Guides | Kai Bjarke

Low Density Residential Zone

Residential low density zone (R-L). The R-L zone is intended to protect and enhance the character of existing low density residential neighborhoods while allowing for compatible infill development. These purposes are accomplished by:

1. Allowing detached single-family dwellings as the predominant use, with options to integrate accessory dwelling units, duplexes, townhomes and cottage housing. 2. Providing standards and guidelines that reinforce Ellensburg's established pattern of attractive and walkable residential neighborhoods. 3. Providing standards and guidelines that promote the integration of usable open space for residential uses. 4. Providing standards and guidelines that encourage parks, trails, open spaces, and natural features to be integrated with the design of new development. 5. Providing a minimum density standard to avoid large scale low density sprawl. 6. Providing a flexible system of bonus incentives (see ECC 15.330.020) that allows for an increase in density in exchange for: a. Energy efficient building and site design; b. Mix of housing types; c. Off-street trails; d. Preservation of historic buildings; and/or e. Affordable housing. 7. Use of this zone is appropriate for areas designated residential neighborhood or blended residential neighborhood in the comprehensive plan.

Allowed Uses

RESIDENTIAL, GENERAL:
Dwelling, single-family
Dwelling, cottage
Dwelling, duplex ¹
Dwelling, townhouse ¹
Dwelling, multifamily ^2, ³
Dwelling, live-work ⁴
Manufactured home park ⁵

GROUP RESIDENCES:
Boarding houses, lodging houses ⁵
Adult family home
Transitional housing ³
Permanent supportive housing ³
Indoor emergency shelter ⁵
Indoor emergency housing ⁵

RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY USES:
Accessory dwelling unit
Home occupations

TEMPORARY LODGING:
Bed and breakfast

RETAIL:
Automobile, EV charging station ⁶
Fruit stands
Restaurants
Coffee house, espresso bar ⁷
Retail, small scale (less than 2,000 SF floor area) ⁷
Regional retail commercial projects ⁸

PERSONAL AND GENERAL SERVICE:
Day care I facilities
Day care II facilities ⁵
Hospitals ⁵
Nursing homes ⁵
Personal service establishments ⁷
Places of assembly ⁵

BUSINESS SERVICE:
Radio station (commercial) ⁵
Offices, business or professional, small scale (less than 2,000 SF floor area) ⁷
Offices, business or professional, medium scale (between 2,000 and 20,000 SF floor area) ⁷

PARK, OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL:
Cemetaries, columbarium or mausoleums
Recreation, small-scale indoor studios (commercial)
Parks and playgrounds (public or private) ⁹

CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT:
Art, performing arts, and recording studios ⁵
Museums ^5, ¹⁰

EDUCATIONAL:
Schools ⁵

GOVERNMENTAL:
Public agency or utility yard ¹¹
Utility facility

RESOURCE:
Gardening or fruit raising (accessory use or noncommercial)
Small wind energy systems

Note 1: Duplexes and townhomes are permitted in the R-L and R-S zones on infill lots (preexisting legal lots of record as of December 31, 2021) notwithstanding the maximum density limits in table 15.320.030. For lots recorded after this date, duplexes and townhomes are permitted in the R-L and R-S zones but must meet the density requirements of ECC 15.320.030.

Note 2: Subject use may be permitted subject to density bonus incentives set forth in table 15.320.030 and chapter 15.330 ECC.

Note 3: Multifamily dwelling units shall not be located adjacent to existing single-family dwellings, except where such uses were approved on an individual plat.

Note 4: Nonresidential uses may be permitted within live-work dwellings subject to the permitted uses in the underlying zoning district.

Note 5: Subject to Conditional Use review procedures.

Note 6: Vehicle battery charging stations are permissible for the primary use of residents and their guests in all residential zones. Battery charging station clusters are permitted for multifamily uses located in the R-M and R-H zones.

Note 7: Subject nonresidential uses may be permitted in the R-S and R-L zones if the planned uses are at least 1,200 feet from an existing C-N zone or commercial use.

Note 8: Regional retail is administered as an overlay zone pursuant to chapters 15.390 and 15.390A ECC, and only permitted within the designated boundaries identified in figure 15.390.040(A), the south interchange area, and figure 15.390.040(B), the west interchange area. Permitted uses and use restrictions within a regional retail commercial project are described in ECC 15.390.030. Design criteria for regional retail is governed by chapter 15.390A ECC.

Note 9: Lighting for structures and fields shall be directed away from residential areas through the use of exterior full cut-off shields or through optics within the fixture.

Note 10: Museums within the R-S, R-L, R-M and R-H zoning districts are permissible within existing buildings, or if for new construction only if the building is 2,000 square feet or less, and for both options through approval of a conditional use permit.

Note 11: Utility yards shall only be allowed on sites with utility district offices. Public agency yards are limited to material storage, vehicle maintenance, and equipment storage for road maintenance, facility maintenance, and parks facilities.

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