The principal purpose and objective of this classification and its application is to provide for the location of and grouping of uses considered compatible uses having common or similar performance standards in that they represent on-premises retail enterprises and involve only incidental and limited fabrication or assembly of commodities, or comprise types of enterprises involving the rendering of services both professional or to the person; establishments providing recreation and entertainment and commercial activities in general. It is the further objective by expanding the permissible floor space and building height, and by including additional permissible uses, to intentionally concentrate within given areas the maximum variety of facilities for the dispensing of commodities and rendering of services to the entire city and its environs. It is recognized that the characteristics of the use permitted in this classification produce an environment undesirable for residential purposes while, in the opposite direction, residential uses in a commercial area tend to decrease the capacity of commercial enterprises to render maximum services and decrease public convenience for utilizing the services rendered. For these reasons, residential uses are excluded from this classification. Public utility installations, being governed by circumstances related to geographical areas and uses to be served, are also permitted.

In the C-2 classification, the following uses only are permitted and as hereinafter specifically provided and allowed by this chapter, subject to the vehicular parking and loading requirements and the general provisions, conditions and exceptions set forth in Chapters 17.06 through 17.12 and 17.38 through 17.62:

In the C-2 classification, uses that are not expressly listed in Section 17.26.020 or expressly permitted in the C-2 classification by other sections of the Hawthorne Municipal Code are prohibited from the C-2 classification. For purposes of the clarification, and not for purposes of allowing any other uses, the following uses are also expressly prohibited from the C-2 classification:

Every permissible use, unless otherwise stated, shall be subject to the following conditions and limitations:

No maximum height is imposed except that for structures having a height of five or more stories, approval of a conditional use permit is required.

In a C-2 zone the maximum floor area permitted on a lot or site shall be no greater than one and a half times the square foot area of the lot or site.

Additional open spaces, both as to amount and location on the premises, may be required in connection with a conditional use permit or variance to apply the established requirements of this title and related ordinances pertaining to such subjects as off-street parking, parking, loading areas, convenient and safe circulation of vehicles and pedestrians, ingress and egress as related to the marginal traffic pattern, vision clearance (traffic) drainage and lighting.

Outdoor dining, as an accessory to a permitted restaurant, café, or other establishment that offers food or drinks for on-site consumption, shall require approval of an outdoor dining permit pursuant to Chapter 17.06. The planning director shall review the application to ensure compatibility with the surrounding area and the protection of health, safety and the general welfare and may further condition the approval to limit the location, size, arrangement, hours of operation and other reasonably related aspects of outdoor dining. Outdoor dining in the public right-of-way shall also be subject to an outdoor dining encroachment permit pursuant to Title 12 of this code.