Authors: Hon. Francisco M. Mendoza
Date Filed: May 11, 2026 (For First Reading: May 12, 2026)
This proposed ordinance revises and updates the rules, procedures, and criteria for issuing Special Use Permits (SUP) by amending Ordinance No. 2000-071, also known as the “Revised Zoning Ordinance of Naga City.” The measure addresses a critical historical oversight by officially defining “Special Use Permits” to prevent disruptive business activities—such as those generating excessive traffic and noise—from compromising the intent of residential zones. It updates eligible uses to align with modern urban trends and provides the zoning administrator and the Sangguniang Panlungsod with clearer criteria and flexibility to make informed judgments on applications.
Highlights of the Proposed Ordinance
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Clarified Zoning Intent: Resolves a long-standing omission in the city’s original zoning framework by providing a clear, official definition for “Special Use Permits”.
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Residential Zone Protections: Establishes stricter criteria to shield residential neighborhoods from the disruptive traffic and noise generated by incompatible commercial activities.
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Modernized Eligible Uses: Updates the historical list of business activities and developments eligible for an SUP to better reflect current urban developments and economic trends.
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Administrative Flexibility: Grants the local zoning administrator and the city council the necessary leeway to evaluate applications case-by-case based on localized spatial impacts.
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Permit Validity and Abandonment: Mandates that a Special Use Permit remains valid only for the duration of its specific approved operation, and automatically voids the permit if operations cease for more than six consecutive months.
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Strict Non-Transferability: Restricts the SUP strictly to the original applicant and specified location, requiring a brand-new application if there is any relocation or change in business ownership.
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Clear Revocation Grounds: Outlines a formal process involving due notice and a hearing to revoke an SUP if conditions are violated, national standards change, the dominant land use shifts, or the activity becomes a public nuisance.
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Structural Code Realignment: Shifts sections 3 and 4 of the old Article VIII of Ordinance No. 2000-071 into a newly designated “Article IX – Temporary Use Permit” section to clean up the city’s legislative layout.
- Proposed