Chapter 20.118
RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY USE STANDARDS
Sections:
20.118.030 Accessory dwelling units.
20.118.040 Accessory structures – Nondwelling units.
20.118.060 Garage and yard sales.
20.118.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish basic standards for residential accessory structures and uses. Accessory structures in residential zones are permitted as accessory to the primary residential structure on the same lot. (Ord. 2019-38 § 9 (part), 2019: Ord. 2012-09 § 56, 2012: Ord. 2000-6 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 95-5 § 1(part), 1995).
20.118.030 Accessory dwelling units.
A. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a habitable living unit that provides the basic requirements of shelter, heating, cooking and sanitation. The purpose of accessory dwelling units is to:
1. Provide homeowners with a means of obtaining, through tenants in either the ADU or the primary unit, rental income, companionship, security, and services.
2. Add affordable units to the existing housing.
3. Make housing units available to moderate-income people who might otherwise have difficulty finding homes within the city.
4. Develop housing units in neighborhoods that are appropriate for people at a variety of stages in the life cycle.
5. Protect neighborhood stability, property values, and the residential appearance of the neighborhood by ensuring that ADUs are installed under the conditions of this code.
B. Accessory dwelling units are permitted in residential zones subject to the following standards:
1. Accessory dwelling units are permitted only as an accessory use to a single-family residence or duplex in a residential zone.
2. The maximum size of an accessory dwelling shall be one thousand square feet.
3. A building permit application is required for all accessory dwelling units.
4. The maximum number of accessory dwelling units allowed on any lot shall be one.
5. The setbacks for an ADU shall be 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. ADUs situated above an accessory structure for vehicular use shall be held to the required setbacks for the vehicular use as in Section 20.118.040.
C. Application for an ADU shall be made in accordance with the permit procedures established in Chapter 20.14. (Ord. 2023-33 § 6, 2023; Ord. 2022-25 § 4, 2022; Ord. 2021-46 § 12, 2021; Ord. 2020-51 § 13, 2020; Ord. 2019-38 § 9 (part), 2019: Ord. 2018-53 § 17(part), 2018: Ord. 2012-09 § 58, 2012: Ord. 2000-6 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 95-5 § 1(part), 1995).
20.118.040 Accessory structures – Nondwelling units.
Accessory structures not used for dwelling units are permitted only as accessory use to a residence in any zone subject to the following requirements:
A. Permitted Uses. Accessory structures are limited to private garages, carports, garden houses, tool sheds, playhouses, or the like, or structures which house a use permitted as a home occupation.
B. Small Structures. Accessory structures of less than twenty square feet in area and five feet in height may be placed in any required rear or side yard setback. Accessory structures of less than two hundred square feet in area shall not be placed in the front yard setback and shall have a three-foot side and/or rear yard setback. Easements and clearview triangle requirements must be observed regardless of size.
C. Permit Required. Prior to construction of an accessory structure (except small structures discussed in subsection B of this section) a building permit shall be obtained. Applications for these structures shall be processed by Level I procedures. For purposes of this code, structures made of canvas, plastic, or other fabric, regardless of the number of open sides, shall be considered accessory structures if they will remain on the subject property for more than thirty days.
D. Limitation on Size and Number of Accessory Structures.
1. Accessory structures are limited to a maximum size of nine hundred square feet or fifty percent of the living area of the primary dwelling, whichever is greater, to a maximum of one thousand two hundred square feet. The maximum size of accessory structures is inclusive of porches, lean-tos, and any other unenclosed portions of the structure.
a. Attached. One attached garage is permitted for each residence.
b. Detached. No more than three detached accessory structures shall be allowed on a lot.
E. Lot Coverage. No standard of this section shall be construed to permit maximum lot coverage standards to be exceeded. Easements and clearview triangle requirements must be observed.
F. Setbacks. A residential accessory structure 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 on corner lots, where a structure for vehicular use is located on the secondary front yard side of the corner lot, and where the entrance of such faces the secondary front yard, the minimum setback shall be twenty feet and determined by the reviewing official to be adequate to prevent parking encroachment, within the public right-of-way.
G. “Acceptable Similarity” Appearance Standards. In addition to meeting all other standards for residential accessory structures, nondwelling accessory structures in excess of five hundred square feet must be similar in design and appearance to site-built housing:
1. Roof Construction. The pitch of the roof has a minimum vertical rise of one foot for each five feet of horizontal run, and the roof is finished with a type of shingle that is commonly used in standard residential construction.
2. Exterior Finish. The exterior siding consists of wood, hardboard, aluminum, vinyl, plastic, or other siding material (covered or painted, but in no case exceeding the reflectivity of gloss white paint), plastic (or other siding materials) comparable in composition, appearance, and durability to the exterior siding commonly used in standard residential construction. Corrugated metal or steel siding or similar industrial-type siding is not permitted. (Ord. 2023-33 § 6, 2023; Ord. 2020-51 § 13, 2020; Ord. 2019-38 § 9 (part), 2019: Ord. 2018-53 § 17(part), 2018: Ord. 2004-17 § 3, 2004: Ord. 2001-17 § 11, 2001: Ord. 2000-6 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 95-5 § 1(part), 1995: Ord. A-3692 § 1, 1991).
20.118.050 Swimming pools.
A. Swimming pools are permitted as an accessory use to residential uses, hotel/motels, schools and recreational facilities when the following provisions are met:
1. Setbacks.
a. The swimming pool, apron and pump house meet the required front yard setback;
b. The swimming pool and pump house are set back at least three feet from the property line. The swimming pool apron may extend to the property line. (Ord. 2019-38 § 9 (part), 2019: Ord. 2018-53 § 17(part), 2018: Ord. 2000-6 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 95-5 § 1(part), 1995).
20.118.060 Garage and yard sales.
A. “Garage sale” or “yard sale” means the sale of used household personal items by the owner thereof under the following conditions:
1. No residential premises shall have more than four sales per year for a total of not more than twelve days per year.
2. All signs advertising garage or yard sales shall be removed twenty-four hours after the sale is completed. Sale signs shall not be attached to any public structures, signs or traffic control devices, nor to any utility poles.
3. A garage or yard sale complying with the above conditions shall be considered as being an allowable accessory use to all residential land uses. A garage or yard sale violating one or more of the above conditions shall be considered as being a commercial use and will be disallowed.
B. Garage or yard sales do not require a permit. (Ord. 2019-38 § 9 (part), 2019: Ord. 2018-53 § 17(part), 2018: Ord. 2000-6 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 95-5 § 1(part), 1995).