Businesses looking to open, expand, or operate outdoors across Corte Madera's commercial districts could face fewer hurdles under a proposed rewrite of the town's commercial zoning code. The staff report calls it the first comprehensive update to the town's four commercial districts since 1994.
The Corte Madera Planning Commission held its second study session on the Commercial Code Modernization project on July 14 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall Council Chambers, 300 Tamalpais Drive. No formal vote was scheduled. Commissioners heard public comment, reviewed proposed amendments, and gave direction to staff.
What would change
The current code lists more than 300 individual land uses, many of them relics of the 1994 framework. Categories like "pet & bird stores" and "music stores" would be replaced with broader terms like "retail," according to a July 10 staff report by Principal Planner Martha Battaglia.
Several changes target outdoor commerce. Gyms and fitness studios could hold classes outside in spaces up to 1,000 square feet, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., temporarily displacing up to five non-ADA parking spaces for a maximum of four hours per day. Retailers could display merchandise outdoors in areas up to 500 square feet, with no additional parking required, as long as goods are brought inside at closing.
Food trucks could operate on private property up to three days a week with a staff-level permit. Farmers markets would be allowed two days a week, up to 12 weeks per year. Pop-up shops could run for up to 120 days per calendar year.
Parking rules loosened
Under the proposed parking amendments, a business changing its use would not need additional parking unless the new use requires 30% more spaces than the old one. Commercial additions under 500 square feet would trigger no new parking requirement.
The changes would apply to all four commercial districts (C1 through C4) and the MX-1 mixed-use district, covering corridors including The Village at Corte Madera and Corte Madera Town Center.
How the project got here
The town issued a request for proposals in July 2025 and hired Martha Miller of Miller Planning Associates as project consultant. The Planning Commission held its first study session on Tuesday, March 24, where six members of the public spoke in support of the effort, citing opportunities to fill vacant storefronts and expand outdoor dining and fitness.
The town then hosted workshops on Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25, emailing invitations to more than 100 interested parties and approximately 800 businesses with physical addresses in Corte Madera. A non-scientific community survey that drew 152 customer responses found about 45% called parking availability "very important" in deciding whether to visit a local business.
What's next
According to the staff report, a draft timeline targets a Planning Commission public hearing on Tuesday, August 11; Town Council hearings on September 1 and September 15; and an ordinance effective date of October 15. All dates beyond July 14 remain tentative and subject to change.
Residents who missed the July 14 meeting can review materials from the session and submit written comments ahead of the next opportunity to weigh in, the Tuesday, August 11 Planning Commission public hearing. Written comments can be emailed to [email protected]. To join the project's interested-parties list, contact the Planning Division at [email protected].
