Chapter 23.29 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS BY ZONING DISTRICT

The purpose of this chapter is to establish development standards for lot area, allowed density, building setbacks, height, and lot coverage as appropriate for each of the City’s base zoning districts. Standards for overlay zoning districts are provided in EGMC Chapter 23.42 (Overlay/Combining Districts). [Ord. 23-2014 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-10-2014]

A. Table 23.29-1 (Development Standards for Base Zoning Districts) includes lot area, allowed density, building setbacks, height, and lot coverage requirements, as defined in this title, for each of the City’s base zoning districts.

B. Calculation/Rounding of Density. When the calculation of the density of residential development results in a fraction value, the density shall be rounded to the nearest hundredth (< 0.049 round down, > 0.050 round up).

Table 23.29-1

Development Standards for Base Zoning Districts

Part A: Agricultural and Residential Zoning Districts

Notes:

1. Accessory structures are generally permitted to a maximum height of forty (40' 0") feet, except that water tanks, silos, granaries, and similar structures or necessary mechanical apparatus may be a maximum height of sixty-five (65' 0") feet.

2. Flag lots are discouraged and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

3. Typically, the sidewalk is located attached to the curb (for a monolith sidewalk) with the front property line at the back of the sidewalk. Pursuant to EGMC Section 23.64.040, the setback measurement is taken from this property line. However, in some cases, the sidewalk may be detached from the curb and a landscape planter provided between the curb and sidewalk. In these instances, the property line may be located either at the curb or at the back of the sidewalk. When this occurs, the required front setback may be reduced by an amount no greater than the width of the width of the planter; however, the total distance between the back of the sidewalk and the face of the structure shall be no less than twelve and one-half (12' 6") feet but may be reduced to ten (10' 0") feet as part of a reduced public utility easement approved by the City at the time of the tentative subdivision map approval in consultation with utility agencies. This reduction shall not be applied to the minimum setback for a front-facing garage door. See the following example figure, which illustrates this concept with the development standards for the RD-5 zone:

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4. Determined through the design review process.

5. The front setback to covered porch may be reduced to ten (10' 0") feet if a reduced public utility easement (PUE) is approved as part of the subdivision map.

6. In no event shall the rear yard be less than ten (10' 0") feet for one (1) story buildings and fifteen (15' 0") feet for two (2) and three (3) story buildings.

7. Portions of the structure limited to one (1) story may be set back a minimum of ten (10' 0") feet; second story portions shall be set back a minimum of fifteen (15' 0") feet.

8. The side and rear setback for multifamily structures abutting any single-family residential or open space district shall be thirty (30' 0") feet for the first and second story (or portions thereof); forty (40' 0") feet for the third story (or portions thereof); fifty (50' 0") feet for the fourth story (or portions thereof); sixty (60' 0") feet for the fifth story (or portions thereof); and seventy (70' 0") feet for the sixth story and

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above (or portions thereof).

9. As part of the design review process, the maximum height may be increased to sixty (60' 0") feet.

10. Open space includes both private and common areas. Common area open space includes active and passive recreation areas, other outdoor amenities, natural open space areas, and all landscaped areas outside of the required landscape corridors along adjoining streets with a minimum width of twenty (20' 0") feet and minimum area of two hundred (200' 0") square feet. Private open space includes private balconies, porches, and patios with a minimum width of five (5' 0") feet and minimum area of fifty (50' 0") square feet..

11. Notwithstanding footnote 4, development of multifamily dwellings in the RD-18 zone shall utilize the corresponding development standard provided in the RD-20 zone.

Table 23.29-1

Development Standards for Base Zoning Districts

Part B: Commercial, Mixed Use, Office, Industrial, and Public/Quasi-Public Zoning Districts

Notes:

1. When the building frontage along the applicable yard is greater than three hundred (300' 0") linear feet, the required setback shall be a minimum of twenty (20' 0") feet.

2. As part of the design review process, the maximum height may be increased to a height as determined by the designated approving authority; provided, that the intensity of the development is consistent with the General Plan and on-site improvements, including but not limited to architectural articulation, quality, and materials and landscaping, are provided to ensure, as determined by the approval authority, compatibility with the surrounding context and character of the project site.

[Ord. 13-2025 §3 (Exh. E), eff. 7-25-2025; Ord. 10-2022 §5, eff. 5-27-2022; Ord. 16-2021 §4 (Exh. B), eff. 9-10-2021; Ord. 28-2019 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 2-7-2020; Ord. 6-2019 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 4-26-2019; Ord. 242015 §11 (Exh. I), eff. 2-12-2016; Ord. 31-2014 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 2-13-2015; Ord. 23-2014 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-10-2014] Home Previous Next

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