20.32.045 Single-family attached regulations.
A. Applicability. The following regulations shall be applied to development upon lots created by subdivision for single-family attached units.
B. Minimum Site Area. Each lot shall contain a minimum site area not less than one-half of the area specified in the applicable neighborhood plan under “density.”
C. Lot Coverage. No more than 40 percent of the total site area shall be covered by structures (eave to eave).
D. Open Space. A minimum of 40 percent of the total site area (each lot) shall be left as open space. Landscape-based LID BMPs may be used and shall count toward open space requirements.
E. Minimum Yards.
1. Front Yard. The required front yard setback will be determined by averaging the existing setbacks of the abutting structures on either side of the proposed development. However, if an abutting structure has a variation of more than six feet from the standard multifamily setback, the average shall be determined by using the next adjacent property. If no development exists adjacent to the proposed site, standard multifamily front yard setbacks shall apply (BMC 20.32.040(G)(1)).
2. Side Yard on a Flanking Street. A 40-foot setback measured from the centerline of the street right-of-way to the foundation of the structure shall be provided. However, if said street is a designated arterial, then the setback shall increase to 50 feet.
3. Interior Side Yard. A five-foot side yard setback shall be provided on the side not attached; measured from the side property line to the foundation of the structure.
4. Rear Yard. There shall be a 10-foot rear yard setback; measured from the rear property line to the foundation of the structure.
5. Exceptions. Permitted yard encroachments identified in BMC 20.10.080(B) may extend into the standard required yards; provided, that the encroachments meet the adopted building codes and minimum vision clearance triangle on a corner lot.
F. International Building Code Requirements. All International Building Code requirements, provided in BMC Title 17, shall be met for attached housing/zero lot line development.
G. Common Wall Agreement. A common wall agreement must be submitted and approved as to form only by the planning division and city attorney’s office. This agreement shall address the relative rights and responsibilities of the property owners of each unit regarding the following:
1. Exterior and common wall structural maintenance; and
2. Painting and colors; and
3. Reconstruction of a unit due to fire or natural hazard damage. The common wall agreement shall be recorded as a covenant running with the land and shall not be revoked without approval of the city attorney. The common wall agreement shall be recorded at the auditor’s office prior to the issuance of a building permit.
H. Height. Height regulations shall be those specified for standard multifamily development, BMC 20.32.040(G).
I. Parking. Parking requirements shall comply with standard single-family development for each unit, BMC 20.30.060.
J. Attached Units Restriction. Attached common wall structure shall be required or the lots shall be bound by covenant. Detached single-family shall not be allowed on lots created for attached single-family.
K. Limitation on Number of Rooms in Attached Single-Family Units in Residential Multi Transition Districts. No attached single-family unit located in a residential multi transition district may contain more than three rooms in addition to the following:
1. One kitchen.
2. Bathrooms.
3. One living room.
The dwelling may also contain other rooms that are less than 70 square feet in area.
The purpose of this provision is to limit the number of bedrooms to not more than three per dwelling. The planning director shall have the authority to determine whether a space constitutes a room. The provisions of this subsection do not apply in residential multi multiple districts.
Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed so as to prevent the construction of, or the issuance of permits for the construction of, structures which reasonably accommodate the residential needs of disabled persons. This subsection shall be construed so as to be in compliance with the Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Washington Law Against Discrimination. [Ord. 2021-10-044 § 13; Ord. 2017-03-009 § 28; Ord. 2011-07-036; Ord. 2001-11-077 § 4; Ord. 10469 § 6, 1993].