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Residential use includes single-family and multifamily dwellings and uses and other structures that are typically appurtenant or incidental to a residence. Residential uses also include those limited commercial and institutional uses that occur within or are incidental to a residence, such as bed and breakfast inns, guest houses, home occupations, family daycare, foster homes, retirement apartments, retirement housing and boarding houses. Residential uses also include houseboats, live-aboard vessels, and floating homes.

(1) The following general regulations apply to residential uses in shorelines:

(a) Clustered development, with the open space area preserving and providing access to the water, is required for subdivisions or short subdivisions, except that alternative site designs may be considered by the department provided that the applicant demonstrates that the alternative site design will provide equivalent or better protection for shoreline ecological functions.

(b) Residential subdivisions, short subdivisions, or residential structures shall not be approved when structural flood protection or shoreline stabilization measures will be necessary to protect lots or subsequent development on the lots.

(c) All utility lines shall be located underground.

(d) Accessory structures that are not appurtenances must be proportional in size and purpose to the primary structure, and compatible with onsite and adjacent structures, uses and natural features.

(e) All residential subdivisions, short subdivisions, single-family detached units, duplexes, townhouses or condominiums creating more than four parcels or dwelling units, and multi-family developments of more than four lots or dwelling units, shall be required to provide public access under SCC 30.67.330.

(f) Beach or water access using new stairways and trams is allowed, provided the applicant demonstrates that:

(i) Existing shared, public or community facilities are not adequate or available for use;

(ii) The possibility of a multiple-owner or multiple-user facility has been thoroughly investigated and is not feasible; and

(iii) The stairway or tram is designed and located such that:

(A) Subsequent shoreline modification, including the installation of shoreline stabilization, solely for the purpose of protecting the structure, is not necessary;

(B) Removal or modification of existing shoreline vegetation is the minimum necessary to construct the structure, and will be replaced with appropriate native species within the next growing season; and

(C) No fill or other modification water-ward of the ordinary high water mark is necessary to construct or use the structure.

(g) Residential subdivisions and short subdivisions shall be limited to a maximum of 10 percent total effective impervious surface area within designated shorelands.

(2) In addition to the general regulations contained in subsection (1) of this section, the following shoreline environment designation-specific regulations for residential uses apply:

(a) The following residential uses and appurtenant structures are permitted in the Urban environment: single-family residential, mobile and manufactured homes, duplex, multifamily, townhouse, and mobile home parks.

(b) Urban Conservancy.

(i) The following residential uses are permitted: single-family residential, mobile and manufactured homes;

(ii) Duplex and mobile home parks are conditionally permitted; and

(iii) Multifamily and townhouses are prohibited.

(c) Rural Conservancy.

(i) The following residential uses are permitted: single-family residential, mobile and manufactured homes, and duplex;

(ii) Mobile home parks are conditionally permitted; and

(iii) Multifamily and townhouses are prohibited.

(d) Resource.

(i) The following residential uses are permitted: single-family residential, mobile and manufactured homes, and duplex;

(ii) Mobile home parks are conditionally permitted; and

(iii) Multifamily and townhouses are prohibited.

(e) All residential uses are prohibited in the Municipal Watershed Utility environment.

(f) Natural.

(i) The following residential uses are conditionally permitted: single-family residential, mobile and manufactured homes;

(ii) All other residential uses are prohibited; and

(iii) Alteration of the natural topographic features or flora of the site shall be restricted to that necessary for the placement of the residence and appurtenances. Additional grading or clearing, as for lawns, is prohibited.

(g) Aquatic.

(i) New over-water residences and floating homes are prohibited.

(ii) Normal maintenance or repair of floating homes permitted or legally established prior to January 1, 2011, is allowed.

(iii) Houseboats used as a residence and live-aboard vessels may be permitted within marinas or in waters of the state subject to a lease or permission from the state Department of Natural Resources. (Added by Amended Ord. 12-025, June 6, 2012, Eff date July 27, 2012; Amended by Amended Ord. 19-020, July 3, 2019, Eff date Oct. 14, 2019).