Chapter 17.08
DEFINITIONS
Sections:
17.08.010 Definitions.
Whenever the following words and phrases appear in Chapters 17.04 through 17.61 they shall be given the meaning attributed to them by this section. The word “shall” is always mandatory, and the word “may” indicates a use of discretion in making a decision.
“Access panhandle” means a strip of land having a width narrower than that of the lot to be served thereby and designed for the purpose of providing access to a lot.
“Block” means a group of lots, tracts, or parcels within well defined and fixed boundaries.
“Community council” means a local organization formed to represent people residing in an unincorporated community or community area.
“County auditor” is as defined in Chapter 36.22 RCW.
“County commissioners” is as defined in Chapter 36.32 RCW. Shall also include the term board and/or board of Skamania County commissioners.
“County engineer” is as defined in Chapter 36.40 RCW.
“County treasurer” is as defined in Chapter 36.29 RCW.
“Dedication” means the deliberate appropriation of land by an owner for any general and public uses, reserving to himself no other rights than such as are compatible with the full exercise and enjoyment of the public uses to which the property has been devoted. The intention to dedicate shall be evidenced by the owner by the presentment for filing of a final plat showing the dedication thereon; and, the acceptance by the public shall be evidenced by the approval of such plat for filing by the board of Skamania County commissioners.
“District health officer” means a representative of the local health department authority.
“Easement” means a grant by a property owner to specific person(s), corporation or other entity, or to the public to use land for a specific purpose or purposes.
“Final plat” means the final drawing of the subdivision and dedication prepared for filing for record with the county auditor and containing all elements and requirements set forth in this title, and as it now exists or is hereafter amended.
“Hearing examiner” means an appointed official vested with the duties established by Skamania County Ordinance Number 2006-16.
“Lot” means a fractional part of divided lands having fixed boundaries, being of sufficient area and dimension to meet minimum requirements for width, depth and area. The term shall include tracts or parcels.
“Lot depth” means the distance measured from the mid-point of the lot line fronting a road or street, to the mid-point of the lot line opposite, or where the lot line does not front on a roadway, depth shall refer to the greatest principal dimension.
Lot, Reverse Frontage. “Reverse frontage lot” means a lot having road frontage along two opposite boundaries.
“Lot width” means the distance measured between the mid-points of the two principle side lot and at approximate right angles to the lot depth.
“Owner(s),” for purposes of this title, means and includes any person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity who has an “ownership interest” as defined herein.
“Ownership interest,” for purposes of this title, means and includes any person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity who is a contract real estate purchaser and/or holds fee simple title of the property being subdivided.
“Planned residential development” means a development which is preplanned in its entirety with the subdivision and zoning controls applied to the project as a whole rather than to individual lots. Densities are calculated for the entire development, usually permitting a trade-off between clustering of housing and open space held in common by lot owners.
“Plat” means a map or representation of a subdivision, showing thereon the division of a tract or parcel of land into lots, blocks, streets and alleys, or other divisions and dedications.
“Preliminary plat” means a neat and approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of roads, lots, blocks, and other elements of a subdivision consistent with the requirements of Chapters 17.04 through 17.61. The preliminary plat shall be the basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a subdivision.
“Public water system” means a water system which meets the standards of the Southwest Washington Health District and any county or state regulations. Said systems may be owned by a private individual, partnership, homeowners or landowners association, corporation (including an incorporated county water district), county public works department, public utility district or a municipality.
“Road” means an improved and maintained right-of-way which provides vehicular circulation or principal means of access to abutting properties, and which may also include provisions for public utilities, pedestrian walkways, cut and fill slopes, and drainage.
Road, Private. “Private road” means an easement granted for subdivision lot access. For the purpose of Chapters 17.04 through 17.61, county and private road standards shall only apply to roadways serving two or more subdivision lots.
Road, Public. “Public road” means a strip of land dedicated to public use providing vehicular and pedestrian access.
“Standard sheet” means eighteen inches by twenty-four inches with a one-half-inch border on three edges and a two-inch border along the left hand edge for binding purposes. For a final plat the material shall be a reproducible (mylar) polyester film or paper approved by the county auditor.
“Subdivider” means a person(s), including a corporate person, who undertakes to create a subdivision.
“Subdivision” means the division or redivision of land into five or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership except as exempted under Section 17.04.010. (Ord. 2020-06, 9-29-20; Ord. 2007-02 (part): Ord. 2004-01 (part): Ord. 2001-11 (part); Ord. 1992-08 (part); Ord. 1985-03 § 5.0)