Title 17C Land Use Standards
Chapter 17C.111 Residential Zones
Section 17C.111.220 Building Coverage and Impervious Coverage
- Purpose.
The building coverage standards, together with the floor area ratio (FAR), height and setback standards control the overall bulk of structures. They are intended to assure that taller buildings will not have such a large footprint that their total bulk will overwhelm adjacent houses. The standards also help define the form of the different zones by limiting the amount of building area allowed on a site. Additionally, the impervious coverage standards ensure that there is adequate space on a site for stormwater infiltration.
- Building Coverage and Impervious Coverage Standards.
The maximum combined building coverage allowed on a site for all covered structures is stated in Table 17C.111.205-1.
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- “Impervious surface” is defined in SMC 17A.020.090.
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- For development applications that submit an engineer’s stormwater drainage plan pursuant to SMC 17D.060.140, total impervious coverage on a lot is not limited by this chapter, and the building coverage standards control.
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- For development applications that do not submit an engineer’s stormwater drainage plan, the maximum impervious coverage standards in Table 17C.111.205-1 must be met. The impervious coverage standards vary depending on whether or not the subject site is located in an Area of Drainage Concern pursuant to SMC 17D.060.135.
- How to Use FAR with Building Coverage.
The FAR determines the total amount of living space within a residential structure while the maximum building site coverage determines the maximum building footprint for all structures, including garages and the primary residence(s). The FAR is defined under chapter 17A.020 SMC, Definitions. FAR does not apply to Residentially zoned areas.
Date Passed: Monday, November 20, 2023
Effective Date: Monday, January 1, 2024
ORD C36459 Section 16
