20.20.540 Multifamily play areas.
A. New multifamily developments of 10 units or more shall be required, as a condition of Building Permit approval, to provide a minimum of 800 square feet of unpaved, usable open space with lawn or other soft surface for an outdoor children’s play area, plus an additional 50 square feet of usable open space for each additional unit beyond the initial 10 units, up to a maximum of 10,000 square feet, except that this requirement does not apply to multifamily development downtown or to developments devoted exclusively to senior citizen dwellings as defined at LUC 20.50.046.
B. The following factors shall be considered when designing a children’s play area:
1. The minimum dimension shall be 25 feet; and
2. Earth berms, vegetative screening, or fencing should separate the play area from driving and parking areas; and
3. Residents should have convenient access; and
4. The design should invite a variety of active and passive recreational activities appropriate for children by utilizing unique natural features, creating gentle slopes or berms, and providing other amenities such as seating benches or play equipment.
C. The children’s play area shall not be located in a critical area, critical area buffer, or critical area structure setback required by Part 20.25H LUC, or in required street frontage landscaping.
D. The children’s play area may be dispersed on the site; provided, that the minimum size of each area is 800 square feet or larger.
E. Usable open space set aside pursuant to this chapter shall be applied toward the open space required through the planned unit development process, Chapter 20.30D LUC et seq.).
F. Units in a multifamily complex which have private yards exceeding 400 square feet shall not be considered in calculating the children’s play area requirement for the complex. (Ord. 5683, 6-26-06, § 15; Ord. 4973, 3-3-97, § 872; Ord. 4816, 11-27-95, § 972; Ord. 4225, 2-25-91, § 1)