These guidelines apply to all townhouse/townhome developments in the R-4 zones within the city. See Chapter 15.04 EMC, Definitions, for definition of "townhome/townhouse dwelling." Townhouses are often also called "row houses." Where there is a conflict between these guidelines and guidelines in other chapters, these townhouse guidelines shall apply.
(Formerly 19.40.150; Ord. 2416 § 2 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 2803 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 2815 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025)
A. 
To ensure that townhouse developments enhance the character of the street.
B. 
To provide adequate private and common open space for townhouse developments.
C. 
To reduce the impact of garages and driveways on the pedestrian environment.
D. 
To reduce the apparent bulk and scale of townhouse buildings.
E. 
To promote architectural variety that adds visual interest to the neighborhood.
(Formerly 19.40.160; Ord. 2416 § 2 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 2803 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 2815 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025)
A. 
Dimensional Standards for Townhouses. See Table 2.
Table 2: Dimensional Standards for Townhouses
Standard
Requirement
Maximum lot coverage
Comply with underlying zoning district
Maximum number of units in one contiguous building
10 unless otherwise noted
Minimum private open space per unit (See EMC § 19.40.110(B) for detailed private open space requirements and guidelines)
200 square feet attached and accessible from each unit. Up to 50 percent of the required private open space can be provided as additional common open space (beyond minimum requirements specified below).
Minimum common open space (See EMC § 19.40.110(B) for detailed common open space requirements and guidelines)
100 square feet/dwelling unit for developments
Maximum height
Comply with underlying zoning district
Setbacks (to exterior property lines)
Comply with EMC § 18.06.130
Minimum off-street parking provided
Off-street parking shall be provided at a rate determined by EMC § 19.14.070, counting each dwelling unit within the townhouse development as an independent single-family dwelling for this purpose only
B. 
Design Standards Unique to Townhouses.
1. 
Townhouses fronting on a street (private or public) must all have individual ground-related entries accessible from the street. Configurations where enclosed rear yards back up to a street are prohibited.
2. 
Emphasize Pedestrian Entries. New developments shall give greater emphasis to individual pedestrian entrances using two of the following measures:
a. 
Enhance entries with a trellis, small porch, or other architectural features that provide cover for a person entering the unit and a transitional space between outside and inside the dwelling; or
b. 
Provide a landscaped area in front of each pedestrian entry of at least 20 square feet in area. Provide a combination of shrubs or groundcover and a street tree (see Chapter 12.21 EMC); or
c. 
Entrances include glass doors with 50 percent glass area; or
d. 
Walkways from the public sidewalk or right-of-way to the unit entrance.
3. 
Landscaped Alleys. For development configurations where the townhouse units have their primary pedestrian entry off of a street or a common open space and garages are served off of an alley, the alleys shall include one of the following landscaping elements:
a. 
Provide a planted area between each individual garage at least 20 square feet in area, with no dimension less than four feet. Provide a combination of shrubs or groundcover and a street tree (see Chapter 12.21 EMC).
4. 
Driveways on Private Internal Streets. Where townhouse units are served by private internal streets, developments are encouraged to limit the depth of driveways between the streets and the garage wall to deemphasize vehicular access. Driveway depths of eight feet are appropriate to allow maneuverability and provide space to include the required landscaping and entry elements for each unit. The shallow width also prohibits residents from parking cars in their driveways. By default, this encourages residents to keep their vehicles in their garage. Additional surface parking spots should be scattered around the development to provide space for guests.
5. 
Building Articulation and Design. Townhouse buildings shall be articulated to emphasize individual units, per EMC § 19.40.060 and § 19.40.070.
6. 
Repetition With Variety. Townhouse developments shall employ one or more of the following "repetition with variety" guidelines:
a. 
Reversing the elevation of two out of four dwellings for townhouses.
b. 
Providing different building elevations for external townhouse units (versus internal units) by changing the roofline, articulation, windows, and/or building modulation patterns.
c. 
Other design treatments that add variety and provide special visual interest. While the variable use of color on buildings can be effective in reducing the perceived scale of the building and adding visual interest, color changes alone are not sufficient to meet the intent of the guidelines.
(Formerly 19.40.170; Ord. 2416 § 2 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 2607 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 2803 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 2815 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025)