Residential districts encourage a range of residential land uses, housing sizes, types, and price ranges for the diverse array of residents' personal preferences and financial capabilities. The standards in this chapter are intended to encourage mixtures of land uses and intensities while minimizing negative impacts related to conflicting land uses.

(Ord. No. 1103, § 5, 2-16-2017)

A.

R1 Single-Family Residential District. The single-family residential district (R1) is intended to provide minimum development standards for residential uses where complete community services are available and where residential uses are separated from uses characteristic of more urban and/or rural areas.

B.

R2 Two-Family Residential District. The two-family residential district (R2) is intended to provide minimum development standards for higher-density residential uses where complete community services are available and where residential uses are separated from uses characteristic of more urban and more rural areas.

C.

R3 Multi-Family Residential District. The multi-family residential district (R3) is intended to provide minimum development standards for various residential uses where complete community services are available and where residential uses are in close proximity to uses characteristic of more urban areas and separated from uses characteristic of more rural areas.

D.

MHR Mobile Home Residential District. The mobile home residential district (MHR) is intended to provide minimum development standards for affordable residential uses within the city.

E.

SR Suburban Residential District. The suburban residential district (SR) is intended to provide minimum development standards for a variety of uses and provide a transition area where service levels are less than urban and where low-density residential uses coexist with uses otherwise characteristic of more rural areas.

(Ord. No. 1103, § 5, 2-16-2017)

A.

Residential districts can be appropriately applied and maintained within any LDR low density residential or HDR high density residential area on the future land use map.

B.

Areas designated as LDR low density residential and HDR high density residential shall not be rezoned for trade districts. Under limited circumstances HDR areas may be rezoned for public districts.

(Ord. No. 1103, § 3, 2-16-2017)

A.

Types of Uses: For the purposes of this chapter, there are 4 kinds of use:"

1.

A permitted (P) use is one that is permitted outright, subject to all the applicable provisions of this title.

2.

An accessory (A) use is permitted on properties containing permitted uses, provided that:"

a.

The accessory use or activity may be regarded as incidental or insubstantial in and of itself or in relation to the principal use on the lot; and

b.

The accessory use or activity is commonly or frequently associated with the principal use on the lot.

3.

A conditional (C) use is a discretionary use reviewed by the Planning Commission according to the process and criteria in SMC 17.39 - Conditional Uses.

4.

A prohibited (X) use is one that is not permitted in a zoning district under any circumstances.

5.

When a letter or use category is not listed in this table, an interpretation may be initiated under SMC 17.12.020.

B.

Use Table. A list of permitted, accessory, conditional and prohibited uses in residential districts is presented in Table 17.15.040-1: Residential Districts Use Table.

1-Conditional use permits for Multi-Family Dwellings which exceed the maximum number of dwelling units allowed in SMC Table 17.15.050-1 are only considered when submitted as part of an R-PUD proposal under SMC 17.17 - Residential Planned Unit Developments.

2-A conditional use permit is only required for a temporary emergency, construction or repair residence after the expiration of the initial 6-month grace period.

3-Up to 4 residential outbuildings on a property is considered an accessory Use. When at least 4 residential outbuildings already exist on a lot then an additional residential outbuilding is considered a conditional use. During the conditional use review process, the planning commission may establish size, serial proliferation and other limitations on such buildings.

4-A residential outbuilding that is subordinate to the main use on the lot is considered an accessory use. A residential outbuilding which is not subordinate to the main use on the lot is considered a conditional use. During the conditional use review process, the planning commission may establish size, serial proliferation and other limitations on such buildings.

5-Despite the general exclusion of overhead elements from this use category, any utility or communication facility in the MHR district with an overhead element greater than 35 feet is considered a conditional use.

6-See also SMC 17.36-WW Wind/Wireless Overlay District.

7-In granting a conditional use request for farm animals in the R1 district, the planning commission shall find, at a minimum, that the proposal is compliant with the performance standards in SMC 17.40.095.

8-Townhomes in the R2 District are subject to review according to the density and parking requirements of the R3 Multi-Family Residential District and shall connect to the municipal sewer system.

9-See SMC 18.08 and the Shoreline Master Plan for use allowances related to this use category.

(Ord. No. 1103, § 5, 2-16-2017; Ord. No. 1104, § 3A, 6-15-2017; Ord. No. 2019-1141, § 4, 5-16-2019; Ord. No. 1157, § 5, 8-20-2020; Ord. No. 1166 meeting, § 1, 1-21-2021; Ord. No. 1180 meeting, § 1(Exh. A), 3-17-2022; Ord. No. 1182 meeting, § 4(Exh. D, 5-19-2022; Ord. No. 1211, § 2(Exh. B), 4-25-24)

A.

Density and Lot Size. The maximum density and minimum lot dimensions for Residential Districts are contained in Table 17.15.050-1: Residential Density Standards.

1-When sewer is unavailable, minimum lot area may be increased based on current health district regulations.

2-Unless an accessory dwelling unit (SMC 17.13.010) is allowed under SMC 17.40.040.

3-Except 40 ft for single-family detached dwellings.

4-Reserved.

5-Reserved.

6-Service by the public water system is required.

7-Service by the public water system is required.

B.

Exceptions. The following exceptions are permitted to the standards of Table 17.15.050-1:

1.

Properties receiving approval to deviate from standards according to SMC 17.38 - Supplementary Provisions.

2.

Properties obtaining variance approval in accordance with SMC 17.46 - Adjustments, Variances, and Appeals.

3.

Properties receiving modification approval in accordance with SMC 17.17 - Residential Planned Unit Developments.

(Ord. No. 1103, § 5, 2-16-2017; Ord. No. 1104, § 3.B,C, 6-15-2017; Ord. No. 1166 meeting, § 1, 1-21-2021)

A.

Compliance Required. All structures in residential districts must comply with:

1.

The applicable dimensional standards contained Table 17.15.060-1: Residential Dimensional Standards.

2.

All other applicable standards and requirements contained in this title.

1-5 ft for residential outbuildings that are both 12 ft in height or less and 200 sq ft in size or less

2-A 10-foot setback is required when adjacent to an R1 or R2 district.

3-See also SMC 17.15.130.B.3.

4-However, no structure shall be located within a pedestrian visibility area (SMC 17.10.632).

B.

Exceptions. The following exceptions are permitted to the standards of Table 17.15.060-1:

1.

Properties receiving approval to deviate from standards according to SMC 17.38 - Supplementary Provisions.

2.

Properties obtaining variance approval in accordance with SMC 17.46 - Adjustments, Variances, and Appeals.

3.

Properties receiving modification approval in accordance with SMC 17.17 - Residential Planned Unit Developments.

(Ord. No. 1103, § 5, 2-16-2017; Ord. No. 1104, § 3.D, 6-15-2017; Ord. No. 1166 meeting, § 1, 1-21-2021; Ord. No. 1180 meeting, § 1(Exh. A), 3-17-2022; Ord. No. 1211, § 3(Exh. A), 4-25-24)

A.

Off-Street Parking Required. Off-street parking shall be provided in all residential districts in accordance with the requirements of SMC 17.42: Parking and Loading Standards.

B.

Parking Location Requirements.

1.

Required parking shall be located on the same lot as the dwelling it serves.

2.

No motor vehicle, recreational vehicle or equipment, or other equipment, whether operational or not, shall be parked, stored or otherwise located in an Interior Side Setback required by Table 17.15.060-1: Residential Dimensional Standards.

3.

No driveway shall be less than 20 feet in length. This shall be done to eliminate the parking of vehicles on or over curbs, sidewalks, or vehicle travel areas (SMC 17.10.855). For the purposes of this chapter driveway length is measured conservatively as the shortest distance between a) a garage door or other physical obstruction to the parking of a vehicle and b) a curb, sidewalk, public pedestrian way (SMC 17.10.660), property line, or right-of-way. (See Figure 17.38.085-1 Driveway Length Illustration)

(Ord. No. 1103, § 5, 2-16-2017; Ord. No. 1166 meeting, § 1, 1-21-2021)

A.

Allowed Sign Types and Characteristics. A list of permitted, accessory, conditional and prohibited sign types and characteristics in Residential Districts is presented in Table 17.15.145-1: Allowed Signage.

1-Unless a bonus allowance is granted for a sign of outstanding design under SMC 17.39.145.

2-An existing sign, together with its sign structure, which becomes dilapidated shall be removed after notice to the property owner, unless upon appeal under SMC 17.46, the property owner establishes facts sufficient to rebut the presumption of dilapidation.

3-Allowed as an accessory sign only when placed in windows and limited to 4 sq ft in area.

B.

Sign Standards. Signs allowed in Residential Districts are subject to the dimensional and duration standards in Table 17.15.145-2: Sign Standards.

1-When allowed as conditional uses, the planning commission may permit individual signs no larger than 16 sq ft.

2-When allowed as conditional uses, the planning commission may permit individual signs no larger than 24 sq ft.

3-Subject to bonus allowance when approved as a Sign of Outstanding Design under SMC 17.39.145.

4-No part of a building sign shall be higher than the highest point of the building to which it is attached.

5-No sign may be placed in a Vision Clearance Area (SMC 17.10.862).

6-Signs within a public right-of-way may be permitted according to SMC 12.02-Use of City Rights-of-Way.

7-Signs related to a specific event, sale, etc. must be removed within 5 days after such event.

8-Political signs not related to an upcoming election in the voting district where the sign is placed are subject to the temporary sign duration standards.

(Ord. No. 1103, § 5, 2-16-2017)