Chapter 19.77
SHARED DRIVEWAYS
Sections:
19.77.040 Authority and administration.
19.77.050 Development standards and requirements.
19.77.010 Title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “City of Longview Shared Driveways Ordinance.” (Ord. 3510 § 1, 2024).
19.77.020 Purpose and intent.
It is the intent of this chapter to:
(1) Support the city’s goals for economic development and associated housing;
(2) Encourage the efficient use of land in areas of existing public services;
(3) Provide diverse housing options;
(4) Encourage affordability, creativity and variety in housing design and site development;
(5) Promote a variety of housing choices to meet the needs of a population with a variety of individual needs;
(6) Allow for an infill of residential style housing. (Ord. 3510 § 1, 2024).
19.77.030 Applicability.
The regulations contained in this chapter shall apply in areas classified as “Residential” in the Longview Comprehensive Plan. (Ord. 3510 § 1, 2024).
19.77.040 Authority and administration.
All applications under this chapter shall be made to the city of Longview building and planning/community development department. The director or his/her designee in consultation with the city engineer and fire marshal shall administer, interpret, and enforce the provisions of this chapter and shall provide such forms and establish such procedures as may be necessary to administer this chapter. All new or revised driveways that include city of Longview right-of-way require a right-of-way permit from the public works department prior to construction or demolition. All development will meet the city of Longview public works standards. (Ord. 3510 § 1, 2024).
19.77.050 Development standards and requirements.
(1) Two options exist for review of a shared access:
(a) Driveways and Joint Usage Driveways. Urban or rural driveways and joint usage driveways serving two or fewer lots have the minimum width or surfacing requirements of LMC 19.78.060. The minimum width of an access easement serving two or fewer lots is 20 feet.
(b) Access Easements. Property accesses serving four or more lots and more than 150 feet in length as measured from the connecting road near side right-of-way line to the farthest exterior wall of an occupied unit are access easements. Unless an alternate approved emergency vehicle access is provided, access easements shall also serve as an emergency vehicle access. Access easements are privately owned and maintained by the property owners being served and are not the responsibility of the city. Access easements shall have the following requirements:
(i) The minimum width of the tract or access easement serving four or more lots shall be 30 feet.
(ii) The base and surfacing shall provide a minimum all-weather driving surface constructed as an all-weather road.
(iii) Suitable drainage meeting applicable city right-of-way design standards shall be provided along the full length of the access easement.
(iv) Access easements serving three or more lots shall be via private road meeting the standards of the city of Longview fire marshal.
Consideration for a shared driveway does not exempt the applicant from meeting the standards required by public works. Minimum lot frontage/width requirements in Table 19.20.030-1, Density and Dimensional Standards by Zone, may be offset with approval for an alternate frontage with approval from the community development director or designee, city engineer and fire marshal.
|
Road Length (Feet) |
150' or Less |
Over 150' |
Any Length |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total number of dwellings served |
1 – 2 |
3+ |
4+ |
|
Road width (feet) Minimum |
12' |
20' |
20' |
|
Fire apparatus turn-around required |
No |
Yes |
* |
|
Fire lane signage required |
No |
Yes |
* |
|
Roadway height clearance |
No height requirement |
Minimum 13.5 feet |
* |
*Refer to previous two columns
Exception: Access roadway standards may be reduced if the building is protected by a complete automatic sprinkler system designed and installed in compliance with NFPA Standards 13, 13R or 13D with approval of the fire code official, unless access roads are otherwise required by other adopted codes or standards.
Exception: It is the intent of this section that if the most remote exterior wall location on all structures served by a lane can be reached within 150 feet of an approved fire lane then standard driveway widths may be used regardless of the number of units served. Where structural placement has not yet been determined, measurement shall be taken from the most remote location on the lots.
Note: Fire department standards for access requirements and apparatus specifications are available at mylongview.com and upon request from city staff.
(Ord. 3510 § 1, 2024).
19.77.060 Enforcement.
City of Longview department of building and planning/community development is hereby charged with enforcement of this chapter in relation to private property. Consultation with the city of Longview public works department will take place as needed in regard to right-of-way. (Ord. 3510 § 1, 2024).
19.77.070 Severability.
If any section, subsection, clause, phrase or word in this chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such section shall be deemed a separate provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter. (Ord. 3510 § 1, 2024).