Chapter 17.68
BUILDING HEIGHT LIMITATIONS – EXCEPTIONS

Sections:

17.68.010    Projections not used for human habitation.

17.68.020    Building height exceptions.

17.68.040    Building height criteria for scenic resources.

17.68.010 Projections not used for human habitation.

Projections such as chimneys, spires, domes, elevator shaft housings, towers excluding TV dish receivers, aerials, flag poles, and other similar objects not used for human occupancy are not considered buildings. (Ord. 2875 § 1.106.010, 2003)

17.68.020 Building height exceptions.

Any building located in an industrial zone may be built to a maximum height of 75 feet, provided:

(1) The total floor area of the building does not exceed one and one-half times the area of the site;

(2) The yard dimensions in each case are equal to at least the following:

(a) Half of the building height from any abutting residential (e.g., R-10, R-7, R-5, AR or MHR) or mixed use (e.g., MU, RD or HBD) zoning district;

(b) As necessary to comply with the provisions of Chapter 17.72 SHMC; and

(c) Pursuant to Chapter 17.64 SHMC. (Ord. 3180 § 1 (Att. A), 2015; Ord. 3164 § 3 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 2875 § 1.106.020, 2003)

17.68.040 Building height criteria for scenic resources.

(1) No new development over one story, or 15 feet in height, shall significantly obstruct views of the Columbia River on lots fronting on Strand Street, South Second Street, North and South First Street, North and South River Street, River Way, and Riverside Drive.

(2) Notice and process for review of subsection (1) of this section shall follow the same as for site design review, major, except for criteria and standards.

(3) “Significantly obstruct” shall normally mean restrict the ability of people to see the full view of the Columbia River by more than 50 percent. This shall apply to an accumulation of view from all living spaces with views at time of new development application.

(4) It shall be the responsibility of anyone having views to show or demonstrate how the new development will block their views prior to the completion of the comment period.

(5) It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to refute the comments from those with claims of “significant obstruction” of views within two weeks of notice of such comments.

Example: A house with views has five windows in rooms that are for living such as family room, dining room, living room, breakfast room, but not including kitchens, bathrooms, closets, laundry rooms, etc. If only two windows are more than 50 percent obstructed based upon the view of a person five feet tall and three feet from the window, then the view is not considered “significantly obstructed” for this house. (Ord. 3264 § 2 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2875 § 1.106.040, 2003)