§ 18.52.040. Development standards.  


Latest version.
  • A.

    General Plan. Construction of an accessory dwelling unit pursuant to this chapter shall not be considered when calculating compliance with the allowable density for the lot upon which the accessory dwelling unit is located, and an accessory dwelling unit that conforms to this chapter shall be deemed to be an accessory use or an accessory building and shall be deemed to be a residential use that is required to be consistent with the existing general plan and zoning designations for the lot.

    B.

    Occupancy. There must be no more than one existing single-family dwelling on the lot for which an application under this chapter is submitted. The owner of the property must occupy either the main unit or the accessory dwelling unit and a declaration of such restriction on occupancy shall be recorded and be binding on future owners. The accessory dwelling unit may not be sold separately from the lot and primary unit. The accessory dwelling unit may be rented for a term which does not exceed one year, but there shall be no limit on the number of times the term can be renewed.

    C.

    Existing Code Conformance. There shall be no zoning code or building code violation existing on the lot on which the accessory dwelling unit is located.

    D.

    Location. The accessory dwelling unit may be either attached to the existing dwelling and located within the living area of the existing dwelling or detached from the existing dwelling a minimum of ten feet, but located on the same lot as the existing dwelling, and subject to the same conditions as the main building.

    E.

    Lot Area. The lot must conform to the lot area, width and depth requirements on the underlying zone. Any parcel that does not conform to such requirements shall not be granted a permit for an accessory dwelling Unit.

    F.

    Zoning Requirements. The minimum front, side and rear setbacks of the underlying zone provisions shall apply to any accessory dwelling unit and shall be made a condition of approval. No setback shall be required for an existing garage that is converted to an accessory dwelling unit and a setback of no more than five feet from the side and rear lot lines shall be required for an accessory dwelling unit that is constructed above a garage. Aside from the exceptions provided for off-street parking, fire sprinklers, and setbacks for converting existing space into an accessory dwelling unit, requirements relating to height, setback, lot coverage, and other zoning requirements generally applicable to residential construction in the zone in which the property is located shall apply to an accessory dwelling unit.

    G.

    Off-Street Parking. Parking requirements for accessory dwelling units shall not exceed one parking space per unit or per bedroom. These spaces may be provided as tandem parking, including on an existing driveway or in setback areas, excluding the non-driveway front yard setback.

    Replacement parking: When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished or converted in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit, replacement parking shall not be required and may be located in any configuration on the same lot as the accessory dwelling unit.

    H.

    Unit Size. An attached accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed fifty percent of the existing living area. A detached accessory dwelling unit on the subject parcel shall have a floor space not to exceed one thousand two hundred square feet.

    I.

    Design. Each accessory dwelling unit shall be designed to be compatible with the main dwelling. The design shall take into consideration the use of the same exterior materials, roof covering, colors and other architectural features.

    J.

    Utility Service. The utility service for the accessory dwelling unit must be serviced through the existing single-family dwelling service. Accessory dwelling units shall not be considered new residential uses for the purposes of calculating city connection fees or capacity charges for utilities, including water and sewer service.

    K.

    No passageway shall be required in conjunction with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit.

    L.

    Accessory dwelling units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers if they are not required for the primary residence and may employ alternative methods for fire protection.

(Ord. No. 437-2017, § 1, 7-13-2017)