Article II — RO Zone-Residential Office Zone

The purpose of the RO zone is to provide a medium-density multiple-family zone, generally located inside the central city and in certain adjacent areas. The zone permits development of office and other commercial uses that are compatible with adjacent residential uses. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

A. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted by right in the RO zone, subject to the limitations specified:

B. Conditional uses. The following uses in the RO zone require approval of a conditional use permit, subject to the limitations specified:

C. Accessory uses. The following uses are permitted in the RO zone when accessory to a permitted or conditional use, subject to the limitations specified:

D. Prohibited uses. All uses not listed as permitted, conditional, or accessory uses are prohibited in the RO zone. (Ord. 2026-0001 § 7; Ord. 2025-0007 § 4; Ord. 2024-0054 § 20; Ord. 2024-0051 § 6; Ord. 2024-0017 § 26; Ord. 2021-0023 § 22; Ord. 2020-0021 § 23; Ord. 2016-0001 § 15; Ord. 2015-0005 § 23; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 20130007 § 1)

• A. Height. The maximum height is 35 feet.

• B. Density. The maximum density is 36 dwelling units per net acre.

• C. Lot coverage.

1. Outside the central city, the maximum lot coverage for dwellings in the RO zone is 60%.

2. Office uses in the RO zone have no maximum lot coverage.

3. Floor area ratios. The minimum and maximum floor area ratios are established in the general plan. (Ord. 20130020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

• A. Front-yard setback.

1. Minimum front-yard setback.

a. If there are at least two other buildings with front-yard setbacks on the same side of the street on the same block as the lot for which the setback is being determined, the minimum front-yard setback is the average of the two front-yard setbacks of the nearest two buildings or 25 feet, whichever is less.

b. If there is only one other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block as the lot for which the setback is being determined, the minimum front-yard setback is the front-yard setback of that building or 25 feet, whichever is less.

c. If there is no other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block, the minimum front-yard setback is 20 feet.

2. If a parcel fronts a right-of-way that has a planter strip between the street pavement and the sidewalk, the width of the planter strip is counted in the front-yard setback.

• B. Street side-yard setback.

1. The minimum street side-yard setback for single-unit and two-unit dwellings is three feet.

2. The minimum street side-yard setback for multi-unit dwellings is five feet.

• C. Interior side-yard setback.

1. Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, there is no minimum interior side-yard setback.

2. If the interior side-yard lot line abuts a lot in the R-1 or R-1B zone or a lot containing a detached single-unit dwelling, the minimum interior side-yard setback is five feet.

• D. Rear-yard setback.

1. Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, the minimum rear-yard setback is 15 feet.

2. If the rear-yard lot line abuts a public alley, the rear-yard setback is five feet.

E. Levee setback. A minimum 20-foot setback from the landside toe of any flood control levee is required for development less than five acres in size. A minimum 50-foot setback is required from the landside toe of any flood control levee for development five acres or greater in size. No primary or accessory structures may encroach into the levee setback. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

• A. For architectural design guidelines and exceptions to the height and area standards, see chapter 17.600.

• B. For parking requirements, see chapter 17.608.

• C. For landscaping and paving requirements, see chapter 17.612.

• D. For recycling and solid waste disposal regulations, see chapter 17.616.

• E. For wall, fence, and gate regulations, see chapter 17.620.

• F. For residential accessory structure and use regulations, see chapter 17.624.

• G. For sign standards and regulations, see chapter 15.148.

• H. For historic preservation program generally, see chapter 17.604. For preservation design review of development projects, see section 17.808.100 et seq. (Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)

A. General.

1. For development projects not located in a historic district and not involving a landmark, no tentative map, parcel map, or permit shall be approved or issued unless an application for site plan and design review of the proposed project is approved in accordance with chapter 17.808 or the project is exempt under section 17.808.160.

2. The structure shall be predominantly residential in appearance. To achieve this end, conditions may be placed on parking area location and design, signage, and landscaping.

3. As used in this subsection A, "permit" means a building permit, a demolition permit, a sign permit, a grading permit, a paving permit, an encroachment permit, and a certificate of occupancy.

• B. Historic districts and landmarks.

1. For development projects located in a historic district or involving a landmark, no person shall commence construction or otherwise undertake a development project, and no tentative map, parcel map, or permit shall be approved or issued unless an application for site plan and design review of the proposed project is approved in accordance with chapter 17.808 or the project is exempt under section 17.808.160.

2. As used in this subsection B, "permit" means a building permit, a demolition permit, a sewer or water connection or disconnection, a sign permit, a grading permit, a paving permit, an encroachment permit, and a certificate of occupancy. (Ord. 2017-0061 § 28; Ord. 2013-0020 § 1; Ord. 2013-0007 § 1)