Table of Contents

Active Transportation

This city’s zoning code sets on-site pedestrian and bicycle circulation standards and illustrates each part with an ideal pedestrian path (§21.60.020(F-J)). This code is notable in that it focuses on access to transit. It also sets landscaping and automobile access standards to reduce impact, aesthetically and through use.

Green Building

The city’s zoning code provides green building incentives for all types of new development. It lists several green building features and certifications that are eligible for incentives, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard, and Built Green certification (§21.67.040.A). Points accrued from these features and certifications provide incentives, including expedited permitting, unit type flexibility, lot size reduction, density bonuses, floor area ratio (FAR) bonuses, setback flexibility, and height bonuses (§21.67.040.B).

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

The city’s zoning code outlines a Green Building Incentive Program that promotes drought-tolerant landscaping, native vegetation retention, green roofs, and roof rainwater collection. It offers credits for using drought-tolerant, non-invasive vegetation, developing “native growth protection areas”, implementing green roofs, and constructing, designing, and maintaining roofs for rainwater collection (§21.67.050). The zoning code also references low-impact development (LID) design standards from a Stormwater Technical Notebook (§8.7).

Inclusionary Housing

The city addresses inclusionary housing in affordable housing provisions within the zoning code (§21.20). The ordinance begins with a purpose statement. Inclusionary provisions apply to new residential and mixed use developments with 10 or more units within designated areas of the city, as well as senior housing.

The code establishes an affordable unit requirement of at least 10 percent of units. A density bonus of one market rate unit per affordable unit provided up to 15 percent additional density is provided. Low-cost affordable units count as two units in satisfying the inclusionary requirement. For-sale units must remain affordable for 50 years; rental units must remain affordable for the life of the project.

The code provides standards for affordable units addressing location, tenure, bedroom mix, size, exterior finishes/design, and construction phasing. The city may establish a monitoring fee. Alternative compliance methods include off-site unit construction and cash in-lieu payments. Additional affordability and density standards are provided for specific neighborhoods.

Outdoor Lighting

The city addresses outdoor lighting in the citywide regulations article of its zoning code (§21.34). The ordinance’s purposes are to regulate exterior lighting for safety, to encourage energy efficient lighting and implement comprehensive plan policies, to discourage excessive lighting and promote dark sky policies, and protect residents from ill effects of outdoor lighting.

The ordinance applies to new development proposals requiring Type II-VI review, redevelopment or expansion of existing developments, and common areas of residential developments. It offers general requirements to reduce or prohibit site lighting trespass, light pollution, glare, and unnecessary lighting. Specific standards are provided for uses within 50 feet of residential zones, open-air parking lots, canopies and service stations, outdoor performance and recreational areas, architectural accents, landscaping, and temporary lighting; a table summarizes mounting and illumination standards for several of these uses and security lighting.