Allendale Charter Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 9
R-3 Low Density Multiple Family Residential District
§ 470-9.01 Description and purpose.
This zone is intended to provide for low density residential type apartments and group housing.
§ 470-9.02 Permitted uses.
[Amended 6-11-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-6]
Land in the R-3 Zone may be used for the following purposes only:
One single-family dwelling on each lot.
One two-family dwelling on each lot.
Developments with 25 dwelling units or more provided that public sanitary sewer and public water supply utilities are installed. See also § 470-23.06.
§ 470-9.03 Uses requiring special approval.
[Amended 6-11-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-6; 1-27-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-02]
The following uses may be authorized by the Planning Commission, subject to compliance with the procedures and standards established in Article 20 of the chapter.
Elementary and secondary schools and colleges which may include on-the campus dormitories, libraries, museums, art galleries, auditoriums, gymnasiums, and similar uses. Minimum side and rear yards of 50 feet are required where the property abuts any residentially zoned lot.
Parks, playgrounds, community centers, governmental, administration, or service buildings owned and operated by a governmental agency or a nonprofit group if found to be essential to service the neighborhood or community at this location. Minimum side and rear yards of 50 feet are required where the property abuts any residentially zoned lot.
Churches and synagogues and other buildings used principally as places of worship, provided the building or structure is at least 25 feet from any other residentially zoned lot. Accessory uses, including parsonages, preschools, and similar uses are also permitted.
Convalescent or nursing homes.
Cemeteries.
Foster and child care facilities.
Multi-family developments with less than 25 dwelling units or multi-family developments on a parcel less than four acres in area. Public water and sanitary sewer service are required. See § 470-9.07I.
§ 470-9.04 Height regulations.
[Amended 8-12-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16]
Building height, as defined herein, shall not exceed 35 feet.
§ 470-9.05 Area regulations.
[Amended 6-11-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-6]
All buildings, structures or additions thereto shall comply with the following requirements:
Front yard. The uniform setback provisions of § 470-3.03 shall apply to all residential buildings, structures and additions. If a uniform setback does not exist, the front yard setback shall be not less than 40 feet, except that when adjacent to a primary street, the front yard setback shall be not less than 50 feet, and when adjacent to a major arterial street, the front yard setback shall be not less than 60 feet. Notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence, (i) a lot (see definition in § 470-32.13) which is of record as of July 28, 1998, or (ii) any lot included in a proposed plat, building envelope or development which is on file with the Township as of July 28, 1998, shall only be required to have a front yard setback of 40 feet; and shall not be required to have a front yard setback of 50 feet if on a primary street or 60 feet if on a major arterial street. For single-family dwelling units the minimum front yard shall be 25 feet subject to the provisions noted above in § 470-9.05A.
Side yard. The side yard regulations are as follows:
Two-family. On interior two-family lots, total side yards of 20 feet are required; no yard shall be less than seven feet. On corner lots, a side yard of 40 feet is required along the street side of the lot; a side yard of seven feet is required on the opposite side of the lot.
Other uses. On interior lots used for any use other than a two-family home a minimum side yard of 20 feet is required. On corner lots, a side yard of 40 feet is required along the street side of the lot; a side yard of 20 feet is required on the opposite side of the lot.
Single-family dwellings. The minimum side yard shall be a total of 16 feet with a minimum of six feet on one side.
Rear yard. There shall be a rear yard of not less than 25 feet.
Lot area and width. The lot area and width regulations are as follows:
Two-family. The minimum lot area for a two-family dwelling in this zone shall be 12,000 square feet and a minimum width of 100 feet at the front setback line; provided, however, that the minimum lot area for lots not served with public sewer shall be 30,000 square feet, and a minimum width of 200 feet at the front setback line.
Other uses. The minimum lot width shall be 100 feet measured at the front setback line. The minimum lot area for each dwelling unit shall be 6,500 square feet. The minimum lot area for all other permitted uses shall be 15,000 square feet.
Single family dwellings. The minimum lot area shall be 6,500 square feet with a minimum lot width of 65 feet.
§ 470-9.06 Minimum floor area.
[Amended 8-12-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16; 6-11-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-6]
Each dwelling unit in this zone shall have a minimum floor area as required below.
Efficiency. A minimum of 500 square feet per unit.
One bedroom unit. A minimum of 600 square feet per unit.
Two bedroom unit. A minimum of 800 square feet per unit.
Three bedroom unit. A minimum of 1,000 square feet per unit.
Additional bedrooms will require an additional 100 square feet per bedroom per unit. For a minimum of 24 feet of the length of the structure, each dwelling unit shall have a minimum width of 24 feet.
Each single-family dwelling in this zone shall have a minimum finished habitable floor area, above exterior finished grade, of 900 square feet. Each dwelling unit shall have a minimum of 24 feet of width for a minimum of 24 feet of width for a minimum of 24 feet in length. Each dwelling shall be constructed with an attached garage a minimum of 484 square feet.
§ 470-9.07 Additional regulations.
[Amended 4-8-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-2; 8-12-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-16; 6-11-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-6]
Density. In the R-3 Zone density shall be regulated by bedrooms per acre. The maximum density is 20 bedrooms per net site acreage as defined herein.
For multi-family developments with less than 25 dwelling units or multi-family developments on a parcel less than four acres in size the following regulations shall apply:
A building shall contain no more than four dwelling units. However, the Planning Commission may approve a building with up to eight dwelling units. In making a determination to allow more than four dwelling units per building the Commission shall consider the following criteria:
Whether the proposed height of the building is compatible with the height of nearby dwellings on adjacent property.
Whether the proposed location of the building and/or existing or proposed landscaping would lessen the visual impact of the building on residents of nearby dwellings on adjacent property.
Whether the proposed architectural style of the building, including exterior materials, is compatible with existing dwellings on adjacent properties.
Whether the number, size and location of the proposed buildings would be a visual compatible fit with the surrounding neighborhood.
Orientation of buildings. Multi-family buildings shall be oriented or constructed so that open balconies and patios do not directly face an abutting R-1 Zoning District or an abutting property recommended for Low Density Residential use in the Allendale Charter Township Master Plan in order to limit the noise impact on nearby single-family residents.
Landscaping.
Whenever multi-family buildings abut a parcel in an R-1, R-2, R-3, MHP or PUD Zone containing single family dwellings or adjacent property recommended for single family land use in the Township Master Plan a greenbelt shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of § 470-21A.04D and H.
Front yard landscaping shall comply with the requirements of § 470-21A.04F and G except for the reference to § 470-23.06 contained in § 470-21A.04G.
An off-street parking lot serving a non-residential use which abuts an R-1, R-2 Zone or an R-3 Zone containing single family dwellings or adjacent land recommended for residential land use in the Township Master Plan shall be setback a minimum of 30 feet from the lot line separating the districts or uses. A greenbelt shall be provided within the 15 feet nearest the property line in accordance with the greenbelt requirements of § 470-21A.04D.
The Planning Commission shall have the authority to require greater building setbacks than the minimum required by this section if such greater setbacks will reduce the impact of multifamily buildings on adjacent single family uses.