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Chapter 17.12 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES

Seaside Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Seaside

17.12.010 Purpose

17.12.020 Purposes of the Residential Zones

17.12.030 Residential Zone Permitted Land Uses and Permit Requirements

17.12.040 Residential Zone Subdivision Standards

17.12.050 Residential Zone Site Planning and Building Standards

17.12.060 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations

17.12.010 Purpose

This chapter lists the land uses that may be allowed within the residential zones established by Section 17.06.020 (Zoning Map and Zones), determines the type of planning permit/approval required for each use, and provides basic standards for site layout and building size.

17.12.020 Purposes of the Residential Zones

The purposes of the individual residential zones and the manner in which they are applied are as follows:

A. RS (Single-Family Residential) zone. The RS zone is applied to areas of the City that are appropriate for neighborhoods of detached single-family dwellings, surrounding the more densely developed core of the City. The maximum allowable residential density within the RS zone is up to eight dwelling units per acre in areas designated Low Density Single-Family Residential (RLS) by the General Plan and shown on the Zoning Map as RS-8, and up to 12 dwelling units per acre in areas designated Medium Density Single-Family Residential (RMS) by the General Plan and shown on the Zoning Map as RS-12. The RS zone implements and is consistent with the Low Density Single-Family Residential (RLS) and Medium Density Single-Family Residential (RMS) land use designations of the General Plan, with maximum allowable density indicated on the Zoning Map by either a numerical suffix to the RS designation (e.g., RS-12).

B. RM (Medium Density Residential) zone. The RM zone is applied to areas of the City that are appropriate for neighborhoods with a variety of housing types including attached and detached single-family dwellings, duplexes and triplexes, and some condominiums. The maximum allowable residential density within the RM zone is 15 dwelling units per acre. The RM zone implements and is consistent with the Medium Density Residential (RM) land use designation of the General Plan.

C. RH (High Density Residential) zone. The RH zone is applied to areas of the City that are appropriate for a mixture of multi-family housing, including apartments, townhomes, and condominiums, and professional offices, convalescent homes, and care facilities. The maximum allowable residential density within the RH zone is 25 dwelling units per acre. The RH zone implements and is consistent with the High Density Residential (RH) land use designation of the General Plan.

17.12.030 Residential Zone Permitted Land Uses and Permit Requirements

A. General permit requirements. Table 2-1 identifies the land uses allowed by this Zoning Ordinance in each residential zone, and the planning permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section 17.10.030 (Permitted Land Uses and Planning Permit Requirements).

B. Architectural Review. A land use that is identified by this chapter as permitted, or allowed with a Use Permit or Minor Use Permit approval may also require Architectural Review. See Section 17.62.030 for Architectural Review requirements.

C. Requirements for certain specific land uses. Where the last column in Table 2-1 (“Specific Use Regulations”) includes a section number, the referenced section may affect whether the use requires a Zoning Clearance, Minor Use Permit, or Use Permit, and/or may establish other requirements and standards applicable to the use.

TABLE 2-1 – Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Residential Zones

P Permitted Use, Zoning
Clearance required Key to Zoning District Symbols
MUP Minor Use Permit
required (see Section
17.62.070) RS Single-Family Residential
UP Use Permit required (see
Section
17.62.070)
RM Medium Density Residential
S See cited section for permit
requirement RH High Density Residential
– Use not allowed
PERMIT REQUIRED
BY ZONE Specific Use
LAND USE(1) RS
RM
RH Regulations
RECREATION,EDUCATION & PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
P Permitted Use, Zoning
Clearance required
MUP Minor Use Permit
required (see Section
17.62.070)
UP Use Permit required (see
Section
17.62.070)
S See cited section for permit
requirement
– Use not allowed
LAND USE(1)
Key to Zoning District Symbols Key to Zoning District Symbols Key to Zoning District Symbols Key to Zoning District Symbols
RS Single-Family Residential
RM Medium Density Residential
RH High Density Residential
PERMIT REQUIRED
BY ZONE
Specific Use
RS RM RH
Regulations
RECREATION,EDUCATION & PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
Equestrian facility UP UP UP
Meetingfacility, public orprivate UP UP UP
Park, playground UP UP UP
Private residential recreation
facility
UP UP UP
School – Public orprivate UP UP UP
School – Specialized
education/training (2)
UP UP UP
RESIDENTIAL
Animal keeping P P P 17.52.020
Caretaker unit MUP MUP
Condominium/Common interest
residential subdivision
UP UP UP 17.52.070
Emergency/transitional shelter UP UP UP 17.52.100
Home occupation P P P 17.52.120
Mobile homepark UP UP UP 17.52.170
Multi-familyhousing,2 or3units P P 17.52.180
Multi-family housing, 4 or more
units
P 17.52.180
Organizational house (sorority,
monastery,etc.)
UP UP
Residential accessory use or
structure
P P P 17.52.220
Residential care facility, 6 or fewer
clients,in single-familydwelling
P P P
Residential care facility, 7 or more
clients
UP UP UP
Residential second unit P P P 17.52.230
Rooming or boarding, 3 or more
persons
UP UP UP
Single-family dwelling –
Townhome/Rowhouse
UP UP UP
Single-family dwelling –
Townhome/Rowhouse, affordable
restricted
UP UP
Single-familydwelling– Detached P P P
Single-family dwelling – Detached,
affordable restricted
P P P

SERVICES – BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL

Medical services – Extended care UP
Office – Accessory P P P
Office – Business or service UP
Office – Professional or
administrative
UP
Office – Temporaryreal estate MUP MUP MUP
SERVICES
Cemetery UP
Daycare,Adult – 6 or fewer clients P P P
Daycare,Adult –7or more clients UP UP UP
Daycare, Child – Large or small
family daycare home
(1 to 14children)
P P P 17.52.050
Daycare, Child – Daycare center (15
or more children)
MUP MUP 17.52.050
Lodging – Bed and breakfast inn
(B&B)
UP UP 17.52.040
Mortuaryor Funeral Home UP UP UP
TRANSPORTATION,COMMUNICATIONS & INFRASTRUCTURE
Parking facility – Public or private,
adjacent to a C zone only
UP UP
Utilityfacility UP UP UP

Notes:

(1) See Article 7 for land use definitions.

(2) Specialized education/training schools that are associated with automotive, manufacturing, or industrial training programs are not allowed in any residential zone. Such programs would only be allowed where permitted under Section 17.14.030 (Commercial Zone Land Uses and Permit Requirements) as “School – Specialized training/education.”

(Ord. 2006 § 1(C) (Exh. C), 2021)

17.12.040 Residential Zone Subdivision Standards

A. Minimum parcel size. Each subdivision shall comply with the minimum parcel size requirements shown in Table 2-2 for the applicable zone, except as the minimum area may be reduced for road widening or corner lot curb returns, and as minimum width may

be reduced by the review authority to accommodate cul-de-sac lots on a limited basis. No cul-de-sac lot shall be approved with a frontage of less than 35 feet. Parcel size shall be determined as the gross lot area of the subject parcel.

B. Larger parcels may be required. The minimum parcel size requirements for a specific subdivision are determined by the review authority as part of subdivision approval. The review authority may require one or more parcels within a specific subdivision to be larger than the minimums required by the following table based on potential environmental impacts, the physical characteristics of the site or surrounding parcels, and/or other factors.

C. Condominium and other common interest subdivisions. A condominium or other common interest project may be subdivided with smaller parcels for ownership purposes, with the minimum lot area determined through subdivision review; provided, that the overall development site complies with the minimum parcel size, and the total number of any dwellings complies with the maximum density for the applicable zone.

TABLE 2-2 – MINIMUM PARCEL SIZE STANDARDS

Zone Minimum Parcel Size
Minimum Area Minimum
Width
RS-8 5,500 sf 40 ft
RS-12 3,750 sf 40 ft
RM 3,750 sf 50 ft
RH 3,750 sf 50 ft

17.12.050 Residential Zone Site Planning and Building Standards

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 Table 2-3, in addition to the applicable standards in Article 3 (for example, landscaping, parking and loading). Alternatives and/or exceptions may be granted in compliance with Sections 17.62.050 (Planned Development Permit) and 17.62.080 (Variance).

TABLE 2-3 – RESIDENTIAL ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Development
Feature
Requirement by Zone(1) Requirement by Zone(1) Requirement by Zone(1)
RS-8, RS-12
Single-Family
Residential
RM
Medium Density
Residential
RH
High Density
Residential
Density
Maximum density
Maximum number of dwelling units allowed on a single
parcel.
1 dwelling unit per
parcel, plus one
second unit where
allowed by Section
17.52.230.
1 dwelling unit for
each 2,904 sf of
site area.
1 dwelling unit for
each 1,742 sf of site
area.
Setbacks Minimum setbacks required.(2)
Front 15ft 15ft 15ft
Side – Interior 5 ft minimum, 10 ft
combined; 10 ft on
Single dwellings: Single dwellings:
Development
Feature
Requirement by Zone(1) Requirement by Zone(1) Requirement by Zone(1)
RS-8, RS-12
Single-Family
Residential
RM
Medium Density
Residential
RH
High Density
Residential
one side for
common wall or
zero lot line
development.
5 ft on each side
for structures 24 ft
or less; 15 ft
combined with a
minimum of 5 ft on
one side for
structures greater
than 24 ft in
height; 10 ft on one
side for common
wall or zero lot line
development.
Other buildings:
5 ft on each side
for structures 24 ft
or less; 30 ft
combined, with 12
ft minimum on one
side for structures
greater than 24 ft
in height.
5 ft on each side
for structures 24 ft
or less; 15 ft
combined with a
minimum of 5 ft on
one side for
structures greater
than 24 ft in
height; 10 ft on one
side for common
wall or zero lot line
development.
Other buildings:
5 ft on each side
for structures 24 ft
or less; 30 ft
combined, w/ 12 ft
minimum on one
side for structures
greater than 24 ft
in height.
Side – Street side
Rear
10 ft 10 ft Single dwellings:
10 ft
Other buildings: 15
ft
15 ft
Attached Garage:
13 ft.
15 ft
Attached Garage:
13 ft.
Single dwellings:
15 ft for structures
24 ft or less in
height; 20 ft for
structures greater
than 24 ft.
Other buildings:
15 ft for structures
24 ft or less in
height; 20 ft for
structures greater
than 24 ft in
height.
Development
Feature
Requirement by Zone(1) Requirement by Zone(1) Requirement by Zone(1) Requirement by Zone(1) Requirement by Zone(1)
RS-8, RS-12
Single-Family
Residential
RM
Medium Density
Residential
RH
High Density
Residential
Accessory
structures
See Section
17.52.220 (Residential Accessory Buildings,
Structures,and Uses)
Floor area ratio
(FAR)
Maximum FAR
Maximum floor area ratio allowed. (3)
0.45 0.45 0.45
Site coverage
Maximum coverage
Maximum percentage of the total lot area that may be
covered bystructures andpavement.(4)
65% 65% 60%
Open space
Minimum area
Minimum usable open space area required for each dwelling
unit.
None None for single-family residential
projects; see Section
17.52.180 for
multi-familyresidentialprojects.
Height limit
Maximum height
Maximum allowable height of structures. See Section
17.30.030 for height measurement requirements, and height
limit exceptions.(5)(6)
24 ft (1)(2) 24 ft (1)(2) for
single dwellings,
duplexes, triplexes;
36 ft for multi-
family.
24 ft (1)(2) for
single dwellings,
duplexes, triplexes;
48 ft for multi-
family.
Fencing See Section
Screening)

17.30.020 (Fences, Walls, Hedges, and
Landscaping See Section
17.30.040(LandscapingStandards)
Parking See Chapter
17.34(Parkingand Loading)
Signs See Chapter
17.40(Signs)

Notes:

(1) See Chapter 17.52 (Standards for Specific Land Uses).

(2) See Section 17.30.100 (Setback Requirements and Exceptions).

(3) Up to 440 square feet of garage area may be excluded from FAR calculations.

(4) See Subsection 17.34.120.G.5.

(5) See Section 17.30.030 for height exceptions for specific architectural features.

(6) Exterior stairways that would lead to a second floor or roof deck may be allowed subject to the approval of an Architectural Review. (Ord. 2027 § 2 (Exh. A §§ 1, 2), 2024)

17.12.060 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations

The Zoning Administrator may approve modifications to the development standards of this Zoning Ordinance for a residential project providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities after first making the following findings. This review shall be ministerial and shall not be subject to public notice or hearing unless appealed in accordance with Chapter 17.76.

A. An individual residing at the property and protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act has a special need that would only be served by the requested modification to development standards for the proposed project;

B. If applicable, the applicant has taken reasonable steps to ensure that the design, location, size, and operating characteristics of the proposed modification are compatible with the existing and planned future land uses in the vicinity; and

C. Alternative accommodations which may provide an equivalent level of benefit, but would not require modifications to the development standards of this Zoning Ordinance, are cost-prohibitive or infeasible for the proposed project. (Ord. 2027 § 2 (Exh. A § 3), 2024)

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Contents — Seaside Zoning Code
Seaside Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 17.02 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY OF ZONING ORDINANCE
  2. Chapter 17.04 — INTERPRETATION OF CODE PROVISIONS
  3. Chapter 17.06 — ZONING MAP
  4. Chapter 17.10 — DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
  5. Chapter 17.12 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
  6. Chapter 17.14 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
  7. Chapter 17.16 — AUTOMOTIVE REGIONAL COMMERCIAL (CA) ZONE STAND…
  8. Chapter 17.18 — SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONES
  9. Chapter 17.20 — SPECIFIC PLANS
  10. Chapter 17.22 — OVERLAY ZONES
  11. Chapter 17.24 — FORT ORD LANDS
  12. Chapter 17.30 — STANDARDS FOR ALL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USES
  13. Chapter 17.30 — STANDARDS FOR ALL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USES
  14. Chapter 17.32 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
  15. Chapter 17.33 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCENTIVES
  16. Chapter 17.34 — PARKING AND LOADING
  17. Chapter 17.36 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
  18. Chapter 17.38 — SIDEWALK USE AND CONNECTIVITY
  19. Chapter 17.40 — SIGNS
  20. Chapter 17.50 — ADULT-ORIENTED BUSINESS REGULATIONS
  21. Chapter 17.52 — STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES
  22. Chapter 17.54 — TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
  23. Chapter 17.55 — SMALL CELL WIRELESS FACILITIES
  24. Chapter 17.60 — PERMIT APPLICATION FILING AND PROCESSING
  25. Chapter 17.62 — PERMIT REVIEW AND DECISIONS
  26. Chapter 17.64
  27. Chapter 17.66 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
  28. Chapter 17.68 — HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION
  29. Chapter 17.70 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
  30. Chapter 17.72 — NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES, AND PARCELS
  31. Chapter 17.74 — AMENDMENTS
  32. Chapter 17.76 — APPEALS
  33. Chapter 17.78 — PUBLIC HEARINGS
  34. Chapter 17.80 — ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
  35. Chapter 17.98 — DEFINITIONS

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