1. In the R1 and R2 zoning districts, cottage housing development shall be allowed a density not to exceed three (3) times the base density allowed in the underlying zone.

2. In R3 and R4 zoning districts, cottage housing developments shall be allowed a density not to exceed two (2) times the base density allowed in the underlying zone.

3. On a site to be used for a cottage housing development, existing detached single-family residential structures, which may be nonconforming with respect to the standards of this section, may be permitted to remain at the discretion of the Community Development Director, but the extent of the nonconformity shall not be increased. The number of any such nonconforming dwelling unit(s) shall be multiplied by the factors noted in subsections (A)(1) or (A)(2) of this section, and included in calculating the density of the cottage housing development.

4. An applicant for a cottage housing development shall be required to show, through a conceptual site plan, the number of traditional units that could be constructed on the site under conventional development standards and addressing any environmental constraints affecting the property. This number of units shall be used to calculate the maximum number of cottage units that may be constructed on the property.

1. The minimum area for a cottage housing project is three-fourths (0.75) acre, which may include more than one contiguous lot.

2. Cottage housing development shall be separated from another cottage housing development by a minimum of four hundred (400) feet measured between the closest points of the subject properties.

1. Cottage housing development shall be clustered and shall consist of a minimum of four (4) dwelling units and a maximum of twelve (12) dwelling units.

2. At least seventy-five (75) percent of dwelling units shall abut the common open space.

3. Common open spaces shall have dwelling units abutting at least two (2) sides.

4. Creation of individual lots shall only be permitted through the residential binding site plan process provided in LMC Title 17 Subdivisions, Chapter 17.34 LMC and Chapter 64.34 RCW.

5. Siting of dwelling units or common open space in areas with slopes exceeding fifteen (15) percent is discouraged. Dwelling units shall not be placed in such areas if extensive use of retaining walls is necessary to create building pads or open space areas.

6. Fencing and Screening. The intent of internal decorative fencing and screening is to delineate private yards, screen parking areas and structures, community assets, refuse and recycling areas, and unit walls. A cottage housing development is intended to be an internally open community sharing common areas. The intent of external fencing and screening is to conceal the higher density development from adjacent lower density land uses. Chain link and solid fences shall not be allowed internally. Solid fencing is allowed on the perimeter boundary, except where bordering an external street where streetscape landscaping is required.

1. Dwelling units shall have at least a twenty (20) foot front setback, eight (8) foot side yard setback and a ten (10) foot rear setback.

2. Dwelling units shall be separated from one another by a minimum of ten (10) feet, not including projections.

3. Dwelling units shall maintain a ten (10) foot separation between buildings.

4. Dwelling units not abutting or oriented toward a right-of-way shall have a front yard oriented towards the common open space.

5. The approval authority may use appropriate discretion, consistent with the intent of this chapter, in determining orientation of yards.