Article II — Secondary Residential Units in Single-family and Multifamily Zones

See Sections 17.70.021 through 17.70.024 for provisions regarding secondary residential units in single-family and multifamily zones.

• A. The purpose of this article is to provide a mechanism for legitimizing existing residential second units in single-family zoning districts and to allow for new residential second units as a permitted use in all single-family and multifamily residential zoning districts.

• B. The city encourages a range of housing types, styles and costs to suit the varying needs of the elderly, low and moderate income individuals, and other economic groups; and residential second units will prove a valuable source of rental housing.

• C. Secondary residential units shall be allowed as a permitted use in all RA, R and RM districts subject to development standards and conditions, as outlined in this chapter.

As used in this article:

Block . "Block["] means all property fronting on one side of a street between points where the street is intersected by streets, railroad rights-of-way or city boundaries or terminated by a deadend.

City of Dinuba Zoning Ordinance

September 2008 17.70-5

Compatible. "Compatible["] means that the secondary residential unit is capable of being efficiently integrated in the neighborhood without altering the neighborhood's overall appearance.

Secondary. "Secondary residential unit" means a separate residential unit containing sleeping quarters, kitchen and bathroom facilities created within an RA, R or RM district that already contains one or more legally created residential units.

• A. Permitted Uses. All uses listed as permitted uses in the existing district.

• B. Conditional Uses. All uses listed as conditional uses in the existing district shall be permitted, subject to the approval of a conditional use permit.

• C. Off-Street Parking. Off-street parking facilities shall be provided on-site for all secondary residential units as required under the existing district.

• D. Fences, Walls and Hedges. Fences, walls and hedges for secondary residential units shall comply with the same requirements of the existing district.

• E. Buildable Area. The minimum lot coverage shall be as required within the existing district.

• F. Lot Area. The minimum lot area shall be as required within the existing district.

• G. Frontage, Width and Depth of Lot. The minimum frontage, width and depth requirements shall be as required within the existing district.

• H. Yard Requirements. Yard requirements shall be the same as required in the existing district.

• I. Building Height. The maximum height of secondary residential units shall be as required within the existing district.

• J. Space Between Buildings. The minimum distance between detached secondary residential units shall be the same under the existing district.

• A. A secondary residential unit may be attached or detached under the following standards:

  1. The addition of a separate secondary residential unit attached to an existing residential structure;

  2. Conversion of an existing residential structure whereby sleeping, kitchen and bathroom facilities are not shared in common;

  3. Conversion of an attic, basement, garage, accessory structure or any other previously uninhabited structure; or

City of Dinuba Zoning Ordinance

September 2008 17.70-6

4. Construction of a separate detached secondary residential unit on the parcel in addition to an existing residential structure.

• B. Height. A conditional use permit shall be required for all secondary residential units constructed over one (1) story in all RA, R and RM districts.

• C. Number of Units. Only one (1) secondary residential unit shall be permitted on any parcel.

• D. Facilities. The secondary residential unit shall contain separate living, kitchen and bathroom facilities.

• E. Construction. All secondary residential units shall be constructed so as to be compatible with the existing primary residence and existing residences within the neighborhood.

• F. Screening. All detached secondary residential units shall be appropriately screened so as not to be visible from the front street.

• G. Construction Within the Rear Yard. Any attached or detached secondary residential unit shall be constructed wholly within the rear yard.

• H. Mobile Homes. Mobile homes shall not be permitted as a secondary residential unit.

• I. Manufactured Homes. Manufactured homes shall be allowed as a detached secondary residential unit provided the manufactured unit complies with standards and conditions of this chapter.

• J. Owner-Occupied. The owner or owners of the parcel upon which the secondary unit is created shall occupy one of the residential units on the parcel. A covenant running with the land between the city and the owner shall be recorded prior to the issuance of a building permit.

• K. Existing Unit. A residential unit shall exist on a parcel before a secondary residential unit may be authorized unless approved by the director.

• L. Rental. The secondary residential unit may be rented as a one (1) family unit.

• M. One Family. The secondary residential unit shall provide complete independent sleeping, kitchen and bathroom facilities for one (1) family.

• N. Access. The front entrance established for the secondary residential unit shall not be located on the same street frontage of the primary residence.

• O. Floor Area. Total floor area of the secondary residential unit shall be not less than onehundred fifty (150) square feet. The increased floor area of an attached second unit shall not exceed thirty (30) percent of the existing living area. The total area of floor space for a detached second unit shall not exceed one-thousand, two-hundred (1,200) square feet.

City of Dinuba Zoning Ordinance

September 2008 17.70-7

• P. Off-street Parking. One additional off-street parking space not less than nine (9) feet by twenty (20) feet shall be provided for the secondary residential unit. Off-street parking shall be located as prescribed per Chapter 17.64 of this title.

• Q. Address. Address standards for the secondary residential unit shall be the same as established for the existing district; one address per parcel.

• R. Mailboxes. Mailboxes for the secondary residential unit shall be the same as for the existing residential unit.

• S. Trash Disposal. Trash disposal services for secondary residential units shall be the same as for those established in the existing zoning district.

• T. Finish Floor Elevation. All secondary residential units shall be constructed on a foundation at the same level of the primary residence or compatible to existing standards established within the block and comply with all standards of the Uniform Building Code and flood zone district.

• U. Roof Pitch. All secondary residential units shall have a roof pitch equal to the primary residence and not less than what is consistent to be compatible within the block.

• V. Roof Material. All secondary residential units shall have roofing material consisting of shingles or other material customarily used for residential units; compatible with the roof of the primary residence and not less than what is consistent to be compatible within the block.

• W. Roof Overhangs. All secondary residential units shall have a roof overhang similar and compatible with the primary residence or what is consistent to be compatible within the block.

• X. Exterior. All secondary residential units shall have exterior materials compatible with the primary residence or what is consistent to be compatible within the block.

• Y. Design. The secondary residential unit shall be clearly subordinate to the principal residential unit on the parcel by size, location and appearance.

Z. Utilities.

1. All secondary residential units shall have completely separate utilities, such as sewer, water, gas and garbage.

2. All utilities shall be adequate to serve both residential units.

3. Secondary units shall not be located over under-ground utilities serving the primary unit.

4. Modifications from the above regulations may be approved by the building official if the modification is not detrimental to the health, safety and general welfare of the residence or general public and if the modifications conform to standards and adopted codes of the city.

City of Dinuba Zoning Ordinance

September 2008 17.70-8

• AA. Fees. All secondary residential units shall be subject to all fees required for new construction as adopted by the city.