The purpose of this chapter to list regulations relating to manufacturing and industrial development under simplified headings.

The city has one exclusively industrial zone, and it is designated as M-Zone or the manufacturing zone. It should be noted the C-M, or Heavy Commercial—Light zone, is considered both a commercial zone and an industrial zone. The C-M zone has special use provisions and development standards as indicated throughout the text of this title.

It is the intent of both the M zone and the C-M zone to implement the goals and objectives of the General Plan relating to manufacturing and industrial development. The intent of a zone district shall be used when interpreting the land use tables, especially in instances where there is ambiguity or there are omissions within the land use tables. Distinctions between the two zones are explained below.

Refer to Chapter 17.115 for general regulations relating to performance standards and the conduct of uses. Except as noted elsewhere in this chapter, all uses shall be conducted entirely within enclosed buildings.

In the M zone, the incidental retail sales of products wholesaled or manufactured onsite is permitted but may not be advertised or identified with signage. In both the M and the C-M zones, the operation of headquarters and support facilities shall generally exclude on-premises contact with the general public.

In the M and C-M zones all uses shall be conducted within an enclosed building except those uses that are customarily conducted outdoors, including, but not limited to: athletic fields, the parking of vehicles, and equipment storage for construction services. Regardless of whether or not a use is permitted by right, or conditionally permitted, all outdoor uses and all outdoor storage with the exception of athletic fields, authorized vehicle sales, and heavy equipment sales, shall be screened from the public right-of-way by a minimum six-foot-high, solid fence or wall. This fence or wall shall not encroach into any required exterior yard. With the exception of oversized vehicles and heavy construction equipment, outdoor storage shall not exceed the height of the wall or fence used to screen it from the public right-of-way.

The methods, materials, and appearance of required screening for outdoor storage areas are subject to the approval of the director, or in the case of a conditional use permit, the planning commission. The director or commission may require decorative screening materials in visually prominent or visually sensitive areas. Under no circumstances shall outdoor storage or outdoor activities be permitted which displace required off-street parking or landscaping improvements.

The use of prefabricated structures, such as metal shipping containers which exceed 120 square feet in total aggregate floor area, shall require the approval of a minor conditional use permit processed in accordance with Chapter 17.50 of this title.

For general provisions related to lots, including provisions for substandard lots, reductions in minimum lot area, construction across property lines and development of lots, subject to acquisition of land for public use, refer to Chapter 17.125.

The following table lists the minimum spatial requirements for the establishment of new industrial lots in the M and C-M zones.

Refer to Chapter 17.130 for general development standards in industrial zones, including: trash and recycling areas, fences and walls, on-site lighting, and rear yard access requirements.

The table below lists the minimum building setback requirements in industrial zones. The endnotes at the bottom of the table contain information that supplements the information contained in the table's matrix.

No building in the M or C-M zones may exceed a height of 35 feet unless a greater height is approved by specific plan.

There are no lot coverage limitations in the M or C-M zones other than the landscaping requirements listed in Chapter 17.195.

For parking and loading area requirements, including minimum driveway widths and parking area development standards refer to Chapter 17.185.

For landscaping requirements in commercial zones, see Chapter 17.195.

For development regulations relating to signs, refer to Chapter 17.190.

The following table lists uses that may be established in the manufacturing (M) zone. The abbreviations used in the land use table shall have the following meanings:

In addition to the abbreviated terms listed above, the land use table incorporates endnotes, which are indicated by numerical designators in the final column of the table. The numerical designators correspond with written notes listed at the bottom of the table. The notes provide additional information and direct readers to other applicable sections of the El Cajon Municipal Code.