Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 14 — ZONING›Chapter 14-16 — DISTRICT REGULATIONS
Watsonville Municipal Code Part 3 RM-2—Multiple Residential District (Medium Density)
Watsonville Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-05 · Watsonville
Cite as: Watsonville Municipal Code Part 3 · Text as of 2026-10-05
14-16.300 Purpose.¶
The purpose of the Multiple Residential District (Medium Density) is to provide rental opportunities for all persons who, by choice or need, may not be purchasing a home and to provide for the development of new subdivisions which meet the density levels prescribed, including planned developments, mini-lot subdivisions, condominiums, stock cooperatives, and community apartment subdivisions.
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980, as amended by § 1, Ord. 642-84 C-M, eff. July 12, 1984)
14-16.301 Principal permitted uses.¶
The following uses require an Administrative Review Permit:
| GLU | 02 | Duplex |
|---|---|---|
| 03 | Multi-family dwellings | |
| 04 | Apartment units, sixteen (16) or less on one site | |
| 06 | Townhouses, rowhouses containing ten (10) or less dwelling units in one or more structures | |
| 09 | Employee housing | |
| 09 | Farmworker dwelling unit | |
| 09 | Low barrier navigation center | |
| 09 | Supportive housing | |
| 09 | Transitional housing | |
| DLU | 724 | Child care homes up to fourteen (14) children |
| 07 | Residential care facility, six (6) or less persons, and any similar use presently preempted by State law | |
| 07 | Residential care facility, seven (7) or more persons, as presently preempted by State regulatory controls |
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980, as amended by § 1, Ord. 642-84 C-M, eff. July 12, 1984, § 1, Ord. 1032-97 C-M, eff. July 24, 1997, Ord. 1153-03 C-M, eff. April 24, 2003, § 1, Ord. 1201-06 (CM), eff. October 26, 2006, and § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025, § 2, Ord. 1488-26 (CM), eff. June 25, 2026)
14-16.302 Accessory uses.¶
The following uses require an Administrative Review Permit:
| DLU | 4821 | Amateur radio antenna |
|---|---|---|
| 6325 | Private garage accessory to a principal residence | |
| 812 | Private park and recreation facilities | |
| 9130 | Greenhouses | |
| 9131 | Residential accessory uses | |
| Home occupations | ||
| 02 | Accessory dwelling unit | |
| 02 | Junior accessory dwelling unit |
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980, as amended by § 1, Ord. 642-84 C-M, eff. July 12, 1984, § 1, Ord. 991-96 C-M, eff. February 8, 1996, Ord. 1153-03 C-M, eff. April 24, 2003, § 1, Ord. 1162-03 C-M, eff. October 23, 2003, § 1, Ord. 1412-20 (CM), eff. November 26, 2020, and § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025, § 2, Ord. 1488-26 (CM), eff. June 25, 2026)
14-16.303 Conditional uses.¶
(a) The following uses require an Administrative Use Permit:
| DLU | 01 | Single-family dwelling if the lot area allows only one |
|---|---|---|
| 07 | Foster home for children, six (6) or less | |
| 07 | Foster family home, six (6) people or less | |
| 6913 | Temporary structures or uses for storage or office |
(b) The following uses require a Special Use Permit:
| GLU | 08 | Mobile home rental parks, recreation vehicle parks |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Single-family dwelling if the lot area allows more than one site | |
| 114 | Mini warehouse, household goods | |
| 04 | Apartment units, seventeen (17) or more on one site | |
| DLU | 07 | Bed and Breakfast Inns |
| 07 | Dormitory | |
| 02, 03, 04 | Building conversion to multi-family dwelling | |
| 87 | Private nonprofit recreation facilities, including, but not limited to, swimming pools, game rooms, and similar such uses |
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980, as amended by § 4, Ord. 557-82 C-M, eff. July 22, 1982, § 1, Ord. 642-84 C-M, eff. July 12, 1984, § 1, Ord. 991-96 C-M, eff. February 8, 1996, Ord. 1153-03 C-M, eff. April 24, 2003, § 1, Ord. 1201-06 (CM), eff. October 26, 2006, and § 2(3) (Exh. A), Ord. 1481-25 (CM), eff. October 9, 2025)
14-16.304 District regulations.¶
The following regulations shall be observed in the Multiple Residential District (Medium Density) for the use proposed, except as otherwise provided in this Title. Subdivisions requiring modification approval shall be processed in accordance with Part 10 (Modifications to District Regulations or Approved Permit) of Chapter 12 or Part 25 (Planned Development Districts) of Chapter 16 (District Regulations) of this Title:
| PERMITTED | MODIFICATION APPROVAL REQUIRED | MODIFICATION APPROVAL REQUIRED | MODIFICATION APPROVAL REQUIRED |
|---|---|---|---|
| PERMITTED | Standard Lot Subdivision (Duplex) | Cluster Lot Subdivision | Attached Building Subdivision |
| Minimum lot size in sq. ft. exclusive of public improvements | 5,000 Interior | 4,000 | — |
| 6,500 Exterior | 4,000 | ||
| Frontage | |||
| (Interior lot at front setback line (ft.)) | 50 | 40 | — |
| (Exterior lot at front setback line (ft.)) | 65 | 50 | |
| For Flag Lots See Subdivision Ordinance | |||
| Building separations as allowed by U.B.C. | |||
| Minimum yard setback requirements | |||
| Front of residence Permitted (ft.) by Modification (ft.) | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Garage front when door faces street | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 20 feet to rear of public sidewalk | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Yard: There shall be behind building, other than a building of accessory use, a rear yard having a minimum depth of twenty (20') feet (or 1,000 sq. ft.) with a minimum dimension of eight (8') feet in the rear 1/3 lot. Then a five (5') foot setback may be used unless otherwise noted. | Yes | Four hundred (400) sq. ft. uncovered | Five (5) feet from rear perimeter property line minimum |
| Side Yard | |||
| Interior lot—both sides (feet) | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Exterior lot—street side (feet) | 10 | 8 | 10 |
| Exterior lot—interior side (feet) | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| “Zero” lot line—one side only | No | Yes | Yes, but not on side perimeter property line |
| Accessory Buildings | |||
| in rear half of lot—side and rear (ft.) | See Section 14-40.030 | See Section 14-40.030 | See Section 14-40.030 |
| adjacent to alley (ft.) | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Maximum building heights | |||
| Principal Building (Single-family dwelling only) (feet) | 28 | 1- or 2-story only | 28 |
| With Special Use Permit (Single-family dwelling, principal building only) (feet) | 40 | 1- or 2-story only 3-bedroom | 40 |
| Principal buildings (feet) | 40 | 1- or 2-story only | 40 |
| Accessory buildings (feet) | 20 | 1-story only | 20 |
| Maximum lot coverage, total structures | 50% | 45% | — |
| Includes principal and accessory buildings and required parking spaces. | |||
| Excludes recreational facilities, walks, outdoor living and open space areas. | |||
| Open Space | |||
| The following alternatives will be reviewed by the Commission, and final choice will become a condition of the subdivision map or site plan, if approved by the Council: | |||
| 1. No common open space | X | — | — |
| 2. Open space dedicated to City | X | X | — |
| 3. Open space with subdivision homeowner maintenance district | X | X | X |
| 4. Open space in private ownership | — | X | X |
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980, as amended by § 3, Ord. 557-82 C-M, eff. July 22, 1982, § 1, Ord. 753-87 C-M, eff. October 8, 1987, § 1, Ord. 799-89 C-M, eff. May 25, 1989, and § 1, Ord. 1171-04 C-M, eff. March 23, 2004)
14-16.305 Minimum net land area.¶
All land development projects shall provide a total net project area equivalent to 3,250 square feet of land per dwelling unit containing one bedroom or less. For each additional bedroom per dwelling unit, add 375 square feet of net land area. Exclude from net project area all required on-site public street rights-of-way and any areas determined by the City to be unbuildable land within the RM-2 District.
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)
14-16.306 Limitations to modification approval.¶
The developer may apply for any combination of subdivision modifications provided in Section 14-16.304 with the exception that no parcel map subdivision (less than five (5) lots) shall be permitted for a mini-lot or cluster lot developments. Modification approval shall be subject to Site Plan Review and to the Multi-Family Technical Guidelines adopted by resolution of the Council if more than two (2) dwelling units are to be developed. Modification approval may permit two-story structures on hillside lots as an exception to the maximum building height.
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)
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