City of Bellingham Municipal Code

20.28.120 - SHARED COURT

A. Description: A shared court is a multi-family development that shares a courtyard that also allows vehicular access to parking. The structure is arranged in a “U” shape around a central court. Design details, paving and landscape should create the impression of a small, intimate courtyard when viewed from the street.

B. Site Requirements and Setbacks

1. Shared Court units may be located on a separate (fee simple) lot or several units may be located on a common parcel.

2. The required setbacks are as shown in Figures 28.21 and 28.22, except garage and carport setbacks from an alley shall be as needed to provide a 20 foot parking backup distance (including alley width). Buildings shall be placed within the shaded areas shown in the figures.

1. There shall be a maximum of 6 dwelling units and a minimum of 4 dwelling units clustered around a shared court.

2. Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is 0.5. Projects meeting Green Factor requirements in section D.4. below may request additional FAR up to 0.7 with approval by the Planning Director.

3. The maximum dwelling unit size is 2,000 square feet.

4. No single floor area shall be larger than 1,000 square feet per dwelling unit.

5. The height limit is 25 feet under Definition #1 or 15 feet under Definition #2.

1. Each dwelling unit shall have at least 150 square feet of private open space with no dimension less than 5 feet. Some or all of the requirement may be accommodated in a deck.

2. All private open space must be directly accessible from the dwelling unit and shall be separated from shared pathways, driveways, and other units.

3. No less than 40% of the site area shall be landscaping or pervious material (may include pervious paving and green roofs). Exceptions may be made in erosion hazard zones or areas with shallow bedrock as determined by the City.

4. Use of the Green Factor is strongly encouraged. When used as a FAR bonus option in Section C.2. above, a Green Factor landscaping score of 0.6 is required.

1. Dwelling units under 1,000 square feet shall provide at least one on-site parking stall. Units of 1,000 square feet or larger shall provide two on-site parking stalls. The Planning Director may reduce parking requirements based on applicant’s demonstration of site-specific factors that justify a lower standard. Parking stalls shall be at least 9’ X 18’.

2. Parking shall not be located between structures and a public street.

3. Parking accessed from a public street or lane shall be limited to driveway with a maximum width of 20’.

1. Each dwelling unit must have a separate, ground-related entrance. Units that front the public street shall have entrances facing the public street; all other units shall have entrances facing the shared open space.

2. No roof pitch shall be less than 2:12 (may be shed type) except for green roofs.

3. Each dwelling unit shall have a covered front porch no less than 50 SF with no dimension less than 5’, this is in addition to the private open space requirement.

4. Garbage/recycling areas shall be consolidated and screened from public view.

5. All fences in the front and side street setbacks, or between the common areas and the dwelling units, are limited to 42 inches in height and may be no more than 60% opaque. Chain link or cyclone fencing is not allowed in the front or side street setback.


Figure 28.23 Annotated illustration of Shared Court

6. The following design standards shall be met to define the shared courtyard space, enhance the function as a shared, attractive, and usable open space, and unify site elements through the use of paving and landscape materials:

a. Provide clear direction to primary building entries and enhance circulation paths with trees, lighting, and plant materials.

b. At least 35 percent of the total shared court area shall be landscaped.

c. Poured surfaces (e.g., asphalt or concrete) may be used for vehicle treaded areas up to 10 feet in width but are not acceptable for area paving. The remaining unplanted areas shall be paved with unit pavers (e.g., brick, concrete, or tile) set or covered with gravel; OR Grasscrete is an acceptable paving option for all unplanted, shared court area.

d. The incorporation of courtyard amenities is required. Courtyard areas shall include at least two of the following elements:

(1) Benches, bench-type edges for planters

(2) Fountain or other water feature

(3) Ornamental shrubbery and landscape trees.

1. Site Design

a. Provide for the functional and visual integration of buildings, vehicular access and parking, and the “outdoor room” function of the shared court.

b. Define and contain the shared court space through a combination of building, landscape, and other site furnishings.

c. Provide a walkway from each dwelling unit to the shared court and street.
2. Building Design

a. The design should break the facades into several distinct elements.

b. Gable roofs emphasize vertical proportions, create modulation and are strongly encouraged.

c. The massing should be varied with elements such as bays, dormers, etc.

d. Changing materials, colors or textures on building elements is encouraged to provide further articulation and add variety and craftsmanship.

e. Buildings should minimize the impact of garages on the streetscape by utilizing garage doors with windows or other architectural features.