R-3 Development Standards

All R-3 projects may be subject to the following standards. Contact the Planning Division for more information. You can also download the R-3 Development Standards brochure (PDF).

Setbacks & Standards for R-3 Properties

Minimum Front Yard

  • Average of the front setbacks of the two adjacent properties, up to a maximum of 30 feet, with a minimum of 20 feet. Minimum of 50 feet from the centerline of the street if it has a right-of-way less than 60 feet. For properties that have their front yards on Curtis or Electric Lanes, 15 feet.

Minimum Side Yard

  • 5 feet for each interior side yard, increased by 1 foot for each story or partial story above the first floor

Minimum Corner Side Yard

  • 10 feet for the street side of a corner lot, or 40 feet from the centerline of the street where lot sides upon street having a right-of-way of less than 60 feet. For properties on Curtis and Electric Lanes, 10 feet. For a reversed corner lot, a side yard equaling the required front yard setback of the first lot to its rear

Rear Yard

  • 10 feet
  • For properties that have rear yards on Curtis or Electric Lanes, 15 feet

Maximum Height

  • See AMC §23.42.020

Maximum Lot Coverage

  • 55%

Maximum Floor Area Ratio

  • 0.60 for all living areas (excluding non-living areas and garages), for lots up to 19,999 square feet
  • 0.70 for all living area (excluding non-living areas and garages), for lots 20,000 square feet and larger

Minimum Distance Between Buildings

  • 6 feet if only one or neither building is used for residential purposes
  • 10 feet if both buildings are used for residential purposes

R-3 Minimum Dwelling Unit Size

R-3 Parking Requirements

  • Two covered spaces within an enclosed garage for each unit with a minimum width of nine feet, zero inches, and a minimum depth of 20 feet, zero inches (9 feet by 20)
  • One additional parking space for each 750 square feet of gross living area in excess of 2,000 square feet Additional spaces may be uncovered
  • Tandem parking may be permitted per §23.52.070(C)(4), see a Planner for more information
  • See the Off-Street Parking Standards page for more details

R-3 Landscaping Requirements

  • No more than 25% of the front yard setback area shall be covered by non-decorative hardscape features
  • No more than 25% may be covered by decorative permeable hardscape features
  • The remaining 50% front yard setback area, must be of drought-tolerant landscape material
  • Artificial turf must adhere to all design standards outlined in AMC Section 23.48.020(1)
  • Any changes to existing Landscaping shall be approved by the Planning Division
  • Drip irrigation shall be considered whenever appropriate
  • See AMC Section 23.48 page for more details

R-3 Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO) Requirements