Plummer City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 8
C-1 GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONE
8-8-1: PURPOSE AND INTENT:
A. The purpose of this chapter is to enact regulations that implement the vision and goals of the comprehensive plan.
B. The Commercial district is intended to be the urban center of the city.
C. The code encourages the placement of buildings closer to each other as well as closer to the street where pedestrian activity is expected to occur. As sidewalks are a principal place of pedestrian movement and casual social interaction, designs and uses should be complementary to that function. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2024)
8-8-2: GENERAL RESTRICTIONS:
A. The C-1 zone is a land use classification for a district suitable for wholesale and retail sales, offices, service establishments and multi-family housing.
B. In the C-1 zone, no building or premises shall be used, nor any building or structure be hereafter erected or altered unless otherwise provided in this title, except for one or more of the uses in accordance with the following standards of this chapter.
C. All use types permitted in the C-1 zone shall be conducted entirely within a building with the exception of vehicle/equipment rentals, vehicle/equipment sales and parking lots. Retail outdoor storage may be approved by special use permit. On outdoor sales and rental lots or premises, all new or used passenger cars, trucks, trailers, mobile homes, boats, farm machinery or other machinery or equipment, normally displayed for sales or rental purposes on an open lot shall be in working order, if displayed in the open for public view.
D. Maximum height of buildings shall not exceed two (2) stories or thirty feet (35'), except that structures may exceed this height by special use permit.
E. All refuse collection containers shall be maintained in a clean manner.
F. All commercial buildings must face a public street. All commercial buildings must provide at least one customer entrance within fifty feet (50') of an adjacent public sidewalk or within fifty feet (50') from the frontage parcel boundary line where no sidewalk exists or will be constructed. Where public sidewalk exists or is otherwise required to be constructed, pedestrian access from the public sidewalk to the building entrance shall be provided and must be protected from vehicular traffic and provide access for disabled persons in a manner that complies with applicable state and federal law. This standard does not apply to espresso stands or other small stands.
G. Commercial lots adjacent to residentially zoned properties shall have a twenty foot (20') buffer along the abutting residentially zoned property. Buffers shall not be used for the purpose of parking, loading, servicing or other business activity.
H. Deliveries shall not be made off of US-95 or SH-5. All loading and unloading of trucks shall be performed off of the traveled portion of side streets and alleys.
I. Metal structures known as pole buildings and prefabricated structures shall be sided on the front to give the general appearance of a stick built structure.
J. If possible, voids between buildings should be removed to create a continuous building line along the street. Building details should be simple with an emphasis on shape, proportion, and texture rather than ornateness or repetition. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2024)
8-8-3:
The minimum allowable lot size is seven thousand (7,000) square feet with a minimum of fifty feet (50') of continuous frontage on a public street. (Ord. 474, 12-19-22024)
8-8-4: SITE AREA:
A. On a parcel of land or lot of whatever size in the C-1 zone a minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the area of the site shall be left in open space free from all structures.
B. Open space can be utilized for parking and landscaping as required in section 8-8-12
of this chapter. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2024)
8-8-5: USES PERMITTED:
Assembly of products whose parts were manufactured elsewhere. Assembly, storage of materials, and storage of finished products must be conducted within a structure, providing the same takes place in a clean, quiet atmosphere, free of noise, odor, dust and smoke.
Automobile service stations, convenience stores.
Automotive and/or equipment service, maintenance, repair, body and paint shops provided that no more than two (2) inoperative vehicles or pieces of equipment shall be stored outside of the building per bay. All storage of vehicles or equipment must be on premises. Storage of additional vehicles awaiting work may be allowed by special use permit.
Barbershops, beauty salons.
Beverage distribution facilities under fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet, but not including bottling plants.
Clinics, dental offices.
Department, furniture, appliance stores, and lumberyards.
Drive-through facilities must have a stacking lane with a minimum of eighty feet (80') in length for cars waiting to access a drive-through window. The stacking lane must be contained entirely on private property between the public right of way and the drive-through window. The stacking lane shall not interfere with vehicle parking or circulation.
Eating or drinking establishments.
Espresso stands and other small standalone drive-up businesses under five hundred (500) square feet. Drive-up stands shall be set back a minimum of twenty feet (20') from all property lines and other buildings. A minimum of forty five feet (45') in length shall be provided for cars waiting to access a drive-through window. The stacking lane must be contained entirely on private property between the public right of way and the drive-through window. The stacking lane shall not interfere with vehicle parking or circulation.
Government buildings and offices, public buildings and offices, public utilities installation.
Hotels, motels, or motor inns.
Indoor storage facilities, ministorage, self-storage units, garages for storage of private passenger automobiles and recreational vehicles.
Indoor transfer, storage and warehouse facilities.
Laundromats, public laundry facilities.
Outdoor advertising display signs or structures shall be permitted in the immediate use area only and in accordance with section 8-8-10
of this chapter.
Parks and recreational facilities controlled and maintained by the city or a private landowner.
Pet shops and animal clinics when conducted wholly within an enclosed building.
Pharmacy.
Photographers, artist studios, galleries.
Professional or service offices, banks.
Retail, service, or rental businesses. Businesses where over ten percent (10%) of the goods offered for sale or rent are to be stored outdoors shall operate under special use permit only.
Supermarkets, malls and other shopping facilities under fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet. Public shopping facilities over fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet may be allowed by special use permit.
Taverns
Temporary building or trailer for construction office purposes for a period not to exceed the duration of such construction or six (6) months, whichever is the lesser. Such structure shall not be used for human occupancy.
Temporary sales offices, construction trailers, or storage facilities for subdivisions or building sites, during the period construction work is in progress, but such temporary facilities shall be removed upon completion of the construction work. All temporary buildings shall be set back at least ten feet (10') from all property lines.
Theaters, libraries, museums, art galleries.
Vehicle, trailer and equipment sales and rental lots. All vehicles and equipment stored outdoors shall be on a paved lot and in working order. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2024)
8-8-6: USES PROHIBITED:
Auto wrecking and junk yards.
Disposal of garbage or waste materials by sanitary landfill, fill and cover method, composting, or incineration. Collection and/or storage of garbage or waste materials for transfer to a disposal facility not within a structure.
Recycling Centers.
General manufacturing and processing uses unless they are part of the operation of a business or service specifically permitted in the C-1 Zone.
Grain elevators.
Industrial uses.
Manufactured homes.
Mining, rock crushing or commercial excavation of building or constructing materials.
Outdoor advertising display signs or structures on premises other than those for which the principal use is intended.
Single-family dwellings, tiny homes, duplexes, and triplexes. Apartment buildings may be allowed by special use permit.
Stockyards, kennels.
Vehicle, trailer or equipment sales or rental lots.
The preparation and processing of dust producing mineral product, including, but not limited to, abrasive, cement, fertilizer, plaster, crushed stone, mining, extraction of sand, gravel and/or topsoil. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2024)
8-8-7: BUILDING AND SETBACK REQUIREMENTS:
Flanking street | 10 feet, 20 feet maximum |
Front yard | 5 feet minimum, 20 feet maximum |
Rear or side alley | 10 feet |
Side yard | 0 feet minimum, 10 feet maximum |
B. The following encroachments are permitted:
1. Awnings may encroach upon the public sidewalk without limit, but shall provide a minimum height clearance of ten feet (10').
2. Balconies and bay windows may encroach up to twenty five percent (25%) of the depth of the setback.
3. Roof overhangs and eaves may encroach up to ten percent (10%) of the depth of the setback.
4. Patios may encroach one hundred percent (100%) of the depth of a front setback.
5. Open porches may encroach fifty percent (50%) of the depth of a front setback.
C. All freestanding signs as permitted in this chapter must be set back a minimum of five feet (5') from all property lines.
D. Voids between buildings should be removed when possible to create a continuous building line along the street. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2024)
8-8-8: OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS:
A. All off street parking areas with five (5) or more parking spaces shall be paved. Off street parking areas with four (4) or fewer spaces may be surfaced with gravel, or a similar stabilized surface. All parking areas, regardless of the number of spaces, shall be maintained in good condition and kept free of trash and other debris. Driveway approaches to off street parking areas with five (5) or more parking spaces shall also be paved if the street it is connecting to is paved.
B. Prior to development of any parking area in excess of two (2) spaces, a detailed written report shall be submitted containing the following information:
1. The proposed use of the land and/or structures.
2. Proposed plan for handling any parking or traffic flow problems that may be generated by this use. The proposed use shall not cause congestion of adjacent streets or alleyways.
3. Proposed plan for snow storage and removal. Pushing or stockpiling of snow from private property into the public streets, highways, alleyways, or rights-of-way is prohibited.
4. Stormwater drainage for all parking areas, service drives, and approaches.
C. Groups of two (2) or more parking spaces shall be served by a service drive so that no backward movement or other maneuvering of a vehicle within a street will be required. Service drives shall be designed and constructed in such a manner that any vehicle leaving or entering the parking area from or onto a public or private street shall be traveling in a forward manner and provide maximum safety for pedestrian and vehicular traffic on site. In no case shall two-way and one-way driveways be less than twenty feet (20') and twelve feet (12') wide, respectively. All parking areas will have specific points designated as ingress or egress areas.
D. Parking facilities as required shall be used for vehicle parking only. No automobile sales or storage, equipment or machinery sales or storage, dead storage, outdoor sales, repair work, or dismantling of any kind shall be permitted within the required parking spaces.
E. No parking area for more than ten (10) vehicles shall be closer than twenty feet (20') to any dwelling unit, motel, school or hospital, or institution for human care located on an adjoining lot, unless separated by a screen consisting of a fence, wall, or planting not less than four feet (4') nor more than six feet (6') in height and maintained in good condition.
F. In no case shall any part of a parking area by closer than four feet (4') to any established road or alley right of way or adjoining property.
G. All uses in the C-1 zone shall have a minimum number of off street parking spaces located not more than five hundred feet (500') from the principal use as described below.
Apartment houses | 1 space plus 1/2 space for every bedroom for each unit |
Auto service garage | 1 space for 2 fuel pumps plus 2 per service bay |
Banks, financial institutions1 space for each 300 square feet gross floor area | |
Bowling alleys4 spaces for each alley or lane | |
Childcare centers1 space for every 10 children plus 1 for each employee | |
Church, auditorium, theater1 space for every 5 fixed seats or 1 per 100 square feet if not fixed seats | |
Dance hall, skating rink, lodge hall1 space for each 100 square feet gross floor area | |
Eating and drinking establishments1 space for each 100 square feet gross floor area devoted to customer service and dining | |
Group housing1 space for each 3 units | |
Hospitals1 space per bed | |
Libraries, museums, art galleries1 space for each 400 square feet | |
Manufacturing1 space for every 2 employees plus 1 for each motor vehicle used in the business | |
Medical and dental offices4 spaces for each doctor or 1 per 400 square feet whichever is greater | |
Motel and hotels1 space for each unit plus 1 for every 2 employees | |
Nursing home1 space per 2 beds | |
Offices1 space for each 400 square feet gross floor area | |
Recreational facilities, pools1 space for each 5 persons in capacity | |
Retail stores1 space for each 300 square feet gross floor area | |
Retail stores of bulky merchandise1 space for each 600 square feet gross floor area | |
Schools: | |
Business, technical, trade school1 space for every 2 students | |
Business trade or industrial schools1 space for each 3 classroom seats | |
Elementary, middle schools2 spaces per classroom | |
High schools1 space per 10 students plus 1 per teacher and employee | |
Kindergarten, nursery school2 spaces for each classroom, but not less than 6 | |
Service establishments1 space for each 300 square feet gross floor area | |
Where the parking requirements for a use are not specifically defined in this title, the parking requirements for such use shall be based upon the requirements for the most comparable use specified in this title, or other requirements based upon the best available information concerning the proposed use.
H. Two (2) or more nonresidential uses may jointly provide and use parking spaces when their hours of operation do not normally overlay, provided that a written agreement shall be filed with the application for building permit. Shared parking shall be no farther than five hundred feet (500') from the building or use to be served.
I. ADA accessible parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the currently adopted building code and current ADA requirements.
J. All parking areas which are intended to be used during non-daylight hours shall be properly illuminated to avoid accidents. Any lights used to illuminate a parking lot shall be downward directed and shielded to minimize glare on adjoining property.
K. All driveway approaches to State Highways shall be paved and meet Idaho Transportation Department construction standards for approaches. All building permit applications for properties with approaches to State Highways shall provide a copy of the ITD approved approach permit to the City with the building permit application.
L. On street parking spaces within five hundred feet (500') of the business entrance shall be counted toward fulfilling the parking requirements in this section.
All off street parking areas for property abutting SH-5 shall be accessed from the alley side of the property. Access from a flanking street may be allowed by special use permit. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2024)
8-8-9: LOADING SPACE REQUIREMENTS:
A. Loading space as hereinafter set forth shall be provided for all permitted or special uses in the C-1 Zone off of public streets and not in the front, provided however, that a greater number of spaces may be required in any case where approval of a special use permit is involved.
B. On the same premises with every building hereafter erected which contains more than five thousand (5,000) square feet and which is designed to be occupied by any use requiring regular receipt or dispatch of merchandise by truck, there shall be provided and maintained at least one loading space, not less than thirty feet (30') in length and twelve feet (12') in width, exclusive of access platform and maneuvering area.
C. In no case shall the required off street loading area be part of the area used to satisfy the off street parking requirements. (Ord. 474. 12-19-2024)
8-8-10: SIGN REQUIREMENTS:
A. The purpose of this section is to establish standards for the fabrication, erection, and use of signs, symbols, markings, and advertising devices within the city. These standards are enacted to protect the public health, safety and welfare of persons within the community. They are intended to aid in the development and promotion of business and industry by providing sign regulations which encourage aesthetic creativity, effectiveness and flexibility of the design of such devices without creating detriment to the general public. They are also intended to promote clear views of the natural surroundings by minimizing visual clutter.
B. All signs must adhere to the following regulations:
1. No signs shall be placed in any public right of way except publicly owned signs.
2. No sign imitating or resembling an official traffic or government sign or signal shall be placed on property visible from any public right of way.
3. No sign shall be constructed or erected so as to create a traffic hazard.
4. No sign shall emit audible sound, odor, smoke, steam, laser or hologram lights.
5. It is the obligation of the owner of every sign within the city to maintain the sign in a good state of repair at all times. A sign which, due to structural weakness, design defect, or other reason, constitutes a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of any person or property, must be repaired, replaced or removed within thirty (30) days of notice from the city.
6. No lighted sign shall create a public nuisance or utilize an exposed incandescent, metal halide, or fluorescent light bulb.
7. Lighting shall be designed, located, shielded, and directed to prevent misdirected or excessive artificial light upon any adjacent public right of way, surrounding property, residential property or in motorists' vision.
8. Signs located along Highway 95 and State Highway 5 shall also conform to Idaho state transportation department regulations.
9. The reduction or turning off of sign lighting during nonoperating hours is encouraged.
10. All signs shall be constructed in accordance with applicable building and electrical codes.
11. Abandoned signs or any sign which identifies or advertises an activity, business, service or event which is no longer produced, conducted, performed or sold on the premises where the sign is located is prohibited and must be removed within thirty (30) days of the use being vacated.
C. The following signs are allowed within the C-1 zone in conformance with the size and setback standards set forth:
1. Address numbers are required on the face of the building or sign visible from the fronting street right of way for easy identification of the property.
2. Hours of operation signs.
3. Signs located on private property, not oriented to the general public, and intended to provide information or directions to those using the facility.
4. Flags, symbols, or insignias.
5. Works of fine art displayed on private property within the setback of a building.
6. Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and dates of erection, when cut into or attached to the surface or facade of the building.
7. Religious symbols and seasonal decorations erected within the appropriate holiday season.
8. One freestanding on premises sign no more than thirty feet (30') in height, having a maximum total sign area of one hundred (100) square feet per display area and located not closer than ten feet (10') to any street right of way line and not closer than twenty feet (20') to any adjoining lot line may be erected. There shall be only one freestanding sign for each building, regardless of the number of businesses conducted in said building. Landscaping is required around the base.
9. Wall mounted, on premises signs may have an area equivalent to one and one-half (11/2) square feet of sign area for each linear foot of building width occupied by such enterprise but shall not exceed a maximum area of one hundred (100) square feet.
10. Signs painted directly on a wall shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the wall area.
11. Projecting signs may be placed on any building but shall not extend more than three feet (3') from the surface to which it is attached. Signs projecting over a public right of way must have at least ten feet (10') of ground clearance.
12. Hanging signs may be placed on a building or underneath an awning or colonnade, but may not project beyond the same. Signs hanging over a public right of way must have at least eight feet (8') ground clearance.
13. Nonilluminated directional signs, not exceeding two (2) square feet in size, may be placed at the vehicular entrances to a business set back a minimum of five feet (5') from the street right of way.
14. Menu display boxes for drive-through facilities.
15. Manual changeable copy signs (reader boards) not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet in size, with changeable copy limited to five (5) lines of lettering and/or numbers not exceeding six inches (6") in height.
16. Portable signs and A-frame signs not to exceed six (6) square feet per side are allowed within the setback area. Businesses must maintain a minimum four foot (4') clearance around any sign located in the public sidewalk.
17. Temporary signs not exceeding fifty (50) square feet in area announcing the erection of a building, the architect, owner or contractor may be erected for a period of sixty (60) days plus the construction period.
18. Real estate signs are permitted provided they are no greater than twelve (12) square feet in size and set back a minimum of ten feet (10') from the right of way line of any street or highway. Real estate signs no larger than six (6) square feet in size can be set at the right of way line.
D. The following signs may be allowed within the C-1 zone by special use permit:
1. Buildings over one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet may have signs larger than those allowed above provided that a master sign plan is submitted and approved as part of the special use permit process for the facility.
2. Electronic message signs, signs with flashing lights, inflatable signs or displays, and animated signs may be allowed by special use permit provided that the council can determine that they will not create a nuisance to the public or hazard for motorists. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2025)
8-8-11: FENCE REQUIREMENTS:
A. When sight obscuring fences are required by this title to protect the surrounding property owners, the use requiring the fence shall be the principal party in erecting the fence at the time the use is started and they or future owners shall be the principal party in maintaining the fence in a constant and good state of repair to include painting, etc.
B. The council shall have the authority to require fencing or screening in addition to what is specifically required elsewhere in this title. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2024)
8-8-12: LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS:
A. A minimum of two percent (2%) of the total lot shall be beautified by any of the following individual methods or any combination thereof:
1. Landscaped with trees, shrubbery, vines, ground covers, grass, or any combination thereof, all of which should be drought tolerant.
2. Enhanced with pavers, concrete, or other beautified ground cover.
3. Enhanced with benches, planters, bicycle racks, garbage cans, or other items for public use.
4. Beautified with public art approved by the City Council.
B. All landscaped areas shall be maintained in a healthy and thriving condition free of weeds, trash and debris. All areas visible to the public shall be maintained free of trash and debris.
C. Parking lots with more than twenty (20) parking spaces shall have a minimum of one 15-gallon deciduous tree for every twenty (20) parking spaces. Trees shall be evenly distributed throughout the parking area to provide shade and visual relief.
D. Trees planted along a public street shall be done in compliance with Plummer tree ordinance, title 5, chapter 4 of this code, and shall be maintained in a manner to avoid interference with public utilities, sidewalks and streets. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2024)
8-8-13: SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
A. Sidewalks.
1. Sidewalks shall be required to be installed and maintained by the property owner in the following circumstances:
a. Along the frontage of all State Highways in the C-1 General Commercial zone;
b. Where sidewalks have been identified as necessary or desirable in any transportation or sidewalk plan duly adopted by the City; or
c. Where adjacent parcels on two sides have existing sidewalks that could be connected by a new sidewalk on the subject property.
2. Sidewalks so required shall be a minimum of six feet (6') in width with curb cuts at each public street corner in accordance with ADA accessibility standards.
3. Exception to sidewalk requirement: No sidewalk shall be required when the site improvements and building costs are less than thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00), as determined by building permit valuation or from the valid, signed contract to complete the work. If a footing and foundation only building permit is issued, and a subsequent building permit is issued for the structure that is to be placed on top of that same foundation, and the combined valuation of both permits exceeds thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00), then for the purposes of this section both permits shall be considered as one permit and sidewalks shall be required.
B. Flat roofs shall be enclosed by parapets a minimum of forty-two inches (42") high, or as required to conceal mechanical equipment.
C. Any metal siding used shall be colored or painted to prevent glare.
D. Lighting placed upon the building shall be architecturally integrated, downward directed and shielded, and shall not produce glare on public highways and neighboring property. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2024)
8-8-14: SPECIAL USE:
On property meeting the minimum lot size requirement within the C-1 zone the following uses may be permitted through the issuance of a special use permit pursuant to chapter 16 of this title.
Animal clinic, veterinary office, or kennel with any animals to be kept outdoors. Such facilities must be located at least three hundred feet (300') from any residence including motels and hotels, except for owner's residences.
Apartment buildings with greater than four (4) living units. Apartment buildings shall have a twenty foot (20') setback from streets, alleys and adjoining property.
Beverage distribution facilities over fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet.
Bulk fuel storage, above or below ground bulk fuel or chemical storage other than that required for a retail service station outlet. Such facilities shall be located at least three hundred feet (300') from any residence and shall have suitable loading and unloading spaces.
Call centers.
Church, and accessory buildings used for religious teaching.
Dry cleaners employing facilities for not more than one thousand (1,000) pounds of dry goods per day and using carbon tetrachloride or other nonflammable cleaning agents.
Foster home, group home, institution, nursery, kindergarten, halfway house, and similar facility.
Hospitals or sanatoriums.
Manufactured home sales.
Mini-mall with individual storefronts not to exceed five thousand (5,000) square feet of floor space.
Mortuary, undertaking establishments.
Multiuse building with residential units above or behind the commercial space. Such residential use shall be secondary to the commercial use and its square footage shall not exceed that of the commercial space. Each residential unit shall have off street parking spaces as required for apartments and the entrance to the living unit(s) shall be separate from that of the commercial use.
Nursery schools and childcare centers. A fenced outdoor play area with a minimum of one hundred (100) square feet per child to be cared for shall be required.
Outdoor advertising display signs or structures other than for the immediate use area.
Outdoor recreational facilities, sports arenas.
Outdoor storage of private passenger automobiles and recreational vehicles.
Radio, television or FM broadcasting stations which include aerials as an integral part of the principal building. Communications antennas and towers provided that antennas greater than forty five feet (45') in height and tower mounted antennas shall require a statement from a registered professional engineer regarding the structural integrity of the antenna and/or tower.
Recreational vehicle parks.
Retail, service, or rental businesses where more than ten percent (10%) of the goods offered for sale or rent are to be stored outdoors.
Sale or rental facility where more than ten percent (10%) of the goods for sale or rent are stored outdoors.
Schools, public, private, parochial, business, trade, or industrial.
Shopping facilities over fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet in size. A traffic study may be required as part of the application if more than fifty (50) vehicles per peak hour is anticipated.
Storage of vehicles and equipment awaiting repair work, bodywork, or painting. Sight obscuring fencing may be required.
Transfer, storage and warehouse facilities using outside storage. Outside storage must be within a minimum six foot (6') high sight obscuring fence or equal in height to the stored material, whichever is greater.
Transit or trucking terminal.
No use shall be permitted, the nature or manner of operation of which shall be determined by the city council to be unduly hazardous or injurious to other properties in the vicinity or to the general public welfare by reason of the emission or odor, dust, smoke, vibration, electrical or other disturbance. (Ord. 474, 12-19-2024)