Chapter 18.49
GENERAL BUSINESS ZONE (GB)
Sections:
18.49.020 Land use objectives.
18.49.033 Administrative conditional uses.
18.49.060 Maximum building height.
18.49.070 Setbacks and lot coverage.
18.49.090 Accessory building and use regulations.
18.49.110 Development proposals.
18.49.010 Purpose.
The general business zone is a zone classification providing a use district for commercial establishments which require a retail contact with the public together with professional offices, incidental shop work, limited storage and warehousing, or light manufacturing and extensive outdoor storage and display, as well as retail uses with similar requirements. The zone is intended as a primary center for business activities, and uses exclusively focused on storage are discouraged. The zone is not intended to include those uses whose primary purpose is residential or heavy industrial in nature. This zone may be applied to some portions of the City that are designated either commercial or industrial under the City of Ferndale Comprehensive Plan. In some cases, specific use types are restricted to certain road designations in order to preserve the consistency of uses within the zone. (Ord. 2046 § 3 (Exh. 3), 2018; Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
18.49.020 Land use objectives.
All proposed developments within the general business zone must demonstrate the manner in which the proposal achieves the following objectives:
A. Establish attractive, visually interesting facades when adjacent to or visible from primary public roadways, without diminishing the function of the use for which the structure is intended. For the purposes of this section, attractive, visually interesting facades shall reflect the guideline contained within FMC 18.58.070(A)(1) (building design guideline for facades and exterior walls), as modified by this section:
Facades should be articulated to reduce the massive scale and the uniform, impersonal appearances of buildings that are adjacent to or visible from primary public roadways, including Interstate Five, and provide visual interest that will be consistent with the community’s identity, character, and scale. Facades, exterior walls and entryways shall provide consistent architectural treatment.
B. Be authorized to establish limited food operations intended to serve workers or visitors in the area.
C. Be required to identify and conform to specific routes for heavy truck traffic, if such traffic should exist.
D. Obscure, to the greatest extent practical, fleet vehicle parking, machinery, equipment, storage facilities, warehouses, and machine or service shops behind principal structures or landscaping, and/or design such uses to be visually appealing.
1. Neither personal storage or active use storage facilities shall be allowed within 100 feet of arterial streets, unless such uses are effectively screened from view by other land uses allowed in this zone, or incorporated within mixed use structures that include business-related activities per FMC 18.49.110(C), and that comply with the City’s nonretail design guidelines (Chapter 18.59 FMC).
E. Establish public or private connecting roads between parcels where practicable, in order to increase the efficiency of primary roadways in the area.
F. Propose architectural designs and color palettes that will serve to break up or reduce the appearance of large structures, or will reduce the visual impact of multiple structures of similar size, style, and design.
G. Consolidate, to the greatest extent possible, the number of access points from the primary roadways in the area.
H. Create shared parking and loading areas within and between developments.
I. Minimize the use and appearance of large, freestanding signage, as well as establish a comprehensive sign plan when more than two uses are proposed.
J. Facilitate the integration of low impact stormwater development and the built environment. (Ord. 2046 § 3 (Exh. 3), 2018; Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
18.49.025 Permitted uses.
A. Automotive repair – major.
B. Automotive repair – minor.
C. Automotive repair – specialty shop.
D. Automotive sales.
E. Automotive service station.
F. Auto part sales.
G. Bicycle or motorcycle rental or sales.
H. Bottling plants.
J. Farm equipment and supplies sales.
K. Heavy equipment sales and repair.
L. Manufactured home sale lot.
N. Marine gas sales.
O. Marine repair.
P. Truck rentals.
Q. Vehicle leasing/renting.
R. Vehicle sales.
S. Warehousing, wholesale use.
T. Animal shelter.
U. Automatic teller machines.
V. Commercial kennel.
W. Contractor’s offices.
Y. Laundry/dry cleaning, commercial.
Z. Mini-warehouse/storage, when set back at least 100 feet from arterial streets, or when included in a master plan as per FMC 18.49.110(C).
AA. Mailing service.
BB. Moving and storage company.
DD. Cafeterias.
EE. Delicatessen.
FF. Micro brewery.
GG. Restaurants/drive-through.
HH. Restaurants/lounge.
II. Restaurants/take-out.
JJ. Laboratory – research and development.
KK. Light manufacturing uses.
LL. Wholesale facilities and operations.
NN. Newspaper offices and printing works.
OO. Office – consulting services.
PP. Office – corporate.
QQ. Office – general.
RR. Office – research and development.
SS. Radio and television studios.
TT. Commercial schools.
UU. Trade schools.
VV. General park M and O activities.
XX. Schools, institutions of higher education, including technical schools.
YY. Trail head facilities.
ZZ. Trails for equestrian, pedestrian, or nonmotorized vehicle use.
AAA. Batting cages, racquetball and tennis courts, driving ranges, miniature golf, shooting range.
BBB. Commercial recreation, indoor.
CCC. Commercial recreation, outdoor.
DDD. Building, hardware, garden supply stores.
EEE. Commercial “card lock” fueling stations.
FFF. Farm equipment sales and service.
GGG. Landscaping material sales.
HHH. Lumberyards.
III. Nursery, plant.
JJJ. Retail hay, grain and feed stores.
KKK. Bus station.
LLL. Publicly owned community signs and public art.
MMM. Retail, with an industrial or manufacturing component.
NNN. Food processing.
OOO. Car wash – automatic or self service.
PPP. Warehousing and distribution facilities.
QQQ. Medical, dental and other clinics.
RRR. Furniture, home furnishings, and appliance stores.
SSS. Auction house.
TTT. Micro business development, see FMC 18.72.095.
UUU. Active use storage, see FMC 18.72.095.
VVV. Personal storage.
WWW. Day care center.
XXX. Uses similar to the above, in the judgment of the Zoning Administrator, following consultation with members of the Technical Review Committee (TRC). (Ord. 2200 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2022; Ord. 2046 § 3 (Exh. 3), 2018; Ord. 2006 § 3 (Att. 3), 2017; Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1796 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1603, 2010)
18.49.030 Conditional uses.1
A. Boat building.
B. Gas/fuel station.
C. Towing, vehicle impound lots.
D. Truck stop – diesel fuel sales.
E. Truck terminal/truck stop.
F. Crematoriums.
G. Substance abuse treatment facility that includes a housing component.
H. Church.
1. Pursuant to Chapter 35A.21 RCW, outdoor, temporary encampments for the homeless hosted by religious organizations shall be reviewed as a separate or amended conditional use from the authorizations originally granted to a church, subject to reasonable measures to ensure basic sanitation, life safety, and the minimization of negative public health and/or safety impacts to surrounding uses. See FMC 18.72.140 for specific conditions related to these uses.
J. Hospitals.
K. Public campgrounds.
L. Indoor cinema.
M. Recreational vehicle campgrounds.
N. Recreational vehicle parks.
O. Theater (indoor).
P. Convention center including banquet facilities and/or meeting halls.
R. Park and ride.
S. Commercial parking lots.
T. Uses similar to the above, in the judgment of the Zoning Administrator, following consultation with members of the Technical Review Committee (TRC). (Ord. 2066 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2018; Ord. 2006 § 3 (Att. 3), 2017; Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1796 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
18.49.033 Administrative conditional uses.
A. Hospital/clinic – small animal.
B. Substance abuse treatment facility with no housing component. (Ord. 2006 § 3 (Att. 3), 2017)
18.49.035 Accessory uses.
A. Restaurants/sit-down.
B. Dwelling units for watchman or custodian.
C. Outdoor sales.
D. Convenience store without fueling facilities.
E. Convenience store with fueling facilities.
F. Outdoor storage.
G. Storage in an enclosed building.
H. Retail. (Ord. 2006 § 3 (Att. 3), 2017; Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1796 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1603, 2010)
18.49.040 Minimum lot size.
Minimum lot size is as follows: none. (Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
18.49.050 Minimum lot width.
Minimum lot width is as follows: none. (Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
18.49.060 Maximum building height.
Maximum building height is as follows: 45 feet; provided, that structures which front on the primary roadway shall be as tall or taller than structures behind them. (Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
18.49.070 Setbacks and lot coverage.
Setbacks and lot coverage are as follows:
A. Setbacks.
1. Front: no setback from street right-of-way lines, contingent upon frontage improvements or right-of-way expansion required by the City.
2. Rear and sides: 50 feet if site adjoins any residential zoning district, otherwise none.
B. Lot coverage (maximum): none. (Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
18.49.080 Parking.
For specific parking requirements, refer to Chapter 18.76 FMC. (Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
18.49.090 Accessory building and use regulations.
For specific regulations on accessory buildings or uses, refer to FMC 18.72.050. (Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
18.49.100 Sign regulations.
For specific regulations on signs, refer to Chapter 18.80 FMC. (Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
18.49.110 Development proposals.
A. The City of Ferndale has identified the general business zone as an area in which development shall make efficient use of total lot area by consolidating development to the greatest extent practical, and by utilizing shared infrastructure such as parking and stormwater facilities.
B. Proposals which are anticipated to result in development which is phased in over time shall be required to identify the project scope on a planned unit development application or, for commercial subdivisions, propose either a planned unit development or a general binding site plan which will guide the development and be binding upon the City and the applicant, but may be amended if necessary. Commercial subdivisions such as short plats are discouraged in this zone, unless no project is identified. Short plats shall be reviewed based on the highest permitted use in the zone.
C. Developments that include such uses as mini-storage and storage units shall consist of or anticipate at least one other use within or associated with the development that includes permanent on-site employees. This requirement may be met through the inclusion of mixed use buildings, by placing storage units behind commercial or industrial uses that are adjacent to the primary street frontage, by establishing pad lots for future commercial or industrial uses within the development, or by constructing commercial or industrial buildings adjacent to the storage uses. (Ord. 2046 § 3 (Exh. 3), 2018; Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
18.49.120 Site design.
Stormwater facilities such as ponds shall not be permitted adjacent to the primary street on the property, unless landscaping and fencing are provided pursuant to Chapter 18.74 FMC (landscaping). (Ord. 1969 § 13 (Exh. 14), 2016; Ord. 1889 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1603, 2010; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2010)
Code reviser’s note: Ord. 2006 added “Hospital/clinic – small animal” as an administrative conditional use (see FMC 18.49.033), but in that ordinance “Hospital/clinic – small animal” was inadvertently left in FMC 18.49.030. As the intent of the city was to make that use administrative conditional rather than conditional, it has been removed from FMC 18.49.030.