Study session: Streamlined permitting for for new businesses
Posted on 07/10/2025

Planning Commission to discuss proposed list of business types allowed in commercial and mixed-use areas

Published July 11, 2025

The Planning Commission will hold a study session to discuss draft zoning updates that would allow certain commercial uses – including fitness studios, bakeries, and limited service restaurants and cafes – “by right” in certain areas on Monday, July 14.

Planning Commission Study Session: Permitted Commercial Uses and Conditional Use Permit process
Monday, July 14, 5:30 pm | Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue
Zoom: piedmont-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/81433792768
Agenda | Staff Report

Businesses permitted “by right” would be able to open in existing commercial and mixed-use zones along Grand and Highland Avenues without a public hearing process, as long as they conform to operating standards to ensure that new businesses are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.

Community members can provide comment at the meeting in-person or via Zoom. This is a discussion item only – no decisions will be made.

Permitted business types and operating standards shaped by community input

The draft zoning updates follow a year-long development and discussion process that included two public surveys and several study sessions with the Planning Commission and City Council. Community feedback was used to create both the list of permitted business types, and to refine proposed performance standards.

The list of permitted business types includes:

  • Food and beverage: Bakery, Limited service restaurants and cafes, Wine shops
  • Retail: Art and Craft store, Book store, Bike shop, Clothing store, Florist shops, Garden supply, Hardware store, Plant nurseries
  • Services: Hair salons and barbers, Office, Photography studio, Tutoring Center
  • Fitness: Dance studio, Fitness center, Martial Arts studio, Yoga studio

Businesses that do not fit into one of these categories would still be able to open in Piedmont, but they would need to obtain a “conditional use permit,” which involves a public hearing process.

The draft zoning amendments would also streamline the City’s process for awarding conditional use permits (CUP), which currently requires public hearings before both the Planning Commission and City Council. Under the proposed update, CUP applications would be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission. The Commission’s decision would be appealable to the City Council.

Discussion at Monday’s study session will inform a final draft of the zoning updates, expected to come before the Planning Commission for recommendation, then City Council for approval this fall.

Learn more about this initiative and see materials and video from previous discussions at piedmont.ca.gov/PermittedCommercialUses. To provide input via email, contact Associate Planner Gopika Nair at [email protected].