Permanent service station Ban ordinance
The City of Pinole is considering a potential ordinance that would prohibit new gas fueling stations and limit expansion of existing stations and is seeking community input. The draft ordinance will be considered at the Planning Commission meeting 1/26/26. A new survey is available now. Survey questions are based on the draft ordinance which can be reviewed here and the survey can be taken here. Please take the survey by 2/23/26. Results from the prior survey are available here.
The development of this ordinance is part of the City’s broader climate planning efforts. In January, the Planning Commission recommended the ordinance be considered by Council. Council will consider the adoption of the ordinance on 3/3/26 and 3/17/26.
Thanks in advance!
Planning Commission consideration Recap
On January 26th, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider draft amendments to the Zoning Code and Three Corridors Specific Plan to prohibit new service stations and allow existing service stations to continue operations as existing legal nonconforming uses. The Planning Commission recommended the City Council consider adoption of the proposed amendments with minor adjustments that will be reflected in the City Council agenda packet materials. These adjustments include clarification of projects under Administrative Design Review, clarification of code enforcement’s role if service stations lose nonconforming status, clarification on applicability of design standards in relation to the specific plan, and inclusion of “other renewable fuel” in the list of non-fossil fuels under the alternative fuel station land use definition.
Draft Ordinance Summary
The key aspects of the amendments include:
-Prohibiting new service stations in all zoning districts.
-Allowing the continued operation of existing service stations as legal nonconforming uses.
-Allowing limited modification or renovation of the fossil fuel serving uses of the service station, (as long as changes do not increase the number of fossil fuel pumps). Routine maintenance and repair/replacement of equipment would be permitted.
-Allowing modifications at service station sites needed to support other allowable uses, such as convenience stores and car washes, and encouraging alternative fuel infrastructure.
-Establishing a new use category and development standards for alternative fuel stations, allowing service station-type uses that dispense alternative fuels as permitted by right.
Project Timeline
December 2025
- Project website launch
- Community survey release
January 2026
- Interest holder engagement
- Community survey closes (1/20/26)
- Planning Commission consideration (1/26/2026)
- Draft ordinance for public comment
February-March 2026
- Council 1st Reading (3/3/2026)
- Council 2nd Reading (3/17/2026)
How to participate
- Review the draft ordinance recommended by Planning Commission
- Take a new survey by 2/23/26
- Attend the Council Meeting readings (3/3/2026 and 3/17/2026) (agenda packets released Thursday before here)
Project Contact
Kapil Amin
Sustainability Project Manager
kamin@pinole.gov
510-372-0989
Project Background
On April 2, 2024, Council adopted an urgency ordinance enacting a temporary moratorium on the establishment of new service stations or expansion of existing service stations. On May 7, 2024 the temporary moratorium was extended an additional 22 months and 15 days while staff explores the option of Council consideration of a permanent ordinance. Staff reports can be found below. In August 2024, Council adopted its inaugural Climate Action and Adaptation Plan with strategies to offer more alternative fuel options and a vision for a cleaner and greener Pinole.
Existing Conditions
There are eight existing service stations in the city. Under current Zoning, service stations are only conditionally permitted (with the issuance of a conditional use permit) in three areas of the City. The majority of existing service stations are already existing nonconforming uses as they are not permitted or conditionally permitted uses under the current Zoning Code and Specific Plan, and are “grandfathered” uses.
Existing Service Station Locations:
Pump House 700 Tennent Ave
Grand 1390 San Pablo Ave
Marathon 1007 San Pablo Ave
Chevron 2695 Pinole Valley Rd
ARCO 2747 Pinole Valley Rd
7-eleven / 76 2401 Appian Way
Chevron 2298 Appian Way
Shell 1401 Fitzgerald Dr
Previous Entitlements
Appian 80
The City has been engaged with the new property owners since they acquired the Appian 80 site in early 2023. Under the previous ownership, development entitlements were secured for a project that included a new Safeway with a gas station, junior anchors, and additional retail tenants. In June 2022, the Pinole City Council approved an extension of these entitlements, which remained valid through June 2023. However, following their purchase of the property in early 2023, the new owner elected not to proceed with the previously approved project, allowing the entitlements to expire. Read the full article.