Mills City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
19. - COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
Sec. 17.19.5. - Purpose.
Commercial districts are centers of business and civic life. This section provides a range of commercial districts to accommodate the range of commercial land uses in the City of Mills. These districts are intended to:
23.5.1 Promote efficient use of land and urban services;
23.5.2 Create a mixture of land uses that encourages employment and housing options in close proximity to one another;
23.5.3 Provide formal and informal community gathering places and opportunities for socialization;
23.5.4 Encourage pedestrian-oriented development in all commercial areas;
23.5.5 Provide connections to and appropriate transitions between residential areas and commercial areas.
(Ord. No. 813, att.(19.5), 6-25-2024; Ord. No. 823, att.(19.5), 7-22-2025)
Sec. 17.19.10. - Commercial zoning district regulations.
The following descriptions of each commercial zoning district identify the characteristic uses and level of development intended for each district.
(1)
O-B office business district. The O-B district permits a compatible mixture of public, quasi-public, and private institutional and professional services, small retail businesses and small medical facility uses at a low to moderate level of intensity. This district is designed to be compatible with nearby residential districts.
(2)
C-1 general commercial district. The C-1 district allows basic retail, service, and office uses to preserve and expand a general business district. Business uses needing large floor areas, particularly those of a service nature, are included in the district.
(3)
C-3 business service district. The C-3 district accommodates a compatible mixture of office, light industrial uses, business services, retail outlets for adjoining industry, and retail uses in a safe setting, conducive to a larger volume of automotive traffic.
(Ord. No. 813, att.(19.10), 6-25-2024; Ord. No. 823, att.(19.10), 7-22-2025)
Sec. 17.19.15. - Commercial use district charts.
The following use district charts contain the basic zoning regulations that apply to property located within commercial zoning districts. Use these charts by reading down the left-hand column entitled "Use." Once you locate the use in which you are interested, read across to find the regulations that apply to that use.
These charts are meant to be a quick reference guide and therefore may not be entirely inclusive of all applicable regulations. Please refer to the table of contents and to section 17.1.5 to determine what other regulations of this code may apply to the subject property.
Use District Chart
District O-B
Use
 |
Regulations
 | O-B District | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directions: First, read down to find use, then across for regulations | |||||||||
Review Process (see Table 17.10.10-1) | Minimums | Maximums | Sign Category (see section 17.40.25) | Special Use Regulations (see chapter 17.45) | |||||
| Lot Size = 4,000 s.f. Lot Width = 40' | Lot Coverage (percent) | Height of Structure (feet) | |||||||
| Required Yard Setback | |||||||||
| Front (feet) | Side (feet) | Rear (feet) | |||||||
| Residential Uses | |||||||||
| Group care facilities | 2 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | C | 17.45.30 | |
| Mixed office and multifamily residential | 3 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | D |
See
Note 3 | |
| Commercial and Service Uses | |||||||||
| All retail sales and service establishments, except as otherwise mentioned | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | C |
See
Note 3 | |
| All recreational, educational and cultural establishments; except as otherwise mentioned | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | C |
See
Note 3 | |
| Child care center | 2 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | D | 17.45.50 | |
| Clinic, medical, dental or optical | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | D | ||
| Hospital | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 75 | E | ||
| Office | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 75 | D | ||
| Restaurant or tavern | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | C | ||
| Mini-storage facilities | 3 | 10 4 | 5 4 | 5 4 | 85 | 50 | C | 17.45.50 | |
| Veterinary clinic or animal hospital 2 | 2 | 10 4 | 5 4 | 5 4 | 85 | 50 | D | ||
| Community and Government Services | |||||||||
| Religious institution or parish house 1 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | D | ||
| Club or lodge, private, not-for-profit | 2 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | C | ||
| Institutional or government facility, except police firing ranges | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 75 | D | ||
| Mortuary | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 1 | C | ||
| School, public or private, all types | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 75 1 | E | ||
| Recreational Uses | |||||||||
| Park or playground | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 35 | D | ||
| Utilities, Transportation, and Communications | |||||||||
| Public utility facilities and infrastructure | 1 | 10 4 | 5 4 | 5 4 | 85 | 75 1 | D | 17.45.45 | |
| Wireless communication facilities 1 | 3 | 10 4 | 5 4 | 5 4 | 85 | 100 1 | B | 17.45.45 | |
Special regulations. The following special regulations apply to individual land uses as designated in the use district chart above. Additional regulations and requirements may be found in general regulations, section 17.1.5, and parking requirements, section 17.40.10.
(1)
Church spires, church towers, chimneys, flagpoles, antennas, monuments, water towers, and fire towers are exempt from height limitations.
(2)
All animal runs and pens, except horse stables, must be completely enclosed within a building.
(3)
Refer to special use regulations to determine if the proposed use has additional regulations.
(4)
If the use is adjacent to a residential use or residential district, the setbacks shall meet the following: front: 15 feet; side: 10 feet; rear: 15 feet. Further, the applicable director may impose additional setbacks to comply with other applicable requirements.
(5)
For structures with multiple tenants, the setbacks apply to the building perimeter only.
Use District Chart
District C-1
|
Use
|
Regulations
| C-1 District | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directions: First, read down to find use, then across for regulations | |||||||||
Review Process (see Table 17.10.10-1) | Minimums | Maximums | Sign Category (see section 17.40.25) | Special Use Regulations (see chapter 17.45) | |||||
| Lot Size = 6,000 s.f. Lot Width = 50' | Lot Coverage (percent) | Height of Structure (feet) | |||||||
| Required Yard Setback | |||||||||
| Front (feet) | Side (feet) | Rear (feet) | |||||||
| Agriculyural and Natural Recource Uses | |||||||||
| Stable/Kennel 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 1 | D | ||
| Veterinaryclinis or animal hospital 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 1 | D | ||
| Residential Uses | |||||||||
| Group care facilities | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 1 | C | 17.45.30 | |
| Mixed office and multifamily residential | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 1 | D | ||
| Commercial and Service Uses | |||||||||
| All retail sales and service establishments, except as otherwise mentioned 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | C | ||
| All recreational, educational and cultural establishments; except as otherwise mentioned 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | C | ||
| Armory | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | C | ||
| Child care center 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | D | 17.45.50 | |
| Clinic, medical, dental or optical | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | D | ||
| Commercial storage facilities | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | E | ||
| Convention center and places of assembly | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | E | ||
| Hospital 4 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | E | ||
| Hotels and motels 4 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | E | ||
| Office | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | D | ||
| Package liquor store | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | C | ||
| Restaurant or tavern 4 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | C | ||
| Theater | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | E | ||
| Mortuary | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | B | ||
| Motor vehicle sales | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | C | ||
| Vehicle fueling and service station | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | C | ||
| Community and Government Services | |||||||||
| Religious institution or parish house 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | D | ||
| Club or lodge, private, not-for-profit | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | C | ||
| Institutional or government facility, except police firing ranges | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | D | ||
| School, public or private, all types | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 1 | E | ||
| Recreational Uses | |||||||||
| Amusement place | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 | E | ||
| Golf course | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | D | ||
| Park or playground | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 45 | D | ||
| Utilities, Transportation, and Communications | |||||||||
| Public utility facilities and infrastructure 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 50 1 | D | 17.45.45 | |
| Wireless communication facilities 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 100 1 | B | 17.45.45 | |
Special regulations. The following special regulations apply to individual land uses as designated in the use district chart above. Additional regulations and requirements may be found in general regulations, section 17.1.5, and parking requirements, section 17.40.10.
(1)
Church spires, church towers, chimneys, flagpoles, antennas, monuments, water towers, and fire towers are exempt from height limitations.
(2)
All animal runs and pens, except horse stables, must be completely enclosed within a building.
(3)
Refer to special use regulations to determine if the proposed use has additional regulations.
(4)
Loading and unloading regulations. Loading and unloading space shall be provided off-street and on the same premises. The loading and unloading space or spaces shall be so located to avoid undue interference with public use of streets, alleys, and walkways. Such space shall include a 12-foot by 50-foot loading space with a minimum of 14 feet of height clearance. Each use up to 20,000 gross square feet shall provide one loading space, plus one additional loading space for every 20,000 gross square feet thereafter.
(5)
If the use is adjacent to a residential use or residential district, the setbacks shall meet the following: front: 15 feet; side: 10 feet; rear: 15 feet. Further, the applicable director may impose additional setbacks to comply with applicable requirements.
(6)
For structures with multiple tenants, the setbacks apply to the building perimeter only.
Use District Chart
District C-3
|
Use
|
Regulations
| C-3 District | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directions: First, read down to find use, then across for regulations | |||||||||
Review Process (see Table 17.10.10-1) | Minimums | Maximums | Sign Category (see section 17.40.25) | Special Use Regulations (see chapter 17.45) | |||||
| Lot Size = 6,000 s.f. Lot Width = 50' | Lot Coverage (percent) | Height of Structure (feet) | |||||||
| Required Yard Setback | |||||||||
| Front (feet) | Side (feet) | Rear (feet) | |||||||
| Agricultural and Natural Resource Uses | |||||||||
| Stable/kennel 2 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | D | ||
| Veterinary clinic or animal hospital 2 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | D | ||
| Residential Uses | |||||||||
| Caretaker housing | 2 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | None | 17.45.15 | |
| Group care facilities | 2 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | C | 17.45.30 | |
| Commercial and Service Use | |||||||||
| All retail or wholesale sales and service establishments, except as otherwise mentioned 6, 4 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | C | ||
| All recreational, educational and cultural establishments, except as otherwise mentioned 6, 4 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | C | ||
| Armory | 3 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | C | ||
| Child care center | 2 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | D | 17.45.50 | |
| Clinic, medical, dental or optical | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | D | ||
| Commercial storage facilities | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | E | 17.45.50 | |
| Convention center and places of assembly | 3 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | E | ||
| Hospital 6 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | E | ||
| Hotels and motels 6 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | E | ||
| Lumber yard and building material sales and storage 7 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | D | 17.45.50 | |
| Office | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | D | ||
| Package liquor store | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | C | ||
| Restaurant or tavern | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | C | ||
| Theater | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | E | ||
| Mortuary | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | B | ||
| Motor vehicle sales | 3 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | C | ||
| Vehicle fueling and service station | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | C | ||
| Vehicle service and repair | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | C | ||
| Warehouse | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | D | ||
| Industrial Uses | |||||||||
| Manufacturing, light 8 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | C | ||
| Community and Government Services | |||||||||
| Religious institution or parish house 1 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | D | ||
| Club or lodge, private, not-for-profit | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | C | ||
| Institutional or government facility, except police firing ranges | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | D | ||
| School, public or private, all types 3 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | E | ||
| Recreational uses | |||||||||
| Amusement place | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | E | ||
| Golf course | 2 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | D | ||
| Park or playground | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 45 1 | D | ||
| Utilities, Transportation, and Communications | |||||||||
| Public utility facilities and infrastructure 1 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 75 1 | D | 17.45.45 | |
| Wireless communication facilities 1 | 3 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 85 | 100 1 | B | 17.45.45 | |
Special regulations. The following special regulations apply to individual land uses as designated in the use district chart above. Additional regulations and requirements may be found in general regulations, section 17.1.5, and parking requirements, section 17.40.10.
(1)
Church spires, church towers, chimneys, flagpoles, antennas, monuments, water towers, and fire towers are exempt from height limitations.
(2)
All animal runs and pens, except horse stables, must be completely enclosed within a building.
(4)
Refer to special use regulations to determine if the proposed use has additional regulations.
(5)
Stockyards, animal and livestock sales, and grain elevators are prohibited.
(6)
Loading and unloading regulations. Loading and unloading space shall be provided off-street and on the same premises. The loading and unloading space or spaces shall be so located to avoid undue interference with public use of streets, alleys, and walkways. Such space shall include a 12-foot by 50-foot loading space with a minimum of 14 feet of height clearance. Each use up to 20,000 gross square feet shall provide one loading space, plus one additional loading space for every 20,000 gross square feet thereafter.
(7)
Not including ready-mix concrete and asphalt.
(8)
Including bottling, electronics, jewelry, metal craft, monument, carpentry and cabinet works, and plastics.
(Ord. No. 813, att.(19.15), 6-25-2024; Ord. No. 823, att.(19.15), 7-22-2025)
Sec. 17.19.20. - Simulcasting and gaming establishments.
(a)
To identify where lawful gaming activities may occur and to ensure they are conducted in a manner compatible with surrounding development and community standards.
(b)
This section applies to any establishment offering lawful gaming or wagering activities authorized by the State of Wyoming, including but not limited to simulcasting, historic horse racing, and electronic gaming.
(c)
Gaming establishments shall be permitted only as a conditional use in designated commercial districts, subject to the review and approval procedures contained in title 17. All proposals shall comply with the location, design, and operational standards established in the city's land development regulations.
(d)
Location and operational criteria shall include, but are not limited to:
•
Appropriate siting in commercially zoned areas with adequate separation from residential, educational, and civic uses;
•
Design compatibility with adjoining development and compliance with lighting, signage, and parking standards;
•
Operational safeguards such as licensing, security plans, hours of operation, and measures to minimize noise, traffic, and public-safety impacts.
(e)
Gaming establishments must maintain all required state and local licenses and remain in compliance with the city's conditional-use approval. Failure to comply may result in suspension or revocation of authorization to operate.
(Ord. No. 831, 12-9-2025)