Chapter 18.30
HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE (R-3)
Sections:
18.30.005 Uses – Compliance with other chapters.
18.30.030 Lot size and dimensions.
18.30.040 Standards for multifamily dwellings.
18.30.080 Standards for accessory buildings.
18.30.100 Redivision plan for large lots.
18.30.005 Uses – Compliance with other chapters.
All uses in the R-3 zone are subject to determination of possible compliance with Chapters 18.75 (Geologic Hazard Overlay) and 18.145 RMC (Design Review). (Ord. 1072 § 2 (Exh. A), 2017)
18.30.010 Permitted uses.
The following uses are permitted outright in the R-3 Zone:
A. Single-family dwelling (detached).
B. Single-family – attached (see Exhibit 2 in RMC 18.05.030, Definitions).
C. Townhouses. Maximum of six units together (see Exhibit 3 in RMC 18.05.030, Definitions).
D. Manufactured home on an individual lot, subject to standards of Chapter 18.100 RMC.
E. Two-family dwelling (duplex).
F. Multifamily dwelling (apartments and condominiums).
G. Accessory buildings incidental to primary residential use.
H. Home occupation which meets the restrictions of Chapter 18.90 RMC.
I. Residential care facilities.
J. Residential home. (Ord. 1091 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1072 § 2 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 3.4), 1998)
18.30.020 Conditional uses.
The following uses are permitted in the R-3 zone when a conditional use permit is approved subject to Chapter 18.130 RMC:
A. Public use.
B. Semipublic use.
C. Home occupation which does not meet the restrictions of Chapter 18.90 RMC.
D. Professional office. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 3.4), 1998)
18.30.030 Lot size and dimensions.
New parcels created in the R-3 zone shall be connected to city water and sewer facilities. The following minimum lot sizes and lot dimensions apply to the creation of new parcels:
A. For a single-family dwelling (detached), the minimum lot size shall be 5,000 square feet; 2,500 square feet for townhouses and attached single-family dwellings (per unit) and 8,000 square feet for a two-family dwelling.
B. For multifamily dwelling (apartments and condominiums), the minimum lot size shall be 11,000 square feet for the first three units, with an additional 2,000 square feet of land area required for each additional unit.
C. The minimum average lot width for a detached single-family dwelling shall be 60 feet, and shall be 60 feet wide at the building line; for single-family attached dwellings and townhouses, the lot width shall be 30 feet (per unit) at the building line.
D. The minimum average lot depth shall be 80 feet.
E. The minimum average lot frontage shall be 20 feet. (Ord. 1072 § 2 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 3.4), 1998)
18.30.040 Standards for multifamily dwellings.
A. The minimum lot size shall be 11,000 square feet for three units, with an additional 2,000 square feet of land area required for each additional unit.
B. No multifamily dwelling may be allowed without public water and sewer service.
C. A common recreational area shall be established in all multifamily dwellings containing more than 10 units.
D. Recreation areas shall be provided for each multifamily dwelling which contains more than 10 dwelling units. A single site containing a minimum of 200 square feet per dwelling unit shall be provided.
E. Landscaping and screening shall be provided on the site of all multifamily dwellings to meet the following requirements:
1. All areas not occupied by paved roadways, walkways, patios, or buildings shall be landscaped;
2. Screen planting, masonry walls, or fencing shall be provided to screen trash enclosures;
3. Landscape materials shall be of adequate size, quality, and character so as to provide both an attractive setting and privacy for the residents; and
4. It shall be the owner’s responsibility to maintain the landscaping installed on the site. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 3.4), 1998)
18.30.050 Setbacks.
A. The minimum front yard depth shall be 20 feet.
B. The minimum side yard setback for one- or two-story buildings shall be a minimum of seven and one-half feet. For buildings exceeding two stories, the side yard shall be increased by one foot in horizontal distance for every three feet of building height. On corner lots the side yard for all structures shall be a minimum of 10 feet on the side abutting the street.
C. The minimum rear yard setback for single-family detached, single-family attached, townhouses and multifamily units shall be 10 feet.
D. The minimum side yard setback for single-family detached dwelling units shall be five feet. The minimum side yard on the street side of a corner lot shall be 10 feet.
E. The minimum side yard setback for single-family attached dwellings and townhouses on the nonattached side of a dwelling unit (end units) shall be five feet. The minimum side yard setback on the street side of a corner lot shall be 10 feet. (Ord. 1072 § 2 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 3.4), 1998)
18.30.060 Building height.
The maximum height of a structure shall be 35 feet or two and one-half stories, whichever is less. Structures exceeding 35 feet are subject to review and determination by planning and public works as Type II decisions, who shall consider the request using the design review standards and criteria under Chapter 18.145 RMC. (Ord. 1072 § 2 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 3.4), 1998)
18.30.070 Lot coverage.
The lot coverage shall not exceed 50 percent of the total area of the lot. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 3.4), 1998)
18.30.080 Standards for accessory buildings.
A. If attached to the main building or separated by a breezeway, the accessory building shall be subject to the same side and front yard setbacks of the main building.
B. A one-story accessory building may be located adjacent to a side lot line not fronting on a street, when in compliance with the building code.
C. A one-story accessory building shall have a minimum setback of five feet from the rear property line. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 3.4), 1998)
18.30.090 Lot of record.
Where a lot of record has an area of less than 5,000 square feet or less than 60 feet in width, and was held under separate ownership or was on public record at the time the ordinance codified in this title became effective, such lot may be occupied by a single-family dwelling. In no case, however, shall a single-family dwelling have a lot area of less than 3,000 square feet. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 3.4), 1998)
18.30.100 Redivision plan for large lots.
When a lot is created in the R-3 zone which is 10,000 square feet or larger, a redivision plan shall be submitted showing that the lot can be later divided into 5,000-square-foot lots. The plan shall be reviewed and determined by planning and public works as a Type I decision. This requirement does not apply if the lot is created for multifamily units. (Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 3.4), 1998)
18.30.110 Design review.
All new multifamily, townhouses, and professional office development in the R-3 zone, including new construction, a significant modification or expansion, or a change in use to a multifamily or office use, is subject to design review under the provisions of Chapter 18.145 RMC. A change in use from an existing multifamily or office use to a new multifamily or office use shall be required to go through design review if the change is to a more intensive use in any external impact, as determined by planning and public works. External impact includes, but is not limited to, impacts such as the number of units, traffic, parking, and noise. (Ord. 1072 § 2 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 974 § 4 (Exh. A.2 § 3.4), 1998)