Combined lot development in SM-U zones
Seattle Mun. Code § 23.48.627
in effectA. Lots located on the same block in any SM-U zone may be combined, whether contiguous or not, solely for the purpose of allowing some or all of the capacity for chargeable floor area on one or more such lots under this Chapter 23.48 to be used on one or more other lots, according to the provisions of this Section 23.48.627 . B. The applicable FAR for all lots in a combined lot development where all lots are located in the same zone shall be based on the height limit that applies to the tallest structure proposed in the combined lot development. C. If the lots of a combined lot development are located in different zones, the FAR for any lot shall be the applicable FAR of the zone in which it is located, based on the height of the structure proposed on the lot. D. In the SM-U 75-240 and SM-U 95-320 zones, any structure exceeding the height limit for midrise structures in a combined lot development must be located on an individual lot that meets the minimum size requirements of subsection 23.48.615.A.2. E. In a combined lot development that includes a lot in the SM-U/R zone, the amount of floor area in non-residential uses on any individual lot in the SM-U/R zone cannot exceed the FAR limit for non-residential uses on Table B for 23.48.620 as applied to that lot individually. F. Within the combined lot, the permitted chargeable floor area from one lot, referred to in this Section 23.48.627 as the "reduced lot," may be allowed on one or more other lots on the same block, referred to in this Section 23.48.627 as the "increased lot(s)," up to the maximum FAR limit. G. Gross floor area allowed on the increased lot shall be allowed in the following order: 1. The first amount of gross floor area allowed on the increased lot shall be the chargeable floor area allowed up to the base FAR calculated on the increased lot, minus any existing chargeable floor area on the lot, and shall not be considered extra floor area. 2. The second amount of gross floor area allowed on the increased lot shall be all gross floor area allowed above the base FAR up to the maximum FAR calculated on the increased lot and shall be considered extra floor area. 3. The third amount of gross floor area allowed on the increased lot shall be all gross floor area allowed above the base FAR up to the maximum FAR calculated on the reduced lot and shall be considered extra floor area. 4. The last amount of gross floor area allowed on the increased lot shall be all gross floor area allowed below the base FAR calculated on the reduced lot, minus any existing chargeable floor area on the lot, and shall not be considered extra floor area. H. The fee owners of each lot within the combined lot shall execute an agreement or instrument, which shall include the legal descriptions of each lot and shall be recorded in the King County Recorder's Office. In the agreement or instrument, the owners shall acknowledge the extent to which development capacity on the reduced lot shall be reduced by the use of chargeable floor area on the increased lot. The agreement or instrument shall also provide that such standards and conditions in this Section 23.48.627 shall covenant and run with the land and shall be specifically enforceable by the parties and by The City of Seattle. I. Development on any lot in a combined lot development shall not exceed or deviate from height limits or other development standards, except as specified in this Section 23.48.627 . (Ord. 125267 , § 26, 2017.)
Source: Seattle Municipal Code (Municode library)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_codeFetched: 7/25/2026