Article III — R-3 Zone, Multi-Family High Density Residential Zone

In an R-3 zone, no building shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed or structurally altered, nor shall any building or land be used except as is herein after specifically provided and allowed by this article and Section 17.02.205, governing precise development plans.

In the R-3 zone, the following uses are permitted:

• A. Any use permitted in the R-1 zone, subject to all conditions applicable thereto in such zone;

• B. Multiple dwellings, including group houses, boarding and lodging houses;

• C. The following, subject to the issuance, existence and validity of a conditional use permit as provided for in Section 17.02.210, and full compliance with each and every condition thereof:

  1. Public playgrounds and parks,

  2. Churches, synagogues, temples and other buildings, including related accessory uses, primarily devoted to religious worship,

  3. Educational institutions,

  4. Public utilities and public service uses or structures,

  5. Such other uses as are set forth in Chapter 17.04, Article XVIII, upon the conditions therein provided,

  6. Multiple dwellings equipped with elevator(s) and other permitted buildings exceeding the height limit, if additional and compatible setbacks are provided so that adjacent buildings and properties are not dwarfed nor significantly affected,

  7. Mortuaries or undertaking establishments, provided that the following minimum conditions and standards are met:

     • a. The location shall abut or have direct access to a major or secondary City street or highway,

     • b. The architecture shall be of a residential character,

     • c. The building site shall be not less than 150 feet in depth and not less than 100 feet in width, and shall comprise an area of at least 20,000 square feet,

     • d. No ambulance services or related uses are operated at or from the premises,

• D. Parking, as provided by Chapter 17.03, Article II; and parking at greater ratios may be established by the adoption of an official zoning plan;

• E. Signs for this article are regulated by Chapter 17.03, Article III;

• F. Employee housing;

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City of Norwalk, CA

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§ 17.05.200

§ 17.05.230

• G. Supportive housing;

• H. Transitional housing;

• I. The following, subject to the issuance, existence and validity of a conditional use permit as provided for in Section 17.02.210; and full compliance with each and every condition thereof:

  1. Single room occupancy housing, approved in accordance with the procedures in Section 17.04.236, in multiple dwellings.

• J. Accessory buildings and structures pursuant to the requirements of Section 17.04.205.

K. An accessory dwelling unit pursuant to the requirements of Section 17.04.210. (Prior code § 27-7.1; Ord. 14-1657 § 4; Ord. 16-1675 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 23-1746, 12/ 5/2023; Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

• A. No primary building or structure shall exceed two stories or 30 feet in height, whichever is the lesser; except multiple dwellings equipped with elevators and other permitted buildings if either is approved by conditional use permit; and except as provided by Section 17.03.230 for certain roof and similar structures.

• B. The maximum allowable top plate height shall be 14 feet for the first story and 24 feet for the second story.

(Prior code § 27-7.2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

• A. Every lot and every parcel in an R-3 zone shall have a front yard of not less than 15% of the lot depth, provided that such front yard depth need not exceed 15 feet for the first story. The second story shall be setback an additional five feet from the first story.

• B. Front yards shall be landscaped as required by Section 17.03.010 and shall be equipped with an automatic irrigation system and landscaped and maintained in accordance with adopted City standards.

(Prior code § 27-7.3; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

• A. Interior Lot Lines.

  1. The side yard on each side of the property shall not be less than five feet for the first story and 10 feet for the second story.

  2. Where abutting an R-1 zone, the side yard setback shall not be less than 20 feet for the first story. The second story shall be setback an additional five feet from the first story.

• B.

• Abutting Streets.

1. Every property less than 50 feet in width shall have a side yard abutting the street of

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City of Norwalk, CA § 17.05.230

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.05.250

not less than five feet for the first story. The second story shall be setback an additional five feet from the first story.

2. Every property 50 feet or more in width shall have a side yard abutting the street of not less than 10 feet for the first story. The second story shall be setback an additional five feet from the first story.

3. Side yards abutting streets shall be landscaped as required by Section 17.03.010.

• C. Permitted Uses of Side Yards. Structures shall be prohibited within interior side yards, subject to the following exceptions:

  1. Common outdoor living areas but such areas shall be screened from adjacent streets and properties. These areas may include swimming pools, barbecues, putting greens, court game facilities and any other recreational-leisure facilities necessary to meet the requirements of residents and their guests.

  2. Private patios or yards.

(Prior code § 27-7.4; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

Every lot and parcel in the R-3 zone shall have a rear yard of not less than 20% of the lot depth but need not exceed 20 feet subject to the following exceptions:

• A. Open parking areas when such areas are permitted upon Planning Commission approval.

• B. Common outdoor living areas but such areas shall be screened from adjacent streets and properties. These areas may include swimming pools, putting greens, barbecues, court game facilities, and any other recreational leisure facilities necessary to meet the requirements of residents and their guests.

• C. Private patios or yards.

(Prior code § 27-7.5; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

The minimum distance between all buildings and structures shall be 10 feet measured from eave to eave.

(Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

The maximum allowable lot coverage shall not exceed 50% of the lot size. (Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

The maximum allowable floor area ratio shall not exceed 50% of the lot size. (Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

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City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.05.250

§ 17.05.280

The minimum required area of a lot or parcel in an R-3 zone shall be 5,000 square feet; provided, however, that greater minimum required areas may be established for any lots or parcels by the adoption of an official zoning plan, and provided, further, that the requirements of this section shall be deemed to be complied with as to any lot or parcel, having less area than herein required, which was held and recorded under separate and different ownership from any adjacent property on July 22, 1959.

(Prior code § 27-7.6; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every lot or parcel created after July 22, 1959, shall have and maintain a width of not less than 50 feet; provided, however, that minimum widths greater than 50 feet may be established by the adoption of an official zoning plan requiring greater widths. (Prior code § 27-7.7; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. For every lot or parcel containing not less than 5,000 square feet of area the number of units permitted is three.

• B. For every lot or parcel containing not less than 7,000 square feet of area the number of units permitted is four.

• C. For every lot or parcel containing not less than 9,000 square feet of area the maximum allowable density shall not exceed 22 dwelling units per acre (one dwelling unit for each 1,980 square feet) of net area.

• D. Lesser densities may be established by adoption of an official zoning plan. (Prior code § 27-7.8; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every lot in the R-3 zone which is used for multiple dwelling uses shall contain a minimum of 500 square feet of usable open space or shall conform to the standards and requirements herein after specified, whichever is greater.

• A. Minimum Open Space Required.

  1. Units with one bedroom or less: 200 square feet per unit.

  2. Units with two bedrooms: 300 square feet per unit.

  3. Units with three bedrooms or more: 400 square feet per unit.

  4. Townhouses and Condominiums. Additional open area may be required upon precise development plan review.

• B. Standards.

  1. Open space shall be exclusive of parking areas, driveways, turnaround areas, front and side yards; except that side yards a minimum of 10 feet in width may be counted

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City of Norwalk, CA § 17.05.280

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§ 17.05.290

as open space.

2. Open space shall have no dimension less than 10 feet, and may contain pedestrian walkways, landscaping, pergolas, and swimming pools, but shall otherwise be unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, except for the following:

   • a. One hundred percent of unenclosed areas under balconies and patio covers can be counted as open space;

   • b. Fifty percent of the area of decks and balconies can be counted toward open space, to a maximum of 25% of the total open space required; and

   • c. Fifty percent to 100% of recreation rooms may be included as open space, when considered by the Planning Commission to be an integral part of the open space layout.

(Prior code § 27-7.9; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

Every development in the R-3 zone shall conform to the following provisions which are considered desirable development standards reflecting the spirit and intent of the multiple-family residential zone. Developments shall incorporate these standards using quality building materials to the maximum extent possible.

• A. Full Site Development. To the maximum extent possible all new construction shall encompass the entire site and partial development incorporating existing structures is discouraged.

• B. Landscaping shall be provided as required by Chapter 17.03, Article I.

• C. Architectural Elements. Developments shall incorporate the following architectural elements using quality building materials to the maximum extent possible:

  1. Multi-level roof lines.

  2. Private entries for each unit.

  3. Covered entries for each unit.

Additionally, a plan shall be submitted for all proposed development which shall demonstrate how, to the maximum extent feasible, the following architectural elements have been incorporated in the development. Such plan shall be subject to the review and approval of the Planning Commission.

4. Exterior trim, including but not limited to wood siding, brick, stone, slumpstone, or other decorative treatments.

5. Varied exterior building materials.

6. Architectural quality roofing material, siding material, entry doors, windows, and garage doors. Asphalt composition shingles do not constitute architectural quality roofing material. The materials shall be subject to the approval of the Director.

7. All concrete areas shall incorporate a stamped or stained pattern within the parking

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City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.05.290

§ 17.05.290

and circulation areas.

8. All developments of five or more units shall incorporate an entry kiosk for pedestrian access into the project.

9. Windows recessed a minimum of three inches.

• D. Amenities. Developments shall incorporate a minimum of four of the following amenities, to be made available to all residents of the development. Amenities shall be maintained in good working order for the life of the development. Provision of a greater number of these amenities shall be dependent on the size and nature of the proposed development, and shall be encouraged for larger developments. All developments shall provide at least 50 square feet of private usable open space for each unit in addition to four of the following amenities:

  1. Children's play area, including play equipment;

  2. Barbecues;

  3. Spa or Jacuzzi;

  4. Pool;

  5. Covered common patio or patios;

  6. Community rooms;

  7. Tennis court;

  8. Weight or exercise rooms;

  9. Fireplaces in units, wood burning or gas;

  10. Security systems;

  11. Water elements;

  12. Laundry facilities that are internally accessible to the unit it serves.

• E. Unit Size. Each dwelling unit shall contain the following minimum floor areas:

  1. One bedroom - 650—750 square feet;

  2. Two bedrooms - 850—1,000 square feet;

3. Three bedrooms - 1,100 square feet or more.

• F. Waste, Garbage and Trash Regulations.

  1. All developments must have trash storage areas which shall be located for the convenience of the residents and for efficiency of collection. One six-foot by eightfoot enclosure is required for projects of five or more units at the ratio of one for every five units for the purpose of storing garbage, waste, refuse and trash. Such enclosure shall have on each side thereof a solid reinforced masonry wall of not less than five feet in height except for openings. All openings shall be equipped with solid, view obscuring gates or doors which meet the height requirement of this section and the fence requirements for durability. Such gates or doors shall be equipped at all times

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City of Norwalk, CA § 17.05.290

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.05.290

with a fully operating, self-closing device. At least one opening or gate or door shall be of sufficient width to provide reasonable and necessary access to the storage area and such opening door or gate shall at all times be located and maintained at such a place and in such a fashion that access to the storage area for the deposit and removal of waste, trash, refuse and garbage is reasonably afforded. A roof shall be provided for the trash enclosure.

2. The finish and color of the enclosure, gate and roof shall be decorative and shall incorporate primary elements from the site building style. Chain link and or vinyl fencing shall not be permitted.

3. All garbage stored within such enclosure shall be placed and maintained in a metal or plastic container which has an overlapping fly-tight lid. The lid shall be secured in place at all times when the container is not being filled or emptied.

4. Waste, refuse and trash, other than garbage shall be placed, maintained, and stored in a container of substantial design and construction that will retain therein such trash, refuse and waste and may be readily emptied by trash collectors and which, further, do not readily disintegrate, fall apart, blow, or scatter about the premises.

5. Garbage, waste, refuse and trash may also be stored in metal bins equipped with wheels of a design approved by the Director. All garbage, waste and refuse and trash contained in such bins shall be maintained within the interior of the metal bins and shall be equipped with a lid which shall be completely closed at all times except when being filled or emptied.

6. All of the aforementioned containers shall be kept and maintained within the walls of such enclosure except when being emptied by a collector.

7. There shall be provided and maintained within such storage area trash containers, as aforementioned, of not less than 50 gallon capacity.

8. No person shall deposit, maintain, accumulate, dispose of or allow the deposit, accumulation, maintenance or any disposal of any garbage, waste, refuse or trash outside of a building.

• G. Handicapped Access. Units accessible for the handicapped shall be incorporated into all new construction based on the following ratios:

  1. 1-20 units: None;

2. 21-99 units: 2 units;

3. 100 or more units: 2 units plus 2 for each additional 100 units or fraction thereof.

(Prior code § 27-7.10; Ord. 15-1665 § 4; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

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City of Norwalk, CA