Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

(1) Applicability. These standards apply to all structures on R-1 and R-2 zoned lots, 4000 square feet or greater, with a minimum north-south dimension of 75 feet.

(2) Solar Setback Requirements. Buildings shall be setback from the northern property line according to the standards in this section. An applicant for a development permit for a building subject to this section shall submit verification on a form approved by the city manager that shows either the solar setback or how the structure qualifies for an exemption. If buildings on separate lots are attached or connected at a common lot line, the solar setback standards apply as if the buildings are a single building on a single lot composed of both lots. (See Figure 9.2795 Solar Setback Standards, Figure 9.2795(2) Shade Point Height (SPH) Measurement, Figure 9.2795(2)(a) R-1 Solar Setback Calculation, and Figure 9.2795(2)(b) R-2 Solar Setback Calculation.)

(a) Solar Setback for R-1 Zone. The solar setback of the shade point shall be greater than or equal to the following formula:

SSB = (2.5 X SPH) + (N divided by 2) – 82.5

Where:

SSB = Solar setback (the shortest horizontal distance between the shade point and the plane of the northern lot line).

SPH = Shade point height (Reduce this dimension by 3 feet if the shade point is a ridgeline between 45 degrees east or west of true north.)

N = North-south lot dimension. Maximum allowable “N” for purposes of calculating the solar setback shall be 90 feet.

The following table, which accurately applies the formula, can be used to determine compliance with the solar setback standard.

Table 9.2795(2)(a) Solar Setback From Northern Lot Line for R-1 [SSB]

(All figures are in feet.)*

Shade Point Height [SPH]

North-South Lot Dimension

90 feet [N]

85 feet [N]

80 feet [N]

75 feet [N]

18 feet

7.5

5

2.5

0

20 feet

12.5

10

7.5

5

22 feet

17.5

15

12.5

10

24 feet

22.5

20

17.5

15

26 feet

27.5

25

22.5

20

28 feet

32.5

30

27.5

25

30 feet

37.5

35

32.5

30

32 feet

42.5

40

37.5

35

34 feet

47.5

45

42.5

40

36 feet

52.5

50

47.5

45

38 feet

57.5

55

52.5

50

40 feet

62.5

60

57.5

55

*Solar setback is usually measured from an eave or from a ridge line of a roof. See Shade Point definition in EC 9.0500 and Figure 9.2795.

(b) Solar Setback for R-2 Zone. The solar setback of the shade point shall be greater than or equal to the following formula:

SSB = (2.5 X SPH) + (N divided by 2) – 95

Where:

SSB = Solar setback (the shortest horizontal distance between the shade point and the plane of the northern lot line).

SPH = Shade point height (Reduce this dimension by 3 feet if the shade point is a ridgeline between 45 degrees east or west of true north.)

N = North-south lot dimension. Maximum allowable “N” for purposes of calculating the solar setback shall be 90 feet.

The following table, which accurately applies the formula, can be used to determine compliance with the solar setback standard.

Table 9.2795(2)(b) Solar Setback From Northern Lot Line for R-2 [SSB]

(All figures are in feet.)*

Shade Point Height [SPH]

North-South Lot Dimension

90 feet [N]

85 feet [N]

80 feet [N]

75 feet [N]

22 feet

5

2.5

0

0

24 feet

10

7.5

5

2.5

26 feet

15

12.5

10

7.5

28 feet

20

17.5

15

12.5

30 feet

25

22.5

20

17.5

32 feet

30

27.5

25

22.5

34 feet

35

32.5

30

27.5

36 feet

40

37.5

35

32.5

38 feet

45

42.5

40

37.5

40 feet

50

47.5

45

42.5

42 feet

55

52.5

50

47.5

44 feet

60

57.5

55

52.5

46 feet

65

62.5

60

57.5

*Solar setback is usually measured from an eave or from a ridge line of a roof. See Shade Point definition in EC 9.0500 and Figure 9.2795.

(3) Exemptions to Solar Setback Requirements. A building is exempt from the solar setback standards when any of the following conditions exist:

(a) Slopes. The lot on which the building is located has an average slope of 20 percent or more in a direction greater than 45 degrees east or west of true north.

(b) Existing Shade. The building will shade an area that is already shaded by one or more of the following:

1. An existing or approved building or structure.

2. A topographic feature.

3. Coniferous trees or broadleaf evergreens that will remain after development of the site.

(c) Insignificant Benefit. The building will shade one or more of the following:

1. A non-developable area, such as designated open space, a public utility easement, street or alley.

2. The wall of an unheated space, such as a garage, excluding solar greenhouses and other similar solar structures.

3. The wall of a non-residential structure.

4. No more than 20% of a south wall of an existing habitable dwelling. See Figures 9.2795(2), 9.2795(2)(a) and 9.2795(2)(b).

(d) Neighbor Approval. The owner of the abutting property to the north, for which a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the city, grants an exemption to the solar setback requirement on a form supplied by the city and subject to a fee set by the city manager.

(e) PUD Exemption. The lot is identified as being exempt from solar setback provisions through an approved PUD application where one or more of the following exists:

1. The lot has been identified as being exempt from solar setback standards.

2. The proposed building locations and heights were approved.

(Section 9.2795, see chart at front of Chapter 9 for legislative history from 2/26/01 through 6/1/02; and amended by Ordinance No. 20353, enacted November 28, 2005, effective January 1, 2006.)