Lathrop City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
36 RM MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
§ 17.36.010 Purposes and application.
The RM multifamily residential districts are intended primarily for the development of multifamily residential structures at densities consistent with policies of the general plan, as follows:
A.
The RM-3 district is intended exclusively for application to areas designated by the general plan for medium density.
B.
The RM-2 district is intended primarily for application to areas designated by the general plan for high density.
(Ord. 92-73; Ord. 22-431 § 1; Ord. 23-449, 11/13/2023)
§ 17.36.020 Permitted uses.
A.
One-family dwellings limited to:
1.
A single-family dwelling replacing an existing single-family dwelling on a one for one basis,
2.
A single-family dwelling on an existing lot of 8,000 square feet or less, or
3.
Single-family dwellings that are part of a housing development with the majority of units affordable to extremely low, very low, and/or low income households;
B.
Multifamily dwellings;
C.
A residential care facility, as defined in Section 17.32.020;
D.
A "small family day care home" as defined and regulated by the State Health and Safety Code, which provides care to eight or fewer children, including children who reside in the home;
E.
A "large family day care home" as defined and regulated by the State Health and Safety Code for nine to 14 children, inclusive, including children who reside in the home;
F.
Fenced or enclosed swimming pools for either individual, family or communal use on an exclusive noncommercial basis; provided, that no swimming pool shall be located within a utility easement or a front yard;
G.
Incidental and accessory structures and uses located on the same site with a permitted use;
H.
Other uses which are added to this list according to the procedure in Section 17.16.020;
I.
The keeping of animals in accordance with the standards of Title 6.
J.
Emergency shelters, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.74.
(Ord. 92-73; Ord. 92-96; Ord. 16-365 § 1; Ord. 20-411 § 1; Ord. 21-418 § 11; Ord. 22-431 § 1; Ord. 22-442 § 1; Ord. 25-462, 2/10/2025)
§ 17.36.030 Permitted uses-Administrative approval required.
The following uses may be permitted in accordance with Chapter 17.108:
A.
Enclosed temporary construction materials storage yards required in connection with the development of a subdivision, and temporary subdivision sales offices and signs and model home display areas, in accordance with Section 17.16.010;
B.
Gas and electric transmission lines in accordance with Section 17.108.080, electrical transmission and distribution substations, gas regulator stations, communications equipment buildings, public service pumping stations and elevated pressure tanks;
C.
Rest homes and nursing homes, and boarding or rooming houses;
D.
Garden structures in accordance with Section 17.36.050(F);
E.
Private clubs and lodges;
F.
A second housing unit in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.80;
G.
Home occupations in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.64;
H.
Incidental and accessory structures and uses located on the same site as a use permitted by administrative approval or conditional use;
I.
Other uses which are added to this list according to the procedure in Section 17.16.020.
(Ord. 92-73; Ord. 97-151; Ord. 22-431 § 1; Ord. 25-462, 2/10/2025)
§ 17.36.040 Conditional uses-Commission approval required.
The following uses may be permitted accordance with the procedures prescribed in Chapter 17.112:
A.
Public and quasi-public uses of an educational or religious type, including public and parochial elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools and colleges, nursery schools, private nonprofit schools and colleges; churches, parsonages and other religious institutions;
B.
Public and private charitable institutions, hospitals, sanitariums, nursing homes, rehabilitation homes and rest homes, including state authorized homes as prescribed under Section 17.32.040(B);
C.
Public uses of an administrative, public service or cultural type including city, county, state or federal administrative centers and courts, libraries, museums, art galleries, police and fire stations and other public buildings, structures and facilities, and public playgrounds, parks and community centers;
D.
Mobilehome parks, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.72;
E.
Modest expansion or remodeling of an existing nonconforming use of a structure or land, limited to 25% or less of the assessed value of existing structures, or reestablishment of a nonconforming use which has been damaged, except nonconforming signs and outdoor advertising structures, nonconforming use occupying a structure with an assessed valuation of less than $200, and nonconforming fences, walls and hedges;
F.
Expansion, remodeling or additions to a conditional use that are not considered an incidental or accessory use as defined in Section 17.04.080;
G.
Professional offices, only within the RM-2 district;
H.
A state authorized licensed day care center for 13 or more children;
I.
Single room occupancy uses, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.73;
J.
Large residential care home as defined in Section 17.04.080;
K.
Other uses which are added to this list according to the procedure in Section 17.16.020.
(Ord. 92-73; Ord. 16-365 § 1; Ord. 26-479, 3/9/2026)
§ 17.36.050 Property development standards.
A.
Fences, walls and hedges shall conform to the provisions of Chapter 17.92.
B.
Site Area. The minimum site area in the RM-3 and RM-2 districts shall be 6,000 square feet.
C.
Site Area Per Dwelling Unit. The minimum site area shall be as follows:
District | Area per Unit |
|---|---|
RM-3 | 3,000 sq. ft. |
RM-2 | 2,000 sq. ft. |
D.
Density. The allowable density for the RM multifamily residential districts shall be as identified below, per the city's general plan:
1.
RM-3: a minimum of eight and a maximum of 15 units per acre.
2.
RM-2: a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 25 units per acre.
E.
Frontage, Width and Depth of Site.
1.
Each site, other than for a mobilehome in a mobilehome park, shall not have less than 50 feet of frontage on a public street, except that those sites which front on a cul-de-sac or loop-out street may have a frontage of not less than 40 feet, provided the width of the site, as measured along the front yard setback line, is at least 60 feet.
2.
The minimum width of each site, other than for a mobilehome park, shall be 50 feet.
3.
The minimum depth of each site, other than for a mobilehome in a mobilehome park, shall be 80 feet.
F.
Coverage. The maximum site area covered by structures shall be as follows:
District | Coverage |
|---|---|
RM-3 | 50% |
RM-2 | 60% |
G.
Yard Requirements.
1.
Front Yard. The minimum front yard shall be 15 feet; provided, that the distance from the centerline of a public street to the rear of the required front yard shall not be less than 45 feet. Any fixed mechanical equipment shall not be located within the front yard.
a.
Porches attached to the main building shall be set back from the front property line by 10 feet.
2.
Rear Yard.
a.
The minimum rear yard shall be 10 feet.
b.
Where a required off-street parking facility is located within a rear yard with access from an alley, it shall be set back a minimum of 11 feet from the closest alley right-of-way line to provide for adequate ingress and egress.
3.
Side Yards. The minimum side yard shall be five feet, subject to the following conditions and exceptions:
a.
On a reversed corner lot, the side yard adjoining the street shall be not less than one-half the required front yard of the adjoining key lot.
b.
The minimum street side yard shall not be less than 10 feet.
H.
Distances Between Structures. The minimum distance between a dwelling unit and another dwelling unit shall meet the minimum required under the city adopted building code.
I.
Building Height. No building or structure shall have a height greater than 35 feet, except as may be allowed under Chapters 17.56 and 17.112.
J.
Signs. No sign or outdoor advertising structure of any character shall be permitted except as provided in Chapter 17.84.
K.
Off-Street Parking and Off-Street Loading. Off-street parking and off-street loading facilities shall be provided as prescribed in Chapter 17.76.
L.
Accessory structures and landscape features shall conform to the following development standards:
1.
Minimum Setback Distance from Property Line.
Height | Front* | Street Side (corner lot) | Side (interior) | Rear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
≤ 8 feet | Not allowed | 5 ft | 0 ft | 0 ft |
> 8 feet to 15 feet | Not allowed | 5 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft |
* | Landscape features are allowed in the front yard. See definition of landscape feature. |
2.
Setback Measurement. Minimum setback distance between property line and accessory structure shall be measured from the wall or post(s) of the supporting structural member of the structure. Overhangs are allowed consistent with the city adopted building code.
3.
Separation Between Structures. All accessory structures shall maintain the minimum separation between other buildings as required under the city adopted building code.
4.
Building Permit Required. A building permit shall be obtained as required under the city adopted building code.
5.
Accessory structure and landscape feature are defined in Section 17.04.080 Definitions.
(Ord. 92-73; Ord. 92-96; Ord. 16-355 § 1; Ord. 20-411 § 1; Ord. 22-442 § 1; Ord. 23-449, 11/13/2023)
§ 17.36.060 Site plan and architectural design review required.
Except for mobilehomes, single-family dwellings and accessory structures and uses related thereto, no use may be established on any lot or site in an RM district until a site plan and architectural plans shall have been submitted to and approved by the city pursuant to the provisions of Chapters 17.100 and 17.104 of the Lathrop Municipal Code (other than those exempted by state and/or federal statute), and such lot or site has been fully developed with the improvements required by the city. Design review is required for all proposed structures, together with related site plans, landscaping, and public improvements associated with new development.
Housing developments that include a minimum 20% of units affordable to lower income households shall be ministerial and exempt from this section.
(Ord. 92-73; Ord. 22-442 § 1; Ord. 23-449, 11/13/2023; Ord. 25-462, 2/10/2025)
§ 17.36.070 General provisions and exceptions.
All uses shall be subject to the general provisions and exceptions prescribed in Chapter 17.16.
(Ord. 92-73)
