Chapter 18.44 — MULTIPLE-FAMILY THIRTY UNITS PER ACRE (MF-30) ZONE

The purpose of the MF-30 zone is to provide for the development of high density multiple-family projects, to ensure that such development is compatible with contiguous uses, to encourage wellplanned neighborhoods through creative and imaginative site planning, to provide opportunities at a density deemed appropriate to accommodate lower income households by Section 65583.2(c)(3)(B) (iv) of the Planning and Zoning Law and to ensure integrated design and unified control of design. (Ord. 1215 § 2, 2013)

Buildings, structures and land shall be used, and buildings and structures shall hereafter be erected, structurally altered or enlarged only for the following uses. All uses shall be subject to the property development standards set forth in this chapter.

• A. Primary Uses.

  1. Apartments, condominiums, townhouses and similar multiple-family developments;

  2. Senior citizen housing projects;

• B. Incidental Uses.

  1. Home occupations;

  2. Household pets as described and regulated in Chapter 18.20 Residential Zones Generally;

3. Day care centers, day nurseries, and nursery schools as an accessory use only. (Ord. 1215 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1226 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1309, 8/27/2024)

The following uses shall be permitted pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 18.200 :

A. Single room occupancy uses. (Ord. 1215 § 2, 2013)

All developments in the MF-30 zone shall provide a minimum of thirty dwelling units per acre. A density bonus exceeding thirty dwelling units per acre shall be granted for any development that provides affordable housing pursuant to Chapter 18.22 . (Ord. 1215 § 2, 2013)

The following property development standards shall apply to all land and buildings in the MF-30 zone. Any development standard is subject to an incentive or concession pursuant to Section 18.22.050 and/or a waiver or reduction pursuant to Section 18.22.060 .

• A. Site Area. There is no minimum site area.

• B. Building Height. No building or structure erected in this zone shall have a height greater than forty-five feet or three and one-half stories.

• C. Yards.

  1. Front. There shall be a front yard setback of fifteen feet extending across the full width of the lot or parcel.

  2. Side. Side yard setbacks shall be as follows:

     • a. When a multifamily structure is adjacent to properties zoned for single-family use: thirty feet for two or more stories.

     • b. When a multifamily structure is not adjacent to properties zoned for single-family use: fifteen feet.

     • c. When a side yard is contiguous to a public street: fifteen feet.

     • d. In all cases, there shall be a minimum of five feet of landscaped setback adjacent to side property lines which shall be free from all structures, driveways, parking, trash enclosures and similar facilities.

  3. Rear. The minimum rear yard shall be twenty feet. Vehicular access and parking may be provided within a rear yard and, in such event, the setback shall be thirty feet; five feet of such yard nearest the property line shall be landscaped.

• D. Projections into Rear or Side Yards.

  1. Garages or carports may be located on side or rear property lines except when the yard is contiguous to a single-family residential zone or adjacent to a street.

  2. Eaves, balconies, patio roofs and exterior stairways may project not more than fifty percent into the required yard.

  3. Fireplaces may project not more than twenty-four inches.

• E. Floor Area of Dwelling Units. The minimum floor area per dwelling unit for apartment, transitional, supportive housing and other types of rental housing shall be:

  1. Units with no bedrooms: four hundred fifty square feet.

  2. Units with one bedroom: six hundred square feet.

  3. Units with two bedrooms: seven hundred fifty square feet.

  4. Units with three bedrooms or more, additional area for each bedroom exceeding two: two hundred square feet.

• F. Open Green Areas. A minimum of twenty-five percent of the total lot or parcel area shall be maintained as usable open green areas.

  1. Open green areas shall be conveniently located and easily accessible from all dwelling units.

  2. Open green areas may include swimming pools, putting greens, court game facilities, playground areas and recreational buildings.

  3. When a development includes one or more units containing more than two bedrooms, a portion of the open green area required by this chapter shall be improved with playground equipment intended specifically for use by children. The size, location and design of said area shall be established in conjunction with the project approval.

4. Open green areas shall not include streets, vehicle parking areas or accessways; distance between buildings of less than ten feet, or required yard setbacks.

• G. Utilities.

  1. All utility services shall be installed underground.

  2. For condominiums and other multiple-family projects with individual ownership, each unit shall have individual water, sewer and utility connections and each utility that is consumed within the unit shall be separately metered and/or have a separate lateral, as appropriate.

• H. Landscaping. All required yards, spaces between buildings, and open green areas shall be landscaped pursuant to an approved landscape plan in compliance with Chapter 18.14 .

• I. Refuse Storage. All outdoor trash, garbage and refuse storage shall be screened on all sides from view by a minimum six-foot-high decorative concrete block or masonry wall and the opening provided with a durable wood or metal gate. They shall be provided with hose bibs for maintenance and shall be of adequate number and be conveniently located for all units. Facilities shall be of adequate size to accommodate recycling facilities.

• J. Lighting. All lighting of the buildings, landscape areas and storage areas shall be placed so as to not reflect onto adjoining properties. When necessary, a detailed lighting plan may be required.

• K. Mechanical Equipment. All ground mechanical equipment shall be screened behind a permanent structure. All rooftop mechanical equipment shall be completely screened by architectural components integral to the design of the building.

• L. Off-Street Parking. The provisions of Chapter 18.156 shall apply. For an eligible project, when requested, the parking standards set forth in Section 18.22.070 shall apply.

• M. Signs. The provisions of Chapter 18.152 shall apply.

• N. Laundry Facilities. When laundry facilities are not provided in each unit, such facilities shall be provided within a totally enclosed permanent building, convenient to all units, and provided with automatic washers and dryers.

• O. Fences and Walls.

  1. Required. Where an MF-30 zone abuts a single-family residential zone, there shall be a decorative masonry wall not less than six feet in height erected along and adjacent to the property line, except that such wall shall be reduced to not more than forty-two inches in height, or may be eliminated, in any required yard abutting a street.

  2. Permitted. Walls and retaining walls not greater than six feet in height shall be permitted on or within all rear and side property lines on interior lots and corner lots when abutting a street, on or to the rear of all front setback lines.

• (Ord. 1215 § 2, 2013)

Before any building or structure is erected in this zone, a development plan shall have been submitted and approved in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 18.12 . (Ord. 1215 § 2, 2013)