HomeMy WebLinkAboutRMC 4-6-060_STREET STANDARDS_COMPLETE4-6-060 STREET STANDARDS:
A. PURPOSE:
It is the purpose of this Section to establish design standards and development requirements for
street improvements to ensure reasonable and safe access to public and private properties. These
improvements include appropriately scaled sidewalks related to the urban context, a range of
landscape buffers, curbs, gutters, street paving, monumentation, signage, and lighting, to be
developed with complete streets principles. Complete streets principles are to plan, design, and
operate streets to enable safe and convenient access and travel for all users including pedestrians,
bicyclists, transit riders, and people of all ages and abilities, as well as freight and motor vehicle
drivers, and to foster a sense of place in the public realm with attractive design amenities.
B. ADMINISTERING AND ENFORCING AUTHORITY:
The Community and Economic Development Administrator is responsible for the general
administration and coordination of this section.
C. APPLICABILITY:
The standards in this section will be used for all public and private street improvements within the
City of Renton. Whenever a building permit is applied for or application made for a short plat or a
full subdivision, the applicant for such permit and/or application shall build and install certain
street improvements, including, but not limited to: lighting on all abutting rights-of-way, and all
private street improvements on access easements. The minimum design standards for streets are
listed in the tables set forth in subsection F2 of this Section. These standards will determine
specific street improvement requirements for development projects, including short plats and
subdivisions.
D. EXEMPTIONS:
The following exemptions shall be made to the requirements listed in this Section:
1. New construction or addition with valuation less than one hundred seventy -five thousand
dollars ($175,000.00) (the value of which shall be reviewed in conjunction with mandatory periodic
updates of the Comprehensive Plan and based on the Seattle Construction Cost Index).
2. Interior remodels of any value not involving a building addition.
3. Accessory dwelling units.
34. If demonstrated as necessary to mitigate an extreme hardship not caused by the requestor.
E. RIGHT-OF-WAY DEDICATION REQUIRED:
1. Dedication Required for Development: Where the existing width for any right-of-way abutting
the development site is less than the minimum standards listed in subsection F of this Section,
additional right-of-way dedication will be required for the proposed development.
2. Amount of Dedication: The right-of-way dedication required shall be half of the difference
between the existing width and the minimum required width as listed in subsection F of this
Section. In cases where additional right-of-way has been dedicated on the opposite side of the
right-of-way from the development site in compliance with this Section, then dedication of the
remaining right-of-way width to obtain the minimum width as listed in subsection F of this Section
shall be required.
3. Waiver of Dedication: The Administrator may waive the requirement for additional right-of-way
dedication pursuant to RMC 4-9-250C, Waiver Procedures, where it is determined by the
Administrator that construction of full street improvements is not anticipated in the future.
F. PUBLIC STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY DESIGN STANDARDS:
1. Level of Improvements: The minimum level of street improvements required are listed in the
following tables including but not limited to curbs, planting strips, sidewalks, and lighting.
a. Street Lighting Exemption: No street lighting is required for the following smaller project
sizes: two (2) to four (4) units for residential; zero (0) to five thousand (5,000) square feet
commercial; or zero (0) to ten thousand (10,000) square feet industrial.
b. Additional Walkway Requirement: A pedestrian walkway to the arterial is required for the
following larger project sizes with more than: twenty (20) units residential; ten thousand
(10,000) square feet commercial; or twenty thousand (20,000) square feet industrial.
2. Minimum Design Standards for Public Streets and Alleys: All such improvements shall be
constructed to the City Standards for Municipal Public Works Construction. Standards for
construction shall be as specified in the following table, and by the Administrator.
MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS TABLE FOR PUBLIC STREETS AND ALLEYS:
Minimum
Design
Standards1 (see
notes)
Functional Classifications: Public Streets and Alleys
Principal
Arterial
Minor
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use,
Industrial, &
Neighborhood
Collector
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use &
Industrial
Access
Residential
Access
Limited
Residential
Access8 Alleys
Structural
Design
See Standard Drawing or Pavement section and may be designed using procedures
described in the WSDOT Design Manual, latest edition.
Average Daily
Vehicle Trips
(ADT)
14,000 –
40,000
3,000 –
20,000
3,000 –
14,000
0 – 3,000 0 – 3,000 0 – 250 N/A
Right-of-Way
(R-O-W)
4 lanes –
91'
5 lanes –
103'
6 lanes –
113'
7 lanes –
125'
4 lanes –
91'
5 lanes –
103'
6 lanes –
113'
7 lanes –
125'
2 lanes – 83'
3 lanes – 94'
2 lanes – 69'
3 lanes – 80'
2 lanes –
5360'
12 lane –
4553' Res. –
16'
Com. –
16'
Sidewalks2 8' both
sides3
8' both
sides3
8' both sides3 6' both sides 5' both
sides12
5' both
sides12
N/ANone
Planting Strips4 8' between
curb & walk
both sides
8' between
curb & walk
both sides
8' between
curb & walk
both sides
8' between
curb & walk
both sides
8' between
curb &
walk both
sides
8' between
curb &
walk both
sides
N/ANone
MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS TABLE FOR PUBLIC STREETS AND ALLEYS:
Minimum
Design
Standards1 (see
notes)
Functional Classifications: Public Streets and Alleys
Principal
Arterial
Minor
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use,
Industrial, &
Neighborhood
Collector
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use &
Industrial
Access
Residential
Access
Limited
Residential
Access8 Alleys
Tree grates and hardscape may be substituted for
planting strip area if approved by Administrator.
May be reduced if
approved by
Administrator5
Street Trees Required, see Street Trees Standards RMC 4-4-070 N/A
Curbs Curb both
sides
Curb both
sides
Curb both
sides
Curb both
sides
Curb both
sides
Curb both
sides
None
Clear Zone
Between Back
of Sidewalk
and ROW
2’ both
sides
2’ both
sides
2’ both sides N/A
Res. – 2’
both
sides
Com. –
None
Parking Lanes Allowed at
8'
Allowed at
8'
8' both sides 8' both sides 6' oneboth
sides6
6' one
side6
Bicycle
Facilities7
All classifications of Arterials will have
Class I, or Class II, or Class III bicycle
facility.
None None None N/A
Paved
Roadway
Width, not
4 lanes –
54'
5 lanes –
66'
4 lanes –
54'
5 lanes –
66'
2 lanes – 30'
3 lanes – 41'
2 lanes – 20'
3 lanes – 31'
2 lanes –
20'
1 lane –
12'8
Res. –
12'
Com. –
16'
MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS TABLE FOR PUBLIC STREETS AND ALLEYS:
Minimum
Design
Standards1 (see
notes)
Functional Classifications: Public Streets and Alleys
Principal
Arterial
Minor
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use,
Industrial, &
Neighborhood
Collector
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use &
Industrial
Access
Residential
Access
Limited
Residential
Access8 Alleys
including
parking
6 lanes –
76'
7 lanes –
88'
6 lanes –
76'
7 lanes –
88'
Lane Widths9 11' travel lanes, 5' bike
lanes, and 12' center left
turn lanes.
10' travel
lanes, 5' bike
lanes, and 11'
center left
turn lanes.
10' travel lanes 1 travel
lane – 12'8 Res. –
12'
Com. –
16'
Center Median Center median allowed for boulevard
treatment and center left turn lane.
Width will be width of center left turn
lane minus 1' from through traffic travel
lanes on both sides. Pull-outs with a
minimum 25' length required for
maintenance and emergency vehicles
within the median at intervals of 300 –
350'
N/A
Pedestrian
Bulb-outs
Curb bulb-outs required where on-street parking is located. N/A N/A
MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS TABLE FOR PUBLIC STREETS AND ALLEYS:
Minimum
Design
Standards1 (see
notes)
Functional Classifications: Public Streets and Alleys
Principal
Arterial
Minor
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use,
Industrial, &
Neighborhood
Collector
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use &
Industrial
Access
Residential
Access
Limited
Residential
Access8 Alleys
Intersection
Radii10
35' turning
radius
35' turning
radius
35' turning
radius11
25' turning
radius11
25' turning
radius
25' turning
radius
N/A
At the intersection of two classes of streets, the radius for the higher class
street is to be used. Where larger trucks, transit and school buses are
anticipated, further design will be required to determine an adequate radius.
The minimum curb radius is 15'.
Cul-de-sacs Limited application per RMC 4-6-060H. Limited application.
See RMC 4-6-060H for
pavement and R-O-W
widths when
permitted.
N/A
Maximum
Grades13
0.5 – 8% 0.5 – 8% 0.5 – 10% 0.5 – 15%, greater than 15% only
allowed within approved hillside
subdivisions.13
0.5 –
15%
Site Access Determined
on a case-
by-case
basis.
125' from
intersection
125' from
intersection
N/A N/A N/A N/A Formatted Table
MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS TABLE FOR PUBLIC STREETS AND ALLEYS:
Minimum
Design
Standards1 (see
notes)
Functional Classifications: Public Streets and Alleys
Principal
Arterial
Minor
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use,
Industrial, &
Neighborhood
Collector
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use &
Industrial
Access
Residential
Access
Limited
Residential
Access8 Alleys
Street &
Pedestrian
Lighting
Street lighting required per RMC 4-6-060I, as it exists or may be amended. N/A
NOTES AND CONDITIONS: MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS TABLE FOR PUBLIC
STREETS AND ALLEYS:
1 Minimum design standards may be altered to allow alternative stormwater
management and low impact development techniques within the R-O-W by the
Department.
2 Sidewalk width will be 12 feet on both sides in the City Center Community Planning
Area. This sidewalk width includes street tree grates for locating street trees. To
accomplish low impact development best management practices, permeable pavement
may be allowed by the Administrator.
3 Sidewalk areas may be required at a wider width to accommodate required multi-use
path facilities when a Class I multi-use path is required within a street R-O-W by the
Department. The width of a required 5-foot bicycle lane will be transferred to the sidewalk
area to create a Class I multi-use path. To accomplish low impact development best
management practices permeable pavement may be allowed by the Administrator.
4 Maintenance Responsibilities. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the City of Renton,
maintenance of landscaping within the planting strip area, including but not limited to
elements such as groundcover, turf, softscape, and hardscape, is the responsibility of the
adjacent property owner. Maintenance for street trees within the public right-of-way shall
be the responsibility of the City of Renton.
MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS TABLE FOR PUBLIC STREETS AND ALLEYS:
Minimum
Design
Standards1 (see
notes)
Functional Classifications: Public Streets and Alleys
Principal
Arterial
Minor
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use,
Industrial, &
Neighborhood
Collector
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use &
Industrial
Access
Residential
Access
Limited
Residential
Access8 Alleys
5 Planting strips may be reduced if one of the following conditions is met: (a) when R-O-W
acquisition is problematic; or (b) when critical areas would be impacted. If approved, a
permanent alternative landscaped area should be provided equal to or greater than the
allowed planting strip area reduction that is in addition to any minimum existing code
requirements.
6 A second parking lane may be required by the Administrator. One (1) or more of the
parking lanes may be eliminated, if approved by the Administrator, if all of the following
conditions are met: (a) the project is a short plat or infill development; (b) R-O-W
acquisition is problematic; (c) a traditional street grid pattern is not feasible; (d) a dead
end street is permitted pursuant to subsection H, Dead End Streets; and (e) a maximum of
one (1) primary dwelling unit and one (1) accessory dwelling unit per lot will access from
the street.
7 Class II bicycle facilities (bike lanes) included in roadway width for both sides. Bicycle
facilities that are shared travel lanes, Class III bicycle facilities, require less roadway
width. Class III travel lanes are a minimum of 14 feet.
8 Requirement: Either fire sprinklers shall be provided as approved by the Fire
Department or a clear roadway area shall be provided for emergency vehicles midblock.
All of the clear area must be 20 feet in width for vehicular movement with a minimum
length of 50 feet and maximum length of 100 feet, so as to provide emergency access to
homes within 150 feet. Along the clear area only, the planting strip would not be required
and the clear area will be in place of the landscaping area. The limited residential access
street classification may only be utilized, if approved by the Administrator, if all of the
MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS TABLE FOR PUBLIC STREETS AND ALLEYS:
Minimum
Design
Standards1 (see
notes)
Functional Classifications: Public Streets and Alleys
Principal
Arterial
Minor
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use,
Industrial, &
Neighborhood
Collector
Arterial
Commercial-
Mixed Use &
Industrial
Access
Residential
Access
Limited
Residential
Access8 Alleys
following conditions are met: (a) the project is a short plat or infill development; (b) R-O-W
acquisition is problematic; (c) a traditional street grid pattern is not feasible; (d) a dead
end street is permitted pursuant to subsection H, Dead End Streets; and (e) a maximum of
one (1) primary dwelling unit and one (1) accessory dwelling unit per lot will access from
the street.
9 The City may require different lane width dimensions to address safety concerns or to
meet state and federal requirements for state routes or grant funding.
10 Turning radius dimensions represent the vehicle turning path. The smallest curb radius
should be used while maintaining the specified turning radius. Lane width and the
presence of a bike lane and parking lane affect a vehicle’s turning path. On streets with
more than one lane in that direction of travel, large vehicles may encroach into no more
than one-half of the adjacent travel lane to complete the turn. On Arterials and Collector
Arterials, encroachment into oncoming travel lanes is unacceptable. The minimum curb
radius is 15 feet.
11 Turning radius for streets which include industrial access may increase to 50 feet.
12 Sidewalks shall be provided on both sides of the street; however, the Administrator
may approve sidewalks on one side of the street pursuant to RMC 4-6-060G.
13 Sidewalks may be designed to be reverse sloped away from the street; provided, that
the sidewalks have a maximum long slope of 2% and are designed to drain towards a
publicly owned low impact development facility along the roadway instead of directly into
the street.
3. Length of Improvements: Such improvements shall extend the full distance of such property to
be improved upon and sought to be occupied as a building site or parking area for the aforesaid
building of platting purposes and which may abut property dedicated as a public street.
4. Additional Alley Standards: Alleys may be used for vehicular access, but are not to be
considered as the primary access for emergency or Fire Department concerns. Alley access is the
preferred street pattern except for properties in the Residential Low Density land use designation.
Refer to RMC 4-7-150.
5. Pavement Thickness: New impermeable pavement shall be a minimum of four inches (4") of
asphalt over six inches (6") of crushed rock. Permeable pavement design is governed by the
Surface Water Design Manual. Pavement thickness for new or repaired arterial or collector streets
or widening of arterials or collector streets must be approved by the Department of Community
and Economic Development. Pavement thickness design shall be based on standard engineering
procedures and weight/loading requirements for emergency response vehicles. For the purposes
of asphalt pavement design, the procedures described by the “Asphalt Institute’s Thickness Design
Manual” (latest edition) will be accepted by the Department. Alternate design procedures or
materials may be used if approved by the Department through the process listed in RMC 4-9-250E.
6. Minimum Sidewalk Measurements: New sidewalks must provide a minimum of four feet (4') of
horizontal clearance from all vertical obstructions. Sidewalk widths include the curb width for
those sidewalks constructed abutting or attached to the curb.
7. Curves:
a. Horizontal Curves: Where a deflection angle of more than ten degrees (10°) in the
alignment of a street occurs, a curve of reasonably long radius shall be introduced, subject to
review and approval of the Administrator.
b. Vertical Curves: All changes in grade shall be connected by vertical curves of a minimum
length of two hundred feet (200') unless specified otherwise by the Administrator.
c. Tangents for Reverse Curves: A tangent of at least two hundred feet (200') in length shall
be provided between reverse curves for arterials; one hundred fifty feet (150') for collectors
and one hundred feet (100') for residential access streets.
8. City Center Planning Area and Urban Design Districts – Special Standards: Greater sidewalk
widths may be required in the City Center Planning Area and Urban Design Districts as part of site
plan development review for specific projects. The Administrator may require that sidewalks be
extended from the property line to the curb with provisions made for street trees and other
landscaping requirements, street lighting, and fire hydrants.
9. Downtown Business District – Special Standards: Required improvements to the public realm
within the Downtown Business District as mapped in 4-2-080.D are identified in the adopted
Downtown Streetscape Design Standards and Guidelines. Additional improvements that are
encouraged are also identified in the document. A copy of the Downtown Streetscape Design
Standards and Guidelines shall be kept on file by the Renton City Clerk.
10. Vehicular Access and Connection Points to and from the State Highway System:
a. Chapter 47.50 RCW, Highway Access Management, is hereby adopted by reference to
provide for the regulation and control of vehicular access and connection points of ingress to
and egress from the state highway system within the incorporated areas of the City of
Renton.
b. Pursuant to Chapter 47.50 RCW, the provisions of Chapters 468-51 and 468-52 WAC,
together with all future amendments, are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference.
c. At least one copy of each law, rule or regulation adopted hereby is on file with the City
Clerk and available for inspection by the public.
G. COMPLETE STREETS:
1. Complete Streets: The City of Renton will plan for, design, and construct transportation
projects to appropriately provide accommodations for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders of
all ages and abilities, and freight and motor vehicles, including the incorporation of such facilities
into transportation plans and programs.
2. Exemptions: Pedestrian and bicycle facilities are not required to be established when it is
concluded by the Administrator that application of complete streets principles is unnecessary or
inappropriate:
a. Where their establishment would be contrary to public safety; or
b. When the cost would be excessively disproportionate to the need or probable use; or
c. Where there is no identified long-term need; or
d. Where the establishment would violate Comprehensive Plan policies; or
e. Where trails in common areas are provided in lieu of sidewalks, or when vegetated best
management practices such as bioretention is proposed, or soil conservation or critical area
protection is necessary; or
f. Where the Administrator grants a documented exemption which may only be authorized in
specific situations where conditions warrant. Such site-specific exemptions shall not
constitute general changes to the minimum street standards established in this Section.
H. DEAD END STREETS:
1. Limited Application: Cul-de-sac and dead end streets are limited in application and may only
be permitted by the Administrator where, due to demonstrable physical constraints, no future
connection to a larger street pattern is physically possible.
2. Cul-de-Sacs and Turnarounds When Permitted – Minimum Requirements: Minimum
standards for dead end streets, if approved by the Department of Community and Economic
Development, are as follows:
LENGTH OF
STREET TYPE OF TURNAROUND
For up to
150' in
length
No turnaround required.
From 150' to
300' in
length
Dedicated hammerhead
turnaround or cul-de-sac
required.
From 300' to
500' in
length
Cul-de-sac required.
From 500' to
700' in
length
Cul-de-sac required.
Fire sprinkler system required
for houses.
LENGTH OF
STREET TYPE OF TURNAROUND
Longer than
700' in
length
Two means of access and fire
sprinklers required for all
houses beyond 500'.
3. Turnaround Design: The hammerhead turnaround shall have a design approved by the
Administrator and the Fire Department.
4. Cul-de-Sac Design: Cul-de-sacs shall have a minimum paved and landscaped radius of forty
five feet (45') with a right-of-way radius of fifty five feet (55') for the turnaround. A landscaped center
island with a radius of twenty feet (20') delineated by curbing shall be provided in the cul-de-sac.
Low impact development best management practices shall be provided in the center island where
feasible and consistent with City standard details and the Surface Water Design Manual. The
landscaping shall be maintained by the homeowners’ association or adjacent property owners. The
cul-de-sac turnaround shall have a design approved by the Administrator and the Fire Department.
5. Secondary Access Requirement: Secondary access for emergency equipment is required when
a development of three (3) or more buildings is located more than two hundred feet (200') from a
public street.
6. Waiver of Turnaround: The requirement for a turnaround or cul-de-sac may be waived by the
Administrator with approval of the Fire Department when the development proposal will not create
an increased need for emergency operations pursuant to RMC 4-9-250C, Waiver Procedures.
I. STREET AND PEDESTRIAN LIGHTING STANDARDS:
1. Lighting Design: Architectural street lighting standards will be established on a case-by-case
basis for streets.
2. Lighting Location: Pedestrian lighting for sidewalks and pathways shall be installed between
intersections along streets and at intersection corners for residential streets. All other streets shall
meet the lighting levels listed in subsection I3 of this Section, as it exists or may be amended.
3. Average Maintained Illumination: The street lighting shall be constructed to provide average
maintained horizontal illumination as illustrated below. The lighting levels shall be governed by
roadway classification and area zoning classification. Residential streets shall have minimum light
levels of 0.8 foot-candle within the intersections and 0.3 foot-candle along the sidewalks at a six to
one (6:1) uniformity ratio. Values are in horizontal foot-candles at the pavement surface when the
light source is at its lowest level.
Intersection Non-Intersection Crosswalk Uniformity
Principal Arterial 1.5 1.3 0.8 4:1
Minor Arterial 1.5 1.2 0.8 4:1
Collector Arterial 1.2 0.9 0.8 4:1
Commercial Access Street 0.9 0.6 0.8 6:1
4. Uniformity Ratios: Uniformity ratios for the street lighting shall meet or exceed four to one (4:1)
for light levels of more than 0.6 foot-candles and six to one (6:1) for light levels of 0.6 foot-candles
and less.
5. Construction Standards: Street lighting systems shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the City publication, “Guidelines and Standards for Street Lighting Design of
Residential and Arterial Streets.”
J. SHARED DRIVEWAY STANDARDS:
1. Where Permitted: Shared driveways may be allowed for access to no more than four (4)
residentially- zoned lots, and no more than four (4) residential units, the types of which are listed in
RMC 4-2-060C, provided:
a. At least one lot abuts a public right-of-way and the street frontage of the lot is equal to or
greater than the lot width requirement of the zone;
b. The subject lots are not created by a subdivision of ten (10) or more lots;
c. A public street is not anticipated by the City of Renton to be necessary for existing or future
traffic and/or pedestrian circulation through the short subdivision or to serve adjacent
property;
d. The shared driveway would not adversely affect future circulation to neighboring
properties;
e. The shared driveway is no more than three hundred feet (300') in length; and
f. The shared driveway poses no safety risk and provides sufficient access for emergency
vehicles and personnel.
2. Maximum Dwelling Units per Lot: Lots that are accessed via a shared driveway are limited to
one (1) primary dwelling unit and one (1) accessory dwelling unit (attached or detached) per lot.
3. Minimum Standards: New Shared shared driveways shall be within a tract; the width of the tract
and paved surface shall be a minimum of sixteen feet (16'); the Fire Department may require the
tract and paved surface to be up to twenty feet (20') wide. If a shared driveway abuts properties that
are not part of the subdivision, an eight foot (8') wide landscaped strip shall be provided between
the shared driveway and neighboring properties. The landscape strip shall be within a tract and
planted with a mixture of trees, shrubs, and groundcover, as required in RMC 4-4-070. The shared
driveway may be required to include a turnaround per subsection H of this Section. No sidewalks
are required for shared driveways; however, drainage improvements pursuant to City Code are
required (i.e., collection and treatment of stormwater), as well as an approved pavement
thickness. The maximum grade for the shared driveway shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%),
except for within approved hillside subdivisions.
34. Signage Required: Appurtenant traffic control devices including installation of “No Parking”
signs, as required by the Department of Community and Economic Development, shall be provided
by the applicant. Lots served by the shared driveway shall be addressed to the public street to
which the shared driveway connects.
45. Tract Required: The New shared driveways shall be wholly within a tract. The tract shall be
shown and recorded on the face of the plat to be preserved in perpetuity. The owners of the subject
lots shall have an equal and undivided interest in the ownership of the tract.
56. Easement Required: An access easement shall be recorded with the King County Recorder’s
Office and be shown on the face of the plat to encumber the entirety of the tract. The easement
shall prohibit any temporary or permanent physical obstructions within the easement including,
but not limited to, the parking of non-emergency vehicles.
67. Timing of Improvements: The shared driveway must be installed prior to recording of the plat
unless approved for deferral.
78. Lot Type and Orientation: The Administrator may permit lots that only front a shared driveway
to be designated as a corner lot. If permitted by the Administrator, lot width, lot depth and yard
setbacks shall be measured consistent with the corner lot designation (see illustration below).
89. Maintenance: The applicant shall ensure the shared driveway can be continually maintained to
minimum standards listed in this section by the owners of the lots served by the driveway to the
satisfaction of the City of Renton, prior to the recording of the short plat.
910. Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions: Covenants, conditions and restrictions, which are
approved by the Administrator, shall be recorded with the King County Recorder’s Office. The
applicant shall provide a copy of the recorded document. These covenants shall provide for, at a
minimum, the following:
a. Maintenance, repair, operation, and payment of taxes for the commonly owned tract and
facilities; and
b. These covenants shall run with the land and be irrevocable and binding on all the property
owners, including their assigns, heirs, and successors.
1011. Exception for Joint-Use Driveway Extending from Emergency Turnaround: A driveway that
extends from the terminus of an emergency turnaround (excluding cul-de-sacs) and provides
access to no more than two (2) lots shall be permitted as joint-use driveway that does not take
access from a public right-of-way (see illustration below). The joint-use driveway shall be
constructed to City standards prior to recording the short plat, and a reciprocal access easement
for the benefit of the two (2) lots, in a form satisfactory to the City Attorney, shall be recorded with
the King County Recorder.
K. UNIT LOT DRIVES:
1. Applicability: Unit lot drives may be constructed to serve unit lot subdivisions. Each unit lot
drive may serve up to nine (9) unit lots. Each unit lot drive shall be accessed by a public street.
2. Design Standards: The design of each unit lot drive shall meet the following standards:
a. Roadway Width: The paved roadway shall be a minimum of sixteen feet (16') wide; the Fire
Department may require the paved roadway to be up to twenty feet (20') wide.
b. Curb: Except for points of ingress/egress, curb shall be installed along the perimeter of the
roadway.
c. Landscaping Strip and Sidewalk: There shall be an eight foot (8') wide landscaping strip
between the curb and a five foot (5') wide sidewalk along one side of the unit lot drive.
3. Ownership: The City may elect to have a unit lot drive dedicated as a public roadway; however,
the City may require the unit lot drive to be privately owned pursuant to RMC 4-7-090F6b,
Maintenance of Common Facilities.
L. TIMING FOR INSTALLATION OF IMPROVEMENTS:
No building shall be granted a certificate of final occupancy, or plat or short plat recorded, until all
the required street improvements are constructed in a satisfactory manner and approved by the
responsible departments unless those improvements remaining unconstructed have been
deferred by the Administrator and security for such unconstructed improvements has been
satisfactorily posted.
M. PLAN DRAFTING AND SURVEYING STANDARDS:
The construction permit plans for street improvements shall be prepared and surveyed in
conformance with the Department’s “Construction Plan Drafting Standards”, surveying standards
and the City’s “Standard Specifications for Municipal Construction”, and standard detail
documents.
N. REVIEW OF CONSTRUCTION PLANS:
1. Submittal: All street improvement plans prepared shall be submitted for review and approval to
the Department of Community and Economic Development. All plans and specifications for such
improvements are to be submitted at the time application for a building permit is made or, for
plats, prior to construction (street/utility) permit issuance.
2. Fees and Submittal Requirements: All permits required for the construction of these
improvements shall be applied for and obtained in the same manner and same conditions as
specified in chapter 9-10 RMC, relating to excavating or disturbing streets, alleys, pavement or
improvements. Fees shall be as stipulated in RMC 4-1-180. Money derived from the above charges
shall be deposited to the General Fund. Half of the fee is due and payable upon submittal for a
construction permit application, and the remainder is due and payable prior to issuance of the
construction permit.
3. Cost Estimate Required: The applicant will be required to submit a cost estimate for the
improvements. This will be reviewed by the Department of Community and Economic
Development for accuracy.
O. INSPECTIONS:
1. Authority and Fees: The Department shall be responsible for the supervision, inspection and
acceptance of all street improvements listed in this Section, and shall make a charge therefor to
the applicant.
P. LATECOMER’S AGREEMENTS:
1. Latecomer’s Agreements Authorized: Any party extending utilities that may serve other than
that party’s property may request a latecomer’s agreement from the City. Where a development is
required to construct street improvements that may also be required by other developments or by
future development of other parcels in the vicinity, then the developer may request establishment
of a latecomer’s agreement to reimburse the developer for all initial costs of the improvements.
2. Process for Latecomer’s Agreements: The procedure to follow in making application for the
latecomer’s agreement and the steps to be followed by the City are as detailed in chapter 9-5 RMC.
Q. VARIATIONS FROM STANDARDS:
1. Alternates, Modifications, Waivers, Variances: See RMC 4-9-250.
2. Half Street Improvements:
a. When Permitted: Half street improvements may be allowed for a residential access street
by the Administrator when it is determined that the adjacent parcel of property has the
potential for future development and dedication of the right-of-way necessary for the
completion of the street right-of-way.
b. Minimum Design Standards: The right-of-way for the half street improvement must be a
minimum of forty-twothirty five feet (3542') with twenty-six feet (206') paved, two (2) 10-foot
travel lanes, and one (1) 6-foot parking lane. A curb, planting strip area, and sidewalk shall be
installed on the development side of the street according to the minimum design standards
for public streets. If the street is permitted a cul-de-sac, then the right-of-way for the half of
the cul-de-sac shall be dedicated, with installation of a temporary hammerhead turnaround.
Street lighting and fire hydrants shall be located on the opposite side of the development,
where possible. If street lighting and fire hydrants are in the right-of-way, they shall be placed
to maximize the parking along the street. The property shall also dedicate easements to the
City for street lighting and fire hydrants outside of the dedicated right-of-way. Additional
easements shall be provided for the franchise utilities outside of the dedicated right-of-way.
c. Standards for Completion of the Half Street: When the adjacent parcel is platted or
developed, the additional right-of-way width needed to complete the type of street
classification shall be dedicated from the developing property. The pavement shall then be
widened to the width needed to complete the type of street classification, and curb, planting
strip, and sidewalk shall be installed on the developing side of the street. If the street is a
dead end street requiring a cul-de-sac, then the developing parcel shall dedicate the
remainder of the right-of-way for the cul-de-sac and construct the final complete cul-de-sac,
including curb, sidewalk, and other required improvements.
3. Cul-de-Sac Modifications for Low Impact Development: The Administrator may modify cul-
de-sac design standards to allow low impact development facility installation and reduce
impervious surfaces; provided, that turnaround design modifications shall allow safe access and
emergency response.
R. DEFERRAL OF IMPROVEMENT INSTALLATION:
See RMC 4-9-060.
S. APPEALS:
Any decisions made in the administrative process described in this Section may be appealed to the
Hearing Examiner pursuant to RMC 4-8-110.
T. VIOLATIONS OF THIS SECTION AND PENALTIES:
Unless otherwise specified, violations of this Chapter are misdemeanors subject to RMC 1-3-1.