The purpose of this Chapter is to provide a district to accommodate Medium Density Residential uses in those areas of the County of Monterey where adequate public services and facilities exist or may be developed to support medium density development. It is intended within this Chapter to require adequate on-site facilities and amenities to assure proper, usable and livable development while allowing sufficient design flexibility to provide such development.

The regulations of this Chapter shall apply in all "MDR" Districts and are subject to Chapter 21.62 (Height and Setback Exceptions) of this Title.

A.

The first single family dwelling per lot;

B.

The keeping of pets, but not more than four (4) dogs per dwelling unit;

C.

Guesthouses meeting the development standards of Section 21.64.020;

D.

Temporary residence, pursuant to Section 21.64.070, used as living quarters during the construction of the first dwelling on a lot;

E.

Small family day care home;

F.

Small residential care facility;

G.

Water system facilities including wells and storage tanks serving four (4) or fewer service connections, pursuant to Chapter 15.04, Monterey County Code, and replacement of water tanks and wells where no increase in service connections is created. The screening of any tanks and associated structures shall be approved by the Director of Planning;

H.

Non-habitable accessory structures and accessory uses to any permitted use;

I.

Cultivation, cutting and removal of Christmas trees;

J.

Home occupations, pursuant to Section 21.64.090;

K.

Rooming and boarding of not more than two (2) persons;

L.

Other uses of a similar character, density and intensity to those listed in this section;

M.

Intermittent livestock farming or animal husbandry uses such as "4-H" projects on a minimum of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet;

N.

Accessory dwelling unit meeting the development standards of Section 21.64.030;

O.

Employee housing providing accommodations for up to six (6) employees;

P.

Supportive housing contained within the housing types of this section;

Q.

Transitional housing or transitional housing development contained within the housing types of this section.

R.

Homestays, pursuant to Section 21.64.290;

S.

Limited vacation rentals, pursuant to Section 21.64.290.

(Ord. No. 5177, § 26, 5-24-2011; Ord. No. 5135, § 97, 7-7-2009; Ord. No. 5422, §§ 9, 10, 8-27-2024)

A.

Second single family dwelling provided the gross density does not exceed the dwelling units/acre specified on the Sectional District Map (Not in Del Monte Forest);

B.

The first duplex on a vacant lot, not exceeding two (2) dwelling units/acre provided the gross density does not exceed the dwelling units/acre specified on the Sectional District Map (Not in Del Monte Forest);

C.

Repealed;

D.

Tract sales or rental offices;

E.

Reduction in setback requirements of ten (10) percent or less of the required setbacks;

F.

Small water system facilities including wells and storage tanks of five (5) to fourteen (14) service connections;

G.

Other uses of a similar character, density and intensity to those listed in this section.

H.

Additions to existing approved wireless communications facilities, pursuant to Section 21.64.310;

I.

Supportive housing contained within the housing types of this section;

J.

Transitional housing or transitional housing development contained within the housing types of this section.

(Ord. No. 5177, § 27, 5-24-2011; Ord. 3938, 1997)

A.

Any residential use, except the first single family dwelling on a vacant lot, exceeding two (2) dwelling units/acre, gross, and not exceeding four (4) units, total (Not in Del Monte Forest);

B.

Rooming houses and boardinghouses (ZA);

C.

Rest homes (ZA);

D.

Public and quasi-public uses including churches, cemeteries, parks, playgrounds, schools, public safety facilities, public utility facilities, but not including uses of a non-residential nature such as jails, rehabilitation centers, detention facilities, or corporation yards;

E.

Parking lots used in conjunction to an adjoining commercial or retail use (ZA);

F.

Legal nonconforming use of a portion of a structure extended throughout the structure (ZA);

G.

Legal nonconforming use changed to a use of a similar or more restricted nature;

H.

Bed and breakfast facility, pursuant to Section 21.64.100;

I.

Commercial and noncommercial wind energy conversion systems;

J.

Development in Carmel Valley Floodplain, pursuant to Section 21.64.130 (ZA);

K.

Ridgeline development;

L.

Water system facilities including wells and storage tanks serving fifteen (15) or more service connections (ZA);

M.

Removal of minerals or natural materials for commercial purposes;

N.

Assemblages of people, such as carnivals, festivals, races and circuses not exceeding ten (10) days, and not involving construction of permanent facilities (ZA);

O.

Accessory structures and accessory uses prior to establishment of main use or structure (ZA);

P.

Large family day care home;

Q.

Cottage industries, pursuant to Section 21.64.095 (ZA);

R.

Other uses of a similar nature, density and intensity as those listed in this section;

S.

The exploration for and the removal of oil and gas (ZA);

T.

Mobile home parks, pursuant to Section 21.64.210.

U.

Wireless communications facilities, pursuant to Section 21.64.310;

V.

Large residential care facility (ZA);

W.

Supportive housing contained within the housing types of this section;

X.

Transitional housing or transitional housing development contained within the housing types of this section.

Y.

Commercial vacation rentals, pursuant to Section 21.64.290 (ZA).

(Ord. No. 5177, § 28, 5-24-2011; Ord. 3938, 1997)

(Ord. No. 5422, § 11, 8-27-2024)

A.

Minimum Building Site. The minimum building site which may be created shall be six thousand (6,000) square feet unless otherwise approved as part of a condominium, planned unit development or similar clustered residential subdivision.

B.

Development Density, Maximum. The maximum development density shall not exceed the units/acre as shown for the specific "MDR" District as shown on the zoning map. (e.g. "MDR/4" means an "MDR" District with a maximum gross density of four units per acre.)

C.

Structure Height and Setback Regulations. The following structure height and setback regulations apply unless superseded by a structure height limit noted on the zoning map (e.g. "MDR/5 (24)" would limit structure height to twenty-four (24) feet), setback requirements when combined with a "B" District or setbacks shown on a recorded final or parcel map, or setback lines on a Sectional District Map.

In an approved planned unit development where the dwelling unit and accessory structures are to be located on a lot in the development, no setbacks from the lot lines are required except as necessary to meet Building Code and Fire Code requirements, unless otherwise noted on the recorded final, parcel map or Sectional District Map.

1.

Main Structures.

a.

Minimum Setbacks.

Front: twenty (20) feet;

Side: five feet;

Rear: ten (10) feet.

b.

Height. Maximum height: thirty (30) feet;

2.

Accessory Structures (Habitable).

a.

Minimum Setbacks.

Front: fifty (50) feet;

Side: six feet;

Rear: six feet.

b.

Height. Maximum height: fifteen (15) feet.

3.

Accessory Structures (Non-habitable).

a.

Minimum Setbacks.

Front: fifty (50) feet, or behind the main structure, whichever is less.

Side: six feet on front one-half of property; one foot on rear one-half of property;

Rear: one foot.

D.

Minimum Distance Between Structures.

Main structures: ten (10) feet;

Accessory/Main structure: six feet;

Accessory/Accessory: six feet.

E.

Building Site Coverage. Maximum: thirty-five (35) percent.

F.

Parking Regulations. Parking for all development shall be established pursuant to Chapter 21.58.

G.

Landscaping Requirements. For development of more than two residential units on a lot, a minimum of ten (10) percent of the developed lot area shall be landscaped prior to occupancy, pursuant to a landscaping plan approved by the Director of Planning.

H.

Lighting Requirements.

1.

For any new development that includes exterior lighting, all exterior lighting shall be consistent with the Design Guidelines for Exterior Lighting adopted by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Section 21.63.020, unless exempt under Section 21.63.020.D.

2.

Review by the Director of Planning of all exterior lighting associated with any construction permit for consistency with the Design Guidelines for Exterior Lighting and approval by the Director of Planning are required prior to issuance of the construction permit.

3.

Applications for construction permits which are subject to these lighting regulations must include the following information:

a.

Plans indicating the location of each light fixture; and

b.

Manufacturer's catalog specification sheet for each type of fixture.

c.

The Director of Planning may waive these submittal requirements or request additional information, as deemed necessary on a project by project basis.

I.

Sign Regulations. Signing for all development shall be established pursuant to Chapter 21.60.

(Ord. No. 5135, § 98, 7-7-2009; Ord. 3784, 1994; Ord. No. 5262, § 4, 1-26-2016)

A.

Developments in excess of five dwelling units on a lot shall provide a trash enclosure area for the residents of the development. The location of and the design of the trash enclosure area shall be approved by the Director of Environmental Health, the Director of Planning. A plan showing the trash enclosure area shall contain the following:

1.

A site plan of the overall development;

2.

The location of the trash enclosure area;

3.

Elevations of the design of the trash enclosure area;

4.

Adequate fencing to ensure safety of the residents and the public;

5.

Adequate area for the separation and holding of recyclable materials.

B.

Developments in excess of five dwelling units on a lot shall provide a recreational area for the residents of the development. The location of and the design of the recreational area shall be approved by the Director of Planning. A plan showing the recreational area shall contain the following:

1.

A site plan of the overall development;

2.

The location of the recreational area;

3.

A list and location of all recreational area facilities to be provided;

4.

The recreational area shall consist of at least three percent of the lot.

C.

Manufactured dwelling units meeting the standards of Section 21.64.040 are permitted subject to the requirements for conventional dwelling unit in this Chapter.

D.

The MDR District in the Del Monte Forest area is subject to the following development standards.

1.

Building Site Coverage/Floor Area Ratio

For the purpose of this Section, floor area ratio means the total combined gross floor areas of all floors in all buildings on the building site as measured from the exterior face of the enclosing walls expressed as a percentage of the total lot area. Enclosed floor area constructed and maintained completely below ground shall not be counted as floor area.

2.

Height of main structures: twenty-seven (27) feet.

3.

Side Yard Setbacks.

a.

First Story: ten (10) feet;

b.

Second Story: twenty (20) feet.

E.

Any residential development of twenty-five (25) or more units are subject to Section 21.64.250 (Regulations for the Reduction of Vehicle Trips) of this Title.

F.

The MDR District in the Rancho Cañada Village Subdivision, as shown on Section 21-16 of the Sectional District Maps, is subject to the following development standards.

1.

Minimum Building Site. The minimum building site which may be created shall be six thousand (6,000) square feet for single family detached homes. Minimum lot width/frontage shall be one hundred (100) feet.

2.

Main Structures

a.

Minimum Setbacks.

Front: fifteen (15) feet.

Front, Corner lots: ten (10) feet along the front not shared with a key lot. Side, first story: four feet

Side, second story: seven feet Rear: twenty (20) feet

b.

Height. Maximum height: twenty-four (24) feet

3.

Accessory Structures (Habitable and non-habitable)

a.

Minimum Setbacks.

Front: twenty (20) feet (The minimum front yard setback of any garage, carport, or parking pad is twenty (20) feet from the front property line.)

Side: as above for main structures. Rear: one foot.

4.

Minimum Distance Between Structures. Main structures: ten (10) feet

5.

Building Site Coverage. Maximum: forty percent (40%)

6.

Floor Area Ratio (FAR): Maximum: forty percent (40%)

7.

Design. Architectural features such as bay windows, chimneys, stairways, recesses or projections, elements characteristic of Carmel Valley residences are encouraged to avoid long, unmodulated building façades.

(Ord. No. 5135, § 99, 7-7-2009; Ord. 3784, 1994; Ord. No. 5360, § 4, 7-27-2021)