The goal is to allow flexibility in site and design standards while promoting infill projects compatible with existing multi-family developments.

Five multi-family zones are established:

RM-1, Residential Multi-Family 1 zone; (up to two units/building)

RM-2, Residential Multi-Family 2 zone; (up to four units/building)

RM-3, Residential Multi-Family 3 zone; (up to 12 units/building)

RM-4, Residential Multi-Family 4 zone; (up to 30 units/building)

RM-PC, Residential Multi-Family Pepin Creek zone; (up to four units/building and sometimes up to eight units/building)

A.

Use of Low Impact Development Techniques. When an application for multi-family development seeks to add additional residential density to a parcel or parcels as infill development, the pertinent approving body, the community development director, planning commission, or city council, is authorized to approve future land divisions even though they may not meet the lot size requirements of multi-family zones presented in this title under the following conditions:

1.

Site planning incorporates LID components that minimize impervious surfaces and achieves a more restrictive percent maximum coverage than would the larger lot size;

2.

Site planning and design documents are completed by a licensed civil engineer in the State of Washington;

3.

The proposed development integrates with the character of the neighborhood;

4.

The requested waiver must be specified and justified in writing to the technical review committee and the approving body;

5.

Written documentation of the decision on the waiver is recorded by the director in city records.

(Ord. No. 25-1708, § 1, 6-2-2025)

The primary land uses permitted in the multi-family zones are residential buildings as shown in the table below:

P = Permitted Use; N = Not Allowed; C = Conditional Use

(1)

Buildings with more than four units are permitted within the RM-PC zone in certain situations. Refer to LMC 19.18.030 for details.

(Ord. No. 25-1708, § 1, 6-2-2025)

Accessory permitted uses in the multi-family zones are as follows:

A.

Private Garages.

B.

Carports.

C.

Tool shed, satellite dish, outdoor patios and outdoor fireplaces.

D.

Private swimming pools, as provided in the International Building Code adopted pursuant to Chapter 15.02 of the Lynden Municipal Code and subject to LMC 19.37.090.

E.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), per LMC 19.20,

F.

Recreation Areas for Occupants.

G.

Mixed uses may be allowed in RM 4 if the use is for the benefit of the occupants only. Such uses include food service or dining room, nursing services, and laundry facilities.

(Ord. No. 25-1708, § 1, 6-2-2025)

Secondary permitted uses in the multi family zones are as follows:

A.

Hobby shops, relating to the hobbies of the occupants of the home and not operated for production and sales purposes.

B.

Greenhouses operated by the occupants, provided the products will not be offered for retail sale on the premises.

C.

Home Occupations. See Chapter 19.57.

D.

Gardening and fruit growing not for commercial sale.

E.

General farming, which does not include the commercial feeding of livestock, if the zoning lot is five acres or more in size and meets the requirements outlined in Section 19.39 of this code.

F.

Family day care centers for up to eight individuals, not including the residents of the dwelling unit.

G.

Parks and Playgrounds.

H.

Certain community residential facilities pursuant to LMC 19.49.

(Ord. No. 25-1708, § 1, 6-2-2025)

The following property uses may be permitted in multi-family zones by conditional use permit when recommended by the planning commission and approved by the city council.

A.

Public buildings and utility sub-stations.

B.

Club facilities that are directly related to home development such as community swimming pools, privately owned athletic facilities and other similar improvements directly related to residential areas.

C.

Day care facilities for more than eight people with the maximum number of individuals to be determined as part of the conditional use permit process.

D.

Nursing home and assisted living facilities as defined in RCW 74.39A.009.

E.

Bed and breakfast establishments and short-term rentals (See Section 19.57.300).

F.

House of worship, provided that the lot coverage does not exceed thirty-five percent, the front yard is landscaped and all other parking and landscaping requirements are met.

G.

Schools.

H.

Certain community residential facilities pursuant to LMC 19.49.

(Ord. No. 25-1708, § 1, 6-2-2025)

A.

The following table provides regulations for height, area, setback and bulk requirements:

B.

The following table provides regulation regarding the maximum density allowable in each zone:

C.

For the purposes of this chapter open space is as defined in Section 19.29.080(3) of the Lynden Municipal Code.

D.

Lot coverage may be increased by one percent for each ten percent of the required off-street parking that is located beneath portions of the multiple-family dwelling units which are intended to be occupied by residents or used as hallways or meeting rooms.

(Ord. No. 25-1708, § 1, 6-2-2025)

A.

Multi-family residential developments that include eight or more units must provide shared on-site residential amenities.

B.

Shared community areas must include amenities that provide outdoor recreational/leisure spaces such as playgrounds, picnic or patio areas, sports courts, off-leash dog areas, or similar. Private spaces such as rear yard patios and balconies shall not be counted toward this requirement.

C.

These community open spaces will be reviewed during the administrative design review process for the following criteria:

1.

Size of the area must be sixty square feet per unit;

2.

The calculated area does not include private patios or balconies which are oriented toward specific residential units;

3.

The area is safe in that it is visible, protected from vehicular traffic, and illuminated as needed for its intended use;

4.

The area is easily accessible via pedestrian walkways to all residents living within the development;

5.

The area is equipped with amenities such as permanent site furniture, shade structures, pavilions, and/or playground equipment so as to serve its purpose of providing recreational or leisure opportunities;

6.

The area is attractively landscaped;

7.

Any proposed structures are consistent with the architecture of the primary structure(s).

(Ord. No. 25-1708, § 1, 6-2-2025)

All multi-family developments with attached units will be subject to administrative review during the building permit process. Refer to LMC 19.22 for Residential Design Standards.

(Ord. No. 25-1708, § 1, 6-2-2025)