1. Overall A detached building, accessory to a single family or duplex residence, may be constructed according to the requirements and regulations for a principal building in the zone which it is located, e.g., total lot coverage, setbacks, building height, etc., except the accessory structure shall be located behind the front elevation of the primary structure.

2. Additional Provisions for smaller buildings within setbacks. A detached building, accessory to a single family or duplex residence, may be constructed within the rear and/or side setbacks provided:

1. Approved private transportation system improvements, including sidewalks and streetlights, provided emergency access improvements are constructed on-site as needed;

2. Approved private stormwater collection and management facilities;

3. Approved landscaping and trees to meet minimum on-site tree density or landscaping requirements, including installation and maintenance costs.

4. Approved fences and walls.

5. Approved mitigation for environmental impacts, including but not limited to, construction, maintenance, and monitoring to ensure that mitigation is fully functional.

1. The applicant shall request approval of an extension on the construction of private improvements listed in Subsection B above by means of a Type I permit, pursuant to Chapter 20.210.040. Such request shall state the remaining improvements not yet constructed, the reasons for a requested delay, and requested timeline for improvements to be made. The request shall be accompanied by a draft escrow agreement or other security acceptable to the City.

2. Each escrow or other form of security acceptable to the City request shall include the following:

4. Failure to carry out agreement. In the event the applicant fails to carry out provisions of the agreement and the City has un-reimbursed costs or expenses resulting from such failure, the escrow or other form of security acceptable to the City shall be forfeited and the money shall be paid to the City to defray its costs. If the amount of the escrow or other form of security acceptable to the City exceeds the cost and expense incurred by the City, the City shall release the remainder, and if the amount of the escrow or other form of security acceptable to the City is less than the cost and expense incurred by the City, the applicant shall be liable to the City for the difference.

1. Cornices, canopies, eaves, belt courses, bay windows, sills or other similar architectural features, or fireplaces not including floor extensions may extend no more than 24 inches into any required yard area.

2. Fire escapes, open-uncovered porches, balconies, or outside stairways may extend no more than 18 inches into any required side, side street, or rear yard setback, and no more than six feet into any required front yard setback. Open porches, decks or stoops not exceeding 18 inches in height may extend no closer than 18 inches to any lot line.

1. If there are legally established structures on both abutting lots with front yards less than the required depth for the district, the front yard for the lot need not exceed the average front yard of the abutting structures.

2. If there is a legally established structure on one abutting lot with a front yard less than the required depth for the district, the front yard need not exceed a depth of halfway between the depth of the front yard on the abutting lot and the required front yard depth.

1. The building wall on the zero-foot yard setback shall be constructed of window-free, fire resistive construction per the Building Code standards of Title 17, no portion of which shall project over any property line. The construction shall be subject to review by the Building Official.

2. Covenants running with the land, approved by the City Attorney, shall convey a 4-four-foot maintenance easement with a 1-1/2-foot encroachment into the easement provision, in order to permit variations in design from the adjoining lot. No windows shall be allowed along this wall in any case.

3. Zero lot line (common-wall) construction may be permitted, provided adjoining walls are fire- resistive and constructed according to the standards of sound transmission, per the Building Code standards of Title 17. Common walls must be attached a minimum 60% of the length of the entire building wall.

1. Stacking area. Each access point shall show an area of sufficient length and width to safely stack traffic coming onto the property from the adjacent roadway. Transportation Services shall determine the length of the stacking area based on the adjacent roadway type and design configuration. A parking area shall be provided to the right of the entry lane to accommodate visitors not able to open the gate.

2. Entrance/Exit Design. Adequate vision clearance shall be provided so that motorists leaving a gated community have a clear view of the sidewalk on either side of the exit, and so that approaching pedestrians have a clear view of any approaching vehicle. Gated community entrances and exits shall be designed to achieve travel speeds not to exceed 5 miles per hour, and shall require a vehicle stop directly prior to crossing the street sidewalk. Entrance and exit areas shall be designed so that vehicles approaching or leaving the gated community can queue to enter/exit the traffic stream without blocking the sidewalk.

3. Turnaround feature. Each gate access point shall have an area that allows traffic to safely maneuver a turnaround when the gate is in closed position.

4. Lane width inside the gate. Fire and emergency access vehicles require passing room within the development. Twenty feet of unobstructed driving surface is required on the interior side of the access point and gate.

5. Emergency vehicle access required. Each project will require the applicant to produce a confirmation of approval from the Fire Marshal that indicates that the design of the gate(s) meets the Fire Marshal’s requirements for emergency entry. The Fire Marshal’s written approval shall be submitted with this application.

6. No encroachment into publicly owned right-of-way. The gates, operating equipment and fencing shall be located wholly within the private portion of the property. The property line shall be clearly indicated on the site plan. Swing gates are not allowed to encroach into the public right-of-way. The drives, streets and lanes inside a gated community are to remain private.

7. Pedestrian Access. Separate pedestrian access from driving lanes. Each access point shall have a pedestrian access and walkway that is separate from the driving lanes and links directly to the public sidewalk. Pedestrian walkways shall meet all standards for accessibility required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

8. Lighting. Lighting fixtures shall be established and maintained at the access points to provide vehicle and pedestrian safety. The required lighting shall be automatically controlled to turn on during the hours of darkness.

9. Vision Clearance. Each access point shall demonstrate vision clearance as per 20.985 VMC.

10. Gate Material. The moving portion of the gate shall be constructed of material that is at least 80 percent open. Typically, wrought iron or other decorative material is used.

11. Gate opening width. Each gate must open to a minimum width of 15 feet or as required by the Fire Marshal. (Ord. M-4034 § 30, 12/03/2012; Ord. M-3643, 01/26/2004)

1. Designed to serve geographic areas whose boundaries are not generally contiguous with established service areas; or

2. Designed to serve more than one established service area; or

3. Where a system improvement is designed to serve an established service area, or service areas, but is located partly or entirely outside of the city or urban growth area, and provides a substantial benefit to the assigned service area. Properties within this type of overlay service area are not subject to city impact fees to the extent those properties are outside the city.

1. The Comprehensive Plan;

2. Standards for adequate public facilities incorporated in the capital facilities plan;

3. The projections for full development as permitted by land use ordinances and timing of development;

4. The need for and cost of un-programmed capital improvements necessary to support projected development; and

5. Such other factors as the city council may deem relevant.

1. "TIF" means the traffic impact component of the total development impact fee.

2. "F" means the traffic impact fee rate per vehicle trip in dollar amounts, for each service area. Such rate shall be established in the Traffic Impact Fee Program Technical Document, incorporated herein by this reference, for each service area by estimating the cost of anticipated growth-related roadway projects divided by the projected number of growth-related trips within that service area. Between major program updates, the calculated per trip fee will be adjusted annually to account for inflation using the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index for Seattle, and as outlined in the Traffic Impact Fee Program Technical Document.

3. "T" means the trips generated by a proposed development and calculated according to the Traffic Impact Fee Program Technical Document. The calculation of “T” described in the Traffic Impact Fee Program Technical Document includes, for some retail commercial land uses, a “business enhancement factor (BEF)” adjustment. Refer to the Traffic Impact Fee Program Technical Document for land uses eligible for the BEF. In the absence of a land use code precisely fitting the development proposal, the director of public works or designee shall select the most similar code and may make appropriate adjustments to the trip equation applicable thereto. In selecting the appropriate land use code and in making adjustments thereto, the Review Authority shall be guided by the most recent edition of the Trip Generation Manual, Institute of Transportation Engineers.

4. "A" means an adjustment for the portion of anticipated additional tax revenues resulting from a development which is prorated to system improvements contained in the capital facilities plan. Such adjustment for traffic impacts is determined to be 15%, so that "A" equals 85%. (Ord. M-4107 § 3, 2014; Ord. M-3643, 2004)

1. “PIF” means the parks impact component of the total development impact fee.

2. “F” means the parks impact fee rate per unit of housing, either single-family or multifamily residential, as applicable, for each service area. Such rate shall be established in the parks impact fee program technical document, incorporated herein by this reference, for each service area by estimating the cost of anticipated growth-related parks projects. Between major program updates, the calculated per unit fee will be adjusted annually pursuant to the methodology set forth in VMC 3.08.100 and as outlined in the parks impact fee program technical document.

3. “U” means the number of units, either single-family or multifamily, whichever is applicable, consistent with a proposed development.

1. A standard of service which identifies the program year, class size by grade span, number of classrooms, types of facilities, and other factors identified by the school district.

2. The district’s capacity over the next six years based upon an inventory of the district’s facilities either existing or under construction and the district’s standard of service.

3. A forecast of future needs for school facilities based upon the district’s enrollment projections.

4. At least a six-year financing plan component, updated as necessary to maintain at least a six-year forecast period, for financing needed school facilities within projected funding levels.

5. Application of the formula set out in subsection F of this section based upon information contained in the capital facilities plan. Separate fees shall be calculated for single-family and multifamily types of dwelling units, based upon the student generation rates determined by the district for each type of dwelling unit. If insufficient information is available for a district to calculate a multifamily student generation rate, a county-wide average shall be utilized. For purposes of this chapter, manufactured homes and each unit of a duplex shall be treated as single-family dwellings.

1. Factors. The planning commission shall consider:

2. Public hearing. In the event the district or the planning commission on its own motion proposes to modify the school impact fee, the planning commission shall not make its recommendation until holding a duly advertised public hearing on the proposal.

3. Recommendation. The planning commission may request a school district to review and to resubmit its capital facilities plan or update consistent with the provisions of this section. The planning commission shall submit an annual report to the board for each school district for which school impact fees are collected.

1. SIF means the school component of the total development impact fee.

2. CS means the cost of the improvements for each type of facility listed in the school district’s capital facilities plan less the cost to cure existing overcapacity divided by the capacity of the improvement. Type of facility means elementary school, middle school and high school. The development cost by service area is shown in Table 20.915.060-1.

3. SF means student factor. The student factor is the number of students typically generated from one residential unit for each type of school facility.

4. SM means state match. State match is the amount received from the state toward school construction costs. The state match component of the formula is that amount representing the per student amount of state matching funds. This is calculated for each type of facility as: student factor times Boeckh Index (average annual construction cost of a school facility per square foot) times square-foot standard per student established by the Superintendent of Public Instruction times state match percentage (that percentage of the total cost of a school facility funded by state funds). The state match for each school district shall be calculated annually.

5. TC means tax credit. This is calculated as:

6. FC means facilities credit. This is the value of any improvements listed in a school district’s capital facilities plan provided by the developer.

7. A means an adjustment for the portion of anticipated additional tax revenues resulting from a development that is prorated to system improvements contained in the capital facilities plan. The adjustment for school impacts is determined to be 85 percent.

1. The formulae or method contained in VMC 20.915.040, 20.915.050 or 20.915.060 to calculate the fees do not accurately reflect the cost of system improvements that are reasonably related to the service demands and needs of a particular development; or

2. Such facility improvements will not reasonably benefit the proposed development.

3. The current development proposal implements a concomitant rezone agreement, development agreement or other development approval pursuant to which public facilities identified in the capital facilities plan were dedicated or constructed, and which are of benefit to the community at large and which fall within the definition of system improvements. The appellant shall have the burden of producing and presenting studies and data that clearly show the basis and substantiation of the appeal upon submittal. Appeals shall be reviewed by means of a Type I procedure, pursuant to VMC 20.210.020. Impact fees may be paid under protest in order to obtain a permit or approval of development activity. (Ord. M-4402 § 3(Y), 2023; Ord. M-4340 § 3, 2021; Ord. M-4172 § 1, 2016; Ord. M-4107 § 5, 2014; Ord. M-3643, 2004)

1. Administrative fees as specified under VMC 20.180.

2. A locally recorded impact fee deferral lien against the property involved, granted to the City of Vancouver in the amount of the deferral. The deed shall be signed by all owners of the property, with signatures acknowledged as required for a deed. The deed shall be binding on all successors, and subordinate to one mortgage for construction of the property granted by the impact fee deferral applicant.

3. The deferral period shall not exceed a period of 18 months from issuance of the building permit, at which time any deferred impact fees shall be due.

4. Upon receipt of all deferred impact fees, the City of Vancouver shall execute release of the lien for the property. The property owner at that time shall be responsible for recording the release, at their expense.

5. The City of Vancouver may institute foreclosure proceedings for unpaid impact fees due. For unpaid School Impact Fees, School Districts may also institute foreclosure proceedings if the City of Vancouver has not done so within 45 days after receiving notice from the District requesting initiation of such proceedings. (Ord. M-4172, Added, 08/15/2016, Sec 2)

1. Provision being made for payment of the impact fee from public funds other than impact fee accounts; and

2. Adequate documentation that the housing meets appropriate standards regarding household income, rent levels, sales price, location, and number of units;

1. The city council may either:

2. Compliance with all of the requirements of subsection D of this section is required.

1. The developer shall record a covenant with the Clark County auditor. The covenant must:

2. When the city grants an exemption for low-income housing granted under subsection B or C of this section, it may not collect revenue lost through the granting of the exemption by increasing impact fees unrelated to the exemption.

3. A school district that receives school impact fees collected by the city must consent in writing prior to city approval of any exemption from school impact fees granted under subsection B or C of this section. Failure of a school district to provide consent in writing to the city within 30 days of the school district’s receipt of written request for approval from the city shall constitute disapproval of the requested exemption.

1. The business owner shall commit, through a development agreement approved by city council, to locate a number of new employees that coincides with the TIF incentive in Table 20.915.080-1. Such new employees shall locate to the city within the first year of the business obtaining an occupancy permit; and

2. The median salary of all company employees to be located shall, at a minimum, coincide with the specified percent of median individual income in Table 20.915.080-1. Median individual income shall be based on the most recent available information from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Portland-Vancouver MSA at the time of the development agreement approval; and

3. If the owner or developer of the property or building is not the business locating within the city, documentation shall be submitted to the city that satisfactorily demonstrates that the business received the benefit of the fee reduction rather than the owner or developer; and

4. The business shall provide the city with such documentation and access to records as needed to verify satisfaction of the foregoing requirements. In the event that the business fails to satisfy any of the requirements criteria, the business shall pay to the city the amount of the fee reduction together with interest at the statutory rate provided for at RCW 19.52.010 upon demand.

The city shall make provision for payment of the impact fee reduction to the transportation impact fee account from public funds other than impact fee accounts.

This provision shall be operative until December 31, 2020, unless renewed by city council.

1. The developer shall be entitled to a credit against the applicable impact fee for the fair market value of any dedication of land for and reasonable documented construction costs acceptable to the City associated with the improvement to, or new construction of any system improvements provided by the developer that are identified in the capital facilities plan and that are required by the City as a condition of approval to the development proposal against which the impact fee is assessed.

2. No credit shall be given for project improvements as defined under VMC 20.150.

3. Traffic Impact Fee Credit. Effective June 3, 2015 (effective date of ordinance), the maximum traffic impact credit shall be in the amount of the impact fee applicable to the development proposal against which the impact fee is assessed. The credit shall be applied to the impact fee as calculated for the development proposal against which the impact fee is assessed and shall not exceed the impact fee due.

4. Street Project Assessment Reimbursement Contract for Excess Costs. If a developer has incurred costs for street project system improvements in excess of the amount of the traffic impact fee applicable to the development proposal against which the impact fee is assessed, the developer may apply to the City for a street project assessment reimbursement contract pursuant to VMC Chapter 11.10.

5. Existing traffic impact fee credits. TIF credits that existed prior to June 3, 2015 (effective date of ordinance) shall be utilized consistent with the provisions of the TIF Program Technical Document. The value and ownership of such TIF credits as of June 3, 2015 (effective date of ordinance) shall be documented by a list thereof published by the City and distributed by US mail to the last known addresses of said owners on June 3, 2015 (effective date of ordinance).

1. The adopted Park Impact Fee Technical Document may be revised periodically by the city council when financial analysis establishes that there is a need for a major program update, but no less than every three years to evaluate the status of the rate of collection and the projected need to serve future residents. Such adjustments shall only become effective upon adoption by the city council.

1. Collected interest. All interest shall be retained in the account and expended for the intended purposes that the impact fees were imposed.

2. Impact fee fund annual report. By April of each year, the finance director shall provide a report for the previous calendar year on each impact fee account showing the source and amount of moneys collected, earned or received and system improvements that were financed in whole or in part by impact fees.

1. Refund time period. The request for refund money must be submitted to the Vancouver city council in writing within one year of the date the right to claim the refund arises or the date the notice is given, whichever is later. Any impact fees that are not expended within these time limitations, and for which no application for refund has been made within this one-year period, shall be retained and expended on the indicated capital facilities. Refunds of impact fees under this subsection shall include interest earned on the impact fees.

2. Criteria for a refund with interest. A developer may request and shall receive a refund, including interest earned on the impact fees, when the building permit for which the impact fee has been paid has lapsed for noncommencement of construction. A partial refund shall be provided where the project for which a building permit has been issued has been altered resulting in a decrease in the amount of the impact fee due.

1. The parcel is within the R-9, R-6, R-4, R-2 zoning district; and

2. The net developable area (excluding any critical areas) of the parcel is two and one-half acres or smaller in area. An infill parent parcel size may be increased by five percent with approval from the planning official; and

3. The proposed development can and will be served by urban services at the time of final plat or development approval. For the purposes of this chapter, “urban services” shall mean public water and sewer service as described in VMC Title 14; and

4. There is urban development abutting the subject site on at least 50 percent of its nonstreet perimeter. For the purposes of this section, “nonstreet perimeter” shall mean that portion of the perimeter of the parcel that is not abutting a public street. Where there is no abutting public street, the entire perimeter is used for measurement.

a. For the purposes of this chapter, “urban development” shall mean a parcel that meets at least one of the following criteria:

1. All parcels with existing nonresidential or multifamily structures that are currently receiving urban services (e.g. public sewer and water); or

2. Tax exempt parcels, regardless of development status; or

3. All plats which have received final or preliminary approval within the last five years; or

4. Parcels two and one-half acres (net developable area) or smaller in area which have existing residential structures; or

5. Parcels that are designated on the city of Vancouver comprehensive plan for multifamily, commercial, or industrial development; or

6. Parcels that are not developable based on a prior development review determination (e.g., park lands, environmentally sensitive lands, properties with utility easements).

1. An “infill parent parcel” is the larger parcel of land from which infill parcels are divided.

2. “Infill land division” is the division of an infill parent parcel using some or all of the standards of this chapter.

3. “Infill parcels” are either parcels that meet the eligibility criteria of this chapter or those parcels created by the land division of an infill parent parcel through the application of the standards in this chapter.

4. “Infill development” is the subsequent residential development on infill parcels.

5. Repealed by M-4465.

6. “Infill development plan” is a plan that is required to be submitted with infill development which identifies the existing and proposed lot characteristics, including applicable standards and incentives.

7. “Predominant” shall mean the most frequently occurring residential design characteristic along both sides of the road frontage from intersection to intersection (or block face). (Ord. M-3840 § 41, 08/06/2007; Ord. M-3643, 01/26/2004)

1. Procedures for Single-Family Attached Dwellings. Development proposals for single-family attached dwellings utilizing the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the following procedures:

2. Building Mass Supplemental Standard. The maximum number of consecutively attached single-family units (i.e., with attached walls at property line) shall not exceed four units.

3. Existing Public Alley Access. Single-family attached subdivisions (creation of 10 or more parcels for single-family attached dwellings) shall receive primary vehicle access from a rear alley if a public alley exists within or adjacent to the subdivision.

4. Pedestrian Pathways. City may require dedication of right-of-way or easements and construction of pathways between single-family attached parcels (e.g., between building breaks) to provide for pedestrian connectivity between groupings of single-family attached units and from one side of the parcel to another.

1. Infill parcels for single-family development (attached, detached) shall meet minimum parcel area requirements as shown in Table 20.920.050-1.

2. Parcel area may be varied by the planning official upon request. The planning official may grant a variance for up to one percent for proposed lots.

1. Minimum Front Yard.

2. Minimum Side Yard.

1. It will not interfere with the maintenance or repair of any public utility;

2. It will not restrict pedestrian or vehicular access;

3. It will not constitute a traffic hazard because of reduced visibility; and

4. Trees shall be pruned to provide at least eight feet of clearance above sidewalks and 13 feet above a local street, 15 feet above a collector street, and 18 feet above an arterial street roadway surfaces.

1. All landscaping shall be installed according to accepted planting procedures;

2. The plant materials shall be of high grade, and shall meet the quality and size standards of the American Standards for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60, 1-1986, as updated); and

3. Landscaping shall be installed in accordance with VMC 20.925.050.

4. All landscaped areas shall be provided with an irrigation system or a readily available water supply with at least one outlet located within 50 feet of all plant material.

5. All landscaped areas shall be provided with a six-inch curb which could include curb cuts, wheel stops or other protective measure to allow for stormwater flow as part of LID.

6. Landscaped areas shall have a minimum length or width dimension of five feet in order to count toward the minimum required landscaped area.

1. All required trees shall be at least 2" in caliper and shrubs at least 1 gallon.

2. Trees shall optimize tree diversity; include native species and at last 60% conifers; utilize insect and disease resistant trees unless determined by the Planning Official as not appropriate for the site conditions.

3. Trees, shrubs, perennials, perennial grasses, and groundcovers shall be located and spaced to accommodate their mature size on the site.

1. A minimum of 12" depth of non-mechanically compacted soil shall be available for water absorption and root growth in planted areas.

2. A minimum of a 4" layer of porous mulch shall be applied to all exposed soil surfaces of nonturf areas within the landscape area. Plant types that are intolerant of mulch shall be exempt from this requirement. Non-porous material, such as plastic sheeting, shall not be placed under the mulch. However, porous landscape fabric is permitted.

3. Areas that have been cleared, graded, or compacted and that have not been covered by impervious surface, incorporated into a drainage facility or engineered as structural fill or slope shall be amended with organic matter. (Ord. M-4179 § 92, 2016; Ord. M-3643, 2004)

1. One 2" caliper deciduous tree shall be provided for every 30' of frontage on a public or private street., provided that the Planning Official may adjust the spacing to accommodate access points or other obstructions;

2. The species selection and spacing of trees to be planted shall be such that it provides for the eventual mature size of the trees. Soil type, soil conditions and other site constraints shall be considered when selection species for planting;

3. No new utility pole location shall be established closer than 5' to any existing street tree;

4. Tree pits shall be located so as not to include utilities (e.g., water and gas meters) in the tree well;

5. On-premises utilities (e.g., water and gas meters) shall not be installed within existing tree well areas;

6. Street trees shall not be planted closer than 20' to light standards;

7. New light standards shall not be positioned closer than 20' to existing street trees except when public safety dictates, then they may be positioned no closer than 10';

8. Where there are overhead power lines, the street tree species selected shall be of a type which, at full maturity, will not interfere with the lines;

9. Trees shall not be planted closer than 2' from the face of the curb; and

10. Trees shall not be planted closer than 2' from any permanent hard surface paving or walkway:

1. Such storage may not be located where it would cause suffocation of root systems of trees intended to be preserved; and

2. After completion of such grading, the topsoil is to be restored to exposed cut and fill embankments or building pads and amended with compost to provide a suitable base for seeding and planting.

1. Acceptable methods of re-vegetation include replanting with native trees, shrubs, and groundcover and hydro-mulching or the planting of rye grass, barley, or other seed with equivalent germination rates;

1. Applicability. In order to ensure efficient water use in landscaped areas, the following standards shall be applied to all landscaping associated with office, commercial, industrial, institutional, parks and greenways, multiple family residential projects, and commonly-owned and/or maintained areas of single family residential projects.

2. Exemptions. These standards do not apply to landscaping in private areas of single-family projects. Parks, playgrounds, sports fields, golf courses, schools, and cemeteries are exempt from specified turf area limitations where a functional need for turf is established. All other requirements are applicable.

3. Plant selection and use limitation.

1. As an alternative to traditional landscaping, the City encourages the use of xeriscape practices, which minimize the need for watering or irrigation. Xeriscape principles can be summarized as follows:

2. Appropriate plant species. Trees and plants used in xeriscape plantings pursuant to this Section shall:

3. Native vegetation. Within xeriscape areas, a minimum of 50% native plants shall be used.

4. Prohibited species. The City shall maintain a list of prohibited species, which are invasive or noxious. Where such species already exist, their removal shall be a condition of development approval.

5. Additional planting standards.

6. Plant replacement. The developer shall maintain xeriscape plantings for a two-year period from the date of planting. Within the two-year period, the developer shall replace or otherwise guarantee any failed plantings:

1. North arrow, scale, date, title, and name of owner;

2. Accurate site plan (at a scale of 1" = 20' or larger, or as appropriate for the scale of development) showing the location of property lines and their dimensions;

3. Existing and proposed water courses, drainage features, streets, sidewalks, utility lines and easements, and other public or semi-public improvements within or adjacent to the site;

4. Delineation of existing residential structures, if any, on adjacent properties;

5. All existing plant material to be removed or retained and delineation and specification of protection methods for plant materials to be retained;

6. Existing and proposed elevations at sufficient locations of the site to show drainage patterns;

7. Contour lines when the slope exceeds 6%;

8. Existing and proposed buildings and other structures, paved areas, curbs, walks, light standards, signs, fences and screen walls, and other permanent features to be added and/or retained on the site;

9. Calculation of total site area, setback areas, required buffer areas, paved vehicular use areas, required proportional landscape areas, and required plant quantities and types;

10. Location, type, and quantity of any soil amendments;

11. The location, approximate mature size, and type of all plant materials graphically depicted on the plan;

12. Complete description of plant materials shown on the plan, including common and botanical names, quantities, spacing, container or caliper size at installation, and mature height and spread;

13. Irrigation plans showing location and type of all outlets (spray, bubbler, drip, etc.); location and size of water meter or other connection; location, type, and installation details of backflow prevention device; and delineation of each watering zone or circuit; and

14. Landscape areas where xeriscape principles are to be applied shall be clearly delineated in the plan submittal; and native and nonnative species plants should be clearly distinguished. (Ord. M-3643, 2004)

1. On-site and off-site improvements plan required. A development plan that demonstrates that utilities, driveways, street trees, etc., have been located and designed to minimize conflicts with one another shall be submitted with the preliminary land division application and incorporated into the civil engineering plan set. Such plan shall, at a minimum, show all of the following features:

2. Standards for guest parking in common areas.

3. Standards for solid waste and recycling access and collection.

4. Standards for alleys and lots with alley access. Lots with access from side or rear alleys are highly effective in addressing conflicts at the front street. Where provided, alleys and lots served by alleys shall meet the following standards:

5. Shared driveways. Where provided for narrow lots, shared driveways shall meet the following requirements:

6. Narrow driveways. Where provided for a narrow lot, narrow driveways shall meet the following requirements:

1. In lower density residential districts, maximum lot coverage shall be 55%.

2. In higher density residential districts, maximum lot coverage shall be 65%.

1. No additional side or rear setback is required for increase in building height above 20'.

2. Minimum rear yard setback from edge of alley pavement to garage or carport may be either 4' or at least 18'. Uncovered parking spaces may be set back 4' from the edge of the alley pavement.

3. Covered porches which consume at least 40% of the front width of the residence may encroach up to 6 feet into the required front setback.

1. Proof that the use was permitted at the time it was established, by any of the following:

2. Proof that the use has been maintained over time. This includes copies of one or more of the following for every year from the time the use was established until the current year. Standard evidence that the use has been maintained over time includes:

1. Ownership: The status of a nonconforming use is not affected by changes in ownership.

2. Change to a conforming use: A nonconforming use may be changed to a conforming use upon review and approval by the Planning Official. Once a conforming use occupies the site, the nonconforming rights are lost and the nonconforming use may not be re-established.

3. Change to a conditional use: A nonconforming use may be changed to a conditional use permitted in the underlying zone if approved through a conditional use review. Once a conditional use occupies the site, the nonconforming rights are lost and a nonconforming use may not be re-established.

1. Be occupied by any use permitted outright in a commercial zoning district, if the lot is located within a commercial zoning district; or

2. Be occupied by a single-family residential unit and accessory structures if the lot is located in a residential zoning district.

1. The nonconforming structure and/or improvement may not be enlarged or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity. However, any structure and/or improvement or portion thereof may be enlarged or altered in a way that complies with the requirements of this title or will decrease its nonconformity; or

2. The nonconforming structure and/or improvement may be rebuilt within its original footprint if it is destroyed by fire or other calamity, provided that an application to rebuild the structure must be filed within one year of the destruction.

3. Should such a structure and/or improvement be moved for any reason for any distance whatever, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the zoning district in which it is located after it is moved.

4. Exception: Legally-established detached accessory structures containing conforming uses in a single family residential districts may be structurally altered provided all of the following criteria are met:

1. Any nonconforming use may be extended throughout any existing parts of a building which were designed for such use at the time of adoption or amendment of this title, but no such use shall be extended to occupy any land outside such building;

2. When a nonconforming use is discontinued or abandoned for one year, the use shall not thereafter be used except in full conformity with all regulations of the zoning district in which it is located. For purposes of this section, a use shall be deemed to be discontinued or abandoned upon the occurrence of the first of any of the following events:

1. The above maximum noise levels shall be reduced by 10 dBAs between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. for the receiving property. Also, at any hour of the day or night the applicable noise limitations above may be exceeded for any receiving property by no more than 5 dBA for a total of 15 minutes in any one-hour period, or 10 dBA for a total of 5 minutes in any one-hour period, or 15 dBA for a total of 1.5 minutes in any one-hour period.

2. Where potential noise impacts to adjacent uses from a proposed land use or development activity are identified, measures to mitigate such impacts may be imposed upon the land use or activity through the applicable review process, and may include: construction of a sound wall or fence; reorientation of buildings, parking and loading areas; and/or placement of berms and landscaping.

3. Sound walls shall meet the design standards of VMC 20.912.080 Fences and Walls.

4. Outdoor construction activity, including construction staging, shall occur no earlier than 7 a.m. and no later than 8 p.m., seven days a week.

5. Due to the negative effect excessive levels of environmental noise have upon the public health, safety and welfare, the noise standards set out in Table 20.935-1 are intended to apply to all uses in existence on the date of adoption of this ordinance and no right to maintain a use not in conformance with those standards shall exist.

1. A delineation of all sensitive resource areas to be used in the calculation of density credit, summed in square feet, and indicated on the preliminary plat map.

2. The preliminary plat shall indicate the area in square feet of each lot proposed.

3. The preliminary plat shall indicate the amount of adjustment requested to the dimensional requirements of the road standards, setbacks, or lot configuration and indicate which lots require adjustment.

4. Calculations of total developable land (TDL); and gross density, used to determine the maximum number of lots allowed.

5. A written narrative, which describes how the use of on-site density transfer will protect, preserve or enhance sensitive or cultural resource areas and achieve density. The narrative shall include proposed methods for protection of sensitive resources, and cite the development regulations that support the request.

1. The total acreage of the subject property shall be divided by the minimum lot size of the underlying zoning district, and the result shall be the gross density. The gross density figure shall then be rounded down to the nearest whole number. The rounded gross density calculation shall be the maximum number of lots that may be located on the Total Developable Land (TDL), except as limited by the reduction in lot area as described above.

2. The applicant may use lot size reduction, adjustment to lot size dimensions or other development standards, within the limits described in Section 20.940.040(D) and (E) VMC above to develop the number of lots allowed under the provisions of this chapter. The number of lots allowed on the TDL as a result of On-Site Density Transfer may not be increased above gross density.

Example: Total Acreage of Parcel: 2 acres (43,560 sq. ft./acre = 87,120)

Sensitive area: 10,000 sq. ft.

Zoning Designation R-6 (7,500 sq. ft. minimum lot size)

87,120/7,500=11.62

2 acres = Gross Density: 11.62 (11 lots may be developed)

7,500 sq. ft. min. lot size

Total Acreage of Parcel minus Sensitive Area equals Total Developable Area:

(87,120 sq. ft.) (10,000 sq. ft.) (77,120 sq. ft.)

Up to 11 lots @ 6,000 sq. ft. each, with lot size reduction of no more than 20% available via On-Site Density Transfer, may be developed on the Total Developable Area. (Ord. M-3643, 2004)

1. Accessory parking is parking associated with a specific development that is reserved for the use of the customers, residents, employees, students and/or visitors associated with the development. Accessory parking shall be subject to the minimum vehicle parking ratios contained in Table 20.945.070-2 and all of the other design and development standards in this chapter.

2. Non-Accessory Parking, which is any private or public vehicle and bicycle parking, either paid or free, which is not accessory to a specific development, including public and private parking structures and lots; transit park-and-ride lots; and free-standing fleet vehicle parking lots, per the definition in Section 20.160.020 VMC. Non-accessory parking shall be subject to all of the design and development standards in this chapter but exempt from the minimum parking ratios contained in Table 20.945.070-2.

3. Valet Parking. The Planning Official may approve valet parking or stacked parking to meet a portion of the on-site parking requirement as appropriate for the use.

1. The number of required vehicle parking and loading spaces shall be based only on floor area or capacity of such enlargement using the minimum parking ratios contained in Table 20.945.070-2.

2. If the minimum number of vehicle parking spaces required for the enlargement added to the existing on-site parking supply falls short of the minimum number of vehicle parking spaces required for the project as a whole, the applicant shall provide additional spaces to bring the total supply up to the minimum required.

3. If the minimum number of vehicle parking spaces required for the enlargement added to the existing on-site development exceed the minimum number of vehicle parking spaces required for the whole project, the applicant may reduce the additional number of spaces provided, providing that the total supply still meets the minimum required.

1. If the parking requirements for each use are the same, no additional vehicle parking shall be required.

2. Where a change results in an intensification of use in terms of the number of vehicle parking spaces required, additional vehicle parking spaces shall be provided in an amount equal to the difference between the minimum number of spaces required for the existing use and the minimum number of spaces required for the more intensive use; unless there is an excess of vehicle parking on the site to accommodate the difference.

3. Where the change results in a decrease in intensity of use, the applicant may physically eliminate excess vehicle parking spaces in an amount equal to the difference between the minimum number of spaces required for the existing use and the minimum number of spaces required for the less intensive use. An applicant may request approval to reduce the number of excess spaces on the site by means of a Type I procedure.

1. Be available for the parking of operable passenger vehicles of residents, patrons and employees only;

2. For nonresidential uses, it shall not be used for storage of vehicles or materials, or for fleet parking used in conduct of the business or use during regular business hours; and

3. Not be rented, leased or assigned to any other person or organization, unless as part of a joint parking agreement per Section 20.945.030(B) VMC. (Ord. M-3643, 2004)

1. Whenever possible, the required accessory parking shall be located on the same site as the primary use to which it is accessory.

2. When it is not feasible to locate all or part of the minimum accessory parking on the same site, the following shall apply:

1. The joint parking facility(ies) shall contain the same number of vehicle parking spaces required by the use which requires the greatest amount of parking per Section 20.945.070 VMC;

2. Satisfactory legal evidence shall be presented to the Planning Official in the form of deeds, leases or contracts to establish the joint use and be recorded with the Clark County Auditor’s Office against all properties involved;

3. If a joint use arrangement is subsequently terminated, or if the uses change, the requirements of this title shall apply to each use separately.

1. Mixed-use projects shall include either uses that are contained in a building (vertical mixed-use) or in a group of single-purpose buildings that share a single parking facility (horizontal mixed-use).

2. The required minimum vehicle parking shall be determined using the following formula.

1. Driveways from the street to off-street parking or loading areas shall be designed and constructed to facilitate the flow of traffic and provide maximum safety for pedestrians. At a minimum all driveways shall meet arterial access spacing standards; on arterial roadways shared driveways and cross-access easements may be required to improve arterial efficiency and safety consistent with access management practices detailed in NCHRP Report 420.

2. Where driveways are gated, even temporarily, the driveway approach shall be designed such that vehicles approaching or leaving the gated drive can queue to enter/exit the traffic stream without blocking the sidewalk or the street traffic, and shall not impede internal site circulation. Design of gated driveways shall be subject to review and approval by the City Transportation Manager.

3. Driveways shall be improved with a permanent surface including but not limited to asphalt, concrete, brick or masonry or other material approved by the Planning Official. Applicants are encouraged to use City and Department of Ecology alternative paving Best Management Practices to enhance on-site water quality where appropriate based on anticipated use.

4. Except for single-family and duplex residences, groups of more than two parking spaces shall be served by a driveway so that no backing movements or other maneuvering within a street or other public right-of-way is necessary.

5. Loading/unloading driveways. If an on-site drop-off is provided, the driveway shall be designed for continuous forward flow of passenger vehicles.

1. All uses providing drive-through services as defined by this chapter shall provide a stacking lane on the same site for inbound vehicles as noted in Table 20.945-1. Stacking lane requirements shall be determined through the review process, be based upon an approved traffic study and may either exceed or fall below the guidelines detailed in Table 20.945.040-1.

2. Stacking lanes must be designed so that they do not interfere with parking and vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle circulation. Stacking lanes for the purpose of selling food must provide at least one clearly marked parking space per service window for the use of vehicles waiting for an order to be filled.

3. No portion of a stacking lane shall be located in a setback except at the points of connection between the site and public or private streets.

1. The applicant shall extend pedestrian circulation routes to sidewalks and transit stops along streets abutting the site, to pedestrian facilities that extend to the edge of the site from off-site, and to the edge of the site in the direction of existing, approved or proposed off-site pedestrian and transit facilities.

2. Pedestrian circulation routes shall also connect structures and uses on the site, such as buildings, vehicle and bicycle parking areas, children’s play areas, required outdoor areas, open spaces, plazas, resting areas and viewpoints.

3. To the extent practicable, the pedestrian circulation system shall be designed to minimize the distance a pedestrian needs to walk between typical origins and destinations of and off the site, including transit stops, public sidewalks and building entrances. Circuitous routes generally should be avoided except for an appropriate purpose given the use or setting.

4. Where pedestrian or bicycle routes cross access, maneuvering, parking or loading areas, the crossing must be clearly identified by using elevation changes, speed bumps, a different paving material, and other method that effectively alerts drivers, pedestrians and cyclists of the location and nature of the crossing. Striping is strongly discouraged as the only method of identification of pedestrian crossings. When striping is used, it must be continuously maintained in perpetuity in an effective manner by the property owner.

5. Where a pedestrian or bicycle route is parallel and adjacent to an auto travel lane or parking area, the pedestrian or bicycle route must be safely separated from the auto travel lane by using a raised path, a raised curb, bollards, landscaping or other physical barrier.

6. Lighting. The on-site pedestrian circulation system must be lighted to a level of 0.5 foot candle, except for handicapped accessible areas which must be lighted to 1.0 foot candle. Such lighting shall be directed in a manner to prevent glare on nearby residential areas.

7. Pedestrian route dimensions. In all commercial zones, the primary pedestrian connection between the main entrance and the fronting arterial shall be a minimum of 8' unobstructed width. All other pedestrian connections shall be a minimum of 6' unobstructed width. The Planning Official may modify these standards for minor expansions of existing uses that face site-specific challenges.

8. Required pedestrian circulation routes shall be improved with an asphalt, concrete or other approved all-weather surface; provided, pedestrian circulation routes through recreational or open space areas may be improved with a material consistent with their purpose and the characteristics of their location.

9. Connections. The pedestrian system must be connected to site and adjacent streets and nearby transit stops. The pedestrian system must also connect public open space or parks, commercial, office and institutional developments when existing development does not preclude such connection. Development patterns must not preclude eventual site-to-site connections, even if an adjacent site is not planned for development at the time of the applicant’s development. Connections between buildings and the street shall be no greater than 200' apart.

1. Purpose. The following landscaping standards are intended to improve and soften the appearance of parking areas; reduce the visual impact of parking areas from sidewalks, streets, and especially from adjacent residential zones; shade and cool parking areas; reduce the amount and rate of stormwater runoff from vehicle areas; and improve air quality.

2. Perimeter Landscaping. Any off-street parking area, other than for a single-family or duplex dwelling, shall be effectively screened by a sight-obscuring fence, wall or evergreen planting on each side which adjoins property situated in a residential zone, the premises of any school or like institution, or a public or private street. Screening along a common property line shall be 6' high. Landscape screening shall be capable of attaining a height of 6' within 2 years of planting. Screening along all public or private streets shall be a minimum of 3' high.

3. Interior Landscaping. Interior landscaping must be provided for sites containing more than 20 parking spaces. At least 10% of the parking and maneuvering areas, not including driveway areas, must be landscaped.

1. All areas used for the parking or storage or maneuvering of any vehicle shall be improved with asphalt, concrete or other permanent surface approved by the Planning Official; The Planning Official may approve the use of City and Department of Ecology alternative paving Best Management Practices to enhance on-site water quality where determined to be appropriate based on type and frequency of anticipated use.

2. Parking areas to be used primarily for temporary staging of construction equipment and temporary parking for the facility during construction may be surfaced in gravel when authorized by the approval authority at the time the site development approval is given. The Planning Official may require the property owner to remove the gravel immediately following construction or enter into an agreement to pave the parking area: (1) within a specified period of time after its establishment; or (2) if there is a change in the types or weights of vehicles utilizing the parking area; or (3) if there is evidence of adverse effects upon adjacent roadways, water courses or properties. Such an agreement shall be executed as a condition of approval of the plan to establish the gravel parking area

1. Except for single-family and duplex residences, any area intended to be used to meet the off-street vehicle parking requirements as contained in this chapter shall have all parking spaces clearly marked; and

2. All interior drives and access aisles shall be clearly marked and signed to show direction of flow and maintain vehicular and pedestrian safety.

1. Designated disabled parking stalls which meet minimum dimensional requirements shall be counted as standard size parking stalls and shall be provided as required by applicable State of Washington and the City Adopted Building Code, as amended for disabled person parking spaces.

2. The width of each parking space includes a stripe that separates each space.

3. Up to 50% of all required on-site vehicular parking spaces may be compact spaces. Such spaces shall be marked as “compact” or “C”.

4. Clustering. No more than an average of 10 parking spaces shall be placed side by side without an intervening break provided by a circulation aisleway, pedestrian walkway, or landscaping. If an average of no more than 10 side-by-side stalls is maintained overall, up to 15 stalls may be located side-by-side. Where landscaping provides a break in the group of spaces, the landscape island shall extend at least 1' into the circulation aisleway to provide a visual narrowing of the circulation aisleway.

5. A portion of a parking space may be landscaped instead of paved as follows:

6. Other parking angles, such as but not limited to 30 degrees or 75 degrees may be approved by the Planning Official, with dimensional requirements consistent with those illustrated in Table 20.945.040-2.

7. Minimum standards for a standard parking stall’s length and width, aisle width, and maneuvering space in a parking structure shall be determined as noted in Table 20.945.040-2. (Ord. M-4289 § 4, 2019; Ord. M-4195 § 1, 2017; Ord. M-4034 § 32, 2012; Ord. M-3931 § 32, 2009; Ord. M-3847 § 15, 2007; Ord. M-3840 § 45, 2007; Ord. M-3643, 2004)

1. Bicycle parking must be provided at the ground level, and may be provided in floor, or wall racks that must hold bicycles securely by the means of the frame. Bicycles may be tipped vertically for storage, but not hung above the ground. If the bicycle parking is placed in the public right-of-way, it shall not obstruct pedestrian walkways and shall meet all of the requirements outlined in obtainment of the street use permit.

2. Where required bicycle parking is provided with racks, the racks must meet the following standards:

3. Where bicycle parking is provided with lockers, such lockers must meet the following standards:

1. The planning official may rule that a use not specifically listed in Table 20.945.070-2 below is a use similar to a listed use and that the same parking standards shall apply. If the applicant requests that the planning official’s decision be rendered in writing, it shall constitute an interpretation, as governed by Chapter 20.255 VMC; and

2. The planning official shall maintain a list of approved unlisted use parking requirements that have the same effect as an amendment to this chapter.

1. Fractions. Fractional space requirements of up to 0.5 shall be rounded down to the next whole number and 0.5 or greater rounded up to the next whole number.

2. Employees. Where employees are specified for the purpose of determining the minimum vehicle parking spaces required, the employees counted are those who work on the premises during the largest shift at the peak season.

3. Students. When students are specified for the purpose of determining the minimum vehicle parking spaces required, the students counted are those who are on the campus during the peak period of the day during a typical school term.

4. Space. Unless otherwise noted, where gross square feet (gsf) are specified, the area measured shall be gross floor area under the roof measured from the faces of the structure, excluding only space devoted to covered off-street parking or loading.

1. The following uses shall be exempt from minimum parking requirements outlined in Tables 20.945.070-1 and 20.945.070-2 below and their required off-street parking shall be zero for all residential units:

2. The following shall not be counted towards the computation of the minimum parking spaces as required in Table 20.945.070-2 below:

1. The planning official may reduce the minimum off-street vehicle parking spaces required in Table 20.945.070-2 by up to 10 percent in new nonresidential developments by means of a Type I procedure, when an applicant for a development permit can demonstrate in a parking study prepared by a traffic consultant or in parking data from comparable sites that:

2. The planning official may reduce the minimum off-street vehicle parking spaces required in Table 20.945.070-2 up to 20 percent if the required conditions detailed in subsections (E)(1) and (E)(2) of this section are met. Reductions in parking minimums shall be cumulative and inclusive of reductions allowed under any provision of this title.

3. A request to reduce the required minimum parking more than 20 percent is subject to a Type II variance procedure.

1. Notwithstanding any other requirement of this chapter, no parking shall be required for any commercial use located in an existing structure which abuts Main Street between Fifth Street and McLoughlin Boulevard, up to and including the first two floors above street level, and any basement levels. The requirements for uses in all floors of three stories or above shall be the same as that in all other areas in the City Center district (CX).

2. In addition, notwithstanding any other requirements of this chapter, requirements for off-street parking shall not apply within the Community Commercial (CC) district extending from McLoughlin Boulevard to Fourth Plain Boulevard in the event of a change in commercial occupancy of a building or of a remodeling of a commercial structure if the original floor area is not exceeded by 25 percent. This provision does not apply to conversion of residential occupancy to commercial occupancy. The requirements for off-street parking for the Community Commercial (CC) district within this area shall be based on the City Center (CX) district parking requirements of Table 20.945.070-1 and shall only be for the total area of additions in excess of 25 percent of the floor area in existence on July 19, 2010.

3. Commercial uses in the Neighborhood Commercial (CN) district may count available on-street parking spaces which are immediately adjacent to the development toward the minimum on-site parking requirement.

4. Parking stalls used for electric vehicle basic charging stations and rapid charging stations shall be counted toward the minimum number of required parking stalls in a development.

1. With the exception of the uses listed in Subsection (2) below, commercial and industrial off-street loading requirements shall provide a minimum number of berths as indicated on Table 20.945.080-1

2. Office buildings; hotels; restaurants; auditoriums and medical centers, colleges, residential care centers or other institutions that contain a structure or structures with a total area of 30,000 gsf or greater shall provide the minimum number of off-street loading spaces as indicated in Table 20.945.080-2.

1. Access to such berths shall be from an alley when such exists unless the alley abuts a residential zone.

2. Off-street truck loading areas shall be separated from the off-street parking area.

3. The surface shall be paved with asphalt or concrete.

1. Cottage housing developments may be allowed at up to two times the maximum density of the underlying zone, including any accessory dwelling units.

2. Cottage housing developments shall contain a minimum of four and a maximum of 12 units in a cluster; provided, that a cottage development may contain up to two clusters.

3. Each single-family cottage shall not exceed 1,600 square feet in total floor area, and each duplex cottage 3,000 square feet. Floor areas of attached or detached garages and outbuildings shall count towards these size limits, with the exception of the first 200 square feet of garage or outbuilding per single-family cottage, or 400 square feet per duplex. Existing single-family homes may remain on site but will be counted toward the total density.

4. Building heights may not exceed 25 feet within 50 feet of the project site perimeter, and 30 feet elsewhere in the site. Roofs higher than 18 feet shall be pitched at a ratio of at least 6:12.

5. Covered porches shall be at least 60 square feet, with no dimension less than five feet.

6. Buildings shall be set back at least 10 feet from the nearest public or private road, and at least five feet from other buildings. Building setbacks to exterior property lines shall be that of the underlying zoning district.

1. At least 75 percent of the cottage units shall be located within 25 feet of a common courtyard, and shall have covered porches and main entries which face the common courtyard or an adjacent public street.

2. The planning official may at their discretion grant exceptions as needed to allow cottages abutting a public street at the site perimeter to face the street, and as needed in cases of very narrow or unusually configured project parcels may reduce the required percentage of lots located within 25 feet of the common courtyard to 50 percent.

1. The common courtyard must contain a minimum of 200 square feet of usable open or congregating space per cottage unit within the associated cluster.

2. The common courtyard must be generally square or round, and no narrower than 15 feet wide at its narrowest dimension.

3. The common courtyard shall be developed with a mix of landscaping, lawn area, pedestrian paths, and/or paved courtyard area, and may also include recreational amenities. Impervious elements of the common courtyard shall not exceed 50 percent of the total common courtyard area.

4. Pedestrian paths must be included in a common courtyard. Parking areas, required setbacks, and driveways do not qualify as part of a common courtyard.

1. Required spaces. Each dwelling unit shall include at least one parking space within the project area. On-street parking spaces abutting the project area may be counted towards this requirement.

2. Common Parking Areas. Parking may be located adjacent to an individual unit or in a common parking area. Common parking areas are subject to the following standards:

3. Parking location, access and screening.

1. A pedestrian path must be provided that connects the main entrance of each cottage to the following:

2. The pedestrian path must be hard-surfaced and a minimum of three feet wide.

1. Each cottage cluster is permitted one community building.

2. The community building shall have a maximum floor area of 1,200 square feet.

1. An access plan for solid waste and recycling collection service to all dwellings in the development shall be submitted with the application.

2. The access and collection plan shall show either a designated collection point for each lot or a common solid waste storage area for use by all lots and the ability of collection vehicles to maneuver safely to all points of collection. All circulation and turnaround designs must meet the requirements of VMC 11.80.070 and the Transportation Standard Details and be feasible using city-provided solid waste truck turning modeling templates and truck specifications. Collection vehicles shall be able to circulate the development and service receptacles with minimal backing required.

3. Collection points and common solid waste storage areas shall be accessible to collection vehicles without requiring backing out of a driveway onto a public street. If only a single access is available to the storage area, adequate turning radius shall be provided to allow collection vehicles to safely exit the site in a forward motion.

4. Where collection is not feasible on each lot, one or more designated common solid waste storage areas, located no further than 150 feet from any dwelling it serves, shall be provided.

5. Designated collection points shall be located adjacent to alleys or streets but shall not obstruct sidewalks, bike lanes, or vision clearance triangles.

6. Maintenance of any private streets or alleys used for solid waste collection service shall be the responsibility of the property owners, and a maintenance agreement shall be recorded with the plat.

7. Each lot must have adequate storage space for carts when not set out for collection day. If lots do not have garages, driveways, or other suitable features for storing carts, individual or shared enclosure areas must be provided and shown on plans. Receptacles and common storage areas must be screened from view and not located in the right-of-way or adjacent to existing neighboring properties. (Ord. M-4517 § 3(C) (Att. C), 2025; Ord. M-4465 § 3(C) (Att. C), 2024; Ord. M-4455 § 3(C) (Att. C), 2024; Ord. M-4438 § 4(L), 2023; Ord. M-4402 § 3(CC), 2023; Ord. M-4377 § 2(d), 2022)

1. One maximum 6 square feet per face sign, per frontage in all districts; or

2. One maximum 48 square feet per face sign, per frontage, on a lot in any nonresidential district.

3. Three maximum 48 square feet per face sign(s), per frontage on active construction sites in all districts. Active construction sites include properties where development permits are pending or have been issued but a final occupancy permit has not been issued.

4. Exception: This section shall not allow any sign otherwise prohibited by this title.

1. Not Permitted. Any sign attached to or placed on a parked vehicle or trailer used principally for advertising purposes, rather than transportation. A vehicle or trailer shall be considered principally used for advertising purposes based on the following criteria: a) a sign is attached or placed on the vehicle or trailer that is larger than 20 square feet in area; b) the sign is attached or placed on the vehicle or trailer for more than 12 hours in any 48-hour period; c) the vehicle or trailer is parked in the same location or within 300 feet of one location for more than four hours; and d) the sign attached or placed on the vehicle or trailer is parked in a public right-of-way or within 50 feet of a public right-of-way; and e) the sign attached to the vehicle or trailer can be read by a person with normal vision from inside the arterial right-of-way.

2. The provisions of the above section shall not apply where: a) the vehicle is temporarily parked at a loading dock, b) the vehicle is substantially hidden from view from any public street by buildings, fences, mature landscaping or similar objects such that the vehicle does not attract attention to or communicate information about the business or organization, c) the vehicle is legally parked at the residence of the driver, d) the vehicle is a contractor’s trailer at the site of an active construction project or e) the vehicle is available for rent as part of an equipment rental business and the content of the sign refers to the rental business only; or when such vehicle is parked at or near the site of the business or organization.

1. Allowable Area: 32 square feet per face.

2. Number of Signs: 1 (There shall be no more than one free-standing sign per frontage, and no more than one fascia sign. If both are used, they must be on different frontages).

3. Height of Sign: Maximum 8 feet to be measured from grade.

4. Encroachment: No part of the freestanding sign shall project into any public right-of-way.

5. No freestanding sign shall project or extend into any vision clearance area unless approved by the Planning Official.

6. Any freestanding sign must be integrated. That is, all supports or sign elements shall be an integral part of the design. Auxiliary projections or attachments not a part of a single design are prohibited.

1. Allowable Area: 5 percent of buildings’ elevation with a maximum of 32 square feet.

2. Number of Signs: 1 per business. (There shall be no more than one free-standing sign per frontage, and no more than one fascia sign. If both are used, they must be on different frontages).

3. Height of Sign: Not to extend above parapet or eave line.

1. Allowable Area: Maximum 6 square feet per face side and as specified in Section 20.960.020.C.

2. Number of Signs: 1 per frontage.

3. Encroachment: For sale/lease/rent signs may not encroach on the property line of the subject property.

1. Allowed in association with nonresidential uses only which meet the following criteria:

2. Number of signs: 1 per use

3. Type: Fascia or monument-style sign only

4. Maximum size: 16 square feet (50% of allowed area of fascia or monument sign); such sign shall not be in addition to allowable area of fascia or monument sign

5. Maximum height: 8 feet measured from grade if monument sign; fascia signs shall not extend above the parapet or eave line

6. Location: The EMC sign shall either face or be located adjacent to the arterial street

7. Hours of operation: The EMC sign shall be completely turned off between the hours of 9:00 pm and 7:00 am, seven days a week

8. Additional performance standards of VMC 20.960.060, I, 2-9 shall apply to EMC signs in residential districts

9. Signs with an electronic message center which meet all of the above standards may also provide internal illumination to the remainder of the sign.

1. Allowable Area: 32 square feet per face.

2. Number of Signs: 1 per frontage.

3. Height of Sign: Maximum 8 feet to be measured from grade.

4. Encroachment: No part of the freestanding sign shall project into any public right-of-way.

5. No freestanding sign shall project or extend into any vision clearance area unless approved by the Planning Official.

6. Any freestanding sign must be integrated. That is, all supports or sign elements shall be an integral part of the design. Auxiliary projections or attachments not a part of a single design are prohibited.

1. Allowable Area: 5 percent of buildings’ elevation with a maximum of 32 square feet.

2. Number of Signs: 1 per business. (There shall be no more than one free-standing sign per frontage, and no more than one fascia sign. If both are used, they must be on different frontages).

3. Height of Sign: Not to extend above parapet or eave line.

1. Allowable Area: Maximum 6 square feet per face and as specified in Section 20.960.020(C).

2. Number of Signs: 1 per frontage.

3. Encroachment: Not allowed.

1. Allowed in association with nonresidential uses only which meet the following criteria:

2. Number of signs: 1 per use

3. Type: Fascia or monument-style sign only

4. Maximum size: 16 square feet (50% of allowed area of fascia or monument sign); such sign shall not be in addition to allowable area of fascia or monument sign

5. Maximum height: 8 feet measured from grade if monument sign; fascia signs shall not extend above the parapet or eave line

6. Location: The EMC sign shall either face or be located adjacent to the arterial street

7. Hours of operation: The EMC sign shall be completely turned off between the hours of 9:00 pm and 7:00 am, seven days a week

8. Additional performance standards of VMC 20.960.060, I, 2-9 shall apply to EMC signs in residential districts

9. Signs with an electronic message center which meet all of the above standards may also provide internal illumination to the remainder of the sign.

1. Allowable Area. Maximum 6 square feet per face per sign.

2. Number of Signs. 1 per function per frontage.

1. Allowable Area: 2 square feet per business or professional tenant per face for tenant identification, and 15 square feet per face for business complex identification.

2. Height of Sign: Maximum height of 10 feet to be measured from grade. (It is recommended that the design be compatible with character of the neighborhood and the profile of the sign be as low as possible.)

3. Number of Signs: 1 per business complex.

1. There shall be no combinations of permanent sign types on a single street frontage.

2. Business Complex Signs are required for any business in a business complex desiring a Free-Standing Sign. The use of a Business Complex Sign shall replace all other Free-Standing Signs on the premises, except temporary or directional signs.

1. No neon may be used as a light source.

2. For internally illuminated signs, the background must be opaque and the illuminated portion of the sign face must not exceed 40 percent of the sign face area.

3. For Business Complex Signs, only that portion of the sign identifying the complex may be illuminated. (Ord. M-3868 § 7, 02/25/2008; Ord. M-3730, Amended, 12/19/2005; Ord. M-3643, 01/26/2004)

1. Allowable Area: One (1) square foot per face per lineal foot of frontage up to a maximum of 250 square feet per face. Provided that premises with less than thirty-two (32) lineal feet of frontage shall be allowed a maximum thirty-two (32) square foot sign per face.

2. Number of Signs: 1 per frontage.

3. Height of Sign: Maximum 25 feet to be measured from grade to top of sign.

4. Encroachment Above Public Right-of-Way: No part of the freestanding sign shall project into any public right-of-way.

5. No freestanding sign shall project or extend into any vision clearance area unless approved by the Planning Official.

6. Any freestanding sign must be integrated. That is, all supports or sign elements shall be an integral part of the design. Auxiliary projections or attachments not a part of a single design are prohibited.

1. Allowable Area: Maximum 12 percent of building’s elevation on which the sign is erected with a guaranteed minimum of 32 square feet. Total of all sign face areas shall not exceed 250 square feet.

2. Number of Signs: No maximum number provided the total area of all signs complies with D1 above.

3. Height of Sign: No sign shall extend above parapet or eave line.

4. Fascia Signs: Fascia Signs may not encroach into right-of-way if less than 8 feet above grade.

1. Allowable Area: Maximum 15 percent of a building elevation on which the sign is erected. Total of all sign face areas shall not exceed 250 square feet.

2. Number of Signs: 1 per elevation per business.

3. Height of Sign: No sign shall extend above parapet or eave line.

4. Encroachment Above Public Right-of-Way. No encroachment allowed for signs less than 8 feet above grade; 3 feet encroachment allowed for signs greater than 8 feet but less than or equal to 10 feet above grade; 4 feet encroachment allowed for signs greater than 10 feet and less than or equal to 12 feet above grade, and 6 feet for signs more than 12 feet above grade.

1. The area of the electronic message center shall not exceed 20 percent of the area of the sign; provided the area limitation shall not apply if the sign is solely limited to time and temperature.

2. All messages displayed on an electronic message center shall be directly related to the business for which the sign was constructed. No off-premises signage is permitted.

3. All electronic message centers signs shall be constructed as an integral part of a permanent sign constructed on-site. Integral shall be considered to be incorporated into the framework and architectural design of the permanent sign.

4. The display shall be limited to text and static images only and shall not appear to flash, portray blinking or chasing lights, or otherwise create continuously changing images. However, scrolling of text (horizontal or vertical) is permitted. The rate of change for sign copy from one message to another shall be no more frequent than every eight seconds and the actual copy change shall be accomplished in four seconds or less. Once changed, the copy shall remain static until the next change.

5. All electronic message center signs shall have installed ambient light monitors and shall at all times allow such monitors to automatically adjust the brightness level of the electronic message center sign based on ambient light conditions.

6. Electronic message center signs shall not be associated with any dwelling or home occupation in any residential zone.

7. Electronic message center sign permit applications must include a copy of the manufacturer’s operating manual, which includes the manufacturer’s recommended standards for brightness, scrolling or traveling speed, and other display operations.

8. Electronic message center signs which create a source of glare shall be adjusted or removed as directed by the Planning Official. No electronic message center sign may be illuminated to a degree of brightness that is greater than necessary for adequate visibility. In no case may the brightness exceed eight thousand nits (8,000) or equivalent candelas during daylight hours, or one thousand (1,000) nits or equivalent candelas between dusk and dawn.

9. Electronic message center sign permit applications must also include a certification from the owner or operator of the sign stating that the sign shall at all times be operated in accordance with City codes and that the owner or operator shall provide proof of such conformance upon request of the City.

1. Allowable Areas: Maximum 6 square feet per face per sign.

2. Number of Signs: 1 per function per frontage.

1. Allowable Area: 1.5 square feet per face per lineal foot of frontage up to a maximum of 250 square feet per face. Provided that a premises with less than thirty-two (32) lineal feet of frontage shall be allowed a maximum thirty-two (32) square foot sign per face.

2. Height of Sign: Maximum 25 feet from grade to top of sign.

3. Number of Signs: 1 per frontage. A secondary sign is allowable if any single frontage exceeds 300 feet. Total square footage of all signage must fall within above formula.

1. Signs attached to a given building elevation will not exceed a total of 15 percent of that elevation.

2. On any street frontage, these combinations are allowable:

3. Business Complex Signs are required for any business in a business complex desiring a Free-Standing Sign. The use of a Business Complex Sign shall replace all other Free-Standing Signs on the premises, except temporary or directional signs.

1. A projecting sign suspended from the weather protection structure not exceeding 6 square feet in area per face. Each business shall be allowed 1 such sign per public entry. The bottom of any sign of this type shall be at least 8 feet above the sidewalk.

2. A fascia sign attached to the building but below the weather protection device. Each business shall be allowed one such sign per public entry. (Ord. M-3868 § 7, 02/25/2008; Ord. M-3868 § 8, 02/25/2008; Ord. M-3643, 01/26/2004)

1. Type of Sign: Monument sign.

2. Allowable Areas: Maximum 32 square feet per face per sign. Maximum of 64 square feet total all sign faces.

3. Number of Signs: 1 per business and copy must be related to the resident manufacturers or industries, and for directional purposes only (not allowed in the Industrial Districts along Lincoln Avenue, south of Fourth Plain Boulevard and east of the railroad tracks).

4. Height of Sign: Maximum 15 feet.

5. Encroachment: Not allowed.

6. Portable signs in the right-of-way as per 20.960.090.

1. Allowable Area: One (1) square foot per face per lineal foot of frontage up to a maximum of 250 square feet per face. Provided that premises with less than thirty-two (32) lineal feet of frontage shall be allowed a maximum thirty-two (32) square foot sign per face.

2. Number of Signs: 1 per frontage.

3. Height of Sign: Maximum 15 feet.

4. Encroachment: No part of the freestanding sign shall project into any public right-of-way.

5. No freestanding sign shall project or extend into any vision clearance area unless approved by the Planning Official.

6. Any freestanding sign must be integrated. That is, all supports or sign elements shall be an integral part of the design. Auxiliary projections or attachments not a part of a single design are prohibited.

1. Allowable Area: Maximum 12 percent of the building’s elevation on which the sign is erected with a guaranteed minimum of 32 square feet. Total of all sign areas shall not exceed 250 square feet.

2. Number of Signs: No maximum number, provided the total area of all signs complies with D1 above.

3. Height of Sign: No sign shall extend above parapet or eave line.

4. Fascia Signs: Fascia Signs may not encroach into right-of-way if less than 8 feet above grade.

1. Allowable Area: Maximum 15 percent of a building elevation on which the sign is erected. Total of all sign face areas shall not exceed 250 square feet.

2. Number of Signs: 1 per elevation per business.

3. Height of Sign: No sign shall extend above parapet or eave line.

4. Encroachment: Above Public Right-of-Way: No encroachment allowed for signs less than 8 feet above grade; 3 feet encroachment allowed for signs greater than 8 feet but less than or equal to 10 feet above grade; 4 feet encroachment allowed for signs greater than 10 feet and less than or equal to 12 feet above grade, and 6 feet for signs more than 12 feet above grade.

1. The area of the electronic message center shall not exceed 20 percent of the area of the sign; provided the area limitation shall not apply if the sign is solely limited to time and temperature.

2. All messages displayed on an electronic message center shall be directly related to the business for which the sign was constructed. No off-premises signage is permitted.

3. All electronic message centers signs shall be constructed as an integral part of a permanent sign constructed on site. Integral shall be considered to be incorporated into the framework and architectural design of the permanent sign.

4. The display shall be limited to text and static images only and shall not appear to flash, portray blinking or chasing lights, or otherwise create continuously changing images. However, scrolling of text (horizontal or vertical) is permitted. The rate of change for sign copy from one message to another shall be no more frequent than every eight seconds and the actual copy change shall be accomplished in four seconds or less. Once changed, the copy shall remain static until the next change.

5. All electronic message center signs shall have installed ambient light monitors and shall at all times allow such monitors to automatically adjust the brightness level of the electronic message center sign based on ambient light conditions.

6. Electronic message center signs shall not be associated with any dwelling or home occupation in any residential zone.

7. Electronic message center signs which create a source of glare shall be adjusted or removed as directed by the Planning Official. No electronic message center sign may be illuminated to a degree of brightness that is greater than necessary for adequate visibility. In no case may the brightness exceed eight thousand nits (8,000) or equivalent candelas during daylight hours, or one thousand (1,000) nits or equivalent candelas between dusk and dawn.

8. Electronic message center sign permit applications must also include a certification from the owner or operator of the sign stating that the sign shall at all times be operated in accordance with City codes and that the owner or operator shall provide proof of such conformance upon request of the City.

1. Allowable Area: Maximum 10 square feet per face per sign.

2. Number of Signs: 1 per function per frontage.

1. Allowable Area: 1.5 square foot per face per lineal foot of industrial complex frontage up to a maximum of 250 square feet per face. Provided that an industrial complex with less than thirty-two (32) lineal feet of frontage shall be allowed a maximum thirty-two (32) square foot sign per face.

2. Number of Signs: 1 per complex frontage.

3. Height of Sign: Maximum 25 feet.

1. No signs attached to the building will exceed a total of 15 percent of said building elevation.

2. On any frontage, these combinations are allowable:

1. Permanent Portable Signs shall be defined as “onsite” signs placed in the right-of-way along the business frontage and on the same side of the street of the building or establishment which it advertises. Permanent portable signs shall be meant for continuous display during the hours the business is open and shall have the primary purpose of identifying the business.

2. Temporary Portable Signs shall be defined as “off-site” signs placed in the right-of-way advertising an approved business or use. Temporary portable signs shall be displayed during the hours the business is open and shall have the sole purpose of identifying the business or providing directions.

1. Portable signs in the public right-of-way shall be allowed for approved uses in all zones except in areas designated as parks, open space or greenway, and subject to the standards in Section 20.960.090. They may include off-site signs that advertise and are associated with an approved business or use or direct persons to premises different from where the sign is located.

2. Portable signs shall not be allowed as part of home occupations or uses located within residential districts. Portable signs shall be permitted as part of a home occupation in all nonresidential district:

1. Portable right-of-way sign structures shall be in the shape of an inverted V, with two sign boards attached to each other at the top of the sign (also known as a sandwich board or A-frame sign).

2. Signs shall be constructed of weather-resistant materials, such as wood, plastic, or metal. Signs constructed of impermanent materials, including but not limited to cardboard and paper are prohibited.

3. No materials such as paper, balloons, windsocks, etc., may be attached to the sign.

4. No sign shall contain foil, mirrors, bare metal, or other reflective materials which could create hazardous conditions to motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians.

5. No sign may contain lights of any kind.

1. Maximum size of sign shall be nine (9) square feet per sign face, with a maximum of two sign faces per sign.

2. Maximum of one (1) on-site sign per approved business or use on right-of-way abutting the business or use including businesses having more than one street frontage.

3. Maximum of three (3) off-site signs per approved business or use.

4. Maximum height of sign shall be 36 inches above the sidewalk, walkway, or plaza upon which it is placed. The height of such signs may not be artificially increased above the allowed maximum by the placement of other materials.

1. One portable sign allowed per business to be placed in the right-of-way along the business frontage (front or side street) and on the same side of the street of the building or establishment which it advertises.

2. Off-site temporary signs advertising an approved business or use shall be located within a one (1) mile (driving) radius from where the business or use is being advertised.

3. No sign may be placed in such a way as to reduce the continuous unobstructed width of a sidewalk or walkway to less than five (5) feet.

4. Sign placement may not obstruct an entrance to a building, steps or driveway access.

5. No sign may be placed within a sight vision clearance triangle as (required by Section 20.985) or within twenty (20) feet of a wheelchair ramp.

6. No sign shall be placed within the roadway, traffic island, median or circle.

1. Permanent portable signs may be displayed in the right-of-way during the hours the business is open.

2. Temporary portable signs may be displayed in the right-of-way during the hours the business is open on Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

1. Owners are responsible for the removal of their portable signs following business hours and during periods of strong winds.

2. Off- site portable signs may be placed in the right-of-way abutting private property only with the written consent of the owner(s) of the property abutting the right-of-way and/or their authorized representative.

3. A portable sign placed in the right-of-way shall bear the name and address of the person/organization placing the sign.

1. All new portable signs shall comply immediately with the above standards. All temporary signs (conforming and nonconforming) in existence prior to January 26, 2004, shall comply with the above standards within forty-five (45) calendar days after January 26, 2004.

2. The enforcement of this section shall be governed by the provisions of Title 22 of the Vancouver Municipal Code.

1. Multi-unit residential buildings containing five or more units shall provide a minimum storage area using this formula:

Number of units × 32 gallons = Total weekly storage volume for garbage

Number of units × 48 gallons = Total weekly storage volume for recycling

Number of units × 8 gallons = Total weekly storage volume for glass

Depending on the number of units, the total volume needed for each stream of waste can be calculated and the number and size of carts or containers determined. Mixed recycling is collected in 95-gallon recycling carts. Glass is collected in 64-gallon carts. Each storage area must provide for collection of both garbage and recycling with space to walk between the containers.

Mixed recycling or cardboard containers and cages, with a standard size of three or four cubic yards (606 gallons), can be planned for accommodating a portion of the required recycling storage for these commodities.

For recycling, determine the number of mixed carts needed by dividing total weekly storage requirements by 95; determine the number of glass recycling carts needed by dividing total weekly storage requirements by 64.

Complexes with less than 20 units are encouraged to include space for a recycling container large enough to accommodate flattened cardboard boxes (typically a three-yard or four-yard container). Complexes larger than 20 units are required to include space for a three- or four-yard recycling container large enough to accommodate flattened cardboard boxes.

Large apartment complexes sometimes utilize a centralized garbage compactor(s) instead of or in coordination with more distributed garbage containers. Compactors are intended for commercial and industrial use by trained personnel and should not be the container that residents use directly for disposal of their household garbage.

Property owners/managers must still provide convenient recycling locations accessible to residents.

Recycling roll carts are normally co-located with the garbage collection containers, rather than with the compactor, to improve recycling convenience and participation. Containers larger than four cubic yards do not have wheels, so it is necessary to allow sufficient space so they can be emptied without being rolled out. No solid waste or recyclables collecting shall be done in any residential zone before 6:30 a.m. or after 6:30 p.m. (VMC 6.12.130).

Maximum distance from residential unit to closest garbage/recycling enclosure shall be no more than 150 feet.

2. Nonresidential buildings shall provide a minimum storage area of 100 square feet plus:

3. Large developments or single buildings utilizing a compactor for garbage shall plan for the size of concrete pad appropriate for the equipment being installed and the volume of waste and recycling to be generated, plus allocate additional space for containers for materials not compacted.

4. Storage area space size and area configuration needs shall be determined based on an assessment of how similar facilities meet their waste disposal and recycling needs.

5. Service agreements between the building owner and the service provider may be required if proposed methods or technologies used to manage waste are atypical or unproven. (Ord. M-4402 § 3(DD), 2023; Ord. M-4147 § 4, 2015; Ord. M-3643, 2004)