Los Gatos Municipal Code Div. 6 R-M or Multiple-Family Residential Zone

The R-M (multiple-family residential) zone applies to areas served by streets and other public improvements and services which are generally sufficient to sustain multiple residential development, and where the highest and best use of the subject property and surrounding properties is multiple residential. The R-M zone is the major multiple residential zoning district in the Town and is designed to allow various density ranges with actual specific density to be determined by the deciding body, depending on the particular characteristics of specific parcels, the uses surrounding them and the design of the development proposed.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.010, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1375, 11-21-77)

The following uses are permitted in a R-M or multiple-family residential zone:

(1) Single-family dwelling.

(2) Two-family dwelling.

(3) Family daycare home.

(4) Residential care facility, small family home.

(5) Multi-family dwelling.

(6) Transitional Housing facility as defined by Health and Safety Code section 50675.2

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.020, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1363, 8-1-77; Ord. No. 2222, § II(Exh. A), 10-21-13; Ord. No. 2306, § I, 4-21-20)

In addition to the activities authorized by section 29.10.610, the activities listed in the table in section 29.20.185 are allowed if a conditional use permit is issued.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.030, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1363, 8-1-77; Ord. No. 2149, § I, 5-1-06)

Minimum lot width in a R-M or multiple-family residential zone is sixty (60) feet.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.040, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1337, 11-1-76)

The minimum lot area in the R-M or multiple-family residential zone is eight thousand (8,000) square feet.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.050, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1349, 3-21-77)

An ordinance zoning property R-M must set one (1) of the following density ranges in terms of dwelling units:

(1) R-M: 5-12 (five (5) to twelve (12) dwelling units per net acre).

(2) R-M: 5-20 (five (5) to twenty (20) dwelling units per net acre).

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.060, 6-7-76)

The specific density for each building site in a R-M or multiple-family residential zone shall be determined by the deciding body when issuing the conditional use permit. The determination shall be accompanied by findings that the density prescribed:

(1) Will be adequately accommodated by streets serving the development either in their existing configuration or a configuration which is intended to be created in the immediate future and that the development will not overburden existing streets or other public improvements such that the provision of public services to the general areas will not be impaired.

(2) That the architectural design of the development, the site planning therefor, and the characteristics of the lot, including its shape, area, topography, vegetation and existing structure will be such that adjacent properties will not be adversely affected.

(3) That individual dwelling units will be serviced by light, air, off-street parking, open space, privacy and other such amenities which are normally incident to well-designed residential development.

(4) Any multiple residential development existing on the date this zone classification is applied thereto, the density of which does not exceed the maximum limit for this zone, shall be deemed by operation of law to have had its density approved pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.070, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1375, 11-21-77)

The following are the location restrictions for buildings and lots in a R-M or multiple-family residential zone:

(1) The minimum distance between main buildings is twenty-four (24) feet; provided, that there shall be at least forty (40) feet between any wall of a main building containing living room windows and any other wall of a main building.

(2) Courts shall have a minimum of twenty (20) feet between opposing walls; provided that if one (1) of the opposing walls contains:

a. Living room windows, the minimum distance between such opposing walls is forty (40) feet.

b. Bedroom windows, the minimum distance between such opposing walls is twenty-four (24) feet.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.080, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1337, 11-1-76)

Minimum front, side and rear yards in a R-M or multiple-family residential zone shall be as follows:

(1) Front .....25 feet

(2) Rear .....20 feet

(3) Side, single-family and two-family dwellings .....8 feet

(4) Side, multiple-family dwellings .....10 feet

Provided that if the wall facing the side yard contains:

a. Bedroom windows .....12 feet

b. Living room windows .....20 feet

(5) Side abutting street .....20 feet

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.090, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1337, 11-1-76; Ord. No. 1407, 10-16-78)

The maximum height of any principal building in a R-M or multiple-family residential zone is thirty (30) feet, except when the building has below grade parking the maximum is thirty-five (35) feet. The height shall be measured as provided in section 29.40.045 and is subject to the exception listed in section 29.10.090.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.100, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1337, 11-1-76; Ord. No. 1450, 12-3-79; Ord. No. 2264, § I, 11-7-17)

Maximum building coverage on a lot in a R-M or multiple-family residential zone, including any type of accessory building, is forty (40) percent.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.110, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1337, 11-1-76)

(1) Private open space. Each ground floor dwelling unit shall have a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) square feet of outdoor usable open space in the form of a single enclosed patio or deck located essentially at the level of the main living area. Each dwelling unit above the ground floor shall have sixty (60) square feet of outdoor usable open space in the form of a balcony. Where multiple balconies are provided for a single unit, the 60-square foot minimum can be an aggregate of all balconies, provided each balcony meets the requirements for minimum horizontal dimensions. For purposes of this section, a multiple floor unit with the lower floor on the ground level can choose to either provide one hundred and twenty (120) square feet of open space in the form of a single enclosed patio or deck or provide sixty (60) square feet of open space in the form of a balcony. The minimum horizontal dimension is six (6) feet in any direction. The minimum vertical clearance required is eight (8) feet. Private recreation space shall be directly accessible from the residential unit. Private open space shall be suitably screened for the privacy of the occupant. Location and screening is subject to review by the deciding body.

(2) Community recreation space. The minimum dimensions are ten (10) feet by six (6) feet. A minimum of sixty (60) percent of the community recreation space shall be open to the sky and free of permanent solid-roofed weather protection structures. Community recreation space shall provide shading for a minimum of fifteen (15) percent of the community recreation space by either trees or structures, such as awnings, canopies, umbrellas, or a trellis. Tree shading shall be calculated by using the diameter of the tree crown at fifteen (15) years maturity. Shading from other built structures shall be calculated by using the surface area of the overhead feature.

i. Community recreation space shall be provided in Residential Mixed-Use developments at a minimum of one hundred (100) square feet per residential unit plus a minimum of two (2) percent of the non-residential square footage.

ii. Community recreation space shall be provided in multi-family residential development projects at a minimum of one hundred (100) square feet per residential unit.

iii. A project with four (4) or fewer residential units is exempt from community recreation space requirements.

(Ord. No. 1316, § 4.32.120, 6-7-76; Ord. No. 1375, 11-21-77; Ord. No. 2370, § VII, 2-4-25)