The R-3 Low Density Multiple-Family Dwelling District (hereinafter known in this article as the R-3 District) is intended to allow single-family, two-family, and low density multiple-family dwellings. The R-3 District also allows for non-residential land uses which provide services to the R-3 District on a conditional use permit basis.

The uses permitted by right and by conditional use permit are listed in the table of permitted uses found at the end of this article. If a "P" (permitted by right) or a "C" (permitted by conditional use permit) is not indicated for a use in this table, or a use is not included in the table, it is prohibited.

The maximum building height in the R-3 District is three (3) stories or forty-five (45) feet above grade.

The minimum lot widths for the R-3 District shall be sixty (60) feet. Modifications may be allowed subject to section 6.6.

The minimum lot area per family in the R-3 District shall be as follows:

Modifications may be allowed subject to section 6.6.

The condition whereby a lot of record established prior to the passage of this zoning ordinance, has less width, or less area, than herein required.

No more than forty-five (45) percent of the required front yard setback may be covered by impervious material. No more than fifty-five (55) percent of the total lot may be covered by impervious material.

The following are setback requirements for a primary building located in an R-3 District, and the modifications to those requirements when certain conditions exist.

6.8.1 Front yard setbacks for low density multi-family dwellings. (Refer to Articles 4 and 5 of this appendix regarding single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings front yard setback requirements.) The required setback in an R-3 District for low density multi-family dwellings is twenty (20) percent of the depth of the lot, measured from the front to the rear property line. The setback must be a minimum of thirty (30) feet from the front building facade to the front property line. The front-yard setback is not required to exceed a maximum of sixty (60) feet, although these regulations do not preclude a deeper than maximum setback at the discretion of the property owner. Modifications to the required front yard setback are permitted/required under the following conditions:

(a)

Where fifty (50) percent or more of the frontage along a street has structures that are setback closer to or further from the calculated requirement, the average of those setbacks shall be used and no building shall project beyond the average front yard already established, provided that no front yard shall be required to exceed the maximum of sixty (60) feet.

(b)

Where lots have double frontage (usually on corner lots), the required front yard setback provision shall be provided on both streets.

(c)

An open uncovered porch or paved terrace may project into a required front yard for a distance up to ten (10) feet, provided that the floor level is at or below the first floor of the primary building.

(d)

Open, uncovered balconies may project into the required front yard a maximum distance of five (5) feet.

(e)

No planting shall be maintained higher than three and one-half (3½) feet above the established street grades within twenty (20) feet of any street intersection.

(f)

Roof eaves may project into the front yard setback up to three (3) feet beyond the face of the wall.

(g)

Windowsills, bay windows, belt courses and similar architectural features, as well as rain leaders and chimneys, may project up to two (2) feet into the front yard setback beyond the face of the wall.

(h)

Front yard masonry garden walls, planting boxes, retaining walls, or ornamental or decorative fences may be erected as part of new construction, up to four (4) feet above the grade level in the front yard, provided such structure is an integral part of the architectural feature of the primary building and is approved by the architectural review board.

(i)

Any accessory building that is not a part of the primary building shall be located not less than sixty (60) feet from the front lot line.

(j)

Lots in excess of 15,000 square feet and having 100 or more lineal feet of frontage or more may install two drive approaches to accommodate a turn around, with the written approval from the director of public works, and subject to architectural review board approval (all other lots shall be limited to one drive approach).

6.8.2 Rear yard setbacks for low density multi-family dwellings. (Refer to Articles 4 and 5 of this appendix regarding single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings rear yard setback requirements.) The required setback in an R-3 District for low density multi-family dwellings is twenty (20) percent of the depth of the lot, measured from the front to the rear property line. The setback must be a minimum of thirty (30) feet from the rear property line to the closest rear wall of the primary building. The rear yard setback is not required to exceed a maximum of fifty (50) feet, although these regulations do not preclude a deeper than maximum setback at the discretion of the property owner. Modifications to the required rear yard setback are permitted/required under the following conditions:

(a)

Open, uncovered porches, patios and aboveground decks may project not more than twelve (12) feet into a required rear yard, provided the floor level of any such structure is at or below the level of the first floor of the building. Balconies may project into the required rear yard a maximum distance of five (5) feet.

(b)

Lots which have grade slopes of more than five (5) feet measured across the lot width at the curb line or calculated from the finished grade between the side property lines shall maintain a rear yard setback of not less than twenty-five (25) percent of the lot depth with a thirty (30) foot minimum.

(c)

Where a corner lot exists and thereby two front yards, the property line opposite to the front yard line with the greater street frontage shall be considered the side yard, and the property line opposite to the front yard line with the lesser street frontage will be considered the rear yard.

(d)

An accessory building not exceeding twenty (20) feet in height may occupy no more than thirty (30) percent of the area of a required rear yard but no accessory building shall be closer than ten (10) feet to the primary building nor closer than five (5) feet to any rear property line.

(e)

Outside stairways, tower balconies or fire escapes may project no more than four (4) feet beyond the face of the wall.

(f)

Roof eaves shall not project more than three (3) feet beyond the face of the wall.

(g)

Windowsills, bay windows, belt courses and similar architectural features, as well as rain leaders and chimneys, may project no more than two (2) feet beyond the face of the wall.

6.8.3 Side yard setbacks for low density multi-family dwellings. (Refer to Articles 4 and 5 regarding single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings side yard setback requirements.) The required setback in an R-3 District for low density multi-family dwellings is ten (10) percent of the width of the total lot. The setback must be a minimum of five (5) feet up to a maximum of fifteen (15) feet, although these regulations do not preclude a wider than maximum setback at the discretion of the property owner. Modifications to the required side yard setback are permitted/required under the following conditions:

(a)

For the purposes of side yard regulations, a multi-family dwelling shall be considered as one (1) building occupying one (1) lot.

(b)

Lots which have grade slopes of more than five (5) feet measured across the lot width at the curb line or calculated from the finished grade between the side property lines shall maintain a side yard setback of at least ten (10) feet on the low side. Such side yards shall be improved with retaining walls or planters to provide grade elevation.

(c)

On a corner lot, the side yard facing the street shall be setback in conformance with the required front yard on that street; provided, however that the buildable width of such lot shall not be reduced to less than thirty (30) feet.

(d)

No accessory building shall be closer than ten (10) feet to the primary building nor closer than five (5) feet to any side property line.

(e)

An unenclosed porte-cochere or canopy may project into a required side yard but may not encroach further than five (5) feet from the side property line.

(f)

Outside stairways, tower balconies or fire escapes may project no more than four (4) feet beyond the face of the wall.

(g)

Roof eaves may project no more than three (3) feet beyond the face of the wall.

(i)

Windowsills, bay windows, belt courses and similar architectural features, as well as rain leaders and chimneys, may project no more than two (2) feet beyond the face of the wall.

Those buildings or parts of buildings that are a legal nonconforming use to the setback provisions may be repaired and remodeled, but not reconstructed or structurally altered, unless made to conform with the regulations of this zoning ordinance.

Site plan review, pursuant to the procedures and standards outlined in Articles 14 or 16 of this appendix, is required for any new development in the City of Jennings.

In applying the requirements of a site plan review, the city plan commission shall have the discretion to consider alternatives and modifications if their strict application will result in unusual practical difficulties or particular hardship, or is the plan commission determines that such alternatives or modifications to these guidelines will serve the best interests of the city.

Every primary building in the R-3 District must provide a minimum of two (2) off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit. For parking regulations in the R-3 District, see Article 20 of this appendix.

No existing lot of record in the R-3 District shall be resubdivided unless the resubdivided lot conforms to the area and frontage requirements of the R-3 District and in addition, be consistent with the lots located in the immediate neighborhood with regard to size, frontage and arrangement so as to provide an orderly pattern of development. No flag lot shall be created as a result of any resubdivision.

P = Permitted by right
C = Permitted with conditional use permit

NOTE: Uses not appearing in the table are prohibited

(Ord. No. 2308, § 1(A)(4), 1-27-14)