Commercial and Industrial Development

Notice: Compact Parking Prohibition
On March 21, 2006, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3692 to prohibit compact parking for all projects Citywide.  Full-size parking spaces are now required for all projects, with a minimum depth of 18 feet and a minimum width of either 8 feet, 6 inches or 9 feet depending upon the use that the parking is serving.  The prohibition applies to all projects for which a development review application is submitted on or after Monday, May 1, 2006.

Links to Frequently Used Zoning Code Sections
Note: These links will take you to the top of the appropriate page in the Zoning Code but not necessarily to the actual start of the appropriate section.  You may need to scroll down the page after clicking on the link to find the section heading.

» List of Permitted Uses in Commercial and Industrial Zones
» Parking Standards
» Media District Development Standards
» Burbank Center Plan Development Standards
» Rancho Master Plan Zones and Standards
» Magnolia Park Zones and Standards
» Commercial and Industrial Design Standards
» Standards for Residentially Adjacent Uses

Frequently Asked Questions

How much parking do I need for my business?
The City of Burbank's parking standards can be viewed by clicking the "Parking Standards" link above.  Parking standards are determined based upon the type of your business, not the zone in which your business is located.  Because many businesses in Burbank are located in older buildings for which it is impossible to provide adequate parking, some buildings are "grandfathered" with less than the required amount of parking.  This means that in some cases, you may be able to open your business with less parking than might otherwise be required.  However, there are very specific requirements that apply to grandfathered situations, and it is important that you discuss your proposed business with a planner to determine whether or not your business would be grandfathered.

Why can't I open a restaurant at a certain location when it's a permitted use in the Zoning Code?
When determining whether a use is allowed at a specific location, the use must be permitted in the Zoning Code and the required parking must be provided for the use.  As discussed above, certain businesses may be grandfathered with less than the required amount of parking.  However, grandfathering does not apply if the new business would have a greater parking demand than the previous business.  Restaurants have a much higher parking demand than offices or retail stores.  As such, a restaurant would not be grandfathered at a location where there is not adequate parking.  It is not possible to open a restaurant at a location that previously housed an office or retail store if code required parking is not provided.  The only situation where restaurants may be grandfathered is where it can be demonstrated that the building was last and most recently used as a restaurant.

The use list says I need a CUP for my business.  What does that mean?
Certain types of business may require approval of a conditional use permit, or CUP, before they can open for business.  This especially applies to commercial areas that are located within 150 feet of a residential zone.  Many of the commercial zones in Burbank fall into this category.  A CUP is a special permit that is approved by the Planning Board after a public hearing.  If the Planning Board decides to approve a CUP application, it may place restrictions upon the permit and the operation of the business to ensure that the proposed business will be compatible with surrounding properties and uses.

What hours can my business operate?
The operating hours of your business depend upon your proximity to a residential zone.  Most businesses may be open 24 hours per day if they are not located within 150 feet of a residential zone.  However, businesses located within 150 feet of a residential zone may not be open for business between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 a.m.  Employees may be on-site during that time, but their activities are limited.  Please click on the "Standards for Residentially Adjacent Uses" link above for more information.