Mill Creek City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
12 MDR – MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
(Legislative history: Ords. 91-262, 93-299, 95-349, 97-406 and 98-441)
§ 17.12.010 Purpose.
The purpose of the MDR zone is to implement the medium density residential designation of the comprehensive plan and land use map, provide for the development of housing types, forms and densities that are an alternative to conventional single-family detached development patterns, provide an affordable alternative to single-family detached and attached housing, and to promote attractive, high-quality residential development by allowing a greater degree of flexibility in design, development standards and practices.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2; Ord. 2024-928 § 2 (Exh. A))
§ 17.12.020 Principal uses.
Principal uses are:
A.
Single-unit dwellings;
B.
Multi-unit dwellings containing six or fewer units;
C.
Adult family homes;
D.
Permanent supportive housing;
E.
Transitional housing; and
F.
Boarding houses.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2; Ord. 2006-633 § 2; Ord. 2024-928 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. 2025-933 § 2 (Exh. A))
§ 17.12.030 Secondary uses.
Secondary uses are:
A.
Accessory buildings that are subordinate to the principal building and are incidental to the use of the principal building on the same lot in accordance with MCMC § 17.22.050;
B.
Home occupations;
C.
Day care centers;
D.
Accessory dwelling units in accordance with MCMC § 17.22.130; and
E.
Family home childcare, in accordance with MCMC § 14.07.020.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2; Ord. 2010-717 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 2022-884 § 2; Ord. 2025-933 § 2 (Exh. A))
§ 17.12.040 Conditional uses.
Conditional uses permitted in this zoning district shall be processed in accordance with Chapter 17.28 MCMC. Conditional uses are:
A.
Religious facilities;
B.
Schools;
C.
Public facilities/utilities and essential public facilities;
D.
Accessory satellite signal transmitting and receiving antennas over four feet in diameter external to or attached to the exterior of any building;
E.
Retirement homes, nursing homes, and congregate care facilities;
F.
Family child day care;
G.
Adult day care;
H.
Health care facilities that meet the following standards:
1.
The facility has direct access to a collector or arterial street;
2.
The maximum building height is the same as residential;
3.
Overnight care is not provided;
4.
Retail uses directly related to health care may be allowed, such as pharmacies and optical dispensaries, as a secondary use.
I.
Garden center facilities that meet the following standards:
1.
Garden center retail sales shall be limited to garden products such as soils, bark, rock, gravel, pavers, pots, plants and trees.
2.
Garden center and soil processing uses shall be set back a minimum of 150 feet from residential structures.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2; Ord. 2010-717 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 2011-723 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 2019-850 § 7)
§ 17.12.050 Review requirements.
All development in the MDR district shall be processed as either a preliminary plat or binding site plan in accordance with MCMC Title 16, Subdivisions and Plats.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2; Ord. 2024-928 § 2 (Exh. A))
§ 17.12.060 Minimum lot size.
The minimum lot size is 3,600 square feet.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2; Ord. 2025-933 § 2 (Exh. A))
§ 17.12.070 Density.
A.
Minimum density: five dwelling units per acre.
B.
Maximum density: 12 dwelling units per acre.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2; Ord. 2025-933 § 2 (Exh. A))
§ 17.12.080 Setbacks.
Since the intent of the district is to encourage innovation and creative design of moderate density residential development, the following setback requirements are intended to be flexible in their application, as determined by the director. Modifications of the following setbacks may be allowed through the planned area development process, Chapter 16.12 MCMC.
A.
Detached Dwelling Units.
1.
Front yard: Average range 15 feet to 20 feet; however, garages shall be constructed a minimum of 20 feet from the sidewalk in such a manner that keeps sidewalks and pedestrian ways clear of vehicles.
2.
Side yard: Total of 10 feet, except that the entire setback may be allocated to one side.
3.
Rear yard: Minimum 25 feet from the perimeter of project and 15 feet for structures on platted lots that are not located on the project perimeter; provided, that garages with alley or rear access shall be located at least 10 feet from the centerline of the alley or access lane; provided further, that detached garages having access from the front of the lot may be located in the rear yard area subject to the provisions of MCMC § 17.22.050, Accessory buildings.
B.
Attached Dwelling Units.
1.
Front yard: Allowable range 15 feet to 20 feet; however, garages shall be constructed a minimum of 20 feet from the sidewalk in such a manner that keeps sidewalks and pedestrian ways clear of vehicles.
2.
Side yard: 10 feet between the ends of buildings for duplexes, 15 feet between the ends of buildings containing three or more units.
3.
Rear yard: 10 feet for structures on platted lots, 25 feet from the perimeter of project.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2)
§ 17.12.085 Streetscape and roadway buffer/cutting preserves.
Streetscape design and roadway buffer/cutting preserve tracts adjacent to arterial and collector streets shall be provided in accordance with the city’s comprehensive plan, streetscape element. Roadway buffer/cutting preserves to be provided range from 35 feet from the edge of the right-of-way for nonresidential uses to 50 feet for residential uses.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2)
§ 17.12.090 Lot coverage.
The maximum lot coverage is:
A.
Single-unit dwellings: 40 percent.
B.
Duplexes and townhomes: 50 percent.
C.
Multi-unit dwellings, excluding duplexes and townhomes: 60 percent.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2; Ord. 2024-928 § 2 (Exh. A))
§ 17.12.100 Maximum height.
The maximum height is 35 feet.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2; Ord. 2024-928 § 2 (Exh. A))
§ 17.12.110 Project design.
Development within this zone shall be designed in conformance with the design principles and standards set out in Chapter 17.34 MCMC, Design Review.
(Ord. 2005-609 § 2)
§ 17.12.120 Open space and recreation facilities.
Open space and recreation facility requirements are located in Chapters 16.12 and 17.22 MCMC.
(Ord. 2006-633 § 2)
