As used in this chapter, "residential zones" means zones SF, SFA, SFDR, SFH, AL, MFD, MF, MF-30, and MF-D, and those specific plans or other zones which permit or conditionally permit residential uses, unless otherwise noted in this chapter.
(Ord. 37 § 201, 1961; Ord. 931 § 3, 1990; Ord. 1226 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
A. 
A person shall not use any premises in any residential zone except as hereinafter specifically permitted by this chapter and subject to all regulations and conditions enumerated in this chapter.
B. 
Short Term Rentals. For the purposes of this section, the term "short-term rentals" shall mean the rental of any residential dwelling unit for a period of less than thirty days.
(Ord. 37 § 202, 1961; Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
The provisions of Section 18.156.100 of this title shall apply for parking or storage of a recreational vehicle, trailer, boat, truck camper, or camper shell. No recreational vehicle, trailer, boat, truck camper, or camper shell in any residential zone, except in an authorized trailer park, shall be used for living purposes.
(Ord. 37 § 203, 1961; Ord. 1188 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
In any building project, during construction and fifteen days thereafter, property in a residential zone may be used for the storage of materials used in the construction of the individual buildings in the project and for the contractor's temporary office.
(Ord. 37 § 204, 1961; Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
A person shall not keep or maintain any live pig or hog of any age in any residential zone, whether such pig or hog is kept or maintained for the personal use of the occupant or otherwise.
(Ord. 37 § 205, 1961; Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
A. 
Household pets may be kept as an incidental use in residential zones under the following conditions:
1. 
Such pets shall not be kept in such number or under such conditions that create a neighborhood nuisance from noise, odors, dust or appearance.
2. 
Not more than three adult dogs or cats or any combination thereof may be kept.
3. 
Not more than three small animals, such as guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, or white mice, or any combination thereof, may be kept.
4. 
Not more than a total of fifteen song birds such as canaries, parakeets, and finches, parrots, or similar birds of any combination may be kept.
5. 
Fowl may be kept as household pets only as described under the following circumstances:
a. 
Fowl kept as household pets may only be kept on lots five thousand square feet in area or greater.
i. 
On lots ranging from five thousand square feet to ten thousand nine hundred ninety-nine square feet in size, chickens (hens only) may be kept at a maximum total of four.
ii. 
On lots ranging from eleven thousand square feet to twenty thousand square feet in size, chickens (hens only), ducks, and geese may be kept at a maximum total combination of four fowl.
iii. 
On lots twenty thousand and one square feet or larger, chickens (hens only), ducks, and geese may be kept at a maximum total combination of fifteen fowl.
b. 
Fowl kept as household pets may only be kept as an incidental use to a detached, single-family residence in zones which permit single-family residential uses. Fowl are not permitted on multiple-family properties or on attached duplex type developments.
c. 
Fowl kept as household pets may be kept as pets and for egg-laying purposes for the sole use of the residents of the property. On-site slaughter and selling or distributing of eggs is prohibited in conjunction with the keeping of fowl for household pets.
d. 
An appropriate coop enclosure must be provided to house fowl with a minimum of four square feet per fowl. Coops may not exceed six feet in height or one hundred twenty square feet in area and must comply with the setback requirements for accessory structures in the zone they are located in as well as required distance separations as required by the County Health Code and as subsection C, and in no case shall coops be located closer than five feet to a property line or be visible from the public right-of-way. When allowed outside their coops, fowl must be kept within adequate fences no greater than six feet in height so that they do not have access to neighboring property. Fowl must be kept inside their coops between dusk and dawn.
e. 
Clean water must be provided for all fowl, and an appropriately sized water source for bathing must be provided for ducks and geese.
f. 
Feed for fowl must be stored in rodent proof containers and feeders.
g. 
Fowl must be kept in a sanitary manner and in accordance with all County Health Code requirements.
6. 
No venomous animals nor any animal that cannot be or is not actually prevented from invading or becoming a nuisance to neighboring premises may be kept.
B. 
The keeping of roosters and peacocks for any use is prohibited in the city.
C. 
All animals shall be properly housed at a distance of not less than thirty-five feet from any residence. If allowed outside their houses, animals shall be kept within adequate fences so that they do not have access to neighboring property.
D. 
Homing pigeons which are not kept or raised for the market or other commercial purposes, may be kept and liberated for exercise or racing within not less than thirty-five feet from any door, window or other opening of any dwelling.
1. 
Definition. "Homing pigeon" means a pigeon trained to return home from a distance. Such homing pigeons can be identified by a seamless leg band issued by the American Racing Pigeon Union and marked with the letters AU and the figures designating the year issued and serial number.
2. 
Homing pigeons for exercise and racing shall be subject to comply with the following conditions:
a. 
All feed for such homing pigeons shall be stored in containers which offer protection against rodents;
b. 
All food scraps and droppings shall be removed from the premises at least once a week and disposed of in a sanitary manner;
c. 
The lofts or pigeon houses where such homing pigeons are kept shall be soundly constructed, properly maintained and adequately landscaped to blend with and conform to the surrounding area;
d. 
The lofts or pigeon houses shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and in compliance with the health regulations of the city and those promulgated by the state racing pigeon organization;
e. 
The city or its duly authorized representative shall have the right to inspect each loft and pigeon house at such times as it shall deem advisable;
f. 
No more than fifty pigeons, inclusive of nestlings, shall be kept on any one lot or parcel of ground located within the city.
(Ord. 37 § 206, 1961; Ord. 120 § 2, 1964; Ord. 368 § 1, 1972; Ord. 1226 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
Accessory structures, as defined in Chapter 18.08, with the exception of storage sheds pursuant to Section 18.20.210, must be subject to the following standards:
A. 
Accessory structures must comply with the setback, lot coverage, and all applicable development standards of the underlying zone.
B. 
Corner Lot.
1. 
No detached accessory structure in any residential zone shall be located at a distance less than ten feet from the street side yard property line.
2. 
No detached garage in any residential zone shall be located at a distance less than twenty feet from the side street property line when the garage door faces the street.
C. 
No more than one room shall be allowed within an accessory structure, with the exception of a bathroom.
D. 
Kitchens are prohibited within any accessory structure with the exception of properties located within an MF zone for clubhouse or community room type uses.
E. 
Accessory structures shall be consistent with the exterior architectural style and exterior appearance of the primary structure.
F. 
No more than three accessory structures are permitted on any residentially zoned property with the exception of properties located within an MF zone.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
For the purposes of this section, the term "canopy" or "vehicle cover" or "membrane structure" shall mean a sheet of flexible material, fabric, or membrane such as nylon, plastic, or other similar material that is supported by or attached to a frame made of fiberglass, metal, wood, or plastic or any other similar material, and generally used for the shielding or protection of vehicles or other equipment stored outside. For the purposes of this section, the term "temporary" shall mean a maximum duration of six months within a twelve-month period.
A. 
Membrane structures may be used to provide temporary shade or shelter for miscellaneous items and as an incidental use in residential zones under the following conditions:
1. 
Not be allowed in any required setback areas in any zone.
2. 
Shall be located behind the main building line fronting on the street including corner lots.
3. 
Not exceed a maximum height of twelve feet in any zone.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
For the purposes of this section, the term "carport" shall mean a permanent roofed structure open on at least three sides used for automobile shelter only. Carports must comply with the setback, lot coverage, and all applicable development standards of the underlying zone, in addition to the following development standards:
A. 
Size.
1. 
A minimum dimension of ten feet by twenty feet measured from the interior of structural supports.
2. 
A carport must not exceed 600 square feet in area, measured from the exterior of the structural supports.
3. 
Eaves shall not exceed 24 inches.
4. 
Structural supports must measure a minimum of 8-inch x 8-inch in size.
B. 
Height.
1. 
A carport must not exceed 16 feet in height. An additional two feet in height is permitted, solely, to accommodate a roof pitch on a carport that is aligned with the roof pitch of the primary dwelling unit.
C. 
Corner Lot.
1. 
No detached carport in any residential zone shall be located at a distance less than twenty feet from the side street property line when access into the carport faces the street.
D. 
Carports shall be behind the front main building line of single-family residences with a side-yard facing garage.
E. 
Carports shall be consistent with the architectural style, exterior finishes and materials, and appearance of the primary structure.
F. 
Roof design and pitch shall be consistent with that of the primary structure. Flat roofs shall not be allowed, unless the primary roof design of the primary structure consists of a flat roof.
G. 
Carports may be attached or detached. If attached, it shall comply with the setback requirements of the structure it is attached to.
H. 
A carport may only be constructed or maintained on a lot as an accessory structure to the primary use allowed on the subject site.
I. 
Carports shall not be used for outdoor storage.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
All driveway and parking areas shall be paved with concrete, asphalt only if preexisting or approved equivalent material at least three inches thick. For residential parking design requirements, the provisions of Section 18.156.080 Vehicle Parking and Storage and chapter 18.14 Water-Efficient Landscapes of this title shall apply, in addition to the following standards:
A. 
New. The construction of a new driveway is not permitted where the driveway approach does not lead to an approved off-street parking structure; garage, or carport.
B. 
Existing.
1. 
Where existing permitted driveway no longer leads to a garage or carport due to prior approval of a garage conversion to an ADU or JADU, the driveway and driveway approach may remain.
2. 
Where existing permitted driveway no longer leads to a garage or carport due to prior approval of a non-ADU or -Jr. ADU garage conversion, the driveway and driveway approach must be removed and/or redesigned to lead to the new approved covered parking space.
C. 
Alley Access. For properties that have an alley access to a garage or carport, additional access from the front yard shall only be permitted when the driveway provides access to the covered parking space.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
Fence and wall construction materials shall consist of wood or decorative tubular steel/wrought iron, vinyl, solid decorative masonry (i.e. slump stone, split face, CMU with applied stucco finish, brick or stone veneer) and have a decorative cap. Plain/precision cinder block is not permitted unless the subject property already is developed with the same block on at least fifty percent of its total side and rear property lines.
A. 
Permitted.
1. 
Fences, and walls not over forty-two inches in height shall be permitted in any required front yard setback.
2. 
Fences, and walls not greater than six feet in height on or within all rear and side property lines, and on or to the rear of all front setback lines.
a. 
For the purposes of this section, when a difference in grade exists between two properties, the wall height is measured from the lowest grade, to the top of the wall. In no case shall the total wall height on the side and rear, exceed six feet. In areas with steeper slopes, a succession of smaller retaining walls must be used over one large retaining wall to prevent the appearance of massive-looking retaining walls.
3. 
Development of New or Existing Lot. New or existing lots being developed/redeveloped with a new residence shall construct a decorative masonry block wall (i.e. slump stone, split face, CMU with applied stucco finish, brick or stone veneer) and have a decorative cap.
a. 
Walls not greater than six feet in height shall be required on or within all rear and side property lines up to the rear of the front yard setback.
b. 
Walls not over forty-two inches in height may be permitted in any required front yard setback.
4. 
Vacant Lot.
a. 
Must be secured by temporary fencing set back from all street adjacent property lines at a minimum of ten feet but not more than twenty feet. The first ten feet area shall be landscaped and irrigated at the discretion of the Director of Community Development.
b. 
May require fencing (decorative tubular steel/wrought iron) to address public safety concerns at the discretion of the director of community development.
5. 
Corner Lot.
a. 
Fences, walls, and gates within the required street side yard setback are allowed up to six feet in height measured from the street side face of the wall. Fences within the front yard setback shall be no higher than forty-two inches.
b. 
Fences, walls, and gates shall be setback a minimum of eighteen inches from the street side property line, unless a property-adjacent landscaped parkway exists, then the fence, wall and gate may be placed at the property line.
c. 
The area between the street side property line and the fence or wall shall have an appropriate irrigation system and decorative landscaping (shrubs, ground cover, flowers, plants, etc.).
6. 
Sloped Lot.
a. 
No solid fencing or walls are permitted within the slope area (at or greater than a 2:1 slope).
b. 
Fencing may encroach into the slope area a maximum distance from the top of the finished grade of the house down to a point where a six-foot maximum high fence is flush with the finished grade of the house, or at the property line on the slope.
c. 
Retaining walls may go the full extent of the lot width.
d. 
A fence or wall greater than ten feet in height may be allowed due to conditions on the property or physical hazards, such as frequent inundation, erosion, excavation or grade separation when such are determined by the director of community development to be dangerous to health or safety except for properties within SF-H Zone, which may allow for twelve feet in height.
B. 
Prohibited. The following types of fence and wall materials are prohibited; chain-link, corrugated metal, metal slat, railroad ties, exposed block walls and fences, security fencing (i.e. commercial wire, razor wire, concertina wire, and/or similar products) except chain-link fencing associated with construction activity with an active building permit on file and vacant lots.
C. 
Existing Nonconforming Fences and Walls. For existing walls and fences that do not comply with this section, minor repairs must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the planning division.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
Detached exterior fireplaces shall not be greater than eight feet in height, shall not be closer than five feet to all rear and side property lines, and shall not be located within the front yard setback. All building code requirements shall be met.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
A maximum of one flagpole shall be allowed per residential lot. The height of the flagpole shall not exceed twenty-five feet, measured from finished grade to top of pole. A maximum of two flags on a flagpole may be displayed at any given time. The maximum size for a flag shall not exceed five feet by eight feet.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
All front yards and street side yards shall be maintained with landscaping. Such landscaping shall be maintained in a neat, clean, and weed free manner. In addition to lawn, trees, shrubs, flowers and similar vegetation, required landscaping may include decorative hardscape, drought tolerant xeriscape, and artificial turf. Front yards and any other areas visible to the public including rear yards on through lots should be maintained on a regular basis in a clean and neat fashion. This includes the parkway area. All new and rehabilitated landscaping including hardscape must comply with the provisions of Chapter 18.14.030.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
All lighting shall be directed downward and away from adjoining areas and the public right-of-way.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
A. 
Portable window air conditioners/heating units shall only be allowed within a window opening and not within a wall plane.
B. 
Any equipment on the ground visible from the public right-of-way, must be screened. The method of screening must be architecturally compatible to the existing structure it serves in terms of material, color, shape, and size. The screening design must blend with the building design. Where individual equipment is provided, a continuous screen is desirable. No equipment shall be roof-mounted except for HVAC units, swamp coolers, or other mechanical equipment mounted within a recessed equipment well, that completely screens the equipment.
1. 
Water heaters located on the exterior of a building must be appropriately screened from view from adjacent properties and the public right-of-way within an enclosure designed as part of the building. The enclosure shall match the exterior finish and color of the structure it serves. Exterior metal enclosures are prohibited.
2. 
Tankless water heaters shall be located behind the front main building line. If visible from the public right-of-way, a cover shall be required to conceal the exposed pipes.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
A. 
Outdoor storage of vehicles, equipment, and materials.
1. 
Outdoor storage areas shall be screened from public view through the use of building walls, decorative screen walls, view obstructing access gates with decorative screening, or combination thereof.
2. 
Items stored outside, may be stacked no higher than six feet.
3. 
No materials stored outside shall be stored on the subject property in such form or manner that may be transferred off the lot by natural causes or forces (i.e. storm water runoff, wind, etc.)
4. 
No construction materials are permitted without an active building permit.
B. 
Storage Containers.
1. 
Storage containers i.e. shipping containers, sea cargo containers, PODS, or other such containers are not permitted in any residential zones, except as follows:
a. 
A moving POD container may be allowed on an approved driveway or in a side or rear yard on a temporary basis for a period not to exceed thirty days in any twelve-month period;
b. 
In conjunction with work being done under a valid building permit for an approved addition, remodel, or similar project. The storage container shall be removed prior to the building permit being finaled. If the building permit has expired, the storage container shall be removed within thirty days from the date of expiration.
2. 
No storage container may be placed on the public right-of-way at any time unless the required encroachment permit has been issued by the Public Works Department and a copy of the permit has been attached to the unit. Any such container found on the public right-of-way without having the required encroachment permit may be subject to immediate removal at the owner's expense.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
A. 
All outdoor trash, garbage, refuse and recyclables storage shall not be visible from public right-of-way and be screened from view with solid material or fencing, and/or landscaping. Permanent storage space shall be provided on all lots created after 2024 for trash bin and other refuse storage.
B. 
For single-family zoned properties or properties that permit single-family residences, refuse storage spaces shall be located behind the front main building line, within the interior side yard, or in the rear yard. Further, such space shall not be less than five feet wide by nine feet long, and will be required to be a paved surface. A minimum of a four feet wide walkway shall be provided from the refuse storage area to the driveway or street/alley.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
Sloped areas within residential lots shall be maintained in a clean fashion, be landscaped and not be bare. Any alteration of slopes is not allowed unless approved by the city. When slope maintenance standards exist in other sections of the code, the most restrictive standards shall prevail.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
Storage sheds are used to store a wide variety of items, including, but not limited to, tools, gardening supplies, arts and crafts, seasonal clothes, mementos, etc. Storage sheds must be detached from the main residence.
A. 
No permit is required for a storage shed that complies with all of the following:
1. 
Has no more than 120 square feet of floor area.
2. 
Is detached from any structure.
3. 
Is no more than twelve feet in height.
4. 
Does not have any utilities.
B. 
All storage sheds are subject to the following setback requirements:
1. 
Shall be located behind the front main building line of the house and be a minimum of two feet away from the side and rear property lines. The edge of the roof shall be a minimum of twelve inches away from property line to allow for on-site drainage.
2. 
May encroach into the required twelve-foot side yard setback; however, the shed(s) may be relocated to accommodate RV parking.
C. 
Lot Coverage.
1. 
The first three storage sheds that are under 120 square feet and that do not require a building permit are not subject to lot coverage requirements.
2. 
Additional storage sheds shall be counted towards the maximum lot coverage of the underlying zone.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)
A. 
All new and/or existing utilities (water, electrical, gas, telecommunication, etc.) shall be installed underground for new development projects. On developed lots any new structures with utilities shall have them placed underground.
B. 
The maximum height of electric service masts shall not exceed five feet, or the minimum height needed to meet the building code clearance requirements for swimming pools; whichever is less.
(Ord. 1320, 9/23/2025)