20.56.040 Lot area and lot widths.
A. Required Area.
1. Minimum Lot Area. The required minimum lot area of a lot or parcel of land shall not be less than 6,000 square feet, except that the minimum lot area in the Low Density Residential Zone shall be 5,000 square feet.
2. Area Accepted as the Required Area. The required area of a lot or parcel of land shall be not less than the area indicated by the zoning symbol, except under the following special conditions:
a. Subdivisions. “Required area” shall mean the area of a lot or parcel of land shown as a part of a subdivision for purposes of sale when recorded as a final map or on file as a record of survey map approved as provided in the Subdivision Map Act or the subdivision ordinance of the city (CMC Title 19).
b. Pre-Existing Lots. Where a person has the right of possession to a lot or parcel of land by virtue of a duly recorded deed or contract of sale, and that person neither owns nor has a right of possession to any contiguous parcel of land, the “required area” shall mean the area of a lot or parcel of land provided in the deed or contract of sale, by which such right of possession was separated, which has been recorded prior to the adoption of this zoning code or any subsequent ordinance imposing area requirements on the lot or parcel of land.
c. Parcels of Land Divided by Boundary Lines. Where a parcel of land which would otherwise have been shown as one lot is divided into two or more lots because of a city boundary line, “required area” shall mean the total area of said parcel of land.
3. Increased Area Required. Where in this zoning code a particular use is permitted only when established on a lot or parcel of land having an actual area greater than the area indicated as required by the zoning symbol, then such higher area requirement shall prevail for the lot or parcel of land upon which such use is located.
4. Required Area Reduced by Public Use. Where a lot or parcel of land having the required area loses a portion of this area in yielding area for public use in any manner, including, but not limited to, dedication, condemnation, or purchase, the remaining lot or parcel of land shall be accepted as having the required area, providing the property still contains not less than two-thirds of the required area.
B. Required Lot Width.
1. Minimum Lot Width. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the required width of a lot or parcel of land shall be not less than the width designated in the section establishing the zone.
2. Required Width Reduced by Public Use. Where a lot or parcel of land having the required width loses a portion of this width in yielding area for public use in any manner, including, but not limited to, dedication, condemnation, or purchase, the remaining lot or parcel of land shall be accepted as having the required width providing the property retains an average lot width of not less than two-thirds the required width.
3. Modification of Lot Widths. The director of community development or the planning commission may, without notice or hearing, grant a modification of lot width regulations where topographic features, subdivision plans, or other conditions create an unnecessary hardship or unreasonable situation, making it impractical to require compliance with the lot width provisions. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).