Chapter 17.24
CONDITIONAL ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
Sections:
17.24.020 Standards and criteria.
17.24.030 Application requirements.
17.24.010 Purpose and intent.
The purpose of providing for accessory dwelling units is to accommodate residents with special needs with a habitable unit which provides the basic requirements for sleeping, eating, and sanitation. Accessory dwelling units provide for convenient and affordable housing located on the same lot as single-family housing. An accessory dwelling unit is subordinate to the primary dwelling unit and can be added to an existing unit or detached and located in the rear yard area under the standards and criteria of this chapter. Proposed land uses within accident potential zones must comply with the population density guidelines outlined in the air installation compatible use zone (AICUZ) study prepared by Fairchild Air Force Base. (Ord. C-675 § 299, 2008)
17.24.020 Standards and criteria.
Conditional accessory dwelling units are allowed in the R-1 zone but require a conditional use permit and must meet the following standards and criteria:
A. The property owner (which shall include title holders and contract purchasers) must occupy either the principal unit or the accessory dwelling unit as a permanent residence.
B. The accessory dwelling unit shall be a complete, separate housekeeping unit that can be isolated from the principal unit and meet the minimum requirements of the currently adopted International Residential Code as adopted by the City.
C. Only one accessory dwelling unit shall be created within the principal unit.
D. The accessory dwelling unit shall be designed so that, to the degree reasonably feasible, the appearance of the building remains that of a one-family residence. In general, a second entrance shall be located on the side or the rear of the principal unit or in such a manner as to be very unobtrusive in appearance from the primary entrance of the principal unit.
E. Any additions to an existing structure for the purpose of an accessory dwelling unit shall not increase the square footage of the principal unit by more than 30 percent.
F. The accessory dwelling unit shall be clearly a subordinate part of the principal unit. It shall not be more than 700 square feet or less than 300 square feet, nor have more than two bedrooms.
G. The total livable floor area of the principal and accessory units combined must be at least 1,200 square feet.
H. No home profession or day care center shall be undertaken in either the principal or accessory dwelling unit.
I. In order to encourage the development of housing units for disabled and handicapped individuals, the Planning Commission may allow reasonable deviation from the stated conditions where necessary to install features that facilitate access and mobility in accordance with Washington State regulations for barrier-free facilities.
J. Any other appropriate or more stringent conditions deemed necessary by the Planning Commission to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and the single-family character of the neighborhood.
K. The effective period of the conditional use permit shall be three years. At the end of every three years, renewal shall be automatically extended upon receipt of certification by the City Planner that the primary dwelling unit remains the principal residence of the owner and that all other conditions met at the time of the original application remain unchanged.
L. The right to use an accessory dwelling unit ceases 60 days after the transfer of property title if the owner sells the property. Purchasers of homes that have conditional use permits for accessory dwelling units must reapply to continue the use. (Ord. C-675 § 300, 2008)
17.24.030 Application requirements.
A. Application for a permit for an accessory dwelling unit shall be made to the City Planner in accordance with the conditional use permit procedures established in AHMC 17.03.110. The following is required for application:
1. A notarized letter of application from the owner(s) stating that the owner(s) will occupy one of the dwelling units on the premises as a permanent residence;
2. A floor plan of the proposed accessory unit drawn to a scale of one-quarter inch to one foot, showing the proposed changes to the building including entrance and connecting doors;
3. A site development plan, including approach to entries, general landscaping, and parking.
B. Upon receipt of a complete application, a public hearing shall be scheduled before the Planning Commission. (Ord. C-675 § 301, 2008)