Chapter 18.15
TITLE, PURPOSE, AND AUTHORITY
Sections:
18.15.030 Compliance and scope.
18.15.040 Rules of code construction.
18.15.050 Development title consistency with comprehensive plan and laws.
18.15.060 Development code and zoning map implementation.
18.15.070 Review of building permits for development code compliance.
18.15.010 Title.
The official name of this title is “The City of Harrisburg Zoning and Development Code.” It may also be referred to as “development code” and “code.” [Ord. 987 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022.]
18.15.020 Purpose.
This code is enacted to promote the public health, safety, and welfare; and to encourage the orderly and efficient development and use of land within the City of Harrisburg, consistent with the City of Harrisburg comprehensive plan and the following principles:
1. Compact development, which promotes the efficient provision of public services and infrastructure;
2. Mixed-use, which, to the extent feasible, places homes, jobs, stores, parks, and services within walking distance of one another;
3. Housing, which promotes a mix of housing and full range of residential opportunities for both ownership and renting;
4. Full utilization of urban services (e.g., water, sewer, storm drainage, parks, and transportation facilities), which maximizes the return on public investments in infrastructure;
5. Transportation efficiency, or development of an interconnected street system supporting multiple modes of transportation, which yields more direct routes (shorter distances) between local destinations, conserves energy, reduces emergency response times, and provides alternatives to the automobile for those who are unable or choose not to drive a car;
6. Human-scale design, or development in which people feel safe and comfortable walking from place to place because buildings, streetscapes, parking areas, landscaping, lighting, and other components of the built environment are designed foremost with pedestrians in mind;
7. Environmental health, which requires adequate light and air circulation, management of surface water runoff, and treatment and disposal of waste;
8. Employment opportunities, or development that brings employment opportunities and promotes access to the types of retail, professional and personal services that enhance quality of life;
9. Flexibility. A code that does not impose “one size fits all” type development but allows flexibility by encouraging unique or special design or uses consistent with a changing and evolving economy and built environment; and
10. Efficient administration of code requirements, consistent with the needs of the City of Harrisburg, a small city with limited administrative capacity. [Ord. 987 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022.]
18.15.030 Compliance and scope.
1. Compliance With the Development Code. No structure or lot shall hereinafter be used, developed, or occupied, and no structure or part thereof shall be erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, or otherwise altered except as permitted by this code. Furthermore, annexations and amendments to the zoning map, and amendments to the development code shall conform to applicable provisions of this code.
2. Obligation by Successor. The requirements of this code apply to the owner(s) of record, persons undertaking the development or the use of land, and to those persons’ successors in interest.
3. Transfer of Development Standards Prohibited. Except as otherwise specifically authorized by this code, no lot area, yard, landscaping, or open space that is used to satisfy a requirement of this code for one use shall be used to satisfy the same requirement for another use. [Ord. 987 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022.]
18.15.040 Rules of code construction.
1. Provisions of This Code Declared to Be Minimum Requirements. The provisions of this code, in their interpretation and application, are minimum requirements, adopted for the protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare.
2. Highest Standard or Most Contextually Relevant Requirement Applies. Whenever the requirement of this code varies from another provision of this code, or with other applicable regulations, the highest standard, or that standard or regulation most contextually relevant to the proposed land use, shall govern. The City Administrator or Planning Commission, as applicable, shall determine which code provision sets the highest standard, and/or is most relevant. Where the applicability of a code provision is unclear, the Planning Commission, or upon referral the City Council, may issue a formal interpretation pursuant to Chapter 18.30 HMC, Code Interpretations.
3. Tenses. Words used in the present tense include the future; the singular form includes the plural; and the plural includes the singular.
4. Requirements Versus Guidelines. The use of the word “shall,” “must,” “required,” or similar directive terms, means the code provision is a requirement. The use of the word “should,” “encouraged,” “recommended,” or similar terms, means the provision is a guideline, which may be imposed as a requirement but only where the applicable code criteria allow the (City decision-making body) to exercise such discretion.
5. Interpreting Illustrations. This code contains illustrations and photographs, code “graphics,” which are intended to serve as examples of development design that either meet, or do not meet, particular code standards. Except where a graphic contains a specific numerical standard or uses the word “shall,” “must,” “required,” or “prohibited,” strict adherence to the graphic is not required.
6. Severability. The provisions of this code are severable. If any section, sentence, clause, or phrase is judged to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, that decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of the code. [Ord. 987 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022.]
18.15.050 Development title consistency with comprehensive plan and laws.
1. City of Harrisburg Comprehensive Plan. This title implements the City of Harrisburg comprehensive plan. Except as otherwise required by applicable State or Federal law, all provisions of this title shall be construed in conformity with the comprehensive plan, including any comprehensive plan elements or public facility master plans adopted pursuant to the comprehensive plan.
2. Compliance With Other Laws Required. In addition to the requirements of this title, all uses and development must comply with all other applicable City, State of Oregon, and Federal rules and regulations.
3. References to Other Regulations. All references to other City, State, and Federal rules and regulations are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a complete list of such requirements. The references do not imply any responsibility by the City for enforcement of State or Federal regulations. Where a proposal, permit, or approval is subject to both City of Harrisburg requirements and State or Federal requirements, the property owner is responsible for contacting the applicable agencies and complying with their rules and regulations.
4. Current Versions and Citations. All references to the regulations of other jurisdictions refer to the most current version and citation for those regulations, except where this title, City Council policy, or applicable law require otherwise. Where a referenced regulation has been amended or repealed, the City Planning Official, Planning Commission or, upon referral, the City Council, shall interpret and apply this title. [Ord. 987 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022.]
18.15.060 Development code and zoning map implementation.
1. Zoning of Areas to Be Annexed. The comprehensive plan map shall guide the designation of zoning for annexed areas. Concurrent with annexation of land to the City of Harrisburg, the City Council shall enact an ordinance applying applicable zoning designation(s) to the territory being annexed.
2. Land Use Consistent With Development Code. Land and structures in the City of Harrisburg may be used or developed only in accordance with this code, including all amendments thereto. A lawful use of land (“use”) is one that is permitted in accordance with this code, or is allowed as a legal nonconforming use, provided State or Federal law does not prohibit the use.
3. Development Code and Zoning Map. The City’s official zoning map (“zoning map”), which may be published, amended, and filed separately from this code, is part of this code. The zoning districts depicted on the zoning map correspond to the zoning districts in this code. In addition, this code may contain zoning regulations for special areas (i.e., overlay zones), and for certain uses or structures that do not appear on the zoning map.
4. Interpreting the Zoning Map. Except as otherwise specified by this code, the City’s zoning boundaries are as designated on the official zoning map, which is kept on file at City Hall. The City may adopt and publish supplemental zoning maps. In addition, the City may require field verification and mapping (e.g., survey) of a regulated feature as part of a development application.
5. Boundary Lines. Zoning district boundaries are determined pursuant to Chapter 18.40 HMC.
6. Changes to Official Zoning Map. Proposed changes to the official zoning map are subject to review and approval under Chapter 19.35 HMC, Amendments to Zoning Map or Code. [Ord. 987 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022.]
18.15.070 Review of building permits for development code compliance.
A building permit shall not be issued until the City Administrator, or their designee, has confirmed that all applicable requirements of this code are met, including compliance with all conditions of approval imposed through the development review process, if any, or that the development is exempt from the all development code requirements. [Ord. 987 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022.]
18.15.080 Official action.
1. Official Action. The City of Harrisburg City Administrator, Planning Commission, and City Council are all vested with authority to issue permits and grant approvals in conformance with this code, pursuant to HMC Title 19, Application Review Procedures and Approval Criteria.
2. Void Future Actions. Any permit or approval issued or granted in conflict with the provisions of this code shall be void, unless the City modifies it in conformance with the code. The City Administrator shall determine when an approval is void and, as applicable, he or she shall refer it back to the decision body for modification to ensure code compliance.
3. Referral to Planning Commission. In addition to those actions that require Planning Commission approval, the City Administrator may refer any question or permit request to the Planning Commission, who then shall take action on the request pursuant to the applicable provisions of this code. See also Chapter 18.30 HMC, Code Interpretations and HMC Title 19, Application Review Procedures and Approval Criteria.
4. Notices, Filing, and Validity of Actions. The failure of any person to receive mailed notice or failure to post or file a notice, staff report, or form shall not invalidate any actions pursuant to this code, provided a good faith effort was made to notify all parties entitled to such notice report, or form. See Chapter 19.10 HMC, General Review Procedures. [Ord. 987 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022.]