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Susanville City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

20 DUPLEX AND TRIPLEX RESIDENTIAL R-3 AND R-3A DISTRICT

§ 17.20.010 Purpose.

The purpose of the duplex and triplex residential (R-3 and R-3A) district is to provide areas for residential development that promote flexibility in site design and type of unit. Selected related uses are also allowed. The maximum density for residential dwellings is 12 dwellings per acre in areas which have the services and facilities necessary for medium density residential uses. Duplexes and triplexes are permitted by right while structures with more than three dwellings are allowed with a use permit. Single-family homes may be located in the R-3(A) district only. The density of a single-family development cannot exceed seven dwellings per acre. Generally the R-3(A) zoning will only be applied to areas that are predominately developed with single-family homes. Multiple structures, excluding single-family dwellings, may locate on one lot, with a maximum density of 12 dwellings per acre. The R-3 and R-3(A) district is consistent with the duplex and triplex general plan designation. Only the R-3 district is consistent with the multiple family general plan designation.
(Ord. 00-866 § 2, 2000; Ord. 06-932 § 1, 2006)

§ 17.20.020 Permitted uses.

The following uses are permitted outright in the R-3 district if a building permit, where necessary, is issued:
Accessory dwelling units, attached, detached, and junior (17.104.100);
Duplex or two-family residences;
Triplex;
Single-family residences, manufactured homes per Section 17.12.020(B) and all uses permitted by right or with an administrative permit in the R-3 district, are permitted on parcels that are zoned R-3(A), (single-family homes are not allowed in the R-3 zone district);
Employee housing with six or less persons;
Accessory buildings and uses commonly found in residential development, including a swimming pool, tennis courts, clubhouse, etc.;
Child daycare home, up to 14 children;
Community care facility.
(Ord. 00-866 § 2, 2000; Ord. 06-932 § 1, 2006; Ord. 24-1044, 9/18/2024)

§ 17.20.030 Uses requiring administrative permit.

The following uses are permitted in the R-3 district if an administrative permit is issued, and subject to the provisions of Section 17.104.060:
Home occupation (allowed in R-3 and R-3(A) zones);
Second unit in R-3(A) zone, only in conjunction with one single-family home on a lot, subject to development standards in Section 17.104.050.
(Ord. 00-866 § 2, 2000; Ord. 06-932 § 1, 2006)

§ 17.20.040 Uses requiring use permit.

The following uses are permitted in the R-3 and R-3(A) district is a use permit is issued:
Rooming house or boardinghouse or dwelling group;
Private club, fraternity, sorority or lodge, except those for which the chief activity is a service customarily carried on by a business;
Church;
Day care center;
Bed and breakfast guest facility, subject to the provisions of Section 17.104.080;
Skilled nursing/intermediate care facility;
Public or private parking lot when adjacent to a "C" or "M" district subject to the development standards of Section 17.100.160;
Single-family residences, except those constructed in developments exceeding seven dwellings per acre, that exist as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title (December 2000) are permitted and may be maintained and reconstructed if destroyed but no new single-family residences shall be constructed on vacant parcels in the R-3 zone district;
Fourplexes and multifamily with more than four dwellings per structure;
Townhouse.
(Ord. 00-866 § 2, 2000; Ord. 06-932 § 1, 2006; Ord. 24-1044, 9/18/2024)

§ 17.20.050 Other permitted uses.

Other uses permitted in the R-3 and R-3(A) district are other uses found to be similar in character and impact to those listed in Sections 17.20.02017.20.040, as determined by the community development director in accordance with Section 17.116.030.
(Ord. 00-866 § 2, 2000; Ord. 06-932 § 1, 2006)

§ 17.20.060 Site development standards.

The following site development standards apply in the R-3 and R-3(A) district:
Minimum Building Site. There shall be at least 3,500 square feet of lot area for each dwelling unit, except that lots 6,000 square feet in area or more that existed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title (December 2000) may be developed with a duplex. Lots created after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title shall contain at least 3,500 square feet of lot area for each dwelling unit, except as noted below.
Single-Family Detached. Per site development standards of R-1 zone district as set forth in Section 17.12.060.
Single-Family Attached. Per Section 17.20.060(L);
Maximum Lot Coverage for all Structures. Forty percent.
Yards. The following yard requirements apply:
Front. Fifteen feet, except for garages facing the street a minimum setback of 20 feet is required for the garage;
Side. Five feet on interior side and 10 feet on the corner side;
Rear. Fifteen feet.
Landscaping. Landscaping requirements are as specified in Section 17.96.040.
Outdoor Lighting. Outdoor lighting requirements are as specified in Section 17.96.050.
Parking. Parking requirements are as specified in Sections 17.100.01017.100.160. For each newly constructed single-family residence and duplex or two-family residence, two covered parking spaces in a carport or garage, each space shall be a minimum of 10 feet in width and 20 feet in depth of unobstructed area. Washing machines, dryers, water heaters, stairways, supporting columns, steps or other obstructions shall not be located within the required parking space.
Outdoor Trash Storage. All outdoor trash storage and collection facilities other than standard containers for individual residential use shall be enclosed by a solid masonry wall or view-obscuring fence at least one foot higher than the trash container.
Architectural and Site Plan Review. Except for a single family home, a manufactured home, a duplex or a two-family residence on an individual lot, an applicant for either a building permit or a use permit shall submit architectural drawings, the elevations of all buildings and a site plan which indicates how the standards listed in this section will be met. Development plans are also subject to the City of Susanville Design Guidelines, adopted July 17, 2002, as may be amended. This submittal shall be made on a form prescribed by the community development director and shall include such additional plans, drawings and information as the planning commission from time to time may require by resolution. Such drawings and site plans shall be considered by the planning commission at a public meeting. The planning commission must find that the architectural and general appearance of such buildings or structures and grounds are in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and will not be detrimental to the orderly and harmonious development of the city. The planning commission may approve, conditionally approve or disapprove said plans. If a use permit is required, architectural and site plan review will be a part of the use permit process, and the director's approval shall occur as set forth by the terms and conditions of the use permit.
Locational Criteria. R-3(A) zoning will only be applied to areas that are predominately developed with single-family homes.
Fourplexes and multifamily dwellings that contain four or more dwellings per structure or more than six dwellings per lot are subject to Section 17.104.110, multifamily development standards.
Townhouses. Yard and building site standards may vary for townhouses through issuance of a use permit, provided the density permitted by the general plan is not exceeded.
(Ord. 00-866 § 2, 2000; Ord. 06-932 § 1, 2006)