Pasco City Zoning Code
25.22 Zone
District Standards
This section applies to all permitted housing types in the applicable zones.
(1) Where multi-unit developments occur, they shall have at least one public street frontage. For shared driveways (e.g., triplexes, townhomes), frontage shall be measured from the public street only for the lots abutting the street. Rear lots accessed by a shared driveway are not required to have street frontage.
25.22.010 Purpose.
The purpose of these Zone District Standards is to offer quality residential developments in Pasco while providing flexibility in the development and offering of housing choices for Pasco residents. The Zone District Standards provide predictability and clarity in the permit process for developers and Pasco residents. In addition, the Zone District Standards provide tools for the community to implement Pasco’s vision in the Comprehensive Plan.
These standards are applicable to all new residential developments in R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 zones (the “applicable zones”). These Zone District Standards shall take precedence in case there is a conflict with other sections of the Pasco Municipal Code. [Ord. 4700A § 9, 2023.]
25.22.020 Permitted housing types.
Within the applicable zones, under the provisions of these Zone District Standards, the following residential housing types are permitted:
(1) Single-family dwelling unit detached (SFDU – Detached).
(2) Single-family dwelling unit attached (SFDU – Attached).
(3) Duplexes and triplexes.
(4) Multifamily attached (including apartments, stacked flats, condos).
(5) Multifamily detached (including cottage housing).
(6) New factory assembled homes.
All housing types consistent with the zoning district and Comprehensive Plan density and these Zone District Standards shall be allowed. [Ord. 4700A § 9, 2023.]
25.22.030 Lot size and density standard.
For all permitted housing types in the applicable zones:
(1) All lots shall meet the site requirements in this chapter and shall be of sufficient size, dimension, design, and configuration so as to permit development of the lot without variance from the applicable zoning requirements.
(2) Minimum lot sizes shall be based on building types in applicable zone as set out for the zoning districts in Table 25.22.030(1). See definitions and housing types in Chapter 25.15 PMC.
Table 25.22.030(1).
Home Type | Minimum Lot Size (SQFT) per Unit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
R-1 | R-2 | R-3 | R-4 | |
SFDU – Detached | 4,000 | 3,000 | 2,500 | 2,000 |
SFDU – Attached | 3,500 | 2,000 | 1,500 | 1,250 |
Duplex, Triplex | 5,000 | 4,000 | 3,000 | 2,500 |
Multifamily | Dependent on Comprehensive Plan Density, Site Design and Parking Requirements. | |||
(3) Lot size averaging shall be allowed when in accordance with PMC 21.20.070
(4) The permitted number of dwelling units or lots shall be determined as follows:
(a) The maximum density of each zoning district shall be the maximum number of dwelling units allowed per gross area of an acre, excluding accessory dwelling units. Maximum density shall be expressed as a ratio (e.g., three dwelling units per acre).
(b) The minimum lot size shall not determine maximum density. Maximum density shall not be exceeded, except as allowed by the provisions of Chapter 25.155 PMC, Density Increase.
(c) Gross area is the total sum area of the property from property line to property line, including easements, and wetlands, streams, shorelines, and other critical areas. The required critical area buffers and all legally recorded private access easements shall not be subtracted from the gross acre for the purpose of dwelling unit calculations.
(d) When calculations result in a fraction, the fraction shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number as follows:
(1) Fractions of one-half or above shall be rounded up; and
(2) Fractions below one-half shall be rounded down.
(e) In the event that the applicant can clearly demonstrate that due to environmental and/or physical constraints on the subject lot that the minimum density cannot be achieved, the minimum density requirement shall not be applied.
(f) The minimum and maximum density shall be as set out in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. [Ord. 4700A § 9, 2023.]
25.22.040 Lot dimensions.
This section applies to all permitted housing types in the applicable zones.
(1) Where multi-unit developments occur, they shall have at least one public street frontage. For shared driveways (e.g., triplexes, townhomes), frontage shall be measured from the public street only for the lots abutting the street. Rear lots accessed by a shared driveway are not required to have street frontage.
(2) Minimum lot width shall be the same as minimum lot frontage.
(3) Minimum lot frontage and lot width in each applicable zone by building types shall be in accordance with Table 25.22.040(1).
(4) Depth.
(a) SFDU – detached, duplex, and triplex lots may have a lot with a depth to width ratio up to 3:1 when located in medium density residential, high density residential, or mixed residential/commercial land use;
(b) SFDU – attached lots may have a lot with a depth to width ratio up 5:1;
(c) Multifamily lots shall not have a maximum depth.
Table 25.22.040(1). Minimum Lot Frontage and Lot Width by Zoning Districts
Home Type | Minimum Site Frontage and Width (FT) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
R-1 | R-2 | R-3 | R-4 | |
SFDU – Detached | 40'/DU | 30'/DU | 30'/DU | 30'/DU |
SFDU – Attached | 35' | 20' | 20' | 20' |
Duplex, Triplex | 50' | 40' | 30' | 30'/lot |
Multifamily Detached | 60' | 40' | 40' | 30' |
Multifamily Attached | 40' minimum dependent on Comprehensive Plan density, site design and parking requirements. Not permitted in cul-de-sac or dead end. | |||
[Ord. 4700A § 9, 2023.]
25.22.050 Setbacks.
This section applies to all permitted housing types and residential accessory buildings in the applicable zones.
(1) Residential building setback shall be in accordance with Table 25.22.050(1) and the standards that follow:
(a) Front yard setbacks are measured from the lot line, except for when the sidewalk is built upon the property, then the setback is measured from the edge of the sidewalk.
(b) Residential accessory buildings have the same setbacks in Table 25.22.050(1), except as follows:
(i) Structures related to rabbits and/or chicken hens must be at least 10 feet from any property line and must be located behind the rear line of the dwelling.
(c) Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are exempted from this section and are subject to the regulations contained in Chapter 25.161 PMC.
Table 25.22.050(1). Building Setbacks
HOUSING AND ACCESS TYPE | Building Setbacks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Front | Rear | Alley/Private Driveway | Side | |
• SFDU – Detached | 15' for living area/20' for garage | 15' | 15' for living area and 5' for garage | 5' |
• SFDU – Attached | 12' (1) | 15' | 15' for living area and 5' for garage | 5' (2) |
Accessory Structure (3) | Same as housing unit | 5' | 0'/5' for garage with vehicle doors parallel to alley | 5' |
1Attached multifamily or mixed use buildings permitted without a minimum setback if abutting a sidewalk eight feet or wider and has garage or parking located on the back or side of the site. A five-foot landscaping buffer setback is required when abutting sidewalks below eight feet.
2The attached side of an attached SFDU may be built up to the property line.
3
aStructures related to rabbits and/or chicken hens may not exceed six feet in height nor 30 square feet in size.
bAccessory dwelling units (ADUs) are exempted from this section and are subject to the regulations contained in Chapter 25.161 PMC.
[Ord. 4700A § 9, 2023.]
25.22.060 Height and lot coverage.
For all permitted housing types in the applicable zones, building height and lot coverage shall be according to Table 25.22.060(1).
Table 25.22.060(1). Building height and Lot Coverage
Home Type | Building Height and Lot Coverage Maximum1 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R-1 | R-2 | R-3 | R-4 | |||||
Bldg. Height | Lot Coverage | Bldg. Height | Lot Coverage | Bldg. Height | Lot Coverage | Bldg. Height | Lot Coverage | |
SFDU – Detached | 35' | 60% | 35' | 60% | 40' | 60% | 40' | 60% |
SFDU – Attached | 35' | 60% | 35' | Dependent on Comprehensive Plan Density, Site Regs and Parking Requirements. | 40' | Dependent on Comprehensive Plan Density, Site Regs and Parking Requirements. | 40' | Dependent on Comprehensive Plan Density, Site Regs and Parking Requirements. |
Multifamily Detached | 25' | 60% | 25' | 25’ | 25' | |||
Multifamily Attached | 35' | 60% | 45' | 45' | 45' | |||
Accessory Building | 15' | Per Home Type | 15' | Per Home Type | 15' | Per Home Type | 15' | Per Home Type |
1Except a greater height may be approved by special permit.
[Ord. 4700AA § 9, 2023; Ord. 4700A § 9, 2023.]