Windsor Municipal Code Ch. 17.10 Residential Zones

This chapter lists the land uses that may be allowed within the residential zones established by Chapter 17.06 (Zones and Zoning Map), determines the type of land use permit/approval required for each use, and provides basic standards for parcel layout and building size. [Source: 17.08.010, modified]

The residential zones are provided to preserve, enhance, and expand the existing housing stock, to provide a range of safe housing opportunities for all members of the Windsor community, and to blend in with the natural setting of the community. The purposes of the individual residential zones and the way they are applied are as follows: [Source: 17.08.020, modified]

A. RR - Rural Residential Zone. The RR zone is intended for areas suitable for a rural residential living environment. Allowable land uses in this zone may include single-unit dwellings, limited agriculture operations, and recreation activities. Multi-unit dwellings may be allowed in compliance with state law. The allowable density ranges from zero to 0.2 dwelling units per acre. The RR zone is consistent with the Rural Residential (RR) land use designation in the General Plan. [Source: NEW]

B. ER - Estate Residential Zone. The ER zone is intended for areas suitable for single-unit dwellings on larger parcels. Multi-unit dwellings may be allowed in compliance with state law. The allowable density ranges from 0.2 to three (3) dwelling units per acre. The ER zone is consistent with the Estate Residential (ER) land use designation in the General Plan. [Source: 17.08.020.A, modified]

C. SR - Surrounding Residential Zone. The SR zone is intended for areas appropriate for a mixture of housing types. The primary housing type is single-unit dwellings; however, duplexes and triplexes are encouraged within the allowable density range. The allowable density ranges from three (3) to six (6) dwelling units per acre. The SR zone is consistent with the Very Low Density Residential (VLDR) land use designation in the General Plan. [Source: 17.08.020.B, modified]

D. VR - Village Residential Zone. The VR zone is intended for areas appropriate for a mixture of housing types on smaller lots. The allowable density ranges from five (5) to eight (8) dwelling units per acre. The lower end of the density range may be appropriate adjacent to the RR, SR, and ER zones, with the higher end of the range being appropriate near neighborhood centers, parks, and transit stops. The VR zone is consistent with the Low Density Residential (LDR) land use designation in the General Plan. [Source: 17.08.020.C, modified]

E. MDR - Medium Density Residential Zone. The MDR zone is intended for areas appropriate for multi-unit dwellings and is suitable near activity centers and along major thoroughfares. This zone allows for a variety of residential opportunities including small single-unit dwellings, row houses, townhomes, and small apartment complexes. The allowable density ranges from eight (8) to sixteen (16) dwelling units per acre. The MDR zone is consistent with the Medium Density Residential (MDR) and Mobile Home Park (MHP) land use designations in the General Plan. [Source: 17.08.020.D, modified]

F. CR - Compact Residential Zone. The CR zone is intended for areas of compact high-density housing, especially in association with nearby mixed-use development and near transit corridors or stops. Typical dwelling units include apartments, condominiums, and town homes. In limited circumstances, schools, parks, and other public facilities may be provided to serve the residential community. The allowable density ranges from sixteen (16) to thirty-two (32) dwelling units per acre. The CR zone is consistent with the High Density Residential (HDR) land use designation in the General Plan. [Source: 17.08.020.F]

A. Table 17.06-01 Land Use Regulations—Residential Zones. Table 17.10-01 (Land Use Regulations—Residential Zones) identifies the uses of land allowed within each residential zone, and the land use permit required to establish each use. [Source: 17.08.030, modified]

B. Uses Not Listed. Land uses not listed in Table 17.10-01 (Land Use Regulations—Residential Zones) are not allowed, in compliance with Subsection 17.04.030.A (Uses Not Listed are Not Allowed), except as otherwise established in Subsection 17.04.030.B (Director's Determination). [Source: 17.06.030A]

C. Specific Use Regulations. The far-right column in Table 17.10-01 (Land Use Regulations—Residential Zones) indicates additional regulations that apply to the specific use listed. Land use regulations and allowable use provisions in other sections of this Zoning Code may also apply. [Source: 17.08.030, modified]

D. Zoning Clearance Required. Each land use specified Table 17.10-01 (Land Use Regulations—Residential Zones) as allowed-by-right "P" shall require the issuance of a Zoning Clearance in compliance with Chapter 17.54 (Zoning Clearance). [Source: Table 2-2: Notes (2), modified]

E. Site Plan and Design Review Required. In addition to the permit requirements established in Table 17.10-01 (Land Use Regulations—Residential Zones), Site Plan and Design Review may be required in compliance with Chapter 17.56 (Site Plan and Design Review). [Source: Table 2-2: Notes (3), modified]

F. Windsor Station Area/Downtown Specific Plan. Properties within the adopted Windsor Station Area/Downtown Specific Plan area are subject to additional design and development standards. Where conflicts arise between the Zoning Code and the Windsor Station Area/Downtown Specific Plan, the Windsor Station Area/Downtown Specific Plan criteria and standards shall apply. [Source: 17.08.030.A, Table 2-3 Notes (17)]

Table 17.10-01 Land Use Regulations—Residential Zones

A. Table 17.10-02 Development Standards—Residential Zones. 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 17.10-02 (Development Standards—Residential Zones). [Source: 17.08.040, modified]

B. Specific Regulations. The far-right column in Table 17.10-02 (Development Standards—Residential Zones) indicates additional regulations that apply to the specific development feature or zone listed. Development standards in other sections of this Zoning Code may also apply. [Source: NEW]

C. Other Applicable Regulations. The "Other Applicable Regulations" section of Table 17.10-02 (Development Standards—Residential Zones) indicates the location of additional development standards that apply to the residential zones. Other regulations in this Zoning Code may also apply. [Source: NEW]

Table 17.10-02 Development Standards—Residential Zones

Other Applicable Regulations

A. Encroachment Into Easements. Regardless of the setback standards established for a given zone, no structure shall encroach on any recorded easement. [Source: NEW]

B. Lot Depth and Building Envelope. In no case shall the depth of a lot created by a new subdivision be greater than three (3) times the average lot width. Usable building envelopes for residential parcels shall not be less than forty-five (45) feet in depth unless approved otherwise by the Director. [Source: Subdivision Ordinance]

C. Alternative Development Standards. Parcel widths, parcel sizes, and setbacks may be authorized by Conditional Use Permit approval or through rezoning to apply the PD zone where the review authority finds that a lesser parcel width, parcel size, or setback will be adequate after first reviewing the design and layout of the proposed housing units. [Source: Table 2-3 Notes (1), modified]

D. Zero Lot Line Development. In the Surrounding Residential, Village Residential, Medium Density Residential, and Compact Residential zoning districts, projects with no side setback may be authorized by Conditional Use Permit. Zero lot line development is prohibited in the Rural Residential and Estate Residential zoning districts.

E. Garage Design and Locations. Garage design and locations shall comply with the following:

1. Design. In the RR, ER, SR, and VR zones, garages for single-unit dwellings, duplexes and townhouses shall not make up more than fifty (50) percent of the street-facing width of the residence. However, where parcel widths are less than forty-five (45) feet, wider garage doors may be allowed with a Minor Use Permit if garage door dominance is minimized through innovative parcel patterns, deeper garage setbacks, or architectural excellence. There shall be a minimum of three (3) different garage configurations or setbacks within each subdivision of ten (10) or more units. [Source: Table 2-3 Notes (11) and (9), modified]

2. Location. The location of garages shall comply with the following:

a. RR, ER, and SR Zones. Garage in the RR, ER, and SR zones shall not be less than ten (10) feet further from the street than the facade of the residence. [Source: Table 2-3 Notes (4), modified]

b. VR Zone. Garages in the VR zone shall not be less than five (5) feet further from the street than the facade of the residence.

The garage setback in the RR, ER, SR, and VR zoning districts may be modified with a Minor Use Permit.

F. Upper Floor Side Setbacks Adjacent to Single-Story Residential. Side setbacks for upper floors shall comply with the following:

1. Two- and Three-Story Structures. Two- and three-story structures adjacent to a single unit, single-story residential dwelling unit(s) shall use a minimum of one (1) of the following techniques (see Figure 2.10-01 (Upper Floor Setbacks: Two- and Three-Story Structures)): [Source: NEW]

a. Step back floors above the ground floor by a minimum depth of five (5) feet along sides where the ground floor wall plane lies within twenty (20) feet of the side property line. [Source: NEW]

b. Increase the required side setback by one (1) foot for each three (3) feet of structure height in excess of fifteen (15) feet of total height. [Source: NEW]

Figure 17.10-01 Upper Floor Side Setbacks: Two- and Three-Story Structures

[Figure]

2. Structures Taller than Three (3) Stories. Structures taller than three (3) stories adjacent to a single-unit, single-story residential dwelling unit(s) shall use a minimum of one (1) of the following techniques: [Source: NEW]

a. Step back the walls of each floor above the ground floor be a minimum of ten (10) feet along sides where the ground floor wall plane lies within twenty (20) feet of the side property line. [Source: NEW]

b. Increase the required side setback by one (1) foot for each two (2) feet of structure height in excess of fifteen (15) feet of the total height. [Source: NEW]

G. Walkability.

1. Single-Unit Dwellings. Entrances to single-unit dwellings, but not including accessory dwelling units, shall be located on the front facade and directly face the street or public sidewalk. A maximum of twenty-five (25) percent of the total dwelling units along a block face of a residential street may have a side entrance but must include a front porch meeting the standards in Section 17.10.050.E (Porch Design and Location).

2. Muti-Unit Dwellings. Ground floor entrances on multi-unit dwellings shall be provided as front doors or common entries that face a street or a courtyard that provides a direct walkway to a street. [Source: Table 2-3 Notes (10), modified]

a. Frontage Type. The recommended frontage type for ground floor residences are stoop, common stoop, and terrace. ADA units and adaptable units may use other frontage types. When a different frontage type is used, it should be elevated from the sidewalk to provide privacy and be covered. [CPTED]

b. Entries. Entries to upper floor units that face a public street or public driveway shall be framed by an entry that is covered and:

i. Provides a direct connection to the street or driveway.

ii. Is oriented parallel to the street or driveway.

iii. Includes architectural details, such as columns, a recess, or other feature that delineates the entry.

H. Porch Design and Location. New dwellings shall provide a usable covered front porch that complies with all of the following: [CPTED]

1. A minimum of forty-eight (48) square feet; [Source: NEW]

2. A minimum width and depth of six (6) feet, exclusive of railings and supports. The depth and square footage shall not include any area that is used for entry to the unit; and that covers a minimum of twenty (20) percent of the street facing width of the dwelling, inclusive of an attached garage; and [Source: NEW]

3. A maximum of twenty (20) percent of all units within a project may substitute arbors, courtyards, trellises, or similar architectural features for the covered front porch when the entry door is protected from the rain. [Source: NEW]

4. Porches shall be open on three (3) sides. A porch may be open on less than three (3) sides with approval of a Minor Use Permit. If a porch is open on less than three (3) sides, the design of the home and porch shall demonstrate compliance with the CPTED principles included in Section 17.20.030. [CPTED]

I. Corner Parcel Design. Corner parcels shall have a wraparound porch that meets the requirements of Section 17.10.050.H (Porch Design and Location). The portion of the wraparound porch located on street side of the parcel may have a minimum width and depth of four (4) feet. [CPTED] The requirement to provide a wraparound porch may be modified with a minor use permit. [Source: Table 2-3 Notes (13), modified]

J. Frontage Types. Stoop, common stoop, and terrace frontage types are recommended for multi-unit dwellings in the MDR and CR zoning districts.

Proposed residential projects of two (2) or more dwelling units shall be designed to provide on the project site a minimum of four hundred (400) square feet of usable open space per dwelling unit, in compliance with the following standards. [Source: 17.08.060]

A. Composition of Open Space. Open space shall consist of the following:

1. Open space may be a combination of common open space accessible to all project residents, or private open space for the exclusive use of a single dwelling; however,

2. When private open space is provided, the minimum square footage provided shall be fifty (50) square feet, with minimum dimensions of four (4) feet, and may be provided as a porch, deck, balcony, yard, or similar feature as determined by the Director.

3. Porch areas can apply toward these requirements, but driveways and service areas shall not be counted. [Source: 17.08.060.A, modified]

B. Location of Open Space. At least fifty (50) percent of the required common open space shall be provided at the ground level on the same parcel as the project, except that in the Town Center, Town CenterActive Use Frontage Overly, and Boulevard Commercial zoning districts the percentage of common open space located at ground level may be reduced by the Review Authority, when the project provides the total amount of required open space. [Source: 17.08.060.B modified]

C. Minimum Dimensions. At ground level, common open space shall have a minimum contiguous area of four hundred (400) square feet and no dimension less than twenty (20) feet, unless otherwise approved by the Review Authority to achieve superior design. [Source: 17.08.060.C]

D. Compact Residential (CR) Zone. Residential projects shall provide a minimum of one hundred twenty-five (125) square feet of usable open space per dwelling unit, in compliance with Subsection 17.10.060.A (Composition of Open Space), above. [Source: 17.08.060.E, modified]

E. Amenities. Multi-unit dwelling residential projects shall provide on-site amenities in compliance with Chapter 17.92 (Multi-Unit Residential Design and Development Standards).