Section 15.170 R-5, Low Density Multiple-Family District.

15.170 R-5, Low Density Multiple-Family District.

(1) Intent. This district is intended to provide for low density multiple-family housing providing adequate open space areas and building separation, which development is intended to be compatible with adjoining or nearby single- and two-family developments.

(2) Specific Uses Permitted. Land shall be used and buildings shall be erected, altered, enlarged, or used for only one or more of the following uses, subject to the provisions of this section and those of other applicable sections of the Zoning Ordinance:

(a) Single-family dwellings;

(b) Two-family dwellings;

(d) Community living arrangements for not more than 15 individuals;

(e) Adult day care facilities, and child day care centers for not more than eight individuals;

(f) Public parks, parkways, and other public recreational areas;

(g) Vacant lot residential garden; and

(h) Bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals.

Accessory buildings and uses to the specific uses permitted shall also be permitted.

(3) Conditional Uses Permitted. The following uses are permitted subject to MMC 15.370(27):

(a) Churches;

(b) Schools – public, private, and parochial;

(d) Homes for the elderly, nursing homes, and adult day care facilities, and child day care centers for 16 or more individuals;

(e) Private clubs and lodges;

(f) Community living arrangements for 16 or more individuals;

(g) Residential buildings used in connection with the above conditional uses;

(h) Repealed by Ord. 20-152;

(i) Domestic violence centers;

(j) Expanded home occupations;

(k) Any adaptive reuse authorized pursuant to MMC 15.370(29);

(l) Transitional housing;

(m) Continuing care communities, retirement housing, intergenerational housing, and other collaborative housing options developed pursuant to MMC 15.750; and

(n) Farmers’ markets.

(4) Area Regulations.

(a) Front Yard. No principal or accessory building shall be closer than 25 feet to the street line as established by the Official Map. If said street line is not established by the Official Map or is not governed by MMC 15.390(14), said 25 feet shall be measured from the existing street line.

(b) Side Yard. For single- and two-family dwellings there shall be two side yards of not less than six feet for each side yard, except on corner lots the side yard adjacent to the street shall be not less than 20 feet. For multiple-family dwellings there shall be two side yards of not less than 12 feet for each side yard, providing that on corner lots the side yard adjacent to the street shall not be less than 25 feet. For accessory buildings located in the rear one-half or located more than 65 feet from the front lot line of any interior lot the required side yard may be reduced to two feet except where easement widths are greater.

(c) Rear Yard. There shall be a rear yard not less than 25 feet in depth, except on corner lots the rear yard may be reduced to six feet, providing a minimum setback of 25 feet is maintained in the side yard adjacent to the street. No accessory building in the rear one-half or located more than 65 feet from the front lot line of any interior lot shall be located closer than two feet to the property line except where easement widths are greater.

(d) Lot Area. Each lot for a single-family dwelling shall have a minimum area of 5,500 square feet, a minimum average width of 50 feet. Each lot for a two-family dwelling shall have a minimum area of 6,600 square feet, and a minimum average width of 60 feet. In both instances, however, corner lots shall provide 10 percent greater minimum lot area and width. Multiple-family dwellings shall provide a minimum of 3,000 square feet of lot area for each one-bedroom dwelling unit; a minimum of 3,500 square feet of lot area for each two-bedroom dwelling unit; a minimum of 4,000 square feet of lot area for each three-bedroom dwelling unit. Each lot for a multiple-family dwelling shall have a minimum average width of 100 feet.

(e) Lot Occupancy. The ground area occupied by the principal and accessory buildings shall not exceed 50 percent of the total area of the lot.

(f) Dwelling Unit Size. All dwelling units shall be at least 20 feet wide and shall have a minimum area, excluding attached or detached accessory buildings, of 720 square feet.

(5) Height Regulations. No principal building shall exceed 35 feet in height and no accessory building shall exceed 15 feet in height, subject also to airport height provisions.

(6) Vision Clearance. The vision clearance of this district shall be not less than 15 feet, determined by measuring 15 feet each way from the lot corner at the street intersection on each street lot line, or, in the case of an alley, 10 feet, determined by measuring 10 feet along the alley line.

(7) Yard and Other Open Space Requirements for Two or More Buildings per Lot. The following requirements shall apply to a public or private housing project when two or more garden apartments, apartment houses, or a mixture of housing types are located on the same lot:

(a) Yard Requirements (for Lot). The yard requirements shall be the same as stated above in this section.

(b) Other Dimensions.

1. The minimum horizontal distance between buildings (that is, front to front, rear to rear, or front to rear, as the case may be) shall be 50 feet.

2. The minimum horizontal distance between the ends of buildings in which the end wall of either building contains windows, except bathroom windows, shall be 30 feet.

The minimum horizontal distance between the ends of buildings which contain no windows or only bathroom windows shall be 20 feet or more. The horizontal distance between the end of one building which is opposite the face or rear of another building, in which the end, face or rear of either building contains windows, except bathroom windows, shall be 30 feet.

3. The minimum horizontal distance between the corners of adjacent buildings that do not face each other or overlap shall be 20 feet.

[Ord. 21-598 § 1, 2021; Ord. 20-152 § 5, 2020; Ord. 15-559 § 6, 2015; Ord. 13-265 § 6, 2013; Ord. 12-529 §§ 21 – 23, 2012; Ord. 08-490 § 10, 2008. Prior code § 15.17]