Division IV. Supplementary Use Regulations
Chapter 20.102
SITE DESIGN, DENSITY AND DIMENSIONAL REGULATIONS
Sections:
20.102.010 Purpose.
20.102.020 Lot dimensions.
20.102.030 Setbacks and yard requirements.
20.102.040 Lot coverage.
20.102.050 Maximum building height.
20.102.060 Building height exemptions.
20.102.070 Frontage and access.
20.102.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this Chapter is to establish certain basic development requirements. These are the minimum criteria which must be met to assure land use compatibility and promote the public health, safety and welfare. Some of these requirements possess a certain degree of flexibility and may be adjusted by the Director or the Hearing Examiner under the provisions of Chapter 20.220, Variances, or under approved Planned Unit Developments or Binding Site Plans as regulated by the Walla Walla Subdivision Code, Title 19. (Ord. 2000-6 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 97-14 § 59, 1997).
20.102.020 Lot dimensions.
A. Standard Lot Width is the minimum lot width permitted in a particular zoning district. The intent of this standard is to prevent irregularly shaped lots along, and control access to rights-of-way. The standard lot width for each zoning district is shown in Table of Height, Setback and Area Requirements, Chapter 20.103.
B. Minimum Lot Size is the smallest lot size permitted in a particular zoning district. In residential districts, this standard is intended to maintain the residential character of the area and will vary by zoning district. Lot sizes in other than residential districts are not restricted except if used for residential purposes. The standard lot size for each zoning district is shown in Table of Height, Setback and Area Requirements, Chapter 20.103.
C. Minimum Lot Depth is the distance measured from the front lot line to the rear lot line.
For lots where the front and rear lot lines are not parallel, the lot depth shall be measured by drawing lines from the front to rear lot lines, at right angles to the front lot line, every ten (10) feet and average the length of these lines.
20.102.030 Setbacks and yard requirements.
A. Structure Setbacks are the minimum structure setbacks permitted in a particular zoning district. In the residential districts, structure setbacks are intended to provide privacy, light, air, and emergency access. Setbacks along easements and rights-of-way are intended to minimize the impacts from traffic on adjoining property owners. In the commercial districts, building setbacks provide visual clearance along streets and areas for site screening and landscaping. Structure setbacks are required in the industrial districts to provide fire protection, emergency access, and to reduce impacts on adjacent districts of lower intensity. No structure shall be built or located on or in a utility easement unless written permission is obtained from the easement grantee. The standard structure setback in each district is shown in Table of Height, Setback and Area Requirements, Chapter 20.103.
B. Setbacks for Residential Accessory Structures. A residential accessory structure not exceeding nine hundred square feet shall sit a minimum of five feet from the side property line, five feet from the rear property line, and up to, but not within, the required front yard. Provided, that the accessory structure(s) shall not encroach on a public easement and applicable clearview setbacks are observed. Larger accessory structures shall observe all standard setback requirements; provided, that on corner lots, where a structure for vehicular use is located on the secondary front yard side of the corner lot, the minimum setback shall be determined by the reviewing official to be adequate to prevent parking encroachment within the public right-of-way. In the residential districts, an accessory structure not requiring a building permit may be placed not closer than three feet from a side or rear property line if the structure will not encroach on a public easement and applicable clearview setbacks are observed.
C. Additional Yard Requirements.
1. All yards shall be measured from the property line to the foundation line of the structure.
2. The following intrusions may extend up to two feet into a front, rear, or side yard:
a. Eaves, bay windows, dormers, chimneys, solar collectors.
b. Stairways, fire escapes.
c. Planting boxes.
d. Other architectural features similar to those listed above.
3. The yard requirements for property abutting future street rights-of-way are as follows:
a. If a lot abuts a street having only a portion of its required width dedicated, no building or structure shall be constructed on that portion of the lot needed to complete the road width plus width and/or depth of the yards required on the lot measured from the future right-of-way line.
b. Where a precise plan adopted pursuant to law includes the plans for widening the existing streets, the connecting of existing, or the establishment of new streets, the placement of buildings and maintenance of yards, where required by this title, shall adhere to the future street boundaries as determined by said precise plans.
4. No required yard or other open space dedicated to a particular structure or use shall be considered as providing required yard or open space for any other structure or use.
5. The following exceptions to the front yard requirement are authorized for a residential lot:
a. If there are dwellings on both abutting lots with front yards of less than the required depth for the zone, the front yard for the lot need not exceed the average front yard of the abutting dwellings.
b. If there is a dwelling on one abutting lot with a front yard of less than the required depth for the zone, the front yard for the lot need not exceed a depth one-half way between the depth of the abutting lot and the required front yard depth.
c. Covered entry porches on dwelling units may extend eight feet into the front yard setback, if:
i. The porch is covered and no higher than one story;
ii. Three sides of the porch are open; and
iii. The porch roof form is architecturally compatible with the roof form of the main house.
iv. Provided a porch meets the criteria in subsections (C)(5)(c)(i) through (iii) of this section, the following are also permitted:
(A) Solid walls or railings may extend up to forty-two inches above the porch floor;
(B) Eaves on the porch roof may extend an additional two feet into the required front yard;
(C) Steps may extend an additional five feet into the required front yard.
d. Uncovered porches may extend eight feet into the front yard setback.
e. On the secondary front yard of a corner lot, a porch may not be less than five feet from the property line.
f. An uncovered deck or balcony may be placed on the roof of the porch within the required front yard.
6. The following exceptions to the front yard requirement are authorized for a commercial property:
a. The front yard area for commercial uses may include service station fuel pump canopies; open recreational amusement accessory facilities to a principal use; subject to approval of the site plan review committee.
b. See Section 20.74.060(D) for additional front yard options in Highway Commercial Zone.
c. See Section 20.70.060 for additional setback and yard requirements in the “Downtown” area of the Central Commercial Zone. (Ord. 2004-25 § 3, 2004: Ord. 2002-43 § 3(part), 2002; Ord. 2001-17 § 9, 2001; Ord. 00-06 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 95-5 § 1(part), 1995).
20.102.040 Lot coverage.
Lot Coverage is the percentage of net land area of a site that can be covered with roofed structures. In the residential districts this standard is intended to protect the open character of each district, and to provide areas for landscaping and recreation. Maximum lot coverage requirements in the commercial districts are intended to promote development consistent with the character of the district, protect setbacks, and provide the opportunity to integrate open space and landscaping plans into the design and placement of the structure and off-street parking. The maximum lot coverage in each district is shown in Table of Height, Setback and Area Requirements, Chapter 20.103.
20.102.050 Maximum building height.
Maximum Building Height is intended to maintain building heights compatible with the character and intent of the district. The maximum building height in each district is shown in Table of Height, Setback and Area Requirements, Chapter 20.103.
20.102.060 Building height exemptions.
The following types of structures or structural parts may exceed the building height limitations upon issuance of a Conditional Use Permit as provided in Chapter 20.216: Chimneys, cupolas, tanks, church spires, belfries, domes, derricks, monuments, fire and hose towers, smokestacks, flagpoles, radio and television towers, masts, aerials, cooling towers, water towers, elevator shafts, windmills, conveyors, and other similar projections.
20.102.070 Frontage and access.
A. Residential lots have a minimum frontage as designated in Table 20.103 on a dedicated public street or approved private street in certain types of developments where authorized under Title 19, Walla Walla Municipal Code for Subdivisions. (Does not include alleys).
B. Exceptions:
1. Newly created lots resulting from approved short plats or long plats may allow lot frontage to be on a private lane as specified in Title 19 of the Walla Walla Municipal Code.
2. Cul-de-sac frontage shall be as provided in Section 19.30.020(E)(2) of the Subdivision Code in Title 19 of the Walla Walla Municipal Code.
3. Flag Lot: The narrow access portion of a flag lot shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet wide. (Ord. 00-06 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 95-5 § 1(part), 1995).