40.260.230 Townhouse Developments (Single-Family Attached Dwellings)

To provide opportunities for individual home ownership in the multifamily and mixed use zoning districts by allowing townhouse developments consistent with minimum density requirements of the base zones. This section provides alternative dimensional standards and additional requirements which allow for the division of land into small lots in conjunction with the construction of attached single-family units commonly referred to as rowhouses or townhouses.

Attached single-family developments within the R-12, R-18, R-22, R-30, R-43, OR-15, OR-18, OR-22, OR-30, OR-43 and mixed use (MX) zoning districts are allowed.

1. Procedures. Townhouse development proposals using the provisions of this title shall be subject to the following procedures:

a. Land divisions shall be reviewed according to Chapter 40.540 and Chapter 58.17 RCW.

b. In addition, when the land is subdivided, development proposals must receive approval of a site plan demonstrating how the proposal complies with this section and all other applicable requirements. The site plan shall be submitted and reviewed in conjunction with the land division application. The following materials are required:

(1) Seven (7) copies of a site plan including one (1) reduced copy (maximum eleven (11) inches by seventeen (17) inches), drawn to scale with dimensions, showing the layout of existing and proposed structures, lot lines, public and/or private streets, off-street parking, landscape areas, pedestrian walks, driveways, outdoor lighting, screening, fences, walls, water quality facilities and other information deemed necessary by the responsible official.

(2) Three (3) full size copies and one (1) reduced copy (maximum eleven (11) inches by seventeen (17) inches) of architectural floor plans and elevations.

c. Preliminary plats may not be approved without approval of the submitted site plan. Both the site plan and preliminary plat must be fully consistent with standards of this and all other applicable requirements.

d. Preliminary plats may be approved only where conditions of approval are established to ensure that subsequent or existing development on the resultant parcels shall occur consistent with the approved site plan.

e. Building permits for townhouse developments may only be approved where fully consistent with the approved site plan and land division.

f. Developments meeting all requirements of this section are exempt from review under Section 40.520.040, Site Plan Review, pursuant to Section 40.520.060(A)(4)(f), provided all applicable standards are met.

2. Dimensional standards shall be determined by Table 40.260.230-1. Within the MX district, densities shall be determined by the base zone and dimensional standards determined by those applicable to the R-30 district. A finding that the required minimum densities will be achieved by all proposed land divisions must be demonstrated and appropriate conditions to assure the density will be met are established.

3. Only one (1) dwelling unit may occupy an individual lot. Each attached dwelling may occupy no more than one (1) lot. No more than eight (8) attached dwellings are permitted in a row or single group of structures.

4. No portion of a unit may occupy space above or below any other unit, except underground shared parking.

5. Design Standards. No more than forty percent (40%) of the total square footage of the front facade of each unit may be garage door area.

b. Required parking shall be provided either on the same lot as the dwelling, or in shared parking areas located primarily to the rear of or beneath the units. Parking is encouraged to locate behind the dwelling unit with access from an alley. If an alley is utilized, pedestrian access from the alley to the dwelling shall be provided for each lot.

7. Detached Garages. Detached garages are allowed, provided they are accessed from an alley or driveway and do not exceed eighteen (18) feet in height.

8. Impact Fees. School and park impact fees for townhouses on individual lots shall be assessed at the multifamily rate.


Table 40.260.230-1. Townhouse Criteria
Subject	R-12/OR-15	R-18/OR-18	R-22/OR-22	R-30/OR-30	R-43/OR-43
Minimum density	8 units/acre	12 units/acre	15 units/acre	18 units/acre	20 units/acre
Maximum density	12 units/acre (OR-15 = 15 units per acre)	18 units/acre	22 units/acre	30 units/acre	43 units/acre
Minimum lot area	2,800 square feet	1,800 square feet	1,500 square feet	1,200 square feet	1,000 square feet
Minimum lot width	25 feet	25 feet	20 feet	20 feet	18 feet
Minimum lot depth	70 feet	50 feet	50 feet	50 feet	50 feet
Maximum building height	35 feet	35 feet	45 feet	45 feet	45 feet
Front setback1	10 feet	10 feet	10 feet	10 feet	10 feet
Front garage door setback	18 feet	18 feet	18 feet	18 feet	18 feet
Street side setback	10 feet	10 feet	10 feet	10 feet	10 feet
Side setback2,5	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet
Rear setback3	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet
Setback from alley4	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet	0 or 5 feet
Maximum lot coverage	60 percent	65 percent	70 percent	75 percent	80 percent

3 Setbacks may be zero (0) feet if units are to be attached at the rear property line. No portion of any structure (including eaves, gutters, etc.) may extend across a property line unless such encroachments are authorized by a plat note or approved final site plan. Such authorization may require special fire-resistant construction standards.

5 No portion of any structure (including eaves, gutters, etc.) may extend across a property line unless such encroachments are authorized by a plat note or approved final site plan. Such authorization may require special fire-resistant construction standards.