Redwood City City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 8
R-3 MULTI-FAMILY—LOW DENSITY DISTRICT1
Editor's note— Ord. No. 1130-386, § 4(Exh. A), adopted July 24, 2023, amended Art. 8 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Art. 8, §§ 8.1—8.13, pertained to similar subject matter, and derived from Ord. No. 1130, effective July 10, 1964; Ord. No. 1130.41, effective Mar. 9, 1966; Ord. No. 1130.98, effective July 9, 1969; Ord. No. 1130.119, effective Dec. 23, 1970; Ord. No. 1130.130, effective May 26, 1971; Ord. No. 1130.132, effective July 7, 1971; Ord. No. 1130.153, effective July 9, 1975; Ord. No. 1130.154, effective Aug. 13, 1975; Ord. No. 1130.169, effective Aug. 24, 1977; Ord. No. 1130.177, effective Sept. 26, 1991; Ord. No. 1130.226, effective July 27, 1983; Ord. No. 1130.238, effective Dec. 5, 1984; Ord. No. 1130.273, effective Nov. 15, 1990; Ord. No. 1130.274, effective Feb. 27, 1991; Ord. No. 1130.275, effective Feb. 27, 1991; Ord. No. 1130.277, effective Sept. 26, 1991; Ord. No. 1130.292, effective Mar. 31, 1994; Ord. No. 1130.327 §§ 7, 10, 11, effective Dec. 1, 2003; Ord. No. 1130.336 § 5 (part), effective Jan. 5, 2006; Ord. No. 1130-353, § 1(Exh. F), adopted June 27, 2011, Ord. No. 1130-364, § 5(Exh. E), adopted Aug. 24, 2015; Ord. No. 1130-383, § 4(Exh. A), adopted Apr. 12, 2021; and Ord. No. 1130-384, § 4(Exh. A), adopted Apr. 12, 2021)
8.1 - Purpose.
This district is intended for medium scale residential densities, as permitted in the General Plan. Dwelling types include small lot single-unit development, bungalow courts, front or rear loaded townhomes, multi-unit buildings, and accessory dwelling units. This district also allows for complementary uses such as child care, other care facilities, park and recreation facilities, and civic and institutional uses such as schools and places for community assembly.
(Ord. No. 1130-386, § 4(Exh. A), 7-24-23)
8.2 - Use Regulations.
8.3 - Height Regulations.
The maximum building height for all structures is thirty-five (35) feet, except single-family homes and duplexes which have a maximum building height of twenty-eight (28) feet.
(Ord. No. 1130-386, § 4(Exh. A), 7-24-23)
8.4 - Minimum Lot Size, Frontage, and Width.
The following standards shall apply:
A.
The minimum lot size is five thousand (5,000) square feet.
B.
The minimum lot frontage is thirty-five (35) feet.
C.
The minimum average lot width is fifty (50) feet.
(Ord. No. 1130-386, § 4(Exh. A), 7-24-23)
8.5 - Permitted Density.
The maximum permitted density shall be the maximum density allowed by the General Plan.
(Ord. No. 1130-386, § 4(Exh. A), 7-24-23)
8.6 - Lot Coverage.
The maximum lot coverage is sixty percent (60%).
(Ord. No. 1130-386, § 4(Exh. A), 7-24-23)
8.7 - Setback and Open Space Requirements.
A.
Definitions and Modifications. For further information on how to measure a setback and modifications to setback requirements, see Section 32.3 (Supplemental Setback Requirements).
B.
Applicability. Setbacks in this Section apply to main buildings. See Article 36 for further information on setbacks for fences, accessory structures, or other types of improvements.
C.
Front Setback. Structures must be set back a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the front property line; carport entrances and garage doors must be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet.
D.
Side Setback.
1.
Interior Side Yard. One-story structures must be set back a minimum distance of ten percent (10%) of the lot width at each interior side yard. In no case shall the minimum required setback be less than four (4) feet or more than six (6) feet. For two-story requirements, see Section 32.3 (Supplemental Setback Requirements).
2.
Exterior (Street-Side) Side Setback for Corner Lots. For corner lots, structures must be set back from the street side lot line a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the lot width. In no case shall the minimum required setback be less than twelve and one-half (12.5) feet or more than fifteen (15) feet.
E.
Rear Yard Setback. Structures must be set back twenty (20) feet from the rear property line.
F.
Open Space Requirements. See Section 32.9 (Open Space Requirements) for additional open space requirements.
(Ord. No. 1130-386, § 4(Exh. A), 7-24-23)
8.8 - Other Required Conditions.
The following additional conditions shall apply in the R-3 District:
With the exception of religious uses, the minimum building site for public or quasi-public buildings shall be forty thousand (40,000) square feet. Such building sites shall have a minimum average width of one hundred (100) feet.
(Ord. No. 1130-386, § 4(Exh. A), 7-24-23)
8.9 - Minimum Pervious Area and Stormwater Requirements.
A minimum of twenty percent (20%) of each lot, and a minimum of sixty percent (60%) of the front yard area shall be pervious. Pervious area is composed of landscaping, vegetated open space, or permeable materials. See Section 32.12 (Stormwater Treatment) of the Zoning Ordinance for additional requirements.
(Ord. No. 1130-386, § 4(Exh. A), 7-24-23)