HomeMy WebLinkAboutCI-191CI-191 Page 1 of 1
Department of Community and Economic Development
Planning Division
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION #: 191
MUNICIPAL CODE RMC 4-2-110I, Conditions Associated with Residential Development Standards Tables SECTIONS:
REFERENCE: ORD. 6061, Docket # 236
SUBJECT: ADU Area Calculations and Exemptions
BACKGROUND: Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-2-110I, Conditions Associated with Residential Development Standards Tables, outlines the conditions that apply to the development standards listed in RMC 4-2-110A through RMC 4-2-110G. These conditions include additional regulations, requirements, and exemptions that may provide mitigation, flexibility, or clarification beyond what is presented in the individual tables. This code section was recently amended by Ordinance 6061 (docket number D-236) to reflect updates mandated by the Washington State legislature, specifically those related to Middle Housing (HB 1110) and Accessory Dwelling Units (HB 1337).
Condition 40 previously included guidance for calculating the maximum allowable area for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), including exemptions for porches, exterior stairs, and garages when the entire living area is located above the garage. Condition 41 offered flexibility for converting accessory buildings into ADUs.
To comply with the requirements of HB 1337, which prescribes the methodology for calculating ADU size, staff amended Conditions 40 and 41 to explain the methodology for calculating gross floor area and maximum building floor area. However, the provision exempting garages (when the living area is entirely above a garage) was erroneously omitted.
DECISION: Amend RMC 4-2-110I, Condition 41
CI-191 Page 2 of 2
JUSTIFICATION: Removal of the standard was an error; the absence of the exemption creates an unintended restriction which would discourage the construction of carriage house style dwellings where the living area is located above a garage.
ADMINISTRATOR APPROVAL: _______________________________________ Gina Estep
EFFECTIVE DATE: _______________________________________
BINDING Under principles of judicial finality, administrative code
interpretations that are not timely appealed are binding.
APPEAL PROCESS: To appeal this determination, a written appeal accompanied by the required filing fee must be filed with the City's Hearing Examiner (1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057, 425-430-6551) no more than 14 days from the date of this decision. Section 4-8-110 of the Renton Municipal Code provides further information on the appeal process.
DISCLAIMER: Excerpts from the Renton Municipal Code shown below may not contain the most recently codified text. In such instances, code amendments implemented through this Administrative Code Interpretation shall be construed to affect the current code and past/future Administrative Code Interpretations not yet codified in the same manner as shown below. Should any conflicts result, the Administrator shall determine the effective code.
SPECIFIED CODE
SECTIONS SHALL BE
READ AS FOLLOWS:
41.For the purposes of this code section, maximum building
floor area is the sum of the gross horizontal areas of all floors of
a building measured from the exterior face of each wall, and
includes areas such as attached garages, accessory
structures, utility rooms, and similar areas. When the entire
living area of an ADU is located above a garage, the garage area
shall be exempt from the maximum building floor area
calculation.
STAFF CONTACT: Katie Buchl-Morales, x6578
9/12/2025