§ 314-9 Mixed Use Zone Districts | Humboldt County Code

314-9 Mixed Use Zone Districts

The purpose of the Mixed Use (Urban) or MU1 Zone is to provide for pedestrian-oriented, mixed use development (commercial, office, and higher density residential). The permitted uses and other regulations may be modified through community specific planning by the application of the appropriate Special Area Combining Zone, such as a D – Design Control or Q – Qualified Combining Zone.

314-9.1	MU1: MIXED USE (URBAN)
Use Type	Principal Permitted Use
Residential Use Types	Two (2) Family Dwellings and Multiple Dwellings and Dwelling Groups Single-Family Residential Accessory Dwelling Unit Supportive and Transitional Housing Subject Only to Restrictions That Apply to Other Residential Dwellings of the Same Type in the Same Zone Guest House Emergency Shelter
Commercial Use Types	Neighborhood Commercial Retail Sales and Retail Services Transient Habitation Office and Professional Service Bed and Breakfast Establishment; Subject to the Bed and Breakfast Establishment Regulations Commercial and Private Recreation
Civic Use Types	Minor Utilities Essential Services Conducted Entirely Within an Enclosed Building Community Assembly Public and Parochial Parks, Playgrounds and Playing Fields Noncommercial Recreation
Industrial Use Types	Cottage Industry; Subject to the Cottage Industry Regulations
Use Type	Conditionally Permitted Use
Civic Use Types	Public Recreation and Open Space Minor Generation and Distribution Facilities
Natural Resource Use Types	Fish and Wildlife Management Watershed Management Wetland Restoration Coastal Access Facilities
Use Types Not Listed in This Table	Any use not specifically enumerated in this division, if it is similar to and compatible with the uses permitted in the MU zone.
Development Standards
Minimum Lot Area	Two thousand (2,000) square feet.
Minimum Lot Width	Twenty-five feet (25').
Minimum Yard Setbacks*
Front	None, except that where frontage is in a block which is partially in a residential zone (RS, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) the front yard shall be the same as that required in such residential zone.
Rear	Fifteen feet (15'), except that where a rear yard abuts on an alley, such rear yard may be not less than five feet (5').
Side	None, except that a side yard of an interior lot abutting on a residential zone (RS, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) or agricultural zone (AE, AG) shall be not less than the front yard required in such residential zone or agricultural zone.
Maximum Ground Coverage	One hundred percent (100%).
Maximum Structure Height	Seventy-five feet (75').

* Note: Setbacks may be modified by other provisions of this Code or State law. For example, see Section 314-22.1, “Alquist-Priolo Fault Hazard” and the “Fire Safe” Regulations at Title III, Division 11.

9.1.1.1 Landscaping. All new residential and commercial projects shall use landscaping to enhance the appearance of neighborhoods, control erosion, conserve water, improve air quality and improve pedestrian and vehicular safety.

9.1.1.1.1Landscaping shall be required for new development which creates five (5) or more new parking spaces.

9.1.1.1.2The landscaping policies shall be accomplished by the submittal of a landscaping plan.

9.1.1.2 Outdoor Lighting. New outdoor lighting shall be compatible with the existing setting. Exterior lighting fixtures and street standards (both for residential and commercial areas) shall be fully shielded, and designed and installed to minimize off-site lighting and direct light within the property boundaries. New development and projects that would make significant parking lot improvements or add new exterior lighting are required to submit a lighting plan consistent with these regulations. Lighting designs should address:

9.1.1.2.1All lighting, exterior and interior, shall be designed and located so as to confine direct lighting to the premises.

9.1.1.2.2A light source shall not shine upon or illuminate directly on any surface other than the area required to be lighted.

9.1.1.2.3No lighting shall be of the type or in a location such that constitutes a hazard to vehicular traffic, either on private property or on abutting streets.

9.1.1.3 Parking. Parking requirements are as specified in Section 314-109.1, Off-Street Parking, except that Section 314-109.1.2.6, Multiple Uses and Joint Use, shall not apply when mixed residential and nonresidential uses are proposed within a single parcel. With approval of a special permit a mixed use project may reduce the required vehicle parking by up to fifty percent (50%) of the spaces for the residential use, and off-street parking facilities for one (1) mixed use may provide parking facilities for other proposed uses within the same development site when the demand for the parking spaces does not result in conflicts. Approval of reductions in required parking and sharing of parking shall be based on substantial evidence provided by the applicant documenting the adequacy of fewer spaces. Documentation may include but is not limited to customer traffic, location within one-half (1/2) mile of a transit stop and connection with appropriate pedestrian and bicycle facilities, available public parking, surrounding land use mix, or peak parking demand of adjacent uses.

9.1.1.4 Outdoor Trash Storage (Nonresidential Only). All outside trash storage and collection facilities shall be enclosed by a solid masonry wall or view-obscuring fence at least one (1) foot higher than the trash container.

9.1.1.5 On-Site Performance Standards. On-site performance standards are as follows:

9.1.1.5.1 Odors. No use shall create objectionable odors readily detectable beyond the property line.

9.1.1.5.2 Dust and Smoke. No use shall create dust or smoke that is readily detectable beyond the property line (in addition to meeting all air pollution requirements).

9.1.1.5.3 Vibration. No use shall create vibration detectable without instruments at the property line.

9.1.1.5.4 Electromagnetic Interference. No use shall produce electromagnetic interference with normal radio or television service beyond the property line.

9.1.1.5.5 Glare. No use shall create intense light or glare that causes a nuisance or hazard beyond the property line.

9.1.1.6 Applicable Standards. Noise, atmospheric emissions, toxic or noxious matter, radiation, heat and humidity, fire and explosive hazards, or liquid and solid wastes shall be regulated by applicable County, State or Federal standards.

The purpose of the Mixed Use (Rural) or MU2 Zone is to provide for small-scale mixed use development (commercial, office, and residential) for smaller population bases. The permitted uses and other regulations may be modified through community specific planning by the application of the appropriate Special Area Combining Zone, such as a D – Design Control or Q – Qualified Combining Zone.

314-9.2	MU2: MIXED USE (RURAL)
Use Type	Principal Permitted Use
Residential Use Types	Two (2) Family Dwellings Single-Family Residential Accessory Dwelling Unit Supportive and Transitional Housing Subject Only to Restrictions That Apply to Other Residential Dwellings of the Same Type in the Same Zone Guest House Emergency Shelter
Commercial Use Types	Neighborhood Commercial Retail Sales and Retail Services Office and Professional Service Bed and Breakfast Establishment; Subject to the Bed and Breakfast Establishment Regulations Commercial and Private Recreation
Civic Use Types	Minor Utilities Essential Services Conducted Entirely Within an Enclosed Building Community Assembly Public and Parochial Parks, Playgrounds and Playing Fields Noncommercial Recreation
Industrial Use Types	Cottage Industry; Subject to the Cottage Industry Regulations
Agricultural Use Types	General Agriculture
Use Type	Conditionally Permitted Use
Residential Use Types	Multiple Dwellings Containing Four (4) or Fewer Units per Building Manufactured Home Parks
Commercial Use Types	Heavy Commercial Transient Habitation
Civic Use Types	Public Recreation and Open Space Minor Generation and Distribution Facilities
Natural Resource Use Types	Fish and Wildlife Management Watershed Management Wetland Restoration Coastal Access Facilities
Use Types Not Listed in This Table	Any use not specifically enumerated in this division, if it is similar to and compatible with the uses permitted in the MU zone.
Development Standards
Minimum Lot Area	Five thousand (5,000) square feet.
Minimum Lot Width	Fifty feet (50').
Minimum Yard Setbacks*
Front	Fifteen feet (15').
Rear	Ten feet (10').
Interior Side	Five feet (5').
Exterior Side	Same as front or one-half (1/2) the front if all parts of the main building are more than twenty-five feet (25') from the rear lot line, and the exterior side yard does not abut a collector or higher order street. (In questionable cases, the Public Works Director shall classify the subject street.)
Maximum Ground Coverage	Fifty percent (50%).
Maximum Building Height	Fifty feet (50').

9.2.1.1 Landscaping. All new residential and commercial projects shall use landscaping to enhance the appearance of neighborhoods, control erosion, conserve water, improve air quality and improve pedestrian and vehicular safety.

9.2.1.1.1Landscaping shall be required for new development which creates five (5) or more new parking spaces.

9.2.1.1.2The landscaping policies shall be accomplished by the submittal of a landscaping plan.

9.2.1.2 Outdoor Lighting. New outdoor lighting shall be compatible with the existing setting. Exterior lighting fixtures and street standards (both for residential and commercial areas) shall be fully shielded, and designed and installed to minimize off-site lighting and direct light within the property boundaries. New development and projects that would make significant parking lot improvements or add new exterior lighting are required to submit a lighting plan consistent with these regulations. Lighting designs should address:

9.2.1.2.1All lighting shall be designed and located so as to confine direct lighting to the premises;

9.2.1.2.2A light source shall not shine upon or illuminate directly on any surface other than the area required to be lighted; and

9.2.1.2.3No lighting shall be of the type or in a location such that constitutes a hazard to vehicular traffic, either on private property or on abutting streets.

9.2.1.3 Parking. Parking requirements are as specified in Section 314-109.1, Off-Street Parking, except that Section 314-109.1.2.6, Multiple Uses, shall not apply when mixed residential and nonresidential uses are proposed within a single parcel. With approval of a special permit a mixed use project may reduce the required vehicle parking by up to fifty percent (50%) of the spaces for the residential use, and off-street parking facilities for one (1) mixed use may provide parking facilities for other proposed uses within the same development site when the demand for the parking spaces does not result in conflicts.

9.2.1.4 Outdoor Trash Storage (Nonresidential Only). All outside trash storage and collection facilities shall be enclosed by a solid masonry wall or view-obscuring fence at least one (1) foot higher than the trash container.

9.2.1.5 On-Site Performance Standards. On-site performance standards are as follows:

9.2.1.5.1 Odors. No use shall create objectionable odors readily detectable beyond the property line.

9.2.1.5.2 Dust and Smoke. No use shall create dust or smoke that is readily detectable beyond the property line (in addition to meeting all air pollution requirements).

9.2.1.5.3 Vibration. No use shall create vibration detectable without instruments at the property line.

9.2.1.5.4 Electromagnetic Interference. No use shall produce electromagnetic interference with normal radio or television service beyond the property line.

9.2.1.5.5 Glare. No use shall create intense light or glare that causes a nuisance or hazard beyond the property line.

9.2.1.6 Applicable Standards. Noise, atmospheric emissions, toxic or noxious matter, radiation, heat and humidity, fire and explosive hazards, or liquid and solid wastes shall be regulated by applicable County, State or Federal standards. (Ord. 2635, § 6, 8/27/2019; Ord. 2693, § 8, 6/7/2022; Ord. 2721, § 8, 7/11/2023)