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Morgan Hill City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 18

24 - Commercial Zoning Districts

18.24.010 - Purpose of the commercial zoning districts.

A.

General. The purpose of the commercial zoning districts is to provide locations for a variety of commercial uses to meet the need of residents, visitors, and workers in Morgan Hill. Development within the commercial zoning districts is attractively designed to enhance Morgan Hill's unique character and economic prosperity. Commercial uses are clustered and concentrated to utilize land resources efficiently and support a balanced transportation system. Employment uses accommodate a diversity of jobs that contribute to a dynamic local economy.

B.

Specific.

1.

Administrative Office (CO). The purpose of the CO zoning district is to provide an area where professional, general commercial offices and limited personal services may develop in close relationship with each other outside of other commercial districts.

2.

Neighborhood Commercial (CN). The purpose of the CN zoning district is to provide a location for retail, office, and service uses to serve residents living in surrounding neighborhoods.

3.

General Commercial (CG). The purpose of the CG zoning district is to provide a location for a broad range of commercial and employment uses to serve Morgan Hill residents, workers, and visitors.

4.

Highway Commercial (CH). The purpose of the CH zoning district is to provide areas adjacent to the freeway that can accommodate highway and tourist-oriented uses and uses which require the high visibility of thoroughfare locations.

5.

Service Commercial (CS). The purpose of the CS zoning district is to provide an area for commercial services that may be inappropriate in neighborhood or pedestrian-oriented shopping areas, and which generally require automotive access for customer convenience, servicing of vehicles or equipment, loading or unloading, or parking of commercial service vehicles.

(Ord. No. 2277 N.S., § 5(Exh. A), 6-6-2018)

18.24.020 - Land use regulations.

A.

Permitted Land Uses. Table 18.24-1 identifies land uses permitted in the commercial zoning districts.

Table 18.24-1 Permitted Land Uses in the Commercial Zoning Districts

Key
P Permitted Use
A Administrative Use Permit required
C Conditional Use Permit required
— Use not allowed 		Zoning District Additional
Regulations
CO CN CG CH CS
Residential Uses
Caretaker Quarters — — C — C
Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care C C C — —
Residential Care Facilities — C — — —
Public and Quasi-Public Uses
Colleges and Trade Schools — C C — —
Community Assembly C C C — —
Cultural Institutions C C C — C
Day Care Centers — C A — C
Government Offices — P P — C
Instructional Services P A A A A
Medical Offices and Clinics P P P A [4] C [4]
Schools, Public and Private C C C — —
Social Services C C C — C
Commercial Uses
Animal-Related Uses —
Animal Boarding — C C — C
Cat Café — — P — — Title 6
Veterinarian Clinics and Hospitals P A A A P
Banks and Financial Institutions P P P P P
Business Support Services — P P P P
Cinemas and Theatres — A A A A
Commercial Recreation, Indoor
 ≤ 15,000 sq. ft. C P P P P
 > 15,000 sq. ft. — C C C C
Drive-Through and Drive-In Facilities C C C C C 18.92.040
Eating and Drinking Uses
 Bars and Nightclubs — C C — —
 Restaurants, Fast Food — C P P C
 Restaurants, Sit-Down — C P P C
 Tasting Rooms — C A P C
Funeral Parlors and Mortuaries — — C — C
Lodging Facilities
Hotels and Motels — C A P A
Mini-Storage — — C — C
Personal Services P P P — C
Plant Nurseries — — C — P
Professional Offices P P P P P
Retail Uses
 Convenience Markets — C C C C
 Convenience Market with Fuel and Service Station — C C C C
 General Retail — P P P C
 Home Improvement Centers — — P — P
 Liquor Store — C C C C
 Large Commodity Retail — — C — C
Vehicle-Related Uses
 Convenience Market with Fuel and Service Station — C C C C
 Fuel and Service Stations — C C C C
 Towing and Impound — — — — C
 Vehicle Rentals — C [2] C [2] P P
 Vehicle Repair and Maintenance, Minor — — C — P
 Vehicle Sales and Leasing — C [1] C [1] P P
 Vehicle Washing — C C C C
Wholesaling — — C — P
Industrial Uses
Construction and Material Yards — — — — C
Food and Beverage Production
 < 5,000 sq. ft. [3] — A A A A
 5,000 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft. [3] — A A C A
 > 10,000 sq. ft. — — — — C
Research and Development — — — — C
Warehousing and Distribution, Large and Small — — — — C
Transportation, Communication, and Utility Uses
Freight Terminals and Transfer — — — C —
Light Fleet-Based Services — C C — C
Parking Lots and Structures — — C — C
Recycling Facilities
 Reverse Vending Machine — C C C C
 Recycling Collection Facility — — — — C
Transportation Terminals — — — C
Utilities, Major — — C — C
Wireless Communications Facilities See Chapter 18.96
Other Uses
Accessory Uses See Chapter 18.44
Temporary Uses See Section 18.92.150

 

Notes:

[1] Allowed only when conducted entirely within an enclosed building without outdoor storage and display of vehicles.

[2] Vehicles stored outdoors must be fully screened from public view.

[3] On-site wholesale or retail sales required.

[4] Reproductive health community clinics consistent with Government Code Section 65914.900 are permitted by right.

B.

Additional Permits. In addition to permits identified in Table 18.24-1, development projects in the commercial zoning districts may also require a design permit pursuant to Section 18.108.040 (Design Permits). Modifications to a historic resource may require a Historic Alteration pursuant to Chapter 18.60 (Historic Resources).

C.

Outdoor Uses and Storage. In the commercial zoning districts, all uses shall be conducted wholly within a completely enclosed building except as follows:

1.

In the CS zoning district, outdoor storage associated with any permitted use is allowed with a conditional use permit.

2.

In the CG zoning district, outdoor storage and display associated with a home improvement center is allowed with a conditional use permit.

(Ord. No. 2277 N.S., § 5(Exh. A), 6-6-2018; Ord. No. 2310 N.S. § 1, 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 2362, § 4, 2-19-2025)

18.24.030 - Development standards.

A.

General. Table 18.24-2 identifies development standards that apply in the commercial zoning districts.

B.

Residential Transition Standards. Where a property zoned in a commercial zoning district abuts a residential zoning district, projects shall comply with increased setbacks, upper story stepbacks, and landscaping standards as specified in Section 18.92.130 (Residential Transition Standards).

Table 18.24-2: Development Standards in the Commercial Zoning Districts

CO CN CG CH CS Additional Standards
Site Requirements
Lot Area, Minimum 6,000 sq. ft. 10,000 sq. ft. 10,000 sq. ft. 20,000 sq. ft. 10,000 sq. ft.
Lot Width, Minimum 60 ft. 100 ft. 100 ft. 70 ft. 100 ft.
Lot Depth, Minimum 100 ft. 100 ft. 100 ft. 125 ft. 100 ft.
Building Coverage, Maximum 50% 50% 50% 40% 50%
Structure Requirements
Setbacks, Minimum[1] 18.56.030
 Front 20 ft. 25 ft. 25 ft. 40 ft. 25 ft.
 Rear 20 ft. 20 ft. 20 ft. 20 ft. 20 ft.
 Interior Side 10 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft.
 Street Side 15 ft. 15 ft. 15 ft. 15 ft. 15 ft.
Height, Maximum 3 stories or 30 ft., whichever is less 2½ stories or 30 ft., whichever is less 3 stories or 35 ft., whichever is less 4 stories or 55 ft., whichever is less 3 stories or 35 ft., whichever is less 18.24.030.B; 18.56.020

 

[1] Where a property abuts a residential zoning district or residential land use designation, the property shall comply with increased setbacks, upper story stepbacks, and landscaping standards as specified in Section 18.92.130 (Residential Transition Standards).

(Ord. No. 2277 N.S., § 5(Exh. A), 6-6-2018; Ord. No. 2319 N.S., § 4, 1-20-2021)