Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 14 — ZONING›Chapter 14-16 — DISTRICT REGULATIONS
Watsonville Municipal Code Part 4 RM-3—Multiple Residential District (High Density)
Watsonville Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-05 · Watsonville
Cite as: Watsonville Municipal Code Part 4 · Text as of 2026-10-05
14-16.400 Purpose.¶
The purpose of the Multiple Residential District (High Density) is to provide for the development of areas for greater residential density; to stabilize and protect residential characteristics of the district; and to promote a suitable environment for the lives of families and single persons living in the district.
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980, as amended by § 1, Ord. 643-84 C-M, eff. July 12, 1984)
14-16.401 Principal permitted uses.¶
The following uses require an Administrative Review Permit:
| GLU | 03 | Multi-family dwelling |
|---|---|---|
| 04 | Apartment units, sixteen (16) or less on one site | |
| 06 | Townhouses, row houses containing ten (10) or less dwelling units | |
| 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 fewer persons, and any similar use presently preempted by State regulatory controls | |
| 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. 643-84 C-M, eff. July 12, 1984, Ord. 1153-03 C-M, eff. April 24, 2003, § 1, Ord. 1162-03 C-M, eff. October 23, 2003, § 1, Ord. 1201-06 (CM), eff. October 26, 2006, § 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)
14-16.402 Accessory uses.¶
The following uses require an Administrative Review Permit:
| DLU | 4821 | Amateur radio antennas |
|---|---|---|
| 6325 | Private garage accessory to a principal residence | |
| 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. 643-84 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. 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)
14-16.403 Conditional uses.¶
(a) The following uses require an Administrative Use Permit:
| DLU | 01 | Single-family dwelling if the lot area allows only one |
|---|---|---|
| 02 | Duplex if the lot area allows only two (2) units | |
| 4811 | Amateur radio antenna exceeding the height limit of the district | |
| 6913 | Temporary structure or use for storage or office |
(b) The following uses shall be subject to the approval of a Special Use Permit issued through the public hearing process by the Commission:
| GLU | 01 | Single-family dwellings if the lot area allows more than one |
|---|---|---|
| 02 | Duplex if the lot area allows more than two units | |
| 04 | Multi-family dwellings, seventeen (17) or more on one site | |
| 114 | Mini warehouse, household goods | |
| DLU | Building conversion to multi-family residential dwelling units | |
| 07 | Bed and Breakfast Inns | |
| 07 | Dormitory | |
| 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 § 6, Ord. 557-82 C-M, eff. July 22, 1982, § 1, Ord. 643-84 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)
14-16.404 District regulations.¶
The following regulations shall be observed in the Multiple Residential District (High 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:
| PROVISION | DESIGN REVIEW |
|---|---|
| Minimum lot size in square feet for new subdivision | 7,000 |
| Frontage | |
| (Interior lot at front setback line (feet)) | 60 |
| (Exterior lot at front setback line (feet)) | 70 |
| For Flag lots see Subdivision Ordinance | |
| Building separations as allowed by U.B.C. | |
| Minimum yard setback requirements | |
| Front of residence (feet) | 15 |
| Garage front when door faces street to rear of public sidewalk | 20 |
| Rear yard: | 10 |
| Side Yard—Perimeter Property Line | 5* for plate height over 20 feet |
| Interior lot—both sides (feet) | See Section 14-40.030 (3) |
| Exterior lot—street side (feet) | 10 |
| “Zero” lot line | Attached subdivision only, not allowed on side perimeter property line. Modification required. |
| Accessory Buildings | |
| Detached, in rear half of lot side and rear (feet) | See Section 14-40.030 |
| Accessory buildings adjacent to alley (feet) | 5 |
| Maximum building heights | |
| Principal building (single-family dwelling) (feet) | 28 |
| With Special Use Permit (Single-family dwelling, principal building) (feet) | 40 |
| Accessory buildings (feet) | 24 |
| Maximum lot converge, total structures | 55% |
| Includes principal and accessory buildings and required parking spaces. | |
| Excludes recreational facilities, walks, outdoor living and open space areas | |
| Open Space | |
| Open space with subdivision homeowner maintenance district | Attached building subdivision |
| Open space in private ownership | Rental projects |
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980, as amended by § 7, Ord. 557-82 C-M, eff. July 22, 1982, § 1, Ord. 643-84 C-M, eff. July 12, 1984, § 3, Ord. 799-89 C-M, eff. May 25, 1989, § 3, Ord. 814-89 C-M, eff. September 7, 1989, and § 1, Ord. 1171-04 C-M, eff. March 23, 2004)
14-16.405 Minimum net land area.¶
All land development projects within the RM-3 District shall determine residential density by using the following Table:
RM-3 DENSITY TABLE
| Lot Size in square feet | 4,000—4,999 (1) | 5,000—20,000 | 20,000—1 Acre | 1 Acre plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net lot area per unit (2) | Main unit + Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) only | |||
| Studio | Main unit + ADU | 2,000 | 1,800 | 900 |
| 1 bedroom | Main unit + ADU | 2,125 | 2,000 | 1,200 |
| 2 bedroom | Main unit + ADU | 2,500 | 2,375 | 1,575 |
| 3 bedroom | Main unit + ADU | 2,875 | 2,750 | 1,950 |
| Additional bedrooms | Additional bedrooms | Additional bedrooms | Additional bedrooms | Additional bedrooms |
| 375 sq. ft. | 375 sq. ft. | 375 sq. ft. | 375 sq. ft. | 375 sq. ft. |
(1) Excludes from net project area all required on-site public street right-of-way and any areas determined by the City to be unbuildable land within the RM-3 Districts.
(2) Less than 4,000 square feet, main unit only.
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1171-04 C-M, eff. March 23, 2004)
14-16.406 Limitations to modification approval.¶
The developer may apply for any combination of subdivision modifications provided in Section 14-16.404 with the exception that no parcel map subdivisions (less than five (5) lots) are permitted for mini-lot or cluster lot developments.
(Ord. 506-80 C-M, eff. September 11, 1980)
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