Gig Harbor City Zoning Code
17.05 Density
in Residential Zones
17.05.010 Purpose.
The density requirement helps to maintain a consistent and compatible land use pattern in Gig Harbor’s residential neighborhoods. Other purposes of this requirement are to serve the planned housing needs of the city’s residential population and prevent public nuisances that result from a lack of open space and the overutilization of public facilities. (Ord. 951 § 3, 2004).
17.05.020 Allowed density.
The allowed density, as shown for each zone in this title allowing residential uses, represents the minimum and/or the maximum number of dwelling units that may occupy an acre of land, as stated in each zoning district chapter. The following formula is used to determine minimum and maximum number of allowable dwelling units on a parcel based on the net buildable area, only applicable to zoning districts with required minimum and maximum densities. Minimum density shall be met for subdivisions and multifamily proposals. In zoning districts where no minimum density is established, only the maximum density shall apply as the upper limit.
A. Minimum density is calculated by multiplying the net buildable area by the minimum density requirement specified in the development standards for each zoning district.
B. Maximum density is determined by multiplying the net buildable area by the maximum allowable density as specified in the development standards for each zoning district.
C. An applicant may propose any number of dwelling units within the established minimum and maximum density range as calculated in subsections A and B of this section. (Ord. 1551 § 5, 2025; Ord. 1389 § 3, 2018; Ord. 1130 § 4, 2008; Ord. 951 § 3, 2004).
17.05.030 Calculations.
When determining the allowed density for any given lot in the city, the net buildable land area of the site is used. Net buildable land area, for the purpose of determining the allowed dwelling units for a site, shall be calculated by subtracting areas where building is prohibited or subject to significant restrictions from the gross lot area. The area remaining after these exclusions from the gross lot area represents the net buildable land area. The following shall be deducted from the gross lot area to determine net buildable land area:
A. Sensitive areas including: Type I, II, III and IV wetlands, streams, ravine sidewalls, bluffs and all required buffers associated with the sensitive areas listed in this subsection.
B. Public rights-of-way, streets, private roadways, and private driveways for two dwelling units; except as excluded under GHMC 17.05.040.
C. Tidelands. The area of waterfront lots is considered to be the area landward of the line of the ordinary high water mark, regardless of the extent of ownership, or the area landward of the ordinary high water mark along streams. (Ord. 1393 § 1, 2018; Ord. 1307 § 27, 2014; Ord. 951 § 3, 2004).
17.05.035 Density rounding.
The allowable number of dwelling units for any given lot of the city shall be calculated by multiplying the net buildable land area by the allowed density in dwelling units/acre. The result of this calculation shall equal the number of dwelling units permitted. If a calculation results in a fractional dwelling unit, the fractional dwelling unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole number. Less than one-half shall be rounded down. Greater than or equal to one-half shall be rounded up.
Example: One and one-half acres times three du/acre equals four and one-half (rounded to five dwelling units). (Ord. 972 § 1, 2004).
17.05.040 Exclusions.
The following shall not be deducted from the gross lot area when calculating net buildable land area:
A. Required setbacks;
B. Vegetation conservation buffers, landscape areas, and screening required by this title and the shoreline master program; and
C. Alleys. (Ord. 1393 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1307 § 28, 2014; Ord. 951 § 3, 2004).