§ 106.42.210. Second Dwelling Units

This Section establishes standards for second dwelling units, where allowed by Article 2 (Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses).

A.

Design Review. All new construction or renovation to the exterior of an existing primary dwelling unit to create a second unit shall require ministerial Design Review in compliance with Section 106.62.040 (Design Review).

B.

Limitation on number of units. No more than one second unit shall be approved on a single parcel.

C.

Relationship to primary use.

1.

Size, style. A second unit shall be incidental and subordinate to the primary single-family residential use of the site in terms of size, location, and appearance, and shall not alter the character of the primary structure. The architectural style, exterior materials, and colors of the second unit shall be compatible with the primary dwelling unit.

2.

Timing of construction. A second unit may be constructed simultaneously with or after the primary dwelling. In addition, an existing dwelling that complies with the design standards for second units in Subsection D. below, may be considered a second unit, and a new primary unit may be constructed which would then be considered the primary dwelling unit.

3.

Lot coverage. A second unit shall comply with lot coverage requirements established for the site by Section 106.42.200 (Residential Accessory Uses and Structures).

D.

Second unit design standards. A second unit shall be designed to comply with the following standards:

1.

Setback requirements. A second unit shall comply with the setback requirements of the applicable zoning district, except that a two-story second unit shall be provided side and rear setbacks that are three feet more than required by the applicable zoning district.

2.

Height limit. A detached second unit shall not exceed a maximum height of 20 feet except when the second dwelling unit is above a detached accessory structure, in which case it shall not exceed 25 feet.

3.

Maximum floor area.

a.

The floor area of a second unit shall not exceed 60 percent of the floor area of the primary dwelling or 1,200 square feet, whichever is less. An attached garage of up to 400 square feet may be included when calculating the floor area of the primary dwelling.

b.

For purposes of computing the floor area of a second unit that is detached from the primary dwelling unit, all enclosed areas accessed from within the second unit shall be included.

c.

An enclosed storage area, or garage of up to 400 square feet, shall not be included when calculating the floor area of the second unit provided that there is no internal doorway or passage between the storage or garage and the second unit.

4.

Number of bedrooms. A second unit shall have a maximum of two bedrooms.

5.

Separate entrance required. An attached second unit shall have an entrance separate from the entrance to the primary dwelling.

6.

Window placement. A second unit that is 15 feet or less from a residential unit on an adjacent parcel shall not have windows that directly face windows in the other unit. A detached second unit located closer than 10 feet to a side lot line or 20 feet from a rear lot line shall have no second floor windows facing the side or rear except obscured glass or clerestory windows, unless the review authority determines that other types of windows will not significantly interfere with the privacy of residents on adjacent parcels.

E.

Off-street parking requirements. A second unit shall be provided a minimum of one off-street parking space per bedroom, in addition to the parking required for the primary dwelling by Chapter 106.36 (Parking and Loading). The parking spaces shall comply with the location and design requirements of Chapter 106.36.

(Ord. No. 2008-15, § 1, 12-11-2008; Ord. No. 2013-011, § 3, 11-14-2013)