ATTACHMENT A
Amendments to the Official Whatcom County
Zoning Ordinance – Title 20
Version #1 including both regulatory & incentives.
20.80.211 – Front Loaded Garage Setbacks
This section shall apply to the new construction of single and multi-family
residential structures in urban residential zoning districts, provided:
1) The provisions of this section shall only apply in short-term planning areas
with public water, sewer, and stormwater collection and detention facilities;
and
2) The provisions of this section shall only apply to building lots that are a
maximum of 22,000 square feet, created after the effective date of the
adoption of this ordinance as codified in this section (effective date listed
here); and
3) For the purposes of measuring garage setbacks, habitable space that is
above the garage shall be exempt from garage setback requirements.
(a)
Front loaded garages shall be set back a minimum of 5 feet
from the front building façade as defined in WCC 20.97.
(b)
Front loaded garages shall not occupy more than 50% of the
front building façade.
(c)
In order to prevent automobiles from blocking pedestrian
walkways, a minimum distance of 20 feet shall be provided from
any garage door to the back of the abutting sidewalk, the
designated front property line, or the road right of way,
whichever is the greater setback.
Chapter 20.85 – Planned Unit Development (PUD)
20.85.102 – General Design Criteria
(1) Major and local streets, the location of all buildings, parking areas, pedestrian
bicycle and vehicular ways, and utility easements shall be designed to promote
public safety, compatibility of uses, minimize conflict between uses, and reasonably
maintain topography and other natural features.
(2) Single and multi-family detached structures shall be designed in such a way as
to increase the pedestrian orientation of the streetscape and to decrease the
automobile orientation from the streetscape.
20.85.108 – Density Increases
(1) (g)
ATTACHMENT A
Single and multi-family development projects located in urban residential zoning
districts that utilize rear lane or “alley” garage access may be granted a 15
percent increase in base density, provided:
(i)
Garages are located with direct maneuvering off of the alley; and
(ii)
Front porches are included as part of the front building façade; and
(iii)
Site development conforms to Low Impact Development Standards as
adopted by Whatcom County in place at time of application.
20.85.109 (6) – Setback Reductions
Setback reductions may be granted for single and multi-family development
projects utilizing rear lane or “alley” garage access, provided:
(a)
When front porches that measure a minimum or 6 feet in depth and
10 feet in length are attached to the front building facade, front
yard setbacks may be reduced to a minimum of 15 feet from the
back of the abutting sidewalk, the designated front property line, or
road right of way, whichever is the greater setback.
(b)
Site development conforms to Low Impact Development Standards
as adopted by Whatcom County in place at time of application.
Chapter 20.97 – Definitions
Front building façade: The exterior front side of a building adjacent the designated
front property line or right of way. For the purposes of measuring garage setbacks,
measurements shall be taken from the primary building wall excluding covered
porches, decks and other architectural projections.
Front porch: A covered entrance to a single or multi-family structure, projecting
from and attached to the primary building wall that lies adjacent to the designated
front property line, often partially enclosed.
Garage: An attached or detached structure in which the primary purpose and
function of the design is to accommodate access to, and the storage of
automobiles.
Front loaded garages: are garages that are accessed from a driveway that is
perpendicular to the street or access road, with garage doors parallel to the
designated front property line.
Alley: A public right of way or easement less than 30' but greater than 10' for use
by pedestrians, vehicles, public utilities, and/or other necessary public functions
which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property.