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Home My WebLink AboutCI-192CI-192 Page 1 of 1 Department of Community and Economic Development Planning Division ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION ADMINISTRATIVE CODE INTERPRETATION #: CI-192 MUNICIPAL CODE RMC 4-9-065, Density Bonus Review SECTIONS: REFERENCE: RMC 4-9-065, Density Bonus Review, RMC 4-2-110A, Development Standards for Residential Low Density and Medium Density Zones – Primary Structures, and RMC 4-2-110B, Development Standards for Residential High Density Zones – Primary Structures. SUBJECT: Corrections to Density Bonus References BACKGROUND: RMC 4-9-065 establishes maximum density bonuses for affordable housing, assisted living facilities, cottage house developments, and commercial-to-residential conversions. The maximum density bonus table currently contains several incorrect cross-references that create inconsistency with the applicable development standards. The sections of code referenced in the maximum density bonus table were recently reviewed as part of Ordinance 6061 (docket number D-236) to implement state legislation related to Middle Housing (HB 1110) and Accessory Dwelling Units (HB 1337). While RMC 4-9-065 itself was not amended, the update highlighted incorrect cross-references that require correction for internal consistency. The conflicts are as follows: 1.Affordable Housing (R-14 and RMF zones): The table references RMC4-2-110A, which regulates low and medium density zones. R-14 andRMF are high-density zones, and should reference RMC 4-2-110B. 2.Assisted Living Facilities (RMF zone): The table again references RMC4-2-110A. The RMF zone is governed by RMC 4-2-110B, and thereference should be corrected accordingly. 3.Cottage House Developments (R-4 through R-14): The tablereferences only RMC 4-2-110A. Cottage house developments arepermitted in both low/medium-density residential zones (R-4, R-6, CI-192 Page 2 of 5 and R-8) and high-density zones (R-10 and R-14). Therefore, correct cross-references must include both RMC 4-2-110A and 4-2-110B. These errors create confusion about which development standards apply when calculating density bonuses. DECISION: Amend RMC 4-9-065, Density Bonus Table, to correct cross-references as follows: 1.Affordable Housing category: Replace references to RMC 4-2-110Awith RMC 4-2-110B for R-14 and RMF zones. 2.Assisted Living category: Replace references to RMC 4-2-110A withRMC 4-2-110B for RMF zones. 3.Cottage House Development category: Revise reference to includeboth RMC 4-2-110A and RMC 4-2-110B. JUSTIFICATION: These changes correct technical errors and clarify intent. R-14 and RMF are high-density zones subject to RMC 4-2-110B. RMF references to 4-2-110A are inaccurate and inconsistent with adopted standards. Cottage house developments span R-4 through R-14, requiring reference to both low/medium density (RMC 4-2-110A) and high density (RMC 4-2-110B) standards. Amending these references ensures internal consistency within the Renton Municipal Code, eliminates ambiguity in density bonus calculations, and aligns with the Applicability provisions of RMC 4-2-110. 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. for 10/2/2025 CI-192 Page 3 of 5 SPECIFIED CODE SECTIONS SHALL BE READ AS FOLLOWS: STAFF CONTACT: SEE THE FOLLOWING PAGES Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner, 425-430-7312 4-9-065 DENSITY BONUS REVIEW: D.DENSITY BONUS MAXIMUM ALLOWANCES: 1.Maximum Bonus Dwelling Units: The following table provides the maximum density that may be granted in applicable zones for conformance with affordable housing, assisted living facility, or cottage housing density bonus requirements and all other applicable requirements for development are met: SUBJECT ZONES MAXIMUM DENSITY BONUS AFFORDABLE HOUSING R-14 and RMF 30% above the maximum net density permitted by the subject zone pursuant to RMC 4-2-110A4-2-110B. CV and UC 30% above the maximum net residential density permitted by the subject zone pursuant to RMC 4-2-120A. CD, CO, and COR 30% above the maximum net residential density permitted by the subject zone pursuant to RMC 4-2-120B. If the applicant is seeking conditional use permit approval to increase density within applicable zones (CD and CO), the applicant may request a maximum density CI-192 Page 4 of 5 SUBJECT ZONES MAXIMUM DENSITY BONUS bonus of up to 30% above the maximum density permitted via conditional use permit approval, pursuant to RMC 4-9- 030G. ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES R-1, R-10, and R-14 Up to 18 dwelling units per net acre. RMF 50% above the maximum net density permitted by the subject zone pursuant to RMC 4-2-110A4-2-110B. CV and UC 50% above the maximum net residential density permitted by the subject zone pursuant to RMC 4-2-120A. CD, CO, and COR 50% above the maximum net residential density permitted by the subject zone pursuant to RMC 4-2-120B. COTTAGE HOUSE DEVELOPMENTS R-4, R-6, R-8, R-10, and R-14 2.5 times the number of lots identified in the pro forma subdivision plan, based on the maximum net density permitted by the subject zone pursuant to RMC 4-2-110A and RMC 4-2- 110B. COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION CI-192 Page 5 of 5 SUBJECT ZONES MAXIMUM DENSITY BONUS CN, CV, CA, UC-1 and UC-2, CD, CO, COR 50% above the maximum net residential density permitted by the subject zone pursuant to RMC 4-2-120A and 4-2-120B.