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Title 130 — ZONING

Chapter 130.24 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES

El Dorado County Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-02 · El Dorado County

Sec. 130.24.010 - Zones Established Applicability.

A.

This Chapter establishes residential zones as provided in the General Plan to accommodate a range of housing types, including single-family and multi-family housing for households of various income levels.

B.

This Chapter lists the uses that may be allowed within the residential zones established by Section 130.12.020 (Zoning Map and Zones) in Article 1 (Zoning Ordinance Applicability) of this Title, determines the type of planning permit/approval required for each use, and provides basic standards for site layout and building size.

C.

The manner in which the single-unit and multi-unit residential zones are applied are as follows:

Multi-unit Residential (RM). The RM, Multi-unit Residential Zone identifies those lands which are most capable of supporting the highest density of development within the County, based on topography, infrastructure, and circulation availabilities and constraints, as well as proximity to employment centers, public facilities, recreation, and shopping. It is applied to regulate and promote the development of multi-unit dwellings, including apartments, condominiums, and townhouses, while ensuring compatibility with surrounding lower density residential neighborhoods. Detached or attached residential dwellings are allowed in accordance with the standards set forth in this Chapter, and providing the minimum density of at least 5 dwelling units per acre is met. This zone is utilized in Community Regions and Rural Centers to meet affordable housing goals identified in the Housing Element of the General Plan. Mobile home and manufactured home land lease development shall also be allowed within this zone (see General Plan Policy 2.2.1.2). This zone is applicable to lands designated as Multi-Family Residential (MFR) in the General Plan.

Single-unit Residential (R). The Single-unit Residential Zone is used to promote and regulate the development of higher density, single-unit dwellings, and accessory structures and uses. Minimum lot size designations of R1 and R20K are applied to this zone based on surrounding use compatibility, and physical and infrastructural constraints. Said designations represent the minimum lot size of 6,000 and 20,000 square feet, respectively. This zone is applicable to lands designated as High Density Residential (HDR) in the General Plan.

One-acre Residential (R1A). The R1A, One-acre Residential Zone, is used to create a more dispersed suburban residential character to an area by providing for and regulating medium density residential development at the highest range of one dwelling unit per acre. Accessory structures and uses and low-intensity commercial agricultural pursuits (crop lands, orchards, raising and grazing of domestic farm animals) are considered compatible with this zone. This zone is applicable to lands designated as Medium Density Residential (MDR) in the General Plan and may be applied to High Density Residential lands where infrastructure to serve higher densities is not yet available.

Two-acre Residential (R2A). The R2A, Two-acre Residential Zone, is utilized to create a more dispersed suburban residential character to an area by providing for and regulating medium density residential development at the mid-range of one dwelling unit per two acres. Accessory structures and uses and low-intensity commercial agricultural pursuits (crop lands, orchards, raising and grazing of domestic farm animals) are considered compatible with this zone. This zone is applicable to lands designated as Medium Density Residential (MDR) in the General Plan.

Three-acre Residential (R3A). The R3A, Three-acre Residential Zone, is utilized to create a more dispersed residential character to an area by providing for and regulating the development of medium density residential development at the lowest range of one dwelling unit per three acres. Agricultural structures and low-intensity commercial agricultural pursuits (crop lands, orchards, raising and grazing of domestic farm animals) are considered compatible with this zone. This zone is applicable to lands designated as Medium Density Residential (MDR) in the General Plan.

Residential Estate (RE). The RE, Residential Estate Zone is intended to preserve the rural character of an area by providing for and regulating the development of low density and rural residential development at a range of densities to include one dwelling unit per five acres and one dwelling per 10 acres. Minimum lot size designations of —5 and —10 are applied to this zone based on surrounding use compatibility, physical and infrastructural constraints, and General Plan use designation. Said designations represent the minimum number of acres allowed for each lot. Agricultural structures and uses are considered compatible with this zone.

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 130.24.020 - Matrix of Allowed Uses.

Uses are allowed in the following zones subject to the requirements of this Title as designated in Table 130.24.020 (Residential Zone Use Matrix) below in this Section:

Table 130.24.020—Residential Zone Use Matrix

RM: Multi-unit Residential R1, R20K: Single-unit Residential R1A: One-acre Residential R2A: Two-acre Residential R3A: Three-acre Resi- dential RE: Residential Estate P PD A CUP MUP TMA TUP —- Allowed use Planned Development Permit required (130.52.040) Administrative Permit required (130.52.010) Conditional Use Permit (130.52.021) Minor use Permit required (130.52.020) Temporary Mobile Home Permit required (130.52.050) Temporary use permit required (130.52.060) Use not allowed in zone

USE TYPE RM R1, R20K R1A R2A R3A RE Specific Use Reg.
Residential
Child Day Care Home: Small Family Day Care Home P P P P P P 130.40.110
Large Family Day Care Home P P P P P P 130.40.110
Community Care Facility: Small (serving 6 or fewer) P P P P P P
Large (serving 7 or more) CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP
Dwelling: Multi-unit P — — — — —
Single-unit, Attached P P — — — —
Single-unit, Detached P 1 P P P P P
Temporary During Con- struction — P P P P P 130.40.190
Employee Housing: Agricultural—Six or Fewer — P P P P P 130.40.120
Seasonal Worker in Compliance with Standards — — A A A A
Seasonal Worker not in Compliance with Standards — — CUP CUP CUP CUP
Construction TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP 130.40.190
Guest House — P P P P P 130.40.150
Hardship Mobile Home — TMA TMA TMA TMA TMA 130.40.190
Kennel, Private — — — — — CUP 130.40.080
Mobile/Manufactured Home Park CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP 130.40.190 Also refer to adopted Mobile Home Park Design Standards (Resolution 198- 2015)
Room Rental: One Bedroom, Only P P P P P P
Accessory Dwelling Unit P P P P P P 130.40.300
Transitional Housing: Small (Serving 6 or Fewer) P P P P P P 130.40.360
Large (Serving 7 or More) CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP
Agricultural
Animal Raising and Keeping See Table in 130.40.080.1 (Animal Raising & Keeping Matrix) 130.40.080
Accessory Structures — P P P P P 130.40.030
Crop Production — — P P P P
Grazing — — P P P P
Hemp Cultivation — — — — P 4
Nursery, Plants: Wholesale — — — — — P
Orchards and Vineyards: Commercial P P P P P P
Packing, On-site Products P P P P P P
Processing of Agricultural Products; Commercial CUP CUP CUP CUP 130.40.160
Produce Sales Sale of Produce Grown en;On-site — A P P P P 130.40.240
Commercial
Child Day Care Center — — — — — — 130.40.110
Contractor's Office TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP 130.40.190
Stables; Commercial — — — — — CUP 130.40.210
Home Occupation See Table in 130.40.160.1 (Home Occupation Use Matrix) 130.40.160
Lodging Facilities CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP 130.40.170
Mixed Use Development P 2 — — — — — 130.40.180
Outdoor Retail Sales: Garage Sales P P P P P P 130.40.220
Seasonal Sales — — — — — A
Temporary Real Estate Sales Office A A A A A A 130.40.330
Wineries — — — — — CUP 3 130.40.400
Industrial
Mineral Exploration A A A A A A/ CUP Chapter 130.29
Mining CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP
Storage Yard: Equipment and Material Temporary TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP TUP
Recreation and Open Space
Golf Course CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP 130.40.210
Hiking and Equestrian Trail P P P P P P
Marina, Non-motorized Craft — — — — — CUP
Off-highway or Off-road Vehicle Area — — — — — A
Parks (Public): Day Use P P P P P P
Nighttime Use CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP
Picnic Area P P P P P P
Private Recreation Area PD/ CUP PD/ CUP PD/ CUP PD/ CUP PD/ CUP PD/ CUP
Resource Protection and Restoration P P P P P P
Swimming Pool, Public CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP 130.40.210
Tennis Court, Public CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP
Trail Head Parking or Staging Area — CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP
Civic
Cemetery CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP
Churches and Community Assembly CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP
Community Services: Minor CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP
Schools: Elementary and Secondary, Private CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP 130.40.230
Utility
Telecommunication Facilities A/CUP A/CUP A/CUP A/CUP A/CUP A/CUP 130.40.130
Public Utility Service Facilities: Intensive CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP CUP 130.40.250
Minor P P P P P P
Wind Energy Conversion System See Table 130.40.390.1 (WECS Use Matrix) 130.40.390
NOTES: 1 Requires minimum General Plan density to be met. Planned Development application required unless in compliance with adopted Traditional Neighborhood Design standards found in the site planning and design manual. 2 Allowed as part of a Mixed Use Development, residential component meets minimum General Plan density requirement and is subject to Section 130.40.180 (Mixed Use Development) in Article 4 (Specific Use Regulations) of this Title. 3 Or as otherwise permitted under Section 130.40.400 (Wineries) in Article 4 (Specific Use Regulations) of this Title. 4 Cultivation of industrial hemp allowed pursuant to a license issued under Chapter 130.43 of this Title.

(Ord. No. 5097, § 2, 1-8-2019; Ord. No. 5152, § 3, 11-16-2021; Ord. No. 5168, § 3, 11-1-2022; Ord. No. 5241, §§ 3, 16, 8-19- 2025)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 130.24.030 - Residential Zone Development Standards.

Allowed uses and associated structures shall comply with the following development standards in Table 130.24.030 below in this Section, in addition to any other applicable requirements of this Title, unless a variance is obtained in compliance with Section 130.52.070 (Variance) in Article 5 (Planning Permit Processing) of this Title, or standards are modified pursuant to a

Development Plan permit in compliance with Section 130.52.040 (Development Plan Permit) in Article 5 (Planning Permit Processing) of this Title.

Table 130.24.030—Residential Zones Development Standards

Development Attribute 2 RM 3 R1 R20K R1A R2A R3A RE
Minimum Lot Size for Interior Lot 6,000 or 2,000 sq ft 6,000 sq ft 20,000 sq ft 1 acre 2 acre 3 acre 5 acres or 10 acres as designated
Minimum Lot Size for Corner Lot 7,500 or 3,500 sq ft 7,500 sq ft 20,000 sq ft 1 acre 2 acre 3 acre 5 acres or 10 acres as designated
Minimum Lot Width for Interior Lot (in feet) 60 or 20 60 100 100 150 150 100
Minimum Lot Width for Corner Lot (in feet) 75 or 35 75 100 100 150 150 100
Residential Density Range See G.P. Policy 2.2.1.2 (MFR) 1 primary plus 2nd dwelling unit per lot
Setbacks 1 : (in feet) Front 20 20 30 30 30 30 30
Secondary Front 10 15 20 25 30 30 30
Side 4, 5 5 5 10 15 20 30 30
Rear 10 15 30 30 30 30 30
Agricultural Structure — 50 50 50 50 50 50
Maximum Height (in feet) 50 40 40 45 45 45 45
NOTES: 1 May be subject to agricultural setbacks under Section 130.30.030 (Setback Requirements and Exceptions) in Article 3 (Site Planning and Project Design Standards) of this Title if adjacent to agricultural zones or fire safe setbacks if over one acre in lot size. 2 Lots that are created for access road, parking areas, common area landscaping and open space purposes are exempt from the area and width standards of the respective zones. 3 Smaller minimum lot area or lot width is allowed when proposed with attached or small lot design detached units. 4 Fire Safe setbacks may apply. 5 May be subject to special side yard setbacks due to building height under Section 130.30.060 (Height Limits and Exceptions) in Article 3 (Site Planning and Project Design Standards) of this Title.
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