The objective of the city of Santa Clara in creating a commercial zone is to provide space within the city where many types of commercial goods and services may be provided. Because of the nature of this commercial zone many of the protective features normally afforded to adjacent properties, particularly residential areas, may not exist. Therefore, commercial zones should only be located in areas where the relationship of the commercial area to surrounding developments is judged by the city to be as compatible as may be possible to accomplish. Owners of commercial property should develop and maintain their property in a manner which will be as compatible to surrounding uses as possible. (Ord. 2004-03 § 2)

The following listed uses are not intended to be all inclusive, but rather, indicative of uses permitted in this zone:

Amusement enterprises, including miniature golf and coin operated game machines.

Animal hospital for small animals, conducted entirely within an enclosed building.

Antique, import, or souvenir shop.

Athletic and sporting goods store, excluding sale or repair of motor vehicles, motor boats, or off road vehicles, or motorized vehicles in general.

Athletic clubs.

Automobile parts sales (new).

Bakery manufacture limited to foods retailed on premises.

Bank or financial institution.

Barber or beauty shop.

Bicycle sales and service.

Bookstore, retail.

Cafe.

Camera store.

Candy store, confectionery.

Child nursery.

Clinics, medical or dental.

Clothing and accessory store.

Convenience markets, including sale of gasoline.

Delicatessen.

Department store.

Drugstore.

Electronic equipment sales.

Exotic animals. No exotic animals may be kept in the C zone.

Florist shop.

Furniture sales.

Gift store.

Government buildings or uses, nonindustrial.

Grocery store.

Hardware store.

Health food store.

Hobby and craft store.

Home appliance sales, new.

Hospital.

Hotel.

Ice cream parlor.

Insurance agency.

Interior decorating and designing business.

Jewelry store sales and service.

Laundry or dry cleaners.

Legal office.

Library.

Locksmith.

Medical office.

Mortuary.

Motel.

Museum.

Music store.

Nursery school.

Office supply, office machines sales.

Optometrist, optician, or ophthalmologist.

Paint or wallpaper store.

Pawnshop.

Pet and pet supply store.

Pharmacy.

Physician or surgeon office and clinic.

Professional office.

Real estate agency.

Reception center.

Restaurant or drive-in.

Shoe store.

Theater.

Tire sales and service.

Travel agency.

Variety store.

Other uses as may be determined to be in harmony with the character, intent and purpose of this zone may be approved by the planning commission. (Ord. 2007-01 § 1: Ord. 2004-03 § 2)

   A.   Minimum lot area: No minimum.

   B.   Minimum zone area: No minimum.

   C.   Minimum yard setbacks, unless otherwise approved by the planning commission:

      1.   Front: Twenty five feet (25') (see also subsection C5 of this section).

      2.   Side facing street: Twenty five feet (25') (see also subsection C5 of this section).

      3.   Interior side: Ten feet (10').

      4.   Rear: Ten feet (10').

      5.   The planning commission may reduce the front and side facing street setback to promote a more walkable, urban type environment. The reduced front setback area may be used for a combination of walkways, landscaping, and outdoor seating, but not parking.

   D.   Building height: Thirty five feet (35') unless specifically approved to a greater height by the planning commission.

   E.   Site plan and building elevations approval:

      1.   A site plan along with building elevations shall be submitted, drawn to scale, and of sufficient size and detail to show building appearance and location, yard setbacks, ingress and egress drives, parking areas, landscaped areas, and such other improvements as may be required relating to specific use proposed.

      2.   The site plan shall show utility locations, including water, power, telephone, cable TV, natural gas, sewer, fire hydrants, street improvements, and such other public improvements as may be required. The building elevations plan shall show and describe the exterior building materials and colors, including roof materials and exterior appearance for all sides of a proposed building.

      3.   The planning commission shall review and approve all plans prior to the issuance of any building permit for site improvement, or construction permit for utility systems and building construction. (Ord. 2020-13 § 1: Ord. 2017-05: Ord. 2004-03 § 2)

   A.   All materials and merchandise, except vehicles in running order, shall be stored in an enclosed building or within an enclosure surrounded by a sight obscuring fence or wall of not less than six feet (6') in height and no material or merchandise shall be stored to a height of more than the height of the enclosing fence or wall.

   B.   No trash, rubbish, weeds, or other combustible material shall be allowed to remain on any lot outside of approved containers in any commercial zone. No junk, debris, abandoned or dismantled automobile or automobile parts or similar material shall be stored or allowed to remain on any lot in any commercial zone.

   C.   All solid waste storage facilities shall be located at the rear of the main building or else behind a sight obscuring fence or wall which will prevent the facility from being seen from a public street.

   D.   Where a commercial development adjoins any lot or parcel of ground in any residential zone, there shall be provided along the adjoining property line, a decorative sight obscuring fence, or a ten foot (10') wide planting strip or any combination of fencing or landscaping, which, in the opinion of the planning commission, adequately protects the adjoining residential property. (Ord. 2004-03 § 2)