Rosemead Municipal Code Ch. 17.12 Residential Zoning Districts

The purpose of the individual residential zoning districts and the manner in which they are applied are as follows:

A. Single-Family Residential (R-1) District. The R-1 zoning district identifies areas characterized by single-family dwellings. The standards of the R-1 district are intended to protect the existing density and maintain the character of the City's single-family residential neighborhoods, consistent with the General Plan Low Density Residential land use designation.

B. Light Multiple Residential (R-2) District. The R-2 zoning district identifies areas characterized by single-family dwellings and duplexes. The R-2 standards are intended to maintain the character of existing neighborhoods while allowing the opportunity for duplex and smaller lot single-family development that is consistent with the General Plan Medium Density Residential land use designation.

C. Medium Multiple Residential (R-3) District. The R-3 zoning district identifies areas characterized by higher density attached homes, apartments, small lot subdivisions, and condominiums. The standards of the R-3 district are intended to ensure that new development is compatible with the character of existing neighborhoods while allowing for a mix of housing types, consistent with the General Plan High Density Residential land use designation.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 998, § 3, 4-27-21)

Table 17.12.020.1, Uses in Residential Districts, identifies the uses of land allowed in each residential zoning district, and the land use permit required, if any, to establish each use. Where the last column in the tables (Specific Use Regulations) includes a section reference number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use in addition to those shown in the table.

Table 17.12.020.1: USES IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

Notes:

P Permitted Use A Permitted Accessory Use AUP Administrative Use Permit Required CUP Conditional Use Permit Required — Use Not Allowed DR Discretionary Design

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 979, § 3(Exh. A), 6-12-18; Ord. No. 980, § 3, 7-10-18; Ord. No. 998, § 4, 4-27-21; Ord. 1005, § 5, 1-25-22)

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A. General Requirements.

1. New land uses and structures and alterations to existing land uses and structures in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones shall conform to the requirements in Table 17.12.030.1 (Residential District Development Standards) as well as specific district standards listed below.

Table 17.12.030.1: RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

2. Applicability of Conventional Development Standards. All development standards applicable to the zone designation of the lot shall apply without regard to whether the proposed dwelling is conventional or manufactured housing.

B. District Specific Requirements. In addition to the general development requirements listed in Table 17.12.030.1, Residential District Development Standards, the following development standards apply to specific residential districts as shown:

1. R-1 and R-2 Zoning Districts.

a. Lot Coverage and Impervious Surfaces/Landscaping. A minimum of twenty (20) percent of the entire parcel shall be fully landscaped with plant materials. Pedestrian walkways, vehicular access ways and other impervious surfaces shall not collectively occupy more than fifty (50) percent of the front and side yard areas that are visible from a public right-of-way. Addition of impervious surfaces in these areas shall require a site plan subject to approval of the Community Development Director. All other portions of these areas shall be landscaped with lawn, trees, shrubs, plants and other landscape materials in compliance with any drought tolerance requirements in effect.

b. Floor Area Maximum and Minimum.

1. Residential dwelling units in the R-1 zone shall have a minimum ground floor area, exclusive of open porches or garages, of one thousand (1,000) square feet and residential dwelling units in the R-2 zone shall have a minimum ground floor area, exclusive of open porches or garages, of seven hundred fifty (750) square feet.

2. Total floor area of the second floor, including areas designated as covered or uncovered balconies, shall not exceed seventy-five (75) percent of the floor area of the first floor. For this calculation, floor area of the first floor shall only include first floor living area, and any floor area designated as garage floor area if the garage is attached.

c. Front Driveway. Vehicle access ways (driveways) serving front facing garages shall be set back at least three feet from any side property line. The maximum width of the access way shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet for a two-car garage or thirty-five (35) feet for a three-car garage.

d. Walkways. Pedestrian walkways on private property shall not exceed five feet in width when located in front or side yard areas.

e. Merged Lots. When two or more lots are merged, the allowed lot Floor Area Ratio (FAR) shall be no larger than one hundred fifty (150) percent of the FAR allowance that would occur for the largest single lot.

f. Landscaping. Landscaped areas shall be permanently maintained in a neat and orderly manner and shall comply with the following:

1. Landscaping shall not be permitted to limit or restrict the line of sight on any public right-of-way.

2. A minimum of one tree shall be planted in new or remodeled residential front yards for every fifty (50) feet of street frontage.

g. Yard Encroachments. Required yard areas shall be kept open and unobstructed, except as follows:

1. Cornices, canopies, eaves, patios, fireplaces or other similar architectural features and exterior pad mounted heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment may extend into required front, side or rear yards or required separations between buildings not to exceed two feet.

2. Open, unenclosed, uncovered porches, platforms or landing places which do not extend above the level of the first floor of the building, may extend into any front, side or rear yard not more than six feet.

3. Detached accessory buildings may occupy side and rear yards as provided in Article 3, Section 17.32.030.

4. Detached garages, and patios may occupy not more than fifty (50) percent of a required rear yard. Swimming pools may occupy rear yards, but not required front or side yards, except that no swimming pool may be located less than five feet from a property line. Attached accessory structures, shall comply with residential front, side, and rear yard setback requirements.

5. Storage in Yards. No portion of any side yard on the street side of a corner lot, or any portion of the rear yard on the street side of a corner lot unless it is screened with a solid block wall meeting the fence height requirements in Article 4, Chapter 17.68, or any portion of the front yard on any lot in a residential area shall be used for the permanent storage of motor vehicles, recreational, airplanes, boats, parts of any of the foregoing, rubbish, garbage, junk, tents, clotheslines, garage or trash receptacles, or building materials (except building materials used on the premises stored thereon during the time a valid permit is in effect for construction on the premises). "Permanent storage" as used in this subsection, means the presence for a period of forty-eight (48) or more consecutive hours in the front or side yard.

h. R-1 and R-2 Development Design Standards.

1. At least forty (40) percent of the street-facing wall of the second floor shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from the street-facing wall of the first floor.

2. Reflective building materials are prohibited.

3. Exterior paint colors shall not exceed a light reflective value greater than forty (40) percent.

4. Mechanical elements (roof-top and ground-level) must be screened from view.

5. Residential front yard walls and fences may not exceed four feet in height (including fencing, hedges, or other material).

6. Portable shade structures shall not be located in any side or front yard.

7. All garages shall match the main house in terms of color scheme, roofing material, roof pitch, gable orientation and design.

8. Hedges shall not encroach onto a curb or sidewalk or over a lot line.

9. Vehicles may not be parked on any lot except in the garage, on the driveway or parking apron or other approved hardscaped surface previously approved by the Planning Division.

10. The street address shall be clearly visible for all homes.

11. Remodels shall utilize materials, colors, architectural style and designs that match the existing structure.

12. Sidewall articulation shall be required on exterior walls that are not separated from an adjacent home by more than twenty-five (25) feet.

13. Entry treatment shall not exceed a maximum total height of twelve (12) feet for single-story homes and fourteen (14) feet for two-story homes.

14. Bay windows shall not exceed the height of one story or encroach into a required side yard.

15. Any second floor exterior side wall that exceeds a length of twenty-four (24) feet shall require an offset of two feet for a distance of not less than eight feet.

16. Existing residential development proposed to remain on a lot, where new residential development is proposed, shall be renovated to match or complement the new construction in colors, materials and architectural style. All onsite conditions, such as landscaping and fencing, shall also be improved.

i. Additional Site Plan and Design Review Requirements. In addition to general city of Rosemead Planning Division review and approval requirements for residential projects, the following items are also subject to ministerial review and approval:

1. A site plan and design review application shall be required to install hardscape directly adjacent to a new or remodeled residential driveway.

2. A fence permit shall be required to install new fencing or replacement fencing in any residential front yard.

3. A site plan and design review application shall be required to install a portable shade structure in the rear yard.

4. A site plan and design review application shall be required for any accessory building greater than one hundred twenty (120) square feet in floor area, whether the total area is in one building or cumulatively in multiple buildings, including storage structures and workshops, but not including required garages.

j. Discretionary Site Plan and Design Review. The following shall be subject to a discretionary Site Plan and Design review application, pursuant to the procedures in Chapter 17.120 (Applications and Processing) and Chapter 17.136 (Site Plan and Design Review) of this Title:

1. Any new dwelling unit to be constructed that equals or exceeds two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet of developed living area.

2. Any addition to a dwelling unit in which the total floor area with the addition equals or exceeds two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet of developed living area.

3. Any fill that would raise the building pad or front yard elevation by more than twenty-four (24) inches above the natural grade.

k. Residential Design Incentives. An additional five percent of bonus floor area may be obtained through the use of design incentives that are listed in Table 17.12.030.2.

Table 17.12.030.2: RESIDENTIAL BONUS FLOOR AREA DESIGN INCENTIVES

2. R-3 Zoning District.

a. Single-Family and Two-Family Development on R-3 Lots. If an R-3 lot is improved with two or fewer dwelling units, such residential development (excluding Small Lot Subdivision projects) shall comply with all R-2 Residential District Development Standards and R-2 District Specific Requirements outlined in Table 17.12.030.1 and Section 17.12.030.B.1., with the exception of the density requirement. One-family and two-family development on an R-3 lot shall comply with the density requirement of the R-3 zone.

b. Maximum Heights. No building or structure shall exceed a height of thirty-five (35) feet or three stories. Building or structure height means the vertical distance from grade, as defined in this Section, to the highest point of the parapet or coping of a flat roof, or to a deck line of a mansard roof, or to the highest ridge of a pitched or hip roof. The first floor "finished floor" elevations at building entry points shall be a maximum of two feet above the finished grade adjacent to the entry point.

c. Landscaping. All usable open space (i.e., pedestrian walkways, separations between buildings, yard areas, and common recreation areas) shall be landscaped and provided with permanent, moisture sensing devices and automatic underground irrigations systems, developed in accordance with an approved landscape plan and maintenance plan. Landscape design shall be subject to the following:

1. A landscape and irrigation plan, prepared by a professional landscape architect, shall be submitted to the Community Development Department along with the application for a site plan and design review.

2. Except as provided in RMC Chapter 13.08, Water Efficient Landscapes, all plants and shrubs shall be living evergreen vines, shrubs, or ground cover, mowable grass, or a combination thereof. All trees shall be living, a minimum of fifty (50) percent which shall be an evergreen type. The following minimum sizes shall apply:

• Trees, fifteen (15) gallons;

• Shrubs, five gallons; and

• Ground cover and vines from pots or rooted cuttings from flats spaced twelve (12) inches on center.

3. All landscape designs must incorporate energy and water conservation measures.

4. The developer and subsequent owners shall be responsible for maintaining the landscaping as shown on the approved plan. Maintenance shall include regular irrigation, weeding, fertilizing, and pruning of dead materials.

5. Landscaping shall not be permitted to limit or restrict the line of sight on any public right-of-way.

d. Driveway Requirements. Minimum driveway design standards shall be as follows:

1. Two-way drives shall be twenty-six (26) feet in unobstructed width and thirteen (13) feet, six inches in unobstructed vertical clearance. The vertical clearance shall not be applicable to subterranean parking.

2. Building projections such as balconies may project no more than three feet into the driveway width for a minimum horizontal clearance of twenty (20) feet.

3. All driveways shall comply with County of Los Angeles Fire Department Access Standards.

4. All points of vehicular access to public rights-of-way shall be subject to approval by the City's Public Works Department.

e. Usable Open Space. A minimum of two hundred (200) square feet of usable open space shall be provided for each dwelling unit. "Usable open space" means space designed for outdoor living, recreation, or landscaping, and may be located on the ground, or on an unenclosed balcony, deck or porch, including patios and deck areas of swimming pools. No areas utilized for vehicular driveways, parking, covered pedestrian access between structures or dwelling units shall constitute usable open space.

f. Floor Area Requirements. Each apartment or dwelling unit shall have a minimum floor area, excluding garages, as follows:

Table 17.12.030.3: R-3 FLOOR AREA REQUIREMENTS

1. Storage and Utility Space. A single area having a minimum of two hundred forty (240) cubic feet of private and secure storage space shall be provided for each dwelling unit, exclusive of closets within the living space of the dwelling unit. Such storage may be located within the garage, provided it does not interfere with automobile parking.

2. Maintenance Utility Space. Adequate storage space shall be provided in a main or accessory building for storage of maintenance equipment in projects with common recreational and landscape areas. Laundry facilities shall also be provided in a main or accessory building available and accessible to residents of all dwelling units not equipped with laundry space.

3. Trash Collection Facilities. Adequate refuse and solid waste collection containers shall be provided and be conveniently located near the dwelling units they serve. The refuse area location(s) shall provide for large refuse collection vehicle circulation and access from a public street or alley. See Chapter 17.32 (Accessory Structures) for development standards.

4. Building Length Limitations. The length of any building or wing of a building shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) feet. Length means the distance between the opposing extremities of the building measured in a straight line.

5. Distances to Swimming Pools. There shall be a minimum distance of fifteen (15) feet measured horizontally between any swimming pool and the nearest point of any balcony, porch, second story patio, sun deck, or other architectural feature of a building or structure with windows, doors, or other openings of sufficient size to permit the passage of a person.

6. Discretionary Site Plan and Design Approval. Before issuance of a building permit for development of an apartment, small lot subdivision development, or multifamily dwelling in the R-3 zone, the developer shall submit for a site plan and design review application in conformance with Article 5, Chapter 17.120 (Applications and Processing) and Chapter 17.136 (Site Plan and Design Review).

g. Small Lot Subdivision. The purpose of the small lot subdivision regulations is to provide supplemental development standards to allow for alternative housing typologies in small lot subdivisions within the R-3 multiple-family residential zone. A small lot subdivision shall be permitted in the R-3 zoning district pursuant to an approved tract or parcel map. A subdivision for small lots enables the construction of new small lot homes and provides a space-efficient and economical alternative to traditional single dwelling unit and multiple dwelling unit developments. The following supplemental regulations shall apply to small lot subdivisions:

1. A Tract Map or Parcel Map, pursuant to Chapter 16 (Subdivisions) shall be required for the creation of a small lot subdivision.

2. Access and Maintenance. An agreement for access and maintenance for all facilities used in common shall be submitted as part of the subdivision map for approval and recordation.

a) All areas of small lot subdivision with five or more parcels subject to a reciprocal access and/or maintenance easement shall be maintained by an association that may be incorporated or unincorporated.

b) Small lot subdivisions with four or less parcels subject to a reciprocal access and/or maintenance easement may execute a maintenance agreement in lieu of requiring an association.

c) A maintenance agreement shall be formed, composed of and executed by all property owners, to maintain all common areas and appurtenances such as trees, landscaping, water treatment facilities, trash, parking, driveways, drive aisles, walkways, private water lines, meters, etc. Each owner and future property owners shall automatically become members of the agreement and shall be subject to a proportionate share of the maintenance and related costs. The maintenance agreement shall be recorded as a covenant and agreement to run with the land. The subdivider shall submit a copy of this agreement, once recorded, to the planning division for placement in the subdivision file.

3. Parcels of land may be subdivided for small lot development provided that the density of the subdivision complies with the minimum lot area per dwelling unit requirement established for the underlying zoning district.

4. Each unit in a small lot subdivision shall be constructed on an individual parcel with no common foundation, walls, or footings.

5. No asphalt shall be permitted for paved areas. Driveways, drive aisles, and unenclosed parking areas shall consist of concrete, pavers, or other materials as deeded appropriate by the approving body.

6. Access to a small lot within the small lot subdivision, and to its required parking spaces, shall be provided by way of a public or private street, or an access easement.

7. For small lot subdivision projects, no demolition, grading, building permit, or certificate of occupancy shall be issued unless a site plan and design review application is approved pursuant to Section 17.136 of this Code and such said site plan and design review is filed and processed concurrently with a tract or parcel map.

8. Trash Enclosures. All small lot subdivision developments comprised of four or more lots/units shall provide trash collection area adequately and conveniently placed throughout the development Trash collection areas shall be screened from view on three sides by a six-foot high wall. A visually opaque gate shall be provided.

9. Roof mounted equipment is prohibited unless adequately screened from public rights-of-way and adjacent properties.

10. The below development standards (Table 17.12.030.4) shall apply to small lot subdivision developments:

Table 17.12.030.4: SMALL LOT SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

*Overall Development Area means the gross area within the perimeter boundaries of the development.

(Ord. No. 931, § 5(Exh. A), 10-22-13; Ord. No. 998, § 5, 4-27-21)