Mill Valley City Zoning Code

Parcels located in:

The proposed development would require demolition or alteration of any of the following types of housing:

The proposed development would result in the demolition of more than 25% of the existing exterior structural walls, unless the site has not been occupied by a tenant in the last three years.

The building official finds that the proposed development would have a specific, adverse impact on public health and safety or the physical environment that cannot be feasibly mitigated or avoided.

A two-unit project shall be considered a permitted use on a parcel in the RS Zoning District, subject to the requirements of this chapter.

A two-unit project located in the floodplain shall comply with Title 18 of this Code.

If the construction of a two-unit project is proposed within 30 feet of the top of the bank for any watercourse identified in Chapter 20.76, the applicant shall provide the Building Department with all applicable permits from outside agencies, including, but not limited to, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Army Corps of Engineers, State Water Resources Control Board and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

A permanent address is required for each dwelling unit.

Prior to receiving a building permit, the local water or sewer agency shall submit letters of service availability for water and sewer disposal to the Building Official.

Any two-unit project legally created shall be governed by the zoning regulations in effect at the time of approval.

The development and use of the dwelling units shall only be valid and permitted based on the terms established in the chapter.

The dwelling unit(s) shall not be rented for a period of less than 30 consecutive days.

Any owner wishing to modify the number of units must request termination of a dwelling unit under this chapter, satisfying all zoning and development standards such as setbacks, floor area and lot coverage.

The owner and all successors in interest in the subject property shall agree to respond to any City of Mill Valley survey of owners of all dwelling units to determine use, code consistency and for reporting purposes to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

The owner and all successors in interest in the subject property shall maintain the dwelling units in accordance with all applicable regulations established in this chapter. Violations and lack of compliance with any provisions of this section may result in legal action against the property owner, including revocation of any right to maintain the dwelling units on the property as outlined in Sections 20.91.050—20.91.060, and shall be subject to administrative fines and penalties as contained in Chapter 8.02 of the Mill Valley Municipal Code.

The Planning Director or his or her designee shall ministerially review and approve a two-unit application and shall not require a public hearing, provided that the submitted application is complete and demonstrates that the two-unit project complies with the requirements contained in this Title 20 and qualifies under Government Code Section 65852.21(a).

Where a qualified two-unit application is submitted with an application for other redevelopment work that is subject to design review under Chapter 20.66, the application will be considered separately without discretionary review or a public hearing, following action on the portion of the project subject to Chapter 20.66.

In addition to obtaining planning approval for the two-unit project, the applicant shall be required to obtain a building permit, tree removal permit if applicable, and other applicable construction permit requirements prior to the construction of the dwelling units.

A two-unit project shall conform to all objective zoning, subdivision, and design standards applicable to the RS Zoning District, except as expressly provided in this chapter. Notwithstanding the above, if the application of an objective standard would require one or both units to be less than 800 square feet, such standard shall be waived to the extent necessary to allow construction of a unit(s) of at least 800 square feet.

See Section 20.16.040(A) for adjusted floor area allowances, except as follows: those parcels that are less than 6,000 square feet may not apply deductions under Section 20.16.040(A)(1)(b).

Maximum height of a two-unit project is 25 feet above natural grade to the highest point of the roof. Buildings may be built up to 35 feet within the lot area, should the two units be consolidated within one structure and comply with the allowable setbacks granted under the single family zoning district.

Maximum lot coverage is based on Section 20.16.040(D), which includes the total footprint of all structures, including, but not limited to, the Duplex, garage, all accessory buildings and decks over 18 inches above grade.

A two-unit project shall include two primary dwelling units where either:

One-bedroom dwelling units may not exceed 850 square feet of gross floor area.

Useable outdoor living space shall be split equally between each unit. Areas paved for the storage or movement of motor vehicles or bicycles cannot be considered usable outdoor living space.

Front exterior yard setback shall be 15 feet from the street property line, with exemptions granted for parking structures on sloped lots, see Section 20.60.080.

Setbacks from the side and rear lot property lines shall be no less than four feet, except in the case of existing structures or structures constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure. Double frontage and corner lots shall use the following criteria to determine rear and side yard setbacks.

Dwelling units shall include permanent provisions for living, eating and sleeping, including a kitchen and bedroom closet or other storage.

Dwelling units shall have separate exterior entries facing the street and may not have an internal connection between units.

A permanent foundation shall be required.

One off-street parking space is required per dwelling unit, unless the parcel is located within one-half mile of a high-quality transit corridor as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21155(b) or major transit stop as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21064.3 or there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the parcel.

The location of the required parking space(s) shall not obstruct the required parking of each dwelling unit and shall be a minimum of 20 feet in length.

Tandem parking is prohibited between units.

Revocation of the livable space as two-units;

Where a dwelling unit has been improperly terminated and is being used as habitable space for a single primary dwelling unit, removal of the floor area serving as habitable space may be required; and

In any civil enforcement action, the City is entitled to recover attorneys' fees and costs from an owner who is determined to have an illegal dwelling unit or is in violation of this chapter.