San Dimas City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 18
140 C-G CREATIVE-GROWTH ZONE
§ 18.140.010 Purpose.
The purpose of the creative growth area plan is to promote amenities beyond those expected under conventional planning and development, represented by a commitment to a special architectural theme. This theme was expressed by the city council on August 24, 1970, as "early California village," which represents architectural styles circa 1890's. Developers are required to adopt this theme, in an architecturally creative approach to developing the most marketable and compatible uses possible in this central business district. To implement this plan, specific areas are further defined to integrate compatible uses while maintaining flexibility in commercial investment decisions.
§ 18.140.020 Specific plan.
The creative growth area plan (hereinafter referred to in this chapter as the "plan") is an instrument for guiding, coordinating and regulating the development of property within the area designated in Exhibit A found at the end of this chapter. The plan replaces the usual zoning regulations. It is a "specific plan" as authorized in Article 8 of Chapter 3 of the state Planning and Zoning Law.
The plan is consistent with and carries out the projections of the general plan of the city.
§ 18.140.040 Plan review.
No person shall construct any building or structure or enlarge or modify any existing building or structure, make any exterior alterations, or use any property in the creative growth area until approval has been obtained pursuant to Chapter 18.12.
§ 18.140.060 Additional findings.
In reviewing a development plan in the creative growth area, the approving authority shall make the following additional findings:
§ 18.140.090 Uses in specific plan areas.
Buildings, structures and land shall be used and buildings and structures shall hereafter be erected, structurally altered or enlarged only for the permitted and conditionally permitted uses described in each area, plus such other uses as the director of community development determines to be similar and not more obnoxious or detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, in accordance with the findings set forth in Section 18.192.040. The determination of the director may be appealed to the planning commission and, thereafter the city council, pursuant to Chapter 18.212 of this title. Conditional uses shall be subject to Chapter 18.200 of this title. All uses shall be subject to the property development standards in Section 18.140.100, and shall be located only where designated on the specific plan map, which map is on file in the office of the city clerk. All uses and storage shall be conducted within a totally enclosed building with the exception of nursery stock or unless permitted as a conditional use in this zone by conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 18.200. Uses made nonconforming by the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, or any amendment thereto, may be continued in accordance with Section 18.204.170, provided that there shall be no expansion or change of an existing use that is nonconforming to another use, and there shall be no expansion, change or alteration of any building or structure that is nonconforming on the subject property.
A.
Area 3—Mixed Use. The purpose of this area is to provide an attractively developed entry into the central portion of downtown San Dimas along the San Dimas Avenue corridor and to provide an extension of Frontier Village. Zoning standards for this area are designed to provide the flexibility to allow commercial, office, service and live/work uses as well as residential uses that are designed to blend with the traditional design standards in the area.
To ensure compatibility with the adjacent historic neighborhoods, traditional architectural design is encouraged. Generally, buildings, whether commercial or office, should be designed in a way to accommodate commercial activities, with storefronts encouraged along streets and major driveways. Multifamily residential uses should be designed in a way to blend well with the commercial block architectural styles and should have architectural features that are reminiscent of historical designs. Loft residential buildings should be designed to be compatible with traditional architecture, but may have more of an industrial or packing house feel because of higher building heights. Underground congregate parking areas are encouraged.
1. "Live/work units" "Loft residential units"
Area 3—Definitions.
mean individual units that are used jointly for residential and business uses. For the purposes of this chapter, the first floor spaces of live/work units shall be reserved for commercial, office and service businesses that are open to the public. Garage and areas above the first floor shall be reserved for residential use.
mean multi-story residential units with greater than average ceiling heights, where not more than sixty percent of the unit has second floor area and where all parking is located remote from the unit.
2.
Area 3—Sub-Areas. The Creative Growth Zone Area 3 is made up of three sub-areas as defined in Exhibit A. The sub-areas are intended to provide a well-organized land use framework to encourage high quality design while allowing a mix of uses within a small planning area.
3.
Permitted Uses.
a.
Sub-Area A-Downtown Mixed Use.
i.
Retail commercial, office and service businesses;
ii.
Eating places, including take-out service, but not including drive-through or drive-in facilities;
iii.
Accessory game arcade up to a maximum of six machines, provided that such machines are secondary and incidental to a permitted use in this zone which is also defined by Section 18.08.012 of this title;
iv.
Accessory massage permitted with the following primary businesses: day spa, beauty salon, barbershop and similar uses.
b.
Sub-Area C-Low-Medium Density. Detached condominiums with the total number of units not to exceed forty.
c.
Sub-Area D-Single Family. Up to five detached single-family residential units:
i.
The minimum lot size is five thousand square feet;
ii.
Maximum one story and eighteen feet in height;
iii.
Maximum lot coverage is forty percent;
iv.
Maximum house size (not including garage) is two thousand one hundred square feet;
v.
Setbacks: Front yard shall be 15 feet, interior yard shall be five feet on one side and ten feet on the other, corner lot street side shall be 15 and interior side shall be ten feet, and rear yard shall be five feet, as provided in Exhibit B; located at the end of this chapter;
4.
Conditional Uses.
a.
Sub-Area A—Mixed Use/Commercial Office.
i.
Condominium, apartment and other similar multifamily projects, located on the second floor and third floor of buildings when commercial/office uses are located on the first floor;
ii.
Residential projects where fifty percent or more of the units are designed as live/work units;
iii.
Senior citizen housing located on the second and third floors of buildings;
iv.
Gasoline Service Stations. Existing gasoline service stations shall not be permitted to extend, expand or enlarge the existing building or use, unless there is complete reconstruction of the existing facilities. If an existing gasoline service station is reconstructed to the above standard, the use may be expanded to include a convenience store and/or a restaurant use;
v.
On-sale alcoholic beverages, provided that this use is secondary and incidental to another permitted use in this Area 3;
vi.
On-site brewing and service of beer produced on the premises, provided that such use is secondary and incidental to a restaurant. The brewing component shall be limited to a maximum production of five thousand barrels per year unless an increased production volume is granted by the planning commission to support the commercial business after finding that the production volume and operations are compatible with the subject site and its surroundings during review of the conditional use permit;
vii.
Off-sale alcoholic beverages, provided that this use is secondary and incidental to another permitted use in this Area 3.
5.
Other Uses. Other similar permitted and conditional uses determined by the director of community development to be similar and not more obnoxious or detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, in accordance with the findings as set forth in Section 18.192.040 of this title. The determination of the director may be appealed to the planning commission and, thereafter, the city council in accordance with Chapter 18.212 of this title.
6.
Area 3 - Property Development Standards.
a.
Building Height. No provisions. Allowable building height shall be determined by the review authority pursuant to Chapter 18.12 of this title.
b.
Setbacks. As provided in Exhibit B located at the end of this chapter.
c.
Street Standards. The minimum standards for street and right-of-way widths within developments shall be determined for each project by the city council. The intent of this requirement is to work together with setback requirements to encourage a downtown environment with a preference toward the pedestrian rather than automobile.
d.
Parking. The following parking requirements and standards are specific to the Creative Growth Zone Area 3.
i.
Required Parking.
(A)
Single-Family Residential Use. Two garage spaces. A minimum size of twenty feet by twenty feet is required.
(B)
Multiple-Family with Garage Space Attached. Two garage spaces. A minimum size of twenty feet by twenty feet is required. Plus one noncovered space for each additional bedroom beyond two bedrooms per unit, plus one guest space for each three units.
(C)
Multiple-Family with Congregate Garage Spaces. Two parking spaces with a minimum size of nine and one-half feet wide and eighteen feet deep. Plus one noncovered space for each additional bedroom beyond two bedrooms per unit, plus one guest space for each three units.
(D)
Live/Work Units. Two garage spaces. A minimum size of twenty feet by twenty feet is required. Plus one noncovered space for each additional bedroom beyond two bedrooms per unit, plus one guest space for each three units. Plus one space for every two hundred fifty square feet of commercial/office/service space that may be waived, if adequate public parking is provided within five hundred feet of the public access.
(E)
Seniors Apartments. For units under eight hundred square feet. One covered or noncovered parking space shall be provided for each 1.25 units, (four spaces for each five units). For units of eight hundred square feet and larger. One covered or noncovered parking space shall be provided for every unit.
ii.
Parking Design.
(A)
All multiple-family units shall provide for a storage area of not less than two hundred fifty cubic feet within the garage area or other approved location.
(B)
Tandem parking spaces may be used for a maximum of twenty percent of all required spaces within a project and shall be a minimum of ten feet, six inches wide and nineteen feet deep per space.
7.
Sign Regulations. Subject to the requirements in Section 18.152.150 of this title.
8.
Nonconforming Uses. There shall be no extension, expansion or enlargement of an existing nonconforming use, nor shall there be the addition of structures or other facilities in conjunction with such existing use.
B.
Area 4—Commercial/Light Industrial. The purpose of this area is to provide for light-industrial and commercial uses.
1.
Permitted Uses.
a.
All uses permitted in the M-1 zone;
b.
Retail and service businesses;
c.
Other similar uses determined by the director of community development to be similar and not more obnoxious or detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, in accordance with the findings as set forth in Section 18.192.040. The determination of the director may be appealed to the planning commission and, thereafter, the city council in accordance with Chapter 18.212 of this title:
d.
Accessory game arcade up to a maximum of six machines, provided that such machines are secondary and incidental to a permitted use in this zone which is also defined by Section 18.08.012;
e.
Accessory billiard use, up to a maximum of four tables, which is secondary and incidental to a use permitted or permitted with a conditional use permit, in this zone which is also defined by Section 18.08.007 of this title;
f.
Accessory massage permitted with the following primary businesses: athletic club, day spa, beauty salon, barbershop and similar uses.
2.
Conditional Uses.
a.
All uses listed as conditional uses in the M-1 zone;
b.
Theaters provided that they are walk-in, indoor;
c.
All uses listed as conditional uses in Area 3, except for all prohibited uses listed in subsection (B)(3) of this section;
d.
Accessory game arcade consisting of seven or more machines within an indoor recreation facility.
3.
Prohibited Uses.
a.
Gambling facilities;
b.
Residential uses;
c.
Convenience markets;
d.
Food markets;
e.
Office uses which are not incidental to a permitted or conditionally permitted use;
f.
Billboards and other similar off-site outdoor advertising structures;
g.
Game arcades other than accessory game arcades specifically authorized in this chapter;
h.
Other uses inconsistent with the intent and provisions of this zone, as determined by the director of community development, in accordance with Section 18.192.040. The determination of the director of community development may be appealed to the planning commission and, thereafter the city council in accordance with Chapter 18.212 of this title.
(Ord. 37 § 280.08, 1961; Ord. 785 § 1, 1983; Ord. 808 §§ 1, 2, 1984; Ord. 829 § 1, 1985; Ord. 891 § 2, 1989; Ord. 911 § 9, 1990; Ord. 963 § 4, 1992; Ord. 1029 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1072 § 4, 1997; Ord. 1083 § 7, 1997; Ord. 1085 § 12, 1998; Ord. 1155 §§ 1, 2 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 1170 § 15, 2007; Ord. 1185 §§ 11—15, 2008; Ord. 1207 § 1, 2011; Ord. 1223 §§ 3, 4, 2013; Ord. 1225 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1228 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1230 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1233 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1289 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1311, 9/24/2024; Ord. 1312, 10/8/2024; Ord. 1324, 6/10/2025)
§ 18.140.100 Property development standards.
The following property development standards shall apply to all land and buildings in the creative growth area, except that any lot held under separate ownership or of record on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, which is substandard in dimensions may be used subject to all other standards. When conflicts occur between this section and Section 18.140.090(A)(6), the standards in Section 18.140.090(A)(6), shall prevail:
A.
Lot Area. No provisions.
B.
Lot Dimensions. No provisions.
C.
Building Height.
1.
No building or structure erected in this zone shall exceed two stories in height except by conditional use permit.
2.
Exceptions.
a.
Penthouses or roof structures for the housing or elevators, stairways, tanks, ventilating fans or similar equipment required to operate and maintain the building, and fire or parapet walls, skylights, towers, church steeples, flagpoles, chimneys and other similar structures may be erected above the height limits prescribed in this subsection, provided such structures are compatible with the architectural design of the building and the surroundings.
b.
Air conditioning units, electrical switch gear and panels, compressors and similar mechanical equipment shall be enclosed within an enclosure compatible with the architectural design of the building. Air conditioning units, electrical switch gear and panels, compressors and similar mechanical equipment shall be enclosed within an enclosure compatible with the architectural design of the building.
D.
Yards. Yards shall be measured perpendicular to the property line. When the creative growth overlay zone abuts a residential zone, there shall be a yard of not less than ten feet. Required yards shall be landscaped and maintained; a complete automatic sprinkler system shall be provided. Yards shall be provided as designated in Exhibit B located at the end of this chapter, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city clerk.
E.
Walls. Masonry walls six feet in height shall be erected on the zone boundary line between the creative growth zone and any residential zone.
G.
Utilities. All utilities provided to serve new buildings or to serve existing buildings undergoing alterations requiring change-out of service shall be installed underground.
H.
Trash Storage. A city standard plan trash storage area shall be provided in an appropriate location, convenient to users.
I.
Signs.
2.
The approving authority shall find prior to the issuance of an approval of a sign or sign program that the proposed design is in conformance with the Early California village theme and good design principles with respect to:
