Brea Municipal Code Ch. 20.220 R-3 Multiple Family Residential Zone

The R-3, Multiple Family Residential Zone is established to provide for the development of high density, multiple family housing, such as condominiums and apartments.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 863, 5-2-1989; Ord. 1254, 3-18-2025)

A. Uses permitted in R-3 Zone are contained in Chapter 20.11 of this Title.

B. Keeping of animals.

1. Up to six (6) dogs and/or cats. Animals that are less than our (4) months of age shall not be counted.

2. Other household pets which are neither farm animals, exotic nor wild animals, such as domestic mice and rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, turtles, tropical fish, canaries, birds of the psittacine family, and other similar animals commonly sold in pet stores and kept as household pets, may also be kept, so long as animals are not maintained for commercial purposes, do not constitute a nuisance, are adequately provided with food, care and sanitary facilities, and do not exceed a total of six (6) animals (fish being exempt). Their offspring shall not be counted until four (4) months from birth.

3. Any animal not specifically classified within this section shall be classified by the Community Development Director as necessary, based upon a determination as to the probable negative impact of the health, safety or general welfare upon the community.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 467, 7-13-1970; Ord. 581, 11-18-1975; Ord. 594, 6-29-1976; Ord. 674, 4-3-1979; Ord. 863, 5-2-1989; Ord. 920, 5-19-1992; Ord. 1025, 7-20-1999; Ord. 1203, 2-20-2018; Ord. 1220, 3-16-2021; Ord. 1241, 8-15-2023)

Uses prohibited in R-3 Zone are contained in Chapter 20.11 of this Title.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 863, 5-2-1989; Ord. 920, 5-19-1992; Ord. 926, 8-18-1992; Ord. 1191, 3-21-2017; Ord. 1241, 8-15-2023)

The following property development standards shall apply to all land and buildings in the R-3 Zones:

A. Lot area. The minimum lot area shall be 10,000 square feet in an R-3 Zone.

B. Lot dimensions.

1. Width. The minimum average lot width shall be 75 feet on an interior lot and 85 feet on a corner lot in an R-3 Zone.

2. Depth. The minimum average lot depth shall be 120 feet in an R-3 Zone.

C. Dwelling unit density. Maximum dwelling unit density shall not exceed 40 dwelling units per acre (one unit per 1,089 square feet).

D. Building height.

1. Except as provided herein, buildings and structures in the R-3 Zone shall have maximum heights as follows:

a. 35 feet when located on a lot that is within 100 feet from any land zoned R-1, R1-H, R-1 (5,000), R-2 or HR.

b. 50 feet when located on a lot that is more than 100 feet but less than 200 feet, from any land zoned R-1, R1-H, R-1 (5,000), R-2, or HR.

c. 75 feet when located on a lot that is more than 200 feet from any land zoned R-1, R1-H, R-1 (5,000), R-2 or HR.

2. Structures permitted above height limit. Roof structures for the housing of elevators, stairways, tanks, ventilating fans or similar equipment required to operate and maintain the buildings and fire or parapet walls, skylights, flagpoles, chimneys, domestic radio and television masts, or similar structures may be erected above the maximum height permitted in each zone. No structure shall be allowed for purposes of providing additional floor space.

E. Yards.

1. Front Yard.

a. Except as provided herein, there shall be a minimum front yard of not less than 15 feet on lots in the R-3 Zone.

b. The entire front yard shall be maintained as required in § 20.208.040E.1.b of this title.

c. Recreational vehicles, as defined in § 20.00.070B of this title, may be located within front yard setback areas twice per calendar month for a continuous period of time not to exceed 48 hours for housekeeping and loading purposes only.

d. Where an entire block frontage is designed and developed as a neighborhood unit, the front yards may vary, provided that an average of not less than 15 feet is maintained. However, no front yard shall be less than 10 feet.

e. Front yards on the turn around end of a cul-de-sac street may be reduced to not less than 10 feet.

2. Side Yards.

a. Except as provided herein, there shall be minimum side yard of not less than five feet from the side property line on interior lots and from the interior side lot lines on corner lots in the R-3 Zone.

b. The minimum side yard from the street side property line shall be not less than 10 feet on a corner lot.

c. Except as provided herein, side yards adjacent to buildings or structures more than 20 feet in height shall be increased two and one-half feet for each additional 15 feet in height; provided however, the total side yard need not be more than 10 feet in width.

d. Where any dwelling or group of dwellings face a common property line, the side yard shall be not less than 10 feet plus a distance of one-half the height of the dwelling or 15 feet, whichever is greater.

e. All side yard widths shall be measured from the eave line.

3. Rear Yards.

a. Except as provided herein, there shall be a minimum rear yard for main building of not less than 15 feet on lots in the R-3 Zone.

b. Except as provided herein, a rear yard adjacent to a building more than 35 feet in height shall be increased five feet in width for each additional 15 feet in height.

4. Storage of Materials in Side and Rear Yards in Residential Zones.

a. Any storage of materials including, but not limited to, trash and trash receptacles, newspapers, building and automotive materials, landscape maintenance tools, debris, inoperable motor vehicles, camper shells not mounted on motor vehicles, or boats and trailers, within rear yards, shall be substantially screened with a combination of open or solid fencing, and landscaping, or enclosed within an openwork structure such as wood or metal lattice, so as to substantially minimize views as seen from adjacent private and public streets, and public right-of-way (excluding alleys).

b. Stored materials shall not cover an area greater than 50% of the total square footage of the rear yard.

5. Location of Accessory Buildings in Required Yards. The provisions of § 20.08.020 of this title shall apply.

6. Projections into Required Yards. Except as provided herein, the provisions of § 20.08.020 of this title shall apply.

7. Garage and Carport Street Setback. Except as provided herein, the provisions of § 20.08.020 of this title shall apply.

F. Outdoor living space.

1. Each lot in the R-3 Zone shall contain not less than 200 square feet of outdoor living area for each dwelling unit located thereon.

2. The provisions of § 20.08.030 of this title shall apply.

G. Fences, walls, and landscaping. The provisions of § 20.08.015 of this title shall apply.

H. Distance between buildings. The following minimum distances between exterior walls of buildings and structures on a lot in the R-3 Zone shall apply:

1. One-half the combined height of the walls of buildings or structures which do not form a court, or 15 feet, whichever is greater.

2. One-half the combined height of the walls of buildings or structures which form a court plus 15 feet.

3. In no instance shall the eaves between buildings be closer than 10 feet.

I. Minimum dwelling area. The minimum living area for a dwelling unit on a lot in the R-3 Zone, which shall not include garage area, shall have a gross floor area of not less than the following:

1. Studio Unit: 450 square feet.

2. One Bedroom Unit: 650 square feet.

3. Two or More Bedroom Unit: 800 square feet.

J. Coverage by structures. Not more than 60% of a lot in the R-3 Zone shall be covered by buildings and structures. A minimum of 25% of the required uncovered lot area shall be provided in one contiguous location and shall be kept free and clear of any building and structural intrusions or any other intrusions that would inhibit the development of such area of uninterrupted usable, open green space.

K. Off-street parking. The provisions of § 20.08.040 of this title shall apply.

L. Access.

1. All lots shall have vehicular access from a dedicated street or alley.

2. Driveway access to garages or carports shall be of permanent construction material, concrete or asphalt or other material approved by the City Engineer.

M. Signs. The provisions of Chapter 20.28 of this title shall apply.

N. Lighting. All lighting, interior and exterior, shall be designed and located so as to confine all direct rays to the premises.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 470, 8-24-1970; Ord. 478, 12-14-1970; Ord. 741, 6-21-1983; Ord. 770, 3-19-1985; Ord. 863, 5-2-1989; Ord. 873, 9-5-1989; Ord. 1241, 8-15-2023; Ord. 1247, 3-19-2024; Ord. 1254, 3-18-2025; Ord. 1276, 6/16/2026)

The provisions of § 20.408.040 of this title shall apply to all developments in the R-3 Zone that are listed in § 20.408.040.B.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 863, 5-2-1989; Ord. 963, 1-17-1995; Ord. 1254, 3-18-2025)