Article V — R-4 Zone, Multi-Family High Density Residential Zone

In an R-4 zone, no building shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed or structurally altered or undergo substantial exterior remodel or parking modifications without the issuance and approval of a precise development plan, pursuant to Section 17.02.240. Additions and structural alterations which do not require the provision of additional parking spaces, are architecturally compatible, and are consistent with Chapter 17.01, Article IV, may be approved by the Director. The use of any building or land shall be used as specifically provided and allowed by this article and Section 17.02.240.

In the R-4 zone, the following uses are permitted:

• A. Any use permitted in the R-3 zone under the same specified conditions, except that the following uses are not permitted:

  1. Single room occupancy housing.

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

• C. Such other uses as are set forth in Chapter 17.04, upon the conditions therein provided.

• D. 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. Multiple dwellings 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;

  6. Heights exceeding 15 feet in height for buildings and structures which encroach into the required side or rear setbacks.

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

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

• G. Employee housing.

• H. Supportive housing.

• I. Transitional housing.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4978 on 2026-07-07

City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.05.400

§ 17.05.430

• 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. (Ord. 13-1644 § 1; Ord. 14-1657 § 6; Ord. 16-1675 § 3; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; 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.

• (Ord. 13-1644 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

• A. Every lot and every parcel in an R-4 zone shall have a front setback from the front property line of not less than 15% of the lot depth, provided that such front setback 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. Greater front setbacks may be required by the Planning Commission.

• C. Front setbacks shall be kept clear of any structures, except as specifically allowed in this title, and 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.

• D. No structures, open storage, equipment, other than approved amenities or landscape feature, shall be maintained in unenclosed or open yard areas visible from abutting street(s), except as specifically allowed in this title.

• (Ord. 13-1644 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

• A. Interior Lot Lines.

  1. Every property shall have a side setback from the side property line on each side of the property of not less than five feet for the first story and 10 feet for the second story. Where abutting an R-1 zone, not less than 10 feet for the first story and the second story shall be setback an additional five feet from the first story.

  2. Side setbacks shall be kept clear of any structures, except the following may be located within a side setback from an interior lot line:

     • a. As specifically allowed in Chapter 17.03, Article IV.

     • b. Approved residential driveways leading to a legal parking space.

     • c. Amenities, as listed in Section 17.05.490(D).

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4978 on 2026-07-07

City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.05.430

§ 17.05.444

• d. Open automobile parking spaces when permitted upon Planning Commission approval.

• B.

  • Abutting Streets.

  1. Every property shall have a side setback from the side property line 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.

  2. Side setbacks abutting a street shall be kept clear of any structures, except as specifically allowed in this title, and landscaped, as required by Section 17.03.010.

  3. No structures, open storage, equipment, or amenities shall be maintained in unenclosed or open yard areas visible from abutting street(s), except as specifically allowed in this title.

  4. Side setbacks shall be kept clear of any structures, except the following may be located within a side setback abutting a street:

     • a. As specifically allowed in Chapter 17.03, Article IV.

• b. Approved residential driveways, when perpendicular to the side property line abutting a street and leading to a legal parking space.

• (Ord. 13-1644 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

• A. Every lot and parcel in the R-4 zone shall have a rear setback from the rear property line of not less than 20% of the lot depth but need not exceed 20 feet.

• B. Greater rear setbacks may be required by the Planning Commission.

• C. Rear setbacks shall be landscaped as required by Section 17.03.010.

• D. Rear setbacks shall be kept clear of any structures, except the following may be located within a rear setback:

  1. As specifically allowed in Chapter 17.03, Article IV.

  2. Approved residential driveways leading to a legal parking space.

  3. Amenities, as listed in Section 17.05.490(D), shall be screened from adjacent streets and properties, except that these amenities shall be screened from adjacent streets and properties.

  4. Open automobile parking spaces when permitted upon Planning Commission approval.

• (Ord. 13-1644 § 1; 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)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4978 on 2026-07-07

City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.05.444

§ 17.05.480

The maximum allowable lot coverage shall not exceed 60% of the lot size. (Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

The maximum allowable floor area ratio shall not exceed 60% of the lot size. (Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

The minimum required area of a lot or parcel in the R-4 zone shall be 25,000 square feet. Greater minimum required areas may be established for any lots or parcels by the adoption of an official zoning plan. No development shall be permitted on any lot which does not meet the minimum required area and does not meet the access requirements pursuant to Section 17.03.220. (Ord. 13-1644 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The minimum required width for any lot or parcel in the R-4 zone shall be 100 feet. Greater minimum lot widths may be established for any lots or parcels by the adoption of an official zoning plan. No development shall be permitted on any lot which does not meet the minimum lot width and does not meet the access requirements pursuant to Section 17.03.220. (Ord. 13-1644 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The allowable density for every lot or parcel in the R-4 zone shall be between 23 and 30 dwelling units per acre.

(Ord. 13-1644 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every lot in the R-4 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 requirements herein after specified, whichever is greater.

• A. Minimum Open Space Required.

  1. Units with one bedroom or less: 200 square feet per unit, with at least 50 square feet of this open space must be private usable open space for each unit.

  2. Units with two bedrooms: 300 square feet per unit, with at least 50 square feet of this open space must be private usable open space for each unit.

  3. Units with three bedrooms or more: 400 square feet per unit, with at least 50 square feet of this open space must be private usable open space for each unit.

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

• B. Standards.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4978 on 2026-07-07

City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.05.480

§ 17.05.490

1. Open space shall be exclusive of automobile parking spaces, residential driveways, turnaround areas, front, side and rear setbacks; except that rear and side setbacks with a minimum of 10 feet in width may be counted as open space.

2. Open space shall have no dimension less than 10 feet, and may contain sidewalks, 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;

   • 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;

   • 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.

• (Ord. 13-1644 § 1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every development in the R-4 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.

  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. Concrete areas shall incorporate a stamped or stained pattern within the parking and circulation areas.

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

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4978 on 2026-07-07

City of Norwalk, CA § 17.05.490

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.05.490

9. Building elevations visible from public view shall be enhanced through the incorporation of reveals, recesses, trim elements, and other architectural design features to provide articulation and visual interest to the streetscape.

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.

10. 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 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 rooms 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 to 750 square feet;

  2. Two bedrooms: 850 to 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 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

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4978 on 2026-07-07

City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.05.490

§ 17.05.490

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 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. 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.

4. 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.

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

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

7. 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.

• (Ord. 13-1644 § 1; Ord. 15-1665 § 4; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 25-1762, 12/2/2025)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/NO4978 on 2026-07-07

City of Norwalk, CA