Chapter 20.28
RESIDENTIAL (RM) DISTRICT, MEDIUM DENSITY
Sections:
20.28.090 Setbacks from streams.
20.28.120 Uniform design standards—Residences.
20.28.010 Purpose.
The purpose of the RM district is to permit the establishment of medium density residential uses that are primarily single-family. (Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1686 § 9, 2016: Ord. 1244 § 3, 1998: Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.28.020 Permitted uses.
Permitted uses in the RM district are as follows:
(1) Single-family dwelling, including site-built and manufactured;
(2) Accessory buildings such as garage, carport, greenhouse, workshop;
(3) Accessory dwelling units, pursuant to Chapter 20.55;
(4) Private swimming pool;
(5) Adult daycare, subject to administrative conditions addressing hours of operation, parking, and pick-up and drop-off. (Ord. 1832 § 2, 2025; Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1686 § 10, 2016: Ord. 1244 § 4, 1998: Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.28.030 Conditional uses.
(1) Conditional uses in the RM district are as follows:
(a) Churches of all faiths and accessory schools and residences;
(b) Public schools;
(c) Public parks, community centers and public libraries;
(d) Duplex.
(e) Wireless communications facilities, including their support structures, antennas, accessory equipment structures, and appurtenances used to transmit, receive, distribute, provide or offer personal wireless communications service to the public;
(f) Water storage reservoirs owned and operated by a public utility, water district, or water association.
In addition to being subject to the conditions set forth in Chapter 20.66, any conditional use allowed pursuant to this subsection (1) is also subject to such additional conditions and requirements as the city council may deem appropriate, including those necessary to minimize impacts and protect and promote the general health, safety, and welfare of the city of Sumas and its residents. Included among the additional conditions and requirements that the city council may impose are those set forth in Chapter 20.13 of the Whatcom County Code pertaining to wireless communications facilities. (Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1686 § 11, 2016: Ord. 1330 §§ 1, 2, 2001: Ord. 1244 § 5, 1998: Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.28.040 Prohibited uses.
The following uses are prohibited in the RM district:
(a) Mobile homes not meeting the definition of manufactured home under the International Residential Code;
(b) Animal kennels or breeding facilities;
(c) All other uses not otherwise permitted. (Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1686 § 12, 2016: Ord. 1244 § 6, 1998: Ord. 1175 § 2, 1996: Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.28.050 Height.
Structures shall not exceed thirty-five feet in height or exceed two stories. (Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.28.060 Rear yards.
The depth of the rear yard shall be not less than five feet as measured from the foundation line of any structure, provided that accessory buildings may be located in the rear yard if located no closer than two feet from the rear property line. (Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.28.070 Side yards.
The depth of each side yard shall be not less than eight feet as measured from the foundation line of any structure. (Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.28.080 Front yards.
The front yard depth shall be not less than twenty feet as measured from the foundation line of any principal or accessory structure. (Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.28.090 Setbacks from streams.
(a) All development on the shoreline of streams within the jurisdiction of the city shoreline program shall comply with the shoreline setback requirement of that program.
Where there is a conflict between this chapter and the shoreline program the more restrictive provision shall apply.
(b) On all other streams within the city, all structures and other development shall be set back from the ordinary high water mark a distance of no less than twenty-five feet; provided, that ground level parking lots and parking areas may be set back from the ordinary high water mark a distance of no less than fifteen feet. (Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.28.100 Lot area and width.
Minimum lot area shall be seven thousand two hundred square feet for a single-family residence and nine thousand square feet for a duplex and shall be increased as required so that no more than thirty-five percent of the lot area shall be covered by buildings. Minimum lot width shall be sixty feet; provided, that cul-de-sac lots may have a minimum width at the street line of thirty feet if the lot width at the building line meets the minimum width standard of sixty feet. (Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1686 § 13, 2016: Ord. 1244 § 7, 1998: Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.28.110 Signs.
Signs shall be permitted as follows:
(1) Nameplates with a maximum surface of one square foot.
(2) “For Sale” or “For Rent” signs with maximum surface of six square feet, and set back from property line ten feet.
(3) Church, park or school signs with maximum surface of twenty square feet, and set back from property line ten feet.
(4) Illuminated signs shall:
(A) Not glare on adjoining property;
(B) Be of constant light intensity;
(C) Not conflict with traffic controls; and
(D) Not be exposed neon. (Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)
20.28.120 Uniform design standards—Residences.
No building or housing-type structure moved onto or constructed within this residential zoning district which is to be used as a single-family dwelling or duplex shall have less than one thousand one hundred square feet of enclosed floor space, excluding garage and/or carport areas. Each such building or housing-type structure shall have eaves with a minimum overhang of twelve inches. (Ord. 1831 § 3, 2025; Ord. 1686 § 14, 2016: Ord. 1425 § 6, 2005: Ord. 1208 § 1 (part), 1997; Ord. 1178 § 4 (part), 1996: Ord. 1175 § 8 (part), 1996: Ord. 1002 (Attachment A) (part), 1989)