Chapter 18.70
RESIDENTIAL – HIGH DENSITY DISTRICT (RH)

Sections:

18.70.010    Purpose.

18.70.020    Permitted uses.

18.70.030    Development standards.

18.70.010 Purpose.

The residential – high density (RH) district is established to provide for apartment buildings, condominiums, nursing homes and other permanent, multifamily dwellings in a way that enhances the surrounding development, but will not create hazards or nuisances due to the increased density. [Ord. 834, 2022; Ord. 419 Ch. 4 § 3, 1976. 1996 Code § 7-38. Formerly 18.20.010.]

18.70.020 Permitted uses.

(a) Uses Not Requiring a Special Permit.

(1) Multifamily dwellings;

(2) Churches;

(3) Parks;

(4) Hospitals and health care facilities;

(5) Other uses which conform to the purpose of the district.

(b) Uses requiring a special permit are those uses which the building inspector declares not in conformance to the purpose of the district due to peculiar circumstances, and must be filed with the planning office in conformance to Chapter 18.95 WMC.

(c) Accessory uses allowed are those clearly incidental to the use of the principal buildings within the district. [Ord. 834, 2022; Ord. 419 Ch. 4 § 3, 1976. 1996 Code § 7-39. Formerly 18.20.020.]

18.70.030 Development standards.

(a) Public access to the development is required.

(b) Maximum height shall be subject to fire protection capabilities.

(c) Setback requirements on the perimeter of the development:

(1) Front yard: 40 feet (12.2 meters) if fronting on arterial roadways; 25 feet (7.6 meters) otherwise.

(2) Side yard: 12 feet (3.6 meters).

(3) Rear yard: 25 feet (7.6 meters).

(d) Maximum length of continuous townhouse development: 200 feet (61.0 meters) with 12 feet (3.6 meters) firebreak between next building.

The following land use intensity chart shall govern the minimum required open spaces and maximum number of units per acre:

Note that the higher the intensity, the smaller is the possible open space, and therefore, the less desirable is the livability.

Example: how many units at 700 sq. ft./unit can be put on 0.4 acres with a four-story design?

Max FAR = 1.13 =

? x 700

? =

1.13 x 0.4 x 43560

= 28 units

0.4 x 43560

0.4 x 43560

700

[Ord. 834, 2022; 1996 Code § 7-40. Formerly 18.20.030.]