AUTOMOBILE/VEHICLE WASHING.
Fresno Municipal Code § 15-2711
in effectSEC. 15-2711. - AUTOMOBILE/VEHICLE WASHING.
A carwash facility shall undergo a design review of architecture, style, and appearance to ensure similarity and compatibility with surrounding residential, commercial, and industrial development. Facilities are subject to the following standards:
A. Attendant. An attendant shall be present during all hours of operation for all carwashes. A store clerk that also accepts payment for a carwash may constitute as an attendant.
B. Design.
1. Buildings shall incorporate similar design features as the main building. Should a main building not exist, and a carwash be the primary building, it shall comply with the design standards of the underlying district.
2. Significant architectural or landscape features shall be provided at the corner of intersecting streets to enhance the streetscape.
3. No building or structure shall be located within 30 feet of any public street or within 20 feet of any property line of a residential use or residential district. Customer waiting areas and/or carwash offices may be excepted should the Review Authority determine that they will not disrupt the residential area.
4. Noise-generating uses, such as auto service bays, car wash openings, vacuum stations, outdoor loading areas, garbage storage, and stacking lanes, shall be located away from sensitive uses such as residential areas, daycares, and schools.
5. All canopies/shade structures shall be made of permanent material.
6. Buildings and equipment shall be painted in similar color tones to those found in the surrounding neighborhood.
C. Landscaping.
1. There shall be a 20 foot landscape setback along all streets.
2. There shall be a 15 foot landscape setback along Residential Districts.
3. Building setbacks shall comply with the underlying district, or the operative plan, whichever is greater.
4. Vehicle lanes for car wash openings shall be screened from public streets to a height of 30 inches. Screening devices shall consist of walls and/or berms with supplemental plant materials to screen vehicles while allowing eye-level visibility into the site.
D. Washing Facilities.
1. Building openings for vehicle access shall be designed to minimize the visual intrusion on surrounding streets and properties.
2. Service bay and/or drive-through openings shall be designed to minimize the visual intrusion on surrounding streets and properties.
3. Lighting shall be designed to be low-profile, indirect or diffused, create a pleasing appearance, and avoid adverse impacts on surrounding uses.
4. Shall comply with all regulations pertaining to water conservation and/or run-off.
E. Self-Service. Self-service car washes are not permitted, unless in conjunction with an automatic and/or a hand car wash where an attendant washes the vehicle. Self-service bays shall not exceed 50 percent of the overall number of bays.
F. Hours of Operation. Washing facilities are limited to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. When abutting or adjacent to a Residential District, the hours of operation are limited to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
G. Litter. Trash and recycling receptacles shall be available. The premises shall be kept in an orderly condition at all times. Litter shall be collected daily.
H. Noise. All vacuuming, amplified music, intercoms, or similar noise-generating equipment shall be reduced according to all applicable noise standards.
I. Temporary Fundraising Carwashes. Refer to Section 15-2760, Temporary Uses.
(Added Ord. 2015-39, § 1, eff. 1-9-16).
Source: City of Fresno, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/fresno/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MUCOCHFRCA_CH15CIDECOINRE_PTIIIREAPSOALDI_ART27STSPUSAC_S15-2711AUVEWAFetched: 11/1/2026