21.12.120 OV Residential Usable Open Space.
A. General Requirement. The minimum residential usable open space requirement establishes the minimum percentage of a development that must be set aside to provide usable open space for residents. Every development that includes residences shall provide usable open space in an amount equal to or greater than 6.25 percent of the gross residential floor area.
B. Alternatives for configuration of the total amount of usable open space.
1. Common open space is open space that is open to all residents. It includes landscaped courtyards or decks, gardens with pathways, children’s play areas, and other multipurpose recreational or green spaces. Except for rooftop open space, it may be used to meet 100 percent of the usable open space requirement.
2. Common open space shall be large enough to provide functional leisure or recreational activity as determined by the Technical Committee. The average minimum dimension shall be 20 feet, with no dimension less than 12 feet.
3. Private open space is open space that is not open to all residents. It includes balconies, patios, and other multi-purpose recreational or green spaces. It may be used to meet up to 50 percent of the usable open space requirement. Private open spaces shall be at least 50 square feet, with no dimension less than five feet.
4. Rooftop open space may be used to meet up to 50 percent of the usable open space requirement, except for rooftop open space described in subsection (5) below.
5. In some circumstances, a rooftop may be accessible from street grade because of significant slopes on a site. In such instances, rooftop open space built at street grade and open to the general public may be used to meet 100 percent of the usable open space requirement.
C. Combining Usable Open Space and Pedestrian Access. Parking areas, driveways, and pedestrian access other than pedestrian access required by Washington State Rules and Regulations for Barrier-Free Design shall not be counted as usable open space, except any pedestrian path or walkway traversing through the open space if the total width of the common usable open space is 18 feet or wider.