20C.40.60 Residential Usable Open Space.

20C.40.60-010 General.

At least 100 square feet of common usable open space shall be provided for each unit, up to a maximum area equivalent to 20 percent of the site. Units with at least 200 square feet of private open space, where the smallest dimension is no less than 10 feet, shall be exempt from common open space requirements. Front yards may not be counted as common open space, except per RCDG 20C.40.70-020(4). Private usable open space shall be provided for each unit per RCDG 20C.40.60-020, Open Space Size and Dimensions. Common and private open space shall meet the dimensional criteria below. Indoor recreational space may be substituted for common usable open space. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 2051; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.60-020 Open Space Size and Dimensions.

Table 20C.40.60-020 specifies the minimum open space size and dimensions for both common and private usable open space areas.

Table 20C.40.60-020 Residential Usable Open Space Size and Dimensions

Type of Usable Open Space

Minimum Length

Minimum Width

Minimum Height

Minimum Area

(in sq. ft.)

1. Common

12'

12'

As specified in IBC for habitable overhead height

200

2. Private

 

 

 

 

– Patio

8'

8'

Same as above

80

– Balcony1

5'

5'

Same as above

50

1    Balconies may be reduced to 12 square feet in area for up to 50 percent of the units when double doors are provided to the balcony.

(Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.60-025 Use of In-Lieu Fee for Downtown Open Space.*

(1)    Balconies. If the street front facade of a building is deemed to be too cluttered, monotonous, and/or overdominated by too many balconies being too close together, the number of balconies on the facade may be reduced with the approval of the Design Review Board in order to effect a more balanced and attractive facade. An in-lieu fee for each required balcony not provided shall be paid to the City for park land purchase and improvements within the Downtown neighborhood. The fee for each balcony not provided on the building shall be equivalent to 50 percent of the park impact fee for a multi-family residence. No less than 50 percent of the units shall include private open spaces.

(2)    Common Open Space. An in-lieu fee for each 100 square feet of common open space not provided shall be paid to the City for park land purchase and improvements within the Downtown neighborhood. The fee for each 100 square feet of required open space not provided on-site shall be equivalent to 50 percent of the park impact fee for a multi-family residence. No less than 50 square feet of common open space per unit shall be provided on-site. (Ord. 2302)

*    Code reviser’s note: Ordinance 2302 adds the provisions of this section as 20C.40.60-030. The section has been editorially renumbered to prevent duplication of numbering.

20C.40.60-030 Combining Usable Open Space and Pedestrian Access.

Parking areas, driveways and pedestrian access other than pedestrian access required by Washington State Rules and Regulations for Barrier-Free Design shall not be counted as usable open space, except: if the total width of the common usable open space is 18 feet or wider, any pedestrian path or walkway traversing through the open space may be considered usable open space. See examples below.

Area of walkway not counted as open space.

Area of walkway counted as open space. (Ord. 2302)

20C.40.60-040 Screening of Open Space.

Private usable open space shall be screened as specified in Table 20C.40.60-040.

Table 20C.40.60-040
Screening of Open Space

The Area from Which Open Space Must Be Screened

Screen Height

1. Common open space

4'0"

2. Corridors

4'0"

3. Streets or other public right-of-way

3'0"

4. Units on same level

4'0"

5. Units across interior side yard

4'0"

(Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.60-050 On-Site Recreational Amenities.

All developments shall provide:

(1)    Irrigated planters with seating between 18 inches and 24 inches in height. See figures below.

(2)    Projects with 21 or more units shall provide at least one on-site amenity such as: a recreation room of 300 or more square feet, furnished with recreational facilities; a swimming pool; or other recreational amenities such as playground equipment. The facilities shall be appropriate for the target housing market segment, as judged through site plan review. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)