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A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to regulate the height, size, and location of detached accessory structures in residential districts in order to maintain compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods and reduce the visual impacts on adjacent residential properties.

B. Applicability. This section applies to detached accessory structures located on lots less than 20,000 square feet within any residential land use district. This section is not applicable to Guest Cottages regulated pursuant to LUC 20.20.250. This section is not applicable to structures exempt from regulation under the International Building Code, as adopted and amended by the City of Bellevue; however, exempt structures (e.g., swimming pools, greenhouses, and similar structures) and parked or stored recreational vehicles, watercraft, and utility trailers (regulated pursuant to LUC 20.20.720 or 20.20.890) may intrude into side or rear yard setbacks pursuant to the process contained in paragraph F.3 of this section.

C. Definition of Detached Accessory Structure. Detached accessory structure refers to buildings or structures which are secondary to and associated with a primary single-family or multifamily structure.

D. Height Limitations. Detached accessory structures are limited to a maximum height of 15 feet except as otherwise provided in paragraph F.1. of this section.

E. Limitations on Location and Lot Coverage.

1. Detached accessory structures shall be included in the calculation of lot coverage necessary to comply with the Maximum Lot Coverage by Structures requirements contained in LUC 20.20.010. In addition, detached accessory structures are limited to a maximum lot coverage of 10 percent except as otherwise provided in subsection F.2 of this section.

2. Detached accessory structures are required to comply with the front and side setbacks required for the primary structure and are required to maintain a five-foot setback from the rear lot line except as otherwise provided in subsection F.3 of this section.

Note: The International Residential Code as adopted and amended by the City of Bellevue contains additional fire protection requirements that are applicable to some structures constructed within a side or rear yard setback.

F. Exception Process.

1. Height Limit. The 15-foot maximum height limit applicable to detached accessory structures can be increased to the maximum building height allowed in the underlying residential district provided a written mutual agreement of all abutting property owners is recorded with the King County Division of Records and Elections and filed with the City Clerk. The 15-foot height limit applicable to detached accessory structures located within required setback areas shall not be exceeded.

2. Lot Coverage. The 10 percent maximum lot coverage applicable to detached accessory structures located on lots less than 20,000 square feet can be exceeded provided a written mutual agreement of all abutting property owners is recorded with the King County Division of Records and Elections and filed with the City Clerk. However, the requirements for maximum lot coverage by structures contained in LUC 20.20.010 shall not be exceeded.

3. Setback Requirements. Detached accessory structures may be built to the side or rear lot line subject to the following limitations.

a. A written mutual agreement of the abutting property owners of the property lines affected shall be recorded with the King County Division of Records and Elections and filed with the City Clerk.

b. The detached accessory structure shall not exceed a height of 15 feet.

c. The detached accessory structure shall not occupy more than 50 percent of the area of a required rear or side setback.

d. The detached accessory structure shall not be located within 10 feet of a street right-of-way, access easement or private road.

e. The detached accessory structure shall not be located within a setback required by LUC 20.25H.090 except as otherwise provided by LUC 20.20.025.B. (Ord. 6197, 11-17-14, § 8; Ord. 5571, 12-6-04, §§ 2, 3; Ord. 5089, 8-3-98, § 9; Ord. 4979, 3-17-97, § 4; Ord. 4977, 3-17-97, § 2; Ord. 3775, 5-26-87, § 11)