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interpretation.docx
Department of Community and Economic Development
Planning Division
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION
ADMINISTRATIVE
POLICY/CODE
INTERPRETATION #: CI-138
MUNICIPAL
CODE SECTIONS: RMC 4-2-115.E3 Materials and Color
SUBJECT: Residential Design: Materials and Color
BACKGROUND: The language in RMC 4-2-115.E3 aims to create design standards that
encourage the use of a variety of materials and colors that contribute to
the sense of diversity of housing stock in the community. It strives to
reduce monotony and encourage practices appropriate to the
architectural character of a neighborhood. For subdivisions and short
plats it requires that abutting homes shall be of differing color, with color
palettes coded and submitted to the city for approval. Additionally, a
minimum of two (2) colors, or two (2) differing siding materials must be
used. In order to further break up monotony and enhance architectural
quality, if masonry is used, it is required to wrap the corners no less than
twenty four inches (24”). This gives the homes a more pleasing aesthetic
by avoiding an abrupt termination of the masonry siding that protrudes
from the façade, leaving an objectionable lip on the corner of the home.
DECISION: Amend RMC 4-2-115.E3 Materials and Color to clarify that Where
masonry siding is proposed at the edge of a façade, it shall also extend
along the adjoining façade no less than twenty four inches (24"),
measured horizontally from the corner of the structure.
JUSTIFICATION: The code was intended to require masonry siding at the edge of a façade
to wrap around the corner and extend 24” along the adjoining façade .
However, the option of using differing siding or differing colors
unintentionally created ambiguity in the code. This could be implied to
mean that if you can meet the minimum of two (2) differing colors, and
further add masonry siding, then the mandate of having at least twenty
four inches of wrapping is not applicable. Since this interpretation was
not the intention of the code, the language pertaining to masonry siding
should be moved to the top of the table and out of the “one of the
following” section of the Materials and Color table.
CI-138 Page 2 of 2
ADMINISTRATOR
APPROVAL: _______________________________________
C. E. “Chip” Vincent
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 31, 2018
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, 425-430-6515) no more than 14
days from the date of this decision. Your submittal should explain the
basis for the appeal. 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.
CODE AMENDMENTS NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT DETERMINATION:
MATERIALS AND COLOR: The use of a variety of materials and color contributes to the sense of
diversity of housing stock in the community.
Guidelines: A diversity of materials and color shall be used on homes throughout the
community. A variety of materials that are appropriate to the architectural character of the
neighborhood shall be used. A diverse palette of colors shall be used to reduce monotony of
color or tone.
Standards:
RC and R-1 n/a
R-4, R-6,
and R-8
For subdivisions and short plats, abutting homes shall be of differing color.
Color palettes for all new dwellings, coded to the home elevations, shall be
submitted for approval. Where masonry siding is proposed at the edge of a
façade, it shall also extend along the adjoining façade no less than twenty four
inches (24"), measured horizontally from the corner of the structure.
Additionally, one of the following is required:
1. A minimum of two (2) colors is used on the home (body with different
color trim is acceptable), or
2. A minimum of two (2) differing siding materials (horizontal siding and
shingles, siding and masonry or masonry-like material, etc.) is used on the
home. One alternative siding material must comprise a minimum of thirty
percent (30%) of the street facing facade. If masonry siding is used, it shall
wrap the corners no less than twenty four inches (24").
STAFF CONTACT: Jeffrey Taylor, Assistant Planner x7246