Larkspur City Zoning Code
18.28 R-2
Second Residential District Regulations
The provisions of the Circulation Assessment Permit, Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.14, are applicable to properties in this zoning district.
18.28.005 Purpose.
The purpose of the Second Residential District is to:
A. Provide for a medium-density residential use.
B. Develop neighborhoods with the residential characteristics described in Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.20.005.
C. Implement the applicable policies of the General Plan. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 640 § 2, 1980)
18.28.010 Regulations Established.
The regulations herein are applicable to properties zoned Second Residential and are in addition to the regulations set forth in Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.16. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 295 § 80, 1962)
18.28.020 Permitted Uses.
The following uses are permitted in the R-2 District:
A. One-family dwellings.
B. Two-family dwellings.
C. Accessory buildings and uses (including home occupations).
D. Public parks and playgrounds, including recreation, refreshment and service buildings.
E. Group homes.
F. Transitional and supportive housing.
G. Family day care homes.
H. Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units, subject to the provisions of Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.23.
Permanent supportive housing in compliance with California Government Code Section 65651 is allowed by right, subject to written, objective development standards and policies that apply to other multifamily development within the zone. (Ord. 1079 § 11, 2024; Ord. 1078 § 10, 2024; Ord. 1071 § 9, 2023; Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 1012 § 7, 2016; Ord. 921 § 5, 2003; Ord. 855 § 9 (part), 1993; Ord. 698 § 4, 1983)
18.28.023 Conditional Uses.
The following uses are permitted in the R-2 District subject to securing a use permit in each case:
A. Churches.
B. Colleges and schools (not including riding schools and riding academies) and the operation of necessary facilities and required equipment.
C. Community clubhouses.
D. Mobilehome parks as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 18214.
E. Public utility or public service uses or public buildings.
F. Day care center.
G. Repealed by Ord. 921.
H. Bed-and-breakfast inns incidental to the residential use, for maximum accommodation of six (6) guests in three (3) rooms, subject to all conditions and restrictions in Larkspur Municipal Code Sections 18.20.025(I)(1) through (10) .
I. Having, keeping, maintaining, or boarding four (4) or more dogs over four (4) months of age. (Ord. 1071 § 9, 2023; Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 921 § 6, 2003; Ord. 855 §§ 8, 9 (part), 1993; Ord. 787 § 3, 1989; Ord. 703 § 3, 1983; Ord. 698 § 5, 1983)
18.28.025 Condominiums.
The development of condominiums must follow the standards and regulations of Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.38. Further, the conversion of existing residential real property to a condominium project, community apartment project, or stock cooperative requires the approval of a use permit under Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.38.070 et seq. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 667 § 6, 1981)
18.28.030 Lot Area.
The following lot areas are required in the R-2 District:
A. For each one-family dwelling, a minimum of seven thousand five hundred (7,500) square feet of lot area and sixty (60) feet average width, except that such use may be located on a lot of record provided all other regulations of the district shall be met.
B. For each two-family dwelling, a minimum of eight thousand (8,000) square feet of lot area and sixty (60) feet in average width, except that a permitted use may be located on a lot of record provided all other regulations for the district shall be met. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 295 § 82, 1962)
18.28.040 Building Height Limit.
No structure shall be erected to a height in excess of thirty-five (35) feet. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 295 § 83, 1962)
18.28.050 Percentage of Lot Coverage.
Structures shall not cover more than fifty (50) percent of the area of the lot on which they are situated. See also Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.34.080, Preservation of Natural and Permeable Areas, for lots with an average slope of ten (10) percent or greater. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 953 § 1(30), 2007; Ord. 295 § 84, 1962)
18.28.060 Yards Required for Main Structure.
Yards required for the main structures in the R-2 District are as follows:
A. Front Yard. Minimum depth shall be twenty (20) feet.
B. Side Yards. The street side yard on a corner lot shall have a width of not less than ten (10) feet. Other side yards shall each have a minimum width of six (6) feet.
C. Rear Yards. Minimum depth shall be fifteen (15) feet. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 313 § 8, 1965; Ord. 295 § 85, 1962)
18.28.070 Location of Accessory Structures.
Accessory structures may be built within yards as follows:
A. Front Yard. On other than the street side of a corner lot; in steep terrain, either a one-story carport or one-story residential garage (neither a part of the main building) not closer than three (3) feet to either the front lot line or the side lot line, with design review approval by the Zoning Administrator pursuant to Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.64.020.
B. Side Yards. Not closer than ten (10) feet to the street side lot line of a corner lot. On other than street side of corner lots, not closer than five (5) feet to the side lot line.
C. Rear Yards. Not nearer than three (3) feet to any rear lot line. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 953 § 1(31), 2007; Ord. 929 § 20, 2004; Ord. 295 § 86, 1962)
18.28.080 Floor Area Required.
Repealed by Ord. 1079.
18.28.085 Design Review and Heritage Preservation Board Review.
All proposed new structures, additions, and other modifications to the exterior of a building shall be subject to the provisions of Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.64, Design Review, and for those parcels in the Combining Heritage Preservation District, or for any building listed on the National Register or Larkspur’s Inventory of Historic Resources, review and recommendation by the Heritage Preservation Board, per Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.19. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 953 § 1(32), 2007; Ord. 933 § 1, 2004)
18.28.090 Signs.
Signs shall be permitted only in accordance with Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.60. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 352 § 2, 1968; Ord. 295 § 88, 1962)
18.28.100 Off-Street Parking.
When a new dwelling is constructed, or a main building is structurally altered or the use is substantially changed, the minimum number of off-street parking spaces to be provided on the lot shall be as indicated in Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.56. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 953 § 1(33), 2007; Ord. 313 § 2, 1965; Ord. 295 § 89, 1962)
18.28.110 Slope and Hillside Development.
Any property or properties having an average percent of slope (as calculated pursuant to Larkspur Municipal Code Section 18.34.030) equal to or exceeding ten (10) percent shall be subject to the regulations set forth in Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.34. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 471 § 1 (part), 1973)
18.28.120 Maximum Floor Area.
The maximum gross floor area for all properties in this district shall be as set forth in Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.35, Residential Floor Area Ratios. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 687 § 2, 1983)
18.28.130 Circulation Assessment Permit.
The provisions of the Circulation Assessment Permit, Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 18.14, are applicable to properties in this zoning district. (Ord. 1030 § 2(12), 2018; Ord. 737 § 4, 1986)