Table of Contents

Solar Energy

The city's Unified Development Ordinance includes a section on solar energy and solar systems (§18.50.200). The purpose statement notes the ordinance implements the comprehensive plan's policy to encourage the use of alternative energy. Solar collectors are permitted in all districts subject to performance standards. Applications for subdivision or site plan approvals should address solar energy systems and incorporate passive systems as practical. Standards address installations on pitched roofs, flat roofs, sides of buildings, ground-mounted systems, parking lot light pole installations, and nonconformities. Solar electric power generation is a special use in residential, commercial, and downtown districts, but is permitted in industrial districts (§18.20.500).

Transit-Oriented Development

The city’s unified development code includes a floating transit-oriented development (TOD) district for bus rapid transit (BRT) or commuter rail station areas (§18.20.230). The vision for the district is a pedestrian-oriented “complete neighborhood” with a range of housing types, shopping and support services, parks, libraries, and schools. To be eligible for rezoning, parcels must be located within a designated TOD area or transit corridor in the city’s comprehensive plan and be within one-half mile of a transit station or major bus boarding location. Standards address permitted uses, densities and intensities, lot & site design, building design, parking, parks and open space, landscaping and screening, and streets.

Zoning Reform and Code Writing

The city adopted a new unified development code in 2014 (Title 18). It includes a mix of use-based and form-based zoning standards. It includes composite building and site design standards for each zoning district. And it defines and regulates uses with cross references to Land Based Classification Standards and North American Industrial Classification System codes, and includes use-specific standards to minimize reliance on discretionary use permits. It is richly illustrated and uses tables to organize use permissions and dimensional standards.

Its purpose statements address implementing the local comprehensive plan; providing standards and procedures for new development and redevelopment; conforming to all applicable state and federal requirements; providing context-appropriate standards; establishing procedures for appropriate and streamlined land-use decisions; providing regulations in plain language that is easy to read and understand by everyone who interacts with the development approval process; providing clear standards capable of streamlined administration; creating incentives for plan-consistent development; protecting neighborhoods from incompatible development; providing standards that work in the market; accommodating housing that is affordable for all households; encouraging mixed use centers; accommodating redevelopment of built-up areas; requiring and encouraging open and civic spaces; and encouraging energy-efficient, sustainable development practices (§18.10.020).