Mixed-use zoning allows for the provision of a variety of uses within a single development. The interaction of these different uses during day and evening hours provides a dynamic that cannot usually be created with typical single use zones; allowing people to live and work in close proximity. This concept also tries to reduce dependency upon the automobile, makes pedestrians a focal point, encourages human interaction, and creates a vibrant sidewalk environment. These areas may function as a downtown core or a node in a larger neighborhood that provides goods and services to residents.
Multifamily zoning provides for a variety of higher density housing types including triplexes, townhomes, and multifamily apartment buildings which are consistent with the goals and policies of the Langley Comprehensive Plan, contribute to the building and maintaining of safe and attractive housing areas, and address a wide variety of housing needs.
(Ord. 527, 1989; Ord. 1139, 12/1/2025)
A. 
Height, Setbacks, Lot Coverage, Density.
1. 
Building height, setbacks, lot coverage, and density limitations shall be governed by the underlying zoning district requirements.
(Ord. 527, 1989; Ord. 1045 § 4, 2018; Ord. 1139, 12/1/2025)
A. 
Maximum Width. The maximum width of a structure shall be 75 feet.
B. 
Maximum Depth. The maximum depth of a structure shall be 40 feet.
C. 
Facade Articulation. Building facades that exceed 50 feet in length shall incorporate a minimum of two of the following design elements to reduce visual monotony.
1. 
Variation in cladding orientation;
2. 
Changes in color;
3. 
Changes in materials;
4. 
Vertical or horizontal trim elements;
5. 
Addition of balconies, decks, or porches; or
6. 
Covered entries.
(Ord. 527, 1989; Ord. 1139, 12/1/2025)
A. 
The general setbacks are specified in Sections 18.12.080, 18.16.080, and 18.18.070.
B. 
Required Setbacks for Cluster Developments. Where two or more principal structures are located on a lot, the required setback between those portions of interior facades, which face one another, shall be a minimum of 10 feet.
C. 
Structures in Required Setbacks.
1. 
Permitted fences, freestanding walls, bulkheads, signs, and other similar structures, no greater than six feet in height, are permitted in required front, side, or rear setbacks;
2. 
Decks, which average no more than 18 inches above existing or finished grade, whichever is lower, may project into required setbacks. Such decks shall not be permitted within five feet of any lot line, unless they abut a permitted fence or freestanding wall, and are at least three feet below the top of the fence or wall. The fence or wall shall be no higher than 78 inches.
D. 
Multistory buildings that are exclusively residential shall be separated from one another by a minimum distance of 20 feet wherever the walls of adjacent buildings are parallel for a continuous length of 35 feet or more.
E. 
Three story buildings shall maintain a minimum 25-foot setback from property lines adjacent to single-family residential zones, excluding property lines that abut a public street.
(Ord. 527, 1989; Ord. 1139, 12/1/2025)
A. 
Neighborhood Business (NB) and Residential Mixed (RM) Zones. For every four square feet of residential floor space, a minimum of one square foot of usable open space shall be provided onsite for residents.
B. 
Central Business (CB) Zone. For every 10 square feet of residential floor space, a minimum of one square foot of usable open space shall be provided onsite for residents.
C. 
Such open space shall be provided in one or more of the following ways:
1. 
Private Open Space. Private open space shall be in yards, patios, terraces, or balconies immediately adjacent and accessible to individual residential units with no dimension less than five feet.
2. 
Shared Open Space. Shared open space shall be accessible to all residents of the lot and shall not include driveways or parking areas.
a. 
Outdoor shared open space shall be provided in the form of patios, terraces, courtyards, plazas, rooftop decks, lawns and gardens, children’s play areas, picnic and barbeque areas, and outdoor sports equipment and facilities. Outdoor shared open space may be located within required yard setbacks.
b. 
Permeable Open Space. Paving materials used within outdoor shared open spaces shall be permeable to allow groundwater to recharge, rooftop decks and balconies shall be exempt from this requirement.
3. 
Useable Open Space. Open space – whether private or shared – must be designed and constructed to be functional, accessible, and comfortable for active and passive use by residents. Meeting dimensional requirements alone does not guarantee that open space will be considered useable. To be considered useable, open space must:
a. 
Be located and graded in a manner that supports its intended use and does not simply serve as leftover or transitional space;
b. 
Be relatively level and free of physical barriers that limit general usability, such as steep slopes or dense landscaping, unless those features are intentionally designed to support recreational or ecological function, such as trails across a hillside;
c. 
Be clearly identifiable, visually apparent, and located in a way that encourages use for gathering, recreation, or relaxation;
d. 
Provide a clear area that is not used primarily for circulation or access to individual units (e.g., walkways, driveways); and
e. 
Include features that support usability, such as seating, shade, or other improvements appropriate to the context and scale of the development.
(Ord. 527, 1989; Ord. 1139, 12/1/2025)
A. 
Parking.
1. 
Parking Amounts. The number of required parking stalls shall be in accordance with Section 18.22.130 based on each of the uses contained within a building or on a site.
2. 
Parking Placement. Parking shall be located behind, beside, or under buildings relative to the street.
3. 
Off-Site Parking. Off-site parking may be permitted in accordance with the provisions for joint parking facilities and leased or purchased parking, as outlined in Sections 18.22.130H.3 and H.4.
(Ord. 527, 1989; Ord. 1045 § 4, 2018; Ord. 1139, 12/1/2025)
A. 
Vertical Mixed-Use. Where a mix of residential and non-residential uses occur within the same building, a larger floor area may be devoted to residential uses than to non-residential uses, provided the following provisions are met:
1. 
The rear of the building and upper floors may be devoted to residential uses, but all ground level portions of the building adjacent to any streets or alleys shall be devoted to non-residential uses;
2. 
The floor area devoted to non-residential uses shall be a minimum of 25% of the total floor area of the building; and
3. 
Should the building be set back from the street, the provisions of this section still apply.
B. 
Horizontal Mixed-Use. Where a mix of residential and non-residential uses occur on a single site but in separate buildings, a larger floor area may be devoted to residential uses than to non-residential uses, provided the following provisions are met:
1. 
All buildings adjacent to streets or alleys shall be devoted to non-residential uses;
2. 
The floor area devoted to non-residential uses shall be a minimum of 25% of the total floor area of all buildings on the site; and
3. 
Buildings which contain a mix of residential and non-residential uses and are adjacent to streets or alleys shall comply with the above standards of subsection B.1 of this section for vertical mixed-use.
C. 
Non-Residential Mixed-Use. Where a mix of different non-residential uses occur within the same building and/or on the same site, the floor area devoted to secondary uses must be less than the floor area devoted to principal or primary uses as classified by Chapter 18.09 LMC.
(Ord. 1139, 12/1/2025)
Multifamily and mixed-use development shall be subject to design review in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 18.34 LMC.
(Ord. 1139, 12/1/2025)