Zoneomics Logo
search icon

Salem City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 513

RM-I—MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

Sec. 513.001.- Purpose.

The purpose of the Multiple Family Residential-I (RM-I) Zone is to implement the multiple family residential designation of the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan through the identification of allowed uses and the establishment of development standards. The RM-I zone generally allows multiple family, two family, three family, and four family residential uses, along with a mix of other uses that are compatible with and/or provide support and services to the residential area.

(Prior Code, § 513.001; Ord. No. 31-13; Ord. No. 1-20, § 2(Exh. B), 2-24-2020; Ord. No. 13-21, § 1(Exh. A), 2-14-2022)

Sec. 513.005. - Uses.

The permitted (P), special (S), conditional (C), and prohibited (N) uses in the RM-I zone are set forth in Table 513-1.

TABLE 513-1 USES
UseStatusLimitations & Qualifications
Household Living
Single family P The following single family activities are permitted:
■ Single family detached dwelling.
■ Townhouse.
■ Residential home, as defined under ORS 197.660.
■ Manufactured dwelling park, subject to SRC chapter 235.
■ Manufactured home
S Zero side yard dwelling, subject to SRC 700.095.
N All other single family.
Two family P
Three family S Subject to SRC 700.081.
Four family S Subject to SRC 700.081.
Multiple family S Cottage cluster, subject to SRC 700.011.
P All other multiple family.
Group Living
Room and board P The following room and board activities:
•Single-room occupancy serving up to 5 persons or complying with the maximum density in this zone, whichever is greater.
•Other room and board serving 5 or fewer persons.
C Other room and board serving 6 to 10 persons.
N All other room and board.
Residential care P
Nursing care S Nursing care, subject to SRC 700.045.
Lodging
Short-term commercial lodging P Short-term rentals.
N All other short-term commercial lodging.
Long-term commercial lodging N
Nonprofit shelters C Nonprofit shelters serving up to 10 persons.
P Nonprofit shelters for victims of domestic violence serving 10 or fewer persons.
N All other nonprofit shelters.
Retail Sales and Service
Eating and drinking establishments N
Retail sales N
Personal services N
Postal services and retail financial
services
N
Business and Professional Services
Office N
Audio/visual media production N
Laboratory research and testing N
Motor Vehicle, Trailer, and Manufactured Dwelling Sales and Services
Motor vehicle and manufactured dwelling and trailer sales N
Motor vehicle services N
Commercial parking N
Park-and-ride facilities P Park-and ride facilities, when converted from portions of existing off-street parking areas.
N All other park-and-ride facilities.
Taxicabs and car services N
Heavy vehicle and trailer sales N
Heavy vehicle and trailer service and storage N
Recreation, Entertainment, and Cultural Services and Facilities
Commercial entertainment—
indoor
C Membership sports and recreation clubs.
N All other commercial entertainment—indoor.
Commercial entertainment—
outdoor
C Membership sports and recreation clubs.
N All other commercial entertainment—outdoor.
Major event entertainment N
Recreational and cultural
community services
P Libraries.
C All other recreation and cultural community services.
Parks and open space C Arboreta and botanical gardens.
P All other parks and open space.
Nonprofit membership assembly N
Religious assembly S Religious assembly, subject to SRC 700.055.
Health Services
Medical centers/hospitals N
Outpatient medical services and
laboratories
N
Educational Services
Day care P The following day care activities:
■ Child day care home.
■ Adult day care home.
C The following day care activities:
■ Child day care center.
■ Adult day care center.
N All other day care.
Basic education S Basic education, subject to SRC 700.010.
Post-secondary and adult education N
Civic Services
Governmental services N
Social services N
Governmental maintenance services and construction N
Public Safety
Emergency services N The following emergency services activities:
■ Ambulance stations.
■ Ambulance service facilities.
P All other emergency services.
Detention facilities N
Military installations N
Funeral and Related Services
Cemeteries N
Funeral and cremation services N
Construction Contracting, Repair, Maintenance, and Industrial Services
General repair services N
Building and grounds services and construction contracting N
Cleaning plants N
Industrial services N
Wholesale Sales, Storage, and Distribution
General wholesaling N
Heavy wholesaling N
Warehousing and distribution N
Self-service storage N
Manufacturing
General manufacturing N
Heavy manufacturing N
Printing N
Transportation Facilities
Aviation facilities N
Passenger ground transportation
facilities
P Transit stop shelters.
N All other passenger ground transportation facilities.
Marine facilities N
Utilities
Basic utilities P
Wireless communication facilities Allowed Wireless communication facilities are allowed, subject to SRC chapter 703.
Drinking water treatment facilities C
Power generation facilities N
Data center facilities N
Fuel dealers N
Waste-related facilities N
Mining and Natural Resource Extraction
Petroleum and natural gas
production
N
Surface mining N
Farming, Forestry, and Animal Services
Agriculture N
Forestry N
Agriculture and forestry services N
Keeping of livestock and other
animals
N
Animal services N
Other Uses
Temporary uses P The following temporary uses:
■ Christmas tree sales, subject to SRC 701.015.
■ Construction modular, subject to SRC 701.016
■ Emergency shelter, subject to SRC 701.025, when located on the site of a religious assembly use.
■ Managed temporary village, subject to SRC 701.030, when located on the site of a religious assembly use or on land owned or leased by a government entity.
■ Residential sales/development office, subject to SRC 701.040.
■ Safe parking shelter, subject to SRC 701.041, when located on the site of a religious assembly use or on land owned or leased by a government entity.
Home occupations S Home occupations, subject to SRC 700.020.
Historic resource adaptive reuse pursuant to SRC chapter 230 Allowed Historic resource adaptive reuse pursuant to SRC chapter 230 is allowed, subject to SRC 230.085.
Accessory dwelling units S Accessory dwelling units, subject to SRC 700.007.

 

(Prior Code, § 513.005; Ord. No. 31-13; Ord. No. 22-15, § 5, 11-23-2015; Ord. No. 6-17, § 7, 5-8-2017; Ord. No. 5-17, § 28(513.005), 6-12-2017; Ord. No. 10-17, § 9, 7-10-2017; Ord. No. 1-20, § 2(Exh. B), 2-24-2020; Ord. No. 13-21, § 1(Exh. A), 2-14-2022; Ord. No. 22-22, § 1(Exh. A), 11-28-2022; Ord. No. 7-23, § 1(Exh. A), 11-27-2023)

Sec. 513.010. - Development standards.

Development within the RM-I zone must comply with the development standards set forth in this section.

(a)

Land division in the RM-I zone. Lots subdivided or partitioned in the RM-I zone shall be a minimum of 20,000 square feet in size, unless the lots are restricted to contain two or more attached dwelling units per lot, are used for townhouse development, or are used for allowed uses other than household living.

(b)

Lot standards. Lots within the RM-I zone shall conform to the standards set forth in Table 513-2.

TABLE 513-2. LOT STANDARDS
RequirementStandardLimitations & Qualifications
Lot Area
Single family Min. 1,500 sq. ft. Applicable to townhouses.
Min. 4,000 sq. ft. Applicable to all other single family.
All other uses Min. 4,000 sq. ft.
Lot Width
Single family Min. 20 ft. Applicable to townhouses.
Min. 40 ft. Applicable to all other single family.
All other uses Min. 40 ft.
Lot Depth
Single family Min. 70 ft.
Min. 120 ft. Applicable to double frontage lots.
No Max. Applicable to townhouses.
Max. 300% of average lot width Applicable to all other single family
All other uses Min. 70 ft.
Min. 120 ft. Applicable to double frontage lots.
Max. 300% of average lot width
Street Frontage
Single family Min. 20 ft. Applicable to townhouses.
Min. 40 ft. Applicable to all other single family.
Min. 30 ft. Applicable to all other single family, excluding townhouses, when located on a lot fronting on the turnaround of a cul-de-sac street or the outside curve of a curved street having a radius of 200 feet or less and a direction change of 60 degrees or more.

In no case shall the lot width be less than 40 ft. at the front building setback line.
Two family, three family, and four family Min. 40 ft.
Min. 30 ft. Applicable to lots fronting on the turnaround of a cul-de-sac street or the outside curve of a curved street having a radius of 200 feet or less and a direction change of 60 degrees or more.

In no case shall the lot width be less than 40 ft. at the front building setback line.
Multiple family Min. 40 ft.
Min. 30 ft. Applicable to cottage clusters, when located on a lot fronting on the turnaround of a cul-de-sac street or the outside curve of a curved street having a radius of 200 feet or less and a direction change of 60 degrees or more.

In no case shall the lot width be less than 40 ft. at the front building setback line.
All other uses Min. 40 ft.

 

(c)

Dwelling unit density. Dwelling unit density within the RM-I zone shall conform to the standards set forth in Table 513-3.

TABLE 513-3. DWELLING UNIT DENSITY
UseStandardLimitations & Qualifications
MinimumMaximum
Single family N/A N/A Applicable to the replacement of an existing single family detached dwelling.
6 dwelling units per acre 14 dwelling units per acre Applicable to manufactured dwelling parks developed pursuant to SRC chapter 235.
8 dwelling units per acre 25 dwelling units per acre Applicable to townhouses.
8 dwelling units per acre 14 dwelling units per acre Applicable to all other single family.
Two family, three family, and four family 8 dwelling units per acre No max.
Multiple family 4 dwelling units per acre No max. Applicable to cottage clusters.
8 dwelling units per acre 17 dwelling units per acre Applicable to all other multiple family.
Room and Board 8 dwelling
units per acre
17 dwelling
units per acre
Applicable to single-room
occupancy.
N/A N/A Applicable to all other room and board.

 

(d)

Setbacks. Setbacks within the RM-I zone shall be provided as set forth in Tables 513-4 and 513-5.

TABLE 513-4. SETBACKS
RequirementStandardLimitations & Qualifications
Abutting Street
Buildings
Single family, two family, three family, and four family Min. 12 ft.
Min. 20 ft. Applicable along collector or arterial streets.
Multiple family Min. 10 ft. Applicable to cottage clusters.
Min. 12 ft., plus 1 ft. for each 1 ft. of height over 12 ft., but need not exceed 20 ft. in depth. Applicable to all other multiple family.
All other uses Min. 12 ft., plus 1 ft. for each 1 ft. of height over 12 ft., but need not [to] exceed 20 ft. in depth.
Accessory Structures
Accessory to single family, two family, three family, and four family None Applicable to accessory structures not more than 4 ft. in height.
Min. 12 ft. Applicable to accessory structures greater than 4 ft. in height.
Min. 20 ft. Applicable to accessory structures greater than 4 ft. in height, when located in a yard adjacent to a collector or arterial street.
Multiple family Min. 10 ft. Applicable to accessory structures for cottage clusters.
None Applicable to accessory structures, for all other multiple family, not more than 4 ft. in height.
Min. 12 ft., plus 1 ft. for each 1 ft. of height over 12 ft. Applicable to accessory structures, for all other multiple family, greater than 4 ft. in height.
Accessory to all other uses None Applicable to accessory structures not more than 4 ft. in height.
Min. 12 ft., plus 1 ft. for each 1 ft. of height over 12 ft. Applicable to accessory structures greater than 4 ft. in height.
Vehicle Use Areas
All uses, other than single family, two family, three family, and four family Min. 12 ft.
Interior Front
Buildings
Single family, two family, three family, and four family Min. 12 ft.
Multiple family Min. 10 ft. Applicable to cottage clusters.
Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5) Applicable to all other multiple family.
All other uses Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5)
Accessory structures
Accessory to single family, two family, three family, and four family Min. 5 ft.
Multiple Family Min. 10 ft. Applicable to accessory structures for cottage clusters.
Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5) Applicable to accessory structures for all other multiple family.
Accessory to all other uses Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5)
Vehicle use areas
All uses, other than single family, two family, three family, and four family Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5)
Interior Side
Buildings
Single family Min. 5 ft. Applicable to new buildings, other than townhouses and zero side yard dwellings.
Min. 3 ft. Applicable to existing buildings, other than townhouses and zero side yard dwellings.
None Applicable to townhouses.
Per SRC 700.095 Applicable to zero side yard dwellings.
Two family, three family, and four family Min. 5 ft. Applicable to new buildings.
Min. 3 ft. Applicable to existing buildings.
Multiple family Min. 5 ft. Applicable to new buildings in a cottage cluster.
Min. 3 ft. Applicable to existing buildings in a cottage cluster.
Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5) Applicable to all other multiple family.
All other uses Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5)
Accessory Structures
Accessory to single family, two family, three family, and four family None Applicable to accessory structures having at least 1 wall which is an integral part of a fence.
Min. 5 ft. Applicable to all other accessory structures.
Multiple family None Applicable to accessory structures for cottage clusters having at least 1 wall which is an integral part of a fence.
Min. 5 ft. Applicable to all other accessory structures for cottage clusters.
Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5) Applicable to all other multiple family.
Accessory to all other uses Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5)
Vehicle Use Areas
All uses, other than single family, two family, three family, and four family Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5)
Interior Rear
Buildings
Single family, two family, three family, and four family Min. 14 ft. Applicable to any portion of a building not more than 1 story in height.
Min. 20 ft. Applicable to any portion of a building greater than 1 story in height.
Multiple Family Min. 10 ft. Applicable to cottage clusters.
Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5) Applicable to all other multiple family.
All other uses Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5)
Accessory Structures
Accessory to single family, two family, three family, and four family None Applicable to accessory structures not more than 9 ft. in height.
Min. 1 ft. for each 1 ft. of height over 9 ft. Applicable to accessory structures greater than 9 ft. in height.
Min. 1 ft. Applicable to accessory structures adjacent to an alley, unless a greater setback is required based on the height of the accessory structure.
Multiple family Min. 10 ft. Applicable to accessory structures for cottage clusters.
Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5) Applicable to accessory structures for all other multiple family.
Accessory to all other uses Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5)
Vehicle Use Areas
All uses, other than single family, two family, three family, and four family Zone-to-zone setback (Table 513-5)
Abutting Waterway
Buildings
Single family Min. 100 ft. Applicable to townhouses constructed after March 16, 2022.
None Applicable to all other single family.

All other setbacks required abutting streets and interior front, side, and rear property lines still apply.
Two family, three family, and four family Min. 100 ft. Applicable to new buildings constructed after March 16, 2022.
Existing buildings constructed prior to March 16, 2022 located within the 100-foot setback may be rebuilt in the same location within the same building footprint.
Multiple family Min. 100 ft. Applicable to cottage clusters constructed after March 16, 2022.
None Applicable to all other multiple family.

All other setbacks required abutting streets and interior front, side, and rear property lines still apply.
All other uses None All other setbacks required abutting streets and interior front, side, and rear property lines still apply.
Accessory Structures
Accessory to all uses None All other setbacks required abutting streets and interior front, side, and rear property lines still apply.

 

TABLE 513-5. ZONE-TO-ZONE SETBACKS
Abutting ZoneType of ImprovementSetback(1)Landscaping & Screening
EFU Buildings and accessory structures Min. 10 ft. Type C
Vehicle use areas
Residential Zone Buildings and accessory structures Min. 10 ft. Type C
Vehicle use areas
Mixed-Use Zone Buildings and accessory structures Min. 10 ft. Type C
Vehicle use areas
Commercial Zone Buildings and accessory structures Min. 10 ft. Type C
Vehicle use areas
Public Zone Buildings and accessory structures Min. 10 ft. Type C
Vehicle use areas
Industrial and Employment Zone Buildings and accessory structures Min. 15 ft. Type C
Vehicle use areas
Limitations and Qualifications
(1) Zone-to-Zone setbacks are not required abutting an alley.

 

(e)

Lot coverage; height. Buildings and accessory structures within the RM-I zone shall conform to the lot coverage and height standards set forth in Table 513-6.

TABLE 513-6. LOT COVERAGE; HEIGHT
RequirementStandardLimitations & Qualifications
Lot Coverage
Buildings and Accessory Structures
Multiple Family No Max. Applicable to cottage clusters.
Max. 60% Applicable to all other multiple family.
All uses Max. 60%
Rear Yard Coverage
Buildings
All uses N/A
Accessory Structures
Accessory to single family, two family, three family, and four family Max. 25%
Accessory to all other uses No Max.
Height
Buildings
Single family, two family, three family, four family, residential care, nursing care, and short-term commercial lodging Max. 35 ft.
Multiple family Max. 25 ft. or two stories, whichever is greater Applicable to cottage clusters.

Two-story building height shall not exceed 35 ft.
Max. 35 ft. Applicable to all other multiple family.
All other uses Max. 70 ft.
Accessory Structures
Accessory to all uses Max 15 ft.

 

(f)

Maximum square footage for all accessory structures. In addition to the maximum coverage requirements established in Table 513-6, accessory structures to single family and two family uses shall be limited to the maximum aggregate total square footage set forth in Table 513-7.

TABLE 513-7. MAXIMUM SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR ALL ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
Main Building Gross AreaMaximum Aggregate Total Square Footage for All Accessory Structures
1,200 square feet or less 600 sq. ft.
Greater than 1,200 square feet 1,000 sq. ft. or 50% of main building gross area, whichever is less

 

(g)

Landscaping. Landscaping within the RM-I zone shall be provided as set forth in this subsection.

(1)

Setbacks. Required setbacks shall be landscaped. Landscaping shall conform to the standards set forth in SRC chapter 807.

(2)

Vehicle use areas. Vehicle use areas shall be landscaped as provided under SRC chapters 806 and 807.

(h)

Outdoor storage. Within the RM-I zone, outdoor storage shall be screened from streets and adjacent properties by a minimum six-foot-high sight-obscuring fence, wall, or hedge.

(Prior Code, § 513.010; Ord. No. 31-13; Ord. No. 22-15, § 6, 11-23-2015; Ord. No. 1-20, § 2(Exh. B), 2-24-2020; Ord. No. 13-21, § 1(Exh. A), 2-14-2022; Ord. No. 11-22, § 1(Exh. A), 7-25-2022, eff. 8-24-2022; Ord. No. 7-23, § 1(Exh. A), 11-27-2023)

Sec. 513.015. - Design review.

Design review under SRC chapter 225 is required for development within the RM-I as follows:

(a)

Multiple family development, excluding cottage clusters, shall be subject to design review according to the multiple family design review standards set forth in SRC chapter 702.

(b)

Residential care with five or more self-contained dwelling units shall be subject to design review according to the multiple family design review standards set forth in SRC chapter 702.

(Prior Code, § 513.015; Ord. No. 31-13; Ord. No. 1-20, § 2(Exh. B), 2-24-2020; Ord. No. 13-21, § 1(Exh. A), 2-14-2022)

Sec. 513.020. - Other provisions.

In addition to the standards set forth in this chapter, development within the RM-I zone must comply with all other applicable development standards of the UDC, including, but not limited to, the following chapters:

(a)

Trees and Shrubs: SRC chapter 86.

(b)

Wireless Communications Facilities: SRC chapter 703.

(c)

General Development Standards: SRC chapter 800.

(d)

Public Improvements: SRC chapter 802.

(e)

Streets and Right-of-Way Improvements: SRC chapter 803.

(f)

Driveway Approaches: SRC chapter 804.

(g)

Vision Clearance: SRC chapter 805.

(h)

Off-Street Parking, Loading and Driveways: SRC chapter 806.

(i)

Landscaping and Screening: SRC chapter 807

(j)

Preservation of Trees and Vegetation: SRC chapter 808.

(k)

Wetlands: SRC chapter 809.

(l)

Landslide Hazards: SRC chapter 810.

(m)

Sign Code: SRC chapter 900.

(Prior Code, § 513.020; Ord. No. 31-13)