This article offers dimensional standard flexibility and economic incentives to encourage construction of affordable housing units in the general office (GO) zone. For the purposes of this article, "affordable housing units" shall be defined as units that are affordable to 80 percent of median income as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(Formerly 19.38.310; Ord. 2331 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006; Ord. 2815 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025)
The provisions of this article are available, at the sole discretion of the property owner, as incentives to encourage the construction of affordable housing units. There is a limited stock of land within the city zoned and available for residential development and there is a demonstrated need in the city for housing which is affordable to persons of moderate income. Therefore, this article provides development incentives in exchange for the public benefit of providing affordable housing units in the GO zone.
(Formerly 19.38.320; Ord. 2331 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006; Ord. 2815 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025)
The affordable housing incentives described in this article may be used in the general office (GO) zone only.
(Formerly 19.38.330; Ord. 2331 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006; Ord. 2815 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025)
A. 
Approval Process. The city will process an application for the affordable housing incentives identified in this section through the same required review process as if no affordable housing units were provided.
B. 
Density Bonus. Developments that include at least one unit of affordable housing may realize an increase in allowable density.
1. 
The residential density for horizontal mixed use development that includes at least one unit of affordable housing shall be calculated at 20 units per acre or 2,200 square feet per dwelling unit.
C. 
Dimensional Standards Modification. The following requirements of the EMC may be modified through the procedures outlined in this subsection, to the extent necessary to accommodate the bonus units.
1. 
Parking Requirement. The required parking may be reduced to one-half space per affordable housing unit. No additional guest parking is required for affordable housing units.
2. 
Required Yards. Structures containing affordable housing units may encroach up to five feet into any required yard, except that in no case shall a remaining required yard be less than five feet.
D. 
Incentive Review Process. The administrator shall evaluate and make a determination on all requests for housing incentives as set forth above. Such determination may be made prior to or concomitant with a development application. The administrator may also consider nonlisted incentives if it can be demonstrated that such incentives result in the provision of additional affordable housing units.
(Formerly 19.38.340; Ord. 2331 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006; Ord. 2815 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025)
A. 
Approval of Affordable Housing Units. Prior to the issuance of any permit(s), the city shall review and approve the location and unit mix of the affordable housing units consistent with the following standards:
1. 
The affordable housing units shall be intermingled with all other dwelling units in the development.
2. 
The type of ownership of the affordable housing units shall be the same as the type of ownership for the rest of the housing units in the development.
3. 
The affordable housing units shall consist of a range of number of bedrooms that are comparable to units in the overall development.
4. 
The size of the affordable housing units, if smaller than the other units with the same number of bedrooms in the development, must be approved by the planning director. In no case shall the affordable housing units be more than 10 percent smaller than the comparable dwelling units in the development, based on number of bedrooms, or less than 600 square feet for a one-bedroom unit, 800 square feet for a two-bedroom unit, or 1,000 square feet for a three-bedroom unit, whichever is greater.
5. 
The affordable housing units shall be available for occupancy in a time frame comparable to the availability of the rest of the dwelling units in the development.
6. 
The exterior design of the affordable housing units must be compatible and comparable with the rest of the dwelling units in the development.
7. 
The interior finish and quality of construction of the affordable housing units shall at a minimum be comparable to entry-level rental or ownership housing in the city of Enumclaw.
B. 
Affordability Agreement. Prior to issuing a certificate of occupancy, an agreement in a form acceptable to the city attorney that addresses price restrictions, homebuyer or tenant qualifications, long-term affordability, and any other applicable topics of the affordable housing units shall be recorded with the King County department of records and elections. This agreement shall be a covenant running with the land and shall be binding on the assigns, heirs and successors of the applicant.
Affordable housing units that are provided under this article shall remain as affordable housing for a minimum of 30 years from the date of initial owner occupancy for ownership affordable housing units and for the life of the project for rental affordable housing units.
(Formerly 19.38.350; Ord. 2331 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006; Ord. 2815 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025)