Chapter II — Residential Zones

This Chapter lists the land uses that may be allowed within the residential zones established by Section D1-7 (Zoning Map and Zones), determines the type of land use permit/approval required for each use, and provides basic standards for site layout and building size.

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 587

The purposes of the residential zones and the manner in which they are applied are as follows. A. RC (Rural Conservation) zone (0.0 to 0.2 du/ac). The RC zone is applied to areas of the City without urban services, with open space and habitat value, where rural single-family residential development may occur at densities of up to one unit per five gross developable acres. Clustering is encouraged to permit suitable development sites with less than 20 percent slope, where the overall project preserves 90 percent of its site in open space. Minimum lot size for new parcels is at least five acres. The RC zone is consistent with and implements the Rural Conservation land use classification of the General Plan. B. HR (Hillside Residential) zone (0.0 to 2.0 du/ac). The HR zone is applied to hillside areas of the City appropriate for single-family dwellings, where proposed development requires special standards to ensure resource preservation and limited visual impacts. Single-family residential development may occur at densities of up to two units per acre. Clustering is required to permit suitable development sites on less than 20 percent slope, and to preserve 70 percent of an overall development site in open space. Minimum lot size for new parcels is at least five acres. The HR zone is consistent with and implements the Hillside Residential land use classification of the General Plan. C. RE (Residential Estate) zone (0.2 to 3.0 du/ac). The RE zone is applied to areas of the City appropriate for very low density residential land uses, at densities of 0.2 to 3.0 units per acre, compatible with the topography and public service capacities. The specific allowable density for each parcel is shown on the Zoning Map by a numerical suffix residential density designator (see Section D2-8). Minimum lot size for new parcels ranges from 15,000 to 20,000 square feet. The RE zone is consistent with and implements the Low Density Residential land use classification of the General Plan. D. RS (Single-Family Residential) zone (3.0 to 15.0 du/ac). The RS zone is applied to areas of the City appropriate for single-family residential land uses in neighborhoods at a density of three to 15 units per net acre, subject to appropriate standards. The specific allowable density for each parcel is shown on the Zoning Map by a numerical suffix residential density designator (see Section D2-8). Minimum lot size for new parcels ranges from 2,900 to 12,000 square feet. Depending upon the applicable residential density designator, the RS zone is consistent with and implements the Low Density Residential, Low-Medium Density Residential, and Medium Density Residential land use classifications of the General Plan. E. RM (Medium-Density Residential) zone (6.0 to 15.0 du/ac). The RM zone is applied to areas of the City appropriate for multiple residential uses, including duplexes, townhouses, or cluster housing with landscaped open space for residents' use at a density of six to 15 units per net acre. Single- family dwellings are also permitted. Minimum lot size for new parcels is 2,900 square feet or larger. The RM zone is consistent with and implements the Medium Density Residential land use classification of the General Plan. F. RMH (Medium-High Density Residential) zone (15.0 to 22.0 du/ac). The RMH zone is applied to areas of the City appropriate for townhouses or apartments at a density of 15 to 22 units per net acre. Minimum lot size for new multifamily parcels is 10,000 square feet or larger. Single-family dwellings are also permitted with a minimum lot size for new parcels of 2,000 square feet with a maximum of 3,100 based on the per acre RMH density range. The RMH zone is consistent with and implements the Medium-High Density Residential land use classification of the General Plan. G. RH (High-Density Residential) zone (22.0 to 30.0 du/ac). The RH zone is applied to areas of the City appropriate for compact, high density, well-designed residential development, including apartments and town houses with a density range of 22 to 30 units per net acre. Proposed development will reflect high quality design with integrated open space and recreational and/or cultural amenities, as well as providing workforce housing, structured parking, and units of various number of bedrooms, with specific attention to three and more bedroom units to achieve the overall goal of providing diverse types of dwelling units. Minimum lot size for new parcels is 10,000 square feet or larger. The

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 588

RH zone is consistent with and implements the Medium-High Density Residential land use classification of the General Plan. H. RVH (Multiple Family-Very High Density) zone (30.0 to 50.0 du/ac). The RVH zone is applied to areas appropriate for the highest density multiple-family residential development within the City, at densities between 30 and 50 units per net acre. Proposed development will reflect high quality design with integrated open space and recreational and/or cultural amenities, as well as providing workforce housing, structured parking, and units of various number of bedrooms, with specific attention to three and more bedroom units to achieve the overall goal of providing diverse types of dwelling units. Minimum lot size for new parcels is 10,000 square feet or larger. The RVH zone is consistent with and implements the High-Very High Density Residential land use classification of the General Plan. (Ord. No. 534, § 1 (Exh. A-1), 10/14/2025)

Effective on: 11/13/2025

A. Applicability. Table 2-1 identifies the uses of land allowed by this Zoning Ordinance in each residential zone, and the land use permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section D2-3 (Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements). Note: Where the last column in the table ("Specific Use Regulations") includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use. Provisions in other sections of this Zoning Ordinance may also apply. B. Additional City review requirements. A land use that is authorized by the planning permit required by Table 2-1 may also require Architectural Review (Section D6-22), and/or Preliminary Plan Review (Section D6-26). C. Temporary uses. Section D6-27 (Temporary Use Permits) establishes permit requirements and standards for all allowable temporary uses. Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance may be P required prior to operation TABLE 2-1 Allowed Land Uses and Permit MUP Minor Use Permit required Requirements for Residential UP Use Permit required S Permit requirement set by Specific Use Regulations Zones ZC Zoning Clearance required — Use not allowed PERMIT REQUIRED BY DISTRICT Specific Use LAND USE (1) RC HR RE RS RM RMH RH RVH Regulations AGRICULTURAL & OPEN SPACE USES Agricultural accessory structure P P P — — — — — D4-26 Beekeeping - Apiary P P P P — — — — D4-85 Farm animal keeping - less than — — — — — — — — 1 acre Farm animal keeping - max. 2 P P P — — — — — heads on 1 acre or greater Farm animal keeping - 3 heads MUP MUP MUP — — — — — or more on 1 acre or greater RECREATION, EDUCATION & PUBLIC ASSEMBLY USES Golf course, country club UP UP UP UP — — — —

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 589

Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance may be P required prior to operation TABLE 2-1 Allowed Land Uses and Permit MUP Minor Use Permit required Requirements for Residential UP Use Permit required S Permit requirement set by Specific Use Regulations Zones ZC Zoning Clearance required — Use not allowed PERMIT REQUIRED BY DISTRICT Specific Use LAND USE (1) RC HR RE RS RM RMH RH RVH Regulations Equestrian facilities UP UP UP — — — — — Library, museum, gallery — — — — — — UP UP Meeting facility, public or UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP private Park and recreation facilities, UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP noncommercial Private residential recreation — — MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP MUP facility (in project) Schools, public or private — — UP UP — — — — RESIDENTIAL USES Animal - Wild or Exotic S(2) S(2) S(2) S(2) S(2) S(2) S(2) S(2) B2 Animal – Domestic P P P P P P P P Chickens, raising of P P P P — — — — D4 Chapter VII Cottage Food Operation S S S S S S S S D4-33 Emergency shelter P P P P P P P P Home occupation S S S S S S S S D4-33 Mobile home park UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP D4-36 Multi-family housing — — — — P P P P Organizational house (sorority, — — — UP UP UP UP UP monastery, etc.) Residential accessory use or P P P P P P P P D4-26 structure Residential care, 6 or fewer P P P P P P P P clients Residential care, 7 or more UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP clients Rooming or boarding house P P P P P P P P Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) P P P P P P P P D4-39 Single-family dwelling P P P P P P — — Single-room occupancy unit — — — — — — UP UP Supportive housing P P P P P P P P Transitional housing P P P P P P P P SERVICES - GENERAL Child day care - Small or large P P P P P P P P family day care home Day care center - Child or adult UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP Lodging - Bed & breakfast inn S S S S — — — — D4-27 (B&B)

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 590

Permitted Use, Zoning Clearance may be P required prior to operation TABLE 2-1 Allowed Land Uses and Permit MUP Minor Use Permit required Requirements for Residential UP Use Permit required S Permit requirement set by Specific Use Regulations Zones ZC Zoning Clearance required — Use not allowed PERMIT REQUIRED BY DISTRICT Specific Use LAND USE (1) RC HR RE RS RM RMH RH RVH Regulations Lodging - Short term rental S S S S — — — — D4-27 (STR) Public safety facility UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS & INFRASTRUCTURE Utility facility UP(3) UP(3) UP(3) UP(3) UP(3) UP(3) UP(3) UP(3) Utility infrastructure P(3) P(3) P(3) P(3) P(3) P(3) P(3) P(3) Windmill for electricity UP(3) UP(3) UP(3) — — — — — D4-23 generation Wireless telecommunications S(3) S(3) S(3) S(3) S(3) S(3) S(3) S(3) D4 Chapter IV facility Notes: (1) See Division D8 for land use definitions. (2) See San Ramon Municipal Code DIVISION B2 for wild or exotic animal regulations. (3) Architectural Review may also be required; see Section D6-22.

Key to Zoning District Symbols

RC Rural Conservation RM Medium Density Residential HR Hillside Residential RMH Medium-High Density Residential RE Residential Estate RH High Density Residential RS Single-Family Residential RVH Multi-Family Very High Density

(Ord. No. 496, § 2, 01/28/2020; Ord. No. 534, § 1 (Exh. A-1), 10/14/2025)

Effective on: 11/13/2025

Subdivisions, new land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures, shall be designed, constructed, and established in compliance with the requirements in Tables 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4 in addition to the applicable standards (e.g., landscaping, parking and loading, etc.) in Division D3 of this Zoning Ordinance and the adopted Objective Design and Development Standards. TABLE 2-2 - RC, HR, AND RE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Requirement by Zone Development Feature RC HR RE-A RE-B Minimum lot size Minimum area and width for parcels proposed in new subdivisions. Area (net) 5 ac (1) 5 ac (1) 20,000 sf 15,000 sf Width 300 ft (1) 300 ft (1) 100 ft 100 ft Depth 300 ft (1) 300 ft (1) 150 ft 120 ft

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 591

TABLE 2-2 - RC, HR, AND RE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Requirement by Zone Development Feature RC HR RE-A RE-B Minimum setbacks required. See Section D3-10 for exceptions, and allowed Setbacks projections into setbacks. Front 30 ft 30 ft 25 ft 20 ft Side - Interior (each) 20 ft 20 ft 15 ft 10 ft Side - Corner 25 ft 25 ft 20 ft 15 ft Sides – Non-Corner Lot Aggregate 40 ft 40 ft 35 ft 25 ft Sides – Corner Lot Aggregate 45 ft 45 ft 35 ft 25 ft Rear 35 ft 30 ft 15 ft 15 ft Accessory structures See Section D4-26 (Accessory Structures) Maximum percentage of total lot area that may be covered by structures, and Lot coverage, FAR maximum floor area ratio (FAR). Lot coverage N.A N.A N.A N.A FAR N.A N.A N.A N.A Maximum allowable height of structures. See Section D3-6 (Height Limits and Height limit Exceptions) for height measurement requirements, and height limit exceptions. Maximum height 35 ft Exterior finish materials The exterior walls of all primary structures shall have a nonmetallic finish Landscaping See Section D3-II (Landscape Design Standards) Driveways and Paved Area See Section D3-37 (Driveways and Site Access) Parking See Chapter D3-III (Parking and Loading) Signs See Chapter D3-IV (Signs) Notes: (1) Clustering is encouraged in the RC zone and required in HR. See Section D2-10

TABLE 2-3 - RS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Requirement by Zone

Development Feature RS-12 RS-10 RS-7 RS-6 RS-D

Minimum lot size Minimum area and width for parcels proposed in new subdivisions.

Area (net) 12,000 sf 10,000 sf 7,000 sf 6,000 sf 2,900 sf Width 100 ft 70 ft 65 ft 60 ft 40 ft Depth 100 ft 100 ft 95 ft 90 ft 70 ft Minimum setbacks required. See Section D3-10 for exceptions, and allowed projections intoSetbacks setbacks. Front 20 ft 20 ft 20 ft 20 ft 15 ft (1) Side - Interior (each) 10 ft 10 ft 5 ft 5 ft 0 ft Side - Corner 15 ft 15 ft 15 ft 15 ft 10 ft Sides – Non-Corner Lot 25 ft 20 ft 15 ft 15 ft 10 ft Aggregate Sides – Corner Lot Aggregate 25 ft 25 ft 20 ft 20 ft 10 ft Rear 15 ft 15 ft 15 ft 15 ft 12 ft Accessory structures See Section D4-26 (Accessory Structures) Maximum percentage of total lot area that may be covered by structures, and maximum floorLot coverage, FAR area ratio (FAR). Lot coverage N.A N.A N.A N.A N.A FAR N.A N.A N.A N.A N.A Maximum allowable height of structures. See Section D3-6 (Height Limits and Exceptions) forHeight limit height measurement requirements, and height limit exceptions.

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 592

TABLE 2-3 - RS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Requirement by Zone Development Feature RS-12 RS-10 RS-7 RS-6 RS-D Maximum height 35 ft Exterior finish materials The exterior walls of all primary structures shall have a nonmetallic finish. Landscaping See Chapter D3-II (Landscape Design Standards) Driveways and Paved Area See Section D3-37 (Driveways and Site Access) Parking See Chapter D3-III (Parking and Loading) Signs See Chapter D3-IV (Signs) Notes: (1) Driveway aprons require a minimum garage façade setback of 18 feet.

TABLE 2-4 - RM, RMH, RH, AND RVH DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Requirement by Zone

Development Feature RM RMH RH RVH Minimum lot size Minimum area and width for parcels proposed in new subdivisions. Area (net) 2,900 sf 10,000 sf 10,000 sf 10,000 sf Width 40 ft 70 ft 70 ft 70 ft Depth 70 ft 90 ft 90 ft 90 ft Minimum setbacks required. See Section D3-10 for exceptions, and allowed projections into Setbacks setbacks. Front 15 ft (1) 15 ft (1) 15 ft 10 ft (2) Side - Interior (each) 6 ft 6 ft 6 ft 6 ft Side - Corner 10 ft 10 ft 10 ft 10 ft (2) Sides - Aggregate 16 ft 16 ft 16 ft 16 ft Rear 12 ft 15 ft 10 ft 10 ft Accessory structures See Section D4-26 (Accessory Structures) Non-Residential Lot Maximum percentage of total lot area that may be covered by structures, and maximum coverage, FAR nonresidential floor area ratio (FAR) for non-residential uses identified in Table 2-1. Lot coverage (non-residential) 25% 35% 35% 50% FAR (max non-residential) 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 Maximum allowable height of structures. See Section D3-6 (Height Limits and Exceptions) for Height limit height measurement requirements, and height limit exceptions. Maximum height 40 ft 50 ft Exterior finish materials The exterior walls of all primary structures shall have a nonmetallic finish. Landscaping See Chapter D3-II (Landscape Design Standards) Driveways and Paved Area See Section D3-37 (Driveways and Site Access) Parking See Chapter D3-III (Parking and Loading) Signs See Chapter D3-IV (Signs) Notes: 1. Driveway aprons require a minimum garage façade setback of 18 feet. 2. Five feet is allowed for a Row-house façade with stoop, where the first floor is elevated a minimum of three feet above the sidewalk.

(Ord. No. 534, § 1 (Exh. A-1), 10/14/2025)

Effective on: 11/13/2025

A. Applicability. Residential development including four or more units should be clustered within the RC zone, and shall be clustered within the HR zone, in compliance with this Section.

City of San Ramon, CA | Municipal Code 593

B. Cluster development design standards. The design of a proposed cluster development shall comply with the following standards. 1. Minimum lot area. Each clustered lot shall be a minimum of 20,000 square feet. 2. Maximum cluster size. No more than 10 dwelling units shall be within a single cluster. 3. Setback and buffer requirements. Proposed structures shall be located on each parcel with minimum setbacks of 30 feet in the front, 20 feet on each side, and 35 feet in the rear. A residential cluster shall be separated from each other cluster and any roadway abutting the site by a minimum of 100 feet. C. Open space preservation. Figure 2-1 – Location of Residential Cluster 1. RC zone. Clustering is encouraged to permit suitable development sites with less than 20 percent slope, and so that the overall project will preserve 90 percent of its site as open space. 2. HR zone. Clustering is required to permit suitable development sites with less than 20 percent slope. The overall project shall preserve 70 percent of its site as open space. 3. Preservation requirements. The open space on the site that is preserved by clustering shall be retained as part of an unsubdivided open space parcel or in individual open space parcels, and shall not be eligible for future development; provided that open space parcels may include conservation open space, community recreation open space, public access opens space, or buffer open space. D. Maximum residential density. The maximum allowed residential density on a site where the development is clustered in compliance with this Section shall be based on the percentage of total site area that is permanently preserved as open space, as follows. TABLE 2-5 - MAXIMUM DENSITY IN CLUSTERED DEVELOPMENT Percent of Site Area Maximum Allowable Density Permanently Preserved as RC Zone HR ZoneOpen Space 1 unit per net 5 acres 1 unit per net 5 acresUp to 49.9% (0.20 units per net acre) (0.2 units per net acre) 1 unit per 4 net acres 1 unit per 2.5 net acres50 to 59.9% (0.25 units per net acre) (0.4 units per net acre) 1 unit per 3.33 net acres 1 unit per 1.25 net acres60 to 69.9% (0.30 units per net acre) (0.8 units per net acre) 1 unit per 2.85 net acres 1 unit per 0.5 net acres70 to 79.9% (0.35 units per net acre) (2.0 units per net acre) 1 unit per 2.50 net acres 1 unit per 0.5 net acres80% or more (0.40 units per net acre) (2.0 units per net acre)