Chapter 16.28 — R-L-U RETIREMENT LIVING UNITS DISTRICT

The purpose of the R-L-U district is to provide a floating zoning district to be applied at any location found to be appropriate by the city council and held to be consistent with the housing element of the comprehensive plan.

(Ord. 600 § 1, 1976)

The only permitted use in the R-L-U zoning district is accessory structures. (Ord. 1006 § 15, 2014; Prior code § 30.411(A))

Conditional uses allowed in the R-L-U district, subject to obtaining a use permit are as follows:

• (1) Retirement rental housing designed to be occupied by persons over sixty years of age and to meet the housing and social needs of the elderly, done in accordance with a planned housing program under the auspices, ownership, and continued management of a responsible charitable, nonprofit organization. In considering any application for R-L-U zoning and use permit, the planning commission and city council will consider various offsite support needs of prospective elderly residents such as, but not limited to, access to transportation, medical facilities, shopping areas, and appropriate social activity centers; and various on-site facilities such as, but not limited to, dining, laundry and recreation facilities;

• (2) Accessory buildings.

• (Ord. 591 § 2, 1976; Ord. 641 § 1(a), 1979; Prior code § 30.411(B))

Development regulations in the R-L-U district are as follows:

• (1) Minimum lot area: twenty thousand (20,000) square feet;

• (2) Minimum land area per dwelling unit: eight hundred (800) square feet; provided that on sites forty thousand (40,000) square feet or more in area and subject to obtaining a conditional development permit, density may exceed one (1) dwelling unit per eight hundred (800) square feet, to a maximum of one (1) dwelling unit for four hundred fifty (450) square feet, and shall be as specified in the conditional development permit;

• (3) Minimum lot dimensions: one hundred feet (100') width; one hundred feet (100') depth;

• (4) Required minimum yards: twenty-five feet (25') front; twenty feet (20') rear; thirty feet (30') total side; ten feet (10') minimum either side;

• (5) Land cover by all structures shall not exceed thirty-five percent (35%) of building site;

• (6) Height of structures shall not exceed thirty-five feet (35'), provided that on sites forty thousand (40,000) square feet or more in area, and subject to obtaining a conditional

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/ME4536 on 2026-05-11

City of Menlo Park, CA

ZONING

§ 16.28.030

§ 16.28.030

development permit, height of structures may exceed thirty-five feet (35');

• (7) Where appropriate, a condition in the deed to the ultimate owner shall be created, specifying that the land zoned RLU is to be used only pursuant to the provisions of this section and Section 16.28.020 and the use permit granted pursuant thereto. When created, this condition shall be conveyed to the city on terms which permit it to reenter upon violation of the condition;

• (8) In case of conditional uses, additional regulations may be required by the planning commission;

• (9) Floor area ratio: the total gross floor area of all buildings shall not exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the total lot area.

• (Ord. 641 § 1(b), 1979; Ord. 863 § 3, 1994; Prior code § 30.411(C))

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/ME4536 on 2026-05-11

City of Menlo Park, CA