Lacey City Zoning Code
16.61 Townhouse
Development
16.61.010 Intent.
It is the intent of this chapter to:
A. Encourage infilling of skipped-over parcels in developed areas of the city;
B. Provide for the development of townhouses within residential neighborhoods which may be conveyed as individually owned, separately platted lots;
C. Encourage within low, moderate and high density residential districts the development of townhouse structures built to standards designed to include amenities usually associated with conventional single-family detached housing, and to ensure their compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood;
D. Provide for favorable housing, efficient use of land and energy, and the availability of a variety of housing types in a variety of locations to serve a wide range of individual homeowner requirements;
E. Provide a guide for developers and city officials in meeting the purpose and provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 691 §32 (part), 1984).
16.61.020 Definitions.
These definitions shall be in addition to the definitions set forth in Chapter 16.06 LMC and shall apply solely to townhouse developments.
A. “Townhouse” means a one-family dwelling unit which is part of a group of two or more such units separated by a common party wall having no doors, windows or other provisions for human passage or visibility. Each one-dwelling unit shall be attached by not more than two party walls.
B. “Townhouse group” means a cluster or grouping of townhouse units containing not less than two nor more than six individual townhouse dwelling units contiguous to one another. (Ord. 691 §32 (part), 1984).
16.61.030 Where permitted.
Townhouse developments may be permitted in the following land use districts, consistent with the development standards in this chapter:
A. Low Density Residential District;
B. Moderate Density Residential District;
C. High Density Residential District. (Ord. 1612 §9, 2022; Ord. 1380 §1, 2012; Ord. 691 §32 (part), 1984).
16.61.040 Development standards.
A. Density. The density of the underlying zone governs unless a density increase is granted as provided in this chapter.
B. Density Increase. The city may approve an increase in the dwelling unit density of up to fifteen percent in the Low Density District, twenty percent in the Moderate Density District and twenty-five percent in the High Density District, rounded up to the nearest whole number; provided, that four of the five following environmental and recreational amenities are implemented:
1. Develop and equip significant recreational areas within the common open space with such features as, but not limited to, swimming pools, tennis courts, bike or pedestrian path systems, children’s play areas.
2. Substantial retention of natural ground cover, bushes and trees.
3. Vegetated LID facilities are included in the design and serve as a visual amenity.
4. Provide significant access to a lake, river, stream or other natural water body.
5. Provide substantial and exceptional landscaping treatment either as an adjunct to or in natural landscaping beyond the minimum required.
C. Lot Area and Width of Each Townhouse Unit. Townhouse units may either be condominiumized, provided the city has adopted an ordinance providing this option, or subdivided into individual lots. Lot configurations shall be governed by density, setbacks, open space, and other requirements and guidelines herein.
D. Height. The maximum height of any townhouse shall not exceed that allowed in the district in which the development is located.
E. Right-of-Way Setback. Right-of-way setbacks shall be the same as those specified in the applicable zoning district.
F. Rear Yard Requirements. For front loaded units, the minimum rear yard requirement shall be fifteen feet to the rear property line. Townhouses with a rear load may have garages within three feet of the rear lot line or paved alley.
G. Private Yard Area. Every lot containing a townhouse must provide a private yard of at least three hundred square feet. Acceptable private yard space may include landscaped front or rear yards, porches, balconies, and rooftop decks (where designed to accommodate outdoor pedestrian uses). Up to fifty percent of the required private yard area can be included as additional common open space provided for the applicable townhouse group. Such common open space must be above and beyond minimum open space requirements of LMC 15.12.120.
H. Side Yard Requirements. The minimum side yard requirement shall be the same as the underlying zone.
I. Maximum number of townhouses in one building: Six.
J. Minimum Distances Between Townhouse Groups. No portion of a townhouse, accessory structure or other building type in or related to one group or cluster of contiguous townhouses shall be nearer than twenty feet to any portion of a townhouse or accessory structure of another townhouse building or cluster.
K. Access. When the only driveway is from the street, each pair of units must share a common curb cut. Alternative configurations may be considered through the design review process, provided they mitigate negative safety, visual, and compatibility impacts.
L. Design. Townhouses are subject to design criteria established in LMC 14.23.080.
M. Conversion. Conversion of existing structures to a townhouse project will be permitted provided all townhouse development standards as outlined in this section can be satisfied. (See Table 16T-84) (Ord. 1612 §10, 2022; Ord. 1496 §96, 2016; Ord. 1380 §1, 2012).
16.61.050 Review and approval procedure.
Townhouse developments shall be approved pursuant to the regulations and procedures established in the platting and subdivision ordinance, as modified below, and the standards of this chapter.
A. Review. The site plan review committee shall review and approve the creation of nine or fewer townhouse lots. The site plan review committee approval does not involve a public hearing, but will be subject to notification of adjacent property owners. The decision of the site plan review committee is subject to the appeal process as identified in section 1D “Appeals” of the City of Lacey Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards.
The hearings examiner will review the creation of ten or more lots as provided for through the subdivision process.
B. Platting. A subdivision plat or short plat shall be required for all townhouse developments so that individual dwelling units are divided into lots with common walls located on lot lines. Exception: A townhouse development may be done through condominium provided the city has adopted an ordinance providing this option.
When a townhouse development is platted, construction of townhouse dwellings may commence prior to final plat or final short subdivision approval, provided:
1. The proposed subdivision has received preliminary approval or the short subdivision has
2. Partial or complete construction of structures shall not relieve the subdivider from, nor impair city enforcement of conditions of subdivision approval.
C. Site Plans. An application for a townhouse development shall include the following:
A site plan drawing or drawings at a scale not smaller than one hundred feet to the inch, showing all the information required for a preliminary plat plus the following:
1. Site boundaries;
2. Streets bounding or abutting the site;
3. Proposed building including dimensions, setbacks, identification of types and the number of dwelling units in each residential type;
4. Location and dimensions of open spaces;
5. Location and dimensions of garbage disposal areas;
6. The location and design of off-street parking facilities, showing their size;
7. Circulation plan, vehicular and pedestrian, and points of ingress and egress from the site, and their relationship to ingress and egress of neighborhood properties;
8. Existing buildings and indication of future use or disposition;
9. Landscaping plan;
10. Typical front and side elevations and exterior architectural treatment of the proposed units;
11. Three-dimensional illustrations to help show exterior architectural treatment from the street and/or other commonly viewed vantage points.
12. The existing and proposed contours at two foot intervals and which locates existing streams, lakes, marshes and other natural features.
D. Townhouse developments are subject to design review requirements of Chapter 14.23 LMC. (Ord. 1380 §1, 2012; Ord. 1310 §47, 2008; Ord. 1208 §68, 2003; Ord. 1044 §24, 1996; Ord. 1024 §48, 1995; Ord. 691 §32 (part), 1984).