Chapter 23.04 — RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS — Alhambra Zoning Code

§ 23.04.010 PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY. ¶

(A) The purposes of residential zoning districts are to:
(1) Provide for a full range of housing types to meet the diverse economic and social needs of residents;
(2) Preserve, protect, and enhance the character of the city's neighborhoods;
(3) Enhance the quality of life of residents;
(4) Ensure that the scale and design of new development and alterations to existing development are compatible with surrounding uses and appropriate to the physical and aesthetic characteristics of the proposed location; and
(5) Provide sites for public and semi-public uses such as parks, schools, day care, and other community uses that serve residents and complement surrounding residential development.
(B) Additional purposes of each residential zoning district:

(1) Residential Low Density (RL). The RL Zone is intended to provide for residential development and other compatible uses in a low

density residential neighborhood setting at densities up to five dwelling units per acre. The RL Zone implements the Low Density Residential General Plan land use designation.

(2) Residential Medium Density (RM). The RM Zone is intended to provide for a variety of housing types at densities up to 18 dwelling units per acre. Housing types in this Zone include detached single-unit dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, and other medium density housing types. Other compatible uses appropriate in a medium density residential environment are allowed. The RM Zone implements the Medium Residential Density General Plan land use designation.

(3) Residential High Density (RH). The RH Zone is intended to provide for a variety of housing types at densities up to 24, 43, or 64 dwelling units per acre depending on location and lot size. A variety of housing types are allowed, including attached and detached single-unit dwellings, townhomes, condominiums, garden-style units, multi-unit developments, and apartments. This Zone also provides for public uses, quasi-public uses, and similar and compatible uses that may be appropriate in a high density residential environment. The RH Zone implements the High Density Residential General Plan land use designation.

(Ord. 4823, passed 1-22-24)

§ 23.04.020 LAND USE REGULATIONS. ¶

Table 23.04.020: Land Use Regulations - Residential Zoning Districts, sets the land use regulations for the Residential Zoning Districts. Land uses are defined in Chapter 23.43. In cases where a specific land use or activity is not defined, the Community Development Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table and not substantially similar to the uses listed are prohibited. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this title.

TABLE 23.04.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS - RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS

*TABLE 23.04.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS - RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS*	*TABLE 23.04.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS - RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS*	*TABLE 23.04.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS - RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS*	*TABLE 23.04.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS - RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS*	*TABLE 23.04.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS - RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS*

"P" = Permitted Use; "M" = Minor Use Permit required; "C" = Conditional Use Permit required; "-" = use not allowed
*Land Use Classification*	RL	RM	RH	*Additional Regulations*
Residential Uses

Residential housing types	See subclassifications below	See subclassifications below
---	---	---	---	---
Single-unit dwelling, detached	P	P	P
Single-unit dwelling, attached	-	P	P
Multi-unit dwelling	P(1)	P	P	Condominium projects require a minimum of six units, except if developed consistent with Cal. Gov’t Code § 65852.28
Accessory dwelling units	See § 23.22.040
Family day care	See § 23.22.140
Group residential	C	C	C
Low barrier navigation centers	C	P	P	Must be consistent with Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 65660 et seq.
Residential care facility	See subclassification below
Small	Small residential care facilities constitute a residential use and are subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zoning district.
Large	-	-	M
Residential facility, assisted living	-	-	M
Single room occupancy (SRO)	-	C	C	See § 23.22.260
Supportive housing	Transitional and supportive housing constitute a residential use and are subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zoning district.
Transitional housing
Small housing development	Small housing developments of no more than 10 residential units which meet the requirements of Cal. Gov’t Code § 65852.28 (SB 684) shall be a permitted use at any site zoned for multifamily residential development.
Affordable housing developments of 2 or more units	Affordable housing developments of 2 or more residential units which meet the requirements of Cal. Gov’t Code § 65913.4 (SB 35) shall be a permitted use at any site zoned for residential use or residential mixed-use development.
Public/Semi-Public Uses
Community assembly	C	C	C	See § 23.22.060
Community garden	C	C	C	See § 23.22.100
Cultural institutions	C	C	C
Day care centers	C	C	C
Park and recreation facilities	C	C	C
Public safety facilities	C	C	C
Schools	C	C	C
Transportation, Communication, and Utility Uses
Communication facilities	See subclassification below
Telecommunication	See § 23.22.270
Other Uses
Accessory uses, activities, and structures	See §§ 23.22.030 and 23.12.020
Cannabis cultivation	See § 23.22.080
Home occupations	See § 23.22.170

	Neighborhood commercial	Neighborhood commercial uses may be allowed on residentially zoned properties with existing commercial uses operating within the confines of a permitted commercial building or structure pursuant to § 23.22.200	Neighborhood commercial uses may be allowed on residentially zoned properties with existing commercial uses operating within the confines of a permitted commercial building or structure pursuant to § 23.22.200	Neighborhood commercial uses may be allowed on residentially zoned properties with existing commercial uses operating within the confines of a permitted commercial building or structure pursuant to § 23.22.200
---	---	---	---	---
	Nonconforming uses	See Chapter 23.19
	Temporary uses	See § 23.22.280
	Notes: 1. Multi-unit dwelling residential development not exceeding 2-units and which meets the (SB 9) shall be a permitted use.

(Ord. 4823, passed 1-22-24; Ord. 4831, passed 8-26-24; Am. Ord. 4844, passed 4-28-25; Am. Ord. 4848, passed 9-825)

§ 23.04.030 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS. ¶

(A) Table 23.04.030: Development Standards - Residential Zoning Districts, prescribes the development standards for Residential Zoning Districts. Letters in parentheses refer to additional development standards that directly follow the table. Section numbers in the Additional Regulations column refer to other sections of this title. Housing developments in the RH Zoning District are eligible for flexible development standards pursuant to § 23.12.060.


TABLE 23.04.030: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS - RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
*Land Use Classification*	RL	RM	RH	*Additional* *Regulations*

TABLE 23.04.030: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS - RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
*Land Use Classification*	RL	RM	RH	*Additional* *Regulations*
Density and Floor Area Standards
Maximum density (units per acre)	5	18	Area bounded by Atlantic Blvd. on the west, Woodward Ave. on the north, Commonwealth Ave. on the south, and Chapel Ave. on the east: 64 Other areas: Lots less than 10,000 square feet: 24 Lots 10,000 square feet or more: 43
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	0.40	N/A	N/A
Height Standards
Maximum height (feet)	25	35	Area bounded by Atlantic Blvd on the west, Woodward Ave on the north, Commonwealth Ave on the south, and Chapel Ave on the east, and parcels on major

			arterial streets within 1,300 feet of a freeway interchange: 75 Other areas: 45
---	---	---	---	---
Maximum number of stories	2	3	Area bounded by Atlantic Blvd on the west, Woodward Ave on the north, Commonwealth Ave on the south, and Chapel Ave on the east, and parcels on major arterial streets within 1,300 feet of a freeway interchange: 6 Other areas: 5
Setback Standards (measured from property line unless otherwise indicated)
Minimum front setback (feet)	25(A)	Whichever is greater: Average of front setbacks of two adjacent properties, or 20 ft	Properties on Curtis or Electric Lanes: 15 Other areas: Whichever is greater: Average of front setbacks of two adjacent properties, or 15 ft	(B)
Minimum street side setback (feet)	10	10	10
Reversed corner lot	The required front setback of the first lot to the rear	The required front setback of the first lot to the rear	The required front setback of the first lot to the rear
Minimum interior setback (feet)	First story: 5 Second story: 6	First story: 5 Upper stories: 6	First story: 5 Upper stories: 6
Minimum rear setback	20% of lot depth, up to 15 feet	10	Properties which have rear yards on Curtis or Electric Lanes: 15, otherwise 10
Minimum distance between buildings (feet measured from eave to eave)	5	5	5
Lot Coverage Standards
Maximum lot coverage (% of lot)	N/A	45	55

(B) Additional development standards.

(1) Sloping lot adjustment. Where a lot has a slope greater than 25 percent, measured from the curb line to a point midway between the side lot lines at a distance of 50 feet from the front lot line, the minimum required front setback is that of the zone. An attached or detached garage with a maximum capacity of two cars and no more than 10 feet in height measured from the front property line, may be set back a minimum of five feet from the front and side property lines.

FIGURE 23.04.030: SLOPING LOT ADJUSTMENT

(2) Through lots. In the case of through lots, both street frontages shall be designated as front yards and shall comply with all regulations pertaining thereto, including setbacks, projections, location of parking spaces and open space.

(Ord. 4823, passed 1-22-24; Ord. 4831, passed 8-26-24)