Taproom or tasting room in downtown zoning districts.
San José Municipal Code § 20.80.478
in effectA. In Downtown Zoning Districts, an Administrative Permit may be issued pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Title for the off-sale of alcohol or the addition of a tap room or tasting room, only if the applicant meets the following criteria: 1. Use Authorization. The Administrative Permit authorizes the following uses to be implemented on the property subject to the Permit: a. A drinking establishment (taproom or tasting room) in conjunction with a winery, brewery, or distillery. b. Off-sale of alcohol as incidental to a winery, brewery, or distillery. c. A standalone drinking establishment (taproom or tasting room) with off-sale of alcohol. 2. Alcohol Service and Sale. Alcohol service shall be conducted in full compliance with the issued ABC license. 3. Limitation on Area of Alcohol Sales. In Downtown Zoning Districts there are no restrictions on the size of retail space, including taprooms, tasting rooms, or any retail display areas. The alcohol available for retail sale shall be limited only to those alcoholic beverages manufactured and produced on-site or in the case of a duplicate license, at the ABC license holder's primary manufacturing site. 4. Vendor Delivery Parking. The permittee shall discourage vendors from parking delivery vehicles illegally on City streets and shall identify to vendors the available legal loading and unloading zones. 5. Warehousing, Storage and Bottling. In Downtown Zoning Districts the manufacturing space should not exceed 70% of the total square footage. All aspects of manufacturing should be conducted in a fully enclosed building. 6. Outdoor Storage. No outdoor storage is allowed or permitted unless designated on the approved plan set. 7. Outdoor areas. Outdoor seating or dining areas shall not be located within 150 horizontal feet of any residential unit and shall be closed to the public by 10:00 p.m. Existing, previously approved, outdoor seating areas may be permitted within 150 feet of residential units. Locations within 150 from residential units may be permitted if they conform to the following criteria: a. The outdoor area is completely separated from residentially zoned property by a non-residential building or by a minimum distance of one hundred feet that includes a public street with a minimum public right-of-way dimension of eighty feet; and b. The outdoor area does not include any equipment to produce any noise that does not comply with Section 20.40.600 of Chapter 20.40 ; and c. The outdoor dining area does not operate between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. 8. Hours of Operation: Taproom or tasting room uses shall not be open to the public before 11:00 a.m. and shall not be open past 12:00 a.m. 9. Food trucks. One food truck per site may be permitted, subject to the outdoor vending regulations detailed in Part 10 of Chapter 20.80 . 10. Nuisance. This use shall be operated in a manner that does not create a public or private nuisance. Any such nuisance shall be abated immediately upon notice by the City. 11. Noise and Acoustics. The permittee shall prevent disturbing or unreasonable noise which can be heard from neighboring properties. Ambient music provided for the listening enjoyment of customers is exempted. 12. Anti-Graffiti. The permittee shall remove all graffiti from buildings, fences, and wall surfaces within 48 hours of defacement. 13. Anti-Litter. The site and surrounding area shall be maintained free of litter, refuse, and debris: a. Cleaning shall include keeping all publicly used areas free of litter, trash, cigarette butts and garbage. b. The operator of the proposed use shall clean the public right of way immediately adjacent to the subject site before 8:00 a.m. each day, unless it is a participant in a Property Business Improvement District which provides such sidewalk cleaning services for the neighborhood in the vicinity of the project site, including the immediately adjacent public right of way. c. Mechanical equipment used for outside maintenance, including blowers and street sweepers may not be used between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily. 14. Revocation, Suspension, Modification. The Administrative Permit may be revoked, suspended or modified by the Director of Planning on appeal, at any time regardless of who is the owner of the subject property or who has the right to possession thereof or who is using the same at such time, whenever, after a noticed hearing in accordance with Part 2, Chapter 20.100 , Title 20 of the San José Municipal Code a finding is made under Section 20.100.350 . (Ords. 30372, 30603.)
Source: San José Municipal Code (Municode library)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinancesFetched: 7/25/2026