Belvedere City Zoning Code
19.24 Single-Family
Residential Zones R-1C, R-1L, R-1W, and R-15 Zones
19.24.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish the land uses that may be allowed within the single-family residential zones established by Chapter 19.12 (Zones Established—Boundaries and Zoning Map), determine the type of permit (if any) required for each use, and provide standards for site layout and building size. The single-family residential zones are intended to promote and encourage the maintenance of a suitable environment for residential family living on smaller single-family residential lots in older developed areas of the City. (Ord. 2025-10 § 6, 2025.)
19.24.020 Permitted uses.
The following uses are permitted in the R-1C, R-1L, R-1W, and R-15 zones:
A. Single-family dwellings, including small employee housing, which shall be subject to the same standards as a single-family dwelling;
B. Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units;
C. Accessory uses to single-family dwellings, including private garages, private greenhouses, guest houses and servants’ quarters; provided, that no person shall use or maintain a single-family dwelling primarily to provide meeting or entertainment facilities;
D. The office of any profession in any dwelling when used solely by a resident in such dwelling; provided, that such office is not regularly or customarily used for treatment of patients or interviews with clients or customers, and no person who is not a resident of such dwelling shall be employed in such office;
E. Structures, facilities and uses relating to or convenient or necessary for any function of municipal government;
F. Transitional and supportive housing facilities;
G. Small residential or community care facilities serving six or fewer individuals;
H. Manufactured housing;
I. Congregate housing;
J. Small family day care. (Ord. 2025-10 § 6, 2025; Ord. 2024-01 § 3 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 2014-3 § 6, 2014; Ord. 2011-4 § 13, 2011; Ord. 2003-4 § 6, 2003; Ord. 90-4 § 3, 1990; Ord. 89-1 § 1, 1989. Formerly 19.24.010.)
19.24.030 Uses permitted under permit.
The following uses are permitted in the R-1C, R-1L, R-1W, and R-15 zones with a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission:
A. Public buildings (except public buildings for schools, parks and playgrounds);
B. Occupancy of a single-family dwelling other than by a family, provided it is found that special circumstances or conditions affect the property, that deprivation of such use will cause unusual and extreme hardship, and that the granting of such use will not be detrimental to public welfare or injurious to other property in the neighborhood in which such property is situated;
C. Electric substations and other public utility facilities;
D. Instruction of students;
E. Large residential or community care facilities serving seven or more individuals;
F. Large family day care. (Ord. 2025-10 § 6, 2025; Ord. 2017-1 § 16, 2017; Ord. 2016-5 § 5, 2016; Ord. 2011-4 § 14, 2011; Ord. 2003-4 § 7, 2003; Ord. 90-4 § 4, 1990; Ord. 89-1 § 1, 1989. Formerly 19.24.020.)
19.24.040 Prohibited uses.
The following uses are prohibited in the R-1 zone: all uses not specified in Sections 19.24.020 and 19.24.030. (Ord. 2025-10 § 6, 2025; Ord. 89-1 § 1, 1989. Formerly 19.24.030.)
19.24.050 Design review required.
All new structures, and all exterior remodeling, alteration, addition, or other construction, including retaining walls, swimming pools, fences, and the like, shall be subject to design review as established in Title 20. In the event of a discrepancy between the development standards summarized in Section 19.24.060 and Chapters 19.44 through 19.68, Chapters 19.44 through 19.68 shall prevail. (Ord. 2025-10 § 6, 2025.)
19.24.060 Summary of development standards.
The following table summarizes the standards that shall apply to development in the single-family residential zones (R-1C, R-1L, R-1W, and R-15 zones). The full text of the requirements summarized here is located in Chapters 19.44 through 19.68.
Residential Zone | R-1C | R-1L | R-1W | R-15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Minimum lot size | 7,500 square feet | 7,500 square feet | 7,500 square feet | 15,000 square feet |
Minimum lot frontage | 65 feet | 65 feet | 65 feet | 75 feet |
Front yard setback Please see Sections 19.48.010, 19.48.060, and Chapter 19.56 for additional conditions. | 0 feet from front property line, or 5 feet from the improved street line, whichever is more distant from the centerline of the paved street | 5 feet—For a structure no greater than 15 feet above existing grade within first 40 feet from front property line | 5 feet—For a structure no greater than 15 feet above existing grade within first 40 feet from front property line | 10 feet—For a structure no greater than 15 feet above existing grade within first 40 feet from front property line |
10 feet—For a structure greater than 15 feet but below 25 feet above existing grade within first 40 feet from front property line | 10 feet—For a structure greater than 15 feet but below 25 feet above existing grade within first 40 feet from front property line | 15 feet—For a structure greater than 15 feet above existing grade within first 40 feet from front property line | ||
15 feet—For a structure greater than 25 feet above existing grade within first 40 feet from front property line | 15 feet—For a structure greater than 25 feet above existing grade within first 40 feet from front property line | — | ||
Side yard setback | 5 feet | 5 feet | 5 feet | 10 feet or 10 percent of the average width of the lot, but not less than 5 feet |
10 feet for second story | 10 feet for second story | |||
Rear yard setback Please see Sections 19.48.170 and 19.48.190 for additional requirements and conditions. | 20 feet abutting another lot | 20 feet abutting another lot | 20 feet abutting another lot | 20 feet abutting another lot |
10 feet abutting a street or water | 15 feet abutting a street or water | 15 feet abutting a street | 15 feet abutting a street | |
— | 10 feet abutting an alley or private way | 10 feet abutting water | 10 feet abutting water, an alley or private way | |
Setback for conditional use | 10 feet, or minimum for that yard, whichever is greater | 10 feet, or minimum for that yard, whichever is greater | 10 feet, or minimum for that yard, whichever is greater | 10 feet, or minimum for that yard, whichever is greater |
Maximum lot coverage Please see Chapter 19.56 for additional conditions. | 40 percent for structures | 40 percent for structures 15 feet above existing grade | 40 percent for structures 15 feet above existing grade | 30 percent for structures |
50 percent including uncovered decks | 50 percent for structures up to 15 feet above existing grade | 50 percent for structures up to 15 feet above existing grade | 50 percent total including uncovered, outdoor decks | |
— | — | 50 percent total including uncovered, outdoor decks | — | |
Maximum floor area See Section 19.52.120 for exception procedure. | Ratio of .50 to lot area For lots with areas less than or equal to 7,000 square feet | Ratio of .50 to lot area For lots with areas less than or equal to 8,000 square feet | Ratio of .40 to lot area For lots with areas less than or equal to 10,600 square feet | Ratio of .33 to lot area For lots with areas less than or equal to 14,700 square feet |
3,500 square feet For lots with areas greater than 7,000 square feet | 4,000 square feet For lots with areas greater than 8,000 square feet | 4,240 square feet For lots with areas greater than 10,600 square feet | 4,850 square feet For lots with areas greater than 14,700 square feet | |
Maximum height See Chapter 19.56 for additional conditions. | 28 foot maximum, or 36 feet if slope at footprint is over 30 percent | 22 feet, plus a one foot bonus for every additional foot of additional second story setback to a maximum of 26 feet. Height is measured from existing grade. If the structure constitutes a “substantial improvement” under FEMA regulations, height is measured from base flood elevation plus 1 foot of freeboard. In no event shall a structure be constructed to a height above 29 feet from existing grade as defined in Section 19.08.224. | 22 feet, plus a one foot bonus for every additional foot of additional second story setback to a maximum of 26 feet. Height is measured from existing grade. If the structure constitutes a “substantial improvement” under FEMA regulations, height is measured from base flood elevation plus 1 foot of freeboard. In no event shall a structure be constructed to a height above 29 feet from existing grade as defined in Section 19.08.224. | 28 foot maximum, or 36 feet if slope at the building footprint is over 30 percent |
Off-street parking | 2 off-street spaces for each single-family dwelling | 2 off-street spaces for each single-family dwelling | 2 off-street spaces for each single-family dwelling | 2 off-street spaces for each single-family dwelling |
(Ord. 2025-10 § 6, 2025.)
