Seaside Municipal Code Ch. 17.12 Residential Zones

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.

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.

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

Notes:

(Ord. 2006 § 1(C) (Exh. C), 2021)

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

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

Notes:

(Ord. 2027 § 2 (Exh. A §§ 1, 2), 2024)

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)