Moab City Zoning Code
17.48 R-3
Multi-Household Residential Zone
17.48.010 Objectives and characteristics.
The objective in establishing the R-3 residential zone is to provide appropriate locations within the City for high density development, primarily occupied by full-time residents, and employees and owners of local businesses. In general, this zone is located in the central part of the City, adjacent to commercial areas where the impact of vehicular travel and parking is consonant with adjacent use of land, and where multiple dwellings can best be supplied with necessary public facilities. This zone is characterized by more compact development and somewhat higher volumes of traffic than is characteristic of the R-1 and R-2 zones.
Representative of the uses within the R-3 zone are one-household, two-household, three-household and four-household dwellings and apartment houses, and related community facilities. However, commercial and industrial uses are prohibited therein.
Owners and developers of property should bear in mind that primacy is given to multiple household dwellings, boarding houses, rest homes and other high density residential uses, and should develop and maintain their property in recognition thereof.
In order to accomplish the objectives and purposes of this title and to promote the characteristics of this zone, the following regulations shall apply in the R-3 residential zone. (Ord. 22-05 § 2, 2022; Ord. 19-13 § 21 (part), 2019; prior code § 27-17-1)
17.48.020 Permitted uses and regulations.
A. Permitted Uses. The following uses shall be permitted-by-right. If a use is not listed it is prohibited.
1. Accessory dwelling units as per Chapter 17.70. Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 ADUs are permitted uses.
2. Agriculture.
3. Day care. Day care shall be permitted to operate subject to the following standards:
a. City of Moab business license is required.
b. A valid day care license or certificate as issued by the State of Utah is required.
c. Applicants for a City business license shall submit a conceptual site plan that indicates:
i. Ingress and egress to the property;
ii. Drop off/pick up areas;
iii. Traffic circulation;
iv. Off-street parking (single-household residence plus space for each FTE staff member);
v. Landscaping;
vi. Buffering or separation from dissimilar uses;
vii. Open space for older kids.
d. Compliance with all applicable City regulations regarding noise, odor and glare.
4. Foster care homes.
5. Group homes.
a. Such homes must be licensed by the State of Utah.
b. All exterior aspects of a group home, including its scale and off-street parking configuration, shall conform with the requirements of the R-3 zone.
c. Such homes shall provide off-street parking pursuant to Sections 17.09.210 through 17.09.340.
d. Such homes may provide living arrangements for not more than sixteen residents per home (excluding supervisory personnel).
6. Home occupations subject to the requirements set forth in Section 5.80.050.
7. Multi-household dwellings.
a. Developments consisting of three or more multi-household units shall be subject to the following requirements. In the event that the requirements of this chapter conflict with the requirements of the same or similar terms presented elsewhere in the Moab Municipal Code, or in a model code that has been adopted by the City (e.g., International Building Code), the definition contained in this chapter shall prevail:
i. Thirty-three percent of the units in a multi-household development shall be designated as active employment units, as defined by Chapter 17.06, Definitions, and regulated per Chapter 17.64, Active Employment Households. The provisions of this use parameter requirement shall be reviewed on a recurring interval of two years from date of adoption, for assessment of continued need and inclusion in the underlying zone.
ii. Buildings or structures shall not exceed three stories with a maximum building height of thirty-five feet.
iii. One parking space shall be required for each dwelling unit containing a studio or one-bedroom dwelling, and one and one-half parking spaces shall be required for each dwelling unit containing a two-or-more-bedroom dwelling.
b. Developments consisting of seven or more multi-household units shall be subject to the following additional requirements:
i. Access. Vehicular access shall be provided to the property in such a way that it does not impede traffic patterns on adjacent streets.
ii. Parking. Off-street parking shall be designed in such a way as to allow vehicles to pull forward into the on-street traffic flow.
iii. Garages or Carports. If provided, garages and carports shall not be located in the front yard and shall be set back from the front wall of the principal structure at least fifteen feet or be accessed from the rear or side of the property.
iv. Landscaping. All off-street parking shall be landscaped and buffered from adjacent uses. A minimum of fifteen percent of the interior of the parking area shall be landscaped to provide shade and break up the expanse of asphalt.
v. Buffering. All adjacent properties shall be buffered in accordance with the provisions located in Section 17.10.030, Buffer and Screening Requirements.
vi. Apartments and court apartments shall designate an open space/recreation area that is a minimum of two hundred square feet in size to be developed into recreation, play or landscaped areas. The requirement can be met with the construction of a recreation room (“rec room”) or club house of a similarly sized area that can be used for residents and their guests for recreation/social activities and/or relaxation.
vii. The allowed number of multi-household units shall be determined by Section 17.48.030.
8. One-household dwellings and accessory uses.
9. Places of worship. All places of worship shall be subject to the regulations established by Utah State Code Annotated (“UCA”). The Planning Department, in accordance with Chapter 17.67, shall receive a complete site plan which demonstrates that:
a. Traffic impacts are minimized so that on-street vehicle flows will not be impeded.
b. Noise, odor, and glare is contained on the property.
c. Landscaping shall be completed in accordance with the provisions outlined in Chapter 17.10, Landscaping Standards. A minimum of fifteen percent of the interior of the parking areas must be landscaped. Trees shall be utilized to provide shade for vehicles and must be of a sufficient size and placement to provide shade to forty percent of the parking area within three years.
d. Possible impacts on adjacent streets, sidewalks, and bike/pedestrian routes have been identified and reduced to minimum levels.
e. Adequate parking for the intended use is provided.
10. Planned unit developments subject to the requirements set forth in Chapter 17.66.
11. Public facilities. This type of use shall be allowed in compliance with the following standards:
a. The proposed use shall be situated on a tract of land sufficient in size to provide for the activities of the use as well as required landscaping, off-street parking, and trails;
b. Landscaping, screening, and fencing shall be installed and maintained to mitigate impacts on surrounding residential uses;
c. Parking areas shall be an all-weather surface such as concrete, asphalt or sealed gravel that will not generate dust or deposit gravel on paved roadways;
d. Compliance with all applicable City regulations regarding noise, odor and glare;
e. Outside storage of equipment, materials, and supplies shall be contained and located within a building or a sight obscuring fence;
f. The use shall demonstrate that there is a benefit to the neighborhood or community;
g. The proposed use shall not generate traffic in excess of the level of traffic associated with the number of residential dwellings that could be permitted on the parcel.
12. Public libraries.
13. Public parks and public recreation buildings.
14. Schools. All schools shall be subject to the regulations established by Utah State Code Annotated. The City, in accordance with Chapter 17.67, shall receive a complete site plan showing that:
a. Traffic impacts are minimized so that on-street vehicle flows will not be impeded.
b. Possible impacts to adjacent streets, sidewalks, and bike/pedestrian routes have been identified and reduced to minimum levels.
15. Two-household dwellings and accessory uses. (Ord. 23-15 § 2, 2023; Ord. 23-12, 2023; Ord. 22-05 § 2, 2022; Ord. 21-16 § 3, 2021; Ord. 19-13 § 21 (part), 2019; Ord. 18-01 (part), 2018: Ord. 12-05 (part), 2012; prior code § 27-17-2)
17.48.030 Area requirements.
An area of not less than five thousand square feet shall be provided and maintained for each one-household dwelling and two-household dwellings. All other multi-household development shall provide a minimum of two thousand square feet per unit for three-household dwellings and above. Schools, churches, boarding houses and other main buildings shall have a building site area in which the area of the building is equal to or less than twenty percent of the total parcel size area.
An area of not less than three acres shall be provided and maintained for each planned unit development, except that there shall be no area requirements for additions to an approved planned unit development. (Ord. 19-13 § 21 (part), 2019; Ord. 13-01 (part), 2013: Ord. 97-04, 1997: prior code § 27-17-3)
17.48.040 Width requirements.
The minimum width of any building site for a one-household dwelling or other buildings shall be fifty linear feet measured at a distance twenty-five feet back from the front lot line. (Ord. 19-13 § 21 (part), 2019; Ord. 13-01 (part), 2013: Ord. 11-15 (part), 2011; prior code § 27-17-4)
17.48.050 Location requirements.
A. Front Setback. The minimum front setback for main buildings shall be fifteen feet. No accessory building shall be constructed on a lot prior to the main building.
B. Side Setback. The minimum side setback for any dwelling or any other main building shall be seven feet; provided, that the minimum distance between dwellings located on the same or adjoining lots shall be more than ten feet. On corner lots, the side yard that faces on a street shall be not less than twelve feet.
C. Rear Setback. The minimum rear setback for any main building shall be twelve feet.
D. The minimum side setback for accessory buildings on interior and corner lots is listed in Section 17.09.560, Accessory use or structure. (Ord. 19-13 §§ 12, 13, 2019; Ord. 13-01 (part), 2013: Ord. 10-14 (part), 2010; prior code § 27-17-5)
17.48.060 Special provisions.
The following special provisions shall apply in this zone in order to protect its essential characteristics and to promote the purpose of this title:
A. The ground floor area of the primary dwelling shall be at least five hundred square feet.
B. No dust, odor, smoke, vibration, directed illumination, or intermittent glare or noise shall be emitted which is discernible beyond the premises, except for normal traffic movements.
C. The maximum permitted density of planned unit developments shall be ten units per acre of land contained within the development. (Ord. 23-14 § 4, 2023; Ord. 18-01 (part), 2018: prior code § 27-17-6)
17.48.070 Supplementary provisions.
See Supplementary Requirements and Procedures Applicable Within Zones (Chapter 17.09 of this title). (Prior code § 27-17-7)