Olympia, WA · zoning record
The dimensional standards that govern what you can build in the UR district, straight from Olympia's ordinance, with every figure quoting its source. Check a specific address to see how these rules apply to a real lot.
Free · Every figure cited · Read from the current code (2026-09-21)
In Olympia's UR district the maximum height is 42 ft (Olympia code 18.04.080(I), read 2026-09-21).
In Olympia's UR district the minimum rear setback is 5 ft (Olympia code 18.04.080(D) 18.04.080(F) 18.04.080(H) 18.04.080(I), read 2026-09-21).
In Olympia's UR district impervious cover may not exceed 85% (Olympia code 18.04.080(K) 18.64.080, read 2026-09-21).
In Olympia's UR district an accessory structure may be up to 24 ft tall (Olympia code 18.04.080(I), read 2026-09-21).
In Olympia's UR district an accessory dwelling unit may be up to 24 ft tall (Olympia code 18.04.080(I), read 2026-09-21).
In Olympia's UR district at least 15% of the lot must be open space (Olympia code 18.04.080(J) 18.04.060(H) for Cottage Housing; 18.04.060(II) for Courtyard Apartments,, read 2026-09-21).
These are the letter-of-the-law limits for the base UR district. Overlays (historic, neighborhood plan, and similar) can tighten them; a specific address check resolves the overlays that actually apply.
How tall the building may be.
“MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT | 40’ | 40’, except: 24’ for detached accessory structures and dwelling units | 40’ except: 24’ for detached accessory structures and dwelling units | 40’ except: 24’ for detached accessory structures and dwelling…”18.04.080(I) · Olympia code · read 2026-09-21
Required space from the rear line.
“MINIMUM REAR YARD SETBACKS | 10’ | 10’ | 10’ | 10’ | 10’ | 10’ | 10’ | 10’ | 10’ except: 15’ for large multifamily | 10’ except: 20’ next to an R 4-8 or R 6-12 district | 5’ except: 20’ for structures 35’ or higher | 5’ | 5’ | 5’ except:…”18.04.080(D) 18.04.080(F) 18.04.080(H) 18.04.080(I) · Olympia code · read 2026-09-21
Share of the lot that may be hard surface.
18.04.080(K) 18.64.080 · Olympia code · read 2026-09-21Row as published
“MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS SURFACE COVERAGE | 45% or 10,000sf (whichever is greater) = lots less than 4 acres; 6%=4.1 acre or more | 35% | 6% | 2,500 SF or 6% coverage whichever is greater. | 55% | 55% | 65% | 65% | 65% | 75% | 85% | 85% | 65% 25% = 3.01 + acres 70% = townhouses | 85% | 18.04.080(K) 18.64.080”
How tall an accessory structure may be.
“MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT | 40’ | 40’, except: 24’ for detached accessory structures and dwelling units | 40’ except: 24’ for detached accessory structures and dwelling units | 40’ except: 24’ for detached accessory structures and dwelling…”18.04.080(I) · Olympia code · read 2026-09-21
How tall an accessory dwelling unit may be.
“MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT | 40’ | 40’, except: 24’ for detached accessory structures and dwelling units | 40’ except: 24’ for detached accessory structures and dwelling units | 40’ except: 24’ for detached accessory structures and dwelling…”18.04.080(I) · Olympia code · read 2026-09-21
Share of the lot that must stay open space.
18.04.080(J) 18.04.060(H) for Cottage Housing; 18.04.060(II) for Courtyard Apartments, · Olympia code · read 2026-09-21Row as published
“MINIMUM OPEN SPACE | 220 tree units per acre required | | 65% drainage dispersal area may be required; it may double as tree tract or critical areas buffer. | | | | 25% for large multifamily requiring land use review | 25% for large multifamily requiring land use review | 25% for large multifamily requiring land use review | 20% for large multifamily requiring land use review; 500 SF/space for mobile home park | 10% for large multifamily requiring land use review | 10% for large multifamily requiring land use review; 500 SF/space for mobile home park | 500 SF/space for mobile home park | 15% | 18.04.080(J) 18.04.060(H) for Cottage Housing; 18.04.060(II) for Courtyard Apartments,”
Every figure above is quoted verbatim from the current ordinance. We never substitute a typical-for-zone default: a field absent from the record shows nothing, not a guess.
See how these standards resolve on a specific parcel, with the overlays that actually apply, in about 20 seconds.
Free to score · No card, no signup · All 50 states
Buildability