Article 17.48 — Residential Multifamily (RM) District

• A. Purpose and Intent. The residential multifamily district is intended to provide areas for residential neighborhoods of single-family dwellings, multiple single-family dwellings on one lot, halfplexes, duplexes, apartments, and other multiple-family attached dwelling units such as condominiums. It is intended that new development in this district utilize innovative site planning, provide on-site recreational amenities and be located near major community facilities, business centers, and/or major streets.

• B. Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements. The following land uses are allowed in the RM zone district as provided by Section 17.06.030 et seq. (Allowable land uses and permit requirements), subject to the land use permit shown for each use, any applicable specific standards, and all other applicable provisions of this chapter.

Notes:

• (1) Only permitted as part of cluster lot development. (Section 17.54.115 )

• C. Minimum Parcel Size. Each parcel proposed for development or a new land use, and each new parcel proposed in a subdivision shall comply with the following provisions and Section 17.54.040 (Minimum parcel size). New parcels proposed in a subdivision shall also satisfy all applicable provisions of Chapter 16 of this code (Subdivisions).

1. Minimum Lot Area. Three thousand five hundred square feet for residential uses, 10,000 square feet for other allowable uses; unless a -B combining district (Section 17.52.040 ), a -DL combining district (Section 17.52.060 ), a -DR combining district (Section 17.52.080 ) or a -PD combining zone (Section 17.52.120 ) applies to the site, or a greater area is required by the health department, or the provisions of Article 17.56 (Specific Use Requirements) for a particular land use.

• D. Residential Density. The allowed density for residential development shall be established by Article 17.54 (General Development Standards) or 17.56 (Specific Use Requirements) for a particular use or situation or Section 17.52.060 (Density limitation).

• E. Site Development Standards. The following requirements shall apply to all new development in the RM zone, except where otherwise provided by Articles 17.54 (General Development Standards) or 17.56 (Specific Use Requirements) for a particular use or situation. Proposed buildings and structures shall be designed and constructed to satisfy the following setback, site coverage, and height limit requirements:

Notes:

• (1) Additional requirements for setbacks from watercourses and all roads identified in the highway deficiency report and countywide capital improvement program, setbacks between structures on the same site, and setbacks in other situations are established by Section 17.54.140 (Exceptions to front, street-side, side and rear setbacks) and by Article 17.56 for certain specific land uses.

• (2) Or outside a minimum twelve and one-half (12.5) foot multi-purpose easement or public utility easement that is adjacent to any public roadways, streets, or driveways and no less than 20 feet to the face (vehicle entrance) of any garage or carport.

• (3) As required by the California Board of Forestry Fire Safe Regulations, Section 1276.01 , Title 14, California Code of Regulations, if lot is one acre or larger in size.

• (4) The percentage of total site area that may be covered by buildings or structures. Residential and mixed use structures are exempt from site coverage.

Notes:

(5) Except as otherwise provided by Section 17.54.020 (Height limits and exceptions), or by Article 17.56 for a specific use.

(Ord. 5126-B, 2001; Ord. 5339-B Exh. A, 2004; Ord. 5459-B Exh. A, 2007; Ord. 5647-B § 8, 2011; Ord. 5710-B § 8, 2013; Ord. 5735-B § 8, 2014; Ord. 5746-B § 13, 2014; Ord. 5895-B § 6, 2017; Ord. 6022-B § 12, 2020; Ord. 6048-B § 24, 2020; Ord. 6056-B § 6, 2020; Ord. 6144-B § 15, 2022)