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Home My WebLink AboutCI-159 H:\CED\Planning\Title IV\Docket\Administrative Policy Code Interpretation\CI-159\Code Interpretation.docx Department of Community and Economic Development Planning Division ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION #: CI-159 MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS: 4-2-115 Residential Design and Open Space Standards REFERENCE: N/A SUBJECT: Minimum Dimensions for Open Space BACKGROUND: Open space standards of RMC 4-2-115 require only a single dimensional requirement of at least 30’ or 40’ depending on the overall size of the development. DECISION: Open space shall be at least 30’ or 40’ (depending on overall development size – see RMC 4-2-115 for reference) in any dimension. JUSTIFICATION: Open space is intended to be usable space or passive or active recreation and therefore should be at least ‘X’ amount of feet in any dimension. ADMINISTRATOR APPROVAL: _______________________________________ C. E. “Chip” Vincent EFFECTIVE DATE: October 30, 2020 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. 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 CI-159 Page 2 of 5 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(S): See next page. STAFF CONTACT: Paul Hintz x7436 CI-159 Page 3 of 5 RMC 4-2-115.E.2 Open Space: OPEN SPACE: Open space is a significant element in the development of livable communities and creates opportunities for good health. Guidelines: All open space shall be designed to preserve existing trees particularly native conifers, native deciduous trees, and other native vegetation consistent with RMC 4-4-070, Landscaping. Except for Native Growth Protection Areas, all common open space areas shall be designed to accommodate both active and passive recreational opportunities and be visible and open to the street. Pocket parks shall be designed to serve four (4) to ten (10) homes. Private yards are located at the rear or side of homes and can include trees, planting beds, and privacy fences. Reciprocal use easements can provide greater usability of private yards. Landscaping: R-10 and R-14 See RMC 4-4-070, Landscaping. Standards for Parks: R-10 and R-14 For developments that are less than ten (10) net acres: No park is required, but is allowed. For developments that are greater than ten (10) net acres: A minimum of one one-half (.5) acre park, in addition to the common open space requirement, is required. Standards for Common Open Space: R-10 and R-14 Developments of three (3) or fewer dwelling units: No requirement to provide common open space. Developments of four (4) or more units: Required to provide common open space as outlined below. Above ground drainage facilities (i.e., ponds, swales, ditches, rain gardens, etc.) shall not be counted towards the common open space requirement. 1. For each unit in the development, three hundred fifty (350) square feet of common open space shall be provided. 2. Open space shall be designed as a park, common green, pea-patch, pocket park, or pedestrian entry easement in the development and shall include picnic areas, space for recreational activities, and other activities as appropriate. CI-159 Page 4 of 5 3. Open space shall be located in a highly visible area and be easily accessible to the neighborhood. 4. Open space(s) shall be contiguous to the majority of the dwellings in the development and accessible to all dwellings. For sites one acre or smaller in size, open space(s) shall be no less than at least thirty feet (30') in at least one any dimension. For sites larger than one acre in size, open space(s) shall be no less than at least forty feet (40') in at least one any dimension. For all sites, to allow for variation, open space(s) of less than the minimum dimensions (thirty feet (30') or forty feet (40'), as applicable) are allowed; provided, that when all of a site’s open spaces are averaged, the applicable dimension requirement is met. 5. A pedestrian entry easement can be counted as open space if it has a minimum width of twenty feet (20') and within that twenty feet (20') a minimum five feet (5') of sidewalk is provided. 6. Pea-patches shall be at least one thousand (1,000) square feet in size with individual plots that measure at least ten feet by ten feet (10' x 10'). Additionally, the pea-patch shall include a tool shed and a common area with space for compost bins. Water shall be provided to the pea-patch. Fencing that meets the standards for front yard fencing shall surround the pea-patch with a one foot (1') landscape area on the outside of the fence. This area is to be landscaped with flowers, plants, and/or shrubs. 7. Grass-crete or other pervious surfaces may be used in the common open space for the purpose of meeting the one hundred fifty feet (150') distance requirement for emergency vehicle access but shall not be used for personal vehicle access or to meet off-street parking requirements. 8. Common open space areas shall have a maximum slope of five percent (5%). 9. Obstructions, such as retaining walls and fences, shall not be placed in common open spaces. Standards for Private Yards: R-10 and R-14 Developments of three (3) or fewer dwelling units: Each individual dwelling shall have a private yard that is at minimum six hundred (600) square feet in size. Backyard patios and reciprocal use easements may be included in the calculation of private yard. Developments of four (4) or more dwelling units: Each ground-related dwelling shall have a private yard that is at least two hundred fifty (250) square feet in size with no dimension less than eight feet (8') in width. CI-159 Page 5 of 5 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. Common Open Space or Park Substitutions: R-10 and R-14 See RMC 4-1-240. Sidewalks, Pathways, and Pedestrian Easements: R-10 and R-14 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. 5. For all homes that do not front on a residential access street, limited residential access street, a park, or a common green: Pedestrian entry easements that are at least fifteen feet (15') wide plus a five-foot (5') sidewalk shall be provided.