Table of Contents

Affordable Housing Programs

The city’s codified ordinances outline a comprehensive affordable housing program. §5.156 describes tenant protections, including a prohibition on rent gouging, an annual rent adjustment rate, and eviction protections. §17.716 discusses how the city aims to balance residential condominium conversion and new construction with affordable housing goals. §17.712 contains the city’s mixed income housing policies, which require residential projects exceeding 100 gross acres in size to submit a mixed income housing strategy for approval by city council. §17.608.020 states that affordable and senior housing units have a reduced parking requirement and §17.704 describes the density bonuses available to affordable housing developers.

Historic Preservation

The city’s codified ordinances regulate historic preservation by establishing a register of historic and cultural resources, outlining the historic project review process, and detailing preservation incentives (§17.604). Incentives include an open space waiver, adaptive reuse density, and benefits for commercial and office use. The regulation also sets maintenance requirements.

Solar Energy

The city's zoning ordinance allows for height variances in solar energy systems for up to twenty percent of the height of the building. In addition, solar energy systems may project up to four feet into required yard space (§17.600.145.A). Commercial solar energy systems on city property are permitted by right and exempt from regulations in all zones; if not on city property they are allowed as conditional uses subject to standards in certain zones including manufacturing/industrial park zone, ag-open space zone, ag zone, transportation corridor zone, and the heavy commercial zone (§17.220.510, §17.200.210, §17.200.100, §17.216.910). If commercial solar energy systems are discontinued for more than one year, the conditional use permit expires and all equipment must be removed from the site (§17.228.123). The code defines commercial solar energy systems both on and not on city property (§17.108.200) and includes solar panels within the definition of accessory structures (§17.108.020).

Transit-Oriented Development

The city’s planning and development code includes a mapped transit-oriented development (TOD) overlay district for light rail station areas (§17.340). The vision for the district is a higher intensity of pedestrian-friendly uses than surrounding areas. District standards address use permissions and development standards.

Food Systems | Urban Agriculture

The city's zoning code addresses urban agriculture. It In residential districts, community and market gardens of less than 1 acre are permitted subject to standards; community and market gardens larger than 1 acre require conditional use approval; and aquaculture, private gardens, and beekeeping are permitted accessory uses subject to standards (§17.204.110.A et seq.). In office and commercial districts, community and market gardens of less than 3 acres and aquaculture are permitted subject to standards; community and market gardens larger than 3 acres require conditional use approval; and aquaculture, private gardens, and beekeeping are permitted accessory uses subject to standards (§17.204.110.A et seq.). Aquaculture and community and market gardens of all sizes are permitted by right subject to standards in industrial districts (§17.220.110.A).

The code provides special use standards for urban agriculture in residential and nonresidential zones (§17.228.810). Standards address maintenance, equipment, structures, aquaculture operations, urban agriculture stands, and best stormwater practices. Additional standards for garbage, compost, and fencing apply to market gardens and private community gardens (§17.228.820).

The code defines a number of urban agriculture-related terms (§17.108), including aquaculture, community garden (private and public), hydroponics, market garden, private garden, produce, rooftop farming, urban agriculture, urban agriculture stand, and urban beekeeping.

Finally, the code establishes an Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone within the city in accordance with state statute (§17.722).

City websites discuss urban agriculture regulations and urban agriculture incentives.