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Hanford City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

10 LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONES

§ 17.10.010 Application.

This chapter shall apply to all land within the Low Density Residential (R-L-5, R-L-8, and R-L-12) zones.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.020 Permitted uses.

A. 
Uses shall be permitted or not permitted, conditionally permitted, administratively permitted, or temporarily permitted as prescribed in the land use table in Section 17.08.020.
B. 
Per Government Code Section 65852.21, multifamily dwellings proposed for any single-family zone district comprised of no more than two residential units shall be a by-right permitted use and considered ministerially if the requirements of that statute are satisfied. Multifamily dwellings of three or four units may be allowed with a conditional use permit only when located on a corner lot (R-L-5 only).
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.030 Lot area.

A. 
The minimum lot area shall be as follows:
1. 
In the R-L-5 zone, 5,000 square feet, except as prescribed in Section 17.10.100.
2. 
In the R-L-8 zone, 8,000 square feet.
3. 
In the R-L-12 zone, 12,000 square feet.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.040 Lot dimensions.

A. 
The minimum lot frontage shall be 40 feet.
B. 
The average lot width shall be:
1. 
In the R-L-5 zone, 50 feet for interior lots and 60 feet for corner lots, except as prescribed in Section 17.10.100.
2. 
In the R-L-8 zone, 70 feet for interior lots and 75 feet for corner lots.
3. 
In the R-L-12 zone, 80 feet for interior lots and 90 feet for corner lots.
C. 
The minimum lot depth shall be:
1. 
In the R-L-5 zone, 90 feet, except as prescribed in Section 17.10.100.
2. 
In the R-L-8 zone, 95 feet.
3. 
In the R-L-12 zone, 100 feet.
D. 
Lots developed adjacent to an arterial or collector street are to be designed as walled or fenced back-on or side-on lots with a minimum five and maximum 10 foot wide landscape easement continuous and adjacent to the street right-of-way line. The minimum lot dimensions are to be exclusive of the landscape easement area. The wall or fence shall be located in the landscape easement area adjacent to the easement line.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.050 Dwelling units per lot.

Not more than one dwelling unit shall be allowed on each lot, unless approved as an accessory use to an allowed or approved conditional use, or approved as an accessory dwelling unit in accordance with Section 17.60.030.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.060 Coverage.

The maximum coverage of a lot in the R-L-12 zone shall be 50%.
The maximum coverage of a lot in the R-L-5 and R-L-8 zones shall be determined by the combined building setback requirements, accessory structure limitations, and off-street parking requirements.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.070 Building setback areas.

A. 
Setbacks shall be measured as prescribed in Section 17.50.160.
B. 
No structure shall be placed within a building setback area.
C. 
The front building setback area shall be 15 feet from the front lot line for livable building space and 20 feet for garages, carports, and other non-livable building space.
D. 
The rear building setback shall be 15 feet from the rear lot line, except where there is a landscape easement with a wall or fence on the rear of the lot then the rear building setback shall be 20 feet.
E. 
The rear building setback area shall be increased by 10 feet for buildings over one story high.
F. 
The side building setback area shall be five feet from an interior side lot line and 10 feet from a street side property line.
G. 
Where there is a landscape easement with a wall or fence on the street side of the lot the side yard setback area shall be measured from the easement area instead of the side lot line.
H. 
Exceptions shall be allowed as prescribed in Section 17.50.170.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.080 Distances between structures.

The minimum distance between structures shall be 10 feet, except as provided by the building code.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.090 Height of structures.

A. 
The maximum structure height shall be 35 feet.
B. 
Height shall be measured as prescribed in Section 17.50.180.
C. 
Exceptions shall be allowed as prescribed in Section 17.50.190.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.100 Lot area less than 5,000 square feet.

A. 
Notwithstanding Section 17.10.030, lots in the R-L-5 zone may have a lot area of between 3,600 and 4,999 square feet if all of the following standards are met:
1. 
Not more than 150 lots less than 5,000 square feet may be approved per tentative subdivision map.
2. 
Streets shall be constructed to public street standards.
3. 
All structures shall be constructed on site.
4. 
Each subdivision with small lots shall have at least three different small lot floor plans with two available elevation designs for each floor plan.
5. 
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.
6. 
The frontage of the main structure shall include the primary entrance and at least one window.
7. 
Required covered parking spaces shall be in garages. Carports are prohibited.
8. 
The width of the garage shall not be greater than 50% of the width of the structure.
9. 
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.
10. 
In order to create a diverse residential streetscape, there shall be a minimum two-foot-setback stagger between adjacent lots.
11. 
The Building Official shall not approve a building permit for a new residence on a lot with a lot area less than 5,000 square feet until the Community Development Director has determined that the standards identified in this section are met.
B. 
Lots with less than 5,000 square feet shall have the following minimum dimensions and building setback areas:
1. 
The minimum lot depth shall be 70 feet.
2. 
The minimum lot width shall be 40 feet for interior lots and 45 feet for corner lots.
3. 
The minimum front building setback area shall be 12 feet for livable space and 18 feet for garages.
4. 
The minimum rear yard building setback area shall be 10 feet for the first story and 15 feet for upper stories.
5. 
The minimum interior side yard building setback area shall be five feet.
6. 
The minimum corner side yard building setback area shall be 10 feet.
7. 
Where there is a landscape easement with a wall or fence on the street side of the lot the side yard setback area shall be measured from the easement area instead of the side lot line.
8. 
The maximum building height shall be 35 feet.
9. 
Lots shall provide for a usable open space area of a minimum 300 square feet. The open space shall be a minimum 15 feet wide.
C. 
Lots having a lot area of less than 3,600 square feet, or lots that do not meet the standards in this section may be approved through the planned unit development process per Chapter 17.82.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.110 Driveways.

A. 
The width of a driveway and any paved area shall not cumulatively exceed 40% 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 50% of the front building setback area.
B. 
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. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.120 Accessory structures.

Accessory structures may be located within a required rear or side building setback area subject to all of the following:
A. 
The floor area shall be a maximum 120 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 10 feet.
E. 
The plate line height shall be a maximum seven feet high.
F. 
The roof pitch shall be a maximum 4:12.
G. 
The roof ridge peak height shall be a maximum of 10 feet.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.130 Other setback standards.

A. 
Mechanical equipment shall be located a minimum of three feet from a side or rear lot line, except where there is a landscape easement with a block wall on the side or rear of the property, then the setback shall be taken from the block wall instead of the lot line.
B. 
Garages or carports opening onto an alley shall be set back 25 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, measured from the water's edge, where the lot has a landscape easement with a block wall on the rear or side, the setback shall be taken from the inside of the wall to the water's edge.
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 10 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 20 feet from the street side lot line.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.140 Off-street parking.

A. 
Off-street parking and off-street loading facilities shall be provided on the site for each use as prescribed in Chapter 17.54.
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 17.54.
C. 
Required parking spaces may not be provided within any front, side, or rear building setback area, except for uncovered driveways.
D. 
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 Community Development Director.
E. 
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 Hanford Municipal Code.
F. 
No recreational vehicle or trailer shall be used as a residence.
G. 
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 Community Development Director, cause complaints from neighbors or violate any section of this code.
H. 
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.
I. 
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.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.150 Usable open space.

Each lot shall provide for a usable open space area of a minimum 400 square feet that is a minimum 15 feet wide.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.160 Landscaping.

A. 
Landscaping shall be provided for each use as prescribed in Section 17.52 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 Hanford area or up to 100% 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 17.52.
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 40% of the lot frontage along the street.
E. 
In order to provide a tree lined street in the residential zone districts, the following requirements shall be provided in the required parkway:
1. 
Two street trees, a minimum 15 gallon size, shall be planted on all lots 6,000 square feet or greater. One of the two front yard trees must be planted 12 feet (no greater or no less) from the face of the front lot line street curb.
2. 
One street tree a minimum 15 gallon size, shall be planted on all lots less than 6,000 square feet. The tree shall be planted in the parkway. If there is no parkway the tree shall be planted four feet behind the sidewalk, or if there is no sidewalk then four feet behind the street curb.
3. 
There shall be two additional street trees, a minimum 15 gallon size, planted on all corner lots in the parkway adjacent to the street side lot line.
F. 
Front yard landscaping. If front yard landscaping is provided by the builder, a prototype landscape plan is required when a building permit is requested to show that the trees will be planted as stated above. The front yard landscaping is to be installed within 30 days from final building inspection approval. If front yard landscaping is not provided by the builder a fee of $50.00 for each required tree shall be collected when a building permit is requested. When the house is occupied, the builder, within 30 days, is required to plant one 15 gallon tree at the 12 foot setback line from the street curb. If the homeowner plants the remaining three trees as described above within one year of occupancy, the homeowner will be reimbursed the $50.00 per tree up to three trees. The builder will be reimbursed the $50.00 for the required tree at the 12 foot line.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.170 Screening, fences, and walls.

Fences and walls shall be provided on the site for each use in accordance with Sections 17.50.110 and 17.50.120.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.180 Signs.

Signs placed in the R-L zones shall be subject to the requirements and standards prescribed in Chapter 17.56.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)

§ 17.10.190 General provisions and standards.

Structures and the use of structures or land shall be subject to the requirements and standards prescribed in Chapter 17.50.
(Ord. 17-04, 2017; Ord. 24-11, 12/3/2024)