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Provo City Zoning Code

14.20A FC1

Freeway Commercial Zone

14.20A.010 Purpose and Objectives.

The Freeway Commercial Zone (FC1) is established to provide a district in which the primary use of the land is for commercial and service uses to serve regional population needs and to provide a place of employment in pleasant surroundings along the Interstate 15 corridor. This commercial zone should have a minimum site area of five acres. Required yards and areas surrounding buildings shall be attractively landscaped and maintained in harmony with the characteristics of the surrounding residential areas. The uses characteristic of this zone will be a variety of retail and business uses with satellite shops and facilities serving a wide range of goods and services.

(Enacted 2010-31)

14.20A.020 Permitted Uses.

(1) Those uses or categories of uses as listed herein, and no others, are permitted in the FC1 zone.

(2) All uses contained herein are listed by number as designated in the Standard Land Use Code published and maintained by the Planning Commission. Specific uses are identified by a four-digit number in which all digits are whole numbers. Classes or groupings of such uses permitted in the zone are identified by a four-digit number in which the last one or two digits are zeros.

(3) All such categories listed herein and all specific uses contained within them in the Standard Land Use Code will be permitted in the FC1 zone, subject to the limitations set forth herein.

(4) Permitted Principal Uses. The following principal uses and structures, and no others, are permitted in the FC1 zone.

Use No.

Use Classification

1511

Hotels

1512

Motels

4700

Communications (except 4715)

4811

Electric transmission right-of-way (Identifies areas where the surface is devoted exclusively to the right-of-way of the activity)

4821

Gas pipeline right-of-way (Identifies areas where the surface is devoted exclusively to the right-of-way of the activity)

4824

Gas pressure control stations

4831

Water pipeline right-of-way (Identifies areas where the surface is devoted exclusively to the right-of-way of the activity.

4835

Irrigation distribution channels

4836

Water pressure control stations and pumping plants

4841

Sewage pipeline right-of-way (Identifies areas where surface is devoted exclusively to right-of-way activity)

4844

Sewage pumping stations

4864

Combination utilities right-of-way (Identifies areas where surface is devoted exclusively to right-of-way activity)

4873

Storm drain or right-of-way (Predominantly covered pipes or boxes)

4923

Travel Agencies

5230

Paint, glass and wallpaper

5240

Electrical supplies

5251

Hardware

5255

Building maintenance

5256

Swimming pool supplies

5311

Department stores (includes major and junior chain department stores)

5312

Discount department stores

5330

Variety stores

5390

Retail trade - general merchandise

5400

Food stores (groceries, meats and fish, fruits and vegetables, candy, nuts, dairy, bakeries, etc.)

5490

Miscellaneous retail food establishment

5511

Motor vehicles, automobiles - new car sales and used car sales which will be permitted only as an accessory use to new car sales

5515

Motor vehicles, trucks and buses - new vehicle sales and used vehicles sales permitted only as an accessory use to new truck and bus sales

5520

Automobile accessories (except tire recapping and vulcanizing)

5530

Gasoline service stations

5591

Marine craft and accessories (Including inboards, outboards, sailing craft, jet skis, etc.)

5593

New and used house trailers, R.V.s, campers, and mobile homes (Includes parts, accessories, supplies, etc.)

5594

Motorcycles, motor scooter parts, accessories, supplies

5600

Apparel and accessories

5700

Furniture, home furnishings, and equipment (no combined ware-housing)

5810

Eating places (restaurants)

5910

Drug and proprietary stores

5940

Books, stationery, art and hobby supplies

5950

Sporting goods, bicycles, and toys

5969

Garden supplies (entirely within a building only)

5970

Jewelry

5990

Miscellaneous retail stores (includes florists, newspapers and magazines, photo supplies, pet stores, and other similar retail stores, excluding tobacco products)

6100

Banks, insurance and real estate (office only)

6200

Personal services - including laundry, photography, beauty and barber services, clothing repair, etc. (except 6240 and 6299 wedding chapels and recreation centers only)

6297

Athletic clubs, body building studios, Spas, aerobic centers, (no gymnasiums)

6330

Duplicating, mailing, stenographic and office services

6360

Employment services

6493

Watch, clock, jewelry repair, etc.

6496

Locksmiths and key shops

6497

Gunsmiths

6511

Physicians offices and services

6512

Dental offices and services

6520

Legal services

6530

Engineering, architectural, and planning services

6590

Professional services

6720

Protective functions and related activities

6730

Postal services

6815

Day Care Services (subject to the Day Care Services standards of Section 14.34.250, Provo City Code)

6833

Beauty Schools

6835

Dance studios and schools

7111

Libraries

7212

Motion Picture Theaters (indoor - subject to the Dance Halls standards of Section 14.34.250, Provo City Code)

7398

Video Rental Shops

7600

Parks

(5) Permitted Accessory Uses. Accessory uses are permitted in the FC1 zone provided they are incidental to, and do not substantially alter, the character of the permitted principal use or structure. Such permitted accessory uses and structures include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Accessory buildings such as garages, carports, equipment storage and supply storage buildings which are customarily used in conjunction with and incidental to a principal use or structure permitted in the FC1 zone; and

(b) Storage of materials used for construction of a building, including a contractor’s temporary office, provided that such use be located on the building site or immediately adjacent thereto, and provided further that such use shall be permitted only during the construction period and 30 days thereafter.

(6) Conditional Uses. The following uses and structures are permitted in the FC1 zone only after a Conditional Use Permit has been issued, and subject to the terms and conditions thereof and the standards of Section 14.34.250, Provo City Code.

Use No.

Use Classification

4715

Communications, low power radio communication towers and antennas

4814

Electricity regulating substations

4823

Natural or manufactured gas storage; distribution points

4829

Other gas utilities, NEC

4834

Water storage as part of a utility system (covered including water storage standpipes)

4872

Debris basin (A dam and basin for intercepting debris)

4874

Spreading grounds (Area for percolating water into underground

5920

Liquor, package

5931

Antiques (no outside display)

6299

Personal services (wedding chapel and reception centers only)

6340

Dwelling and building services (not dwelling units)

6394

Equipment rental (indoor only)

6397

Vehicle rental (passenger auto-mobiles only)

6399

Miscellaneous business services

6416-7

Auto washing and polishing

6722

Police protection and related activities, branch (office only)

6942

Fraternal associations and lodges

7392

Miniature golf

(Enacted 2010-31, Am 2020-53, Am 2025-52)

14.20A.030 Lot Area.

The minimum area of any development in the FC1 zone shall be five acres. Smaller parcels are permitted as sub-parcels, or out-parcels, within a larger development. Legally nonconforming lots may also development independently subject to bulk, height and location requirements of this zone.

(Enacted 2010-31)

14.20A.040 Lot Frontage.

Each development in the FC1 zone shall abut on a public street for a minimum distance of 200 feet on a line parallel to the centerline of said street. A portion of the lot frontage may be along the circumference of a cul-de-sac improved to City standards.

(Enacted 2010-31)

14.20A.050 Yard Requirements.

The following minimum yard requirements shall apply in the FC1 zone:

(1) Front Yard. Ten feet along all public streets, which shall not be used for parking and shall be appropriately landscaped;

(2) Side Yard. No setback, other than the minimum required by the International Building Code, depending on the occupancy rating and construction of any proposed building, shall be required;

(3) Side Yard - Corner Lots. Ten feet along public streets, which shall not be used for parking and shall be appropriately landscaped;

(4) Side Yard - Driveway. See Section 14.37.100, Provo City Code;

(5) Side Yard - Accessory Building. An accessory building may be located on a side property line if, and only if, all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The accessory building is located more than ten feet from any main residential building on an adjacent property;

(b) The accessory building has no openings on the side which is contiguous to the property line, and the wall of said building adjacent to the property line has a two-hour fire retardant rating; and

(c) The accessory building has facilities for the discharge of all drainage onto the lot or parcel on which it is erected;

(6) Rear Yard. No setback, other than the minimum required by the International Building Code, depending on the occupancy rating and the construction of any proposed building, shall be required; and

(7) Rear Yard - Accessory Buildings. No requirement.

(Enacted 2010-31)

14.20A.060 Projections into Yards.

(1) The following structures may be erected on or project into any required yard, except they may not obstruct a required driveway:

(a) Fences and walls in conformance with the Provo City Code and other City codes and ordinances;

(b) Landscape elements, including trees, shrubs, and other plants; and

(c) Necessary appurtenances for utility services.

(2) The structures listed below may project into a minimum front or rear yard not more than four (4) feet, and into a minimum side yard not more than two (2) feet, except that they may not obstruct a required building.

(a) Cornices, eaves, belt courses, sills, buttresses, or other similar architectural features;

(b) Fireplace structures and bays, provided they are not wider than eight (8) feet and are generally parallel to the wall of which they are a part;

(c) Stairways, balconies, door stoops, fire escapes, awnings, and planter boxes or masonry planters not exceeding twenty-four (24) inches in height; and

(d) Carports and loading docks in a side yard or rear yard, provided that such a structure is not more than one (1) story in height and is entirely open on at least three (3) sides, except for necessary supporting columns and customary architectural features.

(Enacted 2010-31)

14.20A.070 Building Height.

No lot or parcel of land in the FC1 zone shall have a building or structure which exceeds a height of fifty (50) feet. Chimneys, flagpoles, or similar structures not used for human occupancy are excluded in determining height.

(Enacted 2010-31, Am 2021-33)

14.20A.080 Parking, Loading, and Access.

(1) Each lot or parcel in the FC1 zone shall have on the same lot or parcel automobile parking sufficient to meet the requirements as set forth in Chapter 14.37, Provo City Code.

(2) All parking spaces shall be built as described in Section 14.37.090, Provo City Code, and shall be provided with adequate drainage which shall not run across a public sidewalk.

(3) Parking spaces shall not be provided within a required front yard or side yard adjacent to a public street.

(4) Loading spaces shall be provided as required by the Planning Commission.

(Enacted 2010-31, Am 2020-09)

14.20A.090 Other Requirements.

(1) Signs. See Chapter 14.38, Provo City Code.

(2) Uses Within Buildings. All uses established in the FC1 zone shall be conducted entirely within a fully-enclosed building except those uses deemed by the Planning Commission to be customarily and appropriately conducted in the open. Such uses may include, but would not be limited to, service stations, ice skating, miniature golf, etc.

(3) Landscaping. See Chapter 15.20, Provo City Code.

(4) Trash Storage. See Section 14.34.080, Provo City Code.

(5) Walls and Fences.

(a) No wall, fence, or opaque hedge or screening material higher than thirty-six (36) inches shall be maintained within a required front yard in an FC1 zone.

(b) A decorative masonry wall, at least six (6) feet in height, shall be erected along all property lines which lie adjacent to a residential zone. In the case where there is mutual agreement between the property owners of the commercial zone and the adjacent residential zone, the masonry wall requirement may be modified to allow other suitable materials. A signed agreement must be submitted to the Planning Commission or its designee, indicating this agreement. In the case where there is not mutual agreement, the masonry wall will be required.

(6) Transitional Development Standards. Where a lot in any business, commercial, manufacturing, industrial zone borders a residential zone, the standards set forth in Section 14.34.300, Provo City Code.

(7) Building Orientation. Buildings located in the FC zone with frontage along both a public street and Interstate 15 shall have designed entryways along all street or highway frontages that include windows, doors, and other design elements. Loading docks are prohibited on the sides of structures that front a public street or Interstate 15.

(Enacted 2010-31, Am 2022-43)

14.20A.100 Exception.

(1) Manufacturing uses that were legally established as of December 31, 2010, may continue indefinitely as per Section 14.36 of the Provo City Code. Properties that had not established legal nonconforming rights in the M-1 zone prior to the FC-1 Freeway Commercial rezoning may utilize the permitted and conditional use list from the M-1 zone for a period of up to ten (10) years, but not beyond December 31, 2021, under the following conditions:

(a) A valid business license must be maintained for the land use;

(b) Adherence to all off-street parking, landscaping and fencing requirements that would be applied to the M-1 zone is mandatory; and

(c) Outside storage shall not be permitted, whether or not the outside storage is ancillary to the land use.

(Am 2011-14)