15.02.220 Accessory uses and structures.
A. Accessory uses must be located on the same lot as the principal use. Accessory uses shall comply with all requirements for the principal use, except where specifically modified by this section, and shall also comply with the following limitations:
1. An accessory use shall be operated and maintained under the same ownership as the permitted use.
2. An accessory use shall include only those structures or structural features consistent with the permitted use, subject to additional provisions for individual accessory uses specified within this title.
3. Home occupations may be permitted as an accessory use where allowed by zoning district, subject to the provisions of PMC 15.07.315.
4. The renting of rooms may be permitted in all residential districts as an accessory use provided the total number of unrelated persons, including roomers, in any one (1) dwelling unit shall not exceed four (4) persons.
5. A greenhouse may be maintained in a residential district as an accessory use only if there are no sales from the premises.
6. A swimming pool may be permitted in any zoning district as an accessory use. No swimming pool shall be located in any required front or side yard abutting a street, and no closer than ten feet (10') from any dwelling or property line. The surface area of the pool structure, excluding decking, may not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of the rear yard.
B. Accessory structures shall comply with the following limitations:
1. No part of any accessory structure shall be located closer than ten feet (10') to any principal structure. If a garage is located closer than ten feet (10') to the main building, the garage shall be regarded as a part of the main building for the purposes of determining side and rear yards.
2. Accessory structures shall not be located in the front yard of a principal structure.
3. Accessory structures may be built in a required rear yard but such accessory building shall not occupy more than thirty percent (30%) of the area of a required rear yard and shall not be nearer than two feet (2') to any side or rear lot line; except that when a garage is entered from an alley at right angles, it shall not be located closer than ten feet (10') to the alley line. Accessory structures on corner lots shall be set back from each street a distance not less than that required for the principal structure.
4. No accessory structure shall be built upon a lot until the construction of the main building has been actually commenced.
5. Accessory structures used for dwelling purposes are subject to the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) standards in PMC 15.07.310.
6. Cargo containers may be used as an accessory structure for storage purposes only. Semi-truck trailers are not considered cargo containers for purposes of this section.
7. Minor and commonplace accessory structures such as public utility installations, mailboxes, lampposts, birdbaths and structures of a like nature are permitted in any required front, side or rear yard without the issuance of any permit. (Ord. 711 §1 (Exh. A), 2017)