San Dimas City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 18
35 SF-DR SINGLE-FAMILY DOWNTOWN RESIDENTIAL ZONE
§ 18.35.010 Purpose.
The SF-DR single-family downtown residential zone is intended to provide for the development of single-family residential homes within the downtown residential neighborhood area, with not more than one dwelling unit permitted on any lot or parcel.
(Ord. 1007 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
§ 18.35.020 Uses permitted.
In the SF-DR zone, building, structures and land shall be used, and buildings and structures shall hereafter be erected, structurally altered or enlarged only for the uses enumerated below. All uses shall be subject to the property development and general development standards in Sections 18.35.040 and 18.35.050.
A.
Primary Uses.
1.
One single-family residential dwelling unit.
2.
Home care facilities, as described and regulated in Section 18.142.060 Home Care Facilities.
B.
Incidental Uses.
1.
Accessory dwelling unit;
2.
Junior accessory dwelling unit;
3.
Home occupations;
6.
Nonhabitable accessory buildings or structures, including, but not limited to, the following:
§ 18.35.030 Uses permitted by conditional use permit.
The following uses shall be permitted in the SF-DR zone pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 18.200:
A.
Churches, convents and/or rectories;
B.
Libraries;
C.
Educational institutions (public or private);
D.
Day care centers;
E.
Public safety facilities, including but not limited to fire and law enforcement stations;
F.
Public utility substations;
(Ord. 1007 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
§ 18.35.040 Property development standards.
The following property development standards shall apply to all land and buildings in the SF-DR zone.
A.
Lot Area.
1.
Minimum Lot Size. Minimum seven thousand square feet required.
2.
Five Thousand to Six Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine Square Feet. Any lot with an area less than seven thousand square feet, but greater than or equal to five thousand square feet may be developed in accordance with standards applicable to lots containing seven thousand square feet without reference to lot width or depth requirements. Existing structures may be modified, altered or added onto subject to compliance with the development standards of this chapter.
3.
Parcels Abutting Remnant Railroad Parcels. If a development parcel is greater than six thousand square feet, but less than seven thousand square feet and abuts a remnant railroad parcel, the property owner of the development parcel shall enter into an agreement with the city to assume ownership, and merge, the two parcels prior to the issuance of a building permit.
B.
Lot Dimensions.
1.
Width. Each lot shall have a minimum width of fifty feet, measured at each and every point between two boundaries at either side of the lot which are perpendicular, or approximately perpendicular, to a public right-of-way upon which the lot has frontage or to which the lot has access.
a.
The minimum width of a flag lot may be reduced to twenty feet, provided that this minimum width shall pertain solely to that portion of the flag lot upon which is located at the right-of-way connecting the remainder of the flag lot to a public right-of-way.
b.
The remainder of the flag lot shall meet the minimum width, depth and area requirements of this chapter. The pole portion of a flag lot shall not be calculated as minimum required lot size. The pole portion shall be used for access only and shall not be used for the placement of any structures.
Figure 1. Flag Lot  |
2.
Depth. Minimum one hundred forty feet.
C.
Building Height.
1.
No building or structure erected in this zone shall have a height greater than thirty feet or two stories, whichever is less, except as provided in Section 18.35.070 of this chapter.
2.
Exception. A steeple, spire or other similar projection above a building used primarily for religious purposes, may extend the total height of the structure and steeple, spire or other similar projection as high as forty-five feet; provided, that the height of the steeple, spire or other similar projection is harmonious in design with the building or structure and with the surrounding neighborhood and a development plan is approved by the review authority in accordance with Chapter 18.12 of this title.
D.
Yards.
1.
Front. There shall be a front yard setback of twenty feet.
2.
Sides. Each lot or parcel of land shall have a minimum setback of five feet on one side and ten feet on the other side.
a.
Detached Garages and Accessory Buildings. There shall be a minimum side yard setback of five feet.
b.
Each lot with an existing nonconforming dwelling unit or structure which otherwise meets current building and zoning requirements, may have additions placed at existing building setbacks with not less than five-foot side yards;
3.
Corner Lots. The interior side yard shall be a minimum of five feet in width, and the side yard abutting the street shall be a minimum of ten feet in width.
4.
Rear.
a.
Regular Lots. Each lot or parcel of land shall have a minimum rear yard setback of ten feet for main habitable structures and five feet for accessory structures. The ten feet or five feet rear yard setback shall be maintained exclusive of any structural or other physical encroachments other than eave overhangs or improvements (i.e. which do not project more than twenty-four inches into the required yard.
b.
Alley Loaded Lots.
i.
For garages accessed from the alley, the rear yard setback shall be three feet or twenty feet.
ii.
For garages not accessed from the alley and all other structures, the rear yard setback shall be five feet.
iii.
Eave overhangs or improvements (i.e. bay windows, fireplaces), which do not project more than twenty-four inches.
c.
Sheds which do not require a building permit (i.e. less than 120 square feet, no higher than 12 feet and do not have any utilities), shall have a two-foot rear yard setback from the property line. The edge of roof must also be a minimum of twelve inches setback from property line to allow for onsite drainage.
5.
Projections into Required Yards.
a.
Eaves on main dwelling unit and accessory structures, balconies, fireplaces, bay windows, and exterior stairways may not project more than twenty-four inches into the required yard.
b.
Mechanical equipment such as air conditioning units, water softeners, solar panel equipment boxes, and/or generators must be no closer than five feet from the side property line, screened from public view to the extent physically possible, and located behind the front main building line, or an existing gate and/or wall.
c.
Sheds which do not require a building permit (i.e. less than 120 square feet, no higher than 12 feet and do not have any utilities), may encroach into the side and rear yard setbacks; however, they must be a minimum of two feet away from the side and rear property lines. The edge of the roof must be a minimum of twelve inches away from property line to allow for on-site drainage.
E.
Lot Coverage. The maximum lot coverage of all structures shall not exceed thirty-five percent of the total area of the lot or parcel. Notwithstanding, any lot or parcel with a required area of less than seven thousand square feet pursuant to this chapter may have lot coverage from thirty-five to no more than forty percent provided that all structures on the subject property do not exceed one story. For the purposes of this section, structural lot coverage shall include patio covers, trellises, carports or nonhabitable accessory structures, but not patio slabs, hardscape, driveways, swimming pools or spas, and shall be measured from the exterior walls and post for structures. For storage sheds, the provisions of Section 18.20.210 shall apply.
§ 18.35.050 General development standards.
The following general development standards shall apply to all land, uses, buildings and structures within the SF-DR zone:
A.
Off-Street Parking. The provisions of Chapter 18.156 of this title shall apply. Any structure provided for parking purposes shall comply with the applicable development standards of this chapter.
B.
Alley Access. If there is alley access for the parcel, a detached garage shall face the alley. If the garage is located twenty feet or closer to the alley, then an automatic garage door opener is required. Automatic garage door openers are optional if the garage is located twenty feet or greater from the alley, or has a swing-in garage design.
C.
Recreational Vehicle Storage. The provisions of Section 18.156.100 of this title shall apply.
(Ord. 1007 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
§ 18.35.060 Development plan review.
§ 18.35.070 Design guidelines.
The single-family downtown residential zone contains many examples of historical architecture and quality residential design. The following design considerations should be incorporated during the design process for new, remodeled and residential additions, as referenced in the city towncore design guidelines.
A.
Historical. Examples of residential architectural design within the single-family downtown residential zone reflect architecture typical of the early California period. Such styles include Craftsman Bungalow, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival.
B.
Architectural. Development, additions and remodels within the single-family downtown residential zone should be compatible with the surrounding and existing residences as well as reflect early California architecture. Consistency of building materials and colors, as well as historical integrity, should be reflected in new construction, remodels and additions. Additions, remodels and similar improvements to historically significant residential structures are subject to review by the review authority in accordance with Chapter 18.12 of this title.
§ 18.35.080 Provisions for existing residential and noncommercial improvements.
Existing residential and noncommercial improvements built in conformance with building and zoning codes in effect at the time of construction may be maintained as currently existing, pursuant to the following provisions:
A.
Such existing improvements and site conditions may be repaired, maintained, repainted, remodeled, enlarged and/or the landscaping upgraded, without conforming with Section 18.35.020.
B.
Residential and noncommercial uses made nonconforming pursuant to this chapter, shall not be subject to the provisions of Chapter 18.204.170B of this code. Residential and noncommercial uses may remain and function as noncommercial use(s) pursuant to the provisions of this section.
C.
Existing nonconforming residential and noncommercial improvements, or portions of nonconforming residential and noncommercial improvements, destroyed or substantially damaged by natural catastrophe may be repaired, rebuilt, or enlarged pursuant to the following provisions:
1.
Such work shall be permitted only on those improvements permitted and constructed in conformance with the building and zoning codes in effect at the time of original construction.
2.
Approval of such work shall be obtained from the review body in accordance with Chapter 18.12 of this title, which shall review the development plans and other pertinent information to ensure that all other applicable provisions of this chapter are satisfied and that no new nonconformity will be created.
3.
The maximum lot coverage of rebuilt nonconforming residential structures shall not exceed thirty-five percent, except as provided herein.
a.
If the lot coverage of the structure(s) is less than thirty-five percent, these structures may be enlarged by ten percent or to a total maximum lot coverage of thirty-five percent, whichever is less.
b.
The increase in square footage/lot coverage shall be granted one time only. Once work has been completed on the number and type of structure(s) then permitted on the property in conformance with the provisions of this section, no further increase in habitable square footage/lot coverage shall be permitted.
D.
For the purposes of this chapter, noncommercial structures only include existing churches, temples, educational institutions, fraternal organization facilities and/or public facilities.
§ 18.35.090 Provisions for existing commercial uses.
Any nonconforming commercial structures destroyed, substantially damaged, or demolished by natural catastrophe or intentional act must be reestablished as a residential use in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 1007 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)