9-200.010 - PURPOSE

The purpose of this Chapter is to prescribe use, lot, and structure regulations and development standards for Residential Zones, consistent with the General Plan. The specific purposes of the Residential Zones are to:

(a)

Designate adequate land, consistent with the General Plan, for residential uses;

(b)

Preserve, protect, and enhance the character of the County's residential neighborhoods and its urban and rural communities;

(c)

Ensure adequate light, air, and open space for each dwelling;

(d)

Ensure that the scale and design of new development and alterations to existing structures are compatible with surrounding homes and other residential uses and appropriate to the physical characteristics of the site and the area where the project is proposed;

(e)

Promote opportunities for a variety of housing for all income groups and for those with special housing needs; and

(f)

Provide sites for public and semi-public land uses, such as day care centers, parks, community facilities, religious assemblies, schools, and public safety facilities that will serve County residents.

The following zones implement the General Plan residential land use designations.

R-R Zone. The Rural Residential (R-R) Zone provides for large-lot rural homesites within existing rural communities where full urban services are not available or expected and in urban communities where rural residential densities already exist. Lots will generally have sufficient area to allow for individual water supply, sewage disposal, and storm water drainage. Typically, areas in this zone will contain parcels too small to support significant commercial agriculture, yet are suitable for residential use without undue detriment to the agricultural productivity of San Joaquin County. This zone implements the Rural Residential land use designation of the General Plan.

R-VL Zone. The Very Low Density Residential (R-VL) Zone provides a transition from agricultural and rural to urban areas by allowing for detached, single-unit dwellings and bungalow courts on large lots located in areas with existing large-lot development, within communities around sensitive natural resources, or on the urban fringes around cities. This zone implements the Very Low Density Residential land use designation of the General Plan.

R-L Zone. The Low Density Residential (R-L) Zone provides for neighborhoods consisting of detached single-unit dwellings and bungalow courts, generally located within urban communities and city fringe areas that are served by a public water supply, sanitary sewer system, and similar facilities and services. Limited neighborhood-serving commercial uses and compatible public and quasi-public uses, including parks and schools, are permitted, subject to standards to ensure land use compatibility. This zone implements the Low Density Residential land use designation of the General Plan.

city fringe areas that are served by a public water supply, sanitary sewer system, and similar facilities and services. Limited neighborhood-serving commercial uses and compatible public and quasi-public uses, including parks and schools, are permitted, subject to standards to ensure land use compatibility. This zone implements the Low Density Residential land use designation of the General Plan.

R-M Zone. The Medium Density Residential (R-M) Zone accommodates attached and detached single- unit dwellings, including duplexes, bungalow courts, and multi-unit residential development in neighborhoods most appropriately situated as buffers between less and more intensively developed residential areas or as transitions from residential to commercial areas. In addition to residential uses, this zone allows for smallscale neighborhood commercial and office uses at appropriate locations and a limited number of public and quasi-public uses, such as day care centers, parks, schools, public safety facilities, and residential care facilities, all of which are appropriate in a medium density residential environment. The zone implements the Medium Density Residential land use designation of the General Plan.

R-MH Zone. The Medium-High Density Residential (R-MH) Zone allows for detached and attached singleunit dwellings, bungalow courts, and multi-unit residential development in central portions of urban communities, along major transportation routes, and around major commercial areas. In addition to residential uses, this zone allows for limited neighborhood-serving commercial and office uses, compatible public and semi-public uses including day care centers, public safety facilities, community assembly, parks, schools, and residential care facilities and transitional and supportive housing, all of which are appropriate in a medium-high density residential environment. This zone implements the Medium-High Density Residential land use designation of the General Plan.

R-H Zone. The High Density Residential (R-H) Zone provides for a broad variety of housing, including single-unit dwellings, duplexes, bungalow courts and multi-unit residential development, located near central business districts, major commercial areas, and major transportation routes. It also accommodates hotels and motels, neighborhood-scale commercial and mixed use development, offices, and compatible public and quasi-public uses, including day care centers, public safety facilities, community assembly, parks, schools, and residential care facilities and transitional and supportive housing. This zone is intended to implement the High Density Residential land use designation of the General Plan.