This chapter shall apply to all multifamily residential developments within the jurisdiction of the City.
(Ord. 1591 § 344, 2014)
This chapter is intended to provide recreation areas for residents of multifamily developments, to separate such areas from automobile-oriented areas, and to enhance the quality of multifamily residential developments, thus promoting the public health, safety, and welfare of the community of Des Moines.
(Ord. 1591 § 345, 2014)
(1) 
Common Recreation Areas. Each multifamily building or complex of four or more units shall provide a minimum area of 200 square feet of common recreation space per dwelling unit, including those used by the owner or building management personnel. The common recreation area(s) shall be available to all residents of the building/complex. Not more than 50 percent of the required recreation area shall be indoors. Common recreation areas shall include fixtures and facilities, as approved by the Planning, Building and Public Works Director, that promote passive and/or active recreational activities.
(2) 
Private Recreation Areas. A minimum of 60 square feet of private outdoor recreation area shall be provided for each dwelling unit. The minimum dimension of any private recreation area shall be six feet. Required private recreation areas shall be adjacent to, and directly accessible from, the corresponding dwelling unit.
(Ord. 1591 § 347, 2014)
At least 50 percent of the required common recreation area shall be designed and improved as play space for preadolescent children. For the purposes of this chapter, "play spaces for preadolescent children" mean environments designed to support and suggest activities that are an essential part of a child's learning and development (social, emotional, cognitive, and physical). Each play space shall include at least two play equipment fixtures, and at least one adult seating area as approved by the Planning, Building and Public Works Director. Play equipment fixtures include, but are not limited to, sand boxes, slides, swing sets, cargo net play equipment, horizontal overhead ladders, and similar features. All play areas and equipment shall conform to the design, installation, and maintenance guidelines described in the King County Division of Parks and Recreation "Play Area Design and Inspection Handbook." Planning, Building and Public Works Director may approve a reduction in the percentage of common recreation area that must be designed and improved as play space for children where the applicant can demonstrate to the Director's satisfaction that few or no children will reside in the development. In considering approval of such reduction, the Director may consider items such as:
(1) 
Number of bedrooms per dwelling unit, and the total number of bedrooms proposed;
(2) 
Location of the development site; and
(3) 
Availability of nearby public play space for children.
(Ord. 1591 § 348, 2014)
(1) 
Where the required common area is less than 3,000 square feet, the common outdoor space shall be concentrated in one area. The common recreation area shall be at least 25 feet in width. Where the required common area is 3,000 square feet or more, the space may be divided among multiple areas; provided, that at least one recreation area is a minimum of 2,000 square feet in area with a minimum width of 25 feet. All other areas shall be at least 1,000 square feet in area with a minimum width of 10 feet.
(2) 
No part of a required recreation area may be used for driveways, parking, or other vehicular use. Adequate fence and plant screening, as approved by the Planning, Building and Public Works Director, shall separate outdoor recreation areas from vehicular areas.
(3) 
Required recreation areas may not be located in undevelopable buffer areas required in chapter 16.10 DMMC.
(4) 
The required front yard area shall not be counted toward satisfying the common recreation area requirement. The side and rear yard areas may be counted toward recreation area requirements if the design satisfies the purpose and intent of this chapter, without resulting in adverse impacts upon nearby properties. Active recreation areas are not permitted where the activity would adversely impact required on-site landscaping.
(5) 
Unless otherwise approved by the Planning, Building and Public Works Director, required play spaces for children shall be accessible from all on-site dwellings by pedestrian paths separate from vehicular areas.
(6) 
The provisions of DMMC § 18.155.060 shall not apply to senior citizen housing developments, such as continuing care retirement communities, nursing homes, respite care facilities, and retirement housing developments, and other developments not required by law to accept children as residents.
(7) 
The required private and common recreation areas shall be designated on development plans reviewed by the Planning, Building and Public Works Department. The property owners and/or responsible parties shall maintain the required recreation areas for the life of the project.
(8) 
A subdivision or planned unit development containing several multifamily residential lots, and multifamily developments which are built in phases, shall provide on-site recreation facilities for each phase or shall provide the total amount of required recreation area in the first phase of construction.
(Ord. 1591 § 349, 2014)
Where the size of the development site is insufficient to provide a quality common recreation area, or the improvement of City park facilities in the vicinity will be of greater benefit to the residents of the proposed dwellings, the Planning, Building and Public Works Director may allow the applicant to make a voluntary payment to the City in lieu of providing the required on-site common recreation facilities. Acceptance of such a voluntary contribution is discretionary on the part of the City. Such payments shall be placed in a neighborhood park fund to be used for capital improvements in existing parks, or for the development of new parks in the vicinity of the development site. The administration of in-lieu contributions, including any refund of the contribution, shall comply with the provisions of chapter 82.02 RCW as hereafter amended. The amount of payment shall be based upon the current assessed value (as determined by the County Assessor) of the entire development site. The amount of in-lieu contribution shall be as follows:
Required common recreation area minus (-)
provided common recreation area equals (=) X
X/site area = Y
Assessed value multiplied by Y = In-lieu contribution
(Ord. 1591 § 350, 2014)
Pursuant to RCW 35.21.180 the King County Division of Parks and Recreation "Play Area Design and Inspection Handbook," including all subsequent revisions, is adopted by reference. A current copy of the King County Division of Parks and Recreation "Play Area Design and Inspection Handbook" adopted by reference in this section shall be maintained on file in the office of the Planning, Building and Public Works Director and shall be available for public inspection.
(Ord. 1591 § 351, 2014)