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Base elevation” means the average elevation of the approved topography of a parcel at the midpoint on each of the four sides of the smallest rectangle which will enclose the proposed structure, excluding all eaves and decks. The approved topography of a parcel is the natural topography of a parcel or the topographic conditions approved by the city prior to January 1, 1988, or as approved by a subdivision, short subdivision, binding site plan, shoreline substantial development permit, or SEPA environmental review issued after January 1, 1988. On any lot exhibiting evidence of an unapproved fill, a soils analysis may be required to determine the approved topography. An approved bench mark will establish the relative elevation of the four points used to establish the base elevation.

Benchmark” means a fixed reference point or object, more or less permanent in character, the elevation of which is known, or to which a nominal elevation can be assigned.

Buildable area” means the lot area minus undevelopable areas.

Building footprint” means the perimeter of a building at the outer edge of the outside walls of the building, including cantilevered portions of a building.

Caliper” means diameter of a tree trunk measured six inches above the ground.

Density” means a ratio of dwelling units to lot area, usually expressed in terms of dwellings per acre or square feet of land area per dwelling unit.

Finished ground floor levels” is measured as the elevation from ground level to the floor level of the first story of the building at the main entrance.

Floor” is the habitable level within a building that is above grade. Exposed basements less than four feet from grade or attics not exceeding four feet at the knee-wall shall not constitute a floor.

Floor area ratio” means a measure of development intensity which is the gross building area (square footage of the total floor area except parking areas) divided by the lot area.

Floor height” is measured from the surface of any floor to the surface of the floor above it or, if there is no floor above, from the surface of the floor to the top of the wall plate.

Floorplate” is the total gross floor area of any given floor of a building, measured to the exterior of the wall or balcony.

Grade” means the elevation of a lot prior to development.

Grade, finished” means the elevation of a lot after completion of development.

Gross floor area” means the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the floors of a building or buildings, measured from exterior faces of exterior walls, and from the centerline of common walls.

1. Gross floor area includes: basement space, elevator shafts and stairwell at each floor, mechanical equipment rooms or attic spaces with headroom of seven feet, six inches or more, penthouse floors, interior balconies and mezzanines, and enclosed porches.

2. Gross floor area shall not include: accessory water tanks and cooling towers, mechanical equipment rooms or attic spaces with headroom of less than seven feet, six inches, exterior steps or stairs, terraces, breezeways, and open spaces.

Ground floor” means the floor of a building closest to the height of the adjacent front street sidewalk or, where no sidewalk exists, closest to the height of the grade at the front lot line.

Height, Building. See Chapter 19.22 EMC for how heights are measured.

Line of sight” with respect to the siting of secure community transition facilities means the maximum unobstructed distance at which it is possible to reasonably visually distinguish and recognize individuals. For the siting of secure community transition facilities, this distance is six hundred feet. However, a distance less than six hundred feet may be considered if the applicant demonstrates that visual barriers exist or can be created that would reduce the line of sight to a distance less than six hundred feet.

Lot area” means the total area within the lot lines of a lot, excluding any primary access easements or panhandles, and excluding any area dedicated for public right-of-way purposes.

Lot coverage by building” means the amount or percent of the ground area of a lot on which buildings are located. This amount/percent includes all areas which are partially or totally enclosed and covered by a weathertight roof, including any garages, carports, and cantilevered portions of a building which are not above the ground floor of a building, and storage areas covered by a watertight roof even if not fully enclosed. Building coverage does not include eaves, decks, and uncovered porches. Minor portions of panhandle lots and primary access easements shall not be included in the lot area for purposes of calculating building coverage.

Lot depth” means the mean distance between the front lot line and rear lot line.

Lot frontage” means the length of the front lot line measured at the street right-of-way.

Lot width” means the horizontal distance between side lot lines measured at right angles to the lot depth at a point midway between the front and rear lot lines.

Setback” means the required minimum distance between any lot line and any structure, building or use.

Setback, average” means calculating the average front setback of two adjacent properties. If the property is on the corner, the average setback is the front setback of the adjacent properties. If there are no adjacent properties, then there is no average setback unless otherwise allowed in this code.

Setback, Front. Front setback” means the required minimum distance between the front lot line and any structure, building or use.

Setback, Rear. Rear setback” means the required minimum distance between the rear lot line and any structure, building or use.

Setback, Side (Interior). Side (interior) setback” means the required minimum distance between the side lot line which does not abut a street and any structure, building or use.

Setback, Side (Street). Side (street) setback” means the required minimum distance between the side lot line abutting the street on a corner lot and any structure, building or use. (Ord. 3774-20 § 5(D) (Exh. 3), 2020.)