Indoor Recreational Facility

Where are Indoor Recreational Facilities Permitted?

Indoor Recreational Facilities are permitted in the C-1, C-2, M-P, M-1, and M-2 Zoning Districts with either a Zoning Clearance or Minor Use Permit.  They are also permitted in Planned Development (PD) Zoning Districts as long as the PD does not prohibit them, and as long as the PD has a commercial or industrial General Plan land use designation.  Planning Staff are available to assist with determining if your business is a permitted use or you can utilize our online tools.  Indoor Recreational Facilities are permitted with approval of either a Zoning Clearance or a Minor Use Permit from the Community Development Director through the Planning Division.  A Building Permit may also be required for physical improvements to the site or building.

Zoning Clearance

An Indoor Recreational Facility can be permitted through a Zoning Clearance if the use: 

1. Can comply with all development standards and regulations for the zoning district in which it is located;
2. The hours of operation are no earlier than 6:00 a.m. and no later than 10:00 p.m. daily;
3. The facility meets the parking requirement for the use type in accordance with the requirements of the Off-Street Parking and Loading Chapter of the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 8.76) without any adjustments, reductions or variances; and
4. The facility qualifies for an exemption for environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

 The Zoning Clearance process is completed at the Staff level and typically takes about two weeks from initial application to project approval.

Minor Use Permit

If an Indoor Recreational Facility does not meet the Zoning Clearance requirements (above), then a Minor Use Permit will be required.  A Planning Application and Minor Use Permit submittal checklist should be obtained from the Planning Division.  The Minor Use Permit process is completed at the Staff level and typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from initial application to project approval.  If your Indoor Recreational Facility use type requires a parking exception or other parking-related discretionary approval, you will also need a Conditional Use Permit for parking.  Please speak to a Planner to confirm the correct application type for the proposed Indoor Recreational Facility use.

Building Permit

In addition to securing the proper Planning approval to establish the Indoor Recreational Facility, it is also the responsibility of the Applicant/Business Owner to obtain Building Permits and approvals before making any changes to a building or structure. These changes may require plans to be prepared by a licensed professional. Certain changes to the building and site may be required for your use to operate within the building and these improvements may have a substantial cost associated with them. Health clubs and other similar facilities used to provide physical activities will be required by the Fire Prevention Bureau to provide an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).

Business License

All entities and persons doing business in the City are required to have a current City of Dublin business license.  Applications are available online or in person from the Community Development Department.

What Fees Will I Need to Pay?

Fees may apply depending on your project. Please refer to the list of actions where fee collection occurs.