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Department of Community and Economic Development
Planning Division
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION
ADMINISTRATIVE
POLICY/CODE
INTERPRETATION #: CI-166
MUNICIPAL
CODE SECTIONS: 4-3-100B
REFERENCE: N/A
SUBJECT: Design Districts Applicability
BACKGROUND: Urban Design Districts are applied to development projects based upon
the applicability standards of RMC 4-3-100B. Standard v. requires
projects to comply with the Design District Standards for alterations,
enlargements, and/or restorations of nonconforming structures pursuant
to RMC 4-10-050 Nonconforming Structures. Standard v. as written is not
clear as to what portion of RMC 4-10-050 would be the “trigger” to apply
Design Standards. This ambiguity is a result of various code
amendments to RMC 4-10-050 Nonconforming Structures which
happened subsequent to the adoptions of applicability standard v. In
both 2011 and 2017 via ORD 5647 and 5869 respectively, significant
amendments were made to RMC Section 4-10-050 adopting changes to
the alterations, enlargements and restoration standards of the
Nonconforming Structures. These ordinances did not amend the
Applicability standards of the Design District regulations to clarify what
portions of this code should apply. Furthermore in 2015, Design District
Applicability standard iv. was added via ORD 5743 which requires
exterior modifications such as façade changes, windows, awnings,
signage, etc. to comply with the Design Standards. This expansion of the
Design District applicability renders all alterations, enlargements and
restoration of buildings to be required to comply with the Design District
Standards not just non-conforming standards. The remaining portion of
the Non-Conforming Structure standards that is not addressed in the new
criterion iv. is the duration at which a structure retains its valid non-
conforming status. Based on current regulations, a nonconforming
structure that has not been vacant for more than one year or had not
been abandoned retains its nonconforming status.
CI-166 Page 2 of 3
JUSTIFICATION: The ambiguity about what portion of RMC 4-10-050 Nonconforming
Structures is applicable in the Urban Design District should be resolved.
DECISION: Amend RMC 4-3-100B.1.a.v. to specify that the re-use of a
nonconforming structure that has been vacant for more than one year is
required to comply with the Urban Design District standards.
ADMINISTRATOR
APPROVAL: _______________________________________
C. E. “Chip” Vincent
EFFECTIVE DATE: _______________________________________
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.
CODE
AMENDMENTS
NEEDED TO
IMPLEMENT
DETERMINATIONS:
4-3-100 URBAN DESIGN REGULATIONS:
B. APPLICABILITY AND CONFLICTS:
1. Applicability:
a. The following development activities shall be required to comply with the provisions of this
Section:
i. All subdivisions including short plats;
ii. All new structures;
iii. Conversion of vacant land (e.g., to parking or storage lots);
iv. Conversion of a residential use to a nonresidential use;
CI-166 Page 3 of 3
v. Alterations, enlargements, and/or restorations of Re-use of a nonconforming structures that
has been vacant for more than one year; pursuant to RMC 4-10-050, Nonconforming
Structures
vi. Exterior modifications such as facade changes, windows, awnings, signage, etc., shall
comply with the design requirements for the new portion of the structure, sign, or site
improvement.
STAFF CONTACT: Vanessa Dolbee – vdolbee@rentonwa.gov