Chapter 18.64
TOWNHOUSES

18.64.000    Chapter Contents

Sections:

18.64.020    Purpose.

18.64.060    Platting requirements.

18.64.080    Development standards.

(Ord. 7364 §36, 2023).

18.64.020 Purpose

The purpose of this Chapter is to:

A.    Permit within Residential and Commercial Districts the development of townhouses which may be sold as individual lots and residences;

B.    Permit townhouse structures built to standards which are designed to include amenities usually associated with conventional single-family detached housing to ensure compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood;

C.    Promote affordable housing, efficient use of land and energy, and the availability of a variety of housing types in different locations;

D.    Promote infill development on physically suitable lands in residential areas, without adversely affecting adjacent development.

(Ord. 7364 §36, 2023; Ord. 5517 §1, 1995).

18.64.060 Platting requirements

A.    In R-4, R 4-8, and R 6-12 Districts a subdivision or short plat is required for all townhouse developments so that individual dwelling units are divided onto lots with the structural walls located on the lot lines. In other Districts the platting of each individual dwelling unit is optional.

B.    When a townhouse development is platted, construction of townhouse dwellings may commence prior to final plat approval, provided:

1.    The proposed subdivision has received preliminary plat approval, and the necessary financial sureties have been filed as required in chapter 17.24 OMC, Olympia Platting and Subdivision Ordinance, to assure construction of required public improvements;

2.    Partial or complete construction of structures does not relieve the subdivider from, nor impair City enforcement of, conditions of subdivision approval;

3.    Construction may not proceed beyond foundations, and units may not be rented or sold, nor occupancy permits issued, until final plat or final short plat approval is granted.

C.    No subdivision or short subdivision of a site containing previously constructed dwellings is allowed unless all common walls meet or are reconstructed to current building code and fire code requirements for separately owned subdivided townhouse units, and all other standards of this Chapter are met.

D.    Undersized lots may be used for individual townhouse dwelling units without meeting the density and lot area requirements of this section, and without resubdividing, provided such lots were of record prior to the effective date of this chapter; and provided, they also have the minimum lot width for townhouses.

(Ord. 7364 §36, 2023; Ord. 6408 §28, 2006; Ord. 5517 §1, 1995).

18.64.080 Development standards

A.    Maximum Site Area. The maximum site area for solely townhouse development in the R4, R 4 8 or R 6-12 District is four acres. There is no maximum site area in other districts where townhouses are permitted.

B.    Density and Lot Area.

1.    Density. Each townhouse development is subject to density provisions contained in the underlying District.

2.    Lot Size. See Table 4.04, Residential Development Standards.

C.    Building, Impervious, and Hard Surface Coverage. Outside of ‘village’ and ‘center’ districts subject to table 5.05, building and impervious surface building coverage for an individual townhouse lot may not exceed 60 percent or the underlying district limit, whichever is greater, and hard surface coverage may not exceed 70 percent or the underlying district, whichever is greater.

D.    Minimum Lot Width. Each individual townhouse lot must have a minimum width as follows:

1.    R4 and R 4-8 Districts: 18 feet;

2.    R 6-12 Districts: 16 feet;

3.    All other Districts: See Tables 4.04 and 5.05.

E.    Setback Requirements. Setback requirements for front yards and for side yards of end dwelling units of townhouse structures are the same as the underlying district.

F.    Height. Same as the underlying district.

G.    Parking. Townhouse developments must provide off-street parking pursuant to Chapter 18.38.

H.    Residential Design Review Criteria and Garage Width. Townhouse developments must meet the Residential Design Criteria Section chapter 18.175 OMC and, if applicable, must comply with garage placement and width provisions of OMC 18.04.060(EE), provided that such standards are applied to the entirety of each building, and not to each dwelling unit.

(Ord 7400 §20, 2024; Ord. 7364 §36, 2023; Ord. 7310 §11, 2022; Ord. 7027 §34, 2016; Ord. 6517 §48, 2007; Ord. 6408 §29, 2006; Ord. 6140 §35, 2001; Ord. 5517 §1, 1995).