§ 21.18.040. Lot area.

A.

The size and shape of single-family detached lots shall be as follows:

1.

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

2.

Minimum lot width, thirty feet when alleys are utilized, forty feet if 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 multi-family 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, providing more convenient opportunities for offsetting windows for privacy of individual homes or other desired design outcomes.

c.

Garages facing the street, twenty feet.

d.

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;

b.

Minimum total both sides, ten feet; provided a zero lot line concept may be approved if the following standards are met:

i.

The site is part of a subdivision or PRD where a zero lot line concept has been approved and the site has undergone or will undergo design review as part of the approval process;

ii.

The site utilizes alleys;

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, condominium and multifamily shall be reviewed and approved through a subdivision, townhouse, planned residential development, site plan review or building plan review process where such concepts are identified and the project is designed and conditioned subject to design requirements of Chapter 21.70.

C.

Other Lot Standards for All Uses:

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 twenty-five hundred square foot lot would require a contiguous yard space of at least two hundred fifty square feet, or approximately fifteen feet by seventeen feet in area for a standard dimension, or ten feet by twenty-five 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 yard space.

Up to twenty-five percent of the homes in a subdivision in the HDR zone can meet the ten percent usable yard space requirement by providing a ten-foot-wide side yard in a zero lot line for the length of the lot provided the subject house is only single-story in height.

For townhouse developments, refer to Sections 21.70.080 and 21.61.040.

For multi-family developments, refer to Section 21.70.080. (See Tables 21T-80, 21T-81, and 21T-82.)

2.

Maximum building coverage, fifty percent.

3.

Maximum development coverage, eighty-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 of buildings:

a.

Main building and accessory building, eighty feet or eight stories;

b.

Accessory building, twenty feet;

c.

An additional two feet in height is permitted for structures with green roofs occupying at least fifty percent of the area of the roof.

5.

Accessory Buildings. All accessory buildings must comply with the current buildings setbacks as stated in this chapter; provided, however, if the accessory building is exempt from obtaining a building permit under Title 14 TCC, one-story, and is less than two hundred square feet, the following setbacks are permitted:

a.

Front yard, ten feet,

b.

Side yard, three feet,

c.

Rear yard, five feet (three feet to rear yard line or paved surface if adjacent to an alley).

(Ord. 12290 § 16, 2000; Ord. 11499 § 10, 1997: Ord. 11274 § 1 (part), 1996)

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