Setback Requirements for the R-2 Two-Family Residential District in Grass Valley
In the City of Grass Valley R-2 (Two-Family Residential) district, the primary building facade must be set back at least 15 feet from the front property line, while interior side yards require a minimum of 5 feet. Rear setbacks for the R-2 district are calculated as 20% of the lot depth, with a minimum requirement of 10 feet and a maximum requirement of 20 feet.
R-2: Two-Family Residential Setback Standards
The following table outlines the minimum setback requirements for development within the Grass Valley R-2 zone as established in the city's development standards [Table 2-8].
| Setback Type | R-2 District Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front | 15 ft for building facade; 5 ft for front porches; or average of two adjacent primary dwellings |
| Side - Interior | 5 ft |
| Side - Street Side | 20% of lot width, up to a maximum of 15 ft |
| Rear | 20% of lot depth (10 ft minimum; 20 ft maximum) |
| Garage Front | 5 ft behind the street-facing facade of the primary structure |
Detailed Setback Regulations for Grass Valley R-2
The Grass Valley R-2 district is intended for a mixture of single-family and two-family (duplex) dwellings. All structures in this zone must comply with the specific placement regulations to ensure adequate open area for visibility, traffic safety, ventilation, and privacy [Section 17.22.020.C and Section 17.30.030.A.2].
Front Setbacks and Averaging
In the Grass Valley R-2 district, the standard front setback is 15 feet for the main building facade. However, front porches are permitted to extend closer to the street, requiring only a 5-foot setback. If the block is already partially developed, the Grass Valley Development Code allows for "averaging." The required front setback may be determined by the average of the actual front setbacks of the two adjacent primary dwellings. If only one adjacent lot is developed, the setback may match that of the existing adjacent primary dwelling [Table 2-8].
Side Setbacks
For interior side yards in the R-2 Two-Family Residential district, the minimum distance is 5 feet. For corner lots, the street-side setback is more restrictive, calculated as 20% of the total lot width, though this requirement is capped at a maximum of 15 feet [Table 2-8].
Rear Setbacks
The rear setback for the Grass Valley R-2 district is variable based on the size of the parcel. It must be at least 20% of the total lot depth. Regardless of the percentage calculation, the setback cannot be less than 10 feet and does not need to exceed 20 feet [Table 2-8].
Allowed Encroachments into R-2 Setbacks
Certain architectural features are permitted to project into the required setbacks of the R-2 Two-Family Residential district. These projections are governed by the Grass Valley general development standards [Table 3-1].
- Eaves, Cornices, and Awnings: May project up to 24 inches into a front or street-side setback and up to 30 inches into a side setback.
- Chimneys and Fireplaces: May project up to 24 inches into any required setback.
- Bay Windows: May project up to 36 inches into a front, street-side, or rear setback.
- Uncovered Decks and Landings: If less than 30 inches above grade, these may project into the front or street-side setback by up to 25% of the required distance (max 5 feet) and may project all the way to the property line in a side yard.
Sections Cited
- Section 17.22.020: Purposes of the residential zones.
- Section 17.22.040: Residential zone site planning and building standards (Table 2-8).
- Section 17.30.030: Build-to-line and setback requirements and exceptions.
- Table 3-1: Allowed Projections into Setbacks.