Ferndale Zoning Code § 5.04 Residential Multiple-Family or R3 Zone

The Residential Multiple Family or R3 Zone is intended to be applied to areas of the City suitable for a variety of low, medium, and high density residential development consistent with the Residential High Density (R3) land use designation of the Ferndale General Plan. The following regulations shall apply in all Residential Multiple Family or R3 Zones:

• 5.04.1 Principal permitted uses:

  • a. Single family dwellings.

  • b. Dwelling Groups and Multiple Dwellings .

  • c. Keeping no more than two (2) household pets for each dwelling unit.

  • d. Bed and breakfast inns.

  • e. Small employee housing.

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

• 5.04.2 Uses permitted with a Use Permit:

  • a. Hotels, motels, mobile home parks and boarding houses.

  • b. Private institutions.

  • c. Professional offices.

• 5.04.3 Other regulations:

  • a. Minimum lot area: 5,000 square feet, but not less than 600 square feet for each dwelling unit.

  • b. Minimum lot width: 50 feet.

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

  • d. Maximum ground coverage: 60%.

  • e. Minimum yards: front, 20 feet; rear, 10 feet; side, 5 feet.

  • f. Special yards for dwelling groups: The distance between separate buildings of a dwelling group shall not be less than 10 feet. The distance between the front of any dwelling unit in the group and any other building shall be not less than 20 feet.

  • g. Residential transitions for dwelling groups: The distance between the front of any dwelling unit in the group sharing a side lot line with a single family home in a R1 zone shall be increased by 2 feet for each 2 feet that any building on the lot exceeds 2 stories.

  • h. Maximum building height: 45 feet.

  • i. Dwelling units per acre: One (1) to twenty-seven (27) 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

• 5.04.4 Development criteria: Any multiple-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. Groove plywood exterior panel siding.

    • ii. Masonry or concrete.

    • iii. Stucco.

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• 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

• 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 multiple-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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