Ferndale Zoning Code § 5.03 Residential Two-Family or R2 Zone

The Residential Two-Family or R2 Zone is intended to be applied in areas of the City suitable for a variety of low, medium, and high density residential development consistent with the Residential Medium Density (R2) land use designation of the Ferndale General Plan. The following regulations shall apply in all Residential Two-Family or R2 Zones:

• 5.03.1 Principal permitted uses:

  • a. Single family dwellings.

  • b. Two-family dwellings.

  • c. Vacation rentals.

  • d. Boarding of not more than two (2) persons not employed on the premises.

  • e. Keeping no more than four (4) household pets for each dwelling unit.

  • f. Multiple Dwellings and Dwelling Groups

  • g. Small employee housing.

  • h. (Begin section amendments by Ord. 2025-06 on 11/19/2025) Single room occupancy housing and supportive housing developments.

• 5.03.2 Uses permitted with a Use Permit:

  • a. Guest houses.

  • b. Private institutions.

  • c. Bed and breakfast inns.

• 5.03.3 Other Regulations:

  • a. Minimum lot area: 5,000 square feet.

  • b. Minimum lot width: 50 feet.

  • c. Maximum lot depth: 3 times lot width.

  • d. Maximum ground coverage: 45%.

  • e. Minimum yards: front, 20 ft; rear, 15 feet; side, 10% of lot width on each side except that no side yard may be less than 5 ft, or need be more than 12 ft.

  • f. Maximum building height: 35 feet.

  • g. Dwelling units per acre: One (1) to eighteen (18) units. All density calculations resulting in fractional units shall be rounded up to the next whole number.

    • i. Accessory dwellings units and junior accessory dwelling units do not exceed the allowable density of the lot.

• 5.03.4 Development criteria: Any two-family home constructed or placed within the City of Ferndale in accordance with these provisions shall

  • a. Have a minimum width of 20 feet, and

  • b. Have a minimum twelve (12) inch roof overhang on all sides, and

  • c. Have an exterior siding composed of one or more of the following materials: i. Grooved plywood exterior panel siding.

    • ii. Masonry or concrete.

    • iii. Stucco.

    • iv. Any wood product including shingles, shakes, horizontal overlapping board or pressboard siding or any material of wood-like appearance in widths of twelve (12) inches or less, and

  • d. Have exterior siding that shall extend to the ground, except that when a solid concrete masonry foundation is used, the exterior covering material need not extend below the top of the foundation, and

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• e. Have a roof composed of one or more of the following materials: i. Interlocking roof tiles.

  • ii. Composition shingles. iii. Wood.

  • iv. Wood asbestos cement or slate shingles.

  • v. Low- to non-reflective or anti-reflective Class A metal roofs. (End section amendments by Ord. 2025-06 on 11/19/2025)

• f. The Planning Commission may allow a single family dwelling to be constructed or placed within the City of Ferndale with alternative development standards substituted for those herein above set forth, or to exempt such a dwelling from the strict application of such development standards, upon showing of good cause. Application for such substitution of, or exemption from, development standards shall be made to the Planning Commission and any appeal of the decision of the Planning Commission may be taken in accordance with the provisions of Article 11, Appeals.

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