§ 22.16.050. Density regulations.

Density regulations in the MFH zone district are as follows:

A.

Site Area. All residential developments shall meet the following density requirements:

1.

Minimum: fourteen dwelling units per acre,

2.

Maximum: twenty-nine dwelling units per acre, except that any density greater than twenty-five dwelling units per acre shall be obtained only by purchase of transfer of development rights in accordance with Chapter 22.57 of the Thurston County Code;

B.

Density Calculation. The calculation of the density requirements in Chapter 22.16.050A above is based on the portion of the site devoted to residential and associated uses (e.g., dwelling units; private community clubs; stormwater detention, treatment and infiltration). The following land is excluded from density calculations:

1.

Land that is required to be set aside for public use as open space, right-of-way, or land on which development is prohibited by Thurston County Code Title 24, Thurston County Critical Areas Ordinance, or Chapter 17.15, Thurston County Agricultural Activities Critical Areas Ordinance and land that is to be used for private roads. Provided, that portion of open space/park areas that consists of stormwater facilities that are designed for active and/or passive recreational purposes in accordance with the Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual for Thurston County shall not be excluded from density calculations,

2.

Land that is intended for future phases of development created in accordance with Chapter 22.12.060,

3.

Land that consists of lots devoted to uses other than residential and associated uses, including but not limited to churches, schools and support facilities (except for stormwater detention, treatment and infiltration facilities);

C.

Division of Land Not on Public Sanitary Sewer. Division of land in areas without sewer must occur in a manner that maintains long term potential to achieve minimum required densities and efficient provision of sewer once sewer becomes available. For a proposed division of land not required to be served by the extension of public sewer at the time of approval, a conversion plan shall be submitted in accordance with Chapter 22.16.060 for the entire property, and the proposed land division shall be subject to the following:

1.

For land division of an existing lot of record created prior to October 15, 1998:

a.

Any division creating two lots shall not be subject to the minimum density requirements of Chapter 22.16.050A, provided one of the lots is at least five acres in size. A note must be included on the recorded land division that future land divisions shall meet minimum density requirements of Chapter 22.16.050A in each phase of development,

b.

Any division creating more than two lots shall meet the minimum density requirements of Chapter 22.16.050A in each phase of development;

D.

Lot Coverage, Maximum impervious coverage: seventy percent of the total area of the lot;

E.

Structure height: fifty feet or five stories, whichever is less;

F.

Yards.*

1.

Front: ten feet minimum from frontage property line;

2.

Side: five feet from property line, minimum;

3.

Rear: five feet from property line, minimum.

Where any structures or portions of structures are adjacent to any single-family residential zoning district, the minimum setback shall be twenty feet. Where structures are constructed over one story, the setback from the adjacent property line or lines shall be increased by ten feet for every story above the ground level story of the proposed new building, and shall be completely screened from view in accordance with Chapter 22.47;

G.

Open Space/Park Area. For multifamily developments, a minimum of fifteen percent of the gross site area shall be set aside and utilized as open space/park area for use and enjoyment of future residents. Such open space/park area shall at a minimum meet the standards shown in Chapter 18.47.040.

(Ord. 12761 § 71, 2002; Ord. 12070 § 2, 1999; Ord. 12032 § 38, 1999; Ord. 11804 § 132, 1998: Ord. 11669 § 10, 1998: Ord. 11500 § 10, 1997: Ord. 11274 § 2 (part), 1996)

(Ord. No. 14773, § 10(Att. I), 7-24-2012; Ord. No. 14961, § 3(Att. C), 12-17-2013; Ord. No. 15390, § 1(Att. A, § AC), 11-29-2016)

* See Section 22.04.670.