Chapter 16.013 — RM MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

§ 16.013.000. Intent. ¶

The RM Medium Density Residential Districts are intended to provide for residential structures or lots containing one or more dwelling units at various densities (indicated by the lot area in square feet required for each dwelling unit, in parentheses after the "RM" designation) which are based on location and density considerations of the General Plan of the City of Claremont, and to provide for other uses that are associated and compatible with the residential uses.

No building, structure or land shall be used, and no building or structures shall be erected, altered or enlarged in the RM Districts except in compliance with this chapter. (08-05)

§ 16.013.010. Uses and development permitted. ¶

A. Only the following uses and developments shall be permitted as a matter of right in the RM Districts:
1. Single- and multiple-family residential structures, and associated accessory buildings for the residential use and occupancy of not more than one family per dwelling unit, and related recreational and community facilities for the use of the residents of the development.
2. Limited business and home occupations subject to Chapter 16.327 , Home Occupations.
3. The keeping of animals as pets (not for commercial purposes), subject to Title 6 of this Code.
4. New community housing projects as defined in Chapter 16.900 , including condominiums and row house development. Community housing projects shall be in compliance with the development standards of this chapter. Minimum lot size, dimensions and setbacks of the district shall apply only to the overall site and shall be measured from the original property lines only.
5. Accessory second units subject to approval of an accessory second unit permit pursuant to Chapter 16.333 , Accessory Second Units.
6. Public park.
B. The following uses and developments may be permitted in RM Districts only with a conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 16.303 :
1. Minor commercial uses, provided that such commercial uses are clearly incidental and auxiliary to the development and are designed for the sole use of the residents of the development.
2. Mobile home parks, provided that a minimum site size of 10 acres is required and the density shall not exceed 4,000 square feet of lot area per mobile home or mobile home space.
3. Boarding houses and rooming house containing no more than four sleeping rooms for rent to no more than five persons. Meals may be provided to boarders in connection with the renting of rooms or common kitchen facilities may be provided.

Rental rooms shall not contain kitchens. Rental rooms shall not be rented for periods of less than 30 days, unless as otherwise allowed under Chapter 16.110 (Short-Term Rentals). No more than two persons shall occupy one rental room. One parking space shall be provided for each rental room.

Parking lots where adjacent to a commercial district.
Other uses listed in Chapter 16.303 as permitted in any district with a conditional use permit.
Conversions of existing apartment projects to community housing projects subject to conversion requirements in Chapter 16.324 . Minimum lot size, dimensions and setbacks of the district shall apply only to the overall site and shall be measured from the original property lines only.

(08-05; 14-04; 2025-04, 5/13/2025)

§ 16.013.020. Development standards. ¶

The following property development standards shall apply to all land and structures in the RM Districts. For exceptions to and explanatory description of these standards and for standards for accessory structures, fences, recreation courts, signs, parking, off-site improvements and dedication requirements, visual screening, solar energy systems, community art, and undergrounding utilities, see Chapters 16.130 through 16.151 .

A. Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit
1. RM (4000) District – 4000 sq. ft.
2. RM (3000) District – 3000 sq. ft.
3. RM (2000) District – 2000 sq. ft.
B. Minimum Lot Dimensions
1. RM (4000) District
  - a. Size – 8000 sq. ft.
  - b. Width – 63 ft.
  - c. Depth – 110 ft.
2. RM (3000) District
  - a. Size – 12,000 sq. ft.
  - b. Width – 75 ft.
  - c. Depth – 110 ft.
3. RM (2000) District
  - a. Size – 12,000 sq. ft.
  - b. Width – 75 ft.
  - c. Depth – 110 ft.

For existing lots not meeting these standards, see Chapter 16.400 . In the RM (2000) and RM (3000) Districts, any lot with an area less than the minimum required for the District may only be developed to the RM (4000) District density, provided that any lot in any RM District that has an area of less than 8,000 square feet may only be developed pursuant to the RS (8000) standards. Lot dimensions shall be measured pursuant to Chapter 16.130 .

C. Minimum Setbacks
1. RM (4000) District
  - a. Front – 25 ft.
  - b. Interior Side or Rear – 8 ft.
  - c. Street Side or Rear – 15 ft.
2. RM (3000) District
  - a. Front – 25 ft.
  - b. Interior Side or Rear – 8 ft.
  - c. Street Side or Rear – 15 ft.

RM (2000) District
- a. Front – 20 ft.
- b. Interior Side or Rear – 5 ft.
- c. Street Side or Rear – 15 ft.

For description, clarification, and exceptions to minimum setbacks, see Chapter 16.130 .

D. Outdoor Living Area
1. Minimum Outdoor Living Area
  - a. Units with one or no bedrooms – 400 sq. ft. per unit
  - b. Units with two or more bedrooms – 400 sq. ft. per bedroom

Outdoor living area may be within required rear and interior side setback areas. No portion of any required front or street-side setback area shall count as the required outdoor living area.

Outdoor living area may include swimming pools, recreation courts, patios and landscaped open areas, but it shall not include driveways, parking areas or accessory buildings.

Private Outdoor Living Area
- a. A minimum of 25 percent of the required outdoor living area shall be provided in private outdoor living space contiguous to a dwelling unit. It may include balconies, decks or patios with at least one side open, if designed and maintained for the exclusive use of the occupants of an individual unit.

This required area shall have minimum dimensions of eight feet at any point and be reasonably accessible from the dwelling units. In most cases, this area shall be adjacent to, and provide a private usable area for, each dwelling unit.

b. For multiple-story apartments or condominiums where units have no ground floor access, and in other cases where the Architectural Commission finds that provision of the required private outdoor living area is impractical or undesirable, private outdoor living area may be reduced to less than 25 percent of the required outdoor living area.
1. Common Open Space Area
  - a. A minimum of 50 percent of the required outdoor living area shall be provided in a common open space area, or areas, with minimum dimensions of 20 feet. This common open space shall be a well designed, coherent area that is an essential component of the project's design, not merely space left over after the building mass is placed.
  - b. Areas having minimum dimensions of less than 20 feet but at least eight feet at any point which are contiguous with and an integral part of the common open space, may be included in calculating the area of such space.
  - c. Up to 1/2 of covered patio areas designed to be commonly used by residents of a development may be included in calculation of common open space provided such area does not comprise more than 25 percent of the total common open space.
  - d. For developments where units are detached single-family dwellings, and in other cases where the Architectural Commission finds that provision of the required common open space is impractical or undesirable, required common open space may be reduced to less than 25 percent of the required outdoor living area, and part or all of the required outdoor living area may be provided in private outdoor living area.
E. Housing for Large Households in Developments of Six or More Housing Units

In every new project with six or more housing units developed under the RM Medium Density Residential Districts, at least 10 percent of the units, or a minimum of one unit, shall have three or more bedrooms, except in developments specifically designed for seniors or disabled persons.

F. Minimum Floor Area per Dwelling Unit 1. No bedrooms – 450 sq. ft.
1. One or more bedrooms – 600 sq. ft.
G. Maximum Number of Stories
1. RM (4000) District – 2 stories
2. RM (3000) District – 2 stories
3. RM (2000) District – 3 stories

No portion of any building within 75 feet of a parcel in a single-family district shall exceed two stories.

H. Maximum Height

RM (4000) District – 25 ft.
RM (3000) District – 25 ft.
RM (2000) District – 35 ft.

No portion of any building within 75 feet of a parcel in a single-family district shall exceed 25 feet in height. For measurement of height and exceptions to height limits, see Chapter 16.130 .

I. Parking Spaces Required per Dwelling Unit
1. RM (4000) District
  - a. Units with less than 720 sq. ft. – 1.5 spaces (including 1 space in garage)
  - b. Units with 720 sq. ft. or more – 2.5 spaces (including 2 spaces in garage)
  - c. Visitor parking per unit - 0.5 spaces
2. RM (3000) District
  - a. Units with less than 720 sq. ft. – 1.5 spaces (including 1 space in garage)
b. Units with 720 sq. ft. or more – 2.25 spaces (including 1.5 spaces/unit in garage)
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- c. Visitor parking per unit - 0.5 spaces 
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1. RM (2000) District
  - a. Units with less than 720 sq. ft. – 1.5 spaces (including 1 space in garage or carport)
  - b. Units with 720 sq. ft. or more – 2.25 spaces (including 1 space in garage or carport)
  - c. Visitor parking per unit - 0.5 spaces

If no enclosed parking is provided, lockable storage spaces shall be required. The size of such storage spaces shall not be less than 100 cubic feet per unit, and no dimension for the measurement of the storage space shall be less than three feet.

Calculation of floor area when determining the required number of parking spaces shall exclude stairwells up to a maximum of 80 square feet, and balconies and patios which are enclosed on no more than three sides.

For parking area development standards, see Chapter 16.136 . Credit may be allowed for uncovered spaces located in front of garage spaces if restricted for the exclusive use of the occupants of the unit served; however, such credit may not be allowed toward visitor parking. Visitor parking shall be individually accessible and evenly distributed throughout the development. The Architectural Commission may allow credit toward visitor spaces for adequate on-street parking. (12-01; 08-05)

§ 16.013.030. Village design plan. ¶

Development of property that is located within the Claremont Village Design Plan's boundaries shall conform to the Claremont Village Design Plan. The intent of the plan is to ensure that development will enrich and preserve the character of the Village. Development proposals shall be reviewed by the Architectural Commission for conformance to the Claremont Village Design Plan. (08-05)