Washington repeals residential lot‑coverage rules, citing enforcement inconsistency

The Washington City Council voted to repeal several city code sections that set maximum lot‑coverage limits in residential zoning, a move staff said will reduce arbitrary enforcement and allow homeowners to install ordinary accessory structures without seeking variances.

Planning staff told the council that lot coverage — the share of a lot that may be covered by structures — is often inconsistent with how properties were built historically and is not enforced uniformly across the city. The staff presentation said roughly 12–24% of lots in several residential zoning districts exceed the current limits and that the rule applies to structures only, not impervious surfaces such as pavement.

"Lot coverage standards are a poor land use tool that attempts to preserve property values by mandating large yards, but gatekeeps even higher property values by preventing improvements such as pools or covered decks from being installed," the planner said, noting that the change would make about 900 existing homes compliant with zoning. The planner used a local example (2794 Earthrest) where an 11,200‑square‑foot lot with a 4,200‑square‑foot house already exceeded the R1A 25% coverage cap and was told it could not add a covered deck because covered decks count as structures.

Councilmembers asked staff how the noncompliance map was produced, and staff said they used building‑footprint data and GIS to calculate coverage percentages. Council also asked whether variances had been common; staff said they did not recall many recent variance requests for lot coverage. Members pressed about stormwater consequences; staff replied that stormwater concerns are real but that commercial and industrial areas are the primary drivers of stormwater quality issues, and accessory‑structure limits in the code (for example, a cap on combined accessory square footage and a two‑structure maximum per lot) would remain in place.

After public‑hearing procedures, the council moved to repeal the cited code sections and, on a second reading, passed the ordinance repealing sections 400.060 F.8; 400.065 F.7; 400.070 F.7; 400.075 F.8; and 400.085.8 of the Washington city code. The ordinance, introduced on second reading by Hope Meyer, passed by roll call vote.

The change removes lot‑coverage percent limits from the residential districts identified by staff; other zoning standards (setbacks, accessory‑structure rules, and HOA private covenants) remain in effect. City staff said they will apply the updated code in future building‑permit reviews and maintain other development standards aimed at light, air and neighborhood character.