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A. Description. A garden court is a multifamily development that shares a landscaped courtyard. The structures are arranged around the garden court, a common usable space area, with parking typically consolidated and located to the side or rear of the development.

B. Site Requirements and Setbacks.

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

2. The required setbacks are as shown in Figure 20.28.130(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 20.28.130(A) Setbacks – Main Building(s)

C. Bulk and Massing.

1. There shall be a maximum of eight dwelling units and a minimum of four dwelling units clustered around a shared open space.

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. No dwelling units may be larger than 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. Common usable space equivalent to 200 square feet for each dwelling unit shall be provided. It shall be consolidated, with a minimum average dimension of 20 feet, exclusive of parking or lanes except for emergency access. All units shall have direct access to common open space.

2. Each dwelling unit shall have at least 100 square feet of private usable space with no dimension less than five feet. Up to 50 square feet of the private usable space may be provided in either a deck or patio.

3. Private usable space must be delineated from public rights-of-way, shared paths, shared open space, and lanes through the use of landscaping and/or fencing.

4. A minimum of 40 percent of the site shall be in open space consisting of landscaping or permeable materials (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.

5. A green factor landscaping score of 0.5 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 20.28.130(C) Annotated Illustration of Garden Court

G. Design Guidelines.

1. Site Design.

a. The courtyard should address the street, and be easily accessible from the street, with a spacious, clearly defined entry.

b. At least a portion of the courtyard should be visible from the street. The courtyard is best located at street level, or a foot or two above or below the street.

c. Create opportunities for exposure to, and shade from, sun as well as weather protection.

d. Define the garden court space through a combination of building, landscape, and other site furnishings.

e. Provide a walkway from each dwelling unit to the garden 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. [Ord. 2022-01-002 § 14; Ord. 2017-03-009 § 24; Ord. 2009-08-047].