Chapter 15.20
RESIDENTIAL ZONE
Sections:
15.20.040 Land use developments allowed.
15.20.050 Conditional use permits.
15.20.055 Administrative conditional use permits.
15.20.060 Single-household dwelling units – Dimensional standards.
15.20.070 Manufactured (factory-built) home standards.
15.20.090 Multihousehold dwelling unit standards.
15.20.100 Tiny home standards.
15.20.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this zone is to provide for and protect areas for a mix of residential structures and uses, to promote economical and efficient use of the land, stable neighborhoods, and safety, efficiency and convenience for the residents of the town. [Ord. 671 § 3.2.A, 1995.]
15.20.020 General.
(1) Residential uses include single-household dwellings, accessory dwelling units, multihousehold dwellings in a variety of housing types, modular and manufactured housing, and adult family homes. Recreational vehicles are not permitted in any zone as a residential use.
(2) Residential structures in the Historic Preservation District are subject to the provisions of Chapters 15.50 and 15.55 LCMC, Historic Preservation. [Ord. 1247 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1211 § 2(A), 2022; Ord. 671 § 3.2.B, 1995.]
15.20.030 Permitted uses.
The following uses and structures are permitted in an RD Zone by certificate of authorization:
(1) One single-household dwelling unit per lot;
(2) One duplex dwelling per lot;
(3) One multihousehold dwelling per lot;
(4) One townhouse per lot;
(5) One factory-built/manufactured home per lot;
(6) One accessory dwelling unit – See LCMC 15.110.080;
(7) Adult family homes/supported living arrangements;
(8) Accessory uses and structures normally incidental to primary dwelling units – see Chapter 15.110 LCMC. [Ord. 1247 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1191 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 671 § 3.2.C, 1995.]
15.20.040 Land use developments allowed.
The following land use developments are allowed in an RD Zone:
(1) Planned unit residential developments;
(2) Residential subdivisions and short subdivisions. [Ord. 671 § 3.2.D, 1995.]
15.20.050 Conditional use permits.
The following uses and structures are permitted in an RD Zone by conditional use permit (Type IV permit):
(1) Pre-school and day care centers, subject to applicable building codes, lot size and coverage standards, parking, loading/unloading and signage requirements, and state (DSHS) licenses and certifications;
(2) Churches; provided, that all structures are set back at least 25 feet on all sides for abutting property lines and abutting residential and public use zones;
(3) Rest/convalescent/nursing homes; provided, that all structures are set back at least 25 feet on all sides from abutting property lines and abutting residential and public use zones;
(4) Private or public lodges, clubs and community organizations;
(5) Antennas plus antenna mounts of more than 20 feet in height, four feet in width and of bulk area more than 16 square feet;
(6) Parks, playgrounds and recreation uses such as tennis courts, athletic fields, pools and restrooms for use of the general public; provided, that subject property is under lease to or otherwise under complete control of the town of La Conner. Conditional use permits will be revoked when not under the control of the town of La Conner;
(7) Along Maple Street only, medical and dental uses; provided, that no medical or dental use may be located within 400 feet of another such use. [Ord. 1247 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1191 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 963 § 10, 2005; Ord. 901 § 3, 2003; Ord. 884 § 1, 2003; Ord. 691 § 1, 1997; Ord. 671 § 3.2.E, 1995.]
15.20.055 Administrative conditional use permits.
The following uses and structures are permitted in the RD Zone with an administrative conditional use permit (Type II permit):
(1) Multi-single-household detached residences;
(2) Multiple multihousehold dwellings, duplexes, or townhomes per lot, subject to all other provisions of this code;
(3) Retirement apartments for senior citizens;
(4) Rooming houses, boardinghouses, bed and breakfasts. [Ord. 1247 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1191 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 963 § 5, 2005; Ord. 901 § 4, 2003.]
15.20.060 Single-household dwelling units – Dimensional standards.
(1) Minimum lot size: 4,000 square feet.
(2) Maximum building height: 30 feet above the average lot grade, determined by averaging the lowest and highest existing elevation points on the lot to the highest point on the roof, with a maximum of two stories; except, for structures built within the 100-year floodplain, the height shall be measured from one foot above the base flood elevation to the highest point on the building. Roof access must be approved by the fire chief.
(3) Maximum lot coverage: 60 percent for all buildings and impervious surfacing.
(4) Minimum building setbacks (from property lines) as follows:
Front: 11 feet.
Side: five feet.
Rear: seven feet. When alley access is available rear setback is zero feet.
Agricultural setback: 25 feet.
(5) Corner lots have two front yards and two side yards.
(6) Minimum Lot Access. No building permit shall be issued on any lot or parcel which does not have access by either street, private road, alley, or shared driveway as set forth in Chapter 15.86 LCMC.
(7) Any residential structure located less than 10 feet from any property line shall be equipped with a fire sprinkler system. [Ord. 1247 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1222 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1211 § 2(A), 2022; Ord. 1197 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 1191 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 1077 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1009 § 1, 2008; Ord. 986 § 8, 2007; Ord. 889 § 1, 2003; Ord. 867, 2002; Ord. 842 § 4, 2002; Ord. 695 § 1, 1997; Ord. 671 § 3.2.F, 1995.]
15.20.070 Manufactured (factory-built) home standards.
(1) It is the intent of this section to:
(a) Encourage affordable housing in a general residential environment by permitting the use of Class A manufactured homes;
(b) Assure compatibility in exterior appearance between such manufactured homes and dwellings that have been or might be constructed under these and other lawful regulations on adjacent lots in the same district;
(c) Provide for compliance with energy standards, fire safety standards, and uniform construction standards;
(d) Protect the character and diversity of neighborhoods by avoiding concentration of manufactured homes (except within an approved PURD for manufactured homes).
(2) The following specific standards shall be required to ensure that the intent of this section is satisfied:
(a) The unit must be a factory-built structure designed and constructed to meet Labor and Industry standards.
(b) Installation and foundation must comply with either ANSI standards and/or manufacturer’s requirements.
(c) No manufactured unit shall have windows or doors or other features, or use color combinations that would be incompatible with site built housing in residential neighborhoods.
(d) The minimum width of the main body of the manufactured home shall not be less than 24 feet. This minimum width standard shall not apply to tiny homes, as defined in LCMC 15.20.100.
(e) The minimum pitch of the main roof shall not be less than one foot of rise for each four feet of horizontal run. Minimum distance from eaves to ridge shall be 10-1/2 feet. Roofing materials shall be nonreflective and of the same type used for site built units.
(f) The exterior finish shall be similar to that of site built housing. Reflection from such exterior material shall not be greater than from siding coated with white gloss exterior enamel.
(g) Permanent steps shall be installed at all exits.
(h) All manufactured units installed in the floodplain shall meet the requirements of Chapter 15.70 LCMC, Floodplain Management. [Ord. 1222 § 2, 2023; Ord. 963 § 6, 2005; Ord. 671 § 3.2.G, 1995.]
15.20.080 Adult family homes, residential care facilities, supported living arrangements, and homes for people with functional disabilities standards.
All adult family homes and other housing for people with functional disabilities shall provide state regulated wheel chair access. [Ord. 671 § 3.2.H, 1995.]
15.20.090 Multihousehold dwelling unit standards.
(1) Minimum lot size – Two units or more – 8,000 square feet for the first two units; and 3,000 square feet for each additional unit.
(2) Minimum lot width – 100 feet at the building line.
(3) Maximum lot coverage – 70 percent for all buildings and impervious surfacing.
(4) Maximum building height – 30 feet above the average lot grade determined by averaging the lowest and highest existing elevation points on the lot to the highest point on the roof with a maximum of two stories; except, for structures built within the 100-year floodplain, the height shall be measured from one foot above the base flood elevation to the highest point on the building. Roof access must be approved by the fire chief.
(5) Repealed by Ord. 1197.
(6) Minimum building setbacks:
|
|
Front |
Side |
Rear |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Interior Lot |
20 ft. |
10 ft. (total 20) |
25 ft. |
|
Corner Lot |
20 ft. (street side) |
10 ft. |
25 ft. |
|
Agricultural Setback – 25 ft. |
|||
(7) All dwelling units in multihousehold structures shall be equipped with a fire sprinkler system. [Ord. 1247 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1211 § 2(A), 2022; Ord. 1197 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 1077 § 3, 2012; Ord. 986 § 8, 2007; Ord. 938 § 2, 2004; Ord. 889 § 1, 2003; Ord. 671 § 3.2.I, 1995.]
15.20.100 Tiny home standards.
These standards shall apply to the construction of single-household homes of 400 square feet or less:
(1) Minimum lot size and maximum density requirements do not apply; provided, that not more than 70 percent of the development is covered with impervious surface. Tiny homes may be attached in groups no larger than four tiny homes. Attached tiny homes must be sprinklered and may have other fire provisions as decided by the fire chief.
(2) Parking. A minimum of one off-street parking space shall be provided per dwelling unit.
(3) All tiny homes shall be placed on permanent foundations. [Ord. 1247 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1222 § 2, 2023.]