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Prior legislation: Ord. No. 515. Formerly Chapter 18.24 BLMC.
A. 
Fences shall not exceed six feet in height, within a required rear or side yard setback.
B. 
Fences, walls, and hedges shall not exceed four feet in height within 10 feet of sidewalk or within 15 feet of the paved edge of a street or along a property line abutting a street, whichever distance is greater; except as provided below:
1. 
Fences, walls, and hedges that are no more than 60% sight obscuring, such as chain link, wrought iron or similar material, may be six feet in height;
2. 
Fences, walls, and hedges may be six feet in height if there is not vehicular access from the street along the lot line and the fence or hedge complies with subsection F of this section;
3. 
Fences, walls, and hedges may be six feet in height along the front lot line; provided, that the adjacent street is classified as a principal or minor arterial and the fence or hedge complies with subsection F of this section.
C. 
The following are prohibited:
1. 
Fences made of barbed wire, razor wire, concertina wire or similar material;
2. 
Electric fences; and
3. 
Fencing made of plywood less than five-eighths inch thick, particle board, paper, visqueen plastic, plastic tarp, cloth, or similar material.
D. 
Fences, walls, and hedges shall not be constructed or grown:
1. 
Within three feet of a fire hydrant;
2. 
In a manner which interferes with access to storm or sanitary sewer manholes and other appurtenances which require access for maintenance purposes.
E. 
Hedges shall be maintained in a manner so that the hedge does not overhang onto an adjoining property or a street.
F. 
Fences, walls, and hedges that are more than 60% sight obscuring shall not exceed 42 inches in height within a "clear view triangle."
G. 
The height of a fence, wall, or a hedge shall be measured as the vertical distance between the top hedge or the top fence material excluding the fence posts to the lowest grade within three feet of the fence or hedge.
H. 
A fence, wall, or hedge shall not be placed on a berm or fill unless the total height of the fence to include the berm or the fill does not exceed the maximum allowed height.
I. 
The director may allow fences or walls that do not conform to the regulations of this section if the director finds that such fences or walls are needed to protect the public health and safety in the following situations:
1. 
Outdoor recreation establishments or park and recreation facilities;
2. 
Public facilities and stormwater management infrastructure;
3. 
Minor and major utility facilities;
4. 
Permitted agricultural activities;
5. 
Wireless communication facilities; or
6. 
To prohibit illegal dumping.
J. 
Nothing in this section permits the construction or placement of a fence, wall, or hedge within the right-of-way, as authorized under Chapter 12.08 or 12.32 BLMC, nor permit construction of a fence or wall without a permit when required by Chapter 15.04 BLMC.
(Ord. 740 § 8, 1997; Ord. 1230 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1627 § 4, 2019; Ord. 1745, 12/9/2025)
The following requirements apply to all bed and breakfast houses hereafter established as a permitted or accessory use in a residential zone:
A. 
The bed and breakfast house shall be conducted in such a manner as to give no outward appearance nor manifest any characteristics of a business, in the ordinary meaning of the term, that would infringe upon the right of the neighboring residents to enjoy a peaceful occupancy of their homes. The guest establishment shall be operated within the principal structure and not in any accessory structure.
B. 
The owner shall be the operator of the facility and shall reside on the premises.
C. 
There shall be no more than five guest rooms for persons other than the members of the immediate family of the operator.
(Ord. 740 § 8, 1997)
The following requirements apply to all churches, hospitals, schools and public or private meeting halls and lodge buildings hereafter established as a permitted use in a residential zone:
A. 
All buildings and structures on the site shall have a floor area ratio of no more than 35 percent of the area of the site.
B. 
Buildings and structures (except fences) are not closer than 30 feet to a common property line with a lot in a residential district.
C. 
Off-street parking on side yards is permissible; provided, that a view obstructing fence or hedge at least five feet high is placed between the parking area and any residential lot.
(Ord. 740 § 8, 1997)
The following requirements apply to all public utility uses hereafter established as a permitted or accessory use in a residential zone:
A. 
The facilities relate directly to the distribution of services and do not include offices, warehouses, storage or service yards or similar use.
B. 
The site shall be landscaped consistent with the surrounding residential area.
C. 
Fences or hedges placed on property lines or so close thereto so as to require entry onto adjoining property for maintenance shall require written approval by the affected property owner, said approval to be filed with the city engineer.
(Ord. 740 § 8, 1997)
Repealed by Ord. 1686.
(Ord. 740 § 8, 1997; Ord. 1381 § 8, 2011; Ord. 1384 § 3, 2011)
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Code reviser's note: Section 31 of Ord. 1686 reads: "Repealer. The previously codified provisions of Section 14.95.030 of the Bonney Lake Municipal Code entitled "Raising and grazing of livestock and poultry" and the corresponding portion of Ordinance 1025 § 12 are each hereby repealed." Per the city, BLMC § 18.22.060 and its amending ordinances were those intended to be repealed.
A. 
Boathouses shall be subject to the Shoreline Code codified as BLMC Title 16, Division III.
B. 
The height of a boathouse shall not exceed 10 feet.
(Ord. 740 § 8, 1997; Ord. 1641 § 15, 2020)
Every required front, rear and side yard shall be open and unobstructed from the ground to the sky unless otherwise provided:
A. 
Overhangs for roofs are permitted up to a maximum of 18 inches.
B. 
Open, unenclosed, unroofed decks may extend into setbacks; provided, that said decks are constructed at grade elevations, or in no event shall exceed 18 inches above grade, and not closer than three feet from a property line.
C. 
Fences and walls as specified in BLMC § 18.22.020 may project into front, rear and side yards.
D. 
Wheelchair ramps may project into any required yard to the extent necessary to perform their proper function.
E. 
Detached single-story accessory structures, except for accessory dwelling units, may occupy 25 percent of the total area of a side yard and rear yard; provided, that the structure shall maintain a minimum three-foot setback. The side yard does not include any portion of the lot within 20 feet of the front property line for purposes of this calculation.
F. 
Low impact storm water management features may encroach into a yard, including, but not limited to:
1. 
Rain barrels or cisterns, six feet or less in height;
2. 
Planter boxes;
3. 
Bioretention areas; and
4. 
Similar low impact storm water management features, as determined by the director.
G. 
Mechanical equipment associated with residential uses, such as HVAC units, swimming pool pumps or filters, and security lighting, may encroach into a side interior or rear yard.
H. 
Minor structures accessory to utilities (such as hydrants, manholes, and transformers and other cabinet structures and related fences) may encroach into a setback.
I. 
Any encroachment into a setback as authorized by BLMC § 15.04.098.
(Ord. 740 § 8, 1997; Ord. 1641 § 16, 2020; Ord. 1745, 12/9/2025)
A. 
The regulations contained in these sections have been adopted to:
1. 
Provide homeowners with a means of providing companionship and security.
2. 
Add affordable units to the existing house supply.
3. 
Make housing units within the city available to households with a variety of incomes.
4. 
Provide an increased choice of housing that responds to changing needs, lifestyles (e.g., young families, retired), and modern development technology.
5. 
Protect neighborhood stability, property values, and the single-family residential appearance by ensuring the ADUs are installed in a compatible manner under the conditions of this section.
6. 
Increase density in order to better utilize existing infrastructure and community resources, support public transit, neighborhood retail and commercial services.
B. 
Any property owner seeking to establish or construct an ADU shall obtain a permit consistent with the following:
1. 
Any person desiring to establish, construct, or legalize an ADU shall submit an application prepared using forms and checklists provided by the director. The director shall prepare a submittal checklist providing a list of the application materials that shall be considered the minimum necessary to constitute a complete application.
2. 
The owner(s) of the property shall occupy the primary dwelling unit or the ADU as their principal residence for at least six months of every year on any lot that contains any undevelopable critical area, as defined in BLMC 16.20.030, or that is fully or partially located within a watershed serving a reservoir for potable water if that watershed is or was listed, as of July 1, 2025, as impaired or threatened under Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 USC § 1313(d)).
3. 
The property owner(s) shall sign a covenant documenting the existence of a lawfully permitted ADU and any conditions of the permit, agreeing to these conditions and the other requirements of this section, which shall be recorded with the Pierce County auditor. The applicant is responsible for recording the document with the Pierce County auditor and providing a conformed copy to the city. The form of the covenant shall be specified by the director.
4. 
After receiving a completed application and approving an ADU permit, the ADU shall be inspected to ensure that the ADU complies with all of the requirements of subsection C of this section.
5. 
Satisfactory inspection of the property and verification that the covenant discussed in subsection (B)(3) of this section has been recorded with Pierce County shall result in the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
C. 
The creation of an ADU shall be subject to the following requirements, which shall not be subject to waiver or variance:
1. 
The proposed ADU must be located on a legal building lot 2,000 square feet or greater in size as an accessory use to the primary dwelling unit, as follows:
a. 
A maximum of one attached or detached ADU shall be allowed as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling unit on a lot that contains any undevelopable critical area, as defined in BLMC 16.20.030.
b. 
A maximum of one attached or detached ADU shall be allowed as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling unit on a lot that is fully or partially located within a watershed serving a reservoir for potable water if that watershed is or was listed, as of July 1, 2025, as impaired or threatened under Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water Act (33 USC § 1313(d)).
c. 
On all other lots, a maximum of two ADUs shall be allowed as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling unit, duplex, triplex, or townhouse. The ADUs may be:
i. 
Two attached ADUs.
ii. 
One attached and one detached ADU.
iii. 
Two detached ADUs, which may be in either one or two detached structures.
iv. 
A conversion of an existing, legally constructed accessory building or structure, such as a detached garage, completed on or before June 30, 2025, that does not meet current setback requirements for a dwelling unit or current impervious surface requirements.
2. 
An ADU shall not be located on a lot which contains multifamily dwelling units.
3. 
Either the primary dwelling unit or the unit designed to become the ADU may be constructed first. If the unit designed to be the ADU is built first, it shall be considered the primary dwelling unit until a second unit is built and shall be subject to the utility connection fees provided for in BLMC § 13.04.070 and 13.12.100. The second unit built shall be considered an ADU for purposes of the utility connection fee exemptions provided for in BLMC § 13.04.070(D)(2)(c) and 13.12.100(E).
4. 
Size.
a. 
The size of an attached ADUs shall proportionate to the size of the associated primary dwelling unit, as follows:
Size of Primary Dwelling Unit
Minimum Size of Attached ADU
Maximum Size of Attached ADU
Up to 2,500 Gross Square Feet
300 Gross Square Feet
1,000 Gross Square Feet
2,501 to 3,000 Gross Square Feet
40% of the Primary Dwelling Unit
More than 3,000 Gross Square Feet
1,200 Gross Square Feet
b. 
Detached ADUs shall be a minimum of 450 gross square feet and a maximum of 1,200 gross square feet, regardless of the size of the primary dwelling unit.
5. 
Detached and attached ADUs may be segregated in ownership from the primary dwelling unit through:
a. 
Subdivision or other segregation from the property under Chapter 58.17 RCW and BLMC Title 17; or
b. 
Conversion to a condominium unit.
6. 
Utility Connections.
a. 
All ADUs shall be required to obtain a separate water meter and connection as required by Chapter 13.04 BLMC.
b. 
All ADUs shall be required to be connected to sanitary sewer or be served by a private wastewater disposal system as required by Chapter 13.12 BLMC.
7. 
Repealed by Ord. 1678.
8. 
Repealed by Ord. 1678.
9. 
Parking.
a. 
There shall be one off-street parking space provided for an ADU with one bedroom and two off-street parking spaces provided for an ADU with two or more bedrooms. If the ADU will be located on a lot that is 6,000 square feet or less in size, one off-street parking space shall be provided, regardless of number of bedrooms.
b. 
Off-street parking spaces for the ADU shall be in addition to those which are required for the primary dwelling unit and shall be located in a carport, garage, or designated space.
c. 
Tandem parking for an ADU is allowed on lots over 6,000 square feet in size.
10. 
The ADU shall comply with the setback and bulk regulations established by the underlying zoning classification; provided, that
a. 
Any detached ADU proposed along a lot line that abuts a public alley that is not routinely snow plowed may reduce the setback from the lot line abutting the public alley to zero feet.
b. 
The maximum building height of any new detached ADU is 24 feet. Existing, legally constructed buildings that exceed this height limit may be converted to an ADU.
11. 
The ADU shall meet all technical code standards including building, electrical, fire, plumbing and other applicable code requirements.
12. 
Unpermitted ADUs.
a. 
Any space meeting the definition of an ADU that can be demonstrated to have obtained the required permit(s), as specified below, shall be considered a legal, conforming ADU, and is not required to comply with this subsection:
i. 
The space was constructed under a valid building permit from the City, where the building permit application was complete on or prior to November 4, 1997; or
ii. 
The space was constructed under a valid ADU permit from the City, where the permit application was complete on or after November 5, 1997; or
iii. 
If the space was constructed prior to annexation by the City, under a valid permit from Pierce County.
b. 
Any space meeting the definition of an ADU that did not obtain the required permit(s), as specified above, is declared an unpermitted ADU. All owners of an unpermitted ADU shall be required to comply with one of the following options as set forth in subsections C.12.b.I through iii below:
i. 
Permit the ADU. To permit the ADU, the owner must:
(A) 
Submit an application for an ADU permit, showing changes made to the primary dwelling unit or detached accessory building to accommodate the ADU. Approval shall be consistent with the ADU regulations and process outlined in this section. The ADU shall be reviewed using the current editions of building codes in place at the time its owner brings the unit forward for permit; and
(B) 
Obtain building or other permit(s) for any unpermitted work; or
ii. 
Record a restrictive covenant. This option shall only be used once per lot. The owner must:
(A) 
Record a statement on the property title clarifying that the space within the primary dwelling unit or the detached accessory structure shall not be utilized as an ADU; and
(B) 
Obtain building or other permit(s) for any unpermitted work; or
iii. 
Remove the unpermitted ADU. The owner must:
(A) 
Record a statement on the property title clarifying the space within the primary dwelling unit or detached accessory structure shall not be utilized as an ADU; and
(B) 
Obtain permits for any unpermitted work; and
(C) 
Comply with one of the following requirements below so that the space no longer meets the definition of an ADU and is no longer considered an independent living space:
(1) 
Remove the range and either cap the gas service or remove the electrical system associated with the range by removing the plug and associated outlet box within the kitchen and circuit breakers at the electrical panel; or
(2) 
Remove the sink and cap the plumbing within the kitchen; or
(3) 
Remove plumbing fixtures and cap the plumbing within the bathroom.
c. 
A maximum of one restrictive covenant clarifying that a space shall not be utilized as an ADU is permitted per lot. The restrictive covenant shall be released from property title concurrent with recording of the covenant required under subsection B.3 when:
i. 
The space identified under the restrictive covenant is permitted as an ADU under this section; or
ii. 
A second space meeting the definition of an ADU is proposed. In this case, both the original space and the second space must comply with all applicable requirements for two ADUs and obtain an ADU permit for each ADU under this section.
d. 
Nothing in this section shall require the city to issue permits for or to allow existing ADUs that are determined to be dangerous pursuant to Chapter 15.04 BLMC.
13. 
Nothing in this section shall prevent the city from requiring an owner to record a statement on the property title clarifying that a space within the primary dwelling unit or detached structure shall not be utilized as an ADU associated with new construction, remodels, or additions, where the work under the permit otherwise meets the definition of an ADU and the owner does not want to use any portion of the subject primary dwelling unit or detached structure for an ADU.
14. 
Any covenant, agreement, or statement on the property title shall be recorded with the Pierce County auditor. The owner is responsible for recording the document with the Pierce County auditor and providing a conformed copy to the city. The form of the statement shall be specified by the director.
(Ord. 747 § 1, 1997; Ord. 747A § 1, 1998; Ord. 988 § 2, 2003; Ord. 1221 § 5, 2007; Ord. 1505 § 22, 2015; Ord. 1584 § 2, 2017; Ord. 1678 § 3, 2022; Ord. 1737 § 24, 6/10/2025; Ord. 1753, 4/14/2026)
The minimum off-street parking and loading requirements shall be as follows:
A. 
For each single-family dwelling unit: two spaces;
B. 
Multiple Dwelling Units.
1. 
All multiple dwelling units shall comply with BLMC § 18.31.010, whether or not one or more buildings are used; and
2. 
The parking lot or area shall be so designed as to give ingress and egress according to the city codes and standards and prior to the issuance of a building permit for a multiple dwelling unit; a parking plan must be submitted to and approved by the director;
C. 
For every four hospital beds: one space;
D. 
For each nursing home bed: one space;
E. 
For every five seats in a church or in a public meeting hall: one space;
F. 
For each employee on duty in a public or private permitted use: one space;
G. 
For each 100 square feet of a permitted use not otherwise mentioned herein: one space;
H. 
For every 6,000 square feet of hospital, church or public meeting hall space, or day care facility, one off-street loading area of at least 360 square feet is required;
I. 
Parking stalls for nonresidential uses shall comply with BLMC § 18.31.010(I).
(Ord. 740 § 8, 1997; Ord. 747 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1137 § 5, 2005; Ord. 1155 § 13, 2005; Ord. 1686 § 23, 2023)