Chapter 24.218

R-3 MULTIPLE FAMILY ZONE

Sections:

• 24.218.010 Chapter description.

• 24.218.020 Uses – Permitted.

• 24.218.030 Uses – Subject to a use permit.

• 24.218.040 Uses – Incidental.

• 24.218.050 Uses – Special provisions.

• 24.218.060 Standards – Density.

• 24.218.070 Standards – Height.

• 24.218.080 Standards – Yards.

• 24.218.090 Standards – Setbacks. 24.218.100 Standards – Accessory structures. 24.218.110 Attached patio covers.

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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• 24.218.120 Standards – Other.

• 24.218.130 Density review. 24.218.140 Nonconformance.

This chapter establishes the R-3 multiple family zone, also known as the R-3 zone, and prescribes use types and other regulations for this zone. Any applicable overlay zones described in Chapters 24.300 through 24.399 may impose regulations in addition to those prescribed by this chapter for the R-3 zone. (Code 1971, § 15.218.010)

The following use types are permitted in an R-3 zone, subject to the provisions of this chapter:

• A. Residential.

Family Residential: Large Multifamily.

Family Residential: Mobile Home.

Family Residential: Single-Family.

Family Residential: Small Multifamily.

Family Residential: Two-Family.

Residential Care.

Residential Condominiums.

• B. General.

Government Services.

Recreation Services: Public Parks and Playgrounds.

Recycling Services: Consumer Recycling Collection Points.

Wireless Telecommunications Facilities: Mini.

Wireless Telecommunications Facilities: Minor.

• C. Agricultural.

None. (Code 1971, § 15.218.020; Ord. No. 2000-04, § 16, 1-24-00)

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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The following use types may be permitted subject to the provisions of this chapter; and further provided, that a use permit is approved pursuant to Chapter 24.520:

• A. Residential.

Group Residential.

• B. General.

Automotive and Accessories: Parking.

Community Meeting.

Cultural and Library Services.

Day Care Centers.

Education Services: General.

Group Care.

Lodging Services: Bed and Breakfast Inns.

Nursery Sales.

Safety Services.

Utility or Equipment Substations.

Wireless Telecommunications Facilities: Major.

• C. Agricultural.

None. (Code 1971, § 15.218.030; Ord. No. 2000-04, § 17, 1-24-00; Ord. No. 2011-010, § 6, 8-1-11; Ord. No. 2017-008, § 1, 4-17-17)

Incidental uses as deYned in Chapter 24.110 may be permitted. (Code 1971, § 15.218.040)

Uses listed in Sections 24.218.020 through 24.218.040 must also comply with the following special provisions:

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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• A. Design Review. Design review approval must be obtained to the extent required by Chapter 24.545.

• B. Planned Development Permit. Approval of a planned development permit pursuant to Chapter 24.525, or amendment pursuant to Chapter 24.570, is required for any construction of new structures or additions or alterations to existing structures in conjunction with, or in any way related to the following use types:

  1. Family Residential: Large Multifamily; and

  2. Residential Condominium conversions.

• C. Accessory Dwelling Units. Accessory dwelling units must comply with the provisions of Chapter 24.430.

• D. Temporary Uses. Temporary uses may be conducted in the R-3 zone only to the extent permitted by Chapter 24.120.

• E. Home Occupations. Home occupations may be conducted in the R-3 zone only to the extent permitted by Chapter 24.125.

• F. Factory-Built Homes. Factory-built homes may be used for residential purposes in the same manner as conventional site-built housing subject to the provisions of this chapter.

• G. Group Care. All Group Care uses must comply with the provisions of Chapter 24.435.

• H. Domestic Animals.

  1. Domestic animals, as deYned in Chapter 24.110, are permitted in the R-3 zone; provided, that no more than four adult animals over the age of four months are permitted per dwelling unit or establishment; and further provided, that no more than three adult dogs shall be permitted per dwelling unit or establishment.

2. Notwithstanding subsection (H)(1) of this section, for uses conducted in the R-3 zone that are classiYed in the family residential: single-family; family residential: two-family; and residential condominiums use types, up to six adult animals over the age of four months are permitted; provided, that no more than three adult dogs shall be permitted per dwelling unit.

• I. Livestock Animals. Livestock animals are not permitted in the R-3 zone.

• J. Wild Animals. Wild animals are not permitted in the R-3 zone.

• K. Recycling Services: Consumer Recycling Collection Points. Uses classiYed in the Recycling Services: Consumer Recycling Collection Points and Recycling Services: Recycling Transfer use types must comply with the provisions of Chapter 24.485.

L. Wireless Telecommunications Facilities: Minor. Uses classiYed in the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities: Minor use type shall require a director’s permit pursuant to Chapter 24.505.

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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M. Emergency Shelter. Emergency shelters must comply with the provisions of Chapter 24.437. (Code 1971, § 15.218.050; Ord. No. 2000-04, § 18, 1-24-00; Ord. No. 2001-13, § 5, 7-17-01; Ord. No. 2011-010, § 7, 8-1-11; Ord. No. 2021-017, § 13, 12-13-21)

A. Lot Area. Each lot in the R-3 zone shall have a minimum lot area per dwelling unit as set forth in Section 24.200.070 for the given subzone indicated on the o[cial zoning district map; provided, that in no instance shall any lot in the R-3 zone be less than 6,000 square feet in area.

• B. Lot Width. Each lot in the R-3 zone shall have a minimum average width of 60 feet.

• C. Lot Coverage. The building area of a lot in the R-3 zone, including accessory structures, shall not occupy more than 60 percent of the lot area. (Code 1971, § 15.218.060)

A. Height Determination. The height of buildings and other structures in the R-3 zone shall be determined in accordance with Section 24.405.040.

• B. Maximum Number of Stories. Buildings and other structures in the R-3 zone shall not exceed three stories.

C. Maximum Height. Regardless of the number of stories comprising a building or structure, no portion of a building or other structure in the R-3 zone shall exceed 45 feet in height except as provided in Section 24.405.030 (Code 1971, § 15.218.070)

Fences, walls, and other uses of yards in the R-3 zone shall comply with the yard requirements set forth in Chapter 24.410. (Code 1971, § 15.218.080)

Buildings and other structures, not including fences or walls, on a lot in the R-3 zone shall comply with the following setback requirements:

A. Front Setbacks. Each lot in this zone shall have a required front setback of not less than 20 percent of the depth of the lot; provided, that such front setback need not exceed 20 feet.

• B. Side Setbacks. Each lot in this zone shall have side setbacks as set forth in this subsection B:

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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1. For interior lots, there shall be a side setback on each side of the lot of not less than 10 percent of the width of said lot; provided, that such side setback need not exceed Yve feet and shall not be less than three feet in width;

2. For corner lots and reversed corner lots, the side setback required for each interior side shall be as set forth in subsection (B)(1) of this section for interior lots and the side setback required for each street side of each such lot shall not be less than one-half the required front yard setback, but need not exceed 10 feet.

• C. Rear Setbacks. Each lot in this zone shall have a rear setback of not less than 25 percent of the depth of the lot; such rear setback need not exceed 25 feet. (Code 1971, § 15.218.090)

Accessory structures, as deYned in Chapter 24.110, shall only be allowed to the extent such accessory structures comply with subsections A through D of this section. Accessory dwelling units are subject to Chapter 24.340:

A. The portion of any accessory structures used for required parking (e.g., garage, carport), shall provide for adequate ingress and egress as determined by the director;

• B. The portion of any accessory structure that contains a habitable room shall not be located closer than three feet to any lot line, regardless of the location of the accessory structure on the lot;

C. All accessory structures are subject to compliance with all Uniform Building Code requirements, including, but not limited to, separation between structures;

D. In addition to the applicable provisions of subsections A through C of this section, a detached accessory structure may be located in the required yard areas only to the extent allowed by this subsection D as follows:

1. Detached accessory structures may be entirely or partially located in a required rear yard as long as these accessory structures do not occupy more than 50 percent of that required rear yard;

2. Detached accessory structures may be partially or entirely located in the portion of the required side yard which overlaps the required rear yard;

3. Detached accessory structures may be partially or entirely located in one of the required front yards of a through lot; provided, that such accessory structure is set back from the nearest front lot line a distance of not less than 10 percent of the depth of the lot, but need not exceed a setback of 25 feet, and at least Yve feet from any side lot line;

4. Where the average natural grade of a required front setback line is more than eight feet above the average established curb grade of the street upon which the lot abuts, a garage may be erected so as to extend into the required front yard or required side yard, but not so as to extend closer than Yve feet to any street property line; and

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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5. All detached accessory structures located in required yard areas shall not exceed one story in height and shall be no more than 14 feet in height. (Code 1971, § 15.218.100; Ord. No. 2021-017, § 13, 12-13-21)

A patio cover attached to a dwelling unit may be located partially or entirely in a required rear yard subject to all of the following provisions:

• A. Width of Covering. The width of such patio cover shall not exceed one-half of the width of the lot upon which it is located;

• B. Location of Supports. Supports shall be a minimum of 12 feet from the rear lot line and a minimum of Yve feet from each of the side lot lines;

• C. Overhang Allowable. Eave overhangs shall be a minimum of 10 feet from the rear lot line and a minimum of three feet from each of the side lot lines;

D. Side Enclosure Prohibited. No enclosure of any kind shall be permitted on any nonattached side of such structure;

E. Coverage of Building Area Limited. The area of the attached patio cover combined with the area of all other buildings and structures on the lot shall not exceed the maximum lot coverage permitted in this chapter. (Code 1971, § 15.218.110)

The following development regulations and standards shall also apply within the R-3 zone:

• A. Parking. O]-street parking shall be provided for all uses in the R-3 zone as required by Chapter 24.415;

• B. Signs. All signs must comply with the provisions of Chapter 24.420;

• C. Coastal Development. All development within the CP overlay zone is subject to the provisions of Chapters 24.310 and 24.515;

D. Floodplain Overlay Zone. All development within a designated Zoodplain (FP) overlay zone must comply with the provisions of Chapters 24.320 and 24.530;

• E. Open Storage. Open storage in the front yard is not permitted in R-3 zone;

• F. Mobile Homes. Uses classiYed as Family Residential: Mobile Home use types must be located on a permanent foundation system and must comply with the following architectural standards:

  1. RooYng and siding materials shall be nonreZective; and

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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2. Roofs shall have a minimum roof overhang of 16 inches.

• G. Vehicle Repair. Repair of vehicles may be carried out on sites occupied by residential land uses only if all the following conditions are met:

  1. The vehicle under repair must be owned by the current resident of the property upon which the repairs are being made.

  2. Registration or proof of current ownership of the vehicle being repaired shall be available for inspection on the premises at all times while the vehicle is under repair.

  3. Vehicle repairs may be conducted only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

  4. Repair of a particular vehicle shall be conducted and completed in no more than 30 days.

  5. Storage of any vehicle under repair, or storage of parts of a vehicle, upon a public street or alley or upon any unpaved yard area, other than a driveway, is prohibited.

  6. Body work on a vehicle is prohibited.

  7. Painting of a vehicle or any portion of a vehicle is prohibited. (Code 1971, § 15.218.120)

Prior to issuance of building permits, Zoor plans may be reviewed by the director to determine that density standards will not be exceeded. In order to preclude or lessen the possibility that density standards will be exceeded, or that unlawful density increases will occur in the future, no more than one kitchen shall be allowed per dwelling unit. In the density review process, additional changes may be required in the placement of exterior doors, windows, stairways, hallways, utility connections, or other Yxtures or architectural features when determined by the director to be necessary or desirable to preclude or lessen the likelihood of unlawful density increases. (Code 1971, § 15.218.130)

All nonconforming uses, nonconforming structures, and nonconforming lots are subject to the provisions of Chapter 24.465. (Code 1971, § 15.218.140)