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Department of Community and Economic Development
Planning Division
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION
ADMINISTRATIVE
POLICY/CODE
INTERPRETATION #: CI-142
MUNICIPAL
CODE SECTIONS: RMC 4-2-115E.3 Residential Design: Scale Bulk and Character
REFERENCE: N/A
SUBJECT: Residential Design: Scale Bulk and Character
BACKGROUND: The language in RMC 4-2-115E.3 Residential Design: Scale Bulk and
Character intends to encourage a diverse streetscape with a variety of
homes to minimize visual monotony. The guideline reinforces this
objective, stating: “A diverse streetscape shall be provided by using
elevations and models that demonstrate a variety of floor plans, home
sizes, and character.” The intent of this guideline is to encourage a
diverse neighborhood when viewed from the street, with a lesser focus
on diverse floor plans. However, due to the wording of the following
standards, ambiguity is created as to whether homes must demonstrate a
variety of internal floorplans, or external elevations.
DECISION: Amend RMC 4-2-115E.3 Residential Design: Scale Bulk and Character to
clarify that a variety of elevations and models that demonstrate a variety
of home sizes, character, and a diverse streetscape shall be used, and
that abutting, adjacent, and diagonal homes shall have differing
architectural elevations.
JUSTIFICATION: The code was intended to encourage a diverse streetscape with a lesser
focus on the internal layout of homes. Residential design standards are
primarily for the benefit the community, which is insignificantly impacted
by the internal layout of neighboring homes. The code should clearly
ensure that homes are constructed with different elevations, even if the
internal floorplans remain static. As long as homes appear to be varied
from the exterior, it will accomplish the intent of the code and meet the
guideline by reducing monotony and fostering a perception of
uniqueness of place.
ADMINISTRATOR
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APPROVAL: _______________________________________
C. E. “Chip” Vincent
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 19, 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
DETERMINATIONS:
SCALE, BULK, AND CHARACTER: Residential communities are intended for people and homes
that have appropriate scale and bulk contribute to the sense of orientation to people. Variety in
the character of homes helps to minimize visual monotony while helping to foster a perception
of uniqueness of place.
Guidelines: A diverse streetscape shall be provided by using elevations and models that
demonstrate a variety of floor plans, home sizes, and character. Neighborhoods shall have a
variety of home sizes and character.
Standards:
RC and R-1 n/a
R-4, R-6, and
R-8
A variety of elevations and models that demonstrate a variety of floor plans,
home sizes, and character shall be used. All of the following are required:
Additionally, both of the following are required:
1. A minimum of three (3) differing home models for each ten (10)
contiguous abutting homes, and A variety of elevations and models that
demonstrate a variety of home sizes, character, and a diverse streetscape
shall be used.
2. Abutting, adjacent, and diagonal houses must have differing architectural
elevations.
R-10 and R-14 All of the following are required:
CI-142 Page 3 of 3
1. The primary building form shall be the dominating form and elements
such as porches, principal dormers, or other significant features shall not
dominate, and
2. Primary porch plate heights shall be one story. Stacked porches are
allowed, and
3. To differentiate the same models and elevations, different colors shall be
used, and
4. For single family dwellings, no more than two (2) of the same model and
elevation shall be built on the same block frontage and the same model
and elevation shall not be abutting.
STAFF CONTACT: Jeffrey Taylor, Assistant Planner x7246