Chapter 17.25
R-3 MULTIFAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICTS
Sections:
17.25.050 Permitted primary uses.
17.25.060 Permitted accessory uses.
17.25.080 Additional regulations.
17.25.090 Development standards.
17.25.100 Cluster developments.
17.25.105 Residential small lot.
17.25.010 Title.
This chapter shall be called “R-3 Multifamily Residence Districts.” (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
17.25.020 Application.
This chapter shall apply to all uses and developments in areas designated R-3. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
17.25.030 Purpose.
The R-3 district is intended to accommodate a variety of higher density housing types, including, but not limited to, attached townhomes, multifamily apartment buildings, and duplexes. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
17.25.040 Authority.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to the provisions of chapters 35.63A, 36.70A, and 36.70B RCW and other applicable laws and regulations. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
17.25.050 Permitted primary uses.
Any use listed as a permitted use in the R-1 or R-2 zone shall be considered a permitted use in the R-3 zone. The following additional uses shall also be considered permitted uses in the R-3 zone:
A. Multifamily dwellings. The construction and development of multifamily dwellings shall be subject to the following requirements:
1. Parking areas shall be screened from the street.
2. Pedestrian access shall be provided throughout the site and shall provide a complete and logical circulation system that connects each dwelling unit with streets, adjoining developments, parking areas, common areas, and recreation areas. Any additional pedestrian access circulation and access requirements identified in chapter 17.85 BMC (Access, Parking and Loading) shall also be addressed.
3. Trash and recycling areas and containers shall be fully enclosed and screened from view with a solid site obscuring fence or wall and gate. Trash and recycling containers shall not be visible from adjoining public streets or adjacent properties.
4. Developments with 40 or more units shall provide a children’s play area(s) at a rate of 225 square feet plus 20 additional square feet for each unit.
5. Developments with 40 or more units shall provide common open space for passive or active recreation at the rate of 50 square feet per unit.
6. Laundry and storage facilities shall be provided, either in each unit or in a central facility.
7. Exterior lighting shall be provided for parking areas, access streets and pedestrian walkways. Lighting shall be designed to direct light away from residential units to prevent glare. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
17.25.060 Permitted accessory uses.
Any use identified as a permitted accessory use in the R-1 or R-2 zone shall be considered a permitted accessory use in the R-3 zone, subject to any standards identified in BMC 17.15.070. The following additional uses shall also be considered permitted accessory uses in the R-3 zone:
A. Telecommunication mini facility, subject to the following requirements:
1. The mini facility may be located on buildings and structures; provided, that the immediate interior wall or ceiling adjacent to the facility is not a designated residential space.
2. The mini facility shall be exempt from design review if the antenna and related components are the same color as the existing building, pole or support structure on which it is proposed to be located.
3. The shelter or cabinet used to house radio electronic equipment shall be contained wholly within a building or structure, or otherwise appropriately concealed, camouflaged or located underground.
4. Mini facilities shall comply with the height limitation specified for all zones except as follows: Omnidirectional antennas may exceed the height limitation by 10 feet, or in the case of nonconforming structures the antennas may extend 10 feet above the existing structure. Panel antennas may exceed the height limitation if affixed to the side of an existing nonconforming building and blends in architecturally with the building. Placement of an antenna on a nonconforming structure shall not be considered to be an expansion of the nonconforming structure. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
17.25.070 Conditional uses.
Any use listed as a conditional use in the R-1 or R-2 zone may be permitted as a conditional use in the R-3 zone subject to the procedural requirements applicable to conditional use permits. The following additional uses may also be permitted as conditional uses in the R-3 zone:
A. Commercial child day care center;
B. Health care facilities;
C. Professional offices;
D. Government facilities, other than those listed as a permitted use. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
17.25.080 Additional regulations.
All structures, uses, and developments located in the R-3 zone shall be subject to the “additional regulations” identified in the R-1 zone (BMC 17.15.090). (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
17.25.090 Development standards.
All structures, uses, and developments shall comply with the “development regulations” identified in the R-1 zone (BMC 17.15.100) except as follows:
A. Lot Area and Dimension. The following requirements shall apply to land divisions and boundary line adjustments and not to the use of existing lots:
1. Minimum lot area: 6,000 square feet.
2. Minimum lot width: 60 feet.
3. Minimum lot depth: 80 feet.
B. Maximum Density. The maximum permissible density for multifamily development shall be calculated as follows: one unit per lot plus one additional unit for every 3,000 square feet of lot area; provided, that additional density may be permitted through the agricultural heritage credit program.
C. Maximum building and impervious surface coverage: 70 percent.
D. Maximum building height: 35 feet.
E. Minimum Building Separation.
1. Between primary structures located on the same lot: 30 feet.
2. Between primary structures and accessory structures: 10 feet.
F. Maximum Building Dimension. In no instance shall the greatest dimension of a multifamily building exceed 150 feet, measured parallel to exterior building walls.
G. Maximum Building Gross Floor Area. In no instance shall the gross floor area exceed 8,000 square feet for any multifamily building. (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
17.25.100 Cluster developments.
Cluster developments may be permitted in the R-3 zone as part of the subdivision or short subdivision process subject to the applicable provisions set forth in the R-1 zone (BMC 17.15.105). (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).
17.25.105 Residential small lot.
Residential small lots may be created in an R-3 zone through a subdivision or short subdivision process subject to the applicable provisions set forth in the R-1 zone (BMC 17.15.110). (Ord. 1857 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018).