El Dorado County Municipal Code § 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

(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)

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