Zoneomics Logo
search icon

Port Angeles City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

21 - RESIDENTIAL INFILL DESIGN STANDARDS10


Footnotes:
--- (10) ---

Editor's note— Ord. 3688 § 33, adopted Dec. 21, 2021, repealed the former Ch. 17.21, §§ 17.21.010—17.21.230, and enacted a new Ch. 17.21 as set out herein. The former Ch. 17.21 was entitled "CN - Commercial, Neighborhood," and derived from: Ord. 3643 § 1, adopted Nov. 6, 2019; Ord. 3577 § 1, adopted Mar. 21, 2017; Ord. 3572 § 9, adopted Dec. 20, 2016; Ord. 3548 § 12, adopted Jan. 5, 2016; Ord. 3390 § 5, adopted Jan. 30, 2010; Ord. 3343 § 8, adopted Jan. 1, 2009; Ord. 3332 § 3, adopted Apr. 25, 2008; Ord. 3272, adopted Feb. 16, 2007; Ord. 3180 § 1 (part), adopted Dec. 17, 2004; Ord. 3155 §§ 8, 9, adopted Jan. 30, 2004; Ord. 3123 § 12, adopted Oct. 11, 2002; Ord. 3071 § 4 (part), adopted Dec. 15, 2000; Ord. 3042 § 3 (part) adopted Jan. 28, 2000; Ord. 3007 § 5 (part), adopted Jan. 15, 1999; Ord. 2948 § 5 (part), adopted Feb. 14, 1997; Ord. 2921 § 9, adopted June 28, 1996; Ord. 2861 § 1 (part), adopted Mar. 17, 1995; Ord. 2797 § 3, adopted Feb. 11, 1994; and Ord. 2797 § 3, adopted Feb. 11, 1994.


17.21.010 - Small lot single-household.

A.

Applicability. The standards herein apply to all single household dwellings on a lots less than 5,000 square feet in area created after December 21, 2021.

B.

Purpose.

1.

To provide opportunities for creative, diverse, and high-quality infill development that is compatible with existing neighborhoods.

2.

To promote housing affordability and greater choice by encouraging smaller and more diverse home sizes in accordance with the Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan.

3.

To support more efficient use of urban residential land.

4.

To provide usable open space for residents.

5.

To de-emphasize garages and driveways as major visual elements along the street.

6.

To promote architectural variety that adds visual interest to the street and neighborhood.

Figure 17.21.010(B)
Small lot single-household examples

 

C.

Driveway access and garage standards.

1.

All garages and on-site parking must be accessible from the alley with exception of alley/street subdivisions resulting in lots less than 5,000 sf (see PAMC 14.40.045 for parking reduction tools).

2.

For individual garage or carport units facing an alley, driveways must be designed to prevent parked cars from protruding into alleys. Such driveways must be either less than five feet long or longer than 20 feet, measured along the centerline of the driveway.

D.

Entry standards.

1.

For new dwellings, the façade facing the street must be designed as the front of the dwelling with a primary building entrance and a covered pedestrian entry, such as a covered porch or recessed entry, with minimum weather protection of three feet by three feet.

2.

Clear and obvious pedestrian access between the sidewalk the building entry is required for new dwellings. Alley frontage lots require clear pedestrian access between the alley and building entry.

Figure 17.21.010(D)
Small lot entry configuration examples

 

E.

Minimum useable open space standards.

1.

Every lot must provide a useable open space equivalent to at least ten percent of the lot area at the side or rear of the dwelling, with a minimum dimension of 15 feet on all sides of the useable open space. For example, a 3,500 square feet lot would require a contiguous open space of at least 350 square feet. Porches and patios may be used to fulfill this requirement provided they are part of an open space that meets the minimum dimension requirement.

2.

If the rear edge of the usable open space is within five feet of an alley, any fence between the rear edge and the alley must be limited to four feet in height except where the portion of the fence between four and six feet in height is at least 50 percent transparent.

3.

Driveways do not count in the calculations for usable open space.

4.

LID stormwater BMPs, like rain gardens, may be integrated in up to 25 percent of the minimum required usable open space area.

5.

Additions must not create or increase any nonconformity with this standard.

Figure 17.21.010(E)
Small lot open space examples
Acceptable Example Open space in the rear of a small lot integrating a 10'x10' porch and a walkway to an alley-facing detached garage.
Unacceptable Example Open space surrounded by this fence is both too narrow and awkwardly located to be useable.

 

F.

Tree standards. Trees must be integrated into new, small lot single-household developments at the time of occupancy at the rate one tree per lot.

1.

Trees may be either coniferous or deciduous.

2.

Required trees must not be located in public right-of-way (see Chapter 11.13 PAMC for street tree standards).

3.

See PAMC 17.22, Article V Landscaping Standards, for related landscaping plans, installation, and maintenance standards.

(Ord. 3710 § 1, 3/21/2023; Ord. 3688 § 33, 12/21/2021)

17.21.020 - Accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

A.

Purpose. The purpose of an accessory dwelling unit is to:

1.

Add affordable units to existing housing and make housing units available to people who might otherwise have difficulty finding homes within the City.

2.

Promote the development of additional housing options in residential neighborhoods that are appropriate for people at a variety of stages of their lives.

3.

Provide homeowners with a means of obtaining, through tenants in either the accessory dwelling unit or the principal residence, rental income, companionship, or security.

4.

Protect neighborhood stability, property values, and the character of the neighborhood.

B.

Standards. An ADU, in any zone, must comply with the following development standards:

1.

Impact fees. The City may not assess impact fees on the construction of ADUs that are greater than 50 percent of the impact fees that would be imposed on the principal unit.

2.

Residency of lot owner. The owner of a lot on which there is an ADU is not required to reside in or occupy the ADU or another housing unit on the same lot.

3.

Density. At least two ADUs are permitted on all lots that are located in all zoning districts within the City that allow for single-household dwellings in the following configurations:

(i)

One attached ADU and one detached ADU;

(ii)

Two attached ADUs; or

(iii)

Two detached ADUs, which may be comprised of either one or two detached structures.

4.

Minimum lot size. An ADU is permitted on any lot that meets the minimum lot size required for the principal dwelling unit.

5.

Maximum gross floor area. The maximum gross floor area requirement for ADUs is 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the average gross floor area of all other dwelling units on the lot, not including a detached garage and/or a detached accessory building, whichever is larger.

6.

Conversion of existing structures. ADUs may be converted from existing structures, including but not limited to detached garages, even if they violate current code requirements for setbacks or lot coverage.

7.

Scale and visual subordination. The ADU must be visually subordinate to the primary unit. If the ADU is located within an existing residence, there can only be one main entrance located on the primary street-facing facade of the single-household residential structure, unless the residence contained additional entrances before the ADU was proposed. Detached ADU's and entrances that do not have access from the ground, such as an entrance from a balcony or deck, are exempt from this standard.

8.

Addressing. A separate address must be created for the ADU.

9.

Conveyance of condominium unit. The sale or other conveyance of a condominium unit independently of a principal unit is not prohibited based solely on the grounds that the condominium unit was originally built as an ADU.

10.

Public street improvements. Public street improvements will not be required as a condition of permitting ADUs.

12.

Environmental exemptions. The provisions of this section do not apply to lots designated with critical areas or their buffers as designated in RCW 36.70A.060, or to a watershed serving a reservoir for potable water if that watershed is or was listed, as of the effective date of this section, as impaired or threatened under section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1313(d)).

Figure 17.21.020(A)
Detached accessory dwelling unit examples

 

(Ord. 3718 § 1, 8/15/2023; Ord. 3710 § 1, 3/21/2023; Ord. 3688 § 33, 12/21/2021)

17.21.021 - Park model alternative.

A park model meeting the requirements of WAC 296-150P may be placed on a lot in place of a detached ADU in all zones where ADUs are an allowed accessory use when the following development standards are met:

1.

Configuration. A park model may be used as an accessory use in conjunction with a primary structure housing a primary single-household dwelling or duplex.

2.

Density. The park model must be located on the same zoning lot as the primary structure. A park model which conforms to the standards in this chapter shall not be considered to exceed the allowable density for the lot upon which it is located and shall be considered a residential use which is consistent with the comprehensive plan and zoning designation for the lot.

3.

Minimum lot size. A park model must not be established on any parcel smaller than 3,500 square feet.

4.

Setbacks, height, and site coverage. Park models must comply with all dimensional standards including the site coverage, height, and setback requirements of the zone.

5.

Scale and visual subordination. The park model must be visually subordinate to the primary unit. There can only be one main entrance located on the primary street facing lot line.

6.

Parking. The off-street parking requirements set forth in Chapter 14.40 must be provided and maintained for the primary dwelling. No additional parking is required for a park model.

7.

Addressing. A separate address must be created for the park model.

8.

Utility connection. A park model must have a permitted and permanent connection to all applicable municipal utilities.

9.

Anchoring standards. A park model placed on a lot must comply with the standards of ANSI 225.1.

(Ord. 3718 § 1, 8/15/2023)

17.21.025 - Commercial caretaker unit in commercial and industrial zones (CCU).

A.

Purpose. The purpose of a commercial caretaker unit is to:

1.

Promote the development of limited housing options in commercial and industrial areas that are otherwise prohibitive of residential development.

2.

Provide housing for an owner/proprietor, employee, or other on-site security or operations personnel of a commercial/industrial property where no residential dwelling units exist.

B.

Standards. A CCU must comply with the following development standards:

1.

Configuration. An CCU may be located either within, attached to, or detached from a primary structure housing a commercial or industrial use. CCUs shall only be located above the first floor or to the rear of commercial or industrial buildings.

2.

Density. Only one CCU may be created in conjunction with each commercial or industrial enterprise. A CCU which conforms to the standards in this chapter shall not be required to meet minimum residential density standards for the lot upon which it is located and shall be considered an accessory use which is consistent with the comprehensive plan and zoning designation for the lot.

3.

Maximum unit size. The CCU must be subordinate to the primary commercial or industrial use, not exceeding 1,250 square feet unless approved through an administrative conditional use permit process.

4.

Setbacks, height, and site coverage. CCUs must comply with all dimensional standards including the site coverage, height, and setback requirements of the zone.

5.

Parking. The off-street parking requirements set forth in Chapter 14.40 must be provided and maintained for the primary use of the parcel. No additional parking is required for an CCU.

6.

Addressing. A separate address must be created for the CCU.

7.

Occupancy. CCUs shall be reserved for individuals employed on site at the commercial/industrial use the CCU is subordinate to.

8.

Applicability. CCUs shall be permitted on all lots within commercial and industrial zones where an approved commercial or industrial use is operating. In all other circumstances. CCUs may be administratively approved as a conditional use permit.

(Ord. 3710 § 1, 3/21/2023)

17.21.030 - Cottage housing.

A.

Applicability. The standards herein apply to all cottage housing developments.

B.

Purpose.

1.

Provide opportunities for creative, diverse and high-quality infill development that is compatible with existing neighborhoods.

2.

Promote housing affordability and greater choice by encouraging smaller and more diverse home sizes in accordance with the Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan.

3.

Support compatibility with existing neighborhoods by promoting high-quality design.

4.

Support more efficient use of urban residential land.

5.

Enhance the character of the residential neighborhood.

6.

Provide usable open space for residents.

7.

Support protection of environmentally sensitive area amenities:

Figure 17.21.030(B)(1)
Cottage housing example with key standards

 

Figure 17.21.030(B)(2)
Cottage housing site plan example

 

C.

Lot size standard. Cottages are exempt from minimum lot area and lot width standards, provided they comply with design standards herein.

D.

Density standard. Due to the smaller relative size of cottage units, cottage developments meeting all design standards herein are considered to comply with the underlying zoning.

E.

Minimum and maximum number of cottages.

1.

Cottage housing developments must contain a minimum of three cottages.

2.

Three to 21 cottage structures may make up a cluster. There is no limit on the number of clusters provided all other standards are met.

3.

In the R7, RMD, and RHD zones, attached duplex cottages are allowed.

4.

Accessory dwelling units are not permitted in cottage housing developments, except as provided in subsection L. below.

F.

Setbacks and separation standards.

1.

The minimum setbacks set forth in Chapters 17.10 through 17.20 PAMC apply to the development frontage and external side and rear property lines of the entire cottage development.

2.

Individual cottages buildings must be separated from each other by at least six feet. Permitted projections into required side setbacks in the zoning chapters (Chapters 17.10 through 17.20 PAMC) apply.

3.

Cottages must be setback at least five feet from any internal walkway. Permitted projections into required front setbacks also apply.

4.

Cottages must be setback at least ten feet from any shared access drives that provide access to four or more cottages. For access lanes serving less than four cottages, at least five feet of separation is required between access lanes and cottages. Permitted projections into required front setbacks also apply for setbacks to shared access drives (see PAMC 17.94.120).

G.

Building height standards.

1.

Cottages have a maximum building height of 25 feet. All parts of the roof above 18 feet must be pitched with a minimum roof slope of 6:12.

2.

The height of accessory structures in cottage housing developments is limited as prescribed in the underlying zone.

H.

Cottage size standards. Cottages must contain no more than 1,200 square feet gross floor area, not including attached garages.

I.

Entry and porch standards.

1.

Clear and obvious pedestrian access between the sidewalk and the building entry is required for new dwellings.

2.

Porches. Cottage façades facing the common open space or common internal walkway must feature a roofed porch at least 70 square feet in size with a minimum dimension of seven feet on any side. The required porch does not count as private open space for the size or dimension requirements of subsection (L)(1). Cottages facing a street must also provide a separate entry facing the street which is covered with minimum weather protection of three feet by three feet.

J.

Façade transparency standards. Transparent windows and/or doors are required on at least eight percent of façades featuring the primary entrance and facing streets and common open spaces. For corner lots, this standard is only applied to the building elevation containing the primary entrance.

K.

Common open space standards.

1.

Minimum size. Common open space must be at least 400 square feet per cottage.

2.

Minimum dimensions. Common open space must have no dimension less than 15 feet. Areas used to meet private open space requirements [see subsection (L) below] may not be double-counted as common open space.

3.

Elements. Common open space may include a lawn, courtyard, plaza, garden, or other shared central open space and may not include parking areas. Common open space must be useable and may not include critical areas or critical area buffers, including steep slopes. LID stormwater BMPs, like rain gardens, may be integrated in up to 25 percent of the minimum required usable open space area.

4.

Orientation. Common open space must have cottages abutting on at least two sides. At least 50 percent of the cottages in each cottage housing cluster must abut common open space. Cottages abutting the common open space must be oriented around and have the primary entrance face the common open space.

5.

Access. Cottages must be within 100 feet walking distance of the common open space and feature a direct pedestrian connection to the common open space.

L.

Shared community buildings standards.

1.

A shared community building may be integrated into the common open space area required in subsection (J) above but must not be included in the minimum common open space area calculations.

2.

Non-residential use. A shared community building may include uses such as, but not limited to, a multi-purpose entertainment space, recreation center, kitchen, library, storage space, workshop, or similar amenities that promote shared use and a sense of community. Commercial uses other than child care are prohibited.

3.

Residential use. A shared community building may contain one attached accessory dwelling unit (see PAMC 17.21.020).

4.

Height. Shared community buildings have a maximum building height of 25 feet. All parts of the roof above 18 feet must be pitched with a minimum roof slope of 6:12.

5.

Size. Shared community buildings have a maximum ground floor footprint of 1,200 square feet.

6.

Other standards. Except for the height and size exceptions identified in subsections (L.4 and L.5) above, shared community buildings are subject to the accessory structure standards in the zoning Chapters (17.10 through 17.20).

M.

Private open space standards.

1.

Minimum size. The minimum private open space adjacent to each cottage must be at least 200 square feet with no dimension less than ten feet.

2.

Access. The private open space must have direct access from the cottage via a door or porch.

3.

Location. The private open space is encouraged to be located between the cottage and the common open space.

4.

Private open space must be useable and may not include critical areas or critical area buffers, including steep slopes.

N.

Access and parking standards.

1.

Driveway and access requirements are in PAMC 17.22.240.

2.

Off-street parking standards are set forth in Chapter 14.40 PAMC.

3.

Parking areas must be located to the side or rear of cottage clusters. Parking must not be located between the street and cottages nor between cottages and common open space.

4.

Parking and access lanes must be screened from adjacent residential uses by landscaping or architectural screens. For parking areas and access abutting residential uses, at least five feet of Type A, B, or C landscaping (see Chapter 17.22 PAMC, Article V, Landscaping Standards) must be provided between the parking area and the abutting residential use.

5.

Parking is encouraged to be consolidated under cover. Uncovered parking must be located in clusters of not more than five adjoining spaces (except where adjacent to an alley). Driveway space in front of private garages are exempt from this provision.

6.

Garages with a footprint of up to 300 square feet may be attached to individual cottages provided all other standards herein are met. Such garages do not count toward the size limit of cottages. Such garages must not be located adjacent to the common open spaces.

O.

Landscaping standards. Cottages in the RMD and RHD zones must meet the frontage requirements of PAMC 17.22.435.

P.

Tree standards. Trees must be integrated into cottage developments at the time of occupancy at the rate one tree per cottage unit.

1.

Trees may be either coniferous or deciduous.

2.

Required trees must not be located in public right-of-way (see Chapter 11.13 PAMC for street tree standards).

3.

See PAMC 17.22, Article V, Landscaping Standards, for related landscaping plans, installation, and maintenance standards.

(Ord. 3710 § 1, 3/21/2023; Ord. 3688 § 33, 12/21/2021)

17.21.040 - Duplex.

A.

Applicability. The standards herein apply to all duplex development within the City unless otherwise noted herein.

B.

Purpose.

1.

To provide opportunities for creative, diverse, and high-quality infill development that is compatible with existing neighborhoods.

2.

To promote housing affordability and greater choice by encouraging smaller and more diverse home sizes in accordance with the Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan.

3.

To support more efficient use of urban residential land.

4.

To provide usable open space for residents.

5.

To de-emphasize garages and driveways as major visual elements along the street.

6.

To promote architectural variety that adds visual interest to the street and neighborhood.

C.

Driveway access and garage standards.

1.

Where duplexes are on lots served by alleys, all new garages and on-site parking must be accessible from the alley.

2.

When no alleys are present or alley access is not feasible due to extreme topography, the following standards apply:

a.

Side- and rear-facing parking areas and garages are encouraged.

b.

When located on a corner lot, both streets must be utilized for vehicle access. If one street is classified as a collector or arterial, only the side street must be utilized for vehicle access. Driveways must be located as far from the street corner as feasible.

3.

Street-facing driveways for duplexes are limited to:

a.

One 20-feet wide (maximum) driveway; or

b.

Two 12-feet wide (maximum) driveways provided the driveways are spaced at least 20 feet apart.

Single-household to duplex conversions and duplex remodels and additions may not increase any non-conformity with the standards herein.

4.

No more than 50 percent of any ground floor façade may be occupied by a garage, and detached garages and all carports must not protrude beyond the front building façade. This limit may be increased to a maximum of 65 percent provided at least three of the following design details are utilized:

a.

A decorative trellis over at least the entire width of the garage door(s).

b.

A window or windows placed above the garage on a second story or attic wall.

c.

A balcony that extends out over the driveway.

d.

Utilizing all single-vehicle garage doors as an alternative to wider garage doors suitable for two-car garages.

e.

Windows in the garage door.

f.

Decorative details on the garage door. Standard squares on a garage door will not qualify as a decorative detail [see Figure 17.21.040(D)(4)(b)].

Single-household to duplex conversions and duplex remodels and additions may not increase any non-conformity with the standards herein.

Figure 17.21.040(C)(4)(a)
Acceptable and unacceptable examples of duplex driveway/garage configurations
Left: Single driveways wider than 20 feet facing the street are not allowed.
Right: Example of two separated driveways each less than 12 feet wide.

 

Figure 17.21.040(C)(4)(b)
Acceptable and unacceptable examples of duplex garage door decorative details
Left: Standard squares on a garage door that do not qualify as a decorative detail.
Right: Hardware and pattern on a garage door that do qualify as a decorative detail.

 

D.

Entry standards.

1.

For new duplex developments, the façade facing the street must be designed as the front of the dwelling with a primary building entrance and a covered pedestrian entry, such a covered porch or recessed entry, with minimum weather protection of three feet by three feet.

2.

Clear and obvious pedestrian access between the sidewalk and the building entry is required for new dwellings.

E.

Minimum useable open space standards. The provisions herein are only required for new duplexes and not required for single household to duplex conversions and remodels to existing duplexes.

1.

All new duplex developments must provide usable open space with a collective size equal to ten percent of the lot area, with a minimum dimension of 15 feet on all sides. For example, an 8,000 square feet lot would require at least 800 square feet of usable open space. Usable open space may be a single large space or separate spaces.

2.

Where the usable open space is located within a front yard setback, the open space must be defined with a fence, hedge, or wall between 18 and 36 inches tall (meeting the standards of PAMC 17.94.140 and the sight obstruction height limits of the Port Angeles Urban Services Standards and Guidelines Manual when near an intersection). See Figure 17.21.040(D) for an example.

3.

If the rear edge of the usable open space is within five feet of an alley, any fence between the rear edge and the alley must be limited to four feet in height, except where the portion of the fence between four and six feet in height is at least 50 percent transparent.

4.

Unenclosed decks, porches, patios, and entries may be used as a part of the usable open space, provided they are a part of a space that meets the standards herein.

5.

LID stormwater BMPs, like rain gardens, may be integrated in up to 25 percent of the minimum required usable open space area.

6.

Driveways do not count in the calculations for usable open space.

7.

Additions must not create or increase any nonconformity with this standard.

Figure 17.21.040(E)
Example of integrating a duplex's minimum usable open space
Left: Integrating minimum useable open space into the front yard of a duplex.
Right: Useable open space in the side yard of a duplex.

 

F.

Tree standards. Trees must be integrated into new duplex developments at the time of occupancy at the rate one tree per duplex unit (two trees per duplex building). The subject trees are not required for single household to duplex conversions.

1.

Trees may be either coniferous or deciduous.

2.

Required trees must not be located in public right-of-way (see Chapter 11.13 PAMC for street tree standards).

3.

See PAMC 17.22, Article V, Landscaping Standards, for related landscaping plans, installation, and maintenance standards.

(Ord. 3688 § 33, 12/21/2021)

17.21.050 - Townhouse.

A.

Applicability. The standards herein apply to all townhouse developments.

B.

Purpose.

1.

To provide opportunities for creative, diverse, and high-quality infill development that is compatible with existing neighborhoods.

2.

To promote housing affordability and greater choice by encouraging smaller and more diverse home sizes in accordance with the Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan.

3.

To support more efficient use of urban residential land.

4.

To provide usable open space for residents.

5.

To de-emphasize garages and driveways as major visual elements along the street.

6.

To reduce the apparent bulk and scale of large townhouse buildings.

7.

To promote architectural variety that adds visual interest to the street and neighborhood.

C.

Dimensional standards for townhouses are modified from the zone-based standards elsewhere in this title, as listed in Table 17.21.050.

Table 17.21.050(C)
Townhouse dimensional standards
StandardModification
Lot size Applies to the entire townhouse development, not individual units and lots
Lot width No minimum
Interior side setback 0 feet between individual townhouse units
All other setbacks Applies to the entire townhouse development, not individual units and lots
Site coverage Applies to the entire townhouse development, not individual units and lots

 

D.

Driveway access and garage standards.

1.

Where townhouses are on lots served by alleys, all garages and on-site parking must be accessible from the alley.

2.

Where no alley is present or alley access is not feasible due to extreme topography, townhouse buildings with two units must comply with the duplex driveway standards of PAMC 17.21.040(B).

3.

Where no alley is present or alley access is not feasible due to extreme topography, townhouse buildings with three or more units must use one of the following methods:

a.

Method A. Provide a shared access drive to garages in the rear meeting the following requirements:

i.

Shared driveways have a maximum width of 20 feet and must meet turning radii and other standards of the City-adopted International Fire Code.

ii.

Minimum building separation along internal drive aisles must be 24 feet. Projections into this minimum building separation standard are permitted for each building consistent with the interior side setback projections referenced in PAMC 17.94.120. The purpose is to provide adequate vehicular turning radius, allow for landscaping elements on at least one side, and provide adequate light and air on both sides of the dwelling units and vehicle areas, which often function as usable open space for residents.

b.

Method B. Provide individual garages and driveways access from a local street meeting the following standards:

i.

Individual garages and driveways are no wider than 12 feet and driveways have a minimum length of 20 feet.

ii.

The driveway is no more than 50 percent of the width of the townhouse unit (for example, a 12-foot wide driveway requires a minimum 24-foot wide townhouse unit).

Figure 17.21.050(D)
Townhouse development examples using rear vehicular access

 

E.

Entry standards.

1.

The façade facing the street must be designed as the front of the dwelling with a primary building entrance and a covered pedestrian entry, such as a covered porch or recessed entry, with minimum weather protection of three feet by three feet.

2.

Clear and obvious pedestrian access between the sidewalk and the townhouse entry is required.

3.

For townhouses where pedestrian access is provided from an alley or private internal vehicular access, buildings must emphasize individual pedestrian entrances over private garages by using both of the following measures:

a.

Enhance entries with a trellis, small porch, or other architectural features that provide cover for a person entering the unit and a transitional space between outside and inside the dwelling.

b.

Provide a planted area in front of each pedestrian entry of at least 20 square feet in area, with no dimension less than four feet.

Alternative designs will be considered, provided they meet the purpose of the standards.

Figure 17.21.050(E)
Acceptable and unacceptable examples of townhouse entry configurations from
alleys or private internal vehicular access
The left example features a landscaped area and a trellis to highlight the entry. In the middle image, the balconies and landscaped areas de-emphasize the garage. In the right image, the lack of landscaping near the entries would not be allowed (where this is the primary pedestrian entry to the unit).

 

F.

Minimum useable open space standards. Townhouse dwelling units must provide open space at least equal to ten percent of the gross floor area. The required open space may be provided by one or more of the following:

1.

Private ground level open space that is directly adjacent and accessible to dwelling units. Such space must have minimum dimensions of at least ten feet on all sides. Street setbacks may be used to meet this standard, provided they are defined with a fence (meeting standards of PAMC 17.94.140).

2.

Balconies, roof decks, or porches.

3.

Shared open space that meets the design requirements of PAMC 17.22.220, provided such space is visible and directly accessible to townhouse dwelling units.

4.

LID stormwater BMPs, like rain gardens, may be integrated in up to 25 percent of the minimum required usable open space area.

Individual private open spaces for one unit that exceed the open space standards may not be used to help meet the open space standards for other dwelling units. Shared open spaces that meet the standards of subsection (E)(3) of this section, however, may be used to supplement private open spaces meeting subsections (E)(1) and (E)(2) of this section to help dwelling units meet the usable open space standards herein.

Figure 17.21.050(F)
Townhouse open space location and examples
Illustrating optional locations for integrating usable open space, including front yard (left), rooftop deck (center), and balcony (right).
Left: Townhouses with private ground level open space and balconies.
Right: Townhouse roof deck.

 

G.

Building articulation. Townhouse buildings must meet the façade articulation standards for multi-family buildings as set forth in PAMC 17.22.320(C).

(Ord. 3688 § 33, 12/21/2021)