Cluster Subdivisions

Introduction

As applied in urban areas, cluster subdivision ordinances often emphasize site design flexibility for protecting constrained areas, and important site features for allowing more creative design. Cluster provisions in rural areas may focus more on conserving resource lands, and securing larger expanses of open space consistent with rural character.

City Ordinance Provisions

City Cluster Subdivision Examples

• Bainbridge Island Municipal Code Sec. 17.04.080 & Sec. 17.12.090 (flexible lot standards)
• Bellingham Municipal Code Sec. 20.30.050
• Olympia Unified Development Code Sec. 18.04.080 (F) - Clustered Housing
• Olympia Unified Development Code Chapter 18.56 - PRD-Planned Residential Development
• Sumner Municipal Code Ch. 18.24 - Planned Residential Development; Ch 18.28 - Cluster Overlay District.

Examples of Cluster to Preserve Sensitive Areas

• Bellevue Land Use Code Sec. 20.25H.110 (D)(2)(a)(ii) & (3)(a)(ii)
• Bonney Lake Municipal Code Sec. 16.28.050(C)(3)   
• Puyallup Municipal Code Sec. 21.06.1040 & Sec. 21.06.1430 (shows use of cluster within sensitive areas regulations)
• Sumner Municipal Code Sec. 16.40.140 (shows use of cluster within sensitive areas regulations).

County (Rural Area) Cluster Subdivision Examples.

• Douglas County Code Ch. 18.67 - Planned Residential Development (PRD)
• Okanogan County Code Ch. 17.19 - Planned Development (see Sec. 17.19.030 & Sec. 17.19.037)
• Spokane County Code Ch. 14.820 – Rural Cluster Development (in Ch. 14.808-.826)
• Thurston County Code Ch. 20.30 - Planned Residential Development & Ch. 20.30A - Planned Rural Residential Development
• Walla Walla County Code Ch. 17.31 – Development Standards - Cluster Developments on Resource Lands -
• Whatcom County Code Ch. 20.32 - Residential Rural District (includes options and bonus incentives for cluster development).

Articles

• Cluster Development (p. 16) in:"Defining Rural Character and Planning for Rural Lands," (4.42 MB) MRSC for CTED (Dept. of Commerce), 1994
• "Cluster Development," by Thomas W. Blaine and Peggy Shear, 1999, Ohio State University Fact Sheet 
• "An Examination of Market Appreciation for Clustered Housing with Permanently-Protected Open Space," Jeff Lacy, Center for Rural Massachusetts,1990
• "Infill Development: Strategies for Shaping Livable Neighborhoods," MRSC, 1997, pp. 89-90, describing and illustrating cottage housing
• "’Open Space’ Zoning: What It Is & Why It Works,” by Randall Arendt, Planning Commissioners Journal, July/August 1992 (cluster development focused on protection of open space) 
• "Preserving Rural Character Through Cluster Development," (637 KB) by Susan Ernst Corser, PAS Memo, APA, July 1994.