City of Bellingham Municipal Code

20.28.140 - TOWNHOUSE

A. Description: A townhouse is one of a row of homes sharing common walls, each with its own front and rear access to the outside.

B. Site Requirements and Setbacks

1. Townhouses 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 28.27 and 28.28, 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.


Figure 28.27 Setbacks – Main building(s)


Figure 28.28 Setbacks – Garages & Carports

1. Maximum attached dwelling units is 8.

2. Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is 0.75.

3. The height limit is 35 feet under Definition #1 or 20 feet under Definition #2.

1. Each dwelling unit shall have 200 square feet of private open space with no dimension less than 5 feet. Up to 100 square feet of deck or structure may be included.

2. Private open space must be screened from public right of way, paths, and lanes.

3. Private open space must be directly accessible from the dwelling unit.

4. A Green Factor landscaping score of 0.6 is required (See BMC 20.12.030).

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 may be consolidated.

3. Parking accessed from a street or lane shall be limited to one driveway with a maximum width of 20’. Individual driveways may access a private lane.

1. Each townhouse unit shall front a street or lane, and have an entrance that faces a street or lane.

2. Entrances for each unit shall be separate.

3. Each unit shall have direct access to both the public street or lane and parking.

4. Each unit must have a covered, main entry-related porch or stoop area of at least 50 square feet with no dimension less than 5 feet.

5. Buildings must be modulated along the public street at least every 30 feet. Building modulations must step the building wall back or forward at least 4 feet.

6. All fences in the front and side street setbacks, or between the common areas and the 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.

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


Figure 28.29 Annotated Illustration of Townhouse

1. Building Design
a. Reduce the potential impact of new townhouse development on established and historic neighborhoods by incorporating elements and forms from nearby buildings of character. This may include reference to architectural details, building massing, proportionality, and use of high-integrity materials such as wood, brick, and stone. References to period architecture can be made in a contemporary manner.

b. Use lines and rhythms to create a human scale streetscape. These may include vertical and horizontal patterns as expressed by bays, belt lines, doors and windows.
2. Site Design

a. Front yard parking aprons are not allowed.

b. Provide generous use of planting materials and landscape structures such as trellises, raised beds and fencing to unify the overall site design.