Chapter 13-6. Residential Districts

Sec. 13-6.100 Specific Purposes.

1. In addition to the general purposes listed in Section 13-5.100, the specific purposes of the residential districts are to:

A. Reserve appropriately located areas for family living at a reasonable range of population densities consistent with the General Plan and sound standards of public health and safety.

B. Ensure adequate light, air, privacy, and yard/open space for each dwelling unit and protect residents from public safety hazards and other harmful environmental effects.

C. Preserve as many of the desirable characteristics of single-family residential districts as possible while allowing for associated residential uses such as daycare, rooming and boarding, home occupations, second residential units to the extent that substantial adverse impacts are not caused to adjacent residences.

D. Promote safe and well-designed neighborhoods and encourage new residential development to have an internal circulation system, including pedestrian walkways, bikeways, and access to transit facilities. Ensure provision of public services and facilities to support existing and planned residential densities.

E. Reserve appropriate areas for multifamily dwellings that may be located and designed to be compatible with adjacent land uses and residences.

F. Encourage development of innovative types of housing, including cohousing, congregate care facilities, and other types of housing that may provide low-cost alternatives to typical market-rate housing.

G. Encourage provision of affordable housing units, especially for single persons, single parents, elderly and young families. Provide well-designed, well-built housing units for low- and moderate-income households in mixed-density developments, including planned developments (PDs), avoiding a concentration in any limited area.

H. Provide additional affordable senior citizen housing. Encourage provision of senior housing by considering density bonuses where senior projects are desirable and compatible with special senior needs.

I. Allow for public and quasi-public land uses to complement residential development within close access such as schools, churches and daycare facilities; provided, that substantial adverse impacts such as traffic congestion, increased noise (ambient or episodic) or full use of available on-street parking, or other similar impacts are not caused on nearby residences.

2. The additional purposes of each residential zoning district are:

A. RS-E Residential Single-Family Estate. To provide sites for estate homes on larger lots to be developed with custom built and individually designed homes with a gross density of 1 or 2 units per acre and a minimum parcel size of 0.5 acre. Specific densities are assigned on the Zoning Map.

B. RS-L Residential Single-Family Low Density. To provide areas for single-family housing on smaller lots that will generally be developed as part of a larger planned subdivision where a limited number of models of varied exterior designs are built in a random pattern on individual lots with a gross density of 2 to 7 units per acre and a minimum parcel size of 6,000 square feet unless a smaller lot size is allowed by an approved planned development (PD).

C. RM-L Residential Multifamily Low Density. To provide sites for low-density multifamily housing such as townhouses, condominiums and apartments, and medium-density single-family housing that incorporate good design and amenities with a gross density up to 12 units per acre (midrange density of 9 units per acre). The minimum parcel size for multifamily housing is 3 acres. The minimum lot size for single-family housing is 4,000 square feet unless a smaller lot size is allowed by an approved planned development (PD).

D. RM-M Residential Multifamily Medium Density. To provide sites for medium-density multifamily housing such as townhouses, condominiums and apartments that incorporate good design and amenities with a gross density of 12 to 30 units per acre (midrange density of 20 units per acre) and a minimum parcel size of 5 acres.

E. RM-H Residential Multifamily High Density. To provide sites for high-density multifamily housing, typically located near public transit centers, adequate streets, shopping centers or other high-activity areas and that incorporate good design and amenities with a gross density of 30 to 55 units per acre (midrange density of 42 units per acre) and a minimum parcel size of 15 acres. [Ord. 551 § 2, 2024; Ord. 544 § 3, 2023; Ord. 543 § 3, 2023; Ord. 515 § 2, 2018; ZO § 6.100.]

Sec. 13-6.200 Review of Plans and General Conditions.

Plans for all new and expanded development and uses shall be submitted to the Community Development Director as per Section 13-40.300. The following general conditions shall apply to all areas designated for residential use within this Chapter:

1. All new and expanded residential development shall apply for an administrative or conditional use permit. Administrative use permit review of new single-family homes, additions and remodels shall be limited to conformance with development regulations specified or referenced within this Chapter.

2. All new and expanded development except for additions and remodels shall also be subject to Chapter 13-42, Design Review.

3. Repealed by Ord. 553. [Ord. 553 § 2, 2024; Ord. 544 § 3, 2023; Ord. 543 § 3, 2023; Ord. 515 § 2, 2018; ZO § 6.200.]

Sec. 13-6.300 Performance Standards.

The standard performance standards for development specified in Chapter 13-31 shall be met. In addition, the following specific performance standards shall be met:

1. Residential streets shall be designed in relation to the needed capacity and the adjoining housing patterns while discouraging through traffic on local streets.

2. Existing residential structures of architectural or historic significance are to be restored and maintained.

3. New residential areas shall be designed to avoid conflict with major streets or thoroughfares, and should provide access to transit facilities to encourage safe and convenient alternatives to private auto.

4. Multifamily residential land shall be developed with a balance of open space, landscaping, and recreational amenities and should be easily accessible to commercial and recreational areas and public transportation.

5. Upon reinstitution of the inclusionary housing ordinance, new residential development shall include a minimum 10 percent of the total number of units for affordable housing. No in-lieu fees will be accepted by the City unless the developer can establish extraordinary circumstances for not providing affordable housing or unless an agreement predating the adoption of the 1996 General Plan Amendment provides otherwise.

A density bonus may be provided, along with the waiver of fees and the relaxation of development standards, in exchange for low income or senior housing provided, as per Section 65915 of the California Government Code, as may be amended

6. The use of solar systems, both active and passive designs, is encouraged in new residential development. [Ord. 551 § 2, 2024; Ord. 544 § 3, 2023; Ord. 543 § 3, 2023; Ord. 515 § 2, 2018; Ord. 484 § 13, 2015; ZO § 6.300.]

Sec. 13-6.400 Land Use Regulations.

All new and expanded development and uses that are allowed in the residential zoning districts are identified in Table 13-6.1. The following uses may be permitted in the designated residential zoning districts subject to compliance with Chapter 13-49 and approval by the Community Development Director. Use permits, administrative or conditional, are required for all new and expanded residential development.

Single story detached accessory structures under 8 feet tall and 120 square feet total area for the site are exempt from use permit requirements in the RS-E, RS-L and RM-L districts. Minor utilities such as public street lighting and traffic signals, electrical distribution lines, telephone lines, cable lines, and underground water, sewer and drainage mains and pipes that are necessary to support legally established uses are exempt from use permit requirements in all residential districts. [Ord. 544 § 3, 2023; Ord. 543 § 3, 2023; Ord. 515 § 2, 2018; ZO § 6.400.]

Sec. 13-6.500 Property Development Regulations.

The development regulations presented in Table 13-6.2 establish basic site and design requirements for residential zoning districts. All regulation standards are minimum amounts unless otherwise stated.

Table 13-6.1 Land Use Regulations: Residential District

 

RS-E

RS-L

RM-L

RM-M

RM-H

See Also

 

Residential

 

 

Single-Family Home

A

A

C

C

—

 

Duet (Single-Family Attached)

—

—

A

A

—

 

Duplex

—

—

A

A

—

 

Multifamily Dwelling

—

—

C

C

C

 

Townhouse/Condominium

—

—

C

C

C

 

Two-Unit Development

P

P

—

—

—

Chapter 13-36

 

Mobile Home

A

A

A

A

—

 

Accessory Uses and Structures

A(1)

A(1)

A(1)

A

A

Section 13-35.210

 

Rooming and Boarding Houses (4 or less people)

A

A

A

C

—

 

Rooming and Boarding Houses (5 or more people)

—

—

C

C

—

 

Family Daycare Homes (14 or fewer children)

P

P

P

P

P

 

 

Accessory Dwelling Unit

P

P

P

P

P

Section 13-35.320

 

Senior Housing

C

C

C

C

C

 

Emergency Shelter

—

—

P

—

—

Section 13-35.258

 

Single-Room Occupancy Units

—

—

—

—

—

 

Supportive Housing (Apartment Type)

—

—

P

P

P

 

Supportive Housing (Residential Care Facility Small Type)

A

A

P

P

P

 

Supportive Housing (Residential Care Facility Large Type)

—

—

P

P

P

 

Residential Care Facility (6 or fewer residents)

A

A

A

A

—

 

Residential Care Facility (7+ residents)

—

—

—

C

C

 

 

Transitional Housing (Apartment Type)

—

—

C

C

C

 

Transitional Housing (Residential Care Facility Small Type)

A

A

A

A

—

 

Transitional Housing (Residential Care Facility Large Type)

—

—

—

C

C

 

Commercial Uses

 

Home Occupation

A

A

A

A

A

Section 13-35.270

Bed and Breakfast Inns

C

C

C

C

—

Section 13-35.250

Public and Quasi-Public Uses

 

Clubs and Lodges

—

—

C

C

C

 

Libraries, Museums and Galleries

—

—

C

C

C

 

Park and Recreation Facilities

A

A

A

A

A

 

Public Safety Facilities

A

A

A

A

A

 

Religious Assembly

C

C

C

C

C

 

Schools, Public or Private

C

C

C

C

—

 

Utility Facilities

C

C

C

C

—

 

 

Key to Land Use Regulations

 

A

Administrative Use Permit Required

 

C

Conditional Use Permit Required

 

DR

Design Review Required

 

P

Permitted Use

 

—

Use Not Allowed

 

(1)

Single story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet total on site are exempt from use permit requirements.

 

Table 13-6.2 Property Development Regulations: Residential District

 

 

 

RS-E

RS-L

RM-L

RM-M

RM-H

See Also

 

 

Site Area (acres)

—

—

3

5

15

 

 

 

Density (Units/Acre)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Range

1 to 2(1)

2 to 7

up to 12

12 to 30

30 to 55

 

 

 

 

Midrange

—

—

9

20

42

 

 

Lot Size (sq ft)

1/2 acre(1)

6,000(2)

3,000(2, 3)

3,000(2)

3,000(2)

 

 

 

Lot Frontage (ft)

45

30

[200 for multifamily, 30 for other]

 

 

 

Lot Depth (ft)

200(4)

100

[200 for multifamily, 80 for other]

 

 

 

Lot Width (ft)

100

60(5)

[200 for multifamily, 35(5) for other]

 

 

 

Setbacks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front (ft)

20

20

15

15

15

 

 

 

 

Rear (ft)

25

15

15

15

15

 

 

 

 

Side (ft)

15

5

15(6)

15(6)

15(6)

 

 

 

 

Corner Side (ft)

20

15

15

15

15

 

 

 

Maximum Site Coverage

20%

50%

60%

60%

60%

 

 

 

Usable Open Space Per Dwelling Unit (sq ft)

—

—

1,000

300

300

Section 13-30.800

 

Building Height (ft)

35

35

45(7)

60

90

 

 

 

Parking

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 13-32

Key to Land Use Regulations

(1)

Maximum density and minimum lot size as designated on zoning map for 1 or 2 units per acre density and corresponding 1 acre or 0.5 acre minimum lot size.

(2)

Minimum lot size unless a smaller lot size is allowed by an approved planned development plan.

(3)

Minimum lot size for single-family housing is 4,000 square feet unless a smaller lot size is allowed by an approved planned development plan.

(4)

Minimum lot depth unless area is designated for 2 units per acre, then 150-foot minimum depth applies.

(5)

Minimum lot width for corner lots, add 10 feet.

(6)

Minimum side setback unless smaller setback is allowed by an approved planned development plan.

(7)

Maximum height for single-family housing and duets/duplexes is 35 feet.

[Ord. 549 § 3, 2024; Ord. 544 § 3, 2023; Ord. 543 § 3, 2023; Ord. 515 § 2, 2018; Ord. 506 § 4, 2018; Ord. 496 § 2, 2016; Ord. 484 § 3, 2015; Ord. 390 § 1, 2004; ZO § 6.500.]