Kenmore City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 18
75 COTTAGE HOUSING
§ 18.75.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for cottage housing developments in the applicable areas within the R-4 and R-6 zones, as defined in KMC § 18.21.035(B).
(Ord. 25-0630 § 3 (Exh. B))
§ 18.75.020 Cottage housing development standards.
A.
Development shall meet the bulk development and design standards for the parent lot, except as noted otherwise in this chapter.
B.
The building-to-building setback between units shall be a minimum of eight feet except for those units that are attached by common vertical walls.
C.
Parking shall be provided as specified in KMC § 18.40.030 and meet the following design requirements:
1.
Parking shall be clustered within a common parking area that is accessible but peripheral to the units.
2.
Parking shall be located to minimize visual impact on the site while limiting the amount of hardscape devoted to vehicles. Parking shall be screened from public view and shall not visually dominate the site frontage.
3.
Parking shall be located in the rear of the development if accessed by an alley.
4.
Parking shall be located on the side of the development if accessed by a private driveway, arterial or nonarterial street.
D.
Each cottage shall be provided private open space. Private open space shall be directly contiguous to and accessed from each cottage.
1.
Each cottage shall be provided with no less than 300 square feet of private open space.
2.
No open space with a dimension less than six linear feet shall count towards private open space requirements.
3.
Required porch areas may be counted as private open space.
4.
Required perimeter landscaping shall not be counted as private open space.
E.
A cottage development shall provide a minimum of 250 square feet of common open space per cottage.
1.
Common open spaces may be comprised of lawns, gardens, plazas, seating areas, covered gazebos, trees, or similar features.
2.
Community buildings, clubhouses, or structures are not required but can be counted as common open space provided they are on site and permanently affixed.
3.
Common open space shall be located and made accessible to all residents of the cottage housing development.
4.
Common open space shall be connected to other areas of the development through on-site pedestrian pathways.
5.
Common open space shall be designed and located to protect existing stands of trees pursuant to Chapter 18.57 KMC.
F.
Cottage Size. The gross floor area for a cottage shall be a maximum of 1,500 square feet in gross floor area.
(Ord. 25-0630 § 3 (Exh. B))
§ 18.75.030 Site design standards.
A.
Site design standards for cottage housing shall meet the requirements of Chapter 18.52 KMC, Article II, except as noted otherwise in this chapter.
1.
Each cottage shall have a paved on-site pedestrian pathway, providing access to a public sidewalk, common open space, common parking areas, common buildings and common solid waste areas, if provided.
2.
Parking outside of garages shall be screened per KMC § 18.52.180.
3.
Mechanical and utility equipment shall be located and designed to minimize visibility by the public. Preferred locations are abutting alleys, access drives, within, atop, or under buildings, underground, or other locations away from the public right-of-way. Equipment shall not intrude into required common open space or pedestrian pathways.
(Ord. 25-0630 § 3 (Exh. B))
§ 18.75.040 Building design standards.
A.
Building design standards for cottage housing shall meet the requirements of Chapter 18.52 KMC, Articles III and V, except as noted otherwise in this chapter.
1.
Cottage front facades shall face a common open space or a right-of-way.
2.
Cottages may be attached or detached.
3.
Buildings should be oriented and designed to promote privacy between detached cottages, including the location of transparent features such as windows and doors.
4.
Cottages with identical architectural designs should not be placed directly adjacent to one another and should be separated by at least one other nonidentical cottage. Variation in materials or colors between adjacent cottages is encouraged to create distinct cottages within a development.
5.
Parking provided in garages shall meet the following standards:
a.
Garage elevations visible from a public street should be designed to minimize visual impact through the use of fencing, lattices, landscaping, or other screening methods.
b.
Garages may be detached from cottage units. Up to four garages may be attached to one another.
(Ord. 25-0630 § 3 (Exh. B))
§ 18.75.050 Public benefits and development incentives.
Development incentives permitted for cottage housing development are permitted as defined in KMC § 18.21.035(E).
(Ord. 25-0630 § 3 (Exh. B))
