Chapter 20.48
RMH – MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
Sections:
20.48.010 Description and purpose.
20.48.020 Permitted buildings and uses.
20.48.030 Buildings and uses permitted conditionally.
20.48.040 Building height regulations.
20.48.050 Lot area, lot width and yard requirements.
20.48.060 Maximum lot coverage.
20.48.080 Lots abutting an alley.
20.48.010 Description and purpose.
The RMH multiple-family residential district as described herein provides for higher density, multiple-family housing. It is intended to be situated adjacent to major arterials and adjacent to commercial areas. (Ord. 485 § 6.01, 1971).
20.48.020 Permitted buildings and uses.
In the RMH 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. Boardinghouses and roominghouses;
D. Churches, subject to PMC 20.68.660;
E. Clinics;
F. Duplexes;
G. Electric vehicle infrastructure, levels 1 and 2 only, subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.76 PMC;
H. Family day care;
I. Group care homes;
J. Homes for the aged;
K. Home occupations, subject to PMC 20.68.180;
L. Nursing homes;
M. Multiple-family dwellings;
N. Parks, private and public, playgrounds, golf courses, driving ranges or community centers, subject to PMC 20.68.670;
O. Planned unit developments, subject to Chapter 20.69 PMC;
P. Professional offices;
Q. 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;
R. Public or private clubs, lodges or meeting halls;
S. Public or private parking areas;
T. Schools, public or private, elementary, junior and senior high, subject to PMC 20.68.670;
U. Single-family dwellings. (Ord. 1952 § 19, 2017; Ord. 1805 § 6, 2011; Ord. 1611 § 11, 2005; Ord. 1221 § 14, 1995; Ord. 485 § 6.02, 1971).
20.48.030 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. Artists’ studios;
B. Hospitals;
C. Hotels, motels and motor hotels;
D. Indoor emergency housing (see PMC 20.68.200 for applicable regulations);
E. Indoor emergency shelter (see PMC 20.68.200 for applicable regulations);
F. Libraries;
G. Permanent supportive housing (shall conform to Chapter 20.96 PMC – Multifamily Housing Design Standards) (see PMC 20.68.200 for applicable regulations); and
H. Transitional housing (shall conform to Chapter 20.96 PMC – Multifamily Housing Design Standards) (see PMC 20.68.200 for applicable regulations). (Ord. 2053 § 6, 2022; Ord. 1505 § 11, 2001; Ord. 1170 § 4, 1992; Ord. 485 § 6.03, 1971).
20.48.040 Building height regulations.
No building shall exceed either two and one-half stories or 35 feet in height. (Ord. 1504 § 4, 2001; Ord. 485 § 6.04, 1971).
20.48.050 Lot area, lot width and yard requirements.
The following minimum requirements shall be observed, except where increased for conditional uses:
A. Lot Area. The minimum lot area shall be 8,000 square feet;
B. Lot Area Requirements Per Dwelling Unit. The first two attached units require the minimum lot area of 4,000 square feet per unit; additional units require the minimum lot area of 2,200 square feet per unit. Where the development provides for a recreational area within the development such as tennis courts, swimming pool, recreation building, etc., the city may credit the development with up to an additional 200 square feet per unit;
C. Lot width: 70 feet at building line;
D. Front yards: 30 feet, from front property line;
E. Rear yards: 30 feet and in no case shall the distance between the rear lot line and building be less than one-half the height of the building for structures higher than two and one-half stories or 30 feet;
F. Side Yards.
1. All lots or development sites in the RMH district shall have side yards of not less than 10 feet.
2. There shall not be less than 20 feet between each multifamily building. This does not include a garage or carport attached to a residence building. (Ord. 1505 § 11, 2001; Ord. 1501 § 2, 2001; Ord. 1489 § 2, 2001; Ord. 1114 § 4, 1990; Ord. 754 § 1, 1979; Ord. 695 § 1, 1978; Ord. 654 § 1, 1977; Ord. 485 § 6.05, 1971).
20.48.060 Maximum lot coverage.
No individual segregated lot or building site shall have more than 45 percent coverage by buildings to be erected thereon. (Ord. 753 § 1, 1979; Ord. 485 § 6.06, 1971).
20.48.070 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 § 6.07, 1971).
20.48.080 Lots abutting an alley.
In a lot abutting an alley, the required rear yard space can be measured from the centerline of the alley. (Ord. 485 § 6.08, 1971).
20.48.090 Parking.
All uses shall conform to the general provisions and exceptions set forth in Chapter 20.72 PMC, Parking and Loading. (Ord. 485 § 6.09, 1971).
20.48.100 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 § 6.10, 1971).