La Center City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 18
130 LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT LDR-7.5
§ 18.130.010 Purpose.
The LDR district is intended to implement the provisions of the La Center comprehensive plan. In addition, this district is intended to:
(1)
Recognize and maintain established low density residential areas, while encouraging appropriate infill and redevelopment;
(2)
Create efficient residential areas which provide community services in a more economical manner, and facilitate utility-efficient design;
(3)
Provide for additional related uses such as schools, parks and utility uses necessary to serve residential uses;
(4)
Maintain and enhance sensitive lands;
(5)
Encourage traditional pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods.
(Ord. 2006-17 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2007-09 § 4, 2007; Ord. 2023-14 § 2 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-03, 6/25/2025)
§ 18.130.020 Locational criteria.
(1)
The city shall zone land as LDR-7.5 that has the following characteristics:
(a)
Areas designated as urban residential on the La Center comprehensive plan map; and
(b)
Areas surrounded by land characterized by a predominance of existing low-density residential (less than eight units per net acre) development or undeveloped land. A predominance means land that is surrounded by 50 percent or more by low density residential uses and/or undeveloped land; or
(c)
Areas separated from commercial areas by medium density housing, parks, schools, or critical areas.
Areas that do not meet the above characteristics may still be zoned LDR-7.5; provided, that other zones are not more appropriate based on the locational criteria of those zones.
(Ord. 2006-17 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2007-09 § 4, 2007; Ord. 2021-04 § 6 (Exh. C), 2021; Ord. 2025-03, 6/25/2025)
§ 18.130.030 Permitted uses.
The following uses are permitted within the LDR-7.5 district subject to the applicable provisions of this and other applicable La Center Municipal Code titles:
Table 18.130.030 – Permitted, Conditional, and Prohibited Uses | |
|---|---|
Use | LDR-7.5 |
(1) Single-family detached dwelling units | P |
(2) Duplexes | P |
(3) Manufactured homes1 | P |
(4) Accessory buildings and uses including, but not limited to, the following: | |
(a) Private garages and carports designed to accommodate no more than four vehicles | P |
(b) Greenhouses, gardens, and orchards for private, noncommercial propagation and culture of plants, fruits, and vegetables | P |
(c) Swimming pools and other recreational facilities for the private use of the occupants. Swimming pools other than children's temporary wading pools shall not be located in front yards, shall be enclosed by a five-foot fence, and shall be set back at least three feet from all property lines | P |
(d) Covered patio, freestanding or attached | P |
(e) Solar energy systems and structures solely designed to support solar energy systems | P |
(5) Home occupations | L3 |
(6) Art galleries and museums not exceeding two gross acres | L3 |
(7) Public utilities such as electrical substations | L3 |
(8) Publicly owned parks, trails, open spaces or recreational areas | L3 |
(9) Family day care providers | P2 |
(10) Foster care homes | L3 |
(11) Churches | C4 |
(12) Public schools5 | P |
(13) Community clubs | P |
(14) Day care centers | C2,3 |
(15) Public buildings and uses not otherwise listed as permitted in the LCMC | C4 |
(16) Bed and breakfast house | L3 |
(17) Manufactured home subdivisions and communities | C1,4 |
(18) Mobile homes | X |
(19) Telecommunication facilities | C4 |
(20) All manufacturing and commercial uses or services, except permitted home occupations | X |
(21) Kennels | X |
(22) Temporary sales offices in conjunction with a subdivision | P |
(23) Concessionaires, including commercial recreational rentals, only when located within the La Center Downtown and Timmen Landing Subarea boundaries as adopted | L3 |
Notes: |
|---|
1 Subject to the installation standards of LCMC § 18.180.070. |
2 Permitted subject to the standards in LCMC § 18.270.020. |
4 Conditional uses are subject to a Type III process consistent with the applicable standards of this chapter. |
5 Public schools (grades 7 – 12) require a conditional use permit. |
(Ord. 2006-17 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2007-09 § 4, 2007; Ord. 2010-05 § 3, 2010; Ord. 2023-05 § 2 (Exh. B), 2023; Ord. 2023-11 § 2 (Exh. B), 2023; Ord. 2025-03, 6/25/2025)
§ 18.130.070 Height regulations.
The maximum building height in all LDR districts shall be 35 feet measured from the lowest finished grade level to the highest point on the roof. Detached garages shall not exceed 18 feet in height. The maximum building height for a detached accessory structure is 12 feet; 14-1/2 feet for a solar energy system on a detached accessory structure. The maximum building height for a solar energy system on a primary structure is 39-1/2 feet. Where these standards conflict with the standards in Chapter 15.05 LCMC, the more stringent standards shall apply.
(Ord. 2006-17 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2007-09 § 4, 2007; Ord. 2025-03, 6/25/2025)
§ 18.130.080 Density and dimensional requirements.
(1)
New lots and structures and additions to structures subject to this chapter shall provide a minimum net density of no less than four dwelling units per net acre. The maximum net density for single-family detached shall be 5.8 units per net acre and the maximum net density for duplexes shall be 8.7 units per net acre.
(2)
Lot Size Requirements. Minimum size for individual lots in a subdivision without a density transfer pursuant to Chapter 18.300 LCMC is 7,500 square feet. With an approved critical areas density transfer, up to 20 percent of the individual lots for single-family detached may be as small as 6,000 square feet in accordance with LCMC § 18.300.130. Maximum lot size is 11,000 square feet.
(a)
Lots created for drainage facilities, parks, open space, wetlands, critical areas and buffers or utilities shall not be subject to minimum or maximum lot size requirements.
(b)
Duplexes (structures containing two separate dwelling units) require a minimum lot area of 10,000 square feet.
(c)
The maximum lot area of a lot abutting the urban growth area boundary may exceed 11,000 square feet pursuant to this section. The maximum lot area also can be exceeded for duplex development.
(3)
Developed critical areas shall not be deducted to calculate net acres.
(4)
An accessory building or structure shall not be erected unless there exists a residence and/or other primary and permissible use on the lot.
(5)
Maximum building lot coverage shall not exceed 35 percent. Maximum impervious surface area shall not exceed 50 percent.
(6)
Setbacks shall be measured from the nearest edge of the applicable property line to the nearest vertical wall or other element of the building or structure.
(7)
Side yard setbacks shall be consistent with Table 18.130.080, unless otherwise expressly allowed by this title.
(8)
Table 18.130.080 – Setback and Dimensional Requirements | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
District | Minimum Lot Width (feet) | Minimum Lot Depth (feet) | Minimum Front Yard Setback (feet)1, 2, 4 | Minimum Front-Loading Garage Setback (feet) | Minimum Side Yard Setback (feet)2 | Minimum Street Side Yard Setback (feet)2 | Minimum Rear Yard (feet)2, 3 |
LDR-7.5 | 60 | 90 | 20 | 20 | 7.5 | 10 | 15 (garage) 20 (living area) |
Notes: |
|---|
1 If there are dwellings on both adjoining lots with front yard setbacks less than the required depth for the district, the minimum front setback for the lot is the average of the front setbacks of the adjoining dwellings. If there is a dwelling on only one adjoining lot with a front yard setback less than the required depth for the district, the minimum front setback for the lot in question is the average of the adjoining front yard setback and 15 feet. These setback averaging provisions do not apply to the front setback reductions per LCMC § 18.130.080(10). |
2 Cornices, eaves, belt courses, sills, canopies, bay windows or other similar architectural features (not including vertical projections) may extend or project into a required setback not more than 30 inches. Chimneys may not project into a required yard more than 24 inches. A deck not more than 30 inches in height (measured from the lowest grade in the setback to the deck surface) and not covered by a roof or canopy may extend up to 10 feet from the front property line, seven and one-half feet into a street side yard setback and is permitted in a side or rear yard regardless of the setback requirements. Attached covered porches may extend up to 10 feet from the front property line. Projections into setback areas apply to standard setbacks and reduced setbacks per LCMC § 18.130.080(10); provided, that front porches must be set back at least 10 feet from the front property line. |
3 A detached accessory structure, other than a garage or carport, may be situated in a rear and/or side yard provided it is at least six feet from the primary structure on a lot or parcel and it is set back from interior side and rear lot lines by at least five feet and from street side lot lines by at least 10 feet. A garage or carport may be situated in a rear and/or side yard provided it is at least 20 feet from the front and street side lot lines, seven and one-half feet from an interior side lot line, 15 feet from a rear lot line; provided, further, if there is direct vehicular access from a garage or carport to the street abutting the street side lot line, then the garage or carport shall be set back at least 20 feet from that street side lot line. |
4 The minimum front yard setback may be reduced in accordance with LCMC § 18.130.080(10). |
(9)
Front Yard Setback Reduction. The purpose of the front setback reduction is to provide an opportunity for builders to provide homes that emphasize pedestrian-oriented streetscapes and traditional design by providing greater emphasis on the front facade. Visual interest with high-quality dwelling design is a requirement by avoiding architectural repetition and garage-dominated facades and promoting a sense of community with a front porch.
(10)
The required minimum 20-foot front yard setback pursuant to Table 18.130.080 may be reduced to no less than 15 feet when the following are applied to a single-family detached dwelling:
(a)
A front-loading garage must be set back at least five feet from the dwelling's front living facade, account for up to a maximum of 50 percent of the facade width of the entire structure, and be a minimum of 20 feet from the front property line consistent with subsection (8) of this section; and
(b)
No less than five of the following primary features shall be provided on the front facade of the single-family detached dwelling:
(i)
Belly Band cladding;
(ii)
Dormers;
(iii)
Pillars/posts made of a contrasting material from the primary facade of the home and preferably made of brick, stone, or other natural material;
(iv)
Knee/eave braces;
(v)
Window trim no less than three inches wide and/or keystones/decorative window trim on all street facing windows;
(vi)
Bay windows on at least 15 percent of the front-facing facade;
(vii)
Shutters or louvers;
(viii)
At least three color changes across the facade.
(c)
The required minimum 20-foot front yard setback pursuant to Table 18.130.080 may be reduced an additional three feet to have a 12-foot front setback when the primary features of subsection (10)(b) of this section and four of the following additional secondary features are applied to a single-family detached dwelling:
(i)
Covered porch area at a minimum of 40 square feet;
(ii)
Variable siding, such as three or more changes in siding texture, direction, and materials;
(iii)
At least three varied plane breaks or exterior wall offsets;
(iv)
Front-facing garage doors with windows on no less than 15 percent of the garage door;
(v)
Recessed building entry of at least three feet;
(vi)
Use of contrasting materials, such as brick or stone, on no less than 30 percent of the facade; and
(vii)
Other compatible and creative architectural elements or methods that meet the intent of this code section and as approved by the planning official; provided, that no more than one unlisted architectural element may count toward the minimum number of required features.
(d)
If an applicant chooses to reduce the front setback in the LDR-7.5 zone pursuant to subsections (10)(a) through (c) of this section, the applicant shall comply with the following review requirements prior to issuance of a building permit or select review Track A or Track B:
(i)
Review Track A. The following shall be provided for a preliminary subdivision or short plat:
(A)
A site plan indicating which lots are subject to the reduced front yard setback requirements that if a front setback is reduced, it may be no more than five feet forward of the houses on lots next to it on the same side of the street.
(B)
Preliminary elevations clearly indicating how each dwelling in a lot utilizing the reduced front yard setback is providing priority and/or secondary features in accordance with subsections (10)(b) and (c) of this section; and
(C)
A completed checklist of the priority and/or secondary features to be used for each dwelling utilizing the reduced front yard setback in the development.
(ii)
Review Track B. Prior to issuance of a building permit, the items of subsections (10)(d)(i)(B) and (d)(i)(C) of this section shall be provided for an individual lot utilizing the reduced front yard setback.
(e)
An applicant who utilizes the front yard setback reduction cannot request a variance to reduce the front living facade setback less than 12 feet. Additionally, setback reductions cannot be approved on lots fronting arterial roads.
(f)
A corner lot dwelling utilizing the reduced front yard setback provisions must wrap around architectural and design treatments from the front facade to each street facing facade of the dwelling.
(Ord. 2006-17 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2007-09 § 4, 2007; Ord. 2010-05 § 16, 2010; Ord. 2021-04 § 7 (Exh. D), 2021; Ord. 2023-13 § 3 (Exh. B), 2023; Ord. 2023-14 § 3 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 2025-03, 6/25/2025)
§ 18.130.090 Lot coverage and dimensions.
Repealed by Ord. 2021-04.
(Ord. 2006-17 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2007-09 § 4, 2007; Ord. 2009-17 § 1, 2009)
§ 18.130.100 Street trees.
(1)
New residential developments shall provide street trees in planter strips subject to approval by the public works director.
(2)
Planter strips shall contain trees at a minimum of 30-foot intervals along each street frontage.
(3)
The public works director shall approve the type, location, and planting method of street trees.
(Ord. 2006-17 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2007-09 § 4, 2007; Ord. 2025-03, 6/25/2025)
§ 18.130.110 Active open space – Family parks.
If a low density residential (LDR-7.5) development meets the applicable criteria of LCMC § 18.242.020, the new development shall provide parks and open space pursuant to the applicable requirements of Chapter 18.242 LCMC (Parks and Open Spaces).
(Ord. 2017-07 § 3, 2017; Ord. 2025-03, 6/25/2025)