Chapter 20.202 OFF-SITE IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Chapter 20.202
OFF-SITE IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Sections:

20.202.001 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to specify requirements for off-site improvements serving various development activities under the building codes and to establish limits and parameters for requiring off-site improvements when imposed outside of SEPA, CUP, or other development review processes. This chapter seeks to protect the public health, safety and general welfare of the public, to ensure safe walking conditions, pedestrian connectivity, and ADA accessibility. (Ord. 030-21 § 14).

20.202.002 Scope.

(1) This chapter applies to the following activities under the IBC and IRC:

(a) New construction or moved buildings.

(b) Additions to existing buildings.

(d) Remodels and alterations.

(2) Proposed improvements within a public right-of-way shall require the submittal of plans completed by a professional civil engineer and/or surveyors licensed in the state of Washington consistent with the state licensure requirements and engineering best practice. In addition, all work shall be compliant with the City of Port Orchard Public Works and Engineering Standards and Specifications. (Ord. 030-21 § 14).

20.202.003 Definitions.

“Off-site improvement” is defined as an improvement to public right-of-way adjacent to, along the frontage of, or in proximity to proposed development and may include cement concrete curb and gutter, driveway, sidewalks, curb ramps, paving, pedestrian or bicycle pathway(s) (in lieu of sidewalks in accordance with transportation plan), safety measures, other right-of-way elements (such as street lighting, landscape strip, etc.), and drainage improvements. (Ord. 030-21 § 14).

20.202.004 Off-site improvements.

(1) Off-site improvements shall be required for all new construction, additions, changes of occupancy as defined in Chapter 3 of the International Existing Building Code, moved buildings, and remodels/alterations to existing buildings.

The maximum level of off-site improvement that may be imposed by project type is shown in Table 20.202; however, this limit shall not apply to projects that have limits or conditions imposed by SEPA, CUP, or other conditioning documents. The city shall determine the order of preference when determining off-site improvement requirements, considering the general health, safety, and welfare and environmental protection as primary objectives. Secondary objectives may include considerations for transportation corridors and proximity to schools and parks.

Projects involving more than one project type (new construction, additions, change of occupancy, and/or remodel/alteration) shall apply the most restrictive criteria in Table 20.202. The director or designee is authorized to interpret, establish, modify, or eliminate the off-site improvement requirements shown in Table 20.202 for individual cases where there are practical difficulties (such as critical areas or steep topography) involved in the implementation of the requirements of this chapter. The director or designee shall determine the order of preference when determining off-site improvement requirements, considering health, safety, and welfare, along with environmental protections as the primary objectives.

Table 20.202 – Off-Site Improvement Determinations
Project Type	Threshold	Off-Site Improvement Requirement (ii) (v)
New Construction
Commercial (includes multifamily three or more units) (iii)	All new and moved buildings.	No limit defined. Improvements to be determined by the director.
Single-family and two-family dwellings	All new and moved buildings.	No limit defined. Improvements to be determined by the director.
Single-family and two-family accessory structures and garages	All new and moved buildings.	None required.
Additions
Commercial, large (iii)	50% or greater increase in floor area.	No limit defined. Improvements to be determined by the director.
Commercial, small (iii)	Less than 50% increase in floor area.	Off-site improvement requirements up to 20% of additional valuation based on the adopted ICC Building Valuation Table.
Single-family and two-family dwellings	Additions.	None required.
Change of Occupancy
Large (iii)	Change of occupancy classification to 50% or more of the building.	Off-site improvements limited to the greater of the following: – 20% of the remodel valuation. (iv) – 20% of the change in the building valuation based on the most current ICC Building Valuation Table.
Small (iii)	Change of occupancy classification to less than 50% but greater than 10% of the building.	Off-site improvements limited to the greater of the following: – 10% of the remodel valuation. (iv) – 10% of the change in the building valuation based on the most current ICC Building Valuation Table.
Exempt	Change of occupancy classification to 10% or less of the building.	No off-site improvements required.
Remodel/Alterations
Large (iii)	Remodel valuation 50% or greater than ICC building valuation.	Off-site improvements up to 20% of the remodel valuation. (iv)
Small (iii)	Remodel valuation less than 50% but greater than 10% of ICC building valuation.	Off-site improvements up to 10% of the remodel valuation. (iv)
Exempt	Remodel valuation 10% or less than ICC building valuation. Or: Water or fire damage repairs that are valued at less than 50% of the ICC building valuation.	No off-site improvements required.

i. The director or designee may alter, lower, and impose additional requirements as needed to protect health, safety, and general welfare of the public.

ii. Costs for utility construction or relocation may be included in the owner/developer’s percentage of off-site improvements requirements.

iii. For campus sites, the director shall determine the required frontage improvements.

iv. The remodel valuation limit shall be defined as the estimated construction cost of the project submitted by the contractor or owner at the time of building permit submittal as a percentage of the most recent version of the International Code Council Building Valuation Data. The estimate shall detail all major cost elements of the project. The remodel valuation limit shall not apply to projects that have requirements imposed by SEPA, CUP, or other conditioning document.

v. The project cost limits above shall not apply to projects which are eligible for a transportation impact fee credit under Chapter 20.182 POMC.

(2) The following development standards and related off-site improvements shall apply to all applicable project types listed in Table 20.202:

(a) Alleys. When a lot adjoins an alley or street intersection, improvements shall also be installed at the alley or street intersection. Alleys shall be installed to city of Port Orchard standards when any access to the site is provided from the alley.

(b) Off-site improvements are dependent on the project type and threshold listed in Table 20.202 and shall require the development of cement concrete curb and gutter, driveways, sidewalks, and curb ramps, paving, safety measures, other right-of-way elements (street lighting, landscape strip, etc.), and drainage of all dedicated streets along the lot frontages, except in cases where the topography or other conditions make it impractical.

(c) Access to Property. Driveway approaches shall be in accordance with the PWESS. Public roads fronting the property shall be comprised of an all-weather surface or will need to be paved to provide an all-weather surface.

(d) Where a site has existing improvements such as sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and paving, these improvements shall be replaced if they are non-ADA compliant, broken, damaged, or hazardous. Pavement shall also be required to be replaced when it does not meet the current standard pavement section for residential or arterial streets contained in the PWESS. (Ord. 030-21 § 14).