Title 17C Land Use Standards
Chapter 17C.111 Residential Zones
Section 17C.111.200 Lot Size and Dimensions
Purpose.
The required minimum lot size, lot depth, lot width and frontage requirements for new lots ensure that development will, in most cases, be able to comply with all site development standards. The standards also prevent the creation of very small lots that are difficult to develop at their full density potential. Finally, the standards also allow development on lots that were reduced by condemnation or required dedications for right-of-way.
The lot dimension standards further ensure that:
Each lot has enough room for a reasonably-sized house;
Lots are of a size and shape that development on each lot can meet the development standards of the zoning code;
Housing units have access to private or shared open space;
Lots don’t narrow to an unbuildable width close to the street;
Lots have access from public rights-of-way;
Each lot has access for utilities and services;
Lots are an appropriate size and shape so that development can be oriented toward the street;
Housing goals for the City are met; and
To avoid having the garage door as the dominant feature of the front of a house on narrow lots.
Existing Lot Size.
No lot in any zone may be reduced so that the dimension, minimum lot area, frontage, or area per dwelling unit is less than that required by this chapter, except as follows:
Through a Planned Unit Development as described in chapter 17G.070 SMC .
Through a unit lot subdivision pursuant to SMC 17G.080.065 .
Lots Reduced by Condemnation or Required Dedication for Right-of-way. Development that meets the standards of this chapter is permitted on lots, or combinations of lots, that were legally created and met the minimum size requirements at the time of subdivision but were reduced below one or more of those requirements solely because of condemnation or required dedication by a public agency for right-of-way.
Land Division.
All new lots created through subdivision must comply with the standards for the base zone listed in Table 17C.111.205-1 .
Planned unit developments, combined with a subdivision, may reduce the minimum lot size, lot with, lot depth and frontage requirements in the RA and R1 zones pursuant to SMC 17G.070.030(C)(1) .
Ownership of Multiple Lots.
Where more than one adjoining lot is in the same ownership, the ownership may be separated as follows:
If all requirements of this chapter will be met after the separation, including lot size, density and parking, the ownership may be separated through either a boundary line adjustment (BLA) or plat, as specified under chapter 17G.080 SMC , Subdivisions.
If one or more of the lots does not meet the lot size standards in this section, the ownership may be separated along the original plat lot lines through a boundary line adjustment (BLA).
New Development on Standard Lots.
New development on lots that comply with the lot size standards in this section are allowed subject to the development standards and density requirements of the base zone as required in Table 17C.111.205-2 .
Lot Frontage.
All residential lots shall front onto a public street and meet the minimum lot frontage requirements of Table 17C.111.205-1 except as follows:
For lots created through unit lot subdivisions approved under SMC 17G.080.065 .
For lots approved in a planned unit development approved under chapter 17G.070 SMC .
For lots in a manufactured home park approved under SMC 17H.010.090 .
Date Passed: Monday, November 20, 2023
Effective Date: Monday, January 1, 2024
ORD C36459 Section 16
