C-TMU — Transitional Mixed-Use Commercial Zone

If you guessed C-C, you are in good company — it is the zone most developers request when they have a commercial project in mind. But in Q1 2026, C-TMU was the classification that actually showed up most often in approved outcomes.

That gap between what applicants asked for and what they ended up with tells you something important about how the Planning Commission and its staff are thinking about commercial development right now.

What Is the C-TMU Zone?

The C-TMU Transitional Mixed-Use Commercial Zone is designed to accommodate a moderately intense mix of commercial and residential uses. Its purpose is to serve as a transition between neighborhoods and more intense commercial areas.

In practice, it fits perfectly with infill and corridor sites — especially those between residential neighborhoods and busier commercial streets.

The zone allows buildings up to 45 feet in height, has no minimum lot size or width, and uses a build-to zone of 0 to 15 feet — encouraging walkable, street-oriented development.

When adjacent to residential areas, it requires a 10-foot side setback and 25-foot rear setback, providing a built-in buffer.

That buffering is exactly why staff often steers applicants toward C-TMU instead of C-C.

What This Means for Your Project

If your site sits near residential uses, starting with a C-TMU request can move more smoothly through approvals than asking for C-C and getting pushed back.