Lafayette Municipal Code Art. 2 Multiple-family Residential District A

All land in the multiple-family residential district A (map symbol M-R-A) shall be used in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

The purpose of this article is to provide a multiple-family residential district which allows a varied mix of housing types within the core area of the city convenient to central business areas and public transit, and regulations therefore, development of which will be consistent with and further the city's overall planning objective of the preservation and enhancement of its semirural residential character. The regulations in this article are intended to require carefully conceived plans; to preserve natural settings and open space; to achieve the optimum in quality development, preservation of the environment, enhancement of the tax base, and beneficial use of available land; and to provide for development which is consistent with the goals and policies and other provisions of the general plan.

(Ord. 279 § 1, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

The following uses are permitted in the M-R-A district:

(a) A detached single-family dwelling on each lot and the accessory structures and uses normally auxiliary to it;

(b) Duplex;

(c) Multiple-family building;

(d) Reserved;

(e) Reserved;

(f) A home occupation;

(g) Consultative services in buildings which contain such uses on November 30, 1982, and for which the main building permit was issued prior to June 1, 1982, provided there is no future conversion of residential use to office use;

(h) Medical services in buildings which contain such uses on November 30, 1982 and for which the main building permit was issued prior to June 1, 1982, provided there is no future conversion of residential use to medical services;

(i) Limited child care;

(j) Supportive care pursuant to Section 6-534 LMC.

(Ord. 279 § 2, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975; Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

In the M-R-A district the following uses are permitted on the issuance of a land use permit:

(a) Residential businesses;

(b) Community assembly and education;

(c) Publicly owned buildings and structures, except as provided in Section 6-516;

(d) Day-care and educational services;

(e) Eleemosynary and philanthropic institutions;

(f) Uses which the planning commission has found, after notice and hearing, to be comparable to the above uses;

(g) A recreation court as required in Section 6-572.

(Ord. 541 § 2 (part), 2004; Ord. 279 § 3, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 635, § 4(exh. A), 10-14-2014; Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

No new lots may be created in the M-R-A district smaller than 10,000 square feet in area.

(Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

(a) The maximum gross floor area ratio for all buildings shall be no greater than 1.0.

(b) Small size, studio and one-bedroom units are encouraged.

(Ord. 279 § 4, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

The maximum and minimum residential densities for lots within the M-R-A district shall conform to the density standards specified in the applicable land use designation of the General Plan Land Use Element and as outlined in Program 10.3.g of the 2023-2031 6 th Cycle Housing Element.

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

No new lots may be created in the M-R-A district with an average width of less than 80 feet.

(Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

No new lots may be created in the M-R-A district with a depth of less than 90 feet.

(Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

No building in the M-R-A district shall exceed 35 feet in height. reviewed by the planning commission so as to ensure that its height and proportions are compatible with other buildings in the vicinity, and that it is favorably located in relation to topographic conditions in a manner that visually attenuates its height.

(Ord. 279 § 5, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

There shall be a minimum setback (front yard) of at least 20 feet for any structure in the M-R-A district. On corner lots the principal frontage of the lot shall have a setback of at least 20 feet and the other setback shall be at least 15 feet.

(Ord. 279 § 6, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

There shall be a minimum side yard of at least ten feet for any structure in the M-R-A district. For a three-story building there shall be an average side yard of at least 20 feet, with a minimum side yard of ten feet. These minima may be reduced to three feet for an accessory building or structure if it is set back at least 50 feet from the front property line and from any street line.

(Ord. 279 § 7, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

There shall be a minimum rear yard of at least 15 feet for any principal structure in the M-R-A district. There shall be a rear yard of at least three feet for any accessory structure.

(Ord. 279 § 8, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

There shall be a maximum lot coverage of 60 percent in the M-R-A district. Lot coverage includes all buildings and structures.

(Ord. 279 § 9, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

A minimum of 35 percent of the ground level of the lot shall not be occupied by buildings, structures or pavement for automobiles, but shall be maintained as open space, and devoted to landscaping. Open space includes planted open space, and may include ground-level private open space.

(Ord. 279 § 10, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

A minimum of 20 percent of the ground level of a lot in the M-R-A district shall be planted and maintained with growing plants. To qualify as planted open space, an area must have a minimum dimension of 15 feet. Planted open space may include ground-level private open space if the latter has a minimum dimension of 15 feet. The 20 percent of the lot which must be planted open space is part of the 45 percent of the lot which must be open space.

(Ord. 279 § 11, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

A private patio, balcony or other open area shall be provided for each dwelling unit in the M-R-A district. This private open space shall be equal to or greater than ten percent of the floor area of each dwelling unit, and in no case shall be smaller than 100 square feet. The minimum dimension of this private open space shall be five feet.

(Ord. 279 § 12, 1982: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

(a) In the M-R-A district, off-street parking shall be provided on the same lot, convenient to all dwelling units, in accordance with the following schedule:

(1) One-bedroom units, 1.0 spaces per unit;

(2) Two-bedroom units, 1.2 spaces per unit;

(3) Three or more bedroom units, 1.5 spaces per unit.

(b) In addition, one guest parking space shall be provided for each five dwelling units. A minimum of one parking space per unit shall be covered.

(Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

All new construction and all remodeling of a structure when the completed new work will be visible from public property, or when the nature of the use will be changed, shall be subject to the design review requirements and procedures set forth in Part 1 of this title.

(Ord. 324 § 2(d) (part), 1984: Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)

Land use permits for the special uses enumerated in Section 6-824 and variance permits to modify the provisions of Sections 6-825 to 6-838, inclusive, may be granted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 6-1 of this title.

(Ord. 141 § 2 (part), 1975)

(Ord. No. 696, § 3(Exh. A), 1-13-2025)