Zoneomics Logo
search icon

Los Gatos City Zoning Code

ARTICLE VII

INDUSTRIAL ZONES

Sec. 29.70.010. - Scope.

Industrial zones are the LM or commercial-industrial zone and CM or controlled-manufacturing zone.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.70.010, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1344, 1-17-77)

Sec. 29.70.015. - Zoning approval for storage of hazardous materials.

The Development Review Committee is empowered to issue a zoning approval for the storage of hazardous materials in the CM or LM zone only subject to the following:

(1)

The storage facility shall be required to comply with a Fire Department hazardous materials storage permit.

(2)

The maximum area for the facility shall be subject to review and recommendation by the Fire Chief.

(3)

If the facility is a structure, the building materials and color shall be in harmony with the existing buildings on the site.

(4)

If the facility is not a structure, it shall be screened so as not to be visible from on the site. Screening may be fencing, landscaping or a combination, subject to the discretion of the Development Review Committee. All landscaping shall be subject to a two-year maintenance agreement.

(5)

The facility shall never be located in a required front yard nor in a required side or required rear yard if that yard is adjacent to a street, a residential use or zone, a park or a creek.

(6)

The facility shall not reduce the number of parking spaces below the minimum requirements as stated in this chapter.

(7)

The facility shall be located so as not to involve or endanger other structures or persons.

(8)

The facility shall be located for ease of transfer to work stations so as not to increase potential risk in the handling and transportation of hazardous materials.

(9)

The facility shall be removed when it is no longer needed, or if the hazardous materials storage permit is suspended, revoked or has expired.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.70.020, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1630, 11-19-84)

Sec. 29.70.020. - Limitation.

The use of a hazardous materials storage facility is limited to the storage, decanting and dispensing of hazardous materials. No other storage or manufacturing activities are allowed.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.70.030, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1630, 11-19-84)

Sec. 29.70.025. - Revocation.

The zoning approval for the storage of hazardous materials shall be revoked if the storage area is used for anything other than the storage of hazardous materials under a valid hazardous materials storage permit, as provided by section 29.20.310.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.70.040, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1630, 11-19-84)

Sec. 29.70.030. - Expiration.

The zoning approval expires automatically if the use of the facility for the storage of hazardous materials is abandoned or if a new business entity which involves a change in use occupies the premises.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.70.050, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1630, 11-19-84)

Sec. 29.70.105. - Intent.

The LM or commercial-industrial zone is intended for small scale light industrial, repair and service-oriented activities that provide services to Town residents in addition to retailing, service and administrative activities.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.72.010, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1363, 8-1-77; Ord. No. 1735, 9-21-87)

Sec. 29.70.100. - Permitted uses.

(a)

Activities allowed in the LM or commercial-industrial zone are those service-oriented and light industrial uses which may be inappropriate in a general commercial zone and which are in the following categories:

(1)

Retailing, including formula retail up to ten thousand (10,000) square feet.

(2)

Personal service businesses.

(3)

Service businesses necessary for the conduct of households or businesses.

(4)

Office activities approved on or before July 1, 1982; provided, that no change of use to office shall be permitted in the LM zone.

(5)

Limited manufacturing.

(6)

Wholesaling and warehousing.

(7)

Group classes.

(8)

Specialty food retail without alcoholic beverages.

(b)

Examples of proper LM activities are plumbing, heating and electrical contracting, equipment repair, laundry and dry-cleaning plants, paint supplies, janitorial services, and towing businesses. Examples of activities which are not proper in the LM zone are large scale light industrial activity, professional or medical offices and general business offices.

(c)

Retail sales of firearms, ammunition and/or destructive devices are subject to the following:

(1)

Retail sales of firearms, ammunition and/or destructive devices may be allowed in the LM zone with a conditional use permit subject to all of the restrictions and requirements set forth in this chapter and sections 14.130.010 through 14.130.075 of the Town Code. However, retail sales of firearms, ammunition and/or destructive devices shall not be permitted within two hundred fifty (250) feet of:

a.

Any premises occupied by a public or private day care center, day care home, nursery school, elementary, junior high, middle, or high school, or any other youth educational institution whether public or private.

b.

Any premises occupied by a government building, place of worship, public park or public trail.

c.

Any premises occupied by a business which is primarily engaged in providing activities or instruction to persons under the age of eighteen (18) not listed in section a. above, existing prior to November 6, 2013.

(2)

All distances referred to in this section shall be measured between the closest points on the exterior property lines or area boundaries of the real property involved, except when the applicant proposes to occupy one (1) unit of a multi-unit structure located on a single parcel, where distances shall be measured from the exterior boundaries of the unit so occupied.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.72.020, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1363, 8-1-77; Ord. No. 1546, 8-16-82; Ord. No. 1735, 9-21-87; Ord. No. 2220, § I(Exh. A), 10-7-13; Ord. No. 2233, § I(Exh. A), 8-5-14; Ord. No. 2304, § II, 2-18-20; Ord. No. 2342, § XVIII, 8-1-23)

Sec. 29.70.115. - Conditional use permit.

In addition to the activities authorized by section 29.70.110, the activities listed in the table in section 29.20.185 are allowed if a conditional use permit is issued.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.72.030, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1363, 8-1-77)

Sec. 29.70.120. - Area and width.

The minimum lot area in a LM or commercial-industrial zone is eight thousand (8,000) square feet; and the minimum lot width is fifty (50) feet.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.72.050, 6-7-76)

Sec. 29.70.125. - Yards.

Minimum front, side and rear yards in a LM or commercial-industrial zone shall be as follows:

(1) Front ..... 15 feet
(2) Side ..... None required
(3) Rear ..... None required
(4) Side abutting street ..... 15 feet

 

(5)

The following minimum yard requirements apply along those property lines of a lot in the LM zone which abut or are across the street from a lot in a residential zone:

a.

Front .....25 feet

b.

Side abutting street .....15 feet

c.

Side or rear .....20 feet

Plus one (1) foot for each foot of building height over twenty (20) feet. A six-foot high masonry wall is required along the property line.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.72.070, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1337, 11-1-76; Ord. No. 1363, 8-1-77)

Sec. 29.70.130. - Height.

The maximum height of any building in a LM or commercial-industrial zone is thirty-five (35) feet.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.72.080, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1337, 11-1-76)

Sec. 29.70.135. - Lot area coverage.

Maximum building coverage of a lot in a LM or commercial-industrial zone, including any type of accessory building, is fifty (50) percent.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.72.090, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1337, 11-1-76)

Sec. 29.70.215. - Intent.

The CM or controlled-manufacturing zone provides for light industry compatible with neighboring uses.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.74.010, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1363, 8-1-77)

Sec. 29.70.220. - Permitted uses.

(a)

Activities allowed in the CM or controlled-manufacturing zone must be those which would not unreasonably interfere with residential uses in the vicinity or other activities within the CM zone and which are in the following categories:

(1)

Activities involving controlled manufacturing, research and development, wholesaling, warehousing, and other light industrial uses.

(2)

Sales to the ultimate consumer of articles manufactured on the premises to the customer's order.

(3)

Professional and administrative offices.

(4)

Emergency shelters as defined by Health and Safety Code section 50801 and consistent with the following defined operational standards:

a.

Twenty (20) or fewer beds;

b.

Six (6) or fewer administrative staff members or employees;

c.

Operating hours limited from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. daily;

d.

Conforming to all applicable building and housing codes, as determined by the Building Official.

(b)

Examples of activities which are not proper in the CM zone are retailing except articles manufactured and sold as provided in subsection (2), personal services, and vehicle sales and service.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.74.020, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1363, 8-1-77; Ord. No. 1793, § I(4.74.020), 7-17-89; Ord. No. 1952, § V, 8-2-93; Ord. No. 2222, § II(Exh. A), 10-21-13)

Sec. 29.70.225. - Conditional uses.

In addition to the activities authorized by section 29.70.220, the activities listed in the table in section 29.20.185 are allowed if a conditional use permit is issued.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.74.030, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1363, 8-1-77)

Sec. 29.70.230. - Area.

The minimum lot area in a CM or controlled-manufacturing zone is forty thousand (40,000) square feet.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.74.050, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1328, 8-2-76)

Sec. 29.70.235. - Yards.

Minimum front, side and rear yards in a CM or controlled-manufacturing zone shall be as follows:

(1) Front or side abutting street ..... 25 feet, plus one (1) foot for each foot of building height over twenty (20) feet.
(2) Side ..... 25 feet
(3) Rear ..... None, except when adjacent to a residential zone, then twenty (20) feet minimum plus one (1) foot for each foot of building height over twenty (20) feet.

 

(4)

A six-foot high masonry wall is required along any property line which abuts a lot in a residential zone.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.74.060, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1337, 11-1-76; Ord. No. 1363, 8-1-77)

Sec. 29.70.240. - Height.

The maximum height of any building in a CM or controlled-manufacturing zone is thirty-five (35) feet.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.74.070, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1337, 11-1-76)

Sec. 29.70.245. - Lot area coverage.

Maximum building coverage of a lot in a CM or controlled-manufacturing zone, including any type of accessory building, is fifty (50) percent.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.74.080, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1337, 11-1-76)