Zoning Use Tables

Each zoning district has its own set of permitted uses. In the zoning ordinance, these uses are listed in a table format known as a Use Table. The table lists uses under five broad groups, which are:

• Residential
• Public and Civic
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Other
  

These broad categories are officially called Use Groups. Each of the five Use Groups is further divided into several sub-groups called Use Categories.

Download the attachments to review the official zoning use tables for Business and commercial Districts.

While looking at these groups, and even while looking at the use table itself, you will notice that many art activities and uses are not specifically spelled-out. Instead, some activities and uses are implied and/or identified in the definition. Don’t worry if you do not find specific listings for galleries, dance studios or other art spaces. These uses are included in the Ordinance - just buried in the details. Think in general terms about where your space uses may fall in the Ordinance.

The activities permitted in each group include:

• Residential Use Group: Includes, “uses that provide living accommodations to one or more persons.” This Group will indicate whether or not Artist Live/Work space, as defined by the Ordinance, is an allowed use in a District.
  
• Public and Civic Use Group: Includes, “uses that provide public or quasi-public services,” such as museums exhibitions and colleges and universities, public parks, religious institutions, etc. Activities and uses in this group include but are not limited to Colleges and Universities, Cultural Exhibits and Libraries, Lodge or Private Club, Parks and Recreation, etc. This Group will indicate whether or not public art centers, museums, etc. are allowed in the District.
  
• Commercial Use Group: Includes, “uses that provide a business service or involve the selling, leasing or renting of merchandise to the general public.” Activities and uses in this group include but are not limited to Artist Work or Sales Space, Body Art Services, Building Maintenance Services, Business Equipment Sales and Services, Business Support Services, Communications Services Establishments, etc.
  
  In this instance, many art uses are hidden in the definitions of these categories. While you may not think you need Communications Services Establishments, this is the Category that indicates music recording studios and music rehearsal spaces are allowed in the District.
  
  Other categories in this Group are also seeded with art activities. It is highly recommended that you thoroughly review all Use Categories associated with the Commercial Use Group. As you can see many activities and uses fall into this category. While you may think “Commercial” means selling it does not always adequately identify how the space is being used.
  
• Industrial Use Group: Includes, “uses that produce goods from extracted materials or from recyclable or previously prepared materials, including the design, storage and handling of these products and the materials from which they are produced. It also includes uses that store or distribute materials or goods in large quantities.” Activities and uses in this group include but are not limited: Manufacturing, Production and Industrial Services, Mining/Excavation, Recycling Facilities, etc. This Group is important because it identifies which Districts allow Artisan Manufacturing/Production.
  
• Other Uses Group deals only with Off-premise signs and Wireless Communication Facilities. This group affects you if you, your art business or organization is erecting billboards.

The section of this chapter entitled The Districts will provide a more detailed definition of each District and their permissible art and cultural related activities. If you are interested in viewing the complete definitions for each of these Use Categories, visit the Department of Zoning website.

 

Other key zoning requirements that may affect a space and/or your use include:

• Parking Standards: The parking requirements are based on the zoning district, the intensity level of the zoning district, and the type of activity occurring in the space. For example, because commercially zoned spaces often are created for environments in which most customers and/or residents will arrive by vehicle, the parking standards for these buildings are often higher than for business zoned spaces, which are geared towards pedestrian traffic.
  If you have a theater or other activity that draws large crowds then pay particular attention to this section. For more information about parking requirements for each district, visit the Department of Zoning website.
  
• Signage: In addition to restrictions placed on activities and building types, zoning can also place limits on the type of signs you can display for your business.
  
• Unlisted Uses: While reviewing the Ordinance you may find that some activities are missing from the comprehensive permitted Uses Category of a district. Keep in mind that the list contains activity uses that are typical for the district and take into consideration:
  • Physical characteristics of the space;
  • Products produced at the space;
  • Type of customers (if any) and residents;
  • How goods and services are sold or delivered to the site; and
  • Condition of the property.

The list of activities in the Use Category is not meant to be either exclusive or restrictive. If you are unsure about whether or not a specific activity is permitted in a particular space, speak with the Zoning Administrator about whether or not you need to submit a Special Use application (see Special Use Approval).

When a specific use cannot be classified or seems to fit into one or more use categories, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to determine the best fit. However, keep in mind that there are a number of ways in which artist use space that are not highlighted or defined in the Ordinance. So before you contact the Zoning Administrator, try rethinking in more general and broad terms how your use fits into a Use Group or Use Category.

Attachment	Size
Chpt.13_Officialuse_cat.pdf	112.85 KB