23.49.010

A. Reserved B. Common recreation area. Common recreation area is required for all new development with more than 20 dwelling units. Required common recreation area shall meet the following standards: 1. An area equivalent to five percent of the total gross floor area in residential use, excluding any bonus residential floor area achieved according to Section 23.58A.014 , shall be provided as common recreation area. The amount of required common recreation area shall not exceed the area of the lot. The common recreation area shall be available to all residents and may be provided at or above ground level. 2. A maximum of 50 percent of the common recreation area may be enclosed. 3. The minimum horizontal dimension for required common recreation areas shall be 15 feet, except for open space provided as landscaped setback area at street level, which shall have a minimum horizontal dimension of 10 feet. No required common recreation area shall be less than 225 square feet. 4. Common recreation area that is provided as open space at street level shall be counted as twice the actual area in determining the amount provided to meet the common recreation area requirement. 5. In mixed use projects, the Director may permit a bonused public open space to satisfy a portion of the common recreation area requirement, provided that the space meets the standards of this Section 23.49.010 , and the Director finds that its design, location, access, and hours of operation meet the needs of building residents. 6. Parking areas, driveways and pedestrian access, except for pedestrian access meeting the Washington State Rules and Regulations for Barrier Free Design, shall not be counted as common recreation area. 7. In PSM zones, the Director of Neighborhoods, on recommendation of the Pioneer Square Preservation Board, may waive the requirement for common recreation area, pursuant to the criteria of Section 23.66.155 . 8. In IDM and IDR zones, the Director of Neighborhoods, on recommendation of the International District Special Review District Board, may waive the requirement for common recreation area, pursuant to the criteria of Section 23.66.155 . 9. For lots abutting designated green streets, up to 50 percent of the common recreation area requirement may be met by contributing to the development of a green street. The Director may waive the requirement that the green street abut the lot and allow the improvement to be made to a green street located in the general vicinity of the project if such an improvement is determined to be beneficial to the residents of the project. C. Assisted living facilities 1. Assisted living facilities are subject to the development standards of the zone where they are located, except that common recreation area requirements do not apply to assisted living facilities. 2. Other requirements a. Minimum unit size. Assisted living units shall be designed to meet the minimum square footage required by WAC 388-110-140. b. Facility kitchen. An on-site kitchen that serves the entire assisted living facility is required. c. Communal area. Communal areas that are either interior or exterior spaces, such as solariums, decks and porches, recreation rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, foyers and lobbies, and gardens or other outdoor landscaped areas shall be provided as follows: 1) The total amount of communal area shall equal at least 20 percent of the total floor area in assisted living units. In calculating the total floor area in assisted living units, all of the area of each unit, excluding the bathroom, shall be counted, including counters, closets and built-ins; 2) Service areas, including, but not limited to, the facility kitchen, laundry, hallways and corridors, supply closets, operations and maintenance areas, staff areas and offices, and rooms used only for counseling or medical services, shall not be counted as required communal area; 3) A minimum of 400 square feet of the required communal area shall be provided as an outdoor area with a minimum dimension of 10 feet. Outdoor areas provided as required communal area shall be accessible to people with disabilities; and 4) Adequate seating for residents and guests shall be provided for required communal area. (Ord. 126855 , § 28, 2023; Ord. 124843 , § 38, 2015; Ord. 124172, § 36, 2013; Ord. 122054 § 12, 2006; Ord. 121196 § 16, 2003; Ord. 120443 , § 14, 2001; Ord. 119728 § 3, 1999; Ord. 119238 § 6, 1998; Ord. 117202 , § 8, 1994; Ord. 112303 § 3, 1985.)