Larkspur City Zoning Code
18.52 L-1
Light Industrial District Regulations
18.52.010 Regulations Established.
The regulations herein are applicable to properties zoned Light Industrial and are in addition to the regulations set forth in Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.16. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 295 § 170, 1962)
18.52.020 Permitted Uses.
The following uses are permitted in the L-1 District:
A. Wholesale, light manufacturing and heavy commercial uses and services which are not objectionable by reason of odor, dust, smoke, gas, noise or vibration, including but not limited to the following:
1. Wholesale businesses, storage or warehousing.
2. Automobile, truck, trailer and boat establishments including major repair and gas stations with or without associated convenience markets.
3. Building material sales yards.
4. Public utility buildings and service yards.
5. Contractor’s equipment storage yard or storage and rental of equipment commonly used by contractors.
6. New and used car sales.
7. Carpenter and cabinet shops, electrical, plumbing or heating shops, printing, publishing, lithographer or upholstering shops.
8. Animal hospitals and veterinary clinics.
9. Bakery, creamery, soft drink bottling plants; laundry, cleaning and dyeing establishments.
10. Accessory uses and buildings.
11. Small-scale custom manufacturing and art-making.
12. Other uses which are added to this list in accordance with Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.16.030.
B. Repealed by Ord. 911.
(Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 940 § 6, 2004; Ord. 929 § 51, 2004; Ord. 911 § 3, 2002; Ord. 467 § 4, 1973; Ord. 361 § 2, 1968; Ord. 313 § 15, 1965; Ord. 295 § 171, 1962; Res. 1359)
18.52.025 Conditional Uses.
The following uses are permitted in the L-1 District, subject to securing a use permit in each case:
A. Commercial recreation facilities.
B. Concrete or asphalt mixing plants or quarry operations.
C. Trailer courts.
D. Other retail commercial uses listed as permitted uses in the C-1 and C-2 Districts, and not listed as permitted uses in the L-1 District, except group homes, which are prohibited.
E. Caretaker quarters, subject to additional findings of approval:
1. The caretaker quarters are both appropriate and necessary for the operation and/or security of the principal industrial use.
2. The caretaker quarters are located and designed in a manner that does not conflict with the industrial character of the district and the permitted industrial use of the subject site and adjacent properties, nor will it result in the resident caretaker being adversely impacted by noise, dust, toxins, odors, or vibrations from surrounding industrial activities.
3. The proposed residential quarters will comply with all building and fire regulations of the Larkspur Municipal Code Titles 14 and 15.
F. Commercial car and/or truck washes.
G. Live/work unit pursuant to Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.16.260.
H. Retail or service business, consistent with the intent of the district, conducted out-of-doors or in a nonpermanent shelter.
I. Instructional services. (Ord. 1081 § 10, 2024; Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 953 § 1(56), 2007; Ord. 940 § 7, 2004; Ord. 929 § 52, 2004; Ord. 911 § 4, 2002)
18.52.030 Lot Area Required.
All uses are to be located on an area large enough to provide required parking space and loading space specified for the particular use. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 295 § 172, 1962)
18.52.040 Building Height Limit.
No structure shall be erected in excess of twenty-five (25) feet or one story whichever is less. For the purposes of this section, the definition of “story” found in Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.08.573 does not apply. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 766 § 1, 1988; Ord. 689, 1983; Ord. 295 § 173, 1962)
18.52.050 Percentage of Lot Coverage.
There are no lot coverage requirements in the L-1 District. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 295 § 174, 1962)
18.52.055 Floor Area Ratio.
The maximum floor area ratio (FAR) in the L-1 District is 0.40, subject to the following exceptions:
A. Properties exceeding the maximum FAR on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section shall not be considered nonconforming. If such buildings are damaged or destroyed, floor area equal to the building(s)’ original size may be reconstructed, provided:
1. The floor area of the reconstructed or altered structure does not exceed that of the original.
2. The reconstruction or alteration otherwise meets the provisions of the Larkspur Municipal Code.
B. Exceptions. Exceptions to the floor area ratio set by this section may be granted by the Planning Commission at a public hearing to allow architectural spaces within a building, provided the Commission is able to make the following findings in the affirmative:
1. The architectural space is an amenity and publicly accessible such as, but not limited to, an atrium lobby.
2. The architectural space will not increase the traffic generation of the structure.
3. The design of the proposed building has been determined to be consistent with Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.64, Design Review.
C. Application for Exceptions. The application for this exception shall include an application form, fees or deposits to cover the costs of processing, and plans, drawings, and other documents of the type and number required by the Planning Department.
D. Noticing for Exceptions. Public hearings for this exception shall be noticed as required for use permits in Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.76.030. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 933 § 3, 2004; Ord. 929 § 53, 2004)
18.52.060 Yards Required for Main Structures.
There are no yard requirements in the L-1 District. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 295 § 175, 1962)
18.52.070 Location of Accessory Buildings.
There is no requirement for accessory building location in L-1 District. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 295 § 176, 1962)
18.52.080 Floor Area Required.
Repealed by Ord. 1079.
18.52.085 Design Review and Heritage Preservation Board Review.
All proposed new structures, additions, and other modifications to the exterior of a building shall be subject to the provisions of Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.64, Design Review, and for those parcels in the Combining Heritage Preservation District, review and recommendation by the Heritage Preservation Board, per Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.19. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 933 § 1, 2004)
18.52.090 Signs.
Signs shall be permitted only in accordance with Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.60. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 352 § 2, 1968; Ord. 295 § 178, 1962)
18.52.100 Off-Street Parking.
When a new building is constructed or a building is structurally altered or the use is substantially changed, the minimum off-street parking and loading space to be provided on the lot shall be as indicated in Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.56. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 313 § 21, 1965; Ord. 295 § 179, 1962)
18.52.110 Circulation Assessment Permit.
The provisions of the Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.14, Circulation Assessment Permit, are applicable to properties in this zoning district. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 737 § 15, 1986)