Federal Way limits building and impervious coverage in residential zones and requires stormwater mitigation beyond certain thresholds under the Surface Water Design Manual.
FWRC Title 19 sets maximum lot coverage for principal and accessory buildings by zone. In RS 7.2 (7,200 sf minimum lot) the typical building coverage maximum is about 60 percent of the lot, with lower caps in RS 35.0 and RS 15.0 larger-lot zones. Total impervious surface (buildings plus patios, pools, driveways) is separately regulated by Federal Way's stormwater code under FWRC Title 16 and the Department of Ecology's Western Washington Stormwater Manual adopted by Federal Way Public Works. New or replaced impervious surface above 2,000 sf or 7,000 sf triggers flow-control best management practices (detention, infiltration, permeable pavement) in most Federal Way watersheds, particularly those draining to Hylebos Creek, Lakota Creek, and Puget Sound. On small lots in older neighborhoods the coverage cap can be the binding constraint on additions. Landscape open space minimums (often 25 to 40 percent) also apply and favor retention of existing trees.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Federal Way, WA
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Federal Way, WA
Federal Way prohibits dogs that bark or howl continuously and disturb neighbors under FWRC Title 9. Typical threshold is 20 minutes of continuous noise. Comp...
Federal Way, WA
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Federal Way, WA
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Federal Way, WA
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Federal Way, WA
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