§ 21.15.050. Lot area.

A.

The size and shape of lots for detached single-family shall be as follows, provided they adhere to the density requirements:

1.

Minimum lot area, three thousand square feet where alleys are utilized, four thousand square feet if alleys are not provided.

2.

Minimum lot width, thirty feet when alleys are utilized; forty feet where alleys are not provided. Minimum lot width and street frontage for infill lots designed for construction of a single-family residence shall be thirty feet when alleys are utilized and forty feet when alleys are not utilized. Infill lots to be used for duplexes or multifamily uses shall have a minimum lot width and street frontage of fifty feet.

3.

Minimum front yard:

a.

Sixteen feet.

b.

In addition, setbacks are encouraged to be staggered for the purpose of modulating the streetscape and providing more convenient opportunities for offsetting windows for privacy of individual homes.

c.

Garages facing the street, twenty feet.

d.

On front yard flanking streets, ten feet.

e.

Unenclosed porches may project up to six feet into the front yard, provided the porches are at least forty-eight square feet in area with no dimension less than six feet.

4.

Minimum side yards:

a.

Minimum on one side, five feet,

5.

Alternative lot configurations may be approved provided they comply with all of the following additional standards and design:

a.

Other applicable standards in this chapter.

b.

The design results in a superior land division layout considering its functionality and character with particular consideration given to privacy for individual lots, pedestrian access and convenience, and the design of public and/or private open space opportunities and natural features.

6.

Minimum rear yard, fifteen feet, provided garages may be within three feet of the rear yard line, alley easement or paved surface when adjacent to an alley.

B.

Lots intended for attached single-family, condominiums and multifamily shall be reviewed and approved through a subdivision, townhouse, PRD, site plan review, or building plan review process where such concept is identified and the project is designed and conditioned subject to design requirements of Chapter 21.70.

C.

Development of Lots Not on Sewer. Areas without sewer must be developed in a manner that maintains long term potential to achieve minimum required densities and efficient provision of sewer once sewer becomes available. Areas developing without sewer must meet the following requirements:

1.

The health department must review and approve plans for alternative sewage disposal;

2.

Lots must be clustered in a configuration that results in urban size lots with one large reserve lot for future development;

3.

Clustered lots must be between four thousand and ten thousand eight hundred ninety square feet;

4.

Excluding the reserve parcel, clustered lots must meet density requirements of Section 21.15.020;

5.

Subdivisions and short subdivisions must have a statement on the face of the plat or short plat that when sewer becomes available to the area, clustered lots shall hook up to sewer at each lot owner's expense. Such requirement shall also be provided for in protective covenants.

D.

Other Lot Standards:

1.

Minimum Usable Yard Space. Where alleys are utilized, lots shall provide a contiguous yard space equivalent to ten percent of the lot size. Specific yard space requirements:

Shall feature minimum dimensions of fifteen feet on all sides, provided one side may be reduced to ten feet by the department if it determines the space is designed with features that make it more inviting, private and usable. Design for reduction of the minimum dimension must include at least two of the following techniques:

a.

A pergola or other architectural feature with landscaping;

b.

An improved patio area with features for associated use such as sitting or barbeque;

c.

Other design features and improvements that add to the usability, privacy and desirability of the private space.

As an example, a three-thousand-square-foot lot would require a contiguous open space of at least three hundred square feet, or fifteen feet by twenty feet in area for a standard dimension, or ten feet by thirty feet if the dimension is reduced and design features added.

Such yard space shall not be located within the front yard.

For duplexes and triplexes, each dwelling unit must have direct access to its own usable open space.

For townhouse developments, refer to Sections 21.70.080 and 21.61.040.

For multifamily developments, refer to Section 21.70.080. (See Tables 21T-77, 21T-78, and 21T-79.)

2.

Maximum building area coverage, fifty percent.

3.

Maximum development coverage, seventy-five percent. Side and rear yard patios are exempt from development coverage restrictions provided the paving material used is an approved pervious material in accordance with the Thurston County Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual (TCC Chapter 15.05).

4.

Maximum height:

a.

Main building and accessory dwelling, forty feet,

b.

Accessory building, twenty feet.

(Ord. 12290 § 15, 2000; Ord. 11499 § 8, 1997: Ord. 11274 § 1 (part), 1996)

(Ord. No. 14773, § 8(Att. G), 7-24-2012; Ord. No. 15390, § 1(Att. A, § F), 11-29-2016)