Setback Standards for the R-3: Multiple Dwelling Residential District in Grass Valley

In the R-3: Multiple Dwelling Residential district of the City of Grass Valley, the primary front setback for building facades is 15 feet, though front porches may extend to within 5 feet of the property line. Interior side setbacks are a fixed 5 feet, while rear setbacks are calculated as 20% of the lot depth, with a required minimum of 10 feet and a maximum requirement of 20 feet [Table 2-9].

R-3 District Development Standards

The City of Grass Valley establishes specific spatial requirements for the R-3: Multiple Dwelling Residential district to ensure adequate open areas around structures for visibility, traffic safety, and access to natural light and ventilation [Section 17.30.030].

Primary Setback Requirements

The following table outlines the minimum setback distances required for all primary structures within the R-3: Multiple Dwelling Residential district:

Development Feature	R-3: Multiple Dwelling Residential Requirement
Front Setback	15 ft. for the building facade; 5 ft. for a front porch; or the average of the two adjacent primary dwellings; or the same as the adjacent primary dwelling if only one adjacent lot is developed.
Side Setback - Interior (each)	5 ft.
Side Setback - Street side	20% of lot width, to a maximum requirement of 15 ft.
Rear Setback	20% of lot depth, with a minimum of 10 ft. and a maximum requirement of 20 ft.
Garage Front Setback	5 ft. back from the street-facing facade of the primary structure.

Source: [Table 2-9]

General Setback Provisions and Measurements

In the City of Grass Valley, setbacks are measured at right angles from the nearest point on the public right-of-way or property line to the nearest point of the wall of the structure [Section 17.30.030.D].

For the R-3: Multiple Dwelling Residential district, specific measurement rules apply to unique lot types:

Corner Lots: The front setback is measured from the most narrow street frontage property line. If both frontages are of equal length, the Community Development Director determines which is the front [Section 17.30.030.D.1.e].
Double-Frontage Lots: These lots are considered to have two front lot lines, and a required front setback must be provided from both [Section 17.30.030.D.1.f].
Irregular/Gore Lots: Where side lot lines converge to a point at the rear, the rear setback is measured from an assumed line 10 feet long within the parcel, parallel to and at a maximum distance from the front lot line [Section 17.30.030.D.4.b].

Allowed Encroachments into Setbacks

The City of Grass Valley allows certain architectural features to project into the required setbacks of the R-3: Multiple Dwelling Residential district, provided they meet the standards in the following table:

Projecting Feature	Front or Street Side Setback	Side Setback	Rear Setback
Uncovered Deck/Landing/Porch/Stairway (< 30 in. above grade)	25% of setback (max 5 ft.)	May project to property line	May project to property line
Balcony/Roofed Porch (unenclosed)	25% of setback (max 5 ft.)	20% of side setback	20% of setback
Bay Window	36 in.	20% of side setback	36 in.
Chimney/Fireplace (≤ 6 ft. wide)	24 in.	24 in.	24 in.
Cornice, Eave, Awning, Roof Overhang	24 in.	30 in.	5 ft.

Note: Projections must generally remain at least 36 inches from any side or rear property line [Table 3-1].

Multifamily Project Specifics

For new or remodeled multifamily projects within the R-3: Multiple Dwelling Residential district, additional standards apply to garages and building orientation. Garages for multifamily structures of three or more units must be located so they are not visible from the street fronting the parcel [Section 17.44.160.D]. Furthermore, the front facade of any garage shall not exceed a width of 25 feet [Section 17.44.160.D.4].

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