1. Residential;

2. Commercial/industrial.

1. Middle Housing. For all Residential (R) zoning districts, a minimum of two (2) housing units per lot (excluding accessory dwelling units) are allowed on all lots that meet minimum lot size requirements and do not include critical areas or their buffers, or four (4) housing units per lot where additional affordable units are provided according to Chapter 18A.90 LMC or additional units are permitted in locations close to a major transit stop, as defined in RCW 36.70A.030(25) or its successor, under Chapter 18A.50 LMC, Article IV.

2. The maximum lot coverage is as follows:

3. The minimum setback for a rear alley is zero (0) feet. It is three (3) feet for a garage door where it is accessed from the alley.

4. No hard surface areas shall be allowed within the dripline of a significant tree to the maximum extent possible, subject to the tree preservation regulations of Chapter 18A.70 LMC, Article III.

5. The process used for reviewing compliance with middle housing design standards shall be administrative review as described under Chapter 18A.20 LMC.

1. The Director may reduce a rear yard and/or side yard building setback to compensate for significant or heritage tree preservation; provided, that the setback is not reduced more than five (5) feet, is no closer to the property line than three (3) feet, is the minimum reduction required for tree preservation, and complies with LMC 18A.60.100, Building transition area.

2. The Director may increase the amount of allowable impervious surface by five (5) percent to compensate for the preservation of a significant or heritage tree. [Ord. 831 § 2 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 813 § 2 (Att. D), 2024; Ord. 794 § 2 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 775 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 726 § 2 (Exh. B), 2019.]

1. The Director may increase the amount of allowable impervious surface by five (5) percent to compensate for the preservation of a significant or heritage tree. [Ord. 813 § 2 (Att. D), 2024; Ord. 775 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 726 § 2 (Exh. B), 2019.]

1. The Director may reduce a rear yard and/or side yard building setback to compensate for significant or heritage tree preservation; provided, that the setback is not reduced more than five (5) feet, is no closer to the property line than three (3) feet, is the minimum reduction required for tree preservation, and complies with LMC 18A.60.100, Building transition area.

2. The Director may increase the amount of allowable impervious surface by five (5) percent to compensate for the preservation of a significant or heritage tree. [Ord. 789 § 2 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 775 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 726 § 2 (Exh. B), 2019.]

1. Development shall be permitted only on a legally created lot.

2. To establish that a lot has been legally created, the applicant shall provide one (1) of the following:

3. Where two (2) or more lots are used as a building site, the lots shall be legally combined to form a single lot prior to issuance of a building permit. No building permit shall be issued where the subject building, associated accessory buildings, or required improvements, other than shared access or parking facilities, cross a property line.

4. The minimum width for all lots shall be fifty (50) feet except for lots created within the MR2 zoning district, which are governed by LMC 18A.60.030(A).

5. The minimum street frontage for all lots shall be fifty (50) feet, except flag lots and irregular lots as specified elsewhere in this section.

6. There shall be a maximum length to width ratio of four (4) to one (1) for all new lots. The Director may waive this requirement where lot configurations are limited by the circumstances of the original parcel.

7. The shape of the new lot shall conform to the general lot shapes described in this section unless the City determines that a specific topographic feature makes a standardized lot shape not feasible. In such cases, variations of general lot shapes shall be the minimum necessary to accommodate the topographic feature and shall not create extra-long lots, lots with extended projections, excluding flag lots, or unusual lot shapes which make meeting development standards difficult. The presence of a topographic feature does not require the City to consider or approve variances to lot shape.

8. No land may be so reduced in area that it would be in violation of minimum lot size, yard provisions, lot coverage, off-street parking or any other requirements of the zoning district or use.

9. On a corner lot in any district, nothing shall be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as materially to impede vision between a height of three (3) feet and nine (9) feet above the grade of the centerline of each intersecting street, and a line joining points along the street lines twenty (20) feet from the point of the intersection. See Figure 2 for reference.

1. Front lot line shall be that portion of a lot line abutting a street right-of-way.

2. Interior lot line shall be any lot line other than a front or rear lot line.

3. Rear lot line shall be that lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line, and which runs most parallel to the front lot line.

4. Where the zoning district has a garage/carport setback requirement, that portion of the structure that acts as the vehicle entrance to the garage or carport portion of the structure, shall be set back from the property line as required by the zoning district to allow for vehicle parking and maneuvering. See Figure 3 for reference.

5. All lots shall contain at least one (1) front yard setback, except flag lots. A front yard setback shall be required abutting each right-of-way on corner lots and through lots. All lots shall contain one (1) rear yard setback except for through and flag lots. All other setbacks will be considered interior yard setbacks.

6. Standard Lots. A standard lot is a lot that has only one (1) front lot line and one (1) rear lot line, and two (2) interior lot lines.

7. Corner Lots. If a lot abuts the intersection of two (2) or more street rights-of-way, a front yard setback is required abutting each right-of-way. This requirement is also applicable to a lot fronting a single right-of-way that simulates a corner lot. The minimum setbacks shall be the applicable front yard setback requirement on all sides with street frontage and the applicable interior setback on all remaining sides without street frontage. See Figure 4 for reference.

8. Through Lots. In the case of a through lot, a front yard setback is required abutting each street right-of-way.

9. Flag Lots. A flag lot shall have setbacks of a minimum of ten (10) feet from all property lines for both principal and accessory structures, except in R1 and R2 zoning districts where the minimum setbacks shall be fifteen (15) feet.

10. Irregular Lots. Where the shape of a lot does not generally conform to the types of lots described above, the City shall make a determination on the location of front, rear, and interior lot line, applicable setbacks and the applicable development standards for the lot. See Figure 5 for reference.

11. Projection Exception.

12. Fences Within the Required Setbacks or Located on the Property Line. Fences to enclose, screen, or separate areas may be erected within required yard setbacks; provided, that fences or other barriers:

13. Bulkheads and Retaining Walls. Any structure constructed and erected between lands of different elevations which is used to resist the lateral displacement of any material, control erosion, or protect structures may be placed within required yard setbacks to a maximum height of four (4) feet on front property lines and eight (8) feet on side and rear property lines, provided all applicable site distance requirements and building permit requirements are met. If more than one (1) retaining wall is used to terrace a slope, the minimum horizontal distance between the back edge of a lower wall and the front edge of an upper wall shall be two (2) feet.

14. Setbacks from Ingress/Egress Easements. No additional setback is required from easements.

1. Access control shall be applied, at the discretion of the City Engineer, to all street frontages to minimize traffic conflicts and where appropriate, to preserve on-street parking and promote nonmotorized modes of transportation.

2. Areas for ingress and egress for automobiles shall be designed in such a manner that adequate visibility is ensured.

3. Every building hereafter erected or moved shall be on a lot adjacent to a public street, or with access to an approved private street, and all structures shall be located on lots as to provide safe and convenient access for servicing and required off-street parking.

1. Adequate paved vehicular maneuvering area shall be provided in front of any residential garage or carport. The minimum depth of paving shall be twenty (20) feet from the front of the garage or carport and the minimum width shall be the total width of the garage or carport vehicular access opening(s).

2. A storm water control plan shall be required for all residential development with a slope in excess of ten (10) percent on any portion of the lot that will be developed.

3. An erosion control plan shall be required for all residential development with a slope in excess of ten (10) percent on any portion of the lot that will be developed.

4. A geotechnical assessment shall be required for all residential development with a slope in excess of twenty (20) percent on any portion of the lot that will be developed.

1. For new developments and additions that are adjacent to a shoreline or a shoreline buffer, the following information shall be submitted as part of the project permit application:

2. Erosion control measures shall be in place and inspected prior to any grading activity on the site.

3. The shoreline setback for buildings, retaining walls, rockeries, stairways, and all other structures, except bulkheads, docks, boat ramps, and other in-water uses permitted under the shoreline regulations, shall be a minimum of fifty (50) feet horizontal distance from the ordinary high water mark, and this distance shall not be averaged.

4. No vegetation removal, excavation, fill, or landscaping shall be undertaken within the shoreline setback without first obtaining the appropriate shoreline permit(s) or a shoreline exemption letter from the Department of Planning and Public Works (PPW).

1. Repealed by Ord. 813.

2. Except as provided in LMC 18A.60.160, recreation and sporting vehicles shall not be used for dwelling purposes in any zoning district, and shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 18A.60 LMC.

3. Tents, yurts, membrane or rigid canopies, or other similar structures shall not be placed or maintained in any commercial or industrial zoning district, except with the written authorization of the Director. The Director shall evaluate any such proposal against the development standards and community design guidelines pertinent to the applicable zoning district.

4. No motor vehicle, which is advertised for sale, shall be parked in any location for more than twenty-four (24) hours in a manner intended to facilitate that sale, except on residential property where the registered owner resides, or in conjunction with a permitted auto and vehicle sales use type.

5. Outdoor commercial activities shall be prohibited except for those uses and activities that are allowed as a primary permitted use or by discretionary permit under this title. [Ord. 814 § 2, 2024; Ord. 813 § 2 (Att. D), 2024; Ord. 794 § 2 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 789 § 2 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 758 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 738 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 726 § 2 (Exh. B), 2019.]

1. Protect the air-based mission of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) by reducing lighting impacts that impair or negatively impact pilot training and missions and eliminating such impacts over time as obsolete lighting practices are curtailed;

2. Protect against light pollution, thereby reclaiming the ability to view the night sky and thereby help preserve the quality of life and scenic value of this desirable visual resource throughout the region and nearby natural open spaces, including state and national parks;

3. Help protect and enhance human health and wellness and wildlife habitation and migration by minimizing light pollution and its impact on all forms of life;

4. Promote lighting practices and systems to conserve energy, decrease dependence on fossil fuels and limit greenhouse gas emissions;

5. Ensure that sufficient lighting can be provided where needed to promote safety and security on public and private property, and to allow for reasonable lighting for commercial properties and activities;

6. Provide easily understood regulations for residential lighting that help minimize obtrusive light and mitigate neighbor-to-neighbor lighting issues;

7. Allow reasonable flexibility in the style of lighting fixtures and the technology used to generate and control light; and

8. Permit appropriate lighting employing historic and current technology, evolving advancements, energy use and economic needs.

1. Indoor lighting.

2. Exterior lighting provided in association with single-family homes, mobile homes, and duplexes.

3. Lighting solely for signs.

4. Repairs to existing luminaires, including lamp, ballast, and lens replacements.

5. Temporary lighting for one-time permitted events.

6. Underwater lighting in swimming pools and other water features.

7. Temporary lighting and seasonal lighting limited to cord-and-plug portable lighting or specifically permitted hard-wired lighting.

8. Short-term lighting associated with activities authorized by a valid temporary use permit, special event permit or film permit.

9. Construction or emergency lighting provided such lighting is temporary and is discontinued immediately upon completion of the construction work or abatement of the emergency necessitating said lighting.

1. Shielding. All luminaires shall be fully shielded and shall not emit light into the upper hemisphere around the luminaire once installed, except in accordance with Figure 6. Support and mounting systems for luminaires shall not allow post-installation adjustments that could defeat compliance with this requirement.

Exceptions: Decorative lighting, landscape lighting, or architectural floodlighting and outlining in Lighting Zone 3 or as otherwise specifically provided for herein.

2. Lighting Color (Chromaticity). The correlated color temperature of all outdoor lighting shall be four thousand (4,000) Kelvin maximum or lower, with tolerance within the ANSI standard C78.377 of LED sources.

Exceptions:

3. Prevention of Light Trespass. All lighting shall be designed and implemented to mitigate light trespass onto adjacent properties. The maximum allowable light trespass shall be per Table 1 and Table 2.

4. Lighting Not Permitted. None of the following outdoor lighting equipment is permitted except by special permit:

5. Street Lighting.

1. Posting of Lighting Zone Map. The lighting zone map shall be posted on the Lakewood website and remain available to the public.

2. Adoption and Administration of Lighting Zones.

1. General. Luminaires shall not be equipped such that the luminaire may be aimed upward, except as specifically permitted in Lighting Zones 2 and 3 (LZ-2 and LZ-3).

2. Nonresidential Luminaires.

3. Residential Luminaires.

1. Applicability.

2. Curfew.

3. Maximum Lumens. For a dedicated fluorescent, LED, or HID luminaire, the allowed maximum rated lumens shall be per a photometric report or manufacturer’s product literature. For a line voltage socket luminaire or a low voltage socket luminaire shall be the rated lumens of the lamp installed in it.

4. Maximum Mounting Height. The maximum mounting height above adjacent grade for luminaire shall be as provided in Tables 1 and 2.

Exception 1: There is no maximum mounting height for fully recessed luminaires.

Exception 2: For multi-story residential buildings and motels with exterior entrance doors, the maximum mounting height shall be eight (8) feet above adjacent floor unless recessed into an adjacent ceiling, soffit, or overhang.

5. Landscape Lighting. Landscape lighting is permitted per Table 1 and Table 2.

6. Architectural Floodlighting and Outlining. The use of lighting to illuminate building facades, statuary, and similar edifices for appearance or other needs, which do not involve visual tasks such as walking or driving, may be permitted in Lighting Zone 3 only, if all the following conditions are met:

7. Plan Review and Permitting.

1. Change of Use. If a property with noncompliant lighting changes use, then all outdoor lighting shall be brought into compliance with this title before the new use begins. Any uncorrected noncompliant lighting shall be removed or remain extinguished.

2. Resumption of Use after Abandonment. Beginning on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, If a property with noncompliant lighting is abandoned for a period of twelve (12) months or more, then all outdoor lighting shall be brought into compliance before resumption of use of the property. Any uncorrected noncompliant lighting shall be removed or remain extinguished.

1. Fractions of one-half (0.5) or above shall be rounded up; and

2. Fractions below one-half (0.5) shall be rounded down. [Ord. 775 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 758 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 726 § 2 (Exh. B), 2019.]

1. Sidewalks shall be constructed by the developer of any new industrial, commercial, and multifamily development; nonresidential change of use, or major tenant improvement; commercial, nonresidential or multifamily residential remodel; or residential subdivision, where the new development, change of use, or remodel will increase vehicular or pedestrian traffic to and from the site, or otherwise impact the local street system as determined by the City Engineer.

2. In all subdivisions, in addition to sidewalks along arterial streets, sidewalks shall be installed by the developer on all interior streets as follows:

1. The City Engineer and the Director may permit modification of street improvement requirements and standards when development of the required improvement(s) is not, in the opinion of the City Engineer and the Director, practical due to physical limitations of the site which are no fault of the applicant.

2. The City Engineer and the Director may permit modification of street improvement standards where the required street improvement is not, in the opinion of the City Engineer and the Director, roughly proportionate to the impact, type, scale, and cost of the proposed development action.

3. The street design alternatives shall be documented as an administrative determination. Mailing of notice to adjacent property owners potentially affected by the development regulation modifications is required. [Ord. 726 § 2 (Exh. B), 2019.]

1. Issue development permits which would allow for an increase in the amount of infrastructure demand generated from the site.

2. Permit the division of the property that provides for increased potential for development or demand for infrastructure. All new subdivisions, including short plats, preliminary/final plats, binding site plans and condominium conversions, shall require connection to the public sewer system prior to recordation of the subdivision instrument.

1. Sanitary sewer.

2. Water.

3. Transportation and transit facilities.

4. Storm water.

5. Electrical.

6. Police, fire, and emergency medical.

1. A vehicle turnaround, turnout or similar mechanism shall be provided in front of the gate. The entrance to the proposed gate shall be designed and stamped by a professional civil engineer licensed in the State of Washington and shall allow for a safe turnaround for vehicles in front of the gate in cases where the vehicle is denied entry. The design for the gated entrance shall consider the abutting public roadway alignment and grade, sight distance, posted speeds and other engineering criteria relevant to designing the particular gated entrance. The proposal shall be reviewed for approval by the City Engineer.

2. Gate construction shall be of wrought iron or similar material approved by the Director and be constructed in such a manner to allow for viewing of obstructions located within the swing path of the gate. The swing path of the gate shall be away from or parallel with the vehicle approaching the gate. The gate and accessory equipment shall be coated to prevent corrosion.

3. If the entry gate(s) obstructs access to solid waste collection, public water, sewer, or storm water utilities, then a property owners’ or homeowners’ association will be required to meet all easement requirements and be responsible for assuring that twenty-four (24) hour access is provided to the City. The City Engineer shall determine a specified number of activation keys, activation devices or receive the access code to the gate which shall be distributed to the appropriate City departments. If the access method to the gate is subsequently modified, then the property owners’ or homeowners’ association shall notify the City Engineer and again provide to the City Engineer a specified number of activation keys, activation devices or the access code to the gate which shall be distributed to the appropriate City departments.

4. Emergency Access Provisions. Gates shall have rapid entry key capabilities as approved by the Fire Marshal. The gate shall provide for twenty (20) feet of clear passage for emergency access with a minimum clear height of not less than sixteen (16) feet six (6) inches in accordance with WSDOT Design Manual Section 1120.04, “Bridge Site Design Elements,” paragraph 5(a)1. Electrically operated gates shall have the capability to automatically default to the unlocked (open) position in the event of a power outage. [Ord. 726 § 2 (Exh. B), 2019.]

1. The commercial vehicle shall be stored on a parking pad or in the driveway of the residence. No portion of the vehicle shall be parked within the public right-of-way, even if a portion of the driveway extends into the public right-of-way.

2. The parking pad shall have an all-weather surface such as asphalt or concrete, paver stones, grasscrete or a minimum of three (3) inches gravel, which shall be maintained in such condition.

3. The parking pad shall be located at the side or rear of the dwelling, whenever feasible.

1. Outdoor storage areas and yards shall be paved with asphalt or concrete, including contractor storage yards and areas where vehicles or heavy equipment will be parked, stored, or regularly maneuvered. Areas where unattached trailers; shipping containers; vehicles without engines, transmissions, oil and/or gasoline tanks; or where other inert materials or items are stored may be exempted from paving requirements at the discretion of the Director where it is determined that such storage does not pose a soil contamination hazard. A hydrogeological assessment per the City’s critical areas regulations may be required to assist the Director in making this determination.

2. No hazardous materials shall be stored or utilized in storage areas, except as permitted under the International Fire Code and any conditions of site development required by the City.

3. All storage areas shall be screened and fenced pursuant to LMC 18A.70.140.

1. Only accessory storage buildings defined in LMC 18A.10.180 shall be permitted as accessory storage containers on property in any residential zone of the City, or on any property within the City the primary use of which is residential. Cargo containers, railroad cars, truck vans, converted mobile homes, travel trailers, recreational vehicles, bus bodies, vehicles, and similar prefabricated items and structures originally built for purposes other than the storage of goods and materials are not permitted to be used as accessory storage buildings on property zoned residential or on property the primary use of which is residential.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in subsection (A) of this section, the temporary placement of transport containers and/or portable site storage containers on residentially zoned properties, or on properties the primary use of which are residential, for the limited purpose of loading and unloading household contents shall be permitted for a period of time not exceeding thirty (30) days in any one (1) calendar year.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in subsection (A) of this section, licensed and bonded contractors may use cargo containers for the temporary location of an office, equipment, and/or materials storage structure during construction which is taking place on the property where the cargo container is located, if the use of the cargo container is authorized pursuant to a City building permit.

1. The placement of a cargo container as an accessory storage use is limited to the following zoning districts:

2. The placement of cargo containers is further limited to properties in the above-identified zones only if the property upon which the cargo container is proposed to be located is not primarily used for residential purposes.

1. A building permit is required prior to placement of a cargo container larger than two hundred (200) square feet in area, ensuring effective anchoring/foundation according to the then most current edition of the International Building Code. The application shall show the proposed cargo container is accessory to the permitted use of the property and meets the placement criteria for the zone.

2. Cargo containers shall meet the setback requirements of the underlying zone.

3. Cargo containers shall not be stacked above the height of a single container device, except for placement within the light industrial zone and on the back yard one-half of the lot or parcel.

4. Cargo containers shall not be used for any advertising purpose and shall be kept clean of all alpha-numeric signage and writing.

5. As a condition of placement, cargo containers may be required to be fenced or screened from abutting properties and/or rights-of-way pursuant to the provisions of the underlying zoning regulations.

6. Cargo containers shall be in an approved designated area and on the same property as the principal use and be included in the calculation of overall lot coverage.

7. Cargo containers shall not occupy required off-street parking, loading or landscaping areas.

8. Materials stored within cargo containers are subject to review and approval by the Fire District.

1. Consistency. The development standards shall provide consistency with the intent, scale and character of the zoning district involved.

2. Impacts. The determination and/or adjustment of the development standard(s) does not negatively impact:

3. The determination and/or adjustment of the development standard(s) shall be equal to, or superior in, fulfilling the intent and purpose of the original requirement. [Ord. 726 § 2 (Exh. B), 2019.]