Title 17C Land Use Standards
Chapter 17C.110 Residential Zones
The setback standards for primary and accessory structures serve several purposes. They maintain light, air, separation for fire protection, and access for fire fighting. They reflect the general building scale and placement of houses in the City's neighborhoods. They promote options for privacy for neighboring properties. They provide adequate flexibility to site a building so that it may be compatible with the neighborhood, fit the topography of the site, allow for required outdoor areas, and allow for architectural diversity. They provide room for a car to park in front of a garage door without overhanging the street or sidewalk, and they enhance driver visibility when backing onto the street.
The required setbacks for primary and accessory structures are stated in Table 17C.110-3. Other setbacks may apply to specific types of development or situations. Setbacks for parking areas are stated in chapter 17C.230 SMC, Parking and Loading.
The setback standards for accessory structures are stated in Table 17C.110-3. Fences are addressed in SMC 17C.110.230. Detached accessory dwelling units are addressed in chapter 17C.300 SMC, Accessory Dwelling Units. Signs are addressed in chapter 17C.240 SMC, Signs.
The front building setback is as provided in Table 17C.110-3, unless there exists a residence on both sides of the subject property; or in the case of a corner lot the lot to side in the same block. In this case, the setback is based on the average of the respective setbacks on the two adjoining lots, or one side of a corner lot. If one of the adjoining lots is vacant, the setback for the adjoining vacant lot for purposes of averaging is presumed to be as provided in Table 17C.110-3. The setback based on averaging shall not be greater than twenty feet.
Where a site is split between more than one zone and a building is proposed that will cross an internal lot line that is also a zoning line, no setbacks are required from that lot line.
Date Passed: Monday, September 24, 2012
Effective Date: Friday, November 2, 2012
ORD C34911 Section 7