The following development standards apply to the R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P zones.
A. Minimum lot size:
1. No new lot shall be created in any R-1 or R-1P zone which is less in area than the minimum lot size indicated on the city's official Zoning Map for the area in which it is located, except as provided in Title 16 of the Fullerton Municipal Code.
2. A new lot with an R-2 or R-2P zone shall be a minimum of 6,000 square feet.
B. Building setbacks:
1. Building setbacks shall be as prescribed in Table 15.17.050.A. Fence and wall height and location restrictions are found in Subsection 15.17.050.G.
2. The front yard building setback shall be no less than the average of the front setbacks for the two adjacent homes. The front yard setback specified in Table 15.17.050.A shall be the requirement when the average of the front yard setbacks for the adjacent homes is less than that specified in Table 15.17.050.A. In the case of a corner lot, the setback shall not be greater than the predominant setback of the street side on which the lot fronts.
3. In the case of a key lot on a property with an R-1, R-1P, R-2 or R-2P zone, the front yard building setback shall be at least 15 feet regardless of the minimum lot size.
4. The following are exemptions, possible reductions or allowable encroachments to the required building setback:
a. A reduction in the building setback not exceeding 20 percent of the requirements in Table 15.17.050.A may be allowed with approval of a Minor Exception pursuant to Chapter 15.66 of this title. A request for a greater building setback reduction shall be reviewed as a variance pursuant to Chapter 15.68 of this title.
Minimum setback from a property line… | Reference Subsection | R-1-7,200 or under | Over R-1-7,200 to R-1-10,000 | Over R-1-10,000 but under R-1-20,000 | R-1-20,000 and over | R-1P zone | R-2 and R-2P zones |
Minimum setback from a property line… | Reference Subsection | R-1-7,200 or under | Over R-1-7,200 to R-1-10,000 | Over R-1-10,000 but under R-1-20,000 | R-1-20,000 and over | R-1P zone | R-2 and R-2P zones |
...along a public street | |||||||
Front yard | 15.70.050.B. 2, 3 & 4 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 35 | See 15.17.060.C.l | 15 |
Side yard | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
Rear yard (through lot) | See 15.17.040.F | See 15.17.040.F | See 15.17.040.F | See 15.17.040.F | See 15.17.040.F | See 15.17.040.F | |
Garage door – swing out | 15.17.080.E.3 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Garage door – roll up | 15.17.080.E.3 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
...along a public alley or flood control channel: | |||||||
Rear yard – first story | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Rear yard – second story | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.5 | |
Garage door | 15.17.080.E.3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
...along another property line (i.e. an interior lot line) | |||||||
Side yard | 5 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 5 | Total of ten feet | |
Rear yard – first story | 15 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 15 | 0 | |
Rear yard – second story | 20 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 20 | 0 | |
Notes: All measurements are in feet. See Section 15.17.050.G for fence and wall setback and height regulations. | |||||||
5. Decks and balconies:
a. A deck shall be set back at least five feet from a property line (see Figure 4). Any portion of a deck that is higher than four feet from natural grade shall comply with the building setback requirements for a single story structure as shown in Table 15.17.050.A. Any portion of a deck that is higher than ten feet from natural grade shall comply with the building setback requirements for a two-story structure as shown in Table 15.17.050.A.
Figure 4
b. A balcony shall not encroach into the side or rear yard setback requirements for the main building on the property, and when abutting a minimum side yard setback, the balcony shall include screen walls to prevent views into adjacent properties.
6. Patio and porch covers, carports and other accessory structures:
a. A patio and porch cover, carport, or other non-enclosed accessory structure that is attached to or freestanding from a residence shall be at least five feet from any rear property line and three feet from any side property line that abuts a lot with a residential zone classification.
b. Any freestanding fireplace, barbecue structure or kiln shall be at least five feet from a rear or side property line that abuts a lot with a residential zone classification.
c. Any enclosed accessory structure such as a sunroom shall comply with the building setback requirements as shown in Table 15.17.050.A.
C. Lot coverage, building area and floor/area ratio requirements:
1. The lot coverage and floor/area ratio shall be in accordance with Table 15.17.050. B.
2. For a residence on a property with an R-1 or R-1P zone, the building area of a second story shall be limited to 70 percent of the building area contained on the first floor (see Figure 5).
Figure 5
Table 15.17.050.B Lot Coverage and Floor/Area Ratio Requirements | ||
Zone | Lot Coverage | FAR |
R-1-7,200 or less | .60 | .50 |
Over R-1-7,200 to R-1-10,000 | .55 | .45 |
Over R-1-10,000 to R-1-20,000 | .50 | .35 |
Over R-1-20,000 | .45 | .30 |
R-2 | .60 | – |
D. Maximum height requirements:
Maximum height requirements shall be in accordance with Table 15.17.050.C. A Conditional Use Permit may be approved for taller structures when the average natural grade of the lot exceeds 25 percent.
Table 15.17.050.C Maximum Height Requirements | |
One-story | 20 feet above natural grade |
Two-story | 30 feet above natural grade |
E. Open space requirements:
1. Open space requirements shall be in accordance with Table 15.17.050.D.
Table 15.17.050.D Usable Open Space Requirements | |
No Bedrooms | 600 square feet |
1 Bedroom | 600 square feet |
2 Bedrooms | 800 square feet |
For Each Additional Bedroom | 200 square feet |
2. In the R-1 and R-1P zones, private individual driveways may be counted on a one-for-three basis in meeting up to one-third of the usable open space requirement.
F. Parking Requirements:
1. Parking requirements for the R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P zones are shown in Table 15.17.050.E.
2. All required parking must be located on-site, meet the minimum dimension requirements of Subsection 15.17.080.D of this chapter, and be located outside of any required setback from a public street.
Table 15.17.050.E Residential Parking Requirements for R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P Zones |
Table 15.17.050.E Residential Parking Requirements for R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P Zones | |
Single-Family Residence in the R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P Zones | |
Built before June, 1963 and less than five bedrooms | One car garage |
Built after June, 1963 and less than five bedrooms | Two car garage |
Five or more bedrooms in the R-1-6 to R-1-9 zones, inclusive, and the R-2 and R-2P zones Five or more bedrooms in the R-1-10 and higher zones | Three parking spaces (not within the front yard setback) including two garage spaces and one open space Three garage spaces per dwelling unit |
Any R-1P zone | Same as R-1 zone except that half of the requirement can be uncovered (but not within the front yard setback) |
Duplex Project in R-2 and R-2P Zones | |
R-2 zone (per unit) | Two car garage plus one space if five or more bedrooms |
R-2P zone (per unit) | Same as R-2 zone except that half of the requirement can be uncovered (but not within the front yard setback) |
G. Fences and walls:
1. The height of non-retaining walls, fences, hedges or guardrails shall be in accordance with Table 15.17.050.F. Non-view-obscuring fences may goto a height of six feet with the approval of the Director of Development Services. In reviewing such applications, the Director of Development Services shall consider the proposed construction materials, compatibility with neighboring properties, vision clearance and other factors as necessary. The applicant may appeal the Director’s decision pursuant to Chapter 15.76 of this title.
2. Any retaining wall higher than three feet within a front yard setback and higher than four feet within the rear or side yard setback shall be subject to the approval of the Director of Development Services. A proposed retaining wall above these heights, which in the opinion of the Director is being constructed to enlarge the buildable area on the lot, shall be subject to the approval of a Minor Site Plan pursuant to Chapter 15.47 of this title. A retaining wall designed for landscaping purposes, however, is exempt from this requirement.
Table 15.17.050.F Maximum Heights for Walls and Fences | |
Location | Maximum Height |
Front yard setback | Three feet within front yard setback area. The Director of Development Services may approve a non-view obscuring fence up to six feet in height. |
Side yard setback fronting a public street | Three feet within five feet of the side property line. The Director of Development Services may approve a fence or wall up to eight feet in height. |
An interior side yard or rear yard setback | Six feet within five feet of the property line, unless adjacent to a property other than R-1/R-1P or R-2/R-2P, in which case the maximum height is eight feet. |
Rear yard fronting a public street or alley | Eight feet. See also Subsection 15.17.040.F. |
Within a corner cut-off area | Three feet maximum. See Subsection 15.17.040.D.
|
H. Landscaping requirements:
1. The front yard area of the lot shall be maintained with a combination of planting, turf and hardscape areas such that the total area of non-pervious surfaces shall be 40% or less of the total front yard area.
2. For non-residential uses permitted pursuant to Table 15.17.020.A, all open parking areas (e.g. non-structured, non-garage) shall be landscaped such that:
a. Planters with a total landscaped area equaling a minimum of 25 square feet per parking space, or 8% of the square footage of the open parking area, whichever is greater, shall be provided and distributed throughout the open parking area; and
b. Trees with a total shaded area (e.g. the area under the tree canopy or dripline 15 years after installation) equaling a minimum of 50% of the square footage of the open parking area shall be provided and distributed throughout the open parking area.
3. Landscaping and irrigation shall be provided for landscaped areas pursuant to Chapter 15.50 for the following:
a. Installation of new landscape with a total landscaped area equal to or greater than 500 square feet; or
b. Rehabilitation of existing landscaped areas where affected landscaped area is equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet.
c. Installation of a new landscape area or areas less than 2,500 sq. ft. in aggregate may opt to comply instead with the prescriptive measures contained in Chapter 15.50 Appendix A..
d. Landscape projects using treated or untreated graywater or rainwater captured on site that has less than 2,500 sq. ft. of landscape and meets the landscape water requirement (EAWU) entirely with treated or untreated graywater or through stored rainwater captured on site is subject only to Appendix D, Section 5, related to irrigation systems.
4. Landscaping and irrigation not subject to Chapter 15.50 shall be encouraged to:
a. Utilize resources which identify plants that are native to California or are otherwise appropriate for the region and that have moderate to very low water use following establishment;
b. Limit the use of turf to active areas; when turf is utilized, select a drought-tolerant variety;
c. Utilize decorative gravel or pebbles or mulch on ground plane, as appropriate for type of plants, to improve water holding capabilities;
d. Group plants of similar water requirements together to allow more effective use of irrigation; and
e. Design the irrigation system to utilize point irrigation systems (including micro-spray, bubbler, drip emitter, or sub-surface) for more efficient delivery of water to root systems and to minimize run off.
(Ord. 3232 (part), 2016; Ord. 3226 (part), 2016; Ord. 3197 §§ 6-9, 2013; Ord. 3134 (part), 2009; Ord. 3131 (part), 2009; Ord. 2982, 2001: Ord. 3026, 2003).