Residential subdivisions of more than 10 lots, residential developments of 10 or more single-family or middle housing dwelling units, and commercial or industrial areas of more than 10 acres, are required to provide active recreation facilities in accordance with the standards in this chapter. The requirements of this chapter are in addition to park impact fee requirements of Chapter 16.72 SMC.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1284-17 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 1328-20 § 6 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
Residential developments of less than 10 dwelling units, subdivisions of fewer than 10 lots, multifamily apartment buildings, and commercial or industrial areas smaller than 10 acres are exempt from the requirements of these standards.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1284-17 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 1328-20 § 6 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
The City of Sultan has determined that it is important that development of a significant scale provide recreational facilities to serve the residents of such developments. Recreation areas created as part of development activities should be consistent with the City of Sultan parks, recreation, and open space plan.
(Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
If recreation areas are to be dedicated to the public and transferred to the City of Sultan, the city shall have the right to impose further specifications relating to such dedication, approvals, and/or inspections to the park or open space.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1284-17 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 1328-20 § 6 (Exh. A);Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
A. 
Recreation facilities shall not be located in a tract less than 10,000 square feet in area.
B. 
Recreation areas shall be landscaped and shall be provided with sufficient natural or manmade screening or buffer areas, as follows. At a minimum, all recreation areas except those designated by the city council not to be necessary shall have continuous landscaped buffers around their perimeters at least 10 feet wide and shall also provide protective fencing if deemed necessary by the city. The plant material selected to be planted within these buffer areas shall be such that they will provide a continuous vegetative screen mix of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees that shall reach a minimum height of six feet at maturity. Himalayan blackberries, English ivy, and other common invasive species are not permitted within buffer areas. All new vegetative material shall be guaranteed for a period of at least two years after installation and approved by the department of public works.
C. 
Each recreation area shall be centrally located and easily accessible by walkways so that it can be conveniently and safely reached and used by those persons residing in the subject residential development. Therefore, no recreation area shall be located more than 2,000 feet from any dwelling unit it is intended to serve. This distance shall be measured along the walkways and streets within the development, using the shortest route possible. Sites that contain critical areas as defined by Chapter 17.10 SMC are not required to have a centrally located recreation area; they may have multiple recreation areas that are accessible to all lots and not located more than 2,000 feet from any dwelling unit.
D. 
Each recreation area shall be constructed on land that is reasonably flat, dry, and capable of serving the purpose intended by these standards; provided that recreation facilities shall not be placed within environmentally sensitive areas or their buffers.
E. 
Each development shall satisfy its recreation area requirements by installing a variety of recreational amenities appropriate to a range of age groups.
F. 
Where recreation facilities are provided, 25% of the facilities will be ADA accessible, as adopted and amended by the City of Sultan.
G. 
All recreational areas and facilities and equipment provided and constructed shall meet the minimum requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Guidelines for Public Playgrounds and the American Society for Testing and Materials F1487.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1284-17 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 1328-20 § 6 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
A. 
New single-family or middle housing development subject to the requirements of this chapter must provide recreational facilities at the following ratios from the lists provided.
Table 16.62-A On-Site Recreation Area Requirements
Number of Dwelling Units
Amount of On-Site Recreation Area Required
(minimum)
Number of Required and Different Option Recreation Facilities
10 - 20 units
500 sq. ft. per unit
required amenities + 1 option amenity
21 - 60 units
500 sq. ft. per unit
required amenities + 3 option amenities
61 - 100 units
400 sq. ft. per unit
required amenities + 4 option amenities
101 - 160 units
300 sq. ft. per unit
required amenities + 5 option amenities
Over 160 units
300 sq. ft. per unit
required amenities + 6 option amenities
1. 
Small developments that do not accumulate to the 10,000 square fet minimum recreation space size may pay the fee in lieu established in SMC § 16.62.070.
2. 
Required amenities are listed below. Partial ratios will be rounded up to the next whole number so that a 10,000 square feet recreation area is still required to have one of each amenity listed.
a. 
One bench per 20,000 square feet.
b. 
One picnic table per 20,000 square feet.
c. 
One trash and one recycling receptacle per 40,000 square feet.
d. 
One bike rack per 40,000 square feet.
e. 
Security lighting.
3. 
Option amenities are listed below. Each option amenity selected to meet the requirement must be different. For example, multiple swing sets would count as a single amenity.
a. 
Playgrounds developed with children's play equipment (minimum capacity: 15 users);
b. 
Swing set (minimum four swings);
c. 
Pedestrian or bicycle paths with hard surfaces or trails (minimum 1/2 mile total. Access trails may be counted if they are not adjacent to a road as described in SMC § 16.62.065.);
d. 
Sports fields (such as soccer or softball fields) with associated improvements;
e. 
Indoor or outdoor sports courts (such as volleyball, basketball, pickleball, or tennis courts), indoor swimming pools, and similar facilities (indoor amenities may be counted as two amenities);
f. 
Covered picnic areas with permanent tables (minimum 10,000 square feet. Larger covered areas may be counted as two amenities.);
g. 
Gazebos with permanent seating (minimum 200 square feet. Larger gazebos may be counted as two amenities);
h. 
Community clubhouse and meeting facilities (indoor amenities may be counted as two amenities);
i. 
Community gardens for use by the residents;
j. 
Plazas with lighting, artwork, and sitting space for pedestrians at four or more spaces for every required 100 square feet of area;
k. 
Picnic area with additional tables and grills (minimum three grills);
l. 
Dog run area (must be fenced, minimum 5,000 square feet);
m. 
Skate park (minimum 3,000 square feet and two obstacles); and
n. 
Other similar amenities approved by the community development director.
B. 
Access for pedestrians shall be provided from all dwellings within a development to the recreation areas through trails, sidewalks, pathways, and other similar means of access pursuant to SMC § 12.14.050.
C. 
Recreation areas designed in accordance with this title shall not include any portion of privately owned yards.
D. 
Any dedication off site, improvements off site, or financial contribution previously made shall be held, used, administered and/or returned in accordance with the terms of the developer agreement or terms of approval for the development under which the dedication, improvement or payment occurred.
(Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
Open space is not a requirement of subdivisions. If provided, open space tracts shall be conveyed to homeowners' association by written instrument, or dedicated to the city under conditions subject to city approval, and the homeowners' association will be responsible for any maintenance associated with the open space tracts. If the homeowners' association fails to responsibly maintain an open space tract and the City of Sultan must take responsibility for maintenance to ensure public safety and/or environmental protection, the city can lien the properties of the individual homeowners to recover costs for such maintenance responsibilities.
A. 
Open Space Permitted Uses. Permitted open spaces uses include the following:
1. 
Floodways and environmentally sensitive areas as defined by Chapter 17.10 SMC;
2. 
Lands with slopes of 25% or more;
3. 
Utility easements;
4. 
Passive recreation uses including nature interpretive areas, bird watching facilities, trails, and similar uses as approved by the community development director;
5. 
Drainage facilities, including any of the following:
a. 
Unfenced detention, retention and wet ponds;
b. 
Stormwater treatment wetlands;
c. 
Stormwater infiltration trenches and bioswales that serve more than one dwelling; and
d. 
Vegetated areas located above underground detention facilities.
B. 
Lands not included within lots to be developed and sold or dedicated for required public improvements may be recorded as open space tracts. Environmentally sensitive areas shall be protected as separate tracts or established as native growth protection areas with proper signage.
C. 
Access for pedestrians may be provided from all dwellings within a development to the open space areas through trails, sidewalks, pathways or other similar means of access pursuant to Chapter 12.20 SMC.
D. 
Open space areas designated and protected in accordance with this title shall not include any portion of privately owned yards.
E. 
Any dedication off site, improvements off site, or financial contribution previously made shall be held, used, administered and/or returned in accordance with the terms of the developer agreement or terms of approval for the development under which the dedication, improvement or payment occurred.
(Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 1284-17 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 1328-20 § 6 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
A. 
During the application review process for the subdivision, the community development director will determine whether a trail is of city-wide significance or not. Trails of citywide significance must be dedicated to the City for public use.
B. 
Connective trails for use by pedestrians and other nonmotorized users to access amenities, navigate neighborhoods, and enjoy the natural environment are highly encouraged. Trails are a way of promoting walkability, outdoor exercise, and Sultan's sense of identity.
C. 
Trails between or within developments may be counted as either a recreational amenity or as open space as long as they meet the requirements specified in this section, as well as the requirements for either recreational amenities or open space, accordingly.
D. 
Trail measurement.
1. 
Trail measurement as recreational amenities.
a. 
Trails may be counted as one amenity, regardless of length, width, or surface material.
b. 
Trails anywhere within the development may be counted as recreational amenities so long as they connect to a recreation space.
2. 
Trail measurement as open space.
a. 
Trails counted towards open space requirements will be measured so that each linear foot of trail, measured down the center of the trail, will be equal to 15 square feet of open space.
b. 
This measurement strategy applies to all trails within the development being counted towards open space, regardless of the type of tract or lot they are located in, so that the area of trails running through open spaces may be counted in addition to the gross area of the open space.
c. 
Trails running through recreation spaces may be counted towards open space requirements if they are not counted as a recreational amenity.
E. 
Trail types and design standards.
1. 
Natural area trail design.
a. 
Natural area trails are defined as trails that have no part of their surface within 20 feet of a road, excluding any access points from roads, and have a forested edge on at least one side for at least 50% of their length. The community development director may reduce this requirement for trails providing access to commercial areas.
b. 
Natural area trails must be surfaced with at least compacted, crushed gravel, compacted soil, wooden boardwalks, or other natural materials to provide a firm and stable surface. Parts or entire trails may be paved.
c. 
The trail surface must be at least three feet wide.
d. 
If the trail is intended to be public and dedicated to the City, the trail must be set in an easement at least 20 feet wide. The community development director may adjust this requirement as necessary to accommodate access, co-location of utilities, and other needs, or reduce this requirement if appropriate.
2. 
Primary access trail design.
a. 
Primary access trails are defined as trails that are within 20 feet of a road. Access points from roads will not be included in this requirement.
b. 
Primary access trails may be used in lieu of sidewalks.
c. 
Primary access trails must be paved and at least 12 feet wide to accommodate both bikes and pedestrians.
F. 
Connectivity standards.
1. 
The following connectivity standards are intended to promote walkability and access between adjacent neighborhoods and amenity areas in order to enhance livability and promote a sense of connection between community members.
2. 
These connectivity standards apply to all development of at least 10 units or parcels, excluding developments with at least 10 units within the same building.
3. 
Trails may be used in lieu of required road stubs or internal street connectivity at the discretion of the community development director.
4. 
Trail stubs or dedicated space and access for future trail connections must be included in the design of the proposed development. At least one future connection point must be included on each side of the parcel being developed unless determined by the community development director that a future trail connection is not feasible or in the community interest. Additional future connection points may be required by the community development director if they serve the intent of this section.
5. 
New trails are required to connect between any of the following:
a. 
Adjacent trails in other neighborhoods or subdivisions if those trails are within 300 feet of the subdivision boundary, or a proposed street, sidewalk, trail, recreation space, or open space.
b. 
Adjacent neighborhood streets, sidewalks, or public recreation or open spaces within 200 feet of a proposed street, sidewalk, trail, recreation space, or open space.
6. 
Trail connectivity requirements will be waived if any of the following apply:
a. 
The required trail connection would be redundant with an existing connection path within 800 feet.
b. 
The required path would intersect erosion or landslide hazard areas.
c. 
The required path would intersect a permanent waterway over three feet wide.
d. 
The required trail would intersect any parcel of land not owned by the applicant or the City, and the applicant cannot gain consent from the owner of the parcel to construct the trail after reasonable efforts to do so.
7. 
The community development director may waive any connectivity requirements if construction of the trail is deemed infeasible, not within the public interest, or excessively prohibits development of the site.
(Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
A. 
The intent of this chapter is to provide mechanisms whereby recreation areas and open space are integrated into development. As determined by the community development director, a payment in lieu of providing on-site recreation improvements is not always in the best interest of the city and each application for a payment in lieu will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
B. 
If providing the facilities and spaces as required in this chapter and in the city's parks, recreation, and open space (PROS) plan is infeasible, the applicant can, in limited circumstances, pay a fee in lieu of providing on-site recreation improvement. Final determination of feasibility is at the discretion of the community development director per the following criteria:
1. 
A public park needing upgrades or maintenance is within a 1/4 mile walkshed using existing ADA accessible routes.
a. 
Distance to be measured from the furthest platted lot to existing public park.
b. 
Sultan PROS plan parks walkshed maps shall be used for determination.
c. 
Maintenance and upgrade needs include but are not limited to those listed in the PROS plan and city's budgetary documents.
2. 
A public trail needing upgrades or maintenance is within a 1/4 mile walkshed using existing ADA accessible routes.
a. 
Distance to be measured from the furthest platted lot to existing public park.
b. 
Sultan PROS plan trail walkshed map shall be used for determination.
c. 
Maintenance and upgrade needs include but are not limited to those listed in the PROS plan and the city's budgetary documents.
3. 
Developer agrees to create ADA-compliant pedestrian facilities to access public parks or trails.
a. 
Length of connection shall not exceed 1/2 mile.
b. 
Distance from development to existing parks or trails is within a 1/2 mile walkshed.
c. 
Distance to be measured from the furthest platted lot to existing public park.
4. 
The policy goals of the Sultan PROS plan have been considered and are best addressed by a fee in lieu.
C. 
A fee in lieu of on-site recreation improvements may be permitted if all the following criteria are met; a fee in lieu of on-site recreation improvements is at the discretion of the community development director:
1. 
The applicant complies with the open space requirement per SMC § 16.62.060;
2. 
Compliance with all other requirements of this title or any other relevant titles makes full compliance with SMC §§ 16.62.030 through 16.62.050 infeasible; provided that no proposal may request to pay in lieu of all required recreation facilities; and
3. 
The payment of the fee will provide greater benefit to the residents of the project by providing needed capital improvements to an existing park or for the development of a new park in the existing neighborhood or city.
D. 
The applicant shall make a request in writing to the community development director outlining how the request for payment in lieu of recreation improvements complies with the criteria listed in subsection C of this section. The community development director shall be responsible for reviewing the request and deciding whether payment in lieu is warranted.
E. 
The fee shall be based on the number of lots within the proposed subdivision. For subdivision over 10 lots the fees are calculated in the fee schedule.
F. 
Fees collected per the provisions of the section shall be used by the city for installation of capital improvements to an existing or new park in the existing neighborhood or city. Such fees shall be paid prior to final plat approval or divided among the lots and paid at time of building permit issuance.
(Ord. 1284-17 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 1328-20 § 6 (Exh. A); Ord. 1347-21 § 22; Ord. 1396-24 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)