructions.
Animal Sales and Services.
a. Animal Boarding and Kennels. Public or commercial facilities for the keeping, boarding, or maintaining of common household pets for commercial purposes, except for dogs or cats offered for sale in pet shops.
b. Animal Hospitals. An establishment providing medical and surgical treatment for domestic animals. This classification allows 24-hour accommodation of animals receiving medical services but does not include kennels. Use allowed indoors only.
c. Pet Day Care. A facility for the primary purpose of same day, short-term keeping, boarding or maintaining of animals that do not require medical treatment, and excludes the keeping of animals overnight.
d. Pet Shops. Retail stores selling or offering for adoption birds, cats, dogs, fish, and other common household pets, including supplies for the care and feeding of the animals sold. This use may include pet grooming as an accessory or standalone use, but not the overnight boarding of animals other than those for sale.
e. Veterinary Clinics. Office and medical treatment facilities used by veterinarians, including large and small animal veterinary clinics. Use allowed indoors only.
Applicant. Any person, firm, partnership, association, joint venture, corporation, or any entity or combination of entities who seek residential property development permits or approvals from the City of Culver City.
Approval. Includes both approval and approval with conditions.
Architectural Feature. Soffit, column, wing wall, canopy, roof eave, balcony, bell tower, spires, clock tower, cupolas, turrets, and any other similar element that does not create an interior floor space.
Arterial Street. Arterial streets include primary and secondary arterial streets. Primary arterial streets are major cross-town thoroughfares. Secondary arterial streets connect primary arterial streets to smaller streets and residential neighborhoods. Primary and secondary arterial streets are defined in the General Plan Circulation Element.
Assembly.
a. Clubs, Lodges, and Private Meeting Halls. Permanent, headquarters-type and meeting facilities for organizations, operating on a membership basis, for the promotion of the interests of the members, including facilities for:
Business Associations; | Civic, social, and fraternal organizations; |
Labor Unions and similar organizations; | Political Organizations; |
Professional membership organizations; | Other membership organizations. |
b. Religious Places of Worship. Facilities operated by organizations for worship, or the promotion of religious activities, such as churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples; and accessory uses on the same site, such as living quarters for ministers and staff, child day care facilities and religious schools, where authorized by the same type of land use permit required for the church itself. Other establishments maintained by religious organizations, such as full-time educational institutions, hospitals and other potentially related operations (such as a recreational camp), are classified according to their respective activities.
Attic. The area between roof framing and the ceiling of the rooms below that is not habitable per Building Code standards, but may be reached by ladder and used for storage or mechanical equipment. Any such room with less than 70 square feet in area or less than seven feet in height shall constitute an attic.
Automated Teller Machine (ATM). Computerized, self-service machines used by banking customers for financial transactions, including deposits, withdrawals and fund transfers, without contact with financial institution personnel. The machines may be located at or within banks, or in other locations, in compliance with § 17.400.025 (Automatic Teller Machines).
Awning. A permanent or temporary structure attached to, and wholly supported by, a wall or a building, installed over and partially in front of doors, windows or other openings in a building, and consisting of a frame and a top of canvas or other similar material covering the entire space enclosed between the frame.
B. Definitions, "B".
Balcony. An accessible platform structure that projects from a building facade or wall without ground mounted structures or supports and is surrounded by a railing or parapet.
Banks and Financial Services. Financial institutions including:
Banks and trust companies; | Credit agencies; |
Credit unions; | Holding (but not primarily operating) companies; |
Lending and thrift institutions; | Other investment companies; |
Securities/commodity contract brokers and dealers; | Security and commodity exchanges; |
Vehicle finance (equity) leasing agencies. |
Does not include check-cashing or payday-loan facilities.
Base Density. The number of base units per acre a residential development project is entitled to under Culver City Zoning Code regulations before applying any State, Local, or other bonuses. Projects within MU-1 or MU-2 zones may receive a base density increase to 65 dwelling units per acre.
Basement. That portion of a building or an area enclosed by walls located below finished grade and beneath and not exceeding the first floor footprint above, where the vertical distance from finished grade to the bottom of the finished floor above is no more than three vertical feet at all points around the perimeter of all exterior walls. A basement does not constitute a story. All basements shall be limited to one floor level and not to exceed 12 feet in height.
Bay Window. A window formed as the exterior expression of a bay within a structure, a bay in this context being an interior recess made by the outward projection of the exterior finish of the exterior wall of a building with exterior bottom portion no less than six inches above grade. The purpose of a bay window is to admit more light than would a window flush with the wall line. A bay window may be rectangular, polygonal, or arc-shaped. A bay window is also called an oriel, or oriel window, when it projects from an upper story and which may be supported by corbels. Bay windows may be multi-level.
Bedroom. Any room in a dwelling except a living room, bathroom, dining room or kitchen, but including a den, family room, game room, library, office, play room, sewing room, study, or other room that could, under the Building Code of the City, be used for sleeping purposes without structural modification, and also including an alcove, loft or similar feature within a room other than a bedroom.
Blank Wall. Any wall that is not enhanced by architectural detailing, artwork, landscaping, windows, doors, or similar features. Solid and mechanical doors and glass with less than 80% transparency are considered blank wall areas.
Broadcast Studios. Commercial and public communications uses, including radio and television broadcasting and receiving stations and studios, with facilities entirely within buildings. Transmission and receiving apparatus, including antennas and towers, are included under the definition of Telecommunications Facilities.
Building. See “Structure.”
Business Frontage. The portion of a building occupied by a single business tenant, which fronts on a public street, faces a courtyard, pedestrian corridor or walkway, parking lot or alley, where customer access to the business is available.
Business and Consumer Support Services. Establishments primarily providing consumers and businesses with services, including maintenance, repair and service, testing, rental, as well as the following:
Blueprinting;
Business equipment repair services (except vehicle repair, see "Vehicle Service - Maintenance/Repair");
Computer-related services (rental, repair);
Copying, quick printing, and blueprinting services;
Equipment rental businesses within buildings;
Film-processing laboratories;
Heavy equipment repair services where repair occurs on the client site;
Household appliance and equipment repair services;
Janitorial and maid services;
Mail advertising services (reproduction and shipping);Photocopying and photofinishing;
Protective services (other than office-related);
Window cleaning.
C. Definitions, "C".
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). State law (Cal. Pub. Res. Code §§ 21000 et seq.) requiring public agencies to document and consider the environmental effects of a proposed action, prior to allowing the action to occur.
Cannabis Related Activities.
a. Cannabis. Except as specified herein, all parts of the Cannabis sativa Linnaeus, Cannabis indica, or Cannabis ruderalis, whether growing or not: the seeds thereof: the resin, whether crude or purified, extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin. "Cannabis" also means the separated resin, whether crude or purified, obtained from cannabis. "Cannabis" does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant which is incapable of germination. For the purpose of this division, "cannabis" does not mean "industrial hemp" as defined by § 11018.5 of the Cal. Health and Safety Code
b. Cultivation. Any activity involving the planting, growing, harvesting, drying, curing, grading, or trimming of cannabis.
c. Delivery. The commercial transfer of cannabis or cannabis products to a customer. "Delivery" also includes the use by a retailer of any technology platform.
d. Dispensing or Dispensary. Any activity involving the retail sale of cannabis or cannabis products from a retailer.
e. Distribution. The procurement, sale, and transport of cannabis and cannabis products between licensees.
f. Manufacturer. To compound, blend, extract, infuse, or otherwise make or prepare a cannabis product.
g. Marijuana. Means "cannabis," as that term is defined in this Title.
h. Retailer-Storefront. A commercial cannabis business facility where cannabis, cannabis products, or devices for the use of cannabis or cannabis products are offered, either individually or in any combination, for retail sale to customers at an on-site fixed location, including an establishment that also offers delivery of cannabis and cannabis products as part of a retail sale, in addition to on-site sales, and where the operator holds a valid commercial cannabis business permit from the City of Culver City authorizing the operation of a retailer, and a valid state license as required by state law to operate a retailer.
i. Retailer-Delivery only. A commercial cannabis business facility where cannabis, cannabis products, or devices for the use of cannabis or cannabis products are offered, either individually or in any combination, for retail sale to customers, where the premises are closed to the public and sales are conducted exclusively by delivery, where a vehicle is used to convey the cannabis or cannabis products to the customer from a fixed location, and where the operator holds a valid commercial cannabis business permit from the City of Culver City authorizing the operation of a retailer, and a valid state license as required by state law to operate a retailer.
j. Testing laboratory. A laboratory, facility, or entity in the state that offers or performs tests of cannabis or cannabis products and that is both of the following:
i. Accredited by an accrediting body that is independent from all other persons involved in commercial cannabis activity in the state.
ii. Licensed by the State of California.
Canopy Depth. The maximum perpendicular distance that a canopy projects away from the building wall to which it is attached.
Canopy, Nonstructural. See “Awning.”
Canopy, Structural. An architectural feature that projects from, and is totally supported by, the exterior wall of a building; provides protection from the elements to pedestrians below, or to occupants within the building; is usually positioned above a window or door; and is permanent, in that it is not retractable and cannot be removed from the building without altering the building structure.
Canopy Width. The maximum parallel distance that a canopy extends across the building wall to which it is attached.
Carport. A roofed structure over a driveway or a parking area, the purpose of which is to shelter a vehicle.
Check Cashing. Check cashing is a primary business, other than a bank, credit union, or other similar financial institution, that cashes, sells, and/or processes checks, money orders, electronic money transfers, and other financial documents for a fee.
Child Day Care Facilities. Facilities that provide non-medical care and supervision of minor children for periods of less than 24 hours. These facilities include the following, all of which are also required to be licensed by the California State Department of Social Services.
a. Child Day Care Center. Commercial or non-profit child day care facilities designed, approved and licensed as a child care center with no permanent resident. Includes infant centers, preschools, sick-child centers, and school-age day care facilities. These may be operated in conjunction with another related facility, or as an independent land use.
b. Large Family Day Care Home. A day care facility located in a residence where a full-time resident provides care and supervision for seven to 14 children. Children under the age of ten years who reside in the home count as children served by the day care facility.
c. Small Family Day Care Home. A day care facility located in a residence where a full-time resident provides care and supervision for up to eight children. Children under the age of ten years who reside in the home count as children served by the day care facility.
Clubs, Lodges and Private Meeting Halls. See “Assembly.”
Commercial Entertainment and Recreation.
a. Arcade. Any premises containing four or more entertainment devices, or any premises wherein 50% or more of the public floor area is devoted to amusement devices, whether or not said devices constitute the primary use or any accessory use of the premises. For purposes of this definition, Amusement Device means any mechanical or electronic game, machine or equipment played or used for amusement, which, when so played or used, involves skill, is activated by coin, token or key, or for which the player or user pays money for the privilege of playing or using. Three or fewer machines are not considered a land use separate from the primary use of the site. Up to ten amusement devices are permitted in conjunction with a multiplex movie theater complex without being considered an arcade.
b. Event Center. A facility for public or private meetings, events, or social gatherings, including union halls, meeting halls, country clubs, banquet halls, and other event centers. Included in this classification is the use of functionally related facilities for the use of members or event/banquet attendees including, but not limited to, kitchens, multi-purpose rooms, classrooms, and storage.
c. Indoor Commercial Recreation. Establishments providing indoor amusement/entertainment services for a fee or admission charge, or renting space for private events. This includes, but is not limited to, ice skating and roller skating, batting cages, pool and billiard rooms as primary uses, and bowling alleys.
d. Outdoor Commercial Recreation. Facilities for various outdoor sports or entertainment and types of recreation where a fee is charged for use, such as amphitheaters, golf driving ranges separate from golf courses, miniature golf courses, batting cages, swim and tennis clubs. Does not include parks and playgrounds, which are defined separately.
e. Theaters. Indoor facilities for public assembly and group entertainment, other than sporting events, including civic theaters and facilities for "live" theater and concerts, and motion picture theaters. Does not include outdoor theaters, concert and similar entertainment facilities, and indoor and outdoor facilities for sporting events; see "Public Recreational Facilities."
Commercial Kitchen. Preparation and delivery of food and beverages for off-site consumption which may include provisions for on-site pickup, not including ghost kitchens. A catering service ancillary to a primary restaurant use is included under the definitions of "Restaurants."
Common Interest Development. Any residential condominium, community apartment house, or stock cooperative.
Community Garden. The cultivation of herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables, including the cultivation and tillage of soil and the production, cultivation, growing, and harvesting of any agricultural, floricultural, or horticultural commodity, by several individuals or households.
Condominium. As defined by Cal. Civil Code § 1351, a development where undivided interest in common in a portion of real property is coupled with a separate interest in space called a unit, the boundaries of which are described on a recorded final map or parcel map. The area within the boundaries may be filled with air, earth, or water, or any combination thereof, and need not be physically attached to any land except by easements for access and, if necessary, support.
Contractor's Storage Yard. Storage yards operated by, or on behalf of, a State licensed contractor for storage of large equipment, or other materials commonly used in the individual contractor's type of business.
Construction Contractors. An office-type facility occupied by businesses that provide professional contracting services. This use does not include outdoor storage of equipment and materials.
Cottage Food Operation. A cottage food operation means an enterprise where an individual prepares or packages non-potentially hazardous foods in his or her private home for sale to consumers and as it is defined in Cal. Health and Safety Code § 113758. The definitions set forth in Cal. Health and Safety Code § 113758 are hereby incorporated herein by reference, as they are now enacted or hereafter amended.
Covered. Any enclosed, semi-enclosed, or unenclosed building area that is covered by a solid roof.
D. Definitions, "D".
Deferred Compliance. Extended period of time for a property owner to comply with Municipal Code provisions as granted by the Municipal Code Appeals Committee as established under Resolution No. 97-R067.
Density. The number of housing units per gross acre, unless otherwise stated, for residential uses.
Detached. Any structure that does not have a wall or roof in common with another structure.
Development. Any construction activity or alteration of the landscape, its terrain contour or vegetation, including the erection or alteration of structures. New Development is any construction, or alteration of an existing structure or land use, or establishment of a land use, after the effective date of this Title.
Development Agreement. A contract between the City and an applicant for a development project, in compliance with Chapter 17.590 of this Title and Cal. Gov't Code §§ 65864 et seq. A development agreement is intended to provide assurance to the applicant that an approved project may proceed, subject to the policies, rules, regulations, and conditions of approval applicable to the project at the time of approval, regardless of any changes to City policies, rules, and regulations after project approval. In return, the City may be assured that the applicant will provide infrastructure and/or pay fees required by a new project.
Development Standard. Site or construction conditions that apply to a residential development project pursuant to any ordinance, general plan element, specific plan, charter amendment, or other local condition, law, policy, resolution, or regulation as per Cal. Gov’t Code § 65915(o)(1) of the State Density Bonus Law, including, but not limited to, height limitations, setback requirements, onsite open-space requirements, design standards, or parking ratios as stipulated by any ordinance, general plan element, specific plan, charter, or other local condition, law, policy, resolution, or regulation.
Disability. The definition of Disability shall be consistent with Cal. Gov't Code §§ 12900 through 12996 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
District. See “Zoning District.”
Drive-in and Drive-thru Facilities. Retail or service facilities where products or services are provided to motorists who remain in their vehicles. These facilities include drive-thru fast-food restaurants, and drive-up bank teller windows, dry cleaners, pharmacies, and the like. Does not include: automatic teller machines (ATMs), automobile service stations, or car washes, which are separately defined.
Duplex. See “Two-Family Dwelling/Duplex.”
Dwelling Unit. Any structure designed or used for the shelter or housing that contains permanent provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation, occupied by or intended for one or more persons on a long-term basis.
E. Definitions, "E".
Eating and Drinking Establishments.
a. Bars and Night Clubs. Businesses where alcoholic beverages are sold for on-site consumption, which are not part of a larger restaurant. Includes bars, taverns, pubs, and similar establishments where any food service is subordinate to the sale of alcoholic beverages. May include entertainment (e.g., live music and/or dancing, comedy, and the like). May also include artisanal alcohol production that does not exceed 20% gross floor area unless approved by Administrative Use Permit to exceed no more than 30% gross floor area. Does not include Adult Businesses.
b. Beverage Tasting Facility. A beverage tasting facility means an ancillary tasting of alcoholic beverage product associated with a food and beverage manufacturing use or a general retail use when that general retail use includes the sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits for off-site consumption. A beverage tasting facility cannot exceed 20% of the gross floor area of the food and beverage manufacturing or general retail use to which it is associated unless approved by administrative use permit to exceed no more than 30% gross floor area.
c. Artisanal Alcohol Production. Manufacturing of alcoholic beverage products ancillary to a table service restaurant. Artisanal alcohol production cannot exceed 20% gross floor area of the table service restaurant to which it is a part unless approved by Administrate Use Permit to exceed no more than 30% gross floor area.
d. Restaurant, Outdoor Dining. Any group of tables and chairs, and its authorized decorative and accessory features, situated and maintained in an open or partially enclosed or screened area on public or private property for use in connection with a restaurant for the consumption of food and beverage sold on-site.
e. Restaurant, Table Service or Take Out. A retail business selling food and beverages prepared on the site, where customers are served food at tables or from a walk-up ordering counter, for either on- or off-premise consumption, which may include fast-food and take-out restaurants. A restaurant with drive-up or drive-through service is instead included under the definition of "Drive-in and Drive-Thru Facilities." These restaurants may also provide live entertainment that is clearly secondary to table service. May also include artisanal alcohol production, subject to the provisions of § 17.400.015 (Alcoholic Beverage Sales).
Emergency Shelter. Facilities providing temporary shelter with minimal supportive services for homeless persons that are limited to occupancy of 180 days or less by a homeless person, persons, household, or family operated by a public or non-profit agency. These accommodations may include temporary lodging, meals, laundry facilities, bathing, counseling, and other basic support services.
Environmental Impact Report (EIR). An informational document used to assess the physical characteristics of an area, and to determine what effects will result if the area is altered by a proposed action, prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
F. Definitions, "F".
False Mansard. A sloped wall segment that is above or projects down and away from a vertical wall of a building, and that is not a building roof, as defined by the Uniform Building Code, but that gives the visual appearance of a traditional mansard roof.
Feasible. Capable of being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking into account economic, environmental, social and technological factors.
Firearms Sales. A retail establishment engaged in the selling, transferring, or leasing of firearms.
Floor Area. Is considered the same as Gross Floor Area or Gross Square Footage. Floor Area shall include all area within each level or floor of a structure, measured from exterior wall finish, except as otherwise defined in this Title. All space within each floor shall be counted towards the area for that floor and shall include, but not be limited to hallways; lobbies; stairways and elevators; mechanical or utility rooms; storage rooms; and restrooms; but shall not include basements or subterranean parking. The following specific features and structures shall also be counted towards floor area:
a. Bay Windows. Bay window protrusions with flooring that is less than 12 inches above the top surface of the interior finished floor, and which are unobstructed with permanent structures, shall be counted as floor area.
b. Residential Staircases. For residential structures, a staircase shall be counted only once if the area underneath the stairs is not accessible and not visible by way of solid walls encasing the area under the stairs.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR). The floor area ratio (FAR) is the ratio of floor area to total lot area. The maximum floor area permitted on a site shall be determined by multiplying the floor area ratio (FAR) by the total area of the site (FAR x Site Area = Maximum Allowable Floor Area). Basement area shall not be included in calculation of FAR.
Floor Area, Single-Family Residential. In the R1 Zone, residential floor area shall include any floor area, confined from exterior wall to exterior wall, within the main dwelling unit, accessory structures, and garages, with the exception that attached and detached accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall not be counted towards FAR and garages located in the rear one-half of the lot shall not be counted towards FAR. On a typical lot type defined by Figure 7-1 (Examples of Lot Types), the "rear one-half of the lot" shall be defined as the area between the rear property line and the midline between the front and rear yard property lines. On any lot type not represented in Figure 7-1, the garage exemption from FAR shall be determined by the Director. Interior areas with ceiling heights greater than 14 feet shall be counted twice toward the floor area with the exception that the first 250 square feet of such areas shall be counted only once towards the floor area.
G. Definitions, "G".
General Plan. The City of Culver City general plan, including all elements thereof and all amendments thereto, as adopted by the City Council under the provisions of Cal. Gov't Code §§ 65300 et seq., and referred to in this Title as the "General Plan."
Grade. The ground surface immediately adjacent to the exterior base of a structure, typically used as the basis for measurement of the height of the structure.
H. Definitions, "H".
Handcraft Industries. Establishments manufacturing and/or assembling small products primarily by hand, including jewelry, pottery and other ceramics, furniture, as well as small glass and metal art and craft products.
Hazardous Materials/Wholesale Fuel Storage and Distribution. The storage of hazardous materials including but not limited to pressurized gas, chemicals, minerals and ores, petroleum or petroleum-based fuels, fireworks, and explosives. Includes any establishment engaged in sale of petroleum/fuel products, including storage, refinery, and recycling of biodiesel fuels that may be serviced by pipeline, rail, or trucks. This land use does not include the storage of small quantities of explosives or hazardous materials, as customary in hardware, landscaping, or sporting goods stores, etc.
Health/Fitness Facilities. Fitness centers, gymnasiums, health and athletic clubs, including any of the following: indoor sauna, spa, tanning or hot tub facilities; indoor tennis, handball, racquetball, archery and other indoor activities.
Heliport. A facility for the takeoff and landing of helicopters. Also includes support activities such as fueling and maintenance, storage, communications equipment, buildings and structures, lights, and other equipment and structures required by the United States Government and/or the State for the safety of aircraft operations.
Home Occupation. The conduct of a business within the business owner's primary residence, with the business activity being subordinate to the residential use of the property.
Hotel or Motel. Facilities with guest rooms or suites, provided with or without kitchen facilities, rented to the general public for transient lodging (less than 30 days). Hotels provide access to most guest rooms from an interior walkway, and typically include a variety of services in addition to lodging; for example, restaurants, meeting facilities, personal services, and the like. Motels provide access to most guest rooms from an exterior walkway. Also includes accessory guest facilities, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, indoor athletic/fitness facilities, and accessory retail uses. This use includes bed and breakfasts. For stays of longer than 30 consecutive days up to 365 consecutive days, see "Hotel or Motel (Extended Stay)."
Hotel or Motel (Extended Stay). Facilities with one or more guest rooms or suites, provided with or without kitchen facilities, rented to general public for long term lodging purposes of greater than 30 consecutive days but less than 365 consecutive days; except that such facilities may be leased by businesses for corporate use for periods of 365 consecutive days or greater, so long as each guest room or suite is vacated by the guest within 365 days. Hotel or Motel (Extended Stay) typically includes a variety of services in addition to lodging, such as restaurants, meeting facilities, personal services, and similar traveler-related uses. Also includes accessory guest facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, indoor athletic/fitness facilities, and accessory retail uses.
Housing Development Project. A housing development project that meets the following definition per Cal. Gov’t. Code § 65589.5(h)(2), as may be amended from time to time:
a. Residential units only.
b. Mixed-use developments consisting of residential and nonresidential uses with at least two-thirds of the square footage designated for residential use.
c. Transitional housing or supportive housing.
I. Definitions, "I".
Individual With a Disability. The definition of an individual with a disability shall be consistent with Cal. Gov't Code §§ 12900 through 12996 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Internet Café. A business where customers can use a computer with Internet access for a fee, usually per hour or minute. It may also sell food and beverages.
J. Definitions, "J".
No specialized terms beginning with the letter "J" are used at this time.
K. Definitions, "K".
Kitchen. Any room or space within a structure containing a combination of the following facilities that are capable of being used for the cooking or preparation of food: oven/microwave oven, stove, refrigerator exceeding six cubic feet, and sink.
L. Definitions, "L".
Land Use Permit. Authority granted by the City to use a specified site for a particular purpose, including but not limited to Administrative Use Permits, Comprehensive Plans, Conditional Use Permits, Specific Plans, Variances and planning clearances, as established by Article 5 (Land Use and Development Permit Procedures) of this Title.
Landscaping.
a. Hardscape. Constructed landscape elements, including items such as colored or textured concrete pavers, wood decks, rockwork, masonry planters, wood box planters, water features, walls and fences.
b. Hardscape Areas. Areas including patios, decks, walkways and paving.
c. Hydrozone. A portion of the landscaped area having plants with similar water needs that are served by a valve or set of valves with the same schedule.
d. Infiltration Rate. The rate of water entry into the soil expressed as a depth of water per unit of time (e.g., inches per hour).
e. Landscaped Area. The open space area (entire parcel less the building footprint, driveway, and parking area) developed with ornamental plant material, and hardscape. Water features are included in the calculation of the landscaped area.
f. Landscaping. Ornamental live plant materials (trees, shrubs, vines, groundcover or turf) in containers or at grade and decorative hardscape areas.
g. Overspray. Water delivered beyond the landscaped areas.
h. Parkway. Land area between street curb and sidewalk.
i. Plant Materials. Trees, shrubs, vines ground cover, turf or any other ornamental live plants.
j. Planted Area. Areas including live ornamental plant materials installed within open space landscaped areas.
k. Runoff. Water that is not absorbed by the planted area to which it is applied and flows from the area. For example, runoff may result from water that is applied at too great a rate (application rate exceeds infiltration rate) or where there is a severe slope.
l. Street Trees. Trees planted within a public street right-of-way.
m. Turf. A single-bladed grass or sod.
Laundries and Dry Cleaning Plants. Service establishments engaged primarily in high volume laundry and garment services, including: power laundries (family and commercial); garment pressing and dry cleaning; linen supply; diaper service; industrial laundries; carpet and upholstery cleaners. Does not include laundromats or dry cleaning pick-up stores with limited dry cleaning equipment; see "Personal Services."
Libraries and Museums. Public or quasi-public facilities, including aquariums, arboretums, art exhibitions, botanical gardens, historic sites and exhibits, libraries, museums, and planetariums, which are generally non-commercial in nature.
Live/Work Unit. An integrated housing unit and working space occupied and utilized by a single household, in a structure that has been designed or structurally modified to accommodate joint residential occupancy and work activity.
Lot or Parcel. A recorded lot or parcel of real property under single ownership, lawfully created as required by the Subdivision Map Act and City ordinances, including this Title. Portions of a Lot or Parcel that are within the public right-of-way and restricted by easement, or similar instrument, to sidewalk, alley, or street uses shall not be considered a part of the Lot or Parcel. Types of lots include the following.
a. Corner Lot. A lot located at the intersection of two or more streets, where they intersect at an interior angle of not more than 135 degrees. If the intersection angle is more than 135 degrees, the lot is considered an interior lot.
b. Flag Lot. A lot having access from the building site to a public street by means of private right-of-way strip that is owned in fee.
c. Interior Lot. A lot abutting only one street.
d. Key Lot. An interior lot, the side of which adjoins the rear property line of a reverse corner lot.
e. Reverse Corner Lot. A corner lot, the rear of which abuts a key lot.
f. Through Lot. A lot with frontage on two generally parallel streets.
Lot Area.
a. Gross Lot Area. The total horizontal area of a lot or parcel of land inclusive of easements and future dedications where the owner of the property does not have the right to use the entire surface of the land. Gross lot area shall exclude any previous easements or dedications for a public street, right-of-way, or alley. For State Density Bonus Law projects, see Cal. Gov’t Code § 65915.
b. Net Lot Area. The total horizontal area of a lot or parcel of land exclusive of the following (see Figure 7-2):
i. Proposed public facilities which include, but are not limited to alleys, highways, streets, or other necessary public sites when included within a proposed project; and
ii. Other public or private easements where the owner of the property does not have the right to use the entire surface of the land.
Lot Coverage. See “Site Coverage.”
Lot Depth. The average linear distance between the front and the rear lot lines, or the intersection of the two side lot lines if there is no rear line. The Director shall determine lot depth for parcels of irregular configuration.
Lot Frontage. The boundary of a lot adjacent to a public street right-of-way.
Lot Line or Property Line. Any recorded boundary of a lot. Types of lot lines are as follows.
a. Front Lot Line. On an interior lot, the property line separating the parcel from the street. The front lot line on a corner lot is the line with the shortest frontage. (If the lot lines of a corner lot are equal in length, the front lot line shall be determined by the Director.) On a through lot, both lot lines are front lot lines, and the lot is considered to have no rear lot line.
b. Interior Lot Line. Any lot line not abutting a street.
c. Rear Lot Line. A property line that does not intersect the front lot line, which is most distant from and most closely parallel to the front lot line.
d. Side Lot Line. Any lot line that is not a front or rear lot line.
e. Zero Lot Line. The location of a structure on a lot in such a manner that one or more edges rests directly on a lot line.
Lot Width. The horizontal distance between the side lot lines, measured at right angles to the lot depth at a point midway between the front and rear lot lines. The Lot Width of irregular shaped lots may be determined through a Zoning Clearance.
Low Barrier Navigation Center. A Housing First, low barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing.
M. Definitions, "M".
Manufacturing.
a. Chemical Product Manufacturing. Manufacturing facilities that produce or use basic chemicals, and other establishments creating products predominantly by chemical processes. Facilities included in this definition manufacture three general classes of products: (1) basic chemicals, such as acids, alkalines, salts, and organic chemicals; (2) chemical products to be used in further manufacture, such as synthetic fibers, plastic materials, dry colors, and pigments; and (3) finished chemical products to be used for ultimate consumption, such as drugs, cosmetics, and soaps; or to be used as materials or supplies in other industries, such as paints, fertilizers, and explosives; (4) cannabis manufacturer and cannabis cultivation. Also includes sales and transportation establishments handling the chemicals described above in other than one of the uses included in the Retail Trade group in the land use and permit tables.
b. Clay and Pottery Products Manufacturing. Manufacturing facilities engaged primarily in producing, cutting, shaping, and finishing structural clay products, including pipe, china plumbing fixtures, and vitreous china articles. Artist/craftsman uses are included in "Handcraft Industries" and "Small-Scale Products Manufacturing."
c. Construction Materials Manufacturing. Manufacturing, processing, and sales involving concrete, plaster, lumber, paving and roofing materials as defined below.
i. Concrete, Gypsum and Plaster Product Manufacturing. Manufacturing establishments producing bulk concrete, concrete building block, brick, tile and all types of precast and prefab concrete products. Also includes ready-mix concrete batch plants, lime manufacturing, and manufacture of gypsum products, such as plasterboard. A retail ready-mix concrete operation as an incidental use in conjunction with a building materials outlet is defined under "Building Material Stores."
ii. Lumber and Wood Product Manufacturing. Manufacturing, processing, and sales uses involving the milling of forest products to produce rough and finished lumber and other wood materials for use in other manufacturing, craft, or construction processes. Includes the following processes and products:
a.) Containers, pallets and skids;
b.) Milling operations;
c.) Trusses and structural beams;
d.) Turning and shaping of wood products;
e.) Wholesaling of basic wood products;
f.) Wood product assembly.
Craft-type shops are included in "Artisan Shops," and other wood and cabinet shops are included under "Furniture and Fixture Manufacturing." The indoor retail sale of building materials is included under "Building Material Stores."
iii. Paving and Roofing Materials Manufacturing. The manufacture of various common paving and petroleum-based roofing materials, including bulk asphalt, paving blocks made of asphalt, creosote wood and various compositions of asphalt and tar.
d. Electronics and Equipment Manufacturing. Establishments engaged in manufacturing machinery, apparatus, and supplies for the generation, storage, transmission, transformation and use of electrical energy, including:
i. Appliances, such as stoves/ovens, refrigerators, freezers, laundry equipment, fans, vacuum cleaners, sewing machines;
ii. Aviation instruments;
iii. Electronic components and accessories, and semiconductors, integrated circuits, related devices;
iv. Electronic instruments, components and equipment such as calculators and computers;
v. Electronic transmission and distribution equipment;
vi. Electrical welding apparatus;
vii. Industrial apparatus;
viii. Industrial controls;
ix. Instruments for measurement, testing, analysis and control, associated sensors and accessories;
x. Lighting and wiring equipment such as lamps and fixtures, wiring devices, vehicle lighting;
xi. Miscellaneous electrical machinery, equipment and supplies, such as batteries, X-ray apparatus and tubes, electro-medical and electrotherapeutic apparatus, electrical equipment for internal combustion engines;
xii. Motors and generators;
xiii. Optical instruments and lenses;
xiv. Photographic equipment and supplies;
xv. Pre-recorded magnetic tape;
xvi. Radio and television receiving equipment, such as television and radio sets, phonograph records and surgical, medical and dental instruments, equipment, and supplies;
xvii. Surveying and drafting instruments;
xviii. Telephone and telegraph apparatus;
xix. Transformers, switch gears and switchboards.
Does not include testing laboratories (soils, materials testing, and the like) (see "Business Support Services") or research and development facilities separate from manufacturing (see "Research and Development").
e. Fabric Product Manufacturing. Manufacturing facilities fabricating clothing, draperies, and other similar products, and/or producing textiles and leather products, which may include any of the following operations:
i. Coating, waterproofing, or otherwise treating fabric;
ii. Dying and finishing fiber, yarn, fabric and knit apparel;
iii. Manufacture of felt goods, lace goods, non-woven fabrics and miscellaneous textiles;
iv. Manufacture of knit apparel and other finished products from yarn;
v. Manufacturing of woven fabric, carpets and rugs from yarn;
vi. Preparation of fiber and subsequent manufacturing of yarn, threads, braids, twine cordage;
vii. Upholstery manufacturing;
viii. Custom tailors and dressmakers not operating as factory and not located on the site of a clothing store ("General Retail Stores") are instead included under "Personal Services."
f. Food and Beverage Manufacturing. Manufacturing facilities producing or processing foods and beverages for human consumption, and certain related products. Includes:
i. Bakeries (non-retail);
ii. Bottling plants;
iii. Breweries;
iv. Candy, sugar and confectionary products manufacturing;
v. Coffee roasting;
vi. Ghost kitchens;
vii. Grain mill products and by-products;
viii. Miscellaneous food item preparation from raw products.
g. Furniture and Fixtures Manufacturing. Manufacturers producing: wood and metal household furniture and appliances; bedsprings and mattresses; all types of office furniture and public building furniture and partitions, shelving, lockers and store furniture; and miscellaneous drapery hardware, window blinds and shades.
h. Glass, Metal, and Plastics Product Manufacturing. Manufacturing facilities: 1) producing flat glass and other glass products, which are pressed, blown, or shaped from glass produced in the same establishment; 2) assembling metal parts, including uses that produce metal duct work, tanks, towers, cabinets and enclosures, metal doors and gates, and similar products; and 3) producing finished plastic products, fiberglass, and rubber products, such as tires, footwear, flooring, and other rubber products, from natural, synthetic or reclaimed rubber.
i. Machinery Manufacturing. The manufacturing of machinery and equipment used for the manufacturing of other products; as parts in the assembly of other products; and for end-use purposes, including the following:
i. Constructive equipment;
ii. Laundry and dry cleaning;
iii. Die casting;
iv. Materials handling;
v. Engines and turbines;
vi. Oil field equipment;
vii. Farming and gardening;
viii. Passenger and freight elevators;
ix. Food products manufacturing;
x. Printing;
xi. Heating, ventilation, air conditioning;
xii. Refrigeration equipment;
xiii. Industrial trucks and tractors;
xiv. Textile manufacturing.
j. Motor Vehicle/Transportation Equipment Manufacturing. The manufacturing of equipment for transporting people and goods, including aircraft and other aerospace equipment, railroad equipment, motor vehicles and auto parts, motorcycles, and bicycles.
k. Paper Product Manufacturing. The manufacture of paper and paperboard, from both raw and recycled materials, and their conversion into products such as paper bags, boxes, envelopes, wallpaper, and the like.
l. Small-scale Products Manufacturing. Manufacturing facilities not classified in another major manufacturing group, including: musical instruments; toys; sporting and athletic goods; pens, pencils, and other office and artists' materials; buttons, costume novelties, miscellaneous notions; brooms and brushes; and other miscellaneous products.
m. Stone and Cut Stone Products Manufacturing. Manufacturing facilities engaged in cutting, shaping, and finishing granite, marble, limestone, slate, and other stone for building and miscellaneous use.
Media Production. Facilities for motion picture, television, video, sound, computer, and other communications media production. These facilities include the following types.
a. Backlots/Outdoor Facilities. Outdoor sets, backlots, and other outdoor facilities, including supporting indoor workshops and craft shops.
b. Indoor Support Facilities. Administrative and technical production support facilities, including administrative and production offices, post-production facilities (editing and sound recording studios, foley stages, and the like.), special effects and optical effects units, film laboratories, and the like.
c. Soundstages. Warehouse-type facilities providing space for the construction and use of indoor sets, including supporting workshops and craft shops. Does not include facilities using live audiences.
Medical Services.
a. Offices/Clinics. Facilities primarily engaged in furnishing outpatient medical, mental health, surgical, dental and other personal health services, including urgent care. Counseling services by other than medical doctors or psychiatrists are included under "Offices."
b. Hospitals. Hospitals and similar facilities engaged primarily in providing diagnostic services, and extensive medical treatment, including surgical and other hospital services. These establishments have an organized medical staff, inpatient beds, and equipment and facilities to provide complete health care. May include on-site accessory clinics and laboratories, accessory retail uses and emergency heliports.
c. Labs. Medical and dental laboratories.
Metal Products Fabrication, Machine and Welding Shops. Facilities engaged primarily in the assembly of metal parts, including the following uses that produce metal duct work, tanks, towers, cabinets and enclosures, metal doors and gates, and similar products, including:
a. Blacksmith and welding shops;
b. Machine shops and boiler shops;
c. Sheet metal shops.
Mezzanine/Loft. An intermediate or fractional floor area between the floor and ceiling of a main story that is open to the floor below. A mezzanine/loft floor area shall be deemed a full story when it covers more than one-third of the area of the story directly underneath said mezzanine/loft area or the floor-to-plate height of the mezzanine/loft area exceeds 14 feet.
Mining/Resource Extraction. The on-site extraction of surface or subsurface mineral products or natural resources. This use includes borrow pits, mining operations, oil drilling or fracking, and uses incidental to mining operations including structures necessary to the on-site production of mineral products or natural resources.
Mixed Use Project. Any development that contains a combination of residential and non-residential uses within one building, or an integrated group of buildings on one development site.
Mobile Home. A trailer, transportable in one or more sections, certified under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, over eight feet in width and 40 feet in length, with or without a permanent foundation. Does not include recreational vehicle, commercial coach or factory-built housing. A mobile home on a permanent foundation is included under the definition of "Single-Family Dwellings".
Mobile Home Park. Any site planned and improved to accommodate two or more mobile homes used for residential purposes; or on which two or more mobile home lots are rented, leased, or held out for rent or lease; or were formerly held out for rent or lease and later converted to a subdivision, cooperative, condominium, or other form of resident ownership, to accommodate mobile homes used for residential purposes.
Mortuaries and Funeral Homes. Funeral homes and parlors, where deceased are prepared for burial or cremation, and funeral services may be conducted.
Multiple-Family Dwellings. A building or a portion of a building containing four or more separate residential dwelling units.
N. Definitions, "N".
Nonconforming Structure. A structure that was legally constructed and which does not conform to current code provisions/standards prescribed for the zoning district in which the structure is located.
Nonconforming Use. A use of a structure (either conforming or nonconforming) or land that was legally established and maintained prior to the adoption of this Title, and which does not conform to current code provisions governing allowable land uses for the zoning district in which the use is located.
O. Definitions, "O".
Offices. Offices include administrative/business, government, media production/post-production, broadcasting and professional offices such as real estate offices, travel agencies, advertising agencies, graphic design, architecture and engineering services, attorneys, accounting services, counseling services, and computer software production and programming, among others. These do not include: medical offices (see "Medical Services - Offices/Clinics"); or offices that are incidental and accessory to another business or sales activity that is the primary use.
Open Space, Common. Areas of a developed site that are available for active and/or passive recreational use by residents of a multiple-family residential project.
Open Space, Private. An area of a developed site that directly accessible from an individual dwelling unit, which is available for active and/or passive recreational uses by the inhabitants of the dwelling unit, and which is open on top or on at least one side.
Ornamental Feature. A statue, fountain, sculpture or any other similar freestanding decorative element that does not provide shelter and is not a sign, and which serves an aesthetic purpose.
Outdoor Retail Sales and Display. The long-term placement of goods or merchandise not located within an entirely enclosed building and without screening or fencing. Ancillary to a primary use.
P. Definitions, "P".
Parking Facilities. Service establishments in the business of storing operative cars, trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, and other motor vehicles for clients. Includes both day use and long-term public and commercial garages, parking lots and structures, except when accessory to a primary use. (All primary uses are considered to include any customer or public use off-street parking required by this Title). Includes sites where vehicles are stored for rental or leasing.
Parks and Playgrounds. Public parks, play lots, playgrounds, and athletic fields for non-commercial neighborhood or community use, including tennis courts. If privately owned, the same facilities are included under the definition of "Private Residential Recreation Facilities."
Party Wall. A wall shared by two adjoining properties or buildings.
Personal Services. Establishments providing non-medical services as a primary use, including:
a. Clothing rental;
b. Psychics;
c. Dry cleaning pick-up stores with limited equipment;
d. Shoe repair shops;
e. Hair, nail, facial, and personal care;
f. Tailors;
g. Laundromats (self-service laundries);
h. Tanning Salons;
i. Massage therapy (licensed therapeutic);
j. Tattoo Parlors.
These uses may also include accessory retail sales of products related to the services provided.
Planning Commission. The City of Culver City Planning Commission, appointed by the City Council in compliance with Cal. Gov't Code § 65101, referred to throughout this Title as the "Commission".
Plant Nurseries. Any outdoor and/or indoor establishment primarily engaged in the retail or wholesale sale of plants, trees, vegetation, shrubs, seeds, bulbs, all of which may or may not be grown onsite or elsewhere. This classification may include the retail or wholesale sale of plants and garden products such as sod, garden tools, and pots. This use does not include cannabis cultivation.
Porte Cochere. A solid roofed structure that extends from and is attached for a depth of no more than 16 feet to the entrance of a building over an adjacent driveway, with no less than 7 feet of vertical clearance, the purpose of which is to shelter a person entering or exiting a vehicle.
Primary Structure. A structure that accommodates the primary use of the site.
Primary Use. The main purpose for which a site is permitted, developed and occupied, including the activities that are conducted on the site during most of the hours when activities occur.
Printing and Publishing. Establishments engaged in printing by letterpress, lithography, gravure, screen, offset, or electrostatic (xerographic) copying; and other establishments serving the printing trade, such as bookbinding, typesetting, engraving, photoengraving and electrotyping. This use also includes establishments that publish newspapers, books and periodicals; establishments manufacturing business forms and binding devices. "Quick printing" services are included in the definition of "Business and Consumer Support Services."
Private Residential Recreational Facilities. A privately-owned, non-commercial recreation facility provided for a residential project or neighborhood residents, including swimming pools and sport court facilities. Does not include golf courses, country clubs, or private sport courts accessory to single-family dwellings.
Public Facilities. All facilities and properties owned or operated by Culver City municipal government. Includes public safety facilities operated by the City or other public agencies, including fire stations, other fire prevention and fire fighting facilities, police and sheriff substations and headquarters, including interim incarceration facilities.
Public Recreational and Cultural Facilities. Facilities owned and operated by public agencies, including community centers, libraries, museums, outdoor theatres and similar types of facilities.
Public Utility Facilities. Fixed-base structures and facilities serving as junction points for transferring utility services from one transmission level to another, or to local distribution and service levels. These uses include any of the following facilities that are not exempted from land use permit requirements by Cal. Gov't Code § 53091:
a. Electrical substations and switching stations;
b. Natural gas regulating and distribution facilities;
c. Public water system wells, treatment plants and storage;
d. Telephone switching facilities;
e. Wastewater treatment plants, settling ponds and disposal fields.
These uses do not include office or customer service centers (classified in "Offices").
Q. Definitions, "Q".
No definitions of terms beginning with the letter "Q" are used at this time.
R. Definitions, "R".
Reasonable Accommodations. Reasonable accommodation means providing an individual with a disability, or developers of housing for individuals with disabilities, flexibility in the application of land use and zoning regulations or policies, including the modification or waiver of certain requirements when necessary to eliminate barriers to housing opportunities.
Recycling Facilities. Facilities open to the public for the collection or processing of recyclable material, subject to certification under the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, which include the following types of facilities:
a. Incidental Small Collection Recycling Facility. A use incidental to a primary use of property, established for the acceptance of recyclable materials from the public, and occupying less than 500 square feet. Incidental small collection recycling facilities may include the following as defined in this Chapter:
i. One or more single reverse vending machines in a grouping that includes separate containers adjacent to each machine;
ii. Recyclable material containers that do not utilize power-driven processing equipment.
b. Small Collection Recycling Facility. A use subordinate to and different from the main use of property, which subordinate use is established for the acceptance of recyclable materials from the public, occupies an area no larger than 1,200 square feet, and involves no permanent structures. Small collection recycling facilities may include the following as defined in this Chapter:
i. One or more bulk reverse vending machines;
ii. A mobile unit;
iii. Kiosk-type units.
c. Large Collection Recycling Facility. A collection facility larger than 1,200 square feet that is the main use of the property, and may include permanent structures. The 1,200 square feet area shall be composed of the cumulative total of all permitted recycling facilities on a site, lot or parcel. The use is established for the acceptance and storage of recyclable materials from the public.
d. Recyclable Material. Aluminum, glass, plastic, paper and other items intended for remanufacture or reconstitution for reuse in an altered or renewed form. Refuse or materials deemed hazardous by the Culver City Fire Chief are expressly excluded from this definition.
e. Reverse Vending Machine. An automated mechanical device that accepts at least one or more types of empty beverage containers, and issues a cash refund or a redeemable credit slip with a value not less than the container's redemption value, as determined by State law. These vending machines may accept aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, and other containers. A Bulk Reverse Vending Machine is a reverse vending machine larger than 50 square feet, designed to accept more than one container at a time, that issues a cash refund based on total weight instead of by container.
f. Mobile Recycling Unit. An automobile, truck, trailer, or van used for the collection of recyclable materials, carrying bins, boxes, or other containers.
g. Recycling Facility, Processing. A building or enclosed space used for the collection and processing of recyclable materials for efficient shipment, or to an end user's specifications, through baling, briquetting, compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, mechanical sorting, shredding, cleaning, remanufacturing and other methods.
Research and Development. Indoor facilities for scientific research, and the design, development and testing of electrical, electronic, magnetic, optical and mechanical components in advance of product manufacturing, which are not associated with a manufacturing facility on the same site. Includes chemical and biotechnology research and development, and cannabis testing laboratories. Does not include computer software companies (see "Offices"), soils and other materials testing laboratories (see "Business Support Services"), or medical laboratories (see "Medical Services - Offices/Clinics").
Residential Care Facility. Facilities providing 24-hour residential, assisted living, social and personal care for children, the elderly, and people with limited ability for self-care. Varying levels of care and supervision are provided. Residential care facilities may include basic services and community space. Includes: board and care homes; children's homes; orphanages; rehabilitation centers; convalescent homes, nursing home and similar facilities. Excludes emergency shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing, and facilities for persons requiring surgical or other primary medical treatment.
Retail.
a. Artisan Shops. Retail stores selling art glass, ceramics, jewelry, and other handcrafted items, where the facility includes an area for the crafting of the items being sold.
b. Building Material Stores. Retail establishments selling lumber and other large building materials, where most display and sales occur indoors. Includes paint, wallpaper, glass, tile, fixtures, nursery stock, lawn and garden supplies. Includes all these stores selling to the general public, even if contractor sales account for a major proportion of total sales. Includes incidental retail ready-mix concrete operations, except where excluded by a specific zoning district. Establishments primarily selling electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning equipment and supplies to the trade are classified in "Wholesaling and Distribution." Hardware stores are listed in the definition of "General Retail Stores," even if they sell some building materials.
c. Construction Equipment Sales. Retail establishments selling or renting heavy construction equipment, including cranes, earth-moving equipment, heavy trucks, and the like.
d. Convenience Stores. Retail stores of 3,500 square feet or less in gross floor area, which carry a range of merchandise oriented to convenience and travelers' shopping needs. These stores may be part of a service station or an independent facility.
e. Food Retail. A retail establishment that serves food and non-alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises or for take-out, which is distinguished from a restaurant as it is not capable of preparing or serving full meals and does not include wait service. Includes bakeries, bagel shops, donut shops, cookie and candy shops, juice stores, coffee and tea shops, ice cream and yogurt shops, and other similar uses as determined by the Director.
f. General Retail Stores. Stores and shops selling lines of merchandise not specifically listed under another use classification, including secondhand stores (thrift retail stores), which are retail establishments that buy and sell used products of the same type. Such types of stores and lines of merchandise include:
i. Appliances;
ii. Florists and houseplant stores (indoor);
iii. Antiques;
iv. Furniture and home furnishing;
v. Art gallery;
vi. Grocery stores;
vii. Artists' supplies;
viii. Hardware;
ix. Auto parts (not including repair);
x. Bakeries (retail only);
xi. Hobby materials;
xii. Bicycles;
xiii. Jewelry;
xiv. Books;
xv. Luggage and leather goods;
xvi. Cameras and photographic supplies;
xvii. Musical instruments, parts and accessories;
xviii. Cannabis dispensary, retail-store front, and ancillary delivery service;
xix. Clothing and accessories;
xx. Newsstands;
xxi. Collectable items sales;
xxii. Orthopedic supplies;
xxiii. Computer and computer equipment;
xxiv. Religious goods;
xxv. Consumer electronics;
xxvi. Small wares;
xxvii. Curio, gift and souvenir shops;
xxviii. Specialty shops;
xxix. Department stores;
xxx. Sporting goods and equipment;
xxxi. Stationery;
xxxii. Drugstores and pharmacies;
xxxiii. Dry goods;
xxxiv. Toys and games;
xxxv. Fabrics and sewing supplies;
xxxvi. Variety stores.
g. Pawn Shops. Retail establishments that accept personal property as collateral for loans, and offer the property for sale to the public.
h. Shopping Center. A site occupied by a mix of commercial uses that are primarily retail stores, but may also include personal service uses, eating and drinking establishments, or other uses where the businesses share common pedestrian and parking areas.
i. Warehouse Retail. A retail store emphasizing product lines other than groceries, with a sales floor of 40,000 square feet or larger, that typically package and sell products in large quantities or volumes, where products are typically displayed in their original shipping containers. Sites and buildings are usually large and industrial in character. Patrons may be required to pay membership fees.
S. Definitions, "S".
Salvage and Wrecking. Any property used for the breaking up, dismantling, sorting, storage, distribution, or sale of any scrap, waste material or junk.
Schools. The uses in this category do not include pre-schools and child day care facilities (see "Child Day Care Facilities"). See also the definition of "Studios - Art, Dance, Music, Photography, etc." for smaller-scale facilities offering specialized instruction. Schools includes:
a. Public Schools, Kindergarten to 12th Grade. A public institution of learning for minors offering instruction in those courses of study required by the California Education Code and maintained in compliance with the standards set by the State Board of Education. This use includes pre-K, kindergarten, elementary school, middle or junior high school, or senior high school.
b. Private Schools, Kindergarten to 12th Grade. A private institution of learning for minors. This use includes private pre-K, kindergarten, elementary school, middle or junior high school, senior high school, or boarding schools.
c. Colleges, Universities, and Trade Schools. A public or private institution of higher education providing curricula of a general or professional nature. This classification includes Vocational/Trade schools, Business/Secretarial schools, Military Academies, and Professional schools (law, medicine, and the like).
Senior Citizen Congregate Care Housing. Residential developments reserved for senior citizens but where common facilities are typically provided for meals and recreation. The use includes independent living units and assisted living units. This use may include supportive medical and non-medical services directly affiliated with the treatment of on-site patients.
Setback. The distance by which the wall of a structure, parking area or other development feature must be separated from a lot line, other structure or development feature, or street centerline. See also "Yard."
Single-Family Dwellings. A building designed for and/or occupied exclusively by one household Also includes factory-built, modular housing units, constructed in compliance with the Uniform Building Code (UBC), and mobile homes/manufactured housing on permanent foundations.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Unit. A dwelling unit with a minimum floor area of 200 square feet and a maximum floor area of 350 square feet. These dwelling units shall have kitchen and bathroom facilities. Each dwelling unit is restricted to occupancy by no more than two persons and is offered on a monthly rental basis or longer.
Site. A parcel or adjoining parcels under single ownership or single control, considered a unit for the purposes of development or other use. Portions of a Site that are within the public right-of-way and restricted by easement, or similar instrument, to sidewalk, alley, or street uses shall not be considered a part of the Site (except for calculations of Gross Lot Area and Density).
Site Coverage. The percentage of total site area occupied by structures and paving for vehicle use. Structure/building coverage includes the primary structure, all accessory structures (e.g., carports, garages, patio covers, storage sheds, trash dumpster enclosures, and the like) and architectural features (e.g., chimneys, balconies, decks above the first floor, porches, stairs, and the like). Structure/building coverage is measured from exterior wall to exterior wall. Pavement coverage includes areas necessary for the ingress, egress, outdoor parking, and circulation of motor vehicles.
Special Event. A duly licensed and approved activity of limited duration that is not directly related to an established business on the premises where the event is held, such as a carnival or Christmas tree sales on a vacant or unused lot, or a fund-raising activity of a nonprofit organization held on the improved premises of an established business.
Split Jurisdiction Lot. As used in this Section, shall mean a lot or parcel where the City of Culver City and the boundary of another jurisdiction, such as the City of Los Angeles, bisects the parcel or lot boundaries.
State Density Bonus Law. Chapter 4.3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Cal. Gov’t Code.
Storage.
a. Warehouse Storage. Facilities for the storage of furniture, household goods, or other commercial goods of any nature. Includes cold storage. Does not include personal storage facilities offered for rent or lease to the general public. The storage of materials accessory and incidental to a primary use is not considered a land use separate from the primary use.
b. Personal Storage Facility. A structure or group of structures containing generally small, individual, compartmentalized stalls or lockers rented as individual storage spaces.
c. Outdoor Storage (Accessory). On-site at-grade or shelved space for the storage of business-related materials, products, and goods. All on-site storage is limited to those materials directly used or produced in relation to the functional on-site business activity, subject to all storage and screening requirements of this Title.
Story. That portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the next floor above it, or if there is no floor above, then the space between the floor and the ceiling above.
Street. A public thoroughfare accepted by the City, which affords principal means of access to abutting property, including avenue, place, way, drive, lane, boulevard, highway, road, and any other thoroughfare, except an alley as defined in this Article.
Street Line. The boundary between a street right-of-way and property. Portions of a property that are within the public right-of-way and restricted by easement, or similar instrument, to sidewalk, alley, or street uses shall not be considered a part of the property (except for calculations of Gross Lot Area and Density).
Street Wall. The wall of a building facing the street or near the property line. The street wall may include arcades, colonnades, recessed pedestrian entrances, decorative stairs, public art, and other features deemed pedestrian-oriented.
Structural Alteration. Any construction or physical change in the supporting members of a structure, such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders. See also "Alteration."
Structure. Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires attachment to the ground or attachment to something located on the ground. For the purposes of this Title, the term "structure" includes "buildings."
Studios - Art, Dance, Music, Photography, etc. Small-scale facilities, typically accommodating students in no more than 3,000 square feet of instructional area. These include facilities for: individual and group instruction and training in the arts; performing arts and production rehearsal; photography, and the processing of photographs produced only by users of the studio facilities; and fitness studio uses including, but not limited to, educational tutoring and training, martial arts training, aerobics, yoga, personal training, indoor cycling, pilates, and gymnastics, or a similar use as determined by the Director. Larger facilities are included under the definition of "Health/Fitness Facilities."
Subdivision.
a. The division of any improved or unimproved land, shown on the latest equalized County assessment roll as a unit or as contiguous units, for the purpose of sale, lease, or financing, whether immediate or future. Property shall be considered as contiguous units, even if it is separated by roads. streets, utility easements, or railroad rights-of-way.
b. Subdivision shall also include all the following:
i. Any planned development, as defined in Cal. Bus. and Prof. Code § 11003.
ii. Any community apartment project as defined by Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 11004.
iii. Any condominium project, as defined in Cal. Civil Code §§ 783 and 1351.
iv. Any stock cooperative as defined in Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 11003.2, including any legal or beneficial interests therein.
c. Any such developments shall be subject to any specific provisions of this Chapter pertaining to such a subdivision: provided that, absent specific provisions relating to such developments. any reference to a condominium subdivision or condominium conversion in Chapter 15.10 (Subdivisions) and the Zoning Code, as set forth in Title 17 of this Code, and the Subdivision Map Act (Cal. Gov't Code §§ 66410 et seq.) shall be deemed to refer to any condominium subdivision. condominium conversion, stock cooperative apartment, or community apartment project.
d. Any conveyance of land to a governmental agency, public entity or public utility shall not be considered a division of land for the purpose of computing the number of parcels.
Subdivision Map Act, or Map Act. Division 2, Title 7 of the Cal. Gov't Code, commencing with § 66410 as presently constituted, and any amendments to those provisions.
Subterranean Parking. A parking area fully below grade or partially below grade, such that not more than three feet of the structure projects above grade.
Supportive Housing. Housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target population and that is linked to on-site or off-site services that assist the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and when possible, work in the community. Supportive Housing shall be considered a residential use of the same type as other residential uses of the same type in the same zone.
T. Definitions, "T".
Tandem Parking. A parking space configuration where two or more parking spaces are lined up behind each other.
Target Population. Adults with low-income having one or more disabilities, including mental illness, HIV or AIDS, substance abuse or other chronic health conditions, or individuals eligible for services provided under the Lanternman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, and may, among other populations, include families with children, elderly persons, young adults aging out of the foster care system, individuals exiting from institutional settings, veterans, or homeless people.
Telecommunications.
a. Antenna. Any system of wires, poles, rods, reflecting discs or similar devices used for the transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic radiation waves, including devices with active elements extending in any direction, and directional parasitic arrays with elements attached to a generally horizontal boom that may be mounted on a vertical support structure.
b. Building- or Roof-mounted Antenna. An antenna mounted on the side or top of a building or another structure (e.g., water tank, billboard, church steeple, freestanding sign, and the like), where the entire weight of the antenna is supported by the building, through the use of an approved framework or other structural system attached to one or more structural members of the roof or walls of the building.
c. Cellular. An analog or digital wireless communication technology based on a system of interconnected neighboring cell sites, each of which contains antennas.
d. Cellular Mobile Radio Telephone Utility Facility (Facility). A type of remote communication installation that includes a grouping or series of antennas that transmit, relay, and receive radio waves, together with equipment functionally integrated into a communication system, located on a cell site that is part of a network for transmission of telephone service.
e. Co-location. The locating of wireless communications equipment from more one provider on a single ground-mounted, roof-mounted, or structure-mounted facility.
f. Dish Antenna. A parabolic, dish-like antenna that transmits and/or receives electromagnetic waves by line of sight.
g. Ground-Mounted Antenna. An antenna, the entire weight of which is supported by a manufacturer- and/or installer-specified and City-approved platform, framework, pole or other structural system; which system is freestanding, affixed directly on or in the ground by a foundation, excluding lateral bracing to a building.
h. Height. The vertical distance between the highest point of a dish antenna, when actuated to its most vertical position and grade below for a ground-mounted dish antenna, and to the roof below for a roof-mounted dish antenna.
i. Monopole. A structure composed of a single spire used to support antennas and related equipment.
j. Primary Dish Antenna Facility. A facility that is the primary use of a site consisting of one or more dish antennas, the ancillary structures and electronic equipment necessary to support or operate the antennas, and offices for the business selling transmission services.
k. Reasonable Functional Use. The positioning of a dish antenna that permits substantially unobstructed line of sight with geosynchronous orbiting satellites, or microwave dish antennas, from or to which the dish antenna receives or transmits electromagnetic waves.
l. Satellite Dish Antenna. An antenna for the home, business or institutional reception of television, data, and other telecommunications broadcasts from orbiting satellites.
m. Telecommunications Facilities. Public, commercial and private electromagnetic and photoelectrical transmission, broadcast, repeater and receiving stations for radio, television, telegraph, telephone, cellular telephone, and data network communications; including commercial earth stations for satellite-based communications. Includes antennas, towers, commercial satellite dish antennas, conduit and equipment structures. Does not include telephone, telegraph and cable television transmission facilities utilizing hard-wired or direct cable connections.
Temporary Event. A duly licensed and approved activity of limited duration, directly related to an established business on the premises where the event is held, such as the outdoor sales of Christmas trees by a supermarket, or a weekend festive promotion for a business staged outdoors and providing complimentary food, music, entertainment or similar attractions to entice public attendance or participation.
Townhouse. A group of four or more attached single-family dwelling units sharing a common wall with other single-family dwelling units on one or two sides. Ownership of townhouses may be fee simple (separate lots) or condominiums. May also be referred to as a townhome or rowhouse. Townhouses are considered a multiple-family housing type in this Title.
Transit Stations. Passenger stations for vehicular and rail mass transit systems; includes buses, taxis, railways, and the like.
Transitional Housing. Temporary housing for at least six months for a homeless individual or family transitioning to permanent housing. Housing can take several forms including group housing or multi-family units and may include supportive services to allow for necessary life skills in support of independent living. Transitional housing shall be considered a residential use of the same type as other residential uses of the same type in the same zone.
Triplex. Attached residential structure under single ownership containing three dwellings.
Two-Family Dwelling/Duplex. One residential structure on a single lot containing two dwelling units, each of which is functionally separate from the other.
U. Definitions, "U".
Unit. See “Dwelling Unit.”
Use. The purpose for which land or a structure is designed, arranged, intended, occupied, or maintained.
V. Definitions, "V".
Variance. A discretionary entitlement that may waive or relax the development standards of this Title, in compliance with Chapter 17.550 (Variances and Administrative Modifications).
Vehicle Sales/Rental. The sales and rental of automobiles, trucks, vans, and other vehicles as a primary use, including the incidental wholesale and retail sale of vehicle parts as an accessory use. This includes, but it is not limited to, retail establishments selling and/or renting automobiles, trucks, and vans. May also include repair shops and the sales of parts and accessories, incidental to vehicle dealerships. Does not include: the sale of auto parts/accessories separate from a vehicle dealership or bicycle and moped sales (see "Retail - General Retail Stores").
Vehicle Services. The repair, alteration, restoration, towing, painting, or finishing of automobiles, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, and other vehicles as a primary use, including the incidental wholesale and retail sale of vehicle parts as an accessory use. This includes, but it is not limited to, the following categories.
a. Accessories Installation. Minor facilities that specialize in the addition of supplemental convenience items or devices to vehicles that do not involve the primary operating system of a vehicle (such as motors or transmissions) or structural features (such as body, chassis, or suspension). These establishments provide installation of alarms, stereos, window tinting, and the like.
b. Body/Paint. Facilities that provide vehicle painting, body, frame, and fender work indoors.
c. Car Washes. Permanent, self-service and/or attended car washing establishments, including fully mechanized facilities. May include detailing services. Temporary car washes are fund-raising activities, typically conducted at a service station or other automotive-related business, where volunteers wash vehicles by hand, and the duration of the event is limited to one day. See Chapter 17.520 (Temporary Use, Special Event and Temporary Event Permits).
d. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. A retail business that provides charging facilities for electric vehicles. Does not include repair services that are incidental to charging services (see "Fueling/Charging, Incidental Repair"), the storage or repair of wrecked or abandoned vehicles (see "Salvage and Wrecking"), vehicle painting, body or fender work (see "Vehicle Sales and Services - Body/Paint"), or the rental of vehicle storage or parking spaces. A convenience store (see "Retail - Convenience Store") on the same site as a fueling station is considered a separate land use, and is separately defined.
e. Fueling Stations. A retail business selling gasoline or other motor vehicle fuels. Does not include repair services that are incidental to fuel services (see "Fueling, Incidental Repair"), the storage or repair of wrecked or abandoned vehicles (see "Salvage and Wrecking"), vehicle painting, body or fender work (see "Vehicle Sales and Services - Body/Paint"), or the rental of vehicle storage or parking spaces. A convenience store (see "Retail - Convenience Store") on the same site as a fueling station is considered a separate land use, and is separately defined.
f. Fueling/Charging, Incidental Repair. A retail business selling gasoline or other motor vehicle fuels and/or providing charging facilities for electric vehicles. This use includes repair services that are incidental to fuel/charging services. A convenience store (see "Retail - Convenience Store") on the same site as a fueling station is considered a separate land use, and is separately defined.
g. Impounding/Storage. Facilities that provide impounding and storage of towed or impounded vehicles. Does not include towing (see "Vehicle Services - Towing").
h. Maintenance/Repair. Repair facilities dealing with vehicles, including the installation, replacement, tuning, or maintenance of the various parts, equipment, or operating systems of a vehicle.
i. Towing. Facilities that provide vehicle towing. Does not include storage of towed or impounded vehicles (see "Vehicle Sales and Services - Impounding/Storage").
W. Definitions, "W".
Warehousing and Distribution. Facilities for the storage of furniture, household goods, or other commercial goods of any nature. Includes terminal facilities for handing freight and cold storage. Does not include: warehouse or personal storage facilities offered for rent or lease to the general public (see "Storage, Personal Storage Facilities"); and warehouse facilities in which the primary purpose of storage is for wholesaling and distribution (see “Wholesaling and Distribution”).
Wholesaling and Distribution. Establishments engaged in selling merchandise to retailers; to industrial, commercial, institutional, farm, or professional business users; to the trade; or to other wholesalers; or acting as agents or brokers in buying merchandise for or selling merchandise to such persons or companies. Includes such establishments as:
a. Agents, merchandise or commodity brokers, and commission merchants;
b. Assemblers, buyers and associations engaged in the cooperative marketing of farm products;
c. Cannabis distribution;
d. Cannabis retail-delivery only;
e. Merchant wholesalers;
f. Stores primarily selling electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning supplies and equipment.
Wing Wall. A wall that extends from an exterior building wall; is architecturally integrated into the design of the building to which it is attached, and has the effect of partially or entirely "fencing" an outdoor area.
X. Definitions, "X".
No specialized terms beginning with the letter "X" are used at this time.
Y. Definitions, "Y".
Yard. An area between a lot line and a setback, unobstructed and unoccupied from the ground upward, except for projections permitted by this Title. See § 17.300.020 (Setback Regulations and Exceptions).
a. Front Yard. An area extending across the full width of the lot between the front lot line and the required setback.
b. Rear Yard. An area extending the full width of the lot between a rear lot line and the required setback.
c. Side Yard. An area extending the full depth of the lot between the nearest side lot line and the required setback.
Z. Definitions, "Z".
Zoning Code. The Culver City Zoning Code, Title 17 of the Culver City Municipal Code, referred to herein as "this Title".
Zoning District. Any of the residential, mixed use, planned development, special-purpose, or overlay districts established by Article 2 of this Title (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards), within which certain land uses are allowed or prohibited, and certain site planning and development standards are established (e.g., setbacks, height limits, site coverage requirements, and the like).
(Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2006-009 § 21; Ord. No. 2013-004 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 2013-008 §§ 1, 3 (part); Ord. No. 2014-007 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 2016-001 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 2017-019 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 2018-011 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 2019-003 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 2020-012 § 2 (part); Ord. No. 2021-003 (part); Ord. No. 2021-012 § 3 (part); Ord. No. 2022-008; Ord. No. 2023-002, Exhibit A (part); Ord. No. 2024-005, Exhibit A (part) Ord. No. 2024-006; Ord. No. 2025-002, Exhibit A (part); Ord. No. 2025-007, Exhibit A (part); Ord. No. 2025-008, Exhibit A (part); Ord. No. 2025-010, Exhibit A (part))