Zoneomics Logo
search icon

Clyde Hill City Zoning Code

17.04 Definitions

17.04.010 Definitions generally.

A. This title, embodying and making effective the land use plans of Clyde Hill, shall be known as the “Clyde Hill Zoning Code,” and for the purpose of this title certain words and terms are defined as set out in this chapter.

B. Words used in the present tense include the future; words in the singular number include the plural, and words in the plural number include the singular; the word “building” includes the word “structure”; the word “shall” is mandatory and not directory. The term “council” means the council of the city of Clyde Hill and “hearing examiner” means the hearing examiner of the city of Clyde Hill.

C. When any word used in this title is not specifically defined in this chapter, its definition shall be that in Webster’s New International Dictionary of the English Language and where more than one definition is given, the most common usage shall govern. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 959 § 5, 2018; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.010)

17.04.020 Accessory building.

“Accessory building” means a subordinate building or portion of the main building, the use of which is incidental to that of the main building on the same lot. Where an accessory building is attached to and made a part of the main building, then the accessory building shall be considered an integral part of the main building and such accessory building shall comply in all respects with the requirements of this title applicable to the main building. An accessory building, unless attached to and made a part of the main building as provided for in this section, shall not be closer than three feet to the main building. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 644 § 1, 1991; Ord. 496 § 16, 1984; Ord. 363 § 1, 1976; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.020)

17.04.025 Accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

“Accessory dwelling unit” means a dwelling unit located on the same lot as a single-family dwelling. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 706 § 1, 1994. Formerly 17.08.025)

17.04.026 Accessory dwelling unit, attached (AADU).

“Attached accessory dwelling unit” means an accessory dwelling unit located within or attached to a single-family dwelling unit. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.027 Accessory dwelling unit, detached (DADU).

“Detached accessory dwelling unit” means an accessory dwelling unit that consists partly or entirely of a building that is separate and detached from a single-family dwelling unit. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.030 Accessory use.

“Accessory use” means a use customarily incidental and accessory to the principal use of the lot or a building or other structure located upon the same lot. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.030)

17.04.032 Access easement.

“Access easement” is a private easement given to a property owner that permits vehicle, pedestrian and other access to that owner’s property over the private property of another. An access easement is not a right-of-way. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.033 Administrative design review.

“Administrative design review” means a development permit process whereby an application is reviewed, approved, or denied by city staff based on objective design and development standards without a public predecision hearing, unless such review is otherwise required by state or federal law, or the structure is a designated landmark or historic district established under a local preservation ordinance. A city may utilize public meetings, hearings, or voluntary review boards to consider, recommend, or approve requests for variances from locally established design review standards. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.035 Adult family home.

“Adult family home” means a facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 70.128 RCW, which is the regular family abode of a person or persons who are providing personal care, room and board to one or more adult(s) not related by blood or marriage to the person providing the services. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 699 § 1, 1994. Formerly 17.08.035)

17.04.040 Alley.

“Alley” means a public right-of-way, 20 feet or less in width, which affords a secondary means of access to abutting property. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.040)

17.04.050 Apartment house.

“Apartment house” means any building or portion thereof which is designed, built, rented, leased, let, or hired out to be occupied, or which is occupied as the home or residence of three or more families living independently of each other and doing their cooking in the same building. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.050)

17.04.060 Arterial grade.

“Arterial grade” is the grade at the centerline of the right-of-way normal to the property line. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.065 Basement.

“Basement” means a story at least partly underground and having at least one-half of its height, measured from its floor to its finished ceiling, below the average adjoining grade. A basement shall be counted as a story if the vertical distance from the average grade to its ceiling is over five feet. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.060)

17.04.070 Building.

“Building” means any structure built for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals or chattels and when separated by division walls without openings, each portion so separated shall be deemed a separate building. Building dimensions for all purposes are to be considered the dimensions of the vertical projections, to the ground level, of the outermost parts of the structure and include but are not restricted to porches, overhung portions of the roof, garages, cantilevered portions, etc. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.070)

17.04.080 Building height.

“Building height” means the vertical distance at any point of a building or structure measured from the original grade. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 174 § 1, 1964; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.080)

17.04.090 Building site.

“Building site” means the aggregate horizontal cross-sectional ground area of a building, or buildings and accessory buildings, together with all open spaces free of buildings and structures as required by this title. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.090)

17.04.100 Carport.

“Carport” means an accessory building or accessory portion of the main building which consists of a covered shelter enclosed on not more than two sides. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.100)

17.04.110 Cellar.

A “cellar” is a basement. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.110)

17.04.120 Chase.

“Chase” is a structure that encloses a chimney and is considered part of a building or structure. A chase is not a chimney. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.130 Chimneys, flues or vents.

“Chimneys,” “flues,” or “vents” are conduits or passageways, vertical or nearly so, for conveying products of combustion to the outer air. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 392, 1977; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.120)

17.04.140 Club.

“Club” means an association of persons for some common purpose but not including groups organized primarily to render a service which is customarily carried on as a business. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.130)

17.04.150 Comprehensive plan.

“Comprehensive plan” means a generalized coordinated land use policy statement of the governing body of the city that is adopted pursuant to Chapter 36.70A RCW. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 742 § 6, 1996; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.140)

17.04.152 Cottage housing.

“Cottage housing” means residential units on a lot with a common open space that either: (A) is owned in common; or (B) has units owned as condominium units with property owned in common and a minimum of 20 percent of the lot size as open space. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.153 Courtyard apartments.

“Courtyard apartments” means attached dwelling units arranged on two or three sides of a yard or court. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.154 Development regulations.

“Development regulations” means the controls placed on development or land use activities by the city, including, but not limited to, zoning ordinances, critical areas ordinances, shoreline master programs, official controls, planned unit development ordinances, subdivision ordinances, and binding site plan ordinances together with any amendments thereto. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.155 Dish antenna.

“Dish antenna” means a round parabolic device for the reception and/or transmission of radio frequency communication signals. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.156 Dish antenna, large.

A “large dish antenna” shall be any dish antenna over one meter in diameter. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.157 Dish antenna, small.

A “small dish antenna” shall be any dish antenna one meter in diameter or less. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.160 Driveway.

“Driveway” means an access way that is part of a lot and that services no more than one residence. A driveway is not a private road. See Chapter 17.44 CHMC for private road regulations. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.162 Duplex.

“Duplex” means a residential building containing two attached dwelling units. A single-family dwelling with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is not a duplex. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.165 Dwelling unit.

“Dwelling unit” means a residential living unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and that includes permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. Also referred to as “unit.” (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.170 Dwelling, group.

“Group dwelling” means a combination arrangement of dwellings, whether detached or not, on one building site. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.150)

17.04.180 Dwelling, multiple-family.

“Multiple-family dwelling” means a building designed and/or used to house three or more families living independently of each other and including all necessary household employees of each such family. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.160)

17.04.185 Dwelling, principal.

“Principal dwelling” means the single-family dwelling located on the same lot as an accessory dwelling unit. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.190 Dwelling, single-family.

“Single-family dwelling” means a dwelling unit which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one family operating as a single housekeeping unit. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.170)

17.04.200 Dwelling, two-family.

Repealed by Ord. 1019. (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.180)

17.04.210 Family.

“Family” means individuals domiciled together in one dwelling unit whose relationship is of a domestic character and who are cooking and living together as a single, housekeeping unit, but the number of individuals occupying the dwelling unit shall not exceed the occupancy limits as provided in the Washington Building Code currently in effect. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 701 § 1, 1994; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.190)

17.04.220 Family home child care.

“Family home child care” means a state licensed family home child care provider as defined in WAC 170-296A-0010, who regularly provides child care for not more than 12 children in the provider’s home in the family living quarters and is required to be licensed as provided in WAC 170-296A-1025 as amended from time to time. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 954 § 2, 2017; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 699 § 1, 1994. Formerly 17.08.195)

17.04.230 Fence.

A “fence” shall be any barrier that is naturally grown or constructed for purposes of confinement, means of protection or use as a boundary. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 287 § 2, 1971; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.200)

17.04.232 Floor area, gross.

“Gross floor area” means the interior habitable space of a dwelling unit including basements and attics but not including a garage or accessory structure. Habitable space is defined according to the adopted building code currently in effect. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.234 Floor area, net.

“Net floor area” is the usable area of a building, calculated by determining the total area of the building, then excluding the exterior and interior walls. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.240 Garage, private.

“Private garage” means a building or an accessory portion of the main building designed and/or primarily used only for shelter or storage of self-propelled vehicles, and may also be used for storage, as a workshop, or include a room on the upper level. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 644 § 2, 1991; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.210)

17.04.250 Home occupation.

“Home occupation” means any vocation, avocation, trade, or profession carried on within a dwelling or an accessory building of a main building by the inhabitants, but not including commercial raising of animals and fowl. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.220)

17.04.255 Impervious coverage.

“Impervious coverage” means those hard surfaced areas which either prevent or retard the entry of water into the soil in the manner that such water entered the soil under natural conditions preexisting any development on the property, and/or those hard surface areas which cause water to run off the surface in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from that present under natural conditions pre-existing any development on the property, including, but not limited to, such surfaces as patios, platforms, decks, pools, spas, sport or recreation courts, walkways, driveways, storage areas, gravel, oiled macadam and areas included in structural coverage, and any other surfaces which similarly affect the natural infiltration or runoff patterns existing prior to development. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.260 Kitchen.

“Kitchen” means any room used or intended or designed to be used for cooking and/or preparation of food. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.230)

17.04.270 Lot.

“Lot” means a parcel of land on which a principal or main building and its accessories are placed, together with the open spaces therein, or a subdivision of a block as shown by any recorded plat of an addition to or a subdivision of the county; or any portion or area of land in a single unit and under one ownership whether platted or unplatted. If one or more lots are built upon as a unit of property and under one ownership they shall, for the purpose of this title, be considered a single lot. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.240)

17.04.280 Lot, corner.

“Corner lot” means a lot located at the junction of and fronting on two or more intersecting rights-of-way, with a boundary line bordering on each of the rights-of-way. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.250)

17.04.290 Lot, interior.

“Interior lot” means a lot which is not a “corner lot.” (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.260)

17.04.300 Lot lines.

“Lot lines” means the boundaries of a lot. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 174 § 1, 1964; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.270)

17.04.310 Lot, through.

“Through lot” means a lot having frontage on two rights-of-way which do not join or intersect at any point adjacent to said lot. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.280)

17.04.312 Major transit stop.

“Major transit stop” means:

A. A stop on a high capacity transportation system funded or expanded under the provisions of Chapter 81.104 RCW;

B. Commuter rail stops;

C. Stops on rail or fixed guideway systems; or

D. Stops on bus rapid transit routes, including those stops that are under construction. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.315 Manufactured home.

“Manufactured home” means a factory-built structure built after June 15, 1976, in compliance with 42 U.S.C. Section 5401 et seq., designed and constructed to be transportable in one or more sections built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.316 Manufactured home, designated.

A “designated manufactured home” is a manufactured home which:

A. Is comprised of at least two fully enclosed parallel sections each of not less than 12 feet wide by 36 feet long;

B. Was originally constructed with and now has a composition or wood shake or shingle, coated metal, or similar roof of not less than 3:13 pitch; and

C. Has exterior siding similar in appearance to siding materials commonly used on conventional site-built Uniform Building Code single-family residences. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.317 Middle housing.

“Middle housing” means buildings that are compatible in scale, form, and architectural character with single-family dwellings and contain two or more attached, stacked, or clustered homes including duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, fiveplexes, sixplexes, townhouses, stacked flats, courtyard apartments, and cottage housing. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.318 Mobile home.

“Mobile home” means a factory-built dwelling built prior to June 15, 1976, to standards other than the HUD code (42 U.S.C. Section 5401 et seq.), and acceptable under applicable state codes in effect at the time of construction or introduction of the mobile home into the state. Mobile homes have not been built since introduction of the HUD manufactured home construction and safety standards act (42 U.S.C. Section 5401 et seq.). (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999. Formerly 17.04.317)

17.04.320 Net floor area.

Repealed by Ord. 1019. (Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.330 Original grade.

“Original grade” means the topographic characteristics of the lot, tract or parcel as existed at the time of incorporation of the city (March, 1953) as determined by the public works director based upon information provided by the property owner, including, but not limited to, the following: a survey performed by a licensed surveyor, prior recorded plats, and/or a physical examination of the property by a licensed soils engineer. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 287 § 2, 1971; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.290)

17.04.335 Permanent supportive housing.

“Permanent supportive housing” means subsidized, leased housing owned, operated, or managed by a nonprofit organization or governmental agency with no limit on length of stay that prioritizes people who need comprehensive support services to retain tenancy and utilizes admissions practices designed to use lower barriers to entry than would be typical for other subsidized or unsubsidized rental housing, especially related to rental history, criminal history, and personal behaviors. Permanent supportive housing is subject to all of the rights and responsibilities defined in Chapter 59.18 RCW. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 997 § 2, 2023)

17.04.340 Person.

“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, public or private organization of any character. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 709 § 1, 1995. Formerly 17.08.295)

17.04.350 Place of habitation.

“Place of habitation” means a building or structure, or part thereof, required to have a permanent location and be occupied by one or more families who live therein. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.300)

17.04.355 Private road.

A “private road” is a privately owned area of land that is used, established or set aside for the purpose of vehicle or pedestrian access. See Chapter 17.44 CHMC for private road regulations. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.356 Pipe stem driveway.

A “pipe stem driveway” is a portion of a lot that extends to the right-of-way for the purpose of providing vehicle or pedestrian access to a lot that does not otherwise border or abut the right-of-way. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.360 Public parking area.

“Public parking area” means an area devoted to the parking of vehicles, other than the parking area incidental to a residence. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.310)

17.04.370 Raised pool cover.

“Raised pool cover” means any inflatable or structural cover over a swimming pool in excess of one foot above the pool deck. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 376 § 1, 1976; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.320)

17.04.380 Retaining wall.

“Retaining wall” means a structure constructed for the purpose of restraining lateral movement of soil, including rip-rap rockeries where the rock is keyed together to act as a retaining structure. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 287 § 2, 1971; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.330)

17.04.390 Right-of-way.

“Right-of-way” means an area of land dedicated to, or owned by, the city or other government agency and established or set aside for street, highway, interstate (S.R. 520) or pedestrian purposes, within which utilities and sidewalks may be located, and including both the improved and unimproved portions thereof. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.340)

17.04.400 Seat.

“Seat” means any chair, bench, or similar equipment capable of being sat upon by a human being. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.350)

17.04.410 Seating capacity.

“Seating capacity” is determined on the basis of one seat for each eight square feet of floor space available for permanent and temporary seating. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.360)

17.04.420 Setback.

“Setback” is a general term applying to the distances referred to in front, side and rear yard requirements, measured from the lot line to the eave line or the outermost extremity of a building or structure, whichever is closer to the lot line. For purposes of calculating setback distance where there is a street right-of-way, alley, access easement, or private road through the property, the measurement shall be taken from the edge of the right-of-way, alley, easement or road which is nearest the structure. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 591 § 1, 1988; Ord. 174 § 1, 1964; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.370)

17.04.430 Single-family zones.

“Single-family zones” means those zones where single-family detached residences are the predominant land use. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.435 Stacked flat.

“Stacked flat” means dwelling units in a residential building of no more than three stories on a residential zoned lot in which each floor may be separately rented or owned. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.440 Storm sewers.

“Storm sewers” means facilities for the control and disposal of surface and ground water runoff, developed in compliance with the provisions of this title and all amendments thereto, as well as in accordance with the provisions of CHMC Title 16, Subdivisions, and all amendments thereto. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 352, 1975; Ord. 342, 1974; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.390)

17.04.450 Story.

“Story” means any portion of a building included between the floor and the ceiling next above it, or between the under-surface of the roof directly over a particular floor. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.400)

17.04.460 Street.

“Street” means that portion of a right-of-way that has been improved in accordance with the ordinances of the city governing specifications for road improvements. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.410)

17.04.470 Structural alterations.

“Structural alterations” means any changes in the supporting members of a building or structure such as bearing walls, columns, beams, or girders, floor joists or roof joists. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.420)

17.04.475 Structural coverage.

“Structural coverage” means area covered by buildings and/or structures; provided, that the following structures are excluded from the calculation of structural coverage when not more than 30 inches above original grade and not over any basement or story below: patios, platforms, decks, pools, spas, sport or recreation courts, walkways, and driveways. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999)

17.04.480 Structure.

“Structure” means anything constructed or erected and the use of which requires more or less permanent location on the ground or attachment to something having a permanent location on the ground, including, but not limited to, fences in excess of six feet in height, recreational facilities and retaining walls. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 430 § 1, 1981; Ord. 354 § 1, 1975; Ord. 287 § 1, 1971; Ord. 119 § 1, 1961; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.430)

17.04.482 Tandem parking.

“Tandem parking” means two or more vehicles, one in front of or behind the others, with a single means of ingress and egress. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.483 Townhouses.

“Townhouses” means buildings that contain three or more attached single-family dwelling units that extend from foundation to roof and that have a yard or public way on not less than two sides. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.485 Transitional housing.

“Transitional housing” means a project owned, operated, or managed by a nonprofit organization or governmental agency that provides housing and supportive services to homeless persons or families for up to two years. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 997 § 2, 2023)

17.04.488 Unit density.

“Unit density” means the number of dwelling units, including accessory dwelling units, allowed on a lot, regardless of lot size. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)

17.04.490 Use and occupancy permit.

“Use and occupancy permit” means a permit issued as evidence that the permittee has complied or is complying with this zoning code and continues to adhere to the conditions set forth in such permit. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.440)

17.04.500 Yard.

“Yard” means an unoccupied space on a lot on which a building is situated, and except where otherwise provided in this title, open and unobstructed from the ground to the sky. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.450)

17.04.510 Yard, front.

“Front yard” means a yard extending across the front of the lot between right-of-way line and main structure and measured between the right-of-way line of the lot and the eave line or the outermost projection or extremity of a building, structure or accessory building, whichever is closer to the lot line. For yards with more than four sides, see CHMC 17.08.110. For corner lots or through lots, see Chapter 17.16 CHMC. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 174 § 1, 1964; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.460)

17.04.520 Yard, rear.

“Rear yard” means a yard measured between the rear line of the lot (not necessarily a right-of-way line) and the eave line or the outermost projection or extremity of a building, structure or accessory building, whichever is closer to the lot line. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 174 § 1, 1964; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.470)

17.04.530 Yard, side.

“Side yard” means a yard on each side of the building between the building and the side line of the lot, measured to the eave line or the outermost projection or extremity of the building, whichever is closer to the lot line. (Ord. 1019 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 805 § 1, 1999; Ord. 174 § 1, 1964; Ord. 74 § 2, 1959. Formerly 17.08.480)


Code reviser’s note: Ord. 805 renumbered Chapters 17.04 and 17.08. Former CHMC 17.04.060, 17.04.070, and 17.04.080 derived from Ord. 714 §§ 3, 4, 5, and were repealed by Ord. 742.