Ordinance 3774-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

development of townhouses could include two units attached(see EMC 19.05"Dwelling, 2-unit")or multiple units attached. 19.04.040 Measurement Definitions. "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. Ch.19.04 Definitions 10 City Council Action(11/04/2020)