Chapter 18.50
YARD, BUFFER AND OTHER DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
18.50.030 Lots must meet minimum requirements.
18.50.040 Reduction in lot size prohibited.
18.50.050 Compliance with yard requirements.
18.50.055 Setbacks for uncovered decks.
18.50.060 Height limitations, conditional uses and exemptions.
18.50.065 Established building setbacks.
18.50.070 General requirements for accessory buildings.
18.50.010 Purposes.
The purpose of this chapter is to define and designate the dimensional requirements for the land use zoning districts in the city. (Ord. 1421 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1264 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1167 § 1, 1995)
18.50.030 Lots must meet minimum requirements.
No building, structure or use shall hereafter be erected, constructed or established on a lot that does not meet the requirements for lots as contained in this chapter and for the district in which the lot is located, except for nonconforming lots of record as specified in WMC 18.56.020, or planned unit developments as provided in Chapter 18.64 WMC. (Ord. 1421 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1167 § 1, 1995)
18.50.040 Reduction in lot size prohibited.
(1) No lot shall be reduced, divided or changed in size so that lot width, size of yards, lot area per dwelling unit, minimum lot size or other requirement of these regulations is not maintained, unless such reduction or division is necessary to provide land which is acquired for a public purpose unless otherwise specifically authorized.
(2) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a residential legal lot of record that at the time of adoption of the ordinance codified in this section was occupied by two or more legally constructed residences. In such case, the lot may be divided so as to provide for the legal sale, lease or transfer of ownership of the residences. The land division shall be configured so as to provide the greatest degree of compliance with the current base zoning designation. (Ord. 1421 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1264 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1263 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1167 § 1, 1995)
18.50.050 Compliance with yard requirements.
Where a front, side or rear yard is required, no principal building shall hereafter be erected or altered so that any portion thereof lies within the specified depth of said yard; provided, however, that eaves, cornices, chimneys, ground level decks, bay windows, and other similar projections that don’t include floor area, may extend over a required front, rear, or side yard by not more than two feet. Accessory uses and structures may be located within required yards only as specifically provided in this chapter. (Ord. 1793 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016; Ord. 1421 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1167 § 1, 1995)
18.50.055 Setbacks for uncovered decks.
All uncovered decks 18 inches above grade or less may extend to a maximum of five feet from the rear and side yard property lines. In order to meet the intent of open space and visibly separating uses through distance and to shield and block noise or visual impact to neighboring properties, the uncovered deck shall be buffered from the adjoining property with trees and shrubs. (Ord. 1613 § 1 (Exh. A), 2008)
18.50.060 Height limitations, conditional uses and exemptions.
No building or structure shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed or altered, except as otherwise specifically exempted in this chapter, to exceed the maximum height for the district in which said building or structure is located; provided, however, that the city council may permit buildings and structures to exceed height limitations upon approval of conditional uses as specified in this title.
The height limitations established in this title shall not apply to chimneys, smokestacks, church spires and steeples, domes, flag poles, public monuments, observation towers, water towers, noncommercial radio and television towers, electricity transmission towers, utility poles and similar structures. (Ord. 1421 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1167 § 1, 1995)
18.50.065 Established building setbacks.
Building setback lines which do not meet the requirements of this title, but which were legally established, shall be considered the building line for alterations and remodels, provided no structure or portion of such addition may further project beyond the established building line. (Ord. 1793 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016)
18.50.070 General requirements for accessory buildings.
Accessory buildings shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Setbacks. Accessory buildings shall be required to observe the same yard requirements as principal buildings subject to modification under subsection (5) of this section; however, no setback shall be required from a rear property line adjacent to an alley or railroad right-of-way. In no case shall an accessory building be located within required buffers or landscape strips, except that signs may be located within the front yard landscape strip, if required.
(2) Lot Coverage. Accessory buildings associated with single-family residences shall occupy no more than 20 percent of the lot area and shall not exceed 60 percent of the footprint of the building.
(3) Height. In no case shall an accessory building exceed the maximum height for the companion principal building as measured to the ridgeline or parapet of the principal building.
(4) Subordination to Principal Building. An accessory building shall not be erected unless there exists one or more principal buildings on the lot.
(5) Detached Garden Sheds, Gazebos and Play Houses. One detached garden shed, or one gazebo or one play house may be located within the side and/or rear setbacks on a lot in the residential zoning districts with an existing single-family residence and meeting the following requirements:
(a) The structure contains no more than 120 square feet of floor area, with overhangs that do not extend across property lines;
(b) The floor elevation is 18 inches or less in height;
(c) The structure is less than 12 feet in height;
(d) Roof drainage is contained on site; and
(e) No utilities are connected to the structure.
(f) If the structure is located within a utility easement, the property owner must obtain a waiver letter from all applicable utilities. (Ord. 1886 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1793 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016; Ord. 1740 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 1613 § 1 (Exh. A), 2008; Ord. 1421 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1264 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1167 § 1, 1995)