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Council reduces required minimum separation between buildings from 6 to 5 feet to align with fire code

5842850 · September 19, 2025

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Summary

The committee approved an amendment reducing the minimum separation between multiple buildings on a single lot from 6 feet to 5 feet to align with fire‑safety requirements and help produce more housing on constrained lots.

The Select Committee adopted an amendment (98) that reduces the required minimum horizontal separation between buildings on the same lot from 6 feet to 5 feet. Council member Rink sponsored the change and said the adjustment aligns the city standard with the fire code and helps constrained lots build more housing.

Central staff explained the amendment’s purpose and noted that the move is a modest technical change. Rink said aligning minimum separations with the fire code “will help us provide housing that meets the needs of lots constrained by shape and size.”

Vote: the amendment passed with 6 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstention. The committee incorporated the change in the amendment packet.

Implementation note: staff said the change is intended to reduce needless constraints without lowering fire‑safety requirements; projects still must meet the city’s fire‑safety review and code compliance.

Speakers quoted appeared at the Sept. 18 Select Committee meeting.