Grass Valley C-1 Community Business District Allowed Uses and Standards
The C-1: Community Business District in Grass Valley is specifically designated for small-scale facilities that provide convenience shopping and services to local residents. While general retail, professional offices, and medical services are typically permitted by right, more intensive activities such as gas stations or buildings exceeding 10,000 square feet require a Use Permit. [Section 17.24.020]
Purpose of the C-1 District
The City of Grass Valley applies the C-1: Community Business District to areas appropriate for small-scale commercial activities. This district implements and maintains consistency with the commercial land use designation of the Grass Valley General Plan. [Section 17.24.020.A]
Allowed Land Uses
Land uses in the C-1: Community Business District are categorized by the type of permit required: Permitted (P), Minor Use Permit (MUP), or Use Permit (UP).
Residential and Mixed-Use
The C-1: Community Business District allows for integrated residential uses, particularly in mixed-use formats. [Table 2-10]
- Permitted (P): Accessory dwelling units (ADU), home occupations, live/work units, residential accessory structures, and residential care facilities (6 or fewer clients).
- Use Permit (UP): Mixed-use projects with a residential component, residential care facilities (7 or more clients), and rooming or boarding houses.
Recreation, Education, and Public Assembly
- Permitted (P): Studios for art, dance, music, or martial arts.
- Use Permit (UP): Meeting facilities (public or private), private schools, and specialized education and training.
- General Plan Dependent (P/UP): Libraries, museums, art galleries, parks, playgrounds, and public schools are permitted if shown in the General Plan; otherwise, they require a Use Permit.
Retail and Services
- Permitted (P): General retail, neighborhood markets, office-supporting retail, pharmacies, restaurants, cafes, ATMs, medical offices (clinic or doctor), business/service offices, government offices, and professional/administrative offices.
- Minor Use Permit (MUP): Alcoholic beverage sales (on-site or off-site), and on-site production of items sold.
- Use Permit (UP): Gas stations, general retail with floor area exceeding 10,000 square feet, operating between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., medical extended care, and public safety facilities.
Industrial and Resource Uses
- Permitted (P): Agricultural accessory structures and crop production (horticulture, orchard, vineyard).
- Minor Use Permit (MUP): Animal keeping.
Prohibited Uses
The following uses are expressly prohibited within the C-1: Community Business District of Grass Valley: [Table 2-10]
- Industrial: All heavy, light, and medium-intensity manufacturing and processing; concrete or gypsum manufacturing; lumber and wood product manufacturing; and petroleum product storage.
- Waste/Recycling: Large and small collection facilities, processing facilities, and scrap or junk yards.
- Retail/Service: Adult-oriented businesses, antique or collectible stores, artisan shops, auto and vehicle sales/rentals, bars, taverns, night clubs, fuel dealers, and warehouse retail.
- Storage: Contractor storage yards, outdoor storage, personal storage facilities (mini-storage), and vehicle storage.
- Other: Mining operations and medical marijuana cultivation or dispensaries. [Section 17.20.035]
Technical Development Standards
All construction and new land uses in the C-1: Community Business District must adhere to the following site planning and building standards:
| Development Feature | C-1 District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Residential Density | 15 units per acre |
| Front Setback | None required |
| Side Setback (Interior) | 10 ft. if abutting a residential use; none elsewhere |
| Side Setback (Street side) | None required |
| Rear Setback | 25 ft. if abutting residential; 15 ft. elsewhere |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 ft. and 2 stories (including mezzanine) |
| Maximum Site Coverage | No limitation except for landscaping requirements |
[Table 2-11 and Table 2-12]
Additional Requirements
- Drive-Through Facilities: These are generally restricted or require specific location standards to avoid congestion and noise. In some districts like the HFBD combining zone, they may be prohibited entirely. [Section 17.44.090]
- Marijuana Prohibition: The cultivation and operation of marijuana dispensaries are prohibited in all zones throughout the City of Grass Valley. [Section 17.20.035]
- Parking: On-site parking must be provided in accordance with Chapter 17.36. In the C-1: Community Business District, retail uses typically require 1 space for every 250 square feet of floor area. [Table 3-3]
Sections Cited
- Section 17.20.035 (Prohibition of medical marijuana)
- Section 17.24.020 (Purposes of commercial and industrial zones)
- Section 17.24.030 (Commercial and industrial zone land uses)
- Section 17.24.040 (Commercial and industrial zone site planning)
- Section 17.44.090 (Drive-through facilities)
- Table 2-10 (Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements)
- Table 2-11 (C-1, C-2, and C-3 Zone Development Standards)
- Table 2-12 (OP and CBP Zone Development Standards)
- Table 3-3 (Parking Requirements by Land Use)