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Department of Community and Economic Development
Planning Division
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY/CODE INTERPRETATION
ADMINISTRATIVE
POLICY/CODE
INTERPRETATION #: CI-146
MUNICIPAL
CODE SECTIONS: 4-2-110, Development Standards for Residential Development
REFERENCE: N/A
SUBJECT: Rear Yards for Accessory Dwelling Units
BACKGROUND: RMC 4-2-110.B, Development Standards for Residential Development (Detached
Accessory Buildings), provides standards for minimum and maximum yard
setbacks in zones RC, R-1, R-4, R-6, R-8, R-10, and R-14. In order to ensure
adequate vehicular maneuvering area, there is a blanket provision applicable to
all residential zones for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that incorporate a
garage/carport. Garage doors of 9’ shall be at least 26’ from the back edge of
the alley and garage doors of 16’ shall be at least 24’ from the back edge of the
alley. Interpretation of “the back edge of alley” has varied.
A second conflict is presented with the use of the language “from the back edge
of the alley” for ADUs that do not incorporate a carport/garage. The City’s
current Code prescribes minimum setbacks of 10’ (zones RC, R-1, R-4, R-6 and R-
8) and a minimum setback of 5’ (zones R-10 and R-14) from the back edge of the
alley. RMC 4-6-060 requires a residential right-of-way (ROW) width of 16’.
Measuring the minimum setbacks of either 5’ or 10’ from the back edge of the
alley, as specified by RMC 4-2-110B, would situate the ADU in the ROW.
DECISION: RMC 4-2-110.B is amended to clarify that rear yard setbacks for ADUs that
incorporate a garage or carport should be measured from the far property line
across the ROW.
RMC 4-2-110.B is amended to specify that rear yard setbacks for ADUs without a
garage or carport should be measured from the rear property line.
JUSTIFICATION: The amendment will provide needed clarity for ambiguous terminology,
preventing conflict due to differing interpretations.
CI-146 Page 2 of 3
Setbacks for ADUs without a carport/garage were not intended to be measured
from the back edge of the alley but, rather from the rear property line. RMC 4-
11-190, Definitions S, defines the term setback as the minimum required
distance between the building footprint and the rear property line. Unless
otherwise stated, the rear yard setbacks should be measured from the rear
property line.
ADMINISTRATOR
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 4-2-110B DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
NEEDED TO (DETACHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS)
IMPLEMENT
DETERMINATIONS:
MINIMUM SETBACKS
Rear Yards for Accessory Dwelling Units
RC, R-1, R-4, R-6, R-8, R-10, R-14 and RMF To ensure adequate vehicular maneuvering area,
Aaccessory dwelling units that incorporate a
garage/carport shall be set back as follows:
1. 9 ft. garage doors shall be at least 26 ft. from
the back edge of the alley far property line/alley
right-of-way; or
2. 16 ft. garage doors shall be at least 24 ft. from
the far property line/alley right-of-wayback edge
of the alley.
RC Determined through administrative review, to be
no less than 10 ft. and no greater than 35 ft. from
the back edge of the alley.
R-1 and R-4 Determined through administrative review, to be
no less than 10 ft. and no greater than 25 ft. from
the back edge of the alley.
R-6 and R-8 Determined through administrative review, to be
no less than 5 ft. and no greater than 20 ft. from
the back edge of the alley.
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R-10 and R-14 Determined through administrative review, to be
no less than 5 ft. and no greater than 10 ft. from
the back edge of the alley.
RMF n/a
STAFF CONTACT: Katie Buchl-Morales, Assistant Planner, x. 6578