HomeMy WebLinkAboutPre-app Mtg Summary - 25-000259.pdfCityofRenton\Department Folders\Community and Economic Development (CED)\Current Planning\Pre-Applications\2025\PRE25-000259
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PRE-APPLICATION MEETING FOR
1700 Harrington
PRE25-000259
CITY OF RENTON
Department of Community & Economic Development
Planning Division
September 4, 2025
Contact Information:
Planner: Alex Morganroth, 425-430-7219, amorganroth@rentonwa.gov
Public Works Plan Reviewer: Huy Huynh, 425-430-7384, hhuynh@rentonwa.gov
Fire Prevention Reviewer: Corey Thomas, 425-276-9582, cthomas@rentonrfa.org
Building Official: Rob Shuey, 425-430-7290, rshuey@rentonwa.gov
Please retain this packet throughout the course of your project as a reference.
Consider giving copies of it to any engineers, architects, and contractors who
work on the project. You will need to submit a copy of this packet when you
apply for land use and/or environmental permits.
Pre-screening: When you have the project application ready for submittal, call
and schedule an appointment with the project manager to have it pre-screened
before making all of the required copies.
The pre-application meeting is informal and non-binding. The comments
provided on the proposal are based on the codes and policies in effect at the
time of review. The applicant is cautioned that the development regulations are
regularly amended and the proposal will be formally reviewed under the
regulations in effect at the time of project submittal. The information contained
in this summary is subject to modification and/or concurrence by official
decision-makers (e.g., Hearing Examiner, Planning Director, Development
Services Director, Department of Community & Economic Development
Administrator, Public Works Administrator and City Council).
CityofRenton\Department Folders\Community and Economic Development (CED)\Current Planning\Pre-Applications\2025\PRE25-000259
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Renton Regional Fire Authority
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: September 2, 2025
TO: Alex Morganroth, Principal Planner
FROM: Corey Thomas, Lead Plans Review Inspector
SUBJECT: Chen Duplex
1. The fire flow requirement for a single-family/duplex home is 1,000 gpm minimum for dwellings
up to 3,600 square feet (including garage and basements). If the dwelling exceeds 3,600 square
feet, a minimum of 1,500 gpm fire flow would be required. A minimum of one fire hydrant is
required within 300 feet of the proposed buildings and two hydrants if the fire flow goes up to
1,500 gpm. It appears that adequate fire hydrant cover exists at this location.
2. The fire impact fees are currently applicable at the rate of $421.98 per single family unit. This fee
is paid at building permit issuance. No charge in this case as the units are being replaced like for
like.
3. Fire department apparatus access roadways are adequate as they exist from the public streets.
CityofRenton\Department Folders\Community and Economic Development (CED)\Current Planning\Pre-Applications\2025\PRE25-000259
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
& ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: September 4th , 2025
TO: Alex Morganroth, Planner
FROM: Huy Huynh, Development Engineer
SUBJECT: Harrington Duplex
1700 Harrington Ave NE
PRE25-000259
NOTE: The applicant is cautioned that information contained in this summary is preliminary and non-binding
and may be subject to modification and/or concurrence by official City decision-makers. Review comments
may also need to be revised based on site planning and other design changes required by City staff or made
by the applicant.
I have completed a preliminary review for the above-referenced proposal located at parcel(s) 7227801940 The
following comments are based on the pre-application submittal made to the City of Renton by the applicant.
Water
1. The project is within the City of Renton’s water service area in the Highlands 565 Pressure Zone.
2. The static water pressure is approximately 86 psi at ground elevation of 366-feet.
3. There is an existing 8-inch City water main located in Harrington Ave NE that can deliver a maximum
capacity of 2,500 gallons per minute (gpm) - (see Water plan no. W-187809).
4. There is an existing 12-inch City water main located in NE 16th Street that can deliver a maximum capacity
of 5,200 gallons per minute (gpm) - (see Water plan no. W-14016).
5. There are two existing ¾-inch domestic water meter and services serving the existing duplex.
• MTR-0023029 & LAT-011134
• MTR-003058 & LAT-011137
6. There are three existing fire hydrants within 300-feet of the property.
• HYD-NE-01369
• HYD-NE-01370
• HYD-NE-00586
7. Based on the review of project information submitted for the pre-application meeting, Renton Regional
Fire Authority has determined that the preliminary fire flow demand for the proposed townhomes is 1,500
gpm Minimum.
The following developer’s installed water main improvements will be required to provide domestic and fire
protection service to the development including but not limited to:
8. Installation of a “Storz” adapter on the existing hydrants, if they are not already equipped with one.
9. A separate water service (1-inch) and meter is required for each townhome unit. The meters will be
installed by City forces and a water meter permit is required for each new 1 -inch meter. The sizing of the
meter and of the private service line to the buildings shall be in accordance with the most recent edition
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of the Uniform Plumbing Code Meters shall be placed in landscape strips, or behind the sidewalk, and
within the right‐of‐way. Meters shall not be installed within driveways.
10. A minimum 1-inch meter is required if the new townhomes are equipped with fire sprinkler systems.
11. A pressure reducing valve is required downstream of the domestic water meters where the water pressure
exceeds 80 psi.
12. A conceptual utility plan will be required as part of the land use application for the subject development.
13. The development is subject to applicable water system development charges (SDC’s) and meter
installation fees based on the number and size of the meters for domestic uses and for fire sprinkler use.
The development is also subject to fees for water connections, cut and caps, and purity tests. Current
fees can be found in the 2025 Development Fees Document on the City’s website. Fees will be charged
based on the rate at the time of construction permit issuance.
• The SDC fee for water is based on the size of the new domestic water meter(s) to serve the
project. The current water fee is $ 5,025.00 per 1-inch meter
• Water service installation charges for each proposed domestic water service is applicable.
Water service installation is $2,875.00 per 1-inch service line
• Drop-in meter fee is $ 460 per 1-inch meter
• A credit will be applied to the existing service if abandoned.
• The full fee schedule can be found at:
https://edocs.rentonwa.gov/Documents/Browse.aspx?id=8217302&dbid=1&repo=CityofRenton
Sanitary Sewer
1. The project is within the City of Renton’s sanitary sewer service area.
2. There is an existing 8-inch wastewater main located in Harrington Ave NE (see City plan no S-111417).
3. There is an existing 8-inch wastewater main located in NE 16th Street (see City plan no. S-111417).
4. Individual sewer stubs from a sewer main and individual side sewers are required for each unit. All new
sewer stubs shall conform to the standards in RMC 4-6-040 and City of Renton Standard Details. The
existing sewer stub shall be CCTV’d and can be reused if found in acceptable condition.
5. A conceptual utility plan will be required as part of the land use application for the subject development.
6. The development is subject to a wastewater system development charge (SDC) fee. SDC fee for sewer is
based on the size of the new domestic water to serve the project. Current fees can be found in the 2025
Development Fees Document on the City’s website. Fees will be charged based on the rate at the time of
construction permit issuance.
• The current sewer fee is $4,025.00 per 1-inch meter.
• Final determination of applicable fees will be made after the water meter size has been
determined.
• The full fee schedule can be found at: https://rentonwa.gov/city_hall/finance/budget
Surface Water
1. There is an existing 12-inch stormwater main located in NE 16th Street (see record drawing D-401655).
2. Drainage plans and a drainage report complying with the adopted 2022 Renton Surface Water Design
Manual will be required. Refer to Figure 1.1.2.A – Flow Chart of the 2022 Renton Surface Water Design
Manual (RSWDM) to determine what type of drainage review is required for this site. The site falls within
the City’s flow control duration standard area matching forested site conditions . The site falls within the
May Creek drainage basin.
3. The current Surface Water Standard Plans shall be used in all drainage plan submittals. The current City
of Renton Standard Details are available online in the City of Renton website
https://edocs.rentonwa.gov/Documents/Browse.aspx?id=990403&dbid=0&repo=CityofRenton
4. If the new plus replaced pollution generating impervious surface exceeds 5,000 SF, the applicant will be
required to provide basic water quality treatment. Any proposed detention and/or water quality vault shall
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be designed in accordance with the RSWDM that is current at the time of civil construction permit
application. Separate structural plans will be required to be submitted for review and approval under a
separate building permit for the detention and/or water quality vault.
5. Appropriate on-site BMPs satisfying Core Requirement #9 will be required to help mitigate the new runoff
created by this development to the maximum extent feasible. On-site BMPs shall be evaluated as
described in Section C.1.3 of the 2022 RSWDM. A preliminary drainage plan, including the application of
on-site BMPs, shall be included with the land use application, as applicable to the project. The final
drainage plan and drainage report must be submitted with the utility construction permit application.
6. A geotechnical soils report for the site is required per the 2022 Renton Surface Water Design Manual
Section C.1.3. Information on the water table and soil permeability (measured infiltration rates), with
recommendations of appropriate on-site BMPs per Core Requirement #9 and Appendix C shall be
included in the report. The report should also include information concerning the soils, geology, drainage
patterns and vegetation present shall be presented in order to evaluate the drainage, erosion control and
slope stability for site development of the proposed plat. The applicant must demonstrate the
development will not result in soil erosion and sedimentation, landslide, slippage, or excess surface water
runoff.
7. Erosion control measures to meet the City requirements shall be provided.
8. The development is subject to a surface water system development charge (SDC) fees. Fees will be
charged based on the rate at the time of construction permit issuance.
• The current SDC fee for the new Townhomes is charged per square foot of new impervious surface
at $0.94 per square foot, but not less than $2,350.
• The full fee schedule can be found at: https://rentonwa.gov/city_hall/finance/budget
Transportation
1. Per City code 4-6-060 frontage improvements are required for new construction in excess of $175,000.
The proposed project fronts Harrington Ave NE and NE 16th St.
• Harrington Ave NE is classified as a residential access street, with an existing right-of-way (ROW)
width of approximately 60-feet with an existing paved width of approximately 26-feet. To meet the
City’s complete street standards for Residential Access streets, a minimum ROW width of 60-feet
is required. Per RMC 4-6-060 half of street improvements as taken from the road centerline shall
be required and include a 26-foot paved road (13 feet each side), a 10 foot travel lane in each
direction, a 6-foot parking lane, a 0.5-foot curb, an 8-foot planting strip, a 5-foot sidewalk, and 0.5-
foot of clear zone behind back of walk. No dedication will be required pending field survey.
• NE 16th St is classified as a residential access street, with an existing right -of-way (ROW) width of
approximately 60-feet with an existing paved width of approximately 32-feet. To meet the City’s
complete street standards for Residential Access streets, a minimum ROW width of 53 -feet is
required. Per RMC 4-6-060 half of street improvements as taken from the road centerline shall be
required and include a 26-foot paved road (13 feet each side), a 10 foot travel lane in each
direction, a 6-foot parking lane, a 0.5-foot curb, an 8-foot planting strip, a 5-foot sidewalk, and 0.5-
foot of clear zone behind back of walk. No dedication will be required pending field survey.
Undergrounding of all existing utilities (i.e. communications, power, etc.) is required on all frontages per
RMC 4-6-090.
2. Refer to City code 4-4-080 regarding driveway regulations.
• A minimum separation of 5-feet is required between driveway and the property line.
• Maximum driveway slopes shall not exceed 15%. Driveways exceeding 8% shall provide slotted
drains.
• The maximum width of single loaded garage driveway shall not exceed nine feet (9') and double-
loaded garage driveway shall not exceed sixteen feet (16').
3. Street lighting is not required from a project that consists of less than 4 residential units.
4. Paving and trench restoration within the City of Renton right of way shall comply with the City’s Trench
Restoration and Street Overlay Requirements.
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5. The development is subject to transportation impact fees. Fees will be charged based on the rate at the
time of construction permit issuance.
• The 2025 transportation impact fee is $6,987.79 per townhome unit.
General Comments
1. If frontage improvements are required, all existing and proposed utility lines (i.e. electrical, phone,
and cable services, etc.) along property frontage or within the site must be underground as outlined
in RMC 4-6-090 – UTILITY LINES - UNDERGROUND INSTALLATION. The construction of these
franchise utilities must be inspected and approved by a City of Renton inspector.
2. Maximum exposed retaining wall height is 6-ft and shall be setback a minimum of 3-ft from the right-of-
way as outlined in RMC 4-4-040 – Fences, Hedges and Retaining Walls.
3. Adequate separation between utilities as well as other features shall be provided in accordance with code
requirements.
a. 7-ft minimum horizontal and 1-ft vertical separation between storm and other utilities is required
with the exception of water lines which require 10-ft horizontal and 1.5-ft vertical.
b. The stormwater line should be minimum 5-feet away from any other structure or wall or building.
c. Trench of any utility should not be in the zone of influence of the retaining wall or of the building.
4. All construction utility permits for utility and street improvements will require separate plan submittals.
All utility plans shall confirm to the Renton Drafting Standards. A licensed Civil Engineer shall prepare the
civil plans. Please visit the Development Engineering Forms page for the most up-to-date plan submittal
requirements:
https://rentonwa.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=7922741&pageId=968701
5. A landscaping plan shall be included with the civil plan submittal. Each plan shall be on separate sheets.
6. Fees quoted in this document reflect the fees applicable in the year 2022 only and will be assessed based
on the fee that is current at the time of the permit application or issuance, as applicable to the permit type.
Please visit www.rentonwa.gov for the current development fee schedule.
CityofRenton\Department Folders\Community and Economic Development (CED)\Current Planning\Pre-Applications\2025\PRE25-000259
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
& ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: September 4, 2025
TO: Pre-Application File No. 25-000259
FROM: Alex Morganroth, Principal Planner
SUBJECT: 1700 Harrington Duplex
1700 Harrington Ave NE (APN 7727801940)
General: We have completed a preliminary review of the pre-application for the above-referenced
development proposal. The following comments on development and permitting issues are based on the
pre-application submittals made to the City of Renton by the applicant and the codes in effect on the
date of review. The applicant is cautioned that information contained in this summary may be subject to
modification and/or concurrence by official decision -makers (e.g., Hearing Examiner, Community &
Economic Development Administrator, Public Works Administrator, Planning Director, Development Services
Director, Development Engineering Director, and City Council). Review comments may also need to be
revised based on site planning and other design changes required by City staff or made by the applicant. The
applicant is encouraged to review all applicable sections of the Renton Municipal Code. The Development
Regulations are available online at https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Renton.
Project Proposal: The applicant is proposing a duplex (two units) at 1700 Harrington Ave NE (APN
7727801940). The property is currently developed with an existing duplex structure and has street frontage
along Harrington Ave NE and NE 16th St. As part of the proposal, the existing duplex would be demolished. The
subject property is located within the Residential-14 (R-14) zone. Access to the development is proposed via
individual driveways off of the alley on the east side of the site . According to the King County Assessor, the
subject property totals approximately 13,196 square feet (0.30 acres). According to City of Renton (COR)
maps, no critical areas are present on the site. The applicant has proposed the removal of two (2) trees on the
site.
Current Use: The subject property is currently developed with a duplex.
1. Zoning /Land Use Designation, and Overlays: The property is located within the Residential High Density
(RHD) land use designation, the Residential-14 (R-14) zoning designation and within the West Hill
Community Planning Area. The Residential-14 Zone (R-14) is established to encourage development, and
redevelopment, of residential neighborhoods that provide a mix of detached and attached dwelling
structures organized and designed to combine characteristics of both typical single -family and small-
scale multi-family developments. Attached dwellings – townhouses are a permitted use within the R-
14 zone, provided specified use(s) shall be subject to the standards of RMC 4-2-115, Residential
Design and Open Space Standards, applicable to the R-10 and R-14 zones.
2. Development Standards: The project is subject to RMC 4-2-110A, “Development Standards for
Residential Zoning Designations” effective at the time of complete application (noted as “R-14 standards”
herein).
Density – The density range allowed in the R-14 zone is a minimum of 7.0 to a maximum of 14.0 dwelling
units per net acre (du/ac). The area of public rights-of-way, legally recorded private access easements
and critical areas (such as protected slopes, Class 1 to 4 streams, etc.) would be deducted from the gross
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site area to determine the “net” site area prior to calculating density. In order to calculate the proposed
density of the project, any area of public road, private driveway/easement, and/or critical area dedication
must be known. All fractions which result from net density calculations shall be truncated at two (2)
numbers past the decimal (e.g., 4.5678 becomes 4.56). Calculations for minimum or maximum density
that result in a fraction that is 0.50 or greater shall be rounded up to the nearest whole numbe r. Those
density calculations resulting in a fraction that is less than 0.50 shall be rounded down to the nearest
whole number. The gross site area is approximately 0.43 acres. Based on the gross site area of 0.30 acres,
two (2) dwelling units would result in a gross density of 6.7 du/ac (2 units / 0.30 = 6.7 du/ac). The proposed
gross density of 6.7 du/ac would be within the density range permitted for the R -14 zone. A completed
density worksheet would be required with the land use application. The applicant would be required
to demonstrate compliance with the net density requirements of the zone at the time of formal
application.
Minimum Lot Size, Width and Depth – There is no minimum lot size requirement in the R-14 zone for
attached dwellings, however, the minimum lot size for detached dwellings is 3,000 square feet. The
minimum lot depth is 60 feet for the R-14 zone. The minimum lot width is 30 feet for interior lots and 40
feet for corner lots. Submitted plans would need to show compliance with the required lot size and
dimensional standard with the land use application.
Setbacks – The R-14 zone requires a 15-foot (20’) minimum front yard setback except when all vehicle
access is taken from an alley, then 10-feet (10’). A 10-foot rear yard setback and 4-foot (4’) side yard
setback for detached units and attached units and 0 ft. for the attached side(s) are required. Setbacks are
the minimum required distance between the building footprint and the property line and any private
access easement or tract. In the R-14 zone to ensure adequate vehicular maneuvering area, garages and
carports that are accessed through alleys shall be set back as follows: Nine -foot (9’) garage doors shall
be at least 26 feet (26’) from the back edge of the alley or 16-foot (16’) garage doors shall be at least 24
feet (24’) from the back edge of the alley. Except for alley-accessed garages conforming to the previous
requirements, the vehicle entry for a garage or carport shall be set back twenty feet (20') from the property
line where vehicle access is provided; all other facades of a garage shall be subject to the applicable
zone’s minimum setback.
Submitted plans must comply with the required setbacks at the time of formal land use application.
Building Standards – The R-14 standards allow a maximum building coverage of 65% of the lot area. The
maximum impervious coverage in the R-14 zone is 80%. The maximum wall plate height is restricted to 24
feet, with an increase up to 32 feet possible subject to administrative conditional use permit approval.
The buildings shall be no more than three (3) stories in height. Roofs with a pitch equal to or greater than
4:12 may project an additional six (6) vertical feet from the maximum wall plate height; common rooftop
features, such as chimneys, may project an additional four (4) vertical feet from the roof surface. Non-
exempt vertical projections (e.g., decks, railings, etc.) shall not exten d above the maximum wall plate
height unless the projection is stepped back one-and-a-half (1.5) horizontal feet from each façade for
each one (1) vertical foot above the maximum wall plate height. The maximum height for detached
accessory structures is 12 feet and the total floor area must be less than that of the primary structure.
Accessory structures are also included in building lot coverage calculations. Elevations were not
provided with the preapplication materials; building height and lot coverage requirements would be
verified at the time of land use application.
Maximum Number of Units per Building – No more than six (6) units per building.
3. Residential Design and Open Space Standards: All new primary dwelling units within the R-14 zone are
required to meet applicable standards within RMC 4-2-115 Residential Design and Open Space
Standards. The standards of the Site Design subsection are required to be addressed at the time of land
use application. The following are applicable subsections in the R-14 zone. An example of the residential
design standard requirement includes developments of more than four structures shall incorporate a
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variety of home sizes, lot sizes, and unit clusters. Building entries must take access from and face a
street, park, common green, pocket park, pedestrian easement, or open space.
Standards for Common Open Space:
Developments of three (3) or fewer dwelling units are not required to provide common open space.
Sidewalks, Pathways, and Pedestrian Easements:
All of the following are required:
1. Sidewalks shall be provided throughout the neighborhood. The sidewalk may disconnect from the
road, provided it continues in a logical route throughout the development. Permeable pavement
sidewalks shall be used where feasible, consistent with the Surface Water Design Manual.
2. Front yards shall have entry walks that are a minimum width of three feet (3') and a maximum width
of four feet (4').
3. Pathways shall be used to connect common parks, green areas, and pocket parks to residential
access streets, limited residential access streets, or other pedestrian connections. They may be
used to provide access to homes and common open space. They shall be a minimum three feet
(3') in width and made of paved asphalt, concrete, or porous material such as: porous paving
stones, crushed gravel with soil stabilizers, or paving blocks with planted joints. Sidewalks or
pathways for parks and green spaces shall be located at the edge of the common space to allow
a larger usable green and easy access to homes.
4. Pedestrian Easement Plantings: shall be planted with plants and trees. Trees are required along
all pedestrian easements to provide shade and spaced twenty feet (20') on center. Shrubs shall be
planted in at least fifteen percent (15%) of the easement and shall be spaced no further than thirty
six inches (36") on center.
Primary Entry Standards:
Both of the following are required:
1. The entry shall take access from and face a street, park, common green, pocket park, pedestrian
easement, or open space, and
2. The entry shall include a porch or stoop with a minimum depth of five feet (5') and minimum height
twelve inches (12") above grade.
An additional two hundred fifty (250) square feet of open space per unit shall be added to the required
amount of common open space for each unit that is not ground related.
Garages may be attached or detached. Shared garages are also allowed, provided the regulations of
RMC 4-4-080 are met. Carports are not allowed.
One of the following is required:
1. The front porch projects in front of the garage a minimum of five feet (5’), and is a minimum of
twelve feet (12’) wide, or
2. The garage is detached and set back from the front of the house and/or porch at least six feet (6’).
Additionally, all of the following is required:
1. Garage design shall be of similar design to the homes, and
2. If sides of the garage are visible from streets, sidewalks, pathways, trails or other homes,
architectural details shall be incorporated in the design.
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All site design, open space, and residential design standards applicable to the R-14 one would be
verified at the time of formal land use application. Residential Design Standards – see RMC 4-2-115
for a complete list of standards and requirements.
4. Refuse and Recycling Areas: Trash and recycling containers shall be located so that they have minimal
impact on residents and their neighbors and so that they are not visible to the general public and a
screened enclosure in which to keep containers shall be provided or garages shall be built with adequate
space to keep containers. Screened enclosures shall not be located within front yards. Multi-family
residences using thirty-five (35) gallon garbage carts or smaller must be provided either within the garage
or outside. Storage within a garage must be appropriately sized to accommodate both vehicles and
refuse and recycling carts. Storage space for carts must measure at least two feet by six feet (2’ x 6’)
floor area and sixty inches (60”) high. This space must be identified on floor plans. Storage located outside
must measure at least two feet by six feet (2’ x 6’) in size and be located on the same lot as the dwelling in
a side or rear yard. Outdoor storage must be adequately screened from public view, made of wood,
masonry, or ornamental metal. A minimum of one and one-half (1-1/2) square feet per dwelling unit in
multi-family residences shall be provided for recyclables deposit areas. A minimum of three (3) square
feet per dwelling unit shall be provided for refuse deposit areas. A total minimum area of eighty (80) square
feet shall be provided for refuse and recyclables deposit areas. See RMC 4-4-090 for additional
information and standards. Compliance with the refuse and recyclable standards would be verified
at the time of formal land use application.
5. Landscaping: Except for critical areas, all portions of the development area not covered by structures,
required parking, access, circulation or service areas, must be landscaped with native, drought -resistant
vegetative cover. The minimum on-site landscape width required along street frontages is 10 feet and shall
contain trees, shrubs, and landscaping. Street trees in the ROW planter will also be required.
Individual unit lots are exempt from the following subsections of Section 4-4-070, Landscaping but
instead are applied to the parent site for unit lot subdivisions:
a. RMC 4-4-070F.1, Street Frontage Landscaping Required;
b. RMC 4-4-070F.2, Street Trees and Landscaping Required Within the Right-of-Way on Public Streets;
and
c. RMC 4-4-070F.3, Front Yard Trees Required When Street Trees Are Not Located Within the Right-of-
Way Abutting a Front Yard.
Stormwater Facility Perimeter Landscaping: A landscaping strip with a minimum fifteen feet (15') of
width shall be located on the outside of the perimeter fence, unless otherwise determined through the
site plan review or subdivision review process.
Please refer to landscape regulations (RMC 4-4-070) for additional general and specific landscape
requirements. Conceptual as well as detailed landscaping plans are required for all non -exempt
development. Specific submittal requirements shall be as indicated in RMC 4-8-120, Submittal
Requirements. The conceptual plans must be submitted at the time of land use permit application.
Detailed landscape plans must be approved prior to issuance of a building permit or, for subdivisions,
prior to issuance of permits for street or utility construction. A conceptual landscape plan
demonstrating compliance with the landscape standards shall be submitted at the time of land use
application.
6. Significant Tree Retention: Aerial view of the project site identify that there may be mature trees on the
site. When significant trees (greater than 6-inch caliper or 8-caliper inches for alders and cottonwoods)
are proposed to be removed, a tree inventory and a tree retention plan along with an arborist report, tree
retention plan and tree retention worksheet shall be pr ovided with the formal land use application as
defined in RMC 4-8-120. The tree retention plan must show preservation of at least 30% of significant
trees. Please refer to RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations for further general and
specific tree retention and land clearing requirements.
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In addition to retaining a minimum of 30% of existing significant trees, each new lot would be required to
provide a minimum tree density of 30 tree credits per net acre. Tree credits encourage retention of existing
significant trees with larger trees being worth more tree credits.
TREE SIZE TREE CREDITS
New small species tree 0.25
New medium species tree 1
New large species tree 2
Preserved tree 6 – 9 caliper inches 4
Preserved tree 10 – 12 caliper inches 5
Preserved tree 12 – 15 caliper inches 6
Preserved tree 16 – 18 caliper inches 7
Preserved tree 19 – 21 caliper inches 8
Preserved tree 22 – 24 caliper inches 9
Preserved tree 25 – 28 caliper inches 10
Preserved tree 29 – 32 caliper inches 11
Preserved tree 33 – 36 caliper inches 12
Preserved tree 37 caliper inches and greater 13
Significant trees shall be retained in the following priority order:
Priority One: Landmark trees; significant trees that form a continuous canopy; significant trees on slopes
greater than twenty percent (20%); significant trees adjacent to critical areas and their associated buffers;
significant trees over sixty feet (60') in height or greater than eighteen inches (18") caliper; and trees that
shelter interior trees or trees on abutting properties from strong winds, which could otherwise allow such
sheltered trees to be blown down if removed.
Priority Two: Healthy tree groupings whose associated undergrowth can be preserved; other significant
native evergreen or deciduous trees; and other significant non-native trees.
Priority Three: Alders and cottonwoods shall be retained when all other trees have been evaluated for
retention and are not able to be retained, unless the alders and/ or cottonwoods are used as part of an
approved enhancement project within a critical area or its buffer.
The Administrator may require independent review of any land use application that involves tree removal
and land clearing at the City's discretion.
Tree retention standards shall be applied to the developable area, as defined in RMC 4-11-040, Definitions
D, of a property. A formal tree retention plan and tree retention worksheet prepared by an arborist or
landscape architect would be reviewed at the time of the land use application.
7. Screening: Screening is required for all surface-mounted and rooftop utility and mechanical equipment
as per RMC 4-4-095, Screening and Storage Height/Location Limitations. The proposal should include
elevations and details of the methods used for screening any equi pment if applicable. Screening
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measures should address visual impact reduction for areas where vehicles or contractor equipment may
be stored. Compliance would be verified during the formal land use review process.
8. Fences/Retaining Walls: If the applicant intends to install any fences as part of this project, the location
must be designated on the landscape plan. A wall taller than four feet requires a building permit. Fences
up to six-feet in height are permitted in the rear yard and side yard; fences up to four feet are permitted in
the front yard. Any part of a yard that is within a clear vision area has a limited fence height of 42 inches. A
fence shall not be constructed on top of a retaining wall unless the total combined height of the retaining
wall and the fence does not exceed the allowed height of a standalone fence. New or existing fencing
would need to comply with the fence requirements of the code (RMC 4-4-040).
Retaining walls shall be composed of brick, rock, textured or patterned concrete, or other masonry
product that complements the proposed building and site development. There shall be a minimum three -
foot (3') landscaped setback at the base of retaining walls abutting public rights-of-way. Please refer to
retaining wall standards (RMC 4-4-040) for additional information about fences and retaining walls.
9. Parking: Townhouse development requires a minimum and maximum of two (2) onsite parking stalls per
dwelling unit. Parking spaces within the garages shall be a minimum of 9’x 18’. Parking stalls within
garages may count toward minimum requirements.
The applicant must provide detailed parking information with the formal land use application, including
stall dimensions, drive aisle measurements, and total parking calculations. For lots abutting an alley,
required parking shall be provided in the rear yard area for any unit, when alley access is available. The
plans should ensure that:
• Surface parking stalls have minimum dimensions of 9 feet x 18 feet, with compact stalls measuring
8½ feet x 16 feet and parallel stalls measuring 9 feet x 23 feet.
• Compact spaces do not exceed 30% of the total spaces in surface parking areas.
• ADA-accessible stalls meet the required dimensions of 8 feet in width by 20 feet in length, with an
adjacent 8-foot-wide access aisle for van-accessible spaces. The number of ADA stalls must align
with the total parking provided.
Compliance with parking requirements would be verified at the time of formal land use application.
10. Access/Driveways: Access to the site is proposed via individual driveways from the public alley. Each lot
is required to accommodate off street parking for a minimum of two (2) vehicles. Detached homes require
a minimum of 2.0 per dwelling unit. Tandem parking is allowed. The maximum width of single loaded
garage driveways shall not exceed nine feet (9'), and double loaded garage driveways shall not exceed
sixteen feet (16'). Maximum driveway slopes shall not exceed 15 percent; provided, that driveways
exceeding eight percent (8%) shall provide slotted drains at the lower end with positive drainage dischar ge
to restrict runoff entering the garage/residence or crossing any public sidewalk. If the grade exceeds 15%,
a variance is required. There shall be no more than one driveway for each one hundred sixty-five feet
(165') of street frontage serving any one property or among properties under unified ownership or
control; for each one hundred sixty-five feet (165') of additional street frontage another driveway may be
permitted. Driveways shall not be closer than five feet (5’) to any property line except as allowed per
RMC 4-4-080I.9, Joint Use Driveways.
In accordance with RMC 4-7-150E.5, alley access is the preferred street pattern for all new
residential development except in the Residential Low Density land use designation (RC, R-1, and R-
4 zones) and the R-6 zone.
The maximum driveway slopes cannot exceed 15%. If the grade exceeds 15%, a variance is required.
Driveways exceeding 8% shall provide slotted drains at the lower end.
The applicant shall demonstrate compliance with access standards at the time of formal short plat
application. Compliance with individual driveway and parking standards would be verified at the
time of building permit review.
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11. Critical Areas: According to City of Renton (COR) maps, no critical areas are present on the site. It is the
applicant’s responsibility to ascertain whether any critical areas or environmental concerns are
present on the subject property prior to development and/or construction.
12. Environmental Review: The construction of less than nine (9) dwelling units on a project site is exempt
from Environmental (SEPA) Review in accordance with WAC 197-11-800.
13. Site Plan Approval: Per RMC 4-9-200, site plan review is exempt due to the project being a SEPA exempt
development.
14. Waiver of Submittal Requirements: The submittal checklist is not an exhaustive list of submittal
requirements and may be modified in cases where additional information is required to complete the
review of an application. In addition, non-applicable submittal requirements may be waived. The
applicant should contact the assigned Project Manager if there are any questions regarding
submittal requirements.
15. Permit Requirements: The proposal would require a building permit. If the proposal includes unit lot
subdivision, then it will require the applicant to go through the short subdivision process. The application
would be reviewed within an estimated time frame of 12 weeks. Detailed information regarding permits
can be found on the City’s Permit Services website. Other informational applications and handouts can
be found on the City’s Digital Records Library. The City requires electronic plan submittal for all
applications. Please refer to the City’s Electronic File Standards.
16. Impact Fees: In addition to the applicable building and construction fees, impact fees would be required.
Fees change periodically and the fees in effect at the time of building permit issuance would apply. For
informational purposes, the 2025 impact fees are as follows:
• A Fire impact fee $421.98 per dwelling unit;
• A transportation impact fee $6,987.79 per dwelling;
• Renton School District Impact Fee $3,268.00 per dwelling (+5% administrative fee) unless an
exemption can be made under RMC 4-1-190.I.1.a; and
• Parks Impact Fee currently assessed at $2,531.21.
A handout listing all of the City’s Development related fees is available for your review at
https://edocs.rentonwa.gov/Documents/Browse.aspx?id=8217302&dbid=0&repo=CityofRenton
17. Next Steps: When the formal building permit application materials are complete, the applicant shall have
the materials pre-screened prior to submitting the complete application package. Please contact
Alex Morganroth, Principal, at 425-430-7219 or amorganroth@rentonwa.gov to review prescreen
materials.
18. Expiration: Building permits are valid for one (1) year. It is the applicant’s responsibility to monitor the
expiration dates.