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Surprise City Zoning Code

ARTICLE II

RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS

Sec. 106-2.1.- General standards.

A.

Purpose. Residential zoning districts create, maintain, and promote various housing opportunities for individual households and lifestyles, and maintain the desired physical character of the city's existing neighborhoods. While the districts primarily accommodate residential uses, some non-residential uses that are compatible with the residential neighborhoods may be allowed.

B.

Development standards. In addition to Section 106-1.8 above and Article II of the Planning and Engineering Design Standards (PEDS) in Chapter 107, the regulations specific to residential land uses, shall also apply and govern the design of a development.

C.

Residential density. Requesting gross residential density higher than the existing entitlement may be permitted with a Type 3 rezoning application district based on the criteria outlined in Section 104-1.11 of the LDO to meet the intent of a variety of housing opportunities, well-designed and functional open space, and have a creative design around environmentally sensitive features.

D.

New recorded plats shall comply with the regulations of Chapter 108 and the PEDS, Volume 1 for buffering and transitioning design requirements.

Sec. 106-2.2. - Rural residential (RR).

A.

Purpose. The rural residential (RR) zoning district provides areas for single-family homes on large lots in a rural setting and acts as an equivalent zoning for properties zoned RU-43 within the county prior to annexation by the city.

B.

Applicability and density. The RR zoning district reflect the rural development type and is allowed in the neighborhood character area, and the scenic lands development sub area in accordance with the General Plan with a maximum net residential density not to exceed one (1) dwelling unit per acre and a maximum of one (1) dwelling unit per lot of record.

C.

Development standards. Table 106-2b below identifies the required development standards for the rural residential (RR) zoning district.

Table 106-2b—Rural Residential (RR) Zoning District
Min. lot area (sf) ≥ 43,560
Min. lot width 130
Min. front setback (ft) 30
Min. rear setback 1 (ft) 30
Min. side setback 1 (ft) 20
Min. street side setback 1 (ft) 20
Max. bldg. height (ft) 40
Lot coverage 25%
Open space
(% of gross acres of residential development) 2 		10%
Notes:
1. Garage face and embellishments shall be setback a minimum of 20 feet measured from the opposing property line except rear, alley loaded garages, which shall be setback nine (9) feet from edge of alley line.
2. The city requires open space on a new subdivision; if recorded as metes and bounds or by a minor land division then open space will be required on each individual lot; such as open space or trail easements.

 

(Ord. No. 2024-03, § 1(Exh. A), 3-5-24)

Sec. 106-2.3. - Residential low density (R-1).

A.

Purpose. The residential low density (R-1) zoning district provides areas for single-family homes on varying lot sizes and a mix of densities together with schools, parks, and other public services necessary for suburban residential neighborhoods.

B.

Applicability. The R-1 zoning district reflects the suburban development type and is allowed in the neighborhood character (1) area in accordance with the General Plan with a maximum of one (1) dwelling unit per lot of record.

C.

Development standards. Table 106-2c below identifies the required development standards for the residential low density (R-1) zoning district.

Table 106-2c—Residential Low Density (R-1) Zoning District
Lot CategoriesA3BCDEF
General Plan
compatibility 		Suburban Suburban Suburban Suburban
and rural 		Rural Rural
Lot area (sf) 4,950—
7,999 		8,000—
11,999 		12,000—
17,999 		18,000—
27,999 		28,000—
43,559 		≥43,560
Min. lot width (sf) 45 60 80 90 100 130
Min. front setback 1 (ft) 12 12 15 20 20 30
Max. front setback (ft) 25 25 30 35
Min. rear setback 1 (ft) 15 20 20 25 30 30
Min. side setback 1 (ft) 5 & 8 5 & 10 10 10 & 15 20 20
Min. street side
setback 1, 4 (ft) 		15 15 15 15 20 20
Max. bldg. height (ft) 35 35 35 35 35 35
Max. lot coverage 45% 40% 30% 30% 25%
Open space
(% of gross area of residential development) 3 		20% 20% 20% 15% 15% 10%
Notes:
1. Garage face and embellishments shall be setback a minimum of 20 feet measured from any opposing property line; except rear alley loaded garages, which shall be setback six (6) feet from edge of alley line.
2. The city requires open space on a development/subdivision basis rather than on a lot-by-lot basis. Subdivisions with more than one (1) lot category will provide the higher percentage of open space.
3. Residential projects shall contain no more than fifty (50) percent of lots less than forty-eight (48) feet wide as calculated across whole subdivisions or preliminary plat and will include mitigating designs outline in Chapter 108 of this ordinance.
4. Corner lots where block endcap landscape tracts are provided are not subject to the minimum street side setbacks.

 

(Ord. No. 2024-03, § 1(Exh. A), 3-5-24)

Sec. 106-2.4. - Residential medium density (R-2).

A.

Purpose. The residential medium density (R-2) zoning district allows for a variety of housing opportunities including detached and attached buildings that single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and three-family dwellings together with schools, parks, and public services necessary for an urban and suburban residential environment. While the district primarily accommodates residential uses, nonresidential uses that help to support, and are compatible with, residential neighborhoods may also be allowed when compatible with adjoining neighborhoods.

B.

Applicability. The R-2 zoning district reflects the suburban development type and is allowed in the neighborhood character area in accordance with the General Plan with a maximum of three (3) dwelling units per lot of record. Minimum lot area is four thousand (4,000) square feet per dwelling unit, except lots in column A and B are permitted one (1) dwelling unit as shown in Table 106-2d below.

C.

Development standards. Table 106-2d below identifies the required development standards for the residential medium density (R-2) zoning district.

Table 106-2d—Residential Medium Density (R-2) Zoning District
Lot CategoriesA4B4CD
General Plan compatibility Urban Suburban Suburban Suburban
Lot area (sf) 3,500—4,949 4,950—7,999 8,000—11,999 ≥12,000
Min. lot width (sf) 40 45 70 80
Min. front setback 1 (ft) 10 12 12 15
Max. front setback (ft) 25 25 25 30
Min. rear setback 1 (ft) 10 15 20 20
Min. side setback 1 (ft) 5 & 7 2 5 & 8 2 5 & 10 10
Min. street side setback 1, 5 (ft) 10 10 10 10
Max. bldg. height (ft) 35 35 35 35
Open space (% of gross acres of residential development) 3 25% 20% 20% 20%
Notes:
1. Garage face and embellishments shall be setback a minimum of 20 feet measured from any opposing property line, except rear alley loaded garages, which shall be setback nine (9) feet from alley edge line.
2. May be reduced to zero feet setback for single-family dwellings as attached building and separated by a common wall along the property line. End units must maintain the larger setback.
3. The city requires open space on a subdivision or development site basis rather than on a lot-by-lot basis. Subdivisions with more than one (1) lot category will provide the higher percentage of open space.
4. Residential projects shall contain no more than fifty (50) percent of lots less than forty-eight (48) feet wide as calculated across whole subdivisions or preliminary plat and will include mitigating designs outline in Chapter 108 of this ordinance.
5. Corner lots where block endcap landscape tracts are provided are not subject to the minimum street side setbacks.

 

(Ord. No. 2024-03, § 1(Exh. A), 3-5-24)

Sec. 106-2.5. - Residential high density (R-3).

A.

Purpose. The residential high density (R-3) zoning district is to provide for the development of high-density residential uses in areas of the city where adequate semipublic features and services exist with capacity to serve the area. The district is designed to create a high-quality environment by incorporating design excellence as well as substantial recreational and aesthetic amenities.

B.

Applicability. The R-3 zoning district reflects the urban development type and is allowed in the neighborhood character area in accordance with the General Plan.Multi-family residential shall have a minimum of four (4) dwelling units per lot and a net residential density of more than eight (8) dwelling units per acre. The minimum lot size for R-3 zoning is one (1) acre.

C.

Development standards.

1.

Table 106-2e below identifies the required development standards for the residential high density (R-3) zoning district.

Table 106-2e—Residential High Density (R-3) Zoning District
Net Density (du/ac)8-11.912-14.915+
Min. setback to arterial ROW (ft) 2 20 20 20
Min. setback to collector and local ROW (ft) 2 15 15 15
Min. setback adjacent to residential zoning (ft) 10 15 20
Min. setback adjacent to non-residential zoning (ft) 20 20 20
Max. bldg. height 1 (ft) 45 50 60
Open space (sf/du) 150 150 150
Notes:
1. The height of any structure, or portions thereof, shall not exceed 30 feet in height measured at the setback line when adjacent to single-family, two-family, three-family development parcels. The height of the structure may increase at a ratio of one-foot vertical for every one-foot horizontal as measured relative to the property line to a maximum height equal to the zoning.
2. Setback may be reduced to ten (10) feet along collector or local right-of-way for units that open to the street and exclude a perimeter wall.

 

2.

All projects shall provide one hundred fifty (150) square feet of on-site open space per dwelling unit, which shall include surfacing and safety features such as lighting, and amenities that enable residents to use the open space. Acceptable types of open space are listed below.

a.

Common open space (excluding setbacks) with a minimum dimension of fifteen (15) feet in any direction that is accessible to all dwelling units by sidewalks or local paths. The space shall be oriented to maximize afternoon shade, unless site conditions such as topography warrant waiving this requirement by the community development director or designee.

b.

Individual balconies or patios (excluding front stoops) may be used for up to twenty-five (25) percent of the required open space. To qualify as open space, balconies or patios must be at least forty (40) square feet with no dimension less than five (5) feet.

c.

Rooftop decks and terraces may be used to meet up to fifty (50) percent of the required open space, provided the space provides amenities such as seating areas, barbeques, fireplaces, recreational spaces, shade and landscaping.

d.

On-site indoor recreation areas may be used to meet up to twenty-five (25) percent of the required open space provided the space is designed for communal use by all residents and provides space for entertaining, gathering, or exercise equipment and fitness activities.

e.

Environmentally sensitive areas may count toward open space requirements if integrated into the site design to be visible and usable by residents with features such as trails and benches. Sensitive or critical areas meeting these requirements may count for up to fifty (50) percent of the required open space.

(Ord. No. 2024-03, § 1(Exh. A), 3-5-24)