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Council approves ordinance expanding ‘lot coverage’ to include impervious surfaces, raises maximum to 80%
Summary
Olivia City Council adopted Ordinance 2026-07 to redefine lot coverage to include paved and other impervious surfaces and to raise maximum lot coverage in the B1 district from 40% to 80%; city engineers raised no objection and no members of the public commented at the hearing.
Olivia’s City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2026-07, amending Chapter 152 of the municipal code to change how lot coverage is calculated in the B1 zoning district and to increase the maximum lot-coverage allowance.
Staff told the council that the ordinance ‘‘further expand[s] upon the definition of lot coverage to include that it's paved or otherwise impervious surfaces as opposed to just the percentage of the lot occupied by a building or structure’’ and that it raises the maximum lot coverage to 80% from 40%. Staff said city engineers ‘‘confirmed … there are no concerns in increasing the lot coverage from 40 to 80% nor is there a concern with the definition update.’’
The measure was presented through a standard public-hearing process: the council recessed the regular meeting, opened the hearing, took staff comment, invited public comment and then closed the hearing. No members of the public spoke during the hearing. After discussion, a councilmember made a motion to approve Ordinance 2026-07; the motion was seconded and the council voted to adopt the ordinance.
The change will allow developers more flexibility when developing B1 lots by counting paved and other impervious surfaces toward the lot-coverage cap and by allowing larger maximum coverage. Staff framed the change as part of a broader effort to align local codes ‘‘with other cities’’ and to ease restrictions that staff said can inhibit development.
Council documents and staff comment indicate the city has reviewed the engineering implications and did not identify immediate drainage or infrastructure issues; the ordinance text itself is the controlling authority for the new numeric standards. The council’s action takes effect according to the effective date in the ordinance. The council did not receive public opposition at the hearing and no follow-up motions were made at the meeting.
Next steps: staff and planning staff will implement the amended code sections in permit review and zoning guidance and make the updated language available with the municipal code.
