30.23A.080 On-site recreation space | Snohomish County Code

30.23A.080 On-site recreation space.

(1) On-site recreation space shall be required for residential development that is subject to the provisions of this chapter and containing seven or more dwellings, except this section shall not apply to projects submitted under chapter 30.42B SCC.

(2) On-site recreation space shall be provided in accordance with SCC Table 30.23A.080(2):

Table 30.23A.080(2) On-site recreation space requirements
Number of Dwelling Units	Amount of on-site recreation open space required per each dwelling
Units 7 to 40	200 sq ft
Units 41 to 100	150 sq ft
Units Over 100	100 sq ft

(3) The requirements in SCC Table 30.23A.080(2) may be reduced by up to 50 percent for residential development that is located within one-quarter mile walking distance of a public park or public school containing a playground or outdoor recreational facilities. The director shall determine the amount of reduction based on the following:

(a) The availability of safe pedestrian facilities connecting the development to the park/school;

(b) The ability of the park/school facilities to accommodate additional usage by residents of the development; and

(4) On-site recreation open space shall be designed as follows:

(a) On-site recreation open space shall be located in a separate tract for subdivisions and short subdivisions from the residential dwellings and shall have an undivided ownership interest by owners of the development;

(b) At least 40 percent of the total required on-site recreation open space shall be consolidated in one location within the development;

(c) At least 75 percent of the total required on-site recreation open space shall be located outside of critical areas other than buffers identified in chapter 30.62A SCC;

(d) No on-site recreation open space tract shall contain less than 700 square feet in area;

(e) On-site recreation open space shall be developed for active and passive uses. At least 50 percent of the on-site recreation open space shall be designed and improved for one or more active uses. When an area of on-site recreation open space is designed and improved for active uses other than improved pedestrian or bicycle paths with hard surfaces, the average width of the area shall be at least equal to half of the average length of the area. Active uses include, but are not limited to:

(i) Playgrounds developed with children’s play equipment;

(ii) Improved pedestrian or bicycle paths with hard surfaces;

(iii) Sports fields (such as soccer or softball fields), with associated improvements;

(iv) Indoor or outdoor sports courts (such as volleyball, basketball or tennis courts), swimming pools, and similar facilities;

(v) Picnic areas with permanent tables, benches or gazebos;

(vi) Community clubhouse and meeting facilities;

(vii) Community gardens for use by the residents;

(viii) Plazas with lighting, artwork, and sitting space for pedestrians at four or more spaces for every required 100 square feet of area; and

(ix) Other similar uses approved by the director;

(f) Passive uses include critical areas that cannot be developed, nature interpretive areas, bird watching facilities, unimproved trails, and similar uses approved by the director;

(g) The following drainage facilities may be counted as on-site passive recreation space:

(i) Unfenced detention, retention and wet ponds;

(ii) Stormwater treatment wetlands;

(iii) Stormwater infiltration trenches and bioswales that serve more than one dwelling; and

(iv) Vegetated areas located above underground detention facilities; and

(h) Access for pedestrians shall be provided from all dwellings within the development to the on-site recreation space through trails, sidewalks, pathways and other similar means of access pursuant to SCC 30.24.080; and

(i) On-site recreation space shall not include privately owned yards. (Added by Amended Ord. 08-101, Jan. 21, 2009, Eff date Apr. 21, 2009; Amended by Amended Ord. 10-026, June 9, 2010, Eff date Sept. 30, 2010; Amended by Amended Ord. 10-072, Sept. 8, 2010, Eff date Oct. 3, 2010; Amended by Amended Ord. 12-049, Oct. 3, 2012, Eff date Jan. 1, 2013; Amended by Amended Ord. 13-042, July 10, 2013, Eff date July 22, 2013).