2.7.3950 Residential Zoning Districts

2.7.3950 Residential Zoning Districts.

This section was recently amended by Ordinance NS-2487, codified in January 2024.

A. Permitted Uses. The land uses listed in Table 2.7.3950 are permitted in the Residential Districts, subject to the provisions of this chapter. Only land uses that are specifically listed in Table 2.7.3950, land uses that are incidental and subordinate to a permitted use, and land uses that are approved as “similar” to those in Table 2.7.3950 may be permitted.

Table 2.7.3950 – Permitted and Conditional Uses
Land Use	RS	RM	RH
Residential
*Single-Room Occupancy	P	P	P
Single-Unit Detached Dwelling	P	P	N
*Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)	P	P	P
*Townhomes	P	P	P
Live/Work Townhomes	N	N	P
Duplexes, Triplexes, Quadplexes	P	P	P
Residential Care Home (5 or fewer residents)	P	P	P
Adult Day Care	P	P	P
*Residential Care Facility (6 or more residents)	N	P	P
Family Childcare Home (16 or fewer children)	P	P	P
Multi-Unit Residential (5 or more units)	N	P	P
Mixed-Use Residential Development, including food and beverage services, retail goods and services, and personal services	N	N	P
*Home Business (Class A/Class B)	P	P	P
*Accessory Uses And Structures	P	P	P
*Public and Institutional
Parks	P	P	P
Recreational Facilities	P	P	P
***Schools	P	P	P
Miscellaneous Uses
*Short-Term Rental	P	P	P
*Shelters, see BDC 3.6.600	P	P	P

*Subject to special standards as described in BDC Chapter 3.6, Special Standards and Regulations for Certain Uses.

**Subject to BDC 3.8.500.

***Schools are permitted in the RS, RM, and RH Districts, subject to the provisions of BDC 2.6.300, Development Standards.

	Primary Front	Secondary Front	Rear*	Side
RS, RM, and RH	10 ft.*	8 ft.*	5 ft./*	4 ft.**, except 8 ft. when side abuts an alley

*Garages and/or carports must maintain a minimum front setback of 20 feet.

**When multi-unit buildings containing five or more units, single-room occupancies with more than six units or nonresidential uses abut a detached single-unit dwelling or duplex on land designated RS, any side or rear setback abutting the RS land must increase one-half foot for each foot by which the building height exceeds 20 feet. Where a fractional number results, the number may be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

***Garages and/or carports that access an alley must have a driveway with a minimum length of 18 feet.

a. Residential compatibility standards do not apply.

b. Townhomes. Interior side setbacks are zero feet.

c. Architectural Features. The following architectural features are allowed to encroach into the front, side and rear setbacks by no more than two feet provided a minimum setback of three feet is provided from the property line: eaves, chimneys including fireplace enclosures and chimney chases, bay windows up to eight feet in width, window wells, and similar architectural features.

d. Front Setback Encroachments. The following may encroach into the front setback:

i. An unenclosed covered or uncovered porch, patio, deck or stoop with a maximum floor height not exceeding 18 inches may be set back a minimum of six feet from the front property line, as long as it does not encroach into any easement. No portion of the structure may encroach closer than six feet to the front property line including the architectural features in subsection (B)(1)(c) of this section.

ii. As shown in Figure 2.1.300, side entry garages that access a street must have a driveway with a minimum length of 20 feet from the front and side property lines.

iii. Stairs, ramps and landings that are not roofed or enclosed above or below the steps may be in the front setback when they follow the grade.

e. Side and Rear Setback Encroachments. The following may encroach into side and rear setbacks:

i. An uncovered porch, patio, deck or stoop located above finished grade with a maximum floor height not exceeding 18 inches must be set back a minimum of 18 inches from the side and rear property lines, as long as it does not encroach into an easement.

ii. Uncovered patios at finished grade are exempt from setbacks as long as it does not encroach into an easement.

C. Floor area ratio does not apply to any uses in the residential zones.

D. Lot Area and Dimensions. Lot areas and lot dimension standards for residential uses are listed in the following table. For other uses permitted in each zone, the lot area and dimensions are subject to the type of residential structure being occupied. Lot area and dimensions exceptions for affordable housing, see BDC 3.6.200(C).

Lot Areas and Dimensions in Petrosa Residential Districts by Housing Type and Zone
Residential Use	Zone	Lot Area	Lot Width/Depth
Single-Unit Detached Dwellings	RS	Minimum area: 2,800 sq. ft.	Minimum width: 30 ft. at front property line Minimum lot depth: 50 ft.
	RM	Minimum area: 2,500 sq. ft.	Minimum width: 30 ft. at the front property line Minimum lot depth: 50 ft.
	RH	Not applicable	Not applicable
Single-Room Occupancy	RS	Minimum area: 10,000 sq. ft.	Minimum width: 30 ft. at front property line Minimum lot depth: 50 ft.
	RM	None	Minimum width: 30 ft. at front property line Minimum lot depth: 50 ft.
	RH	None
Duplexes, Triplexes, and Quadplexes	RS	Minimum areas – Duplex: 2,800 sq. ft. Triplex: 7,500 sq. ft. Quadplex: 10,000 sq. ft.	Duplex: Minimum width: 30 ft. at front property line Minimum lot depth: 50 ft. Triplex and Quadplex: Minimum width: 40 ft. at front property line Minimum lot depth: 50 ft.
	RM	None	Minimum width: 30 ft. at the front property line Minimum lot depth: 50 ft.
	RH	None
Townhomes	RS	Minimum area: 2,000 sq. ft. for each unit	Minimum width: 20 ft. at front property line for interior townhome lots and 24 ft. at front property line for exterior townhome lots Minimum lot depth: 50 ft.
	RM	Minimum area: 1,600 sq. ft. for each unit
	RH	Minimum area: 1,200 sq. ft. for each unit
Multi-Unit (5+ Units)	RS	Not applicable	Minimum width: 30 ft. at front property line Minimum lot depth: 50 ft.
Multi-Unit (5+ Units)	RM, RH	None

a. Bulb of a cul-de-sac or knuckle corner minimum width: 30 ft. at the front property line.

b. Corner lots or lots where a side lot line abuts an alley must be at least four feet more in width than the minimum lot width required in the zone.

c. Frontage on a public street, private street, or open space tract is required. Lots fronting open space tracts must take access from a rear alley, and the property line fronting open space must be considered a front property line.

d. Other exceptions permitted in the underlying residential district are also permitted.

E. Residential Density. The Petrosa Master Planned Development implements the BCP by ensuring capacity for a minimum of 1,100 housing units within the Northeast Edge Expansion Area and including at least 110 single-unit attached housing units and at least 440 multi-unit and duplex/triplex housing units within the Master Plan boundary itself. Therefore, minimum and maximum densities for each zone do not apply except single-room occupancies are subject to BDC 3.6.200(O), Single-Room Occupancy.

F. Maximum Lot Coverage. The following maximum lot coverage standards apply to all development within the Residential Districts as follows:

Residential Lot Coverage
Residential Zone	Lot Coverage
Standard Density Residential (RS)	50% for lots with 2+ story homes and 2+ story single-room occupancies 55% for lots with single-story homes and single-story single-room occupancies
Medium Density Residential (RM)	50% for lots with 2+ story homes 55% for lots with single-story homes 60% for lots with townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, single-room occupancies and multi-unit
High Density Residential (RH)	None

G. Building Height. The following building heights apply to all development within the Residential District:

1. Buildings within the RS District may be no more than 30 feet in height.

2. Buildings within the RM District may be no more than 45 feet in height, except single-unit homes may be no more than 35 feet in height.

3. Buildings within the RH District may be no more than 55 feet in height.

H. Architectural Design Standards. All buildings are not subject to the design standards of the underlying zoning district.

I. Multi-Unit Residential Districts (RM, RH). In addition to the required setbacks, a minimum of 10 percent of the site area must be designated and permanently reserved as usable common open space in multiple-unit developments of 20 dwelling units or more. The minimum required usable common open space must be reduced to five percent of site area when the development is located within one-quarter mile walking distance of a public park along an accessible, maintained trail or sidewalk.

1. The commercial or office portion of the building may not exceed 50 percent of the square footage of the entire building, excluding any garage.

2. Vehicle and bicycle parking must be in accordance with BDC Chapter 3.3, Vehicle Parking, Loading and Bicycle Parking.

3. If the business is open to the public, public access must be through the commercial area front door and the business may not be open to clients or the public before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m.

4. The following commercial uses are allowed in live/work townhomes:

a. Offices and clinics.

b. Child care facility (13 or more children).

c. Retail goods and services.

d. Personal services (e.g., barber shops, salons, similar uses).

e. Repair services, conducted entirely within building; excluding vehicle repair, small engine repair and similar services.

f. Home business (Class A and B) subject to the provisions of BDC 3.6.200(N).

K. Additional Standards for Duplexes, Triplexes and Quadplexes. Duplex, triplex and quadplex development must comply with the following standards, which replace the standards in BDC 3.6.200(H):

1. Driveway approaches must comply with the following standards:

a. The total width of all driveway approaches must not exceed 32 feet per frontage. For lots or parcels with more than one frontage, see subsection (K)(1)(c) of this section.

b. Driveway approaches may be separated when located on a local street. If approaches are separated, they must be separated by a minimum of seven feet.

c. In addition, lots or parcels with more than one frontage must comply with the following:

i. Lots or parcels must access the street with the lowest classification.

ii. Lots or parcels with frontages only on collectors and/or arterial streets may have one driveway approach. The City Engineer will determine which frontage may have one driveway approach when lots or parcels only have frontages on collector streets or only on arterial streets.

iii. Lots or parcels with frontages only on local streets must comply with the following:

(A) Duplexes may have two driveway approaches not exceeding 32 feet in total width on one frontage or one maximum 16-foot-wide driveway approach per frontage.

(B) Triplexes may have three driveway approaches not exceeding 32 feet in total width on one frontage or two driveway approaches not exceeding 32 feet in total width on one frontage and one maximum 16-foot-wide driveway approach on one other frontage.

(C) Quadplexes may have four driveway approaches not exceeding 32 feet in total width on one frontage or two driveway approaches not exceeding 32 feet in total width on one frontage and one maximum 16-foot-wide driveway approach on one other frontage.

d. Clear vision standards do not apply between driveway approaches for duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes on local streets. All other standards in BDC 3.1.500, Clear Vision Areas, apply.

e. For lots or parcels abutting an alley, access may be required to be taken from the alley in accordance with BDC 3.1.400(F)(3).

1. Automobile-dependent and automobile-oriented, drive-in, and drive-through uses are not permitted.

2. Building Setbacks. All new mixed-use buildings must have a maximum front yard building setback of 20 feet, notwithstanding the underlying zone requirements.

3. Hours of Operation. Commercial uses must not exceed the following hours of operation: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

4. Parking. Off-street parking for commercial uses is subject to the following standards:

a. Off-street parking, driveways and other vehicular use and circulation areas must not be placed between a building and the street.

b. Where off-street parking is adjacent to a street, the parking and maneuvering area must be separated from the right-of-way by a three-foot minimum landscape planter.

c. In no instance may there be more than six off-street parking spaces per site.

1. On-site surface water drainage, including roof drainage originating from residential properties may be conveyed to a public street or storm drain system within the public right-of-way for treatment and disposal. Conveyance may be achieved by overland surface drainage, subsurface piping, curb weephole service lateral connections, or other means as approved by the City Engineer.

a. Roof drainage originating from residential properties may be conveyed to a public street and/or public storm drain collection and disposal system by subsurface piping, or curb weepholes.

b. Roof and surface drainage originating from residential properties may be conveyed to a private storm drain collection and disposal system located in a private tract or easement. The City may allow for private drainage systems in the public right-of-way if deemed appropriate by the City and maintenance agreements are executed between the homeowners association and the City.

c. Roof drainage originating from residential properties may be commingled with drainage originating from public streets, private streets, and/or alleys and conveyed to a non-UIC system located within a private tract to be owned by a homeowners association with a maintenance agreement between the homeowners association and the City outlining operational and maintenance responsibilities. The City may allow for commingled drainage to be conveyed to a non-UIC system located in the public right-of-way if deemed appropriate by the City and maintenance agreements are executed between the homeowners association and the City.

d. Private drainage facilities must be contained within the same or previous subdivision phase, or a stormwater easement must be provided for the stormwater facilities.

e. Stormwater easements must be provided for public drainage facilities located on private property.

f. An owners association must be responsible for installing and maintaining any required landscaping in private facilities located in a private tract.

g. A stormwater maintenance agreement must be signed with the City prior to final plat of the subdivision phase.

2. The standards of BDC 3.5.200, Outdoor Lighting Standards, do not apply. [Ord. NS-2487, 2023; Ord. NS-2462, 2023; Ord. NS-2443, 2022; Ord. NS-2423, 2021; Ord. NS-2407, 2021; Ord. NS-2389, 2020; Ord. NS-2363, 2020]