Chapter 20.44
RML – LIMITED MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
Sections:
20.44.010 Description and purpose.
20.44.020 Permitted buildings and uses.
20.44.030 Buildings and uses permitted conditionally.
20.44.050 Lot area, lot width and yard requirements.
20.44.060 Maximum land coverage by buildings.
20.44.080 Lots abutting an alley.
20.44.010 Description and purpose.
The RML limited multiple-family residential district is intended to encourage a more flexible use of the land and promote and maintain stable single-family residential areas. It is also the purpose of this classification to develop residential areas within the city which are characterized by higher residential densities and higher volumes of vehicular traffic that are characteristic in the RS districts. (Ord. 485 § 5.01, 1971).
20.44.020 Permitted buildings and uses.
In the RML district, the following buildings and uses are permitted, subject to the general provisions and exceptions set forth in this chapter, and regulations set forth in Chapters 20.01, 20.20, 20.68 and 20.72 PMC:
A. The following accessory buildings and uses incidental to the uses permitted in this chapter:
1. Carports or garages for the sole use of occupants of premises and their guests, attached or detached (without fee to guests), for storage of motor vehicles, boats, recreational vehicles and/or planes;
2. Greenhouse, private and noncommercial;
3. Storage buildings for yard maintenance equipment and household goods; and
4. Recreational facilities for private use;
B. Adult family homes;
C. Churches, subject to PMC 20.68.660;
D. Duplexes;
E. Electric vehicle infrastructure, levels 1 and 2 only, subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.76 PMC;
F. Family day care;
G. Home occupations, subject to PMC 20.68.180;
H. Multiple-family dwellings;
I. Open space;
J. Parks, private and public, playgrounds, golf courses, driving ranges or community centers, subject to PMC 20.68.670;
K. Planned unit developments, subject to Chapter 20.69 PMC;
L. Public and semipublic buildings essential to the physical and economic welfare of an area, such as fire stations, substations and pump stations. Rear and side yards for these uses shall be a minimum of 25 feet in width. No stockpiling or storage of materials shall be allowed;
M. Schools, public or private, elementary, junior and senior high, subject to PMC 20.68.670;
N. Single-family dwellings. (Ord. 1952 § 18, 2017; Ord. 1805 § 5, 2011; Ord. 1611 § 10, 2005; Ord. 1221 § 11, 1995; Ord. 485 § 5.02, 1971).
20.44.030 Buildings and uses permitted conditionally.
The city may grant a conditional use permit (CUP) for any of the following buildings and uses in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 20.20 PMC:
A. Churches, when using existing buildings;
B. Day nurseries;
C. Group care homes;
D. Homes for the aged, including assisted and unassisted living facilities;
E. Mobile home parks;
F. Libraries;
G. Nursing homes;
H. Public parking areas;
I. Permanent supportive housing (shall conform to Chapter 20.96 PMC – Multifamily Housing Design Standards) (see PMC 20.68.200 for applicable regulations);
J. One accessory dwelling unit per lot; and
K. Transitional housing (shall conform to Chapter 20.96 PMC – Multifamily Housing Design Standards) (see PMC 20.68.200 for applicable regulations). (Ord. 2053 § 5, 2022; Ord. 1505 § 11, 2001; Ord. 1504 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1170 § 3, 1992; Ord. 485 § 5.03, 1971).
20.44.040 Height regulations.
No building shall exceed two and one-half stories or 35 feet in height. (Ord. 1504 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1221 § 12, 1995; Ord. 1183 § 1, 1992; Ord. 485 § 5.04, 1971).
20.44.050 Lot area, lot width and yard requirements.
The following minimum requirements shall be observed, except where increased for conditional uses:
A. Lot area: 8,000 square feet or 4,000 square feet per dwelling unit, whichever is greater;
B. Front yard: 30 feet for single-family dwellings, approved manufactured homes and modular homes; 20 feet for all other uses;
C. Rear yards: 30 feet, except where a utility easement is recorded adjacent to a rear lot line, the yard shall be no less than the width of the easement on the development site;
D. Side Yards.
1. All lots or development sites in the RML district shall have side yards of not less than 10 feet except where a utility easement is recorded adjacent to a side lot line, and there shall be a side yard no less than the width of the easement; where an access easement exists, the side yard setback shall be measured from the near edge of said easement;
2. There shall not be less than 15 feet between each multifamily building or any other adjacent existing building used for residential purposes. This does not include a garage or carport attached to a residence building. (Ord. 1501 § 2, 2001; Ord. 1489 § 2, 2001; Ord. 1221 § 13, 1995; Ord. 1183 § 2, 1992; Ord. 1114 § 3, 1990; Ord. 752 § 1, 1979; Ord. 653 § 1, 1977; Ord. 485 § 5.05, 1971).
20.44.060 Maximum land coverage by buildings.
The maximum land coverage by buildings shall be as follows:
A. Interior lots, 35 percent;
B. Corner lots, 40 percent. (Ord. 485 § 5.06, 1971).
20.44.070 Corner lots.
Corner lots shall observe the minimum front yard setback requirements on one street side and one-half the minimum setback requirement on the second street side. (Ord. 485 § 5.07, 1971).
20.44.080 Lots abutting an alley.
In a lot abutting an alley the required rear yard can be measured from the centerline of the alley. (Ord. 485 § 5.08, 1971).
20.44.090 Parking.
All uses shall conform to the general provisions and exceptions set forth in Chapter 20.72 PMC, Parking and Loading. (Ord. 485 § 5.09, 1971).
20.44.100 Signs.
Only the following signs are permitted, subject to the following limitations:
A. Nameplates not exceeding three square feet in area, containing the name and/or address of the occupant of the premises;
B. One unlighted sign not exceeding six square feet in area pertaining only to the sale, lease or hire of only the particular building, property or premises upon which displayed, and for no more than three months. (Ord. 485 § 5.10, 1971).