23.42.048

A. Dwelling units. In all zones a dwelling unit exists if the area meets the requirements of subsection 23.42.048.A.1 or 23.42.048.A.2 and if the area is not a congregate residence or nursing home, and is not located in a hotel, motel, or public facility such as a fire station. 1. A separate or separable area within a building, including: a. A complete food preparation area. A room or portion of a room designed, arranged, intended, or used for cooking or otherwise making food ready for consumption that contains a sink, and a stove or range, a refrigerator, and a countertop, shall be considered a complete food preparation area; and b. A bathroom containing a toilet, and a shower or bathtub; and c. One or more sleeping rooms. 2. A sleeping room with an associated private bathroom including a toilet, and a shower or bathtub, within a separate or separable area of a building that contains more than four sleeping rooms, if: a. Fifty percent or more of the sleeping rooms in the separate or separable area have an associated private bathroom including a toilet, and a shower or bathtub; or b. Less than 30 percent of the floor area of the separate or separable area is in shared space such as a living or dining room. 3. For the purposes of this subsection 23.42.048.A, a separate or separable area is an area having direct access to the exterior of the building or access to the exterior via hallways and stairways that are primarily ingress/egress routes to the exterior rather than leading to common kitchens and living areas. B. Small efficiency dwelling units. In all zones, small efficiency dwelling units are subject to the following standards. Small efficiency dwelling units are also subject to additional standards specified in the Seattle Building Code and any Director's Rule making interpretation thereof. 1. Living room net floor area. Each small efficiency dwelling unit shall have a living room that has at least 150 net square feet of floor area as specified in the rules promulgated by the Director. The floor area occupied by storage, bathrooms, cabinets, closets, appliances, and structural features is not included in calculating the net floor area. 2. Total floor area. The total floor area of a small efficiency dwelling unit, inclusive of bathrooms, cabinets, closets, appliances, and structural features, shall be at least 220 square feet. 3. Food preparation area. Each small efficiency dwelling unit shall contain a food preparation area with a cooking appliance that may be portable, such as a microwave, a refrigerator, a sink, and not less than 4 square feet of contiguous countertop work area. 4. Bathroom. Each small efficiency dwelling unit shall contain a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and a shower or bathtub. (Ord. 126157 , § 11, 2020; Ord. 125603 , § 10, 2018; Ord. 124608 , § 3, 2014.)