Grass Valley R-1 Single-Family Residential District Guide
The R-1 Single-Family Residential district in the City of Grass Valley is established for neighborhoods consisting of single dwellings on standard urban lots typically surrounding the city's more densely developed core. This district requires a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet and allows for a maximum residential density of one primary unit per lot, with a maximum structure height of 35 feet or two stories [Section 17.22.020, Table 2-8].
Purpose and General Character
The City of Grass Valley applies the R-1 (Single Residential) Zone to areas designated for traditional single-family neighborhoods. The primary intent is to provide for low-density residential environments that implement the "Urban Low Density" (ULD) designation of the Grass Valley General Plan [Section 17.22.020]. The character of the Grass Valley R-1 district is defined by detached single-family homes, though it also permits various compatible uses such as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), small-scale agriculture like backyard chickens, and specific community facilities under controlled conditions [Table 2-7].
Allowed Land Uses
Land uses in the Grass Valley R-1 district are categorized by their permit requirements. "P" indicates a permitted use, while "UP" and "MUP" indicate that a Use Permit or Minor Use Permit is required [Section 17.22.030].
Residential Uses
| Use Type | Permit Requirement | Specific Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Family Dwelling | P | Section 17.44.210 |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | P | Section 17.44.190 |
| Residential Accessory Use or Structure | P | Section 17.44.020 |
| Home Occupation | P | Section 17.44.100 |
| Residential Care (6 or fewer clients) | P | — |
| Residential Care (7 or more clients) | UP | — |
| Transitional and Supportive Housing | P | — |
| Mobile Home Parks | UP | Section 17.44.150 |
| Rooming or Boarding House | UP | — |
Agricultural and Recreation Uses
| Use Type | Permit Requirement | Specific Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Accessory Structure | P | — |
| Backyard Chickens (No roosters) | P | Section 17.44.030 |
| Crop Production (Horticulture, Orchard, etc.) | P | — |
| Animal Keeping (Livestock) | UP | — |
| Park or Playground | P/UP | — |
| Golf Course or Country Club | UP | — |
| Library, Museum, or Art Gallery | P/UP | — |
| Private School | UP | — |
General Services
| Use Type | Permit Requirement | Specific Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Child or Adult Day Care Center | UP | Section 17.44.060 |
| Day Care Home (Small Family) | P | — |
| Day Care Home (Large Family) | P | Section 17.44.060 |
| Hosted Short-Term Rental Units | P | Section 17.44.205.B |
| Vacation Rental Unit | MUP | Section 17.44.205.C |
| Medical Services - Extended Care | UP | — |
Site Development Standards
Development in the R-1 district of Grass Valley must comply with specific dimensional requirements to maintain the intended low-density character.
| Development Feature | R-1 District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Lot Size (Minimum Area) | 6,000 square feet |
| Lot Width (Minimum) | 60 ft (interior lot); 70 ft (corner lot) |
| Maximum Density | 1 unit per lot (plus 1 ADU per Section 17.44.190) |
| Maximum Site Coverage | 50% (includes structures and pavement) |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 feet and 2 stories |
| Front Setback (Minimum) | 15 ft for building facade; 5 ft for front porch |
| Side Setback - Interior | 5 feet |
| Side Setback - Street Side | 20% of lot width, up to a maximum of 15 feet |
| Rear Setback (Minimum) | 20% of lot depth (Min 10 ft / Max 20 ft) |
| Garage Front Setback | 5 feet back from the street-facing facade of the primary structure |
Single-Family Design Standards
In addition to the dimensional standards above, the City of Grass Valley requires all new or remodeled single dwellings in the R-1 district to meet specific architectural criteria:
- Facade Width: The street-facing facade must be at least 20 feet wide, excluding the garage [Section 17.44.210.A.1].
- Foundations: All structures must have a continuous concrete or masonry foundation along the perimeter [Section 17.44.210.A.3].
- Roof Pitch: Roofs must have a minimum pitch of 3 inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal run [Section 17.44.210.A.4.b].
- Eaves: Roofs must include eaves and overhangs of at least one foot [Section 17.44.210.A.4.c].
- Infill Facades: Exterior facades for infill development must be visually compatible with the dominant architectural theme of the neighborhood [Section 17.44.210.A.6].
Sections Cited
- Section 17.12.020 - Zoning map and zones
- Section 17.22.020 - Purposes of the residential zones
- Section 17.22.030 - Residential zone allowable land uses and permit requirements
- Section 17.22.040 - Residential zone site planning and building standards
- Section 17.44.020 - Accessory structures and uses
- Section 17.44.030 - Backyard chickens
- Section 17.44.060 - Child day care facilities
- Section 17.44.100 - Home occupations
- Section 17.44.150 - Mobile/manufactured homes and mobile home parks
- Section 17.44.190 - Accessory dwelling units (ADU)
- Section 17.44.205 - Short-term rentals
- Section 17.44.210 - Single dwellings