This chapter shall apply to all land within the Medium Density Residential (R-M) zones. This includes both the R-M-5 and R-M-6 zones. The purpose of the R-M zones is to provide areas for primarily single-family dwellings in an urban setting in a density range from two to twelve dwelling units per gross acre.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018; Ord. No. 529-25, § 1(Exh. A), 6-24-2025)

A.

Uses shall be permitted or not permitted, conditionally permitted, administratively permitted, or temporarily permitted as prescribed in the land use table in Section 18.08.020.

B.

Multi-family dwellings of three or four units may be allowed with a conditional use permit only when located on a corner lot.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018; Ord. No. 529-25, § 1(Exh. A), 6-24-2025)

A.

The minimum lot area shall be as follows, except as provided for urban lot splits under the provisions of California Government Code Section 65852.21, which allows a minimum lot size of one thousand two hundred square feet per parcel:

1.

In the R-M-5 zone, five thousand square feet, except as prescribed in Section 18.12.100.

2.

In the R-M-6 zone, six thousand square feet.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018; Ord. No. 529-25, § 1(Exh. A), 6-24-2025)

A.

The minimum lot frontage shall be forty feet.

B.

The minimum lot width shall be:

1.

In the R-M-5 zone, fifty feet for interior lots and sixty feet for corner lots, except as prescribed in Section 18.10.100.

2.

In the R-M-6 zone, sixty feet for interior lots and seventy feet for corner lots.

C.

The minimum lot depth shall be:

1.

In the R-M-5 zone, ninety feet, except as prescribed in Section 18.10.100.

2.

In the R-M-6 zone, one hundred feet.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

Not more than two dwelling units shall be allowed on each lot, unless approved as an accessory dwelling unit in accordance with Section 18.60.030.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018; Ord. No. 529-25, § 1(Exh. A), 6-24-2025)

The maximum coverage of a lot in the R-M-5 and R-M-6 zones shall be determined by the combined building setback requirements, accessory structure limitations, and off-street parking requirements.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

A.

Only permitted accessory structures shall be placed within a building setback area.

B.

The front building setback area shall be a minimum fifteen feet from the front lot line for livable building space and twenty feet for garages, carports, and other non-livable building space.

C.

The rear building setback shall be a minimum ten feet from the rear lot for one-story buildings and a minimum twenty feet for buildings over one-story high, except as provided for duplexes and urban lot split parcels under the provisions of California Government Code Section 65852.21, which allows a minimum rear building setback of four feet.

D.

The side building setback area shall be five feet from an interior side lot line and ten feet from a street side property line, except as provided for duplexes and urban lot split parcels under the provisions of California Government Code Section 65852.21, which allows a minimum side building setback of four feet.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018; Ord. No. 503-20, § 2(Atts. 2, 4), 10-27-2020; Ord. No. 529-25, § 1(Exh. A), 6-24-2025)

The minimum distance between structures shall be ten feet, except as provided by the building code.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

The maximum structure height shall be thirty feet.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

A.

Notwithstanding Section 18.12.030, lots in the R-M-5 zone may have a lot area of between three thousand six hundred and four thousand nine hundred ninety-nine square feet if all of the following standards are met:

1.

Each lot shall have only one dwelling unit. Accessory dwelling units are not permitted.

2.

Not more than one hundred fifty lots less than five thousand square feet may be approved per tentative subdivision map.

3.

Streets shall be constructed to public street standards.

4.

All structures shall be constructed on site.

5.

Each new subdivision with small lots that is not constructing custom homes shall make available for sale at least three different small lot floor plans with at least two different elevation designs for each floor plan.

6.

The primary frontage of the main structure shall face a public street, primary entryway, circulation walkway, or open space with sidewalks that provide delineated paths of travel.

7.

The primary frontage of the main structure shall include the primary entrance and at least one window.

8.

Required covered parking spaces shall be in garages. Carports are prohibited.

9.

The width of the garage shall not be greater than fifty percent of the width of the structure.

10.

Main structures shall include a covered front porch at least four feet deep or an uncovered front courtyard at least five feet wide and five feet deep that is surrounded on four sides by the main structure or a wall or fence between three and four feet high.

11.

The building official shall not approve a building permit for a new residence on a lot with a lot area less than five thousand square feet until the director has determined that the standards identified in this section are met.

B.

Lots with less than five thousand square feet shall have the following minimum dimensions and building setback areas:

1.

The minimum lot depth shall be seventy feet.

2.

The minimum lot width shall be forty feet for interior lots and forty-five feet for corner lots.

3.

The minimum front building setback area shall be twelve feet for livable space and eighteen feet for garages.

4.

The minimum rear yard building setback area shall be ten feet for the first story and fifteen feet for the portions of the building that are more than one story high.

5.

The minimum interior side yard building setback area shall be five feet.

6.

The minimum corner side yard building setback area shall be ten feet.

7.

The maximum building height shall be thirty feet.

8.

Lots shall provide for a private, usable open space area of a minimum three hundred square feet. The open space shall be a minimum fifteen feet wide.

C.

Lots having a lot area of less than three thousand six hundred square feet, or lots that do not meet the standards in this section may be approved through the planned unit development process per Chapter 18.82.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

A.

The width of a driveway and any paved area shall not cumulatively exceed forty percent of the width of the lot's street frontage on which the driveway and any paved area faces. In the case of "L" or "U" shaped driveways or other configurations besides perpendicular driveways, the paved area of these driveways shall not exceed fifty percent of the front building setback area.

B.

On corner lots, the driveway shall be located on the side of the lot adjacent to the interior lot line.

C.

On key lots, the driveway shall be located on the side of the lot which is not adjacent to the rear lot line of the adjacent reverse corner lot.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

Accessory structures may be located with a required rear or side building setback area subject to all of the following:

A.

The floor area shall be a maximum three hundred square feet.

B.

The walls shall be at least three feet from rear and side lot lines.

C.

The roof eaves shall be at least two feet from rear and side lot lines.

D.

The accessory structure shall be separated from other structures by a minimum of ten feet.

E.

The plate line height shall be a maximum ten feet high.

F.

The roof pitch shall be a maximum 4:12.

G.

The roof ridge peak height shall be a maximum of twelve feet.

H.

Any accessory structure greater than one hundred twenty square feet shall first secure approval of a building permit.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018; Ord. No. 503-20, § 2(Atts. 2, 4), 10-27-2020)

A.

Mechanical equipment shall be located a minimum of five feet from a side lot line that adjoins a neighboring side lot line.

B.

Garages or carports opening onto an alley shall be set back twenty-five feet from the far side of the alley, provided that the structure, including roof overhang, shall not extend into the alley right- of-way.

C.

Above or below ground swimming pools shall be set back five feet from all lot lines.

D.

Decks, balconies, and other types of platforms with a floor height over two feet high shall be set back five feet from the rear and interior side lot lines and ten feet from the street side lot line.

E.

Garages and carports opening on the street side lot line of a corner lot shall be set back twenty feet from the street side lot line.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

A.

Off-street parking and off-street loading facilities shall be provided on the site for each use as prescribed in Chapter 18.54.

B.

Single-family dwellings shall provide a minimum of one covered and one uncovered parking space. Other uses shall provide parking as prescribed in Chapter 18.54.

C.

Required parking spaces may not be provided in within any front, side, or rear building setback area.

D.

The exterior siding and roofing materials utilized on garages and carports shall match the design and materials of any single-family dwelling on the same lot.

E.

No recreation vehicle, including without limitation camping trailer, boat trailer, utility trailer, boat, pickup camper, motor home, dune buggy, or similar vehicle/trailer shall be stored or parked, except within an enclosed side or rear yard or within a garage or carport except if a side or rear yard is not accessible due to existing legal permanent structures, a recreational vehicle or trailer may be parked in a driveway or adjacent to a driveway if it does not create a nuisance or safety problem as determined by the director.

F.

All recreational vehicles or trailers parked in a location visible from the street are to be clean and maintained so as not to detract from the neighborhood. Also, see Chapter 10.76 of the Chowchilla Municipal Code.

G.

No recreational vehicle or trailer shall be used as a residence.

H.

All motor vehicles incapable of movement under their own power, other than in cases of emergency, shall be stored in an entirely enclosed space, garage, or carport. Vehicles with custom fitted covers may be stored in an open area when it does not create a nuisance or safety problem as determined by the director, cause complaints from neighbors or violate any section of this code.

I.

Repair of vehicles owned by the resident of the property and storage of parts shall be within an enclosed garage or carport, if no garage exists. Repair of vehicles not owned by the resident of the property is prohibited. Vehicle repair and storage of parts are prohibited in a driveway and the front or street side building setback areas.

J.

Garages and carports are to be primarily used for the parking of four-wheeled vehicles. The use of garages or carports for general storage, recreation activities or other uses that prevent the use of the garage or carport for the parking of at least one, four-wheeled vehicle is prohibited.

K.

Except for driveways allowed in the front building setback area, all additional parking for residential uses shall be to the rear or side of the dwelling. No parking shall occur in the front or street side building setback areas.

L.

No off-street parking requirements shall be imposed for duplexes or urban lot split units created under Cal. Gov't Code Section 65852.21 that are either 1) located within one-half mile walking distance of either a high-quality transit corridor, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 21155 of the Public Resources Code, or a major transit stop, as defined in Section 21064.3 of the Public Resources Code, or 2) located within one block of a car share vehicle location.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018; Ord. No. 529-25, § 1(Exh. A), 6-24-2025)

Each lot shall provide for a usable open space area of a minimum four hundred square feet per dwelling unit. Each open space area shall be a minimum fifteen feet wide.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

A.

Landscaping shall be provided for each use as prescribed in Chapter 18.52 landscape standards.

B.

Except for driveways and approved parking areas, all yard areas and setback areas visible from the street(s) shall be landscaped with live plant materials and ornamentation common to the Chowchilla area or up to one hundred percent of the yard and setback area may be landscaped with artificial turf and other permeable surfaces.

C.

Required landscaping is to be installed within six months after occupancy of the residence, apartment, or office and continually maintained pursuant to Chapter 18.52.

D.

Landscaped areas are not to be used or converted to parking areas or any other use which results in the damage or removal of the landscaping. However, the widening of an existing paved driveway perpendicular to the street is permitted if the total width of the existing paving and the new paving does not exceed forty percent of the lot frontage along the street.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018; Ord. No. 503-20, § 2(Atts. 2, 4), 10-27-2020)

Fences and walls shall be provided on the site for each use in accordance with Sections 18.50.110 and 18.50.120.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

Signs placed in the R-M zones shall be subject to the requirements and standards prescribed in Chapter 18.56.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)

Structures and the use of structures or land shall be subject to the requirements and standards prescribed in Chapter 18.50.

(Ord. No. 491-18, § 2(Exh. A), 10-9-2018)