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A. Description. A shared court is a multifamily development that shares a courtyard that also allows vehicular access to parking. The structure(s) is arranged around a central shared court. Design details, paving and landscape should create the impression of a small, intimate courtyard when viewed from the street.

B. Site Requirements and Setbacks.

1. Shared court units may be located on a separate (fee simple) lot or several units may be located on a common parcel. A shared court unit with an ADU must be located on a separated lot.

2. The required setbacks are as shown in Figure 20.28.120(A), except detached accessory buildings may be located in a rear yard and in the rear 22 feet of an interior side yard. Garages and carports shall be set back at least four feet from the street face of residential buildings (excluding front porches). Buildings shall be placed within the shaded areas shown in the figure except as provided above.

Figure 20.28.120(A) Setbacks – Main Building(s)

C. Bulk and Massing.

1. There shall be a maximum of six dwelling units and a minimum of four dwelling units clustered around a shared court.

2. Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) is 0.6. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) pursuant to BMC 20.10.036 is exempt from FAR.

3. The maximum dwelling unit size is 2,000 square feet.

4. The height limit is 25 feet under BMC 20.08.020, definition No. 1, or 20 feet under definition No. 2. The height may be increased to 35 feet under BMC 20.08.020, definition No. 1, when in residential-multi, multiple and commercial zoning designations.

D. Usable Space, Open Space and Landscaping.

1. Each dwelling unit shall have at least 100 square feet of private usable space with no dimension less than five feet. Some or all of this requirement may be accommodated in a deck.

2. All private usable space must be directly accessible from the dwelling unit and shall be separated from shared pathways, driveways, and other units through the use of landscaping and/or fencing.

3. No less than 30 percent of the site area shall be in open space consisting of landscaping or permeable material (may include permeable paving, landscape-based LID BMPs, and green roofs). Exceptions may be made in erosion hazard zones or areas with shallow bedrock as determined by the city.

4. A green factor landscaping score of 0.4 is required (see BMC 20.12.030).

E. Parking. All parking shall be provided pursuant to BMC 20.28.050(H).

F. Design Standards.

1. Each dwelling unit must have a separate, ground-related entrance. Units that front the public street shall have entrances facing the public street; all other units shall have entrances facing the shared open space.

2. Each dwelling unit shall have a covered front porch no less than 40 square feet with no dimension less than five feet. This is in addition to the private usable space requirement.

3. Garbage/recycling areas shall be consolidated, unless the local refuse provider approves otherwise, and screened from public view.

Figure 20.28.120(C) Annotated Illustration of Shared Court

4. The following design standards shall be met to define the shared courtyard space, enhance the function as a shared, attractive, and usable open space, and unify site elements through the use of paving and landscape materials:

a. Provide clear direction to primary building entries and enhance circulation paths with trees, lighting, and plant materials.

b. At least 35 percent of the total shared court area shall be landscaped.

c. Poured surfaces (e.g., asphalt or concrete) may be used for vehicle treaded areas up to 10 feet in width but are not acceptable for area paving. The remaining unplanted areas shall be paved with unit pavers (e.g., brick, concrete, or tile) set or covered with gravel. Permeable pavements are acceptable paving options for all unplanted, shared court area.

d. The incorporation of courtyard amenities is required. Courtyard areas shall include at least two of the following elements:

i. Benches, bench-type edges for planters.

ii. Fountain or other water feature.

iii. Ornamental shrubbery and landscape trees.

G. Design Guidelines.

1. Site Design.

a. Provide for the functional and visual integration of buildings, vehicular access and parking, and the “outdoor room” function of the shared court.

b. Define and contain the shared court space through a combination of building, landscape, and other site furnishings.

c. Provide a walkway from each dwelling unit to the shared court and street.

2. Building Design.

a. The design should break the facades into several distinct elements.

b. Roof forms that emphasize vertical proportions and create modulation are strongly encouraged.

c. The massing should be varied with elements such as bays, dormers, etc.

d. Changing materials, colors or textures on building elements is encouraged to provide further articulation and add variety and craftsmanship.

e. Buildings should minimize the impact of garages on the streetscape by utilizing garage doors with windows or other architectural features. [Ord. 2022-01-002 § 13; Ord. 2017-03-009 § 23; Ord. 2009-08-047].