Medical Retail Space in Brea

What to diligence before LOI

1. 01

   Zoning: Table 20.11.020.A permits Medical services, clinics/offices by right in C-P, C-N, C-C, C-G and C-M and in the three mixed-use zones. 20.00.070 defines the class to include medical, mental health, dental, optical, acupuncture, urgent care and outpatient care. It is not listed in C-RC, and in the M-P and M-1 industrial zones it needs a minor conditional use permit. Medical and dental labs (Medical services, equipment/laboratories) are permitted in the same five commercial zones.

2. 02

   Parking (Table 20.08.040.D): Medical services, clinics/offices is 5.5 spaces per 1,000 sq ft, against 1 per 200 sq ft (5 per 1,000) for Retail sales, general and 1 per 250 for personal services. Under 20.08.040.B.1 a change to a category that needs more stalls must add them. A 3,000 sq ft retail suite needs 15 spaces as retail and 17 as a clinic (16.5 rounds up under B.3), so ask Planning whether the suite is counted at the center-wide Shopping center rate of 5.5 per 1,000 or at the individual use rates.

3. 03

   Parking location: 20.08.040.B.2.c requires each shopping center tenant's required parking to be within 200 feet of its main entrance, and parking in front of a suite can be reserved for that tenant's customers if fire access allows. For a clinic with older or less mobile patients, ask the landlord whether reserved patient stalls near the door are available.

4. 04

   Brea Marketplace suite 03A (2,918 sq ft) was listed by Regency as available medical space next to IVX Health (2,882 sq ft), and Brea Gateway had suite 203C (4,550 sq ft) available. Ask each landlord for the suite's existing plumbing, restroom count and whether the slab can be trenched for exam-room sinks before you compare rents.

5. 05

   Dental and imaging build-outs: for a dental office like Gentle Dental (3,094 sq ft) or Pacific Dental Services (3,858 sq ft), confirm early where X-ray shielding, vacuum and compressor equipment and extra plumbing can go. We did not read the California Building Code sections on occupancy, so ask Brea's Building and Safety Division how it will classify the suite and what path-of-travel upgrades it will require.

6. 06

   Zoning map check: Brea's CUP page tells applicants to check zoning with the Planning Division (714-990-7674) before signing a lease. Do that for any C-RC or M-P parcel, since clinics are not listed in C-RC and need a minor CUP in M-P.