Chapter 20.410 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES AND USES

This Chapter provides standards for accessory structures to ensure that they are consistent with the character of the zone where located.

(Ord. 1017, 2013)

• A. The standards in this Chapter shall apply to accessory structures in all zones, including structures that are exempt from land use permit requirements under Section 20.205.050 (Exemptions from Permit Requirements) (i.e., structures that do not exceed 120 square feet in total area; structures that do not contain more than 2,000 gallons of water; or structures that do not exceed three feet in height).

• B. The standards in this Chapter shall not apply to the following:

  1. Accessory structures used for animal-keeping purposes that comply with Section 20.400.040 (Animal Keeping);

  2. Detached accessory units used for living purposes that comply with Section 20.400.330 (Accessory Dwelling Units);

  3. Satellite/dish and amateur radio antennas that comply with Section 20.400.330 (Satellite Dish Antenna); and

4. Covered parking for multi-family development that complies with the requirements in Chapter 20.415 (Multi-Family Development) and Chapter 20.325 (Off-Street Parking and Loading Standards).

(Ord. 1017, 2013; Ord. 1071 § 8, 2017; Ord. 1097 § 3, 2020)

• A. Relationship to primary use. An accessory structure shall be:

  1. Incidental to the primary structure or use and shall not alter the character of the site or use;

  2. Designed and intended to serve occupants or patrons of the primary structure or use; and

  3. Constructed concurrently with, or after, the construction of the primary structure on the same site.

• B. Construction, design, and location criteria.

  1. The design and features of accessory structures (e.g., colors, materials, roof form, windows, etc.) shall complement or match the appearance of the primary structure.

  2. Accessory structures shall be constructed using conventional construction methods and materials for accessory structures, including pre-manufactured or pre-fabricated accessory structures. In the General Industrial Zones (IG Zones) only, detached accessory structures may be constructed of metal (e.g., flashing, sheet-metal, vent-stacks, mechanical equipment, etc.) provided that the metallic surfaces are painted or covered to match adjacent surfaces.

  3. Accessory structures shall not be structurally attached to a fence or wall located on a lot line.

  4. Accessory structures shall be located so no water runs off onto other property.

5. Accessory structures shall not obstruct access to any primary structures or accessory dwelling units.

(Ord. 1017, 2013; Ord. 1071 § 8, 2017)

This Section provides standards for structures and uses that are accessory to primary structures in nonresidential zones.

• A. Attached accessory structures. Attached accessory structures in nonresidential zones shall comply with the standards applicable to the primary structure in the zone where located [i.e., Table 2-6 (Development Standards for Commercial Zones), Table 2-8 (Development Standards for Industrial Zones), Table 2-10 (Development Standards for Special Purpose Zones), and Section 20.230.050 (Development Standards for Mixed-Use Overlay Zones)].

• B. Detached accessory structures.

  1. Location. Accessory structures shall be located only in rear and interior side yard areas.

  2. Height. Accessory structures shall not exceed a height of 16 feet, except that accessory structures in the Business Park Zone (BP Zone) and Industrial General Zone (IG Zone) shall not exceed two stories and 32 feet in height.

  3. Separation. One story accessory structures shall maintain a minimum separation of 10 feet from all other structures and two story accessory structures shall maintain a minimum separation of 15 feet.

  4. Setbacks.

     • a. Accessory structures shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any rear or side lot line.

     • b. If the lot abuts a residentially zoned lot, accessory structures shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet.

     • c. If the lot is in the Solid Waste Transfer Zone (SW Zone), accessory structures shall be set back a minimum of 25 feet.

     • d. Accessory structures may not be located in the front setback area.

• (Ord. 1017, 2013)

This Section provides standards for accessory structures located in residential zones.

• A. Attached accessory structures. Attached accessory structures shall comply with the standards in Table 2-3 (Development Standards for Residential Zones).

• B. Detached accessory structures.

  1. The use of an accessory structure as a dwelling unit, sleeping quarters, or a housekeeping unit is prohibited, except for an accessory dwelling unit approved in compliance with Section 20.400.330 (Accessory Dwelling Units).

  2. A cargo container is prohibited as a detached accessory structure in any residential zone.

  3. The enclosure of a patio shall require processing as a room addition in compliance with Section 20.305.060 (Residential Zone Room Additions and Design Guidelines) and shall meet the setback requirements applicable to a primary structure.

  4. Detached accessory structures shall not be located in a primary dwelling front yard area or in any street-side setback area. They may be located only in rear and interior side setback areas. See Figure 4-1 (Location Criteria for Detached Accessory Structures).

Notes:

• (1) The footprint of a covered accessory structure shall not exceed the footprint of the related primary structure.

• (Ord. 1017, 2013; Ord. 1071 § 8, 2017; Ord. 1097 § 3, 2020)

This Section provides standards for retail and service uses that are accessory to a primary use in the Business Park Zones (BP Zones) and the General Industrial Zones (IG Zones).

• A. In the General Industrial Zone (IG Zone) accessory retail sales areas and activities shall:

  1. Be contained within the primary structure that houses the primary use. Outdoor retail sales or display of merchandise is prohibited.

  2. Not exceed the gross floor area limitations indicated in Table 2-7 (Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Industrial Zones) (i.e., shall not exceed 15 percent of total gross floor area).

  3. Be limited to the sale of office supplies, snack foods (no preparation), gifts/cards, personal effects and sundries, etc., or goods manufactured, warehoused, or assembled on-site.

• B. In the Business Park Zone (BP Zone) accessory commercial and office space shall not exceed 35 percent of the gross floor area of the primary use and shall be subject to the following limitations:

  1. The accessory space shall serve employees of the primary use.

  2. No exterior signs shall advertise the accessory use.

  3. The primary use shall front a principal, primary or major arterial street, as identified in General Plan Exhibit 5-1 (Roadway Classifications) in the Infrastructure and Community Services Element of the General Plan.

• C. In the Business Park Zone (BP Zone) accessory retail uses shall be limited to 15 percent of the gross square footage of the development.

• (Ord. 1017, 2013)