Albert Lopez
Planning Director
Planning

ADMINISTRATIVE MINOR USE PERMIT


Administrative Minor Use Permit is designed to provide regulatory relief for our businesses and to help with their recovery efforts. Highlights include:

  • Provide a transition from temporary registration to permanent outdoor dining, retail, and signage;
  • Add an Administrative Minor Use Permit process that staff can process internally without public hearings that add time and expense for applicants;
  • Authorizes the Planning Director to approve new entertainment options for restaurants; and
  • Allows for more permanent outdoor improvements (e.g., use of parking lots for outdoor activities, allow coffee-type vendors, etc.).

Where is an Administrative Minor Use Permit applicable?

An Administrative Minor Use Permit is applicable in all Zoning Districts and Specific Plan land use designations where the affected commercial and civic land uses are considered Permitted or Conditionally Permitted.

Types of Uses and Activities.

An Administrative Minor Use Permit may be issued for the following types of uses and activities that are operating in conjunction with a permitted or conditionally permitted facility:

  1. Outdoor Commercial, including but not limited to the uses described in (a) through (e) below. Outdoor Commercial uses shall be subject to any applicable County Specific Plan, which may prohibit or otherwise regulate such uses. Outdoor Commercial uses shall not be allowed for a "Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation" (MEHKO) pursuant to Assembly Bill 626 (AB 626) (2018).
  2. This category includes, among other uses:

    1. Outdoor seating for dining purposes;
    2. Outdoor seating and meal service for on-site alcohol service with on-site meal service as defined by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and in compliance with all applicable ABC licenses and requirements;
    3. Outdoor personal services (cosmetologists,
    4. barber shops, beauty salons, and other
    5. similar personal grooming services);
    6. Outdoor retail including merchandise
    7. display areas; and
    8. Outdoor fitness classes or training.
  3. Outdoor community facilities as defined by the Alameda County Zoning Ordinance, section 17.04.010.
  4. Pop-up spaces and uses for food preparation and service or for retail.
  5. Mobile food, beverage or retail uses (e.g. food trucks) located at specified private property locations.
  6. Mobile food, beverage or retail uses (e.g. food trucks) located at specified private property locations.
  7. Musical performances (including amplified music) accessory to an existing use.
  8. Minor façade changes including signage.

For more information regarding the Administrative Minor Use Permit please view the Economic Civic Development FAQ sheet

Additional information regarding the Administrative Minor Use Permit process can be found on the Administrative Minor Use Permit form located in the Planning Land Use Forms and Guides web-page.