Chapter 17.02
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sections:

17.02.010    Authority and title.

17.02.020    Purpose.

17.02.030    Compliance.

17.02.040    Relationship to other regulations.

17.02.050    Administration and enforcement.

17.02.060    Denial or revoked approvals and permits.

17.02.070    Procedural irregularities.

17.02.080    Severability.

17.02.010 Authority and title.

(1) This title is adopted pursuant to Chapters 35A.63 and 36.70A RCW that empower a city to enact a zoning ordinance and provide for its administration, enforcement and amendment.

(2) This title shall be known and may be cited as “the Kittitas zoning code.” It shall consist of the text hereof, and a zoning map marked “Exhibit A” and by this reference made a part hereof. Said ordinance and each and all of its terms are to be read and interpreted in light of the commitments of said zoning map. In the event a conflict should arise between the text and zoning map, the text of this title shall prevail. (Ord. 07-012 § 1).

17.02.020 Purpose.

The purposes of this title include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) To assist in the implementation of the comprehensive plan for the physical development of the city by regulating and providing for existing uses and uses planned for the future.

(2) To protect the character and the social and economic stability of residential, commercial, and other uses, to preserve property values and to ensure the orderly and beneficial development of these uses by:

(a) Reserving and retaining appropriate areas for each type of use;

(b) Preventing encroachment into these areas by incompatible uses; and

(c) Regulating the use of individual parcels of land to prevent unreasonable detrimental effects on nearby uses.

(3) To preserve the historic, aesthetic and natural features of the city by:

(a) Establishing high standards of environmental protection; and

(b) Providing for design and environmental review of proposed actions and projects.

(4) To promote the health, safety and general welfare of the city.

(5) It is further intended to provide regulations and standards which will:

(a) Encourage high standards of development;

(b) Prevent the overcrowding of land;

(c) Provide adequate light and air;

(d) Avoid excessive concentration of population;

(e) Lessen congestion on the streets;

(f) Facilitate adequate provisions for transportation, utilities, schools, parks and other necessary public needs; and

(g) Preserve the small city character of Kittitas while providing for orderly growth and development. (Ord. 07-012 § 1).

17.02.030 Compliance.

The provisions of this title shall be interpreted as the minimum requirements necessary to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public. The regulations established by this title within each district shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land. After the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, no building or structure shall be erected, reconstructed, altered, or relocated; nor shall any building, structure, or premises be used for any purpose unless such action is in compliance with the provisions of this code. (Ord. 07-012 § 1).

17.02.040 Relationship to other regulations.

Other official controls, ordinances, regulations and plans have a direct impact on the development of land in the city. The number and type of such ordinances may vary from time to time. Where provisions of other official controls and regulations overlap or conflict with provisions of this title, the more restrictive provisions shall govern. (Ord. 07-012 § 1).

17.02.050 Administration and enforcement.

(1) Administration of this title shall be the responsibility of the mayor, or his/her designee, and shall be conducted as described herein and in KMC Title 14, Development Code Administration.

(2) Enforcement of the provisions herein, and any violations thereof, shall be as described in this title and in KMC Title 14, Development Code Administration. (Ord. 07-012 § 1).

17.02.060 Denial or revoked approvals and permits.

If an application for approval is denied or revoked, no similar application for that site shall be accepted for one year from the date of final action and appeal, if any. After one year, a similar application may be made and shall be processed as a new application. (Ord. 07-012 § 1).

17.02.070 Procedural irregularities.

No procedural irregularity or informality in the notice, process, review or hearing of any matter under this title shall affect the final decision unless substantial rights of a person with a demonstrable interest in the decision are affected. (Ord. 07-012 § 1).

17.02.080 Severability.

Should any chapter, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this title be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this title. (Ord. 07-012 § 1).