18-19.060 Car Washes.
a. Purpose and Intent. It is the purpose and intent of this section to provide for the orderly regulation of businesses that have car wash facilities in commercial zones. It is recognized that these facilities, by their very nature, have some objectionable characteristics, such as noise, idling vehicles and traffic conflicts. In order to protect and preserve public health, safety and welfare, special regulation review of these uses is necessary.
b. Permit Required. Car washes are permitted subject to a use permit as specified in the zoning district regulations, subject to the following standards:
c. Performance Standards. All car washes shall meet the applicable criteria and standards as required by this section or any other regulation of the City; provided, that the Planning Commission or City Council, as the case may be, may relax such standards or impose stricter standards as an exercise of discretion upon a finding that such modifications are reasonably necessary in order to implement the general intent of this section or to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public, community and the environment.
1. Automated Car Washes.
(a) No automated car wash building or structure shall be located within twenty-five (25') feet of any public street right-of-way or within twenty-five (25') feet of a residentially zoned or developed property.
(b) Walls. Other than along a street frontage, an automated car wash facility shall be separated from an adjacent property by a masonry wall of not less than five (5') feet nor more than six (6') feet in height. If the location of the ingress and egress areas of the site may hinder or obstruct vehicular visibility to and from the subject site, the Planning Commission may allow the wall to be reduced to a minimum of three (3') feet in height for a maximum distance of eighteen (18') feet from the street frontage property line. Materials, texture, colors and design of all walls shall be compatible with the design of the principal structures on the subject site.
(c) No automated car wash building can exceed twenty (20') feet in width, fifty (50') feet in depth and twenty (20') feet in height.
2. Manual and Automated Car Washes.
(a) Queuing of Vehicles. An on-site queuing plan shall be approved by the City Engineer. Traffic circulation shall be designed to ensure efficient circulation on and off the subject site and ensure that the car wash will not obstruct the use of the service station gasoline dispensers, drive aisles, back-up areas or parking spaces. Furthermore, vehicles should not queue onto a public street, alley or driveway.
(b) Water Recycling. Recycling of water used for vehicle washing shall be maximized. The use of recycling water systems and the disposal of water fluids and solids shall comply with applicable state and federal guidelines/standards and must be approved by Lake County Special Districts (if located within District).
(c) Noise. All car washes must comply with the City’s noise ordinance. The use of outdoor loudspeakers or public address systems is prohibited. (Ord. #248-2020, S2 (Exh. A))