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Lincoln City City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

20 MULTIPLE-UNIT RESIDENTIAL RM ZONE

[1]
Prior legislation: Ords. 84-2, 89-11, 90-11, 91-4, 91-8, 92-8, 94-12, 95-15, 97-12, 98-13, 2003-08, 2005-14, 2009-02, 2009-05, 2010-06, 2012-06, 2014-08, 2014-10, 2014-16, 2016-20, 2017-09, 2019-02, 2019-05, 2019-21, 2019-23, 2019-24 and 2020-03.

§ 17.20.010 Purpose.

The multiple-unit residential (RM) zone allows and encourages higher-density residential uses that blend a range of housing types with the surrounding neighborhood, in a compact, aesthetic, and walkable development pattern.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1; Ord. 2023-04 § 12)

§ 17.20.020 Permitted uses.

A. 
Attached single-unit dwellings;
B. 
Attached single-unit dwellings developments;
C. 
Detached single-unit dwelling, including manufactured home, prefabricated dwelling, and tiny house, if located on a lawfully created lot with an area of 10,000 square feet or less that existed on September 9, 2020, and if developed under the standards set forth for single-unit dwellings within the R1 zone;
D. 
Detached single-unit dwelling, including manufactured home, if existing on or if a building permit was applied for before September 9, 2020, and remains valid, and if developed under the standards set forth for single-unit dwellings within the R1 zone;
E. 
Community or market gardens not larger than 12,500 square feet, subject to the provisions of LCMC § 17.80.080;
F. 
Cottage housing developments, subject to the provisions of LCMC § 17.80.120;
G. 
Duplexes;
H. 
Multi-unit dwellings;
I. 
Residential facilities;
J. 
Residential homes;
K. 
Structures used temporarily on the site and only during construction of a permitted or conditional use for which a building permit has been issued, but not exceeding six months;
L. 
Tiny house developments, subject to the provisions of LCMC § 17.80.040(C);
M. 
Transportation uses;
N. 
Repealed by Ord. 2024-06;
O. 
Single-room occupancy with as many units and/or structures, or combination thereof, per lot or parcel to meet the minimum density requirement in LCMC § 17.20.050. There is no maximum to the number of units per structure;
P. 
Emergency shelters, subject to LCMC § 17.80.220 and as defined in LCMC § 17.08.010.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1; Ord. 2021-14 § 1; Ord. 2022-25 §§ 17, 18; Ord. 2023-26 § 10; Ord. 2024-06 § 9)

§ 17.20.030 Accessory uses.

A. 
Animals and gardens, subject to the provisions of LCMC § 17.80.080;
B. 
Bed and breakfast accommodations, subject to the provisions of LCMC § 17.80.060;
C. 
Home occupations, subject to the provisions of LCMC § 17.52.010(E);
D. 
Offices incidental to and necessary for the operation of the allowed primary use;
E. 
Off-street parking areas directly related to the allowed primary use, subject to the provisions of Chapters 17.55 and 17.56 LCMC;
F. 
Other accessory uses, accessory buildings, or accessory structures customarily related to or associated with the primary use;
G. 
Repealed by Ord. 2023-24;
H. 
Family child care home;
I. 
Special event as accessory to a conditional use allowed in the zone, provided the allowed conditional use has conditional use approval;
J. 
Accessory dwelling units, subject to the provisions of LCMC § 17.80.110.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1; Ord. 2022-25 § 19; Ord. 2022-38 § 6; Ord. 2023-24 § 10; Ord. 2024-06 § 10)

§ 17.20.040 Conditional uses.

A. 
Assisted living facilities;
B. 
Community meeting buildings or fraternal and social organizations;
C. 
Educational institutions;
D. 
Government buildings;
E. 
Places of worship;
F. 
Primary, elementary, junior high or high schools; nursery schools; kindergartens;
G. 
Radio and television transmitters or towers;
H. 
Recreation centers, public parks, playgrounds, and similar public-owned recreational areas;
I. 
Wireless communications facilities;
J. 
Child care centers;
K. 
Docks, subject to the provisions of LCMC § 17.44.040.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1; Ord. 2022-25 § 20; Ord. 2022-38 § 7)

§ 17.20.050 Development standards.

Attached single-unit dwellings, residential facilities, and residential homes
Attached single-unit dwellings developments5
Duplexes
Multi-unit dwellings
Conditional uses
1. Min. lot width
25
None
25 feet
25 feet
Not applicable
2. Min. lot area (square feet)
2,500
None
2,500
2,500
None
3. Min. density
None
15 dwelling units per net acre2,3
None
15 dwelling units per net acre2,3
Not applicable
4. Max. building height (see also LCMC § 17.52.190 and § 17.52.200)
a. Primary buildings
35 feet
35 feet
35 feet
40 feet
35 feet
b. Accessory buildings, structures, uses
25 feet
25 feet
25 feet
25 feet
25 feet
5. Min. building setbacks (except garage/carport entrances)4
a. Front porch
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
b. Front wall
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
10 feet
c. Side interior
5 feet, but 0 feet for attached walls
5 feet, except 0 feet for attached walls
5 feet
5 feet
10 feet
d. Side street
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
10 feet
e. Rear
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
15 feet
6. Min. setbacks for garage/carport entrances (attached or detached)
a. Front-loaded access
Must not project beyond front street-facing wall of dwelling
Must not project beyond front street-facing wall of dwelling
Must not project beyond front street-facing wall of dwelling
Not permitted
Not permitted
b. Side-loaded access
Must not project beyond side street-facing wall of dwelling
Must not project beyond side street-facing wall of dwelling
Must not project beyond side street-facing wall of dwelling
Must not project beyond side street-facing wall of primary building
Not permitted
c. Rear-loaded access
3-foot minimum from rear property line
3-foot minimum from rear property line
3-foot minimum from rear property line
3-foot minimum from rear property line
3-foot minimum from rear property line
7. Max. building coverage
45%
45%
45%
65%
45%
8. Usable open space
None required
None required
None required
Required1
None required
Notes:
1A minimum of 75 square feet of usable open space per dwelling unit must be installed as follows:
i. Usable open space must be designed for passive or active recreational use and may include usable floor area in the development's recreation building or club house. Usable open space must be located outside of required setbacks and required parking areas.
ii. Private decks, balconies, or patios for individual units may count towards the usable open space square footage provided the deck, balcony, or patio is at least 48 square feet in area with a minimum depth of five feet.
iii. Other than private decks, balconies, or patios for individual units, usable open space must be connected to primary building entrances by an on-site ADA-accessible walkway. The square footage area of on-site ADA-accessible walkways can count towards the minimum usable open space square footage requirement if they provide at least one connection to each other, to the public right-of-way, or to the development's parking area.
iv. Usable open space that is not a private deck, balcony, or patio for an individual unit is allowed to count towards the minimum landscape percentage requirement in Chapter 17.55 LCMC provided the space meets the landscaping requirements in Chapter 17.55 LCMC.
v. Usable open space that is not a private deck, balcony, or patio for an individual unit must include at least one amenity for users such as seating, trash/recycling bins, dog waste stations, or play equipment – all of which must coordinate with and complement the development.
2Where the minimum density calculation results in a fraction that is 0.50 or above, the fraction is rounded up to the next whole number. Where a minimum density calculation results in a fraction that is less than 0.50, the fraction is rounded down to the preceding whole number.
3Example: 50,000 gross square feet less 1,200 square feet for significant wetlands and right-of-way dedication equals 48,800 net square feet. 48,800 divided by 43,560 = 1.12 acres x 15 = 16.8 or 17 dwelling units minimum density.
4Refer to LCMC § 17.52.160(B) for setback requirements for accessory buildings.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1; Ord. 2022-25 § 21; Ord. 2022-38 § 8)

§ 17.20.060 Landscaping.

Landscaping shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 17.55 LCMC.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1)

§ 17.20.070 Signs.

Signs shall be allowed in accordance with Chapters 9.34 and 17.72 LCMC.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1)

§ 17.20.080 Supplementary regulations and exceptions.

Supplementary regulations and exceptions shall be adhered to in accordance with Chapter 17.52 LCMC.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1)

§ 17.20.090 Off-street parking and loading.

Off-street parking and loading shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 17.56 LCMC.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1)

§ 17.20.100 Design standards.

Design standards shall be adhered to in accordance with Chapter 17.74 LCMC.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1)

§ 17.20.110 Restrictions.

Repealed by Ord. 2023-04.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1)

§ 17.20.120 Conflicts.

If conflicts occur between the requirements of this chapter and any other rules or regulations, the strictest requirement shall apply.
(Ord. 2020-10 § 1)