Yakima, WA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)

All subdivisions that contain critical areas shall be eligible for density bonuses or other development incentives, as provided in the subdivision ordinance (YMC Title 14) and zoning ordinance (this title);

2. Critical areas shall be actively protected through the following:

a. Roads and utilities for the subdivision shall avoid critical areas and their buffers, as much as possible;

b. When geologically hazardous areas (excluding erosion, oversteepened slopes of intermediate risk, stream undercutting, and earthquake hazards), FEMA floodways, channel migration zones (CMZs), streams, wetlands and/or vegetative buffers fall within the boundary of a subdivision:

i. Said critical areas shall be protected by placing them entirely within a separate critical area tract or by including them entirely within one of the developable parcels. Other options, such as conservation easements and building envelopes, may be deemed appropriate by the administrative official as meeting this provision when special circumstances obstruct the viability of this provision;

ii. For those new lots that do contain said critical areas, usable building envelopes (five thousand square feet or more for residential uses) shall be provided on the plat that lies outside said critical areas;

c. New lots partially within the floodplain shall provide a usable building envelope (five thousand square feet or more for residential uses) outside the floodplain;

d.