Chapter 17.05
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
17.05.040 Application of provisions.
17.05.050 Establishment of use districts.
17.05.070 Official zoning map.
17.05.080 Rules of interpretation.
17.05.100 Administration and enforcement.
17.05.010 Short title.
This title shall be known and may be cited as “The Snoqualmie Zoning Code.” (Ord. 1198 § 22 (Exh. D), 2017; Ord. 744 § 2, 1995).
17.05.020 Authority.
This code is adopted pursuant to and in accordance with the authority vested in the governing body of the city of Snoqualmie, Washington, by Chapters 35A.63 and 36.70A RCW. (Ord. 1198 § 22 (Exh. D), 2017; Ord. 744 § 2, 1995).
17.05.030 Purpose.
The purpose of this code is to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the current and future residents of the city of Snoqualmie. The zoning code implements the policies of the city’s comprehensive plan. It is the intention of this code to assure coordination, quality and order in the development of land to meet the needs of existing and future populations, while giving due consideration to the protection and enhancement of the land, environment, natural resources, and quality of life. (Ord. 1198 § 22 (Exh. D), 2017; Ord. 744 § 2, 1995).
17.05.040 Application of provisions.
In the interpretation and application of the provisions of this title, such provisions shall be held to be the minimum requirements. It is not the intent of this title to repeal, abrogate, annul, or in any way impair or interfere with any existing provisions of law or ordinance or any rules or regulations previously adopted pursuant to law, relating to the use of buildings or land, nor is it intended to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easements, covenants, or other agreements between parties; provided, however, that where this title imposes a greater restriction upon the use, erection, alteration or extension of buildings, or use of land, or upon the number of square feet of lot area per building or structure, or where the yard or building line requirements are more restrictive than the requirements imposed by such existing provision of law or ordinance, or by such rules or regulations or by such covenants or agreements, the provision of this title shall control. (Ord. 1198 § 22 (Exh. D), 2017; Ord. 744 § 2, 1995).
17.05.050 Establishment of use districts.
In order to classify, segregate, and regulate the uses of land, buildings, and structures, the city is divided into the following use districts:
A. Residential districts:
1. R-C residential constrained district;
2. R-1 single-family districts:
a. R-1-10 subdistrict, 10,000 square foot minimum lot area;
b. R-1-7.5 subdistrict, 7,500 square foot minimum lot area;
c. R-1-4 subdistrict, 4,000 square foot minimum lot area;
3. R-2 two- and three-family district;
4. R-3 medium density residential district;
5. PR planned residential district;
B. Business districts:
1. BG business-general district;
2. BO business-office district;
3. BR business-retail districts:
a. BR-1 subdistrict, within the downtown historic district retail overlay zone;
b. BR-2 subdistrict, all other BR-zoned areas;
C. OP office park district;
D. PCI planned commercial/industrial district;
E. I industrial district;
F. OS parks and open space district;
1. OS-1 subdistrict, natural open space;
2. OS-2 subdistrict, parks and recreation facilities;
3. OS-3 subdistrict, Northwest Railway Museum facilities;
G. UP utility park district;
H. MU mixed use district;
I. FBMU form-based mixed use district. (Ord. 1203 § 6, 2018; Ord. 1198 § 22 (Exh. D), 2017; Ord. 744 § 2, 1995).
17.05.060 Unclassified areas.
All lands not classified according to the classification in SMC 17.05.050 on the official zoning map, and all lands, if any, of the city not shown on the official zoning map, shall be considered unclassified and, pending future classification, shall be subject to the restrictions and regulation of the R-C district, single-family residence. (Ord. 1198 § 22 (Exh. D), 2017; Ord. 744 § 2, 1995).
17.05.070 Official zoning map.
A. The boundaries of the use districts as established in SMC 17.05.050 are shown on the official zoning map, which may consist of one or more panels. The official zoning map, together with all explanatory matters thereon, is adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this title. The regulations of this title governing the uses of land, buildings and structures, the height of buildings and structures, and other matters set forth in this title are established and declared to be in effect upon all land included within the boundaries of each and every district shown upon the zoning map. The boundaries of the use districts shall be determined and defined or redefined, from time to time, by the adoption of district maps covering the city showing the geographical area and location of the districts. The official zoning map shall be, upon its final adoption, a part of this title, and the map, and all notations, references and other information shown thereon, thereafter shall be made a part of this title as though all matters and information set forth on the map were fully described in this title.
B. The official zoning map, and each panel thereof, shall be identified by the signature of the mayor, attested by the city clerk, and shall bear the seal of the city. The original of the official zoning map shall be retained in the office of the city clerk. (Ord. 1198 § 22 (Exh. D), 2017; Ord. 744 § 2, 1995).
17.05.080 Rules of interpretation.
When uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of any use district shown on the official zoning map, the following rules of interpretation shall apply:
A. Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately following the centerline of streets, alleys, highways, or railroad tracks, the actual centerline shall be construed to be the boundary.
B. Where district boundaries are indicated as running approximately parallel to the centerline of a street, the boundary line shall be construed to be parallel to the centerline of the street.
C. Where district boundaries are indicated on such map as approximately following the lot or tract lines, the actual lot or tract lines shall be construed to be the boundary of such use district.
D. Where a district boundary on the official zoning map divides a tract in unsubdivided property, the location of the use district boundary, unless the same is indicated by dimensions thereon, shall be determined by use of the scale appearing on the official zoning map.
E. Unmapped shorelands shall be considered to be within the same land use district as the adjacent upland as shown on the official zoning map.
F. Where a public street or alley is officially vacated or abandoned, the regulations applicable to the abutting property to which the vacated portion reverts shall apply to such vacated or abandoned street or alley.
G. Where a district boundary line divides a lot which was in single ownership at the time of passage of the ordinance codified in this title, the planning commission may permit, as a special exception, the extension of the regulations for either portion of the lot not to exceed 50 feet beyond the district line into the remaining portion of the lot.
H. In case uncertainty exists which cannot be determined by application of the foregoing rules, the planning commission shall determine the location of such use district boundaries. (Ord. 1198 § 22 (Exh. D), 2017; Ord. 744 § 2, 1995).
17.05.090 Title compliance.
Except as provided in this title:
A. No building or structure shall be constructed and no existing building or structure shall be moved, altered, added to or enlarged, nor shall any land, building, structure or premises be used, for any purpose or in any manner other than a use listed in this title as permitted in the use district in which such land, building, structure, or premises is located.
B. No building or structure shall be constructed, nor shall any existing building or structure be moved, reconstructed or structurally altered, to exceed the height of the limit established by this title for the use district in which such building or structure is located.
C. No building or structure shall be constructed, nor shall any building or structure be moved, altered, enlarged or rebuilt, nor shall any open spaces surrounding any building or structure be encroached upon or reduced in any manner, except in conformity with the building site requirements and the area and yard regulations established by this title for the use district in which such building or structure is located.
D. No required yard or other open space provided about any building or structure shall be considered as providing a yard or open space for any other building or structure. (Ord. 1198 § 22 (Exh. D), 2017; Ord. 744 § 2, 1995).
17.05.100 Administration and enforcement.
The director, as the duly authorized representative of the mayor, is charged with the responsibility of carrying out the provisions of the zoning code. He/she may be provided with the assistance of such other persons as the mayor may direct. The director shall administer the zoning ordinance as follows:
A. Interpretations. All interpretations of this title shall be made by the director or his/her delegate. All interpretations shall be reduced to writing and an orderly, retrievable record shall be kept.
B. Certificate of Zoning Compliance – Performance Bond. No building or structure shall be occupied, and no land shall be used nor shall any use regulated by this code be changed, until the director shall have issued a certificate of zoning compliance, certifying that the use complies with the requirements of this code, and all conditions imposed upon such use have been satisfied or that a bond or other equivalent security has been posted to secure performance of such conditions. The performance bond, or equivalent, shall be in a form acceptable to the city attorney, and shall be in the amount of 150 percent of the estimated cost of satisfying all remaining conditions.
C. Enforcement. The director, or his/her delegate, shall be responsible for taking any action necessary to enforce this title. If the director shall find that any of the provisions are being violated, he/she may notify the person responsible and seek voluntary compliance, or in appropriate cases issue a cease and desist order to the person responsible for such violation, indicating the nature of the violation, ordering the responsible person to cease and desist from such violation, setting forth the action necessary to correct the violation and establishing a date certain for such action to be taken. The cease and desist order shall require the discontinuance of illegal use of land, buildings, or structures; removal of illegal buildings or structures; or of additions, alterations, or structural changes thereto; discontinuance of any illegal work being done; or shall take any other action authorized by this title to ensure compliance with or prevent violations of its provisions. Willful violation of a cease and desist order shall constitute a misdemeanor. Violation of a cease and desist order shall be deemed willful if such violation shall continue with knowledge of the contents of such order, provided, the cease and desist order shall be stayed during the pendency of any appeal thereof as provided in Chapter 14.40 SMC.
D. Filing of Complaints. Whenever a violation of this title occurs, any person may file a complaint in regard thereto. All such complaints must be in writing, and shall be filed with the director who shall properly record such complaint, conduct a preliminary investigation and take such other action as he/she deems necessary.
E. Penalty. Violation of the provisions of this title or failure to comply with any of its requirements, other than willful violations of a cease and desist order, shall constitute a civil infraction, subject to a penalty of $250.00. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate infraction. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the city from seeking such other legal or equitable remedies as may be available to prevent or remedy any violation. (Ord. 1198 § 22 (Exh. D), 2017; Ord. 744 § 2, 1995).