(A) General. The purposes of the residential zoning districts are to:
(1) Maintain stable neighborhoods offering a range of housing choices for residents with varied incomes and lifestyle needs;
(2) Provide sufficient land in a range of residential densities to enable citizens from a wide array of economic levels and stages of life to live in Eureka and to accommodate the existing and future workforce;
(3) Accommodate increased development of high-density housing to balance Eureka’s housing inventory and enhance affordability;
(4) Encourage the construction of new high-density multi-family housing in zoning districts where multi-family housing is allowed;
(5) Promote housing in close proximity to parks, schools and public services;
(6) Promote new development that supports a pedestrian-friendly environment and allows residents to easily walk, bike and take transit to destinations;
(7) Ensure that development protects and enhances the positive qualities of existing neighborhoods and strengthens Eureka’s unique sense of place;
(8) Encourage the development of vacant lots and the redevelopment of underutilized properties;
(9) Allow improvements to existing homes consistent with the historic neighborhood character and the need to produce more housing units;
(10) Allow for public and quasi-public uses compatible with a residential setting; and
(11) Allow limited neighborhood-serving commercial uses to enhance residents’ quality-of-life where allowed by the Neighborhood Market (NMO) Overlay Zone.
(B) Specific.
(1) Residential Estate (RE). The RE Zoning District provides areas for low-density single-family detached homes, accessory dwelling units and limited agricultural uses with a rural character compatible with adjacent agriculture, timberland and open space uses. Two attached or detached single-family homes may be allowed on one lot pursuant to Cal. Government Code § 65852.21.
(2) Residential Low (R1). The R1 Zoning District contains neighborhoods of single-family homes and accessory dwelling units in a moderately low-density setting, located in proximity to parks, schools and public services. Two attached or detached single-family homes may be allowed on one lot pursuant to Cal. Government Code § 65852.21.
(3) Residential Medium (R2). The R2 Zoning District accommodates a variety of medium-density housing types close to commercial (mixed-use) areas.
(4) Residential High (R3). The R3 Zoning District accommodates high-density multi-family housing in an urban setting close to employment centers, mixed-use zoning districts and/or public transportation.
(C) Coastal zoning districts.
(1) The following residential zoning districts are located exclusively in Eureka’s coastal zone:
(a) Residential Estate - Coastal (RE-CZ);
(b) Residential Low - Coastal (R1-CZ);
(c) Residential Medium - Coastal (R2-CZ); and
(d) Residential High - Coastal (R3-CZ).
(2) Purpose statements, allowed land uses and development standards for coastal zoning districts are found in Municipal Code Ch. 156 (Coastal Zoning).
(Ord. 885-C.S., passed 5-21-19; Am. Ord. 931-C.S., passed 2-15-22)