Gardena City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 18
16 MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE R-3
[1]
Prior ordinance history: Ordinances 587, 613, 657, 662, 739, 843, 930, 1059, 1068, and 1191.
§ 18.16.010 Medium density multifamily residential zone (R-3).
The R-3 medium density multifamily residential zone is intended as a medium density residential district of multifamily dwellings, such as apartments and condominiums.
(Prior code § 10-3.801; Ord. 1847 § 3, 2023; Ord. 1848 § 3, 2023; Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024)
§ 18.16.020 Uses permitted.
The following uses shall be permitted in the R-3 zone and other such uses as the commission may deem to be similar to those listed and not detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare:
A.
All uses permitted in the R-1 and R-2 zones except single- and two-family dwellings; and
B.
Multifamily dwelling units, subject to the site plan review provisions of Chapter 18.44.
(Prior code § 10-3.802; Urg. Ord. 1682; Ord. 1683 § 13, 2006; Ord. 1737 § 17, 2012; Ord. 1847 § 11, 2023; Ord. 1848 § 11, 2023; Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024)
§ 18.16.030 Uses permitted subject to a conditional use permit.
The following uses may be permitted in the R-3 zone subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 18.46:
A.
All uses permitted subject to a conditional use permit in the R-1 and R-2 zones;
B.
Day care facilities;
C.
Group care facilities; and
D.
Mobile home parks pursuant to Section 18.46.030C.19.
E.
Those uses permitted with a conditional use permit, pursuant to Section 18.46.030C.
(Prior code § 10-3.803; Urg. Ord. 1682; Ord. 1683 § 14, 2006; Ord. 1737 § 6, 2012)
§ 18.16.040 Uses prohibited.
A.
All uses not listed in Sections 18.16.020 and 18.16.030 are deemed to be expressly prohibited in the R-3 zone, except those determined to be similar pursuant to the provisions of Section 18.42.040;
B.
Home sharing rentals; and
C.
Short-term rentals.
(Prior code § 10-3.804; Ord. 1738 § 7, 2012; Ord. 1854 § 8, 2023)
§ 18.16.050 Property development standards.
The property development standards set forth in this section shall apply to all land and buildings in the R-3 zone.
A.
Lot area: a minimum of five thousand square feet;
B.
Lot width:
1.
A minimum of fifty feet for interior lots, and
2.
A minimum of fifty-five feet for corner lots;
C.
Lot depth: a minimum of eighty feet;
D.
Density: a minimum density of twelve units per acre and a maximum of seventeen units per acre. Fractional units shall be rounded upward if such fraction is at or above the five-tenths breakpoint;
E.
Dwelling unit size:
1.
A minimum of four hundred square feet per unit;
2.
No minimum dwelling unit size shall be required for an affordable housing unit where the applicant enters into an affordable housing agreement with the city to be recorded against the property to ensure continued affordability of all moderate, low, and very low income rental units for at least fifty-five years or where the applicant enters into an equity sharing agreement for all for-sale affordable housing units upon the same terms and conditions as in Section 18.43.045(D);
F.
Building height: the maximum building height shall not exceed thirty-five feet and shall consist of no more than three stories;
G.
Yards: for cluster developments, setbacks are calculated from the project boundaries and not from individual units or buildings within the development.
1.
Front yard setback: a minimum of twenty feet; no more than fifty percent, including driveways, shall be paved or otherwise covered with hardscaped materials. The remaining area shall be permanently landscaped with softscape materials and provided with a permanent irrigation system subject to city approval.
2.
Side yard setback:
a.
A minimum of five feet for one-story or two-story buildings;
b.
A minimum of seven and one-half feet for two-story buildings with a semi-subterranean parking structure or three-story buildings;
c.
A minimum of ten feet for buildings which abut parcels zoned R-1 or R-2;
d.
A minimum of ten feet for corner lots (street side only); and
e.
A minimum of ten feet when a building fronts on a side yard.
3.
Rear yard setback:
a.
A minimum of five feet for one-story or two-story buildings;
b.
A minimum of seven and one-half feet for two-story buildings with a semi-subterranean parking structure or three-story buildings;
c.
A minimum of ten feet for buildings which abut parcels zoned R-1 or R-2;
d.
A minimum of ten feet when a building fronts on a rear yard.
4.
Accessory buildings: one-story accessory buildings, other than a garage, shall be set back four feet from the rear and side property lines when located in the rear one-third of the lot. Garages may be constructed along the rear and side property line when located in the rear one-third of the lot. Garages fronting on public streets shall maintain a minimum twenty-foot yard setback. All garages shall be provided with garage doors and new front facing garages and replacement garage doors for front facing garages shall be sectional type doors.
H.
Distances between buildings: the following distances shall apply to buildings within the project site:
1.
A minimum of six feet between main and accessory buildings;
2.
A minimum of fifteen feet between main buildings; provided, however:
a.
A minimum of twenty feet for buildings front to front and with interior courts;
b.
A minimum of thirty feet for buildings front to front and with driveways between structures; and
c.
For buildings that are greater than two stories, the distance shall be increased two and one-half feet between buildings for each floor over the second floor;
I.
Off-street parking: the provisions of Chapter 18.40 shall apply;
J.
Usable open space: a minimum of six hundred square feet of usable open space shall be provided for each unit for the recreational and leisure use of the residents of all multifamily dwellings and condominiums in accordance with the requirements of Section 18.42.065:
1.
A minimum of twenty-five percent of the required usable open space shall be private and directly accessible from the individual dwelling unit.
2.
For multifamily dwellings and condominiums of fifteen units or more, a minimum of one-third of the required usable open space shall be common and available for the use of all residents. The front yard area shall be excluded in the calculation of the required usable open space.
3.
The remainder of the usable open space may be either private or common;
K.
Signs: the provisions of Chapter 18.58 shall apply;
L.
Storage space: a minimum of one hundred twenty cubic feet of storage space shall be provided for each dwelling unit with a minimum of two feet in any direction. Such space may be located in areas which include, but are not limited to, the garage, in an outside closet, or below stairways; and
M.
General provisions as set forth in Section 18.42.010.
(Prior code § 10-3.805; Urg. Ord. 1682; Ord. 1683 § 15, 2006; Ord. 1738 § 29, 2012; Ord. 1746 § 5, 2013; Ord. 1804 § 5, 2019; Ord. 1814 § 4, 2020; Ord. 1820 § 3, 2020; Ord. 1847 §§ 3, 12, 2023; Ord. 1848 §§ 3, 12, 2023; Ord. 1873 § 1, 2024)
