Chapter 2-25
RG – SUBURBAN MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT

Sections:

2-25-010    Purpose.

2-25-020    Uses permitted.

2-25-030    Minimum area required per dwelling unit.

2-25-040    Additional dwelling units permitted.

2-25-050    Lot and lot development requirements.

2-25-060    Sloping driveways.

2-25-070    Maintenance of open areas.

2-25-080    District regulations, other.

2-25-090    Site plan approval.

2-25-100    Single-family dwellings.

2-25-010 Purpose.

The purpose of the RG district is to provide areas for the location of low density, multiple-family residential dwellings and to establish regulations for their development. It is intended that the district be used in higher density areas designated in the general plan or in other areas when found to be necessary or desirable to achieve good neighborhood design and for purposes of stabilizing land use. In order to provide the city the opportunity to vary multiple residential density, the RG district is subdivided into the RG-16, RG-14, RG-12, and RG-10 zoning districts. (Ord. 649 § 17, 1968; Ord. 442 § 8.10)

2-25-020 Uses permitted.

The following uses are permitted, subject to approval of a zoning use permit, and conformance to applicable regulations stated below, in LPZC Part 3, and elsewhere in the zoning code:

A. Single-family dwelling units, group single-family dwelling units, duplex dwelling units, and multiple-family dwelling units.

B. Rooming and/or boarding of not more than two persons.

C. Public and quasi-public uses related to the district and mortuaries, both subject to approval of a conditional use permit; home occupations (LPZC 1-10-330 and 3-10-180); off-street parking lots related to any permitted use; and nursery schools and day care centers as provided by LPZC 3-10-330.

D. Signs (Chapter 3-45 LPZC) and tract sales office and model homes (LPZC 3-10-320).

E. Accessory uses and structures and secondary buildings related to any permitted use, except home occupations.

F. Limited animal husbandry, public or private stables, corrals, and riding academies, subject to approval of a conditional use permit and the regulations stated in Chapter 3-10 LPZC.

G. Health facilities as set forth in LPZC 3-10-340.

H. Mobile home parks as set forth in Chapter 3-15 LPZC and subject to approval of a conditional use permit.

I. Bed and breakfast uses, limited to six units per use. (Ord. 1302, 1989; Ord. 1175, 1985; Ord. 649 § 17, 1968; Ord. 442 §§ 8.20 – 8.29)

2-25-030 Minimum area required per dwelling unit.

A. RG-16 Zoning District.

Bedrooms Per Dwelling Unit	One Story	Two Story	Three Story
One	2,500	2,200	2,100
Two	3,100	2,700	2,550
Three or more	3,400	2,950	2,800

B. RG-14 Zoning District. One dwelling per 3,000 square feet (14.5/net acre).

C. RG-12 Zoning District. One dwelling per 3,500 square feet (12.4/net acre).

D. RG-10 Zoning District. One dwelling per 4,500 square feet (9.7/net acre). (Ord. 649 § 17, 1968; Ord. 442 §§ 8.30 – 8.60)

2-25-040 Additional dwelling units permitted.

Subject to other requirements set forth in this code, area equal to any required off-street parking spaces located under main structures may be utilized for the allowance of additional dwelling units, provided the total density of the site does not exceed one dwelling unit per 2,000 square feet. For purpose of computing maximum dwelling units permitted only, a ground story devoted to off-street parking and utility purposes shall not constitute an additional story. (Ord. 649 § 17, 1968; Ord. 442 § 8.70)

2-25-050 Lot and lot development requirements.

A. Table.

Zoning District	Minimum Requirements			Maximum Requirements
	Lot Area (Sq. Ft.)	Street Frontage Yards	Lot Width	Lot Coverage	Dwellings Per Building
RG-16	6,000	20′	60′	50%	No Limit
RG-14	6,500	20′	65′	40%	No Limit
RG-12	7,500	25′	75′	35%	10
RG-10	9,000	30′	90′	30%	6

B. Minimum Non-Street Frontage Yard. As follows and as specified in subsection (C) of this section, whichever is greater:

1. RG-16: 10 feet.

2. RG-14, RG-12, RG-10: 20 feet.

C. Maximum allowable building height shall be determined by the distance a building is set back from non-street frontage property lines as follows:

1. Where contiguous to property zoned for multiple residential use, found by the city to be indicated in the general plan to be for future multiple-family residential use, or in use or proposed for future use as a public or quasi-public use other than a public park:

a. Ten- to 40-Foot Height. Setback shall be 20 feet plus four feet for each three feet of wall height in excess of 10 feet.

b. Over 40- to 60-Foot Height. Setback shall be 60 feet plus three feet for each four feet of wall height in excess of 40 feet.

c. Over 60-Foot Height. Setback shall be 75 feet.

2. Where contiguous to property zoned for single-family residential use, found by the city to be indicated in the general plan to be for future single-family residential use, or adjacent to a commercial, industrial, or similar nonresidential use, or a public park:

a. Ten- to 25-Foot Height. Setback shall be 20 feet plus five feet for each one foot of wall height in excess of 10 feet.

b. Over 25- to 40-Foot Height. Setback shall be 95 feet plus three feet for each one foot of wall height in excess of 25 feet.

c. Over 40- to 55-Foot Height. Setback shall be 140 feet plus two feet for each one foot of wall height in excess of 40 feet.

d. Over 55-Foot Height. Setback shall be 170 feet plus one foot for each one foot of wall height in excess of 55 feet.

3. Reduction in setbacks of 10 percent in each case stated in subsections (C)(3)(a) through (e) of this section to a total of 40 percent shall be permitted for buildings having a height in excess of 10 feet, as follows:

a. For a one story building or portion of a building.

b. For a multi-story dwelling unit such as a townhouse.

c. For a wall or side having no windows, glass doors, balconies, sundecks, or similar openings above a height of 15 feet.

d. For a wall having a width less than 40 feet.

e. For walls of a building that are diagonal to the property line between 40 and 50 degrees.

4. For purposes of determining the required setback, building height shall be measured along the horizontal plane of the property line to which the building wall is parallel or closest related.

5. Accessory buildings shall be permitted at a height not to exceed 12 feet; except, where such building is located on a property line, its height shall not exceed eight feet.

6. An accessory structure located on a lot contiguous to the right-of-way of any major street, freeway, or major highway existing or shown as an adopted route in the city’s general plan or any railroad or rail transit line, and within a non-street frontage yard contiguous to such right-of-way, shall not exceed a height of five feet within 20 feet of the right-of-way.

7. Development in excess of three stories shall be subject to approval of a conditional use permit where, in addition to the prerequisite findings, it can also be found that:

a. The height of proposed development will not be to the detriment of adjacent properties;

b. The amenities gained in the increased height limit will provide additional amenities in the form of light, air, and open space.

D. Minimum Separation between Buildings. Shall be provided as set forth in LPZC 3-05-160.

E. Minimum District Size. One acre; none when adjacent to any C or I district or the RM district.

F. Off-Street Parking. Shall be provided for each use as required in Chapter 3-20 LPZC. (Ord. 649 § 17, 1968; Ord. 442 §§ 8.80 – 8.93)

2-25-060 Sloping driveways.

Where the natural grade of a lot within the required front yard has an average slope, normal to the front lot line at every point along said line, of such a degree or percent of slope that it is not practical to provide a driveway with a grade of 12 percent or less to required off-street parking area in conformance with the requirements of this code, required off-street parking may be located within required street frontage yards but in no case closer than six feet to the property line. (Ord. 649 § 17, 1968; Ord. 442 § 8.94)

2-25-070 Maintenance of open areas.

Open areas, exclusive of required off-street parking areas and developed recreation areas, shall be landscaped and/or developed as common or private recreation areas with surfacing not to exceed 20 percent of such open area. (Ord. 649 § 17, 1968; Ord. 442 § 8.95)

2-25-080 District regulations, other.

Regulations for uses other than duplex and multiple-family dwelling units shall be as stated in this section or in LPZC Part 3. (Ord. 649 § 17, 1968; Ord. 442 § 8.96)

2-25-090 Site plan approval.

Site plan approval, as regulated by Chapter 4-10 LPZC, is required for each residential development of four or more units, where such development is not regulated by Government Code Section 66400. (Ord. 1156, 1984; Ord. 442 § 8.96A)

2-25-100 Single-family dwellings.

Notwithstanding the definition of “dwelling, single-family,” as set forth in Chapter 1-10 LPZC, a single-family dwelling is defined as one dwelling unit exclusively occupying a “lot, parcel, or site” and shall include a dwelling within a “condominium project” as defined by Sections 783 and 1350 of the Civil Code of the state of California. Single-family dwellings shall conform to the following regulations:

A. When detached, such dwellings shall conform to the site development requirements of the RS zoning district as stated in Chapter 2-10 LPZC.

B. When attached, including those within a condominium project, such dwellings shall conform to the site development requirements specified for “attached” dwellings in either LPZC 2-10-180 or those set forth for a “residential townhouse development” as specified in Chapter 3-55 LPZC, whichever is applicable.

C. An existing multiple-family dwelling, in order to be divided as a “condominium project,” that is to say, changed to a use consisting of single-family dwellings, pursuant to Section 11535.1 of the Business and Professions Code of the state of California, shall conform not only to applicable zoning district or other zoning regulations, but also the following regulations:

1. Maximum dwelling units permitted: 10 dwelling units per acre of the site.

2. Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with LPZC 3-20-050(A)(2).

3. Usable open space shall be provided in accordance with LPZC 3-55-060(D).

4. Fire protection facilities shall be subject to approval of the Livermore fire department.

No tentative or final map causing the subdivision of an existing “multiple-family dwelling” shall be refused if the conditions of this section are met. (Ord. 649 § 17, 1968; Ord. 442 § 8.97)