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Morgan Hill City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 18

18 - RESIDENTIAL ATTACHED ZONING DISTRICTS

18.18.010 - Purpose of the residential attached districts.

A.

General. The purpose of the residential attached zoning districts is to provide locations for attached housing types to meet the full range of housing needs in Morgan Hill. The residential attached zoning districts accommodate small lot single-family homes, townhomes, and multifamily dwellings at a range of densities. The residential attached zoning district increases housing options for seniors, young people, renters, and smaller households. Housing in the residential attached zoning district is carefully integrated with surrounding development, supports the economic vitality of nearby commercial areas, and increases opportunities for residents to walk or bike to destinations.

B.

Specific.

1.

Residential Attached Low Density (RAL). The purpose of the RAL zoning district is to provide locations for low density attached housing types. The RAL zoning district is divided into two subzones allowing for a range of permitted residential densities.

2.

Residential Attached Medium Density (RAM). The purpose of the RAM zoning district is to provide locations for medium density attached housing types.

3.

Residential Attached High Density (RAH). The purpose of the RAH zoning district is to provide locations for high density attached housing types typically within and adjacent to Downtown Morgan Hill.

(Ord. No. 2277 N.S., § 5(Exh. A), 6-6-2018)

18.18.020 - Land use regulations.

A.

Permitted Land Uses. Table 18.18-1 identifies land uses permitted in the residential attached zoning districts.

Table 18.18-1: Permitted Land Uses — Residential Attached Zoning Districts

Key
P Permitted Use
A Administrative Use Permit required
C Conditional Use Permit required
— Use not allowed 		Zoning District Additional Regulations
RAL RAM RAH
Residential Uses
Accessory Dwelling Units P P P Chapter 18.84
Duets and Duplexes P P P
Group Housing P P P
Multifamily Dwellings P P P
Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care C C C
Residential Care Facilities C C C
Residential Care Facilities, Small P P P
Shared Living Residences C C C
Single-Family Attached Dwellings P P P
Single-Family Detached Dwellings P [2, 3] P [3] P [3]
Supportive Housing P [1] P [1] P [1]
Transitional Housing P P P
Public and Quasi-Public Uses
Community Assembly C C C
Cultural Institutions C C C
Day Care Centers C C C
Home Day Care, Large and Small P P P
Parks and Recreational Facilities [4] C C C
Public Safety Facilities C C C
Schools, Public and Private C C C
Transportation, Communication, and Utility Uses
Wireless Communication Facilities See Chapter 18.96
Other Uses
Accessory Uses and Structures See Chapter 18.44
Home Occupations See Section 18.92.060
Temporary Uses and Structures See Section 18.92.150
Urban Agriculture
 Home Gardens P P P
 Community Gardens A A A
 Urban Farms C C C

 

Notes:

[1] Supportive Housing consistent with Government Code Sections 65650-65656 shall adhere to entitlement application timing provisions.

[2] Up to twenty-five percent of homes within a development project may be small-lot single family homes with a maximum lot area of three thousand five hundred square feet.

[3] Permitted only on a lot of record existing prior to July 7, 2018.

[4] Park and recreational facilities accessory to a residential use (e.g., a clubhouse serving a residential subdivision) are permitted by right.

B.

Additional Permits. In addition to permits identified in Table 18.18-1, development projects in the attached residential zoning districts may also require a design permit pursuant to Section 18.108.040 (Design Permits). Modifications to a historic resource may require a historic alteration pursuant to Chapter 18.60 (Historic Preservation).

C.

Residential Building Allotments. All residential development must comply with the voter-approved residential development control system (RDCS) as established in Chapter 18.78 (Residential Development Control System). The RDCS requires proposed residential projects to first receive residential building allotments before applying for land use entitlements. Section 18.78.050.C (Exemptions from Allotments) identifies types of residential projects exempt from the requirement to obtain residential building allotments.

(Ord. No. 2277 N.S., § 5(Exh. A), 6-6-2018; Ord. No. 2319 N.S., § 2, 1-20-2021; Ord. No. 2352, § 1, 4-24-2024)

18.18.030 - Development standards.

A.

General. Tables 18.18-2 and 18.18-3 identifies development standards in the residential attached zoning districts.

B.

Alternative Standards for RAL and RAM Zoning Districts. Proposed development in the RAL and RAM zoning districts may utilize alternative development standards in Chapter 18.40 (Alternative Standards for Medium Density Residential Development). These standards apply to small lot single-family homes, townhomes, courtyard homes, and other housing types appropriate for a low- and medium-density residential setting.

C.

Cul-De-Sac Lot Width. The minimum width of a cul-de-sac lot is forty feet as measured along the radius of the front property line.

D.

Arterial Roadway Setbacks. The following setback requirements apply to residential development adjacent an arterial roadway, as identified in the general plan.

1.

The minimum front yard setback for residential development fronting an arterial roadway is thirty feet.

2.

All residential development with rear or side yard setback areas adjacent to an arterial street shall provide a minimum fence/wall setback of fifteen feet with an average of twenty feet from the face of the curb.

Table 18.18-2: Residential Attached Low Density Development Standards

Residential Attached Low Density Subzones
RAL-3,500 RAL-3,000 Additional Standards
Site Requirements
Lot Area, Minimum
 Duplex lots 7,000 sq. ft. 6,000 sq. ft.
 Duplex corner lots 7,500 sq. ft. 6,500 sq. ft.
 Duet lots 3,500 sq. ft. 3,000 sq. ft.
 Duet corner lots 3,750 sq. ft. 3,250 sq. ft.
 Multifamily and other uses 3,500 sq. ft. 3,000 sq. ft.
Lot Width, Minimum 18.18.030.D
 Duplex lots 70 ft. 70 ft.
 Duplex corner lots 80 ft. 80 ft.
 Duet and single-family attached lots 30 ft. 30 ft.
 Duet and single-family attached corner lots 40 ft. 40 ft.
Other uses allowed in Table 18.18-1 50 ft. or as determined through the Conditional Use Permit
Lot Depth, Minimum 85 ft. 85 ft.
Building Coverage, Maximum 50% 50%
Site Area per Dwelling Unit, minimum 3,500 sq. ft. 3,000 sq. ft.
Structure Requirements
Setbacks, Minimum 18.56.030
 Front 20 ft. 20 ft. 18.18.030.E
 Rear 15 ft.; or 20 ft. for two-story, located adjacent to a single-family district 15 ft.; or 20 ft. for two-story, located adjacent to a single-family district
 Interior Side 5 ft. [1] 5 ft. [1]
 Street Side 15 ft. 15 ft.
Height, Maximum 30 ft. 30 ft. 18.56.020

 

Notes:

[1] A zero-foot setback is acceptable for Duets along the property line on the shared building wall.

Table 18.18-3: Residential Attached Medium Density and High Density Development Standards

RAM RAH Additional Standards
Site Requirements
Lot Area, Minimum 6,000 sq. ft.;
4,500 sq. ft. for corner lots 		6,000 sq. ft.;
6,500 sq. ft. for corner lots
Lot Width, Minimum 60 ft. 40 ft. 18.18.030.D
Lot Depth, Minimum 85 ft. 75 ft.
Building Coverage, Maximum 60% 60%
Site Area per Dwelling Unit, Minimum 2,000 sq. ft. 1,100 sq. ft.
Structure Requirements
Setbacks, Minimum 18.56.030
 Front 15 15 18.18.030.E
 Rear 20 15
 Interior Side 5 [1] 5 [1]
 Street Side 15 15
Height, Maximum 3 stories or 40 ft., whichever is less; min. 10 ft. for roof element on 3 story structure 3 stories or 40 ft., whichever is less; min. 10 ft. for roof element on 3 story structure 18.56.020

 

Notes:

[1] A zero-foot setback is acceptable for Duets along the property line on the shared building wall.

E.

Freeway Setbacks. The minimum setback for residential development adjacent to the freeway is sixty feet. Accessory uses and buildings may be located within the sixty-foot setback area.

(Ord. No. 2277 N.S., § 5(Exh. A), 6-6-2018; Ord. No. 2362, §§ 2, 3, 2-19-2025)