Kittitas County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
19 R-3 - RURAL-3 ZONE
§ 17.19.010 Purpose and intent.
The purpose and intent of the Rural-3 zone is to provide areas where residential development may occur on a low density basis. A primary goal and intent in siting R-3 zones will be to minimize adverse effects on adjacent natural resource lands.
(Ord. 92-4 (part), 1992)
§ 17.19.020 Uses permitted.
Uses allowed in the Rural-3 zone include those uses pursuant to KCC Chapter 17.15.
(Ord. 92-4 (part), 1992; Ord. 96-19 (part), 1996; Ord. O-2006-01, 2006; Ord. 2011-013, 2011; Ord. 2012-009, 2012; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)
§ 17.19.030 Repealed.
(Ord. 92-4 (part), 1992; Ord. O-2006-01, 2006; Ord. 2007-22, 2007; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)
§ 17.19.040 Lot size required.
The minimum residential lot size shall be three acres in the Rural-3 zone, unless within a cluster plat as provided for in KCC Chapter 16.09, Cluster Platting and Conservation Platting. Lots within a cluster plat shall be a minimum of one-half (½) acre. The overall density of any residential development shall not exceed one (1) dwelling for each three (3) acres.
(Ord. 92-4 (part), 1992; Ord. 2007-22, 2007; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)
§ 17.19.050 Yard requirements.
There shall be a minimum front yard setback of twenty-five (25) feet. Side and rear yard setbacks shall be fifteen (15) feet. Side and rear yard setbacks may be modified in accordance with KCC § 16.10.065.
(Ord. 92-4 (part), 1992; Ord. 2013-001, 2013; Ord. 2022-005, 2022)
§ 17.19.055 Yard requirements - Zones adjacent to Commercial Forest Zone.
Properties bordering or adjacent to the Commercial Forest zone are subject to a two hundred (200)-foot setback from the Commercial Forest Zone. (KCC § 17.57.050(1)). For properties where such setback isn't feasible, development shall comply with KCC § 17.57.050(2).
(Ord. 2007-22, 2007; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)
§ 17.19.060 Sale or conveyance of lot portion.
No sale or conveyance of any portion of a lot, for other than a public purpose, shall leave a structure on the remainder of the lot with less than the minimum lot, yard or setback requirements of this zone.
(Ord. 92-4 (part), 1992; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)
§ 17.19.070 Off-street parking.
Note: Former § 17.19.070, derived from Ord. 92-4, was repealed by Ord. 2013-001, 2013.
A.
Residential parking exceptions.
i.
Garages are not required to meet minimum parking spaces required in Table 17.11.039(4)(a)(i).
ii.
Parking spaces that count towards minimum parking requirements may be enclosed or unenclosed.
iii.
Tandem parking spaces must count towards meeting minimum parking requirements at a rate of one space for every 20 linear feet with any necessary provisions for turning radius.
iv.
Existence of legally nonconforming gravel surfacing in existing designated parking areas may not be a reason for prohibiting utilization of existing space in the parking area to meet local parking standards, up to a maximum of six parking spaces.
v.
Parking space sizes shall be eight feet by 20 feet, except for required parking for people with disabilities.
vi.
Off-street parking is not required as a condition of permitting a residential project if compliance with tree retention would otherwise make a proposed residential development or redevelopment infeasible.
vii.
Parking spaces that consist of grass block pavers may count toward minimum parking requirements.
viii.
Existing parking spaces that do not conform to the requirements of this section by June 6, 2024, are not required to be modified or resized, except for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act[1]. Existing paved parking lots are not required to change the size of existing parking spaces during resurfacing if doing so will be more costly or require significant reconfiguration of the parking space locations.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.
(Ord. 2026-004, 6/16/2026)
§ 17.19.080 Existing residential exceptions.
Note: Former § 17.19.080, derived from Ord. 92-4 and Ord. 2013-001, was repealed by Ord. 2016-006, 2016.
A.
A portion of exterior wall assemblies that include insulation shall be allowed to project up to an additional eight inches into the setbacks on all sides.
B.
A building shall be allowed to exceed the maximum allowable roof height by eight inches to accommodate additional insulation.
C.
Gross floor area shall be measured from the interior face of the exterior walls, which includes drywall, as typically depicted on the architectural floor plans.
(Ord. 2026-004, 6/16/2026)
§ 17.19.090 Repealed.
(Ord. 2007-22, 2007; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)
