ORDINANCE NO. 3428
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CORONA,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 17.44.030 OF TITLE
17 (ZONING) OF THE CORONA MUNICIPAL CODE TO
ALLOW RELIGIOUS FACILITIES NOT EXCEEDING
10,000 SQUARE FEET AS A CONDITIONALLY
PERMITTED USE WITHIN THE M-4 (INDUSTRIAL PARK)
ZONE, AND AMENDING VARIOUS OTHER SECTIONS IN
TITLE 17 TO REPLACE THE TERM “CHURCHES” WITH
“RELIGIOUS FACILITIES” (ZTA2026-0002).
WHEREAS, Article XI, § 7 of the California Constitution authorizes cities to make and enforce within their jurisdictional limits ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general laws to protect and promote the public health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; and WHEREAS, Chapter 17.44 of the Corona Municipal Code (“CMC”) sets forth the general standards and regulations for industrial zones within the City; and WHEREAS, on May 27, 2026, the Planning and Housing Commission of the City of Corona (“Planning Commission”) conducted a duly noticed public hearing and recommended that the City Council amend: (a) Section 17.44.030 (Permitted uses; conditional uses; prohibited uses) of Chapter 17.74 (Industrial Zones) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC to allow religious facilities not exceeding 10,000 square feet in floor area as a conditionally permitted use within the M-4 (Industrial Park) zone; and (b) any other sections of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC that refer to the term “churches” to replace the term “churches” with “religious facilities” (ZTA 2026-0002) (“Zone Text Amendment”); and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission based its recommendation to adopt the Zone Text Amendment on the findings set forth below; and WHEREAS, on September 3, 2025, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing at which all persons wishing to testify in connection with this Zone Text Amendment were heard and this Zone Text Amendment was comprehensively reviewed.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORONA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. CEQA Findings. As the decision-making body for this Zone Text Amendment, the City Council finds that this action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in 2 question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action involves minor changes to the text of the Zoning Code to permit religious facilities that do not exceed 10,000 square feet in size within the M-4 (Industrial Park) zone. This action involves no physical impacts and does not modify density or capacity. As such, there is no possibility that adopting this Ordinance will have a significant effect on the environment.
Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
SECTION 2. Zoning Findings. Based on the entire record before the City Council and all written and oral evidence presented to the City Council, the City Council hereby makes and adopts the following findings:
A. The proposed Zone Text Amendment is consistent with the General Plan and applicable specific plans for the following reason:
(i) ZTA2026-0002 is consistent with the following General Plan Land Use Element Policies because it allows for the development of a religious facility that will serve as a focal point of identity and activity to the surrounding neighborhood and community, provide opportunities for the diverse needs of Corona’s residents for social and spiritual activity, and facilitates a self-sustaining community that will minimize needs for travel to surrounding communities.
(a) LU-8.5: Promote development and enhancement of places that serve as the focal point of identity and activity in neighborhoods through the integration and, where feasible, consolidation of parks, schools, community facilities, religious facilities, and similar uses.
(b) LU-1.1: Accommodate uses that support the diverse needs of Corona’s residents, including opportunities for living, commerce, employment, recreation, education, culture, entertainment, civic engagement, and social and spiritual activity that are in balance with natural open spaces.
(c) LU-1.2: Emphasize the development of uses that sustain Corona as a cohesive, distinct, and self-sustaining community and minimize the need for residents to travel to surrounding communities for retail goods, services, and employment.
B. The proposed Zone Text Amendment is consistent with Title 17 of the Corona Municipal Code for the following reason:
(i) Title 17 is intended to promote orderly land use patterns, protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and ensure compatibility among land uses. ZTA2026-0002 is consistent with these purposes because it would allow religious facilities only through discretionary review, thereby ensuring that each proposed use is evaluated on a case-by-case basis for compatibility with surrounding industrial uses and compliance with applicable development 3 and operational standards. In addition, the Zone Text Amendment recognizes that certain religious facilities, particularly smaller facilities with limited occupancy and primarily indoor activities, may operate compatibility within industrial and business park areas during off-peak business hours when parking demand is reduced. As such, the proposed amendment is consistent with the overall intent of Title 17 of the CMC.
C. The proposed Zone Text Amendment will provide for the public health, safety and welfare for the following reason:
(i) ZTA2026-0002 would permit religious facilities within the M-4 zone. Permitted land uses in the M-1 and M-4 zones share notable similarities, with both allowing uses with minimal environmental impact, such as offices, studios, showrooms with restricted retail activity, and sports training facilities, all of which are generally well-suited for adjacent residential and commercial areas, as they typically occur indoors and generate minimal impacts related to traffic, circulation, noise, vibration, smoke, odors, or hazardous materials. Additionally, a religious facility will require the discretionary approval of a Minor Conditional Use Permit (MCUP) by the City’s Board of Zoning Adjustment. As part of the MCUP process, the establishment of a religious facility in the M-4 zone would be subject to conditions of approval which would serve to protect public health, safety, convenience, and general welfare of the public, in accordance with the intent and purpose of the City’s zoning regulations.
SECTION 3. Zoning Text Amendment. ZTA2026-0002 is hereby approved.
SECTION 4. Amendment to Section 17.04.114. Section 17.04.114 (Church) of Chapter 17.04 (Definitions) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby deleted.
SECTION 5. Addition of Section 17.04.506. Section 17.04.114 (Church) of Chapter 17.04 (Definitions) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby deleted. “17.04.506 Religious facility.
"Religious facility" means a permanently located building or tenant space within a permanently located building commonly used for religious worship, fully enclosed with walls (including windows and doors), having a roof (canvas or fabric excluded) and conforming to applicable legal requirements affecting design and construction.”
SECTION 6. Amendment to Section 17.33.030. Table 1-17.33 in Section
17.33.030 (Permitted uses; conditional uses; prohibited uses) of Chapter 17.33 (Commercial & Office Zones) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended to change references to “church” to “religious facilities” as set forth below:
4 TABLE 1-17.33 PERMITTED LAND USES
“P” Permitted use.
“CUP” Permitted with a conditional use permit issued in accordance with Chapter
17.92 of the Corona Municipal Code (conditional use permit). “MCUP” Denotes a use which is subject to the minor conditional use permit procedure only. “NP” Use not permitted.
“BZA” Use subject to approval by the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
Land Use C-P C-2 C-3
Religious facilities equal to or exceeding an overall combined floor area of 10,000 square feet
CUP CUP CUP
Religious facilities not exceeding an overall combined floor area of 10,000 square feet
MCUP MCUP MCUP
SECTION 7. Amendment to Section 17.35.010. Section 17.35.010 (Purpose) of Chapter 17.35 (Quasi-Public Zones) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“17.35.010 Purpose.
The purpose of the Quasi-Public (QP) District is to establish a location for government or other public-serving uses that are necessary to serve the dayto-day needs of the city’s residents. These uses often involve moderate traffic and thus may require better access than would be afforded by a local residential street. These include uses such as fire stations, post offices, libraries, government centers, child care facilities, religious facilities and professional offices.”
SECTION 8. Amendment to Section 17.35.020. Subsection (B) of Section
17.35.020 (Permitted uses and structures) of Chapter 17.35 (Quasi-Public Zones) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“(B) Public and quasi-public facilities and service uses, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Fire stations;
5 (2) Post offices;
(3) Libraries;
(4) Government centers;
(5) Day care facilities;
(6) Religious facilities or other places of religious assembly; (7) Recreation centers;
(8) Health clubs.”
SECTION 9. Amendment to Section 17.41.010. Subsections (E) and (G) of Section 17.41.010 (Findings) of Chapter 17.41 (Adult Use Zoning Regulations) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC are hereby amended in their entirety to read as follows:
“(E) The special regulation of adult businesses is necessary to ensure that their adverse secondary effects will not contribute to an increase in the crime rates or the blighting or downgrading of the areas in which they are located or surrounding areas. The need for the special regulation is based on the recognition that adult businesses have serious objectionable operational characteristics, particularly when several of them are concentrated under certain circumstances or located in direct proximity with sensitive uses such as residential zones and uses, parks, schools, religious facilities or day care centers, thereby having a deleterious effect upon the adjacent areas.”
“(G) The protection and preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare require that certain distances be maintained between adult businesses and residential uses and zones, religious facilities, schools, day care centers, parks, and other adult businesses.”
SECTION 10. Amendment to Section 17.41.040. Subsection (A) of Section
17.41.040 (Location, design and performance standards) of Chapter 17.41 (Adult Use Zoning Regulations) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
(A) An adult business shall not be established or located within 500 feet of:
(1) Any residential zone, residential land use district, or conforming residential land use, including conforming mobilehome parks and trailer parks, within the city;
(2) Any religious facility, chapel or similar place of worship or property zoned, planned or otherwise designated for such use by city action; (3) Any funeral parlor, mortuary, cemetery or similar facility, or property zoned, planned or otherwise designated for such use by city action; (4) Any school, nursery, day care center, park or playground or property zoned, planned or otherwise designated for such use by city action; or
(5) Any other recreational facility where minors congregate or property zoned, planned or otherwise designated for such use by city action. 6 SECTION 11. Amendment to Section 17.44.030. Table 1 in Section
17.44.030 (Permitted uses; conditional uses; prohibited uses) of Chapter 17.44 (Industrial Zones) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended to change any references to “church” to “religious facilities” as set forth below:
Table 1 PERMITTED LAND USES
Use categories:
“AUPP” - Adult use planning permit. “P”
- Permitted uses.
“CUP” - Permitted with a conditional use permit issued pursuant to Chapter 17.92. “MCUP” - Permitted with a minor conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 17.92. “BZA” - Permitted with approval by the Board of Zoning Adjustment pursuant to Chapter 17.98. “NP” - Not permitted.
“A” - Permitted as Ancillary Use to a Permitted Use.
“CCP” - Permitted with a commercial cannabis permit issued pursuant to Chapter 5.36.
Land Uses M-1
Zone
M-2
Zone
M-3
Zone
M-4
Zone
Religious facilities not
exceeding a floor area of
10,000 square feet when
combined with a
humanitarian/outreach center
as defined in
§ 17.04.319
MCUP MCUP NP NP
Religious facilities not
exceeding an overall combined
floor area
of 10,000 square feet
MCUP NP NP MCUP
SECTION 12. Amendment to Section 17.62.740. Section 17.62.740 (Prohibited uses) of Chapter 17.62 (Overlay Zones) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“17.62.740 Prohibited uses.
In addition to the uses prohibited in § 17.44.030 for the M-3 (Heavy Manufacturing) Zone, the following uses are prohibited in the SS (Sherborn Street) Overlay Zone:
(A) Restaurants;
(B) Commercial recreation and drive-in theatres;
(C) Religious facilities of any size;
7 (D) Batch plants and rock crusher or distribution of rocks, sand, and gravel.”
SECTION 13. Amendment to Section 17.64.040. Subsection (B) of Section
17.64.040 (Yards – Special conditions) of Chapter 17.64 (Lots and Yards) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“(B) Other special yard requirements. The following
requirements shall apply:
(1) Religious facilities, schools, institutions or other similar uses when permitted in an R zone shall be removed at least 20 feet from every boundary line of the property, and no front yard as required in such zone or side yards as required shall be used for play or parking purposes;
(2) Swimming pools shall not be permitted in any required front yard. Pump or filter installation for such swimming pools shall be made not less than ten feet from an adjoining property line except where a five foot high block wall is maintained extending a distance of two feet on each side of such equipment and situated either between such equipment and said property line or on said property line.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contrary stated in this code, except as provided in Chapter 17.86, all lots, which are zoned residential or agricultural and bear a prefix designation on the city’s official zoning map commencing with the letter "R" or "A" and on which dwellings are constructed so as to front on a major or secondary street and highways, as said streets and highways are defined in the city’s General Plan and report and delineated on the city’s General Plan map, shall have a front yard at least 30 feet in depth.”
SECTION 14. Amendment to Section 17.66.020. Section 17.66.020 (Building height) of Chapter 17.66 (Accessory Buildings and Building Height) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
17.66.020 Building height.
All buildings hereafter erected and existing buildings which may be reconstructed, altered, moved or maintained or enlarged shall comply with the height regulations of the zone in which they may be located. Roof structures for the housing of elevators, stairways, tanks, ventilating fans or similar equipment required to operate and maintain the building and fire or parapet walls, skylights, towers, religious facility spires, flag poles, 8 chimneys, smokestacks, wireless masts or similar structures may be erected above the height limits prescribed in this title; provided, that the same may be safely erected and maintained at such height in view of the surrounding conditions and circumstances, but no roof structures or any space above the height limit shall be allowed for the purpose of providing additional floor space.
SECTION 11. Amendment to Section 17.76.030. The Table in Section 17.76.030 (Number of spaces required) of Chapter 17.76 (Off-Street Parking) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended to change any references to “church” to “religious facilities” as set forth below:
TYPE OF USE NUMBER OF REQUIRED SPACES
E. Institutional Uses:
2. Religious facility 1 space/3.5 fixed seats or 1 space/25 sq. ft. of assembly area SECTION 15. Amendment to Section 17.84.040. Subsections (B) and (D) of Section 17.84.040 (Noise) of Chapter 17.84 (Performance Standards) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended in their entirety to read as follows:
“(B) Definitions. Terms found in this chapter shall be defined as follows.
Additional definitions are found in the noise element of the General Plan. (1) “A-weighted sound level.” The sound pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound level meter using the A-weighted filter network. The A-weighted filter network is designed to simulate the response of the human ear. The A-weighted sound level is expressed by the symbol dBA. (2) “Ambient noise.” The composite of noise from all existing sources near and far. The ambient noise level constitutes the normal or existing level of environmental noise at a given location, excluding any alleged offensive noise.
(3) “Cumulative period.” An additive period of time composed of individual time segments which may be continuous or interrupted. (4) “Community noise equivalent level (CNEL).” The average equivalent A-weighted sound level during a 24 hour day, obtained after addition of five decibels to sound levels between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and the addition of ten decibels to sound levels between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(5) “Decibel (dB).” A unit for measuring the amplitude of a sound, equal to 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micropascals. (6) “Impulsive noise.” A noise of short duration, usually less than one second, and of high intensity, with an abrupt onset and rapid decay. 9 (7) “Noise study.” An acoustical analysis performed by a qualified noise engineer which determines the potential noise impacts of a roadway, land use or operation of equipment. The noise study will generate noise contours and recommend mitigation for noise impacts which exceed the city’s noise standards.
(8) “Sensitive land uses.” Those specific land uses which have associated human activities that may be subject to stress or significant interference from noise. Sensitive land uses include single family residential, multiple family residential, religious facilities, hospitals and similar health care institutions, convalescent homes, libraries and school classroom areas.
(9) “Simple tone noise.” A noise characterized by a predominant frequency or frequencies so that other frequencies cannot be readily distinguished. When measured, a simple tone noise shall exist if the onethird octave band sound pressure levels in the band with the tone exceeds the arithmetic average of the sound pressure levels of the two continuous one-third octave bands as follows: 5 dB for frequencies of 500 hertz or above or by 15 dB for frequencies less than or equal to 125 hertz. (10) “Sound attenuation device.” An enclosure, blanket, vault, box, wall, fence, panel, baffle, coating, material, silencer, or other appurtenance, mechanism, or device intended to reduce the noise level of mechanical equipment.”
“(D) Special provisions.
(1) Mechanical equipment in residential zones. Upon application for a building permit to install mechanical equipment, such as air conditioner and pool equipment, in a residential zone, the equipment shall be setback at least ten feet from an adjoining property line except where a five foot high block sound wall is maintained extending a distance of two feet on each side of such equipment and situated either between such equipment and the property line or on said property line. Exception: Mechanical equipment in residential zones shall be permitted closer than ten feet from an adjoining property line without a five foot high block sound wall when sound attenuation devices approved by the Building Official are installed. The noise level with sound attenuation devices installed shall comply with the limits and conditions specified in § 17.84.040(C)(2) when measured from any adjoining property. The approved sound attenuation devices shall be maintained and any approvals shall not be construed to permit violations of this code.
(2) Construction noise. Construction noise is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday and 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Sundays and federal holidays. Construction noise is defined as noise which is disturbing, excessive or offensive and constitutes a nuisance involving discomfort or annoyance to persons of normal 10 sensitivity residing in the area, which is generated by the use of any tools, machinery or equipment used in connection with construction operations. (3) Noise devices. In accordance with Chapter 9.24, no loudspeaker, bells, gongs, buzzers, mechanical equipment or other sounds, attentionattracting or communication device associated with any use adjacent to residential or sensitive land uses shall be discernible beyond the boundary line of the parcel, except fire protection devices, burglar alarms and religious facility bells. Noise generated by these sources shall be enforced by the Police Department.
(4) Noisy animals. Noise generated by animals shall be regulated by the Police Department in accordance with Chapter 6.11.” SECTION 16. Amendment to Section 17.92.040. The Table in subsection (A) of Section 17.92.040 (Conditionally permitted uses – Agricultural and residential zones) of Chapter
17.92 (Conditional Use Permit) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended to change any references to “church” to “religious facilities” as set forth below:
Conditionally Permitted Uses Major
CUP
Minor
CUP
1. Religious facilities in residential zones X
2. Religious facilities in agricultural zones not exceeding an overall combined floor area of 10,000 square feet
X
3. Religious facilities in agricultural zones equal to or exceeding an overall combined floor area of 10,000 square feet
X
SECTION 17. Amendment to Section 17.92.050. The Table in Section 17.92.050 (Conditionally permitted uses – Commercial zones) of Chapter 17.92 (Conditional Use Permit) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended to change any references to “church” to “religious facilities” as set forth below:
Conditionally Permitted Uses Major
CUP
Minor
CUP
Religious facilities not exceeding an overall combined floor area of 10,000 square feet
X
Religious facilities equal to or exceeding an overall combined floor area of 10,000 square feet
X
11 SECTION 18. Amendment to Section 17.92.060. The Table in Section 17.92.060 (Conditionally permitted uses – Industrial zones) of Chapter 17.92 (Conditional Use Permit) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC is hereby amended to change any references to “church” to “religious facilities” as set forth below:
Conditionally Permitted Uses Major
CUP
Minor
CUP
Religious facilities not exceeding an overall combined floor area of 10,000 square feet
X
Churches Religious facilities not exceeding a floor area of 10,000 square feet when combined with a humanitarian center as defined by § 17.04.319
X
SECTION 19. Official Record. The documents and materials that constitute the record of proceedings on which these findings have been based are located at the City of Corona City Hall, 400 S. Vicentia Avenue, Corona, California 92882. The custodian for these records is the Planning and Development Director of the City of Corona.
SECTION 20. Severability. If any provision or clause of this Ordinance or any application of it to any person, firm, organization, partnership or corporation is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions of this Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. To this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable.
SECTION 21. Effective Date. The Mayor shall sign this Ordinance and the City Clerk shall attest thereto and shall within fifteen (15) days of its adoption cause it, or a summary of it, to be published in a general circulation newspaper published and circulated in the City of Corona. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 1
st day of July, 2026.
___________________________________
Mayor of the City of Corona, California
ATTEST:
____________________________________
City Clerk of the City of Corona, California
12 CERTIFICATION
I, Sylvia Edwards, Clerk of the City of Corona, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was regularly introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Corona, California, duly held the 17th day of June 2026, and thereafter at a regular meeting held on the 1
st day of July 2026, it was duly passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Corona, California, this 1
st day of July 2026.
_______________________________________
City Clerk of the City of Corona, California
[SEAL]
13 SUMMARY
On June 17, 2026, the Corona City Council will consider amending Section 17.44.030, of the Corona Municipal Code to establish regulations for feather flags and to allow religious facilities not exceeding 10,000 square feet in total floor area as a conditionally permitted use within the M-4 (Industrial Park) zone; and to amend any other sections of Title 17 (Zoning) of the CMC that refer to the term “churches” to replace the term “churches” with “religious facilities”. A certified copy of the full text of this proposed ordinance amendment is posted at the City Clerk’s Office.
The City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Corona City Hall located at 400 South Vicentia Avenue. The City Clerk is located in Suite 115 of the City Hall near the north entrance.