(1) 
Purpose. The purpose of the density and lot size standards are to ensure appropriate scale development that can be efficiently served by urban services including water, sewer and transportation.
(2) 
Exemptions.
(a) 
If the nearest centralized wastewater treatment hookup is located more than 200 feet from the parcel, the minimum density in Table 1 may be reduced in accordance with Chapter 8.40 LCC, On-Site Sewage Systems.
(b) 
Parcels in the RL and RM zones that existed prior to December 31, 2025, may be divided into two lots and are not required to meet the minimum density requirements in Table 1. This exemption expires on December 31, 2030.
(3) 
Standards. The lot size and density standards are provided in Table 1.
Table 1: Lot Size and Density
RL
RM
RH
MU
CBZ
AX
IND
OS
LOT SIZE
Minimum residential lot area (square feet)
5,000
2,500
4,000
4,000
N/A
7,500
N/A
N/A
Minimum lot width (feet)
35
25
25
25
35
N/A
N/A
N/A
DENSITY1
Minimum residential density (units per acre)2
4
4
12
12
12
N/A
N/A
N/A
Maximum residential density (units per acre)2
12
16
18
26
32
3
N/A
N/A
1 See LCC § 17.17.210 for density bonuses.
2 Within urban growth areas, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) do not count towards housing density.
(Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
General Standards. Table 3 provides the general standards that apply to all development, unless otherwise specified in the Lewis County Code.
Table 3: General Standards
Development Standard
RL
RM
RH
MU
CBZ
AX
IND
OS
Minimum setbacks (feet)
Front
20
12
10
02
0
10
10
10
Rear
10
5
5
5
0
5
25
10
Side
5
5
5
5
0
5
25
5
Maximum building height (feet)1
Habitable space
35
35
35
35
35
35
N/A
35
Nonhabitable space
50
50
50
50
50
50
N/A
50
Minimum on-site parking
Vehicle spaces per dwelling unit3
1
1
0.5
0.5
0.5
1
N/A
N/A
Vehicle spaces for commercial uses
See LCC § 17.17.220
Bicycle spaces per 1,000 square feet of commercial use
N/A
N/A
N/A
1
1
1
N/A
N/A
1 Height shall be measured as feet above the mean ground level. See Chapter 17.80 LCC, Airport Obstruction Zone, for additional requirements.
2 See LCC § 17.17.120(4) for additional ground-floor commercial setback requirements.
3 See Chapter 17.105 LCC for additional short-term rental requirements.
(2) 
Setbacks.
(a) 
Decks or patios affixed to the primary residential structure and awnings over residential entrances may extend into the setback, not to exceed one-half the depth of the setback.
(b) 
In the Industrial (IND) zone, the rear and side setback may be reduced to five feet from adjacent lots where the zoning prohibits any residential use.
(3) 
Building Lot Coverage.
(a) 
Within the Mixed Use (MU) zone, commercial uses shall have a maximum lot coverage not to exceed 10,000 square feet per development, excluding parking and loading. Developments that contain multiple lots but are developed as one project shall be considered to be one development.
(b) 
Within the Commercial Business District (CBZ) and Airport District (AX) zones, commercial uses shall have a maximum lot coverage not to exceed 20,000 square feet per development, excluding parking and loading. Developments that contain multiple lots but are developed as one project shall be considered to be one development.
(c) 
Transient accommodations within the Mixed Use (MU), Commercial Business District (CBZ) and Airport District (AX) zones do not have a maximum lot coverage; however, the footprint of the development shall not exceed 10,000 square feet, excluding parking and loading. Developments that contain multiple lots but are developed as one project shall be considered to be one development.
(4) 
Additional Standards Applicable to Figure 1 and Figure 2.
(a) 
The ground floor shall be commercial uses. Ground-floor commercial uses shall have a zero-foot setback from every public right-of-way, unless the setback is an outdoor extension of the commercial space, such as outdoor eating area at a food establishment, or is designed as a publicly accessible open space that includes but is not limited to landscaping, benches, bike racks, tables or other pedestrian designed facilities; or is a combination of both outdoor commercial space and publicly accessible open space. New parking or loading areas in the front setback are prohibited. See Figure 3 as an example.
(b) 
Second and third floors shall be residential uses, except standalone commercial uses may have a second story that is not a residential use.
(c) 
Where there is development on a corner, a primary entrance to the commercial use shall be oriented towards Highway 12 or State Route 508; additional entrances to commercial uses may be oriented towards the side street.
Figure 1: Urban Growth Area - Small Town/Packwood.
Figure 2: Urban Growth Area - Small Town/Onalaska.
Figure 3: Example Ground Floor Commercial Use, Parking and Landscaping
(Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
There shall be no more than two accessory dwelling units per lot in conjunction with a single-family structure.
(2) 
A garage may be converted to an ADU, even if it violates existing requirements for setbacks or lot coverage. The converted ADU shall meet all other applicable laws and requirements.
(3) 
Detached accessory dwelling units are allowed to be sited at a lot line if the lot line abuts a public alley, unless the county routinely plows snow on the public alley.
(Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to ensure that new development and major remodels have a cohesive design. Figure 4 provides design examples.
(2) 
Applicability. The standards in this section apply to all new development and any renovations to existing development that change more than 25 percent of any facade facing a public right-of-way, excluding garages, carports or sheds that do not include living space.
(3) 
Standards.
(a) 
Reflective surfaces, such as mirrored glass or polished metal, are prohibited.
(b) 
The first floor of buildings fronting public rights-of-way as shown in Figures 1 and 2 shall be at least 30 percent clear glass and of the remaining nonglass first floor at least 80 percent of the facade shall be natural wood, stone or veneer that resembles natural wood or stone. See Figure 4 for examples.
(c) 
Second-story multifamily residential uses located above commercial uses shall not extend beyond any wall of the ground-floor structure. See Figure 4 for examples.
(d) 
Spaces between structures are required to have exterior lighting. Lighting shall be shielded.
(e) 
An attached or detached garage or carport shall not extend forward of the front wall of any primary structure. Garages or carports associated with an accessory dwelling unit shall not extend forward of the front wall of the primary residential structure.
(4) 
Within the Packwood urban growth area, at least 75 percent of exterior building materials shall be made of fire-resistant materials.
Figure 4: Examples of Design Standards
(Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)