Chapter 16.30
RM – MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL
Sections:
16.30.000 Purposes.
16.30.010 Uses.
16.30.020 Subdistricts.
16.30.030 Site development standards.
16.30.040 Site development exceptions.
16.30.000 Purposes.
The RM zone has the following specific purposes in addition to the general purposes for residential zones of ECDC 16.00.010 and 16.10.000:
A. To reserve and regulate areas for a variety of housing types, and a range of greater densities than are available in the single-family residential zone, while still maintaining a residential environment;
B. To provide for those additional uses which complement and are compatible with multiple residential uses. [Ord. 3627 § 1, 2007].
16.30.010 Uses.
A. Permitted Primary Uses.
1. Multiple dwellings;
2. Single-family dwellings;
3. Retirement homes;
4. Group homes for the disabled, foster family homes and state-licensed group homes for foster care of minors; provided, however, that halfway houses and group homes licensed for juvenile offenders are not permitted uses in a residential zone of the city;
5. Boarding houses and rooming houses;
6. Housing for low income elderly in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 20.25 ECDC;
7. Churches, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.020;
8. Primary schools subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050(G) through (R);
9. Local public facilities that are planned, designated, and sited in the capital improvement plan, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050;
10. Neighborhood parks, natural open spaces, and community parks with an adopted master plan subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.070.
B. Permitted Secondary Uses.
1. All permitted secondary uses in the RS zone, if in conjunction with a single-family dwelling;
2. Home occupations, subject to the requirements of Chapter 20.20 ECDC;
3. The keeping of one domestic animal per dwelling unit in multiple-family buildings;
4. The following accessory uses:
a. Private parking,
b. Private swimming pools and other private recreational facilities,
c. Private greenhouses covering no more than five percent of the site in total;
5. Commuter parking lots containing less than 10 designated parking spaces in conjunction with a church, school, or local public facility allowed or conditionally permitted in this zone. Any additionally designated parking spaces that increase the total number of spaces in a commuter parking lot to 10 or more shall subject the entire commuter parking lot to a conditional use permit as specified in subsection (D)(2) of this section, including commuter parking lots that are located upon more than one lot as specified in ECDC 21.15.075.
C. Primary Uses Requiring a Conditional Use Permit.
1. Offices, other than local public facilities;
2. Local public facilities not planned, designated, or sited in the capital improvement plan, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050;
3. Day-care centers;
4. Hospitals, convalescent homes, rest homes, sanitariums;
5. Museums, art galleries, zoos, and aquariums of primarily local concern that do not meet the criteria for regional public facilities as defined in ECDC 21.85.033;
6. Counseling centers and residential treatment facilities for current alcoholics and drug abusers;
7. High schools, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050(G) through (R);
8. Regional parks and community parks without a master plan subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.070.
D. Secondary Uses Requiring a Conditional Use Permit.
1. Day-care facilities of any size to be operated in a separate, nonresidential portion of a multifamily residential dwelling structure operated primarily for the benefit of the residents thereof;
2. Commuter parking lots with 10 or more designated parking spaces in conjunction with a church, school, or local public facility allowed or conditionally permitted in this zone. [Ord. 3627 § 1, 2007].
16.30.020 Subdistricts.
There are established four subdistricts of the RM zone, in order to provide site development standards for areas which differ in topography, location, existing development and other factors. These subdistricts shall be known as the RM-1.5, RM – Edmonds Way (RM-EW), RM-2.4, and RM-3 zones. [Ord. 3627 § 1, 2007].
16.30.030 Site development standards.
A. Table.
|
Subdistrict |
Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit4 (Sq. Ft.) |
Minimum Street Setback2 |
Minimum Side Setback2 |
Minimum Rear Setback |
Maximum Height |
Maximum Coverage |
Minimum3 Parking (Spaces Per Unit) |
|
RM-1.5 |
1,500 |
15′ |
10′ |
15′ |
25′1,5 |
45% |
2 |
|
RM-EW |
1,500 |
15′ |
10′ |
15′ |
25′5,6,7 |
45% |
2 |
|
RM-2.4 |
2,400 |
15′ |
10′ |
15′ |
25′1,5 |
45% |
2 |
|
RM-3 |
3,000 |
15′ |
15′ |
15′ |
25′1,5 |
45% |
2 |
1 Roof only may extend five feet above the stated height limit if all portions of the roof above the stated height limit have a slope of four inches in 12 inches or greater.
2 RS setbacks may be used for single-family homes on lots of 10,000 square feet or less in all RM zones.
3 See Chapter 17.50 ECDC for specific parking requirements.
4 See definition of townhouse.
5 Maximum height for accessory structures of 15 feet.
6 The maximum base height of any building fronting on Edmonds Way may be increased to 30 feet if the following apply to the site and proposed development:
(a) At least 50 percent of the parking for the subject building shall be enclosed inside a building or buildings;
(b) The subject property is at least five feet lower at its lowest elevation than any adjacent residentially (R) zoned property measured at its lowest elevation; and
(c) The proposed development integrates low impact development techniques where reasonably feasible. For the purposes of this subsection, “low impact development techniques” shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: the use of bioswales, green roofs, and grasscrete. “Reasonably feasible” shall be determined based upon the physical characteristics of the property and its suitability for the technique; cost alone shall not make the use of the impact development unreasonable or unfeasible.
7 In addition to any height bonus under note 6, the building may extend up to an additional five feet if all portions of the roof above the height limit (after adding the height bonus under note 6) provide a minimum 15 percent slope or pitch.
B. Signs and Design Review. See Chapters 20.10 and 20.60 ECDC for regulations.
C. Location of Parking. No parking spaces may be located within the street setback.
D. Landscaping. In addition to the landscaping requirements set forth in Chapter 20.13 ECDC, any development in the RM – Edmonds Way zone shall retain at least 35 percent of the existing healthy significant trees within the side and rear setbacks of the development site. The applicant shall retain an arborist to determine the health of all significant trees within the side and rear setbacks. For the purposes of this section, “significant tree” shall be defined as any tree with a caliper greater than six inches measured at four feet above grade. Where it is not reasonably feasible for the applicant to retain 35 percent of the existing healthy significant trees within the side and rear setbacks, the applicant may replace any significant trees below the 35 percent threshold as follows: each significant tree removed that reduces the percentage of retained significant healthy trees below 35 percent shall be replaced with three new trees, each of no less than three-inch caliper measured at four feet above grade. [Ord. 3627 § 1, 2007].
16.30.040 Site development exceptions.
A. Housing for the Elderly. Housing projects for the elderly are eligible for special parking and density provisions. See Chapter 20.25 ECDC.
B. Satellite Television Antenna. Satellite television antennas shall be regulated as set forth in ECDC 16.20.050 and reviewed by the architectural design board.
C. Setback Encroachments.
1. Eaves and chimneys may project into a required setback not more than 30 inches.
2. Except as authorized by subsection (C)(3) of this section, uncovered and unenclosed porches, steps, patios, and decks may project into a required setback not more than one-third of the required setback, or four feet, whichever is less; provided, that they are no more than 30 inches above the ground level at any point.
3. In the RM – Edmonds Way zone, uncovered and unenclosed porches, steps, patios, and decks may occupy up to one-half of the required street setback area along Edmonds Way; provided, that these structures or uses are located no more than 20 feet above the ground level at any point.
D. Corner Lots. Corner lots shall have no rear setback; all setbacks other than street setbacks shall be side setbacks. [Ord. 3652 § 1, 2007; Ord. 3627 § 1, 2007].