Chapter 18.41
RESIDENTIAL ZONES

Sections:

18.41.010    Residential existing neighborhoods (R-EN) zone.

18.41.020    Residential 6-8 (R 6-8) zone.

18.41.030    Residential 8-25 (R 8-25) zone.

18.41.010 Residential existing neighborhoods (R-EN) zone.

A.    Intent. The R-EN zone is characterized by neighborhoods that were platted as part of a subdivision completed within the last forty (40) years. These neighborhoods typically include single-family homes and are not anticipated to change significantly for the foreseeable future. As a result, the zone attempts to retain the characteristics of the current neighborhoods. Minimum lot sizes are established based on existing lot sizes within the neighborhood and single-family homes are intended to remain as a primary use, though accessory dwelling units are also allowed.

B.    Physical Development. Standards applicable to physical development in the R-EN zone are provided on the following pages. Where a cross-reference is listed, see the referenced document, division, chapter or section for additional standards.

1. Setbacks (min.)

Section 18.48.040

Front:

average of adjacent properties

Side:

5'

Rear:

10'

Garage/Carport:

20'

2. Impervious Surfaces

 

Individual Water and Septic

50%

Public Water and Individual Septic

50%

Public Water and Sewer

50%

3. Landscaping

Section 18.48.100

4. Fencing

Section 18.48.040

Height in any front yard (max.)

4'

Height in any side yard (max.)

6'

Height in any rear yard (max.)

6'

5. Building Height

Section 18.48.040

Maximum

35'

6. Environmental Standards

SEPA Review

Div. 4

Critical Area Buffers

Div. 5

    Wetlands

25 – 300'

    CARAs

protect water source

    Frequently Flooded Areas

50'

    Geologically Hazardous Areas

slope ht.

    Wildlife Habitat

varies

7. Signs

Section 18.48.130

8. Grading, Erosion Control, Stormwater

Grading and Erosion Control

Chapter 12.08

Stormwater Mgmt.

Chapter 12.16

9. Required Physical Development Permits (reserved)

C.    Allowed Uses and Use Standards. Standards applicable to use are provided in this subsection. Where a cross-reference is listed, see the referenced division, chapter, or section for additional standards. All standards in this division are applicable unless stated otherwise.

1. Allowed Uses

2. Parking (Chapter 18.45)

Use

Definition/ Standards

Permit

Minimum Required

Residential Uses

 

 

    Detached Single-Family Unit

18.44.040(B)

Y

2 per DU

Institutional Uses

 

 

    Assembly

18.44.060(B)

C

Independent Calculation

Amusement and Recreation

 

 

    Outdoor Recreation

18.44.080(C)

Y

Independent Calculation

    Developed Recreation

18.44.080(D)

C

Independent Calculation

Transportation and Infrastructure Uses

 

 

    Utility Facility

18.44.100(C)

C

1 per employee +
1 per stored vehicle

    Wireless Telecommunications Facility

18.44.100(E)

A/C

1 per employee +
1 per stored vehicle

Accessory Uses

 

 

    Accessory Dwelling Unit

18.44.110(B)

A

1 per DU

    Bed and Breakfast

18.44.110(C)

A

0.75 per LU

    Home Occupation

18.44.110(D)

A

n/a

    Home Business

18.44.110(E)

C

1 per employee

    Home Day Care

18.44.110(G)

Y

1 per employee

    Battery Charging Station

18.44.110(H)

Y

n/a

Temporary Uses

 

 

    Yard Sale

18.44.120(B)

Y

n/a

    Farm Stand

18.44.120(D)

Y

5 per 1,000 sf display area

    Temporary Real Estate Sales Office

18.44.120(E)

A

2

    Temporary Shelter

18.44.120(F)

A

2 per DU

    Temporary Gravel Processing

18.44.130(G)

A

1 per employee

Y = Use allowed without use permit A = Administrative Use Permit required
C = Conditional Use Permit required PF = Public Facilities Use Permit required

3. Performance Standards

Outdoor Storage

(Section 18.46.020)

    Recreational Vehicles

allowed if standards are met

    Outdoor Storage Areas and Yards

Prohibited

    Shipping Containers and Compartments

Prohibited except during construction

Refuse and Recycling

(Section 18.46.030)

    Trash and recycling enclosure required

> 4 DUs and all nonresidential

Noise

(Section 18.46.040)

    Sound level at property line (max)

75 dBA

Vibration

(Section 18.46.050)

Odors

(Section 18.46.060)

Light and Glare

(Section 18.46.070)

Radioactivity and Electrical Disturbances

(Section 18.46.080)

D.    Lot Standards.

1.    Lot Size.

a.    City Standard. Minimum lot size is based on the minimum lot size for the neighborhood, as identified on the city’s official zoning map.

i.    Binghampton Estates: 0.25 acres.

ii.    Raintree Loop: 0.25 acres.

iii.    Trotter Downs: 0.25 acres.

iv.    Volesky Drive: 0.25 acres.

v.    Karen Court: 0.35 acres.

vi.    Rainier Estates: 0.35 acres.

vii.    Country Estates: 1.00 acre.

viii.    Rainier Oaks: 1.00 acre.

b.    Thurston County Standard. Notwithstanding the lot sizes listed in subsection (D)(1)(a) of this section, the city defers to the Thurston County Health Department to determine minimum lot size.

c.    More Restrictive Lot Size Applies. Where a conflict between the city standard and the Thurston County standard exists, the more restrictive shall apply.

2.    Residential Density. Density is calculated by dividing the number of units by the site area. The allowed density is generally based on the availability of sewers. Where sewer is not available, the city defers to the Thurston County Health Department to establish maximum densities.

a.    Individual Water and Septic. 1 du/ac (max).

b.    Public Water and Individual Septic. 2 to 3.48 dus/ac (max.).

c.    Public Water and Sewer. Based on minimum lot size for neighborhood.

E.    Development Options and Subdivision. (Reserved).

F.    Additional Zone-Specific Standards. (Reserved). (Ord. 665 § 28 (part), 2017)

18.41.020 Residential 6-8 (R 6-8) zone.

A.    Intent. The R 6-8 zone is characterized by larger lots that are undeveloped or minimally developed. The area is intended to develop with primarily single-family homes, though uses such as duplexes, townhouses, and some small apartments may be appropriate, so long as the uses fall within the allowed density ranges. Where a development is sought to be constructed on septic systems, the development should be clustered to ensure that the future build out of the site meets minimum density requirements. Streets are meant to be well connected and dead-end roads are discouraged to promote a high degree of connectivity for pedestrians and vehicles.

B.    Physical Development. Standards applicable to physical development in the R 6-8 zone are provided on the following pages. Where a cross-reference is listed, see the referenced document, division, chapter or section for additional standards.

1. Setbacks (min.)

Section 18.48.040

    Front:

10'

    Side:

5'

    Rear:

10'

    Garage/Carport:

20'

2. Impervious Surfaces

    Individual Water and Septic

50%

    Public Water and Individual Septic

50%

    Public Water and Sewer

50%

3. Landscaping

Section 18.48.100

4. Fencing

Section 18.48.040

    Height in any front yard (max.)

4'

    Height in any side yard (max.)

6'

    Height in any rear yard (max.)

6'

5. Building Height

Section 18.48.040

    Maximum

35'

6. Environmental Standards

SEPA Review

Div. 4

Critical Area Buffers

Div. 5

    Wetlands

25 – 300'

    CARAs

protect water source

    Frequently Flooded Areas

50'

    Geologically Hazardous Areas

slope ht.

    Wildlife Habitat

varies

7. Signs

Section 18.48.130

8. Grading, Erosion Control, Stormwater

    Grading and Erosion Control

Chapter 12.08

    Stormwater Mgmt.

Chapter 12.16

9. Required Physical Development Permits (reserved)

C.    Allowed Uses and Use Standards. Standards applicable to use are provided in this subsection. Where a cross-reference is listed, see the referenced division or section for additional standards. All standards in Division 3 are applicable unless stated otherwise.

1. Allowed Uses

2. Parking (Chapter 18.45)

Use

Definition/
Standards

Permit

Minimum Required

Residential Uses

 

 

    Detached Single-Family Unit

18.44.040(B)

Y

2 per DU

    Attached Single-Family Unit

18.44.040(C)

Y

1.5 per DU

    Apartment

18.44.040(D)

Y

1.5 per DU

    Group Home

18.44.040(E)

C

0.5 per bed

Institutional Uses

 

 

    Assembly

18.44.060(B)

C

Independent Calculation

    Day Care Center

18.44.060(C)

C

0.5 per employee

    School

18.44.060(D)

C

Independent Calculation

    Emergency Services

18.44.060(E)

C

Independent Calculation

Amusement and Recreation

 

 

    Outdoor Recreation

18.44.080(C)

Y

Independent Calculation

    Developed Recreation

18.44.080(D)

C

Independent Calculation

Transportation and Infrastructure Uses

 

 

    Parking

18.44.100(B)

C

n/a

    Utility Facility

18.44.100(C)

C

1 per employee
+ 1 per stored vehicle

    Wireless Telecommunications Facility

18.44.100(E)

A/C

1 per employee
+ 1 per stored vehicle

Accessory Uses

 

 

    Accessory Dwelling Unit

18.44.110(B)

A

1 per DU

    Bed and Breakfast

18.44.110(C)

A

0.75 per LU

    Home Occupation

18.44.110(D)

A

n/a

    Home Business

18.44.110(E)

C

1 per employee

    Home Day Care

18.44.110(G)

Y

1 per employee

    Battery Charging Station

18.44.110(H)

Y

n/a

Temporary Uses

 

 

    Yard Sale

18.44.120(B)

Y

n/a

    Farm Stand

18.44.120(D)

Y

5 per 1,000 sf display area

    Temporary Real Estate Sales Office

18.44.120(E)

A

2

    Temporary Shelter

18.44.120(F)

A

2 per DU

    Temporary Gravel Processing

18.44.130(G)

A

1 per employee

Y = Use allowed without use permit A = Administrative Use Permit required
C = Conditional Use Permit required PF = Public Facilities Use Permit required

3. Performance Standards

Outdoor Storage

(Section 18.46.020)

    Recreational Vehicles

allowed if standards are met

    Outdoor Storage Areas and Yards

Prohibited

    Shipping Containers and Compartments

Prohibited except during construction

Refuse and Recycling

(Section 18.46.030)

    Trash and recycling enclosure required

> 4 DUs and all nonresidential

Noise

(Section 18.46.040)

    Sound level at property line (max.)

75 dBA

Vibration

(Section 18.46.050)

Odors

(Section 18.46.060)

Light and Glare

(Section 18.46.070)

Radioactivity and Electrical Disturbances

(Section 18.46.080)

D.    Lot Standards.

1.    Lot Size.

a.    City Standard. No minimum lot size has been established.

b.    Thurston County Standard. The city defers to the Thurston County Health Department to determine minimum lot size.

2.    Residential Density. Density is calculated by dividing the number of units by the site area. The allowed density is generally based on the availability of sewers. Where sewer is not available, the city defers to the Thurston County Health Department to establish maximum densities.

a.    Individual Water and Septic. 1 du/ac (max.).

b.    Public Water and Individual Septic. 2 to 3.48 dus/ac (max.).

c.    Public Water and Sewer. 6 (min.) to 8 (max.) dus/ac.

E.    Development Options and Subdivision. (Reserved).

F.    Additional Zone-Specific Standards. (Reserved). (Ord. 665 § 28 (part), 2017)

18.41.030 Residential 8-25 (R 8-25) zone.

A.    Intent. The R 8-25 zone includes neighborhoods in or near downtown Rainier that are composed primarily of single-family homes on lots that range from 3,500 square feet to over an acre in size. These lots are primarily associated with historic plats in the city of Rainier, such as the Plat of Rainier and Moore’s Addition, though some land not included in these plats is also included in the zone.

The R 8-25 zone is intended to promote higher densities of housing near the center of Rainier to encourage a highly walkable downtown. A variety of residential units are allowed, so long as the units meet the minimum density requirements for the area. Where development is sought to be constructed on septic systems, the development must be clustered to ensure that future build-out of a property meets required minimum densities.

B.    Physical Development. Standards applicable to physical development in the R 8-25 zone are provided on the following pages. Where a cross-reference is listed, see the referenced document, division, chapter or section for additional standards.

1. Setbacks (min.)

Section 18.48.040

    Front:

10'

    Side:

5'

    Rear:

10'

    Garage/Carport:

20'

2. Impervious Surfaces

    Individual Water and Septic

50%

    Public Water and Individual Septic

50%

    Public Water and Sewer

50%

3. Landscaping

Section 18.48.100

4. Fencing

Section 18.48.040

    Height in any front yard (max.)

4'

    Height in any side yard (max.)

6'

    Height in any rear yard (max.)

6'

5. Building Height

Section 18.48.040

    Maximum

35'

6. Environmental Standards

SEPA Review

Div. 4

Critical Area Buffers

Div. 5

    Wetlands

25 – 300'

    CARAs

protect water source

    Frequently Flooded Areas

50'

    Geologically Hazardous Areas

slope ht.

    Wildlife Habitat

varies

7. Signs

Section 18.48.130

8. Grading, Erosion Control, Stormwater

    Grading and Erosion Control

Chapter 12.08

    Stormwater Mgmt.

Chapter 12.16

9. Required Physical Development Permits (reserved)

C.    Allowed Uses and Use Standards. Standards applicable to use are provided in this subsection. Where a cross-reference is listed, see the referenced division or section for additional standards. All standards in this division are applicable unless stated otherwise.

1. Allowed Uses

2. Parking (Chapter 18.45)

Use

Definition/Standards

Permit

Minimum Required

Residential Uses

 

 

    Detached Single-Family Unit

18.44.040(B)

Y

2 per DU

    Attached Single-Family Unit

18.44.040(C)

Y

1.5 per DU

    Apartment

18.44.040(D)

Y

1.5 per DU

    Group Home

18.44.040(E)

A

0.5 per bed

Institutional Uses

 

 

    Assembly

18.44.060(B)

C

Independent Calculation

    Day Care Center

18.44.060(C)

C

0.5 per employee

    School

18.44.060(D)

C

Independent Calculation

    Emergency Services

18.44.060(E)

C

Independent Calculation

Amusement and Recreation

 

 

    Outdoor Recreation

18.44.080(C)

Y

Independent Calculation

    Developed Recreation

18.44.080(D)

C

Independent Calculation

Transportation and Infrastructure Uses

 

 

    Parking

18.44.100(B)

C

n/a

    Utility Facility

18.44.100(C)

C

1 per employee
+ 1 per stored vehicle

    Wireless Telecommunications Facility

18.44.100(E)

A/C

1 per employee
+ 1 per stored vehicle

Accessory Uses

 

 

    Accessory Dwelling Unit

18.44.110(B)

A

1 per DU

    Bed and Breakfast

18.44.110(C)

A

0.75 per LU

    Home Occupation

18.44.110(D)

A

n/a

    Home Business

18.44.110(E)

C

1 per employee

    Home Day Care

18.44.110(G)

Y

1 per employee

    Battery Charging Station

18.44.110(H)

Y

n/a

Temporary Uses

 

 

    Yard Sale

18.44.120(B)

Y

n/a

    Farm Stand

18.44.120(D)

Y

5 per 1,000 sf display area

    Temporary Real Estate Sales Office

18.44.120(E)

A

2

    Temporary Shelter

18.44.120(F)

A

2 per DU

    Temporary Gravel Processing

18.44.130(G)

A

1 per employee

Y = Use allowed without use permit A = Administrative Use Permit required
C = Conditional Use Permit required PF = Public Facilities Use Permit required

3. Performance Standards 

Outdoor Storage

(Section 18.46.020)

    Recreational Vehicles

allowed if standards are met

    Outdoor Storage Areas and Yards

Prohibited

    Shipping Containers and Compartments

Prohibited except during construction

Refuse and Recycling

(Section 18.46.030)

    Trash and recycling enclosure required

> 4 DUs and all nonresidential

Noise

(Section 18.46.040)

    Sound level at property line (max.)

75 dBA

Vibration

(Section 18.46.050)

Odors

(Section 18.46.060)

Light and Glare

(Section 18.46.070)

Radioactivity and Electrical Disturbances

(Section 18.46.080)

D.    Lot Standards.

1.    Lot Size.

a.    City Standard. No minimum lot size has been established.

b.    Thurston County Standard. The city defers to the Thurston County Health Department to determine minimum lot size.

2.    Residential Density. Density is calculated by dividing the number of units by the site area. The allowed density is generally based on the availability of sewers. Where sewer is not available, the city defers to the Thurston County Health Department to establish maximum densities.

a.    Individual Water and Septic. 1 (max.) du/ac.

b.    Public Water and Individual Septic. 2 to 3.48 (max.) du/ac.

c.    Public Water and Sewer. 8 (min.) to 25 (max.) du/ac.

E.    Development Options and Subdivision. (Reserved).

F.    Additional Zone-Specific Standards. (Reserved). (Ord. 665 § 28 (part), 2017)