APPENDIX A
DEFINITIONS
A. General Provisions.
1. For the purpose of this code, certain words and terms are herein defined. The word “shall” is always mandatory. The word “may” is permissive, subject to the judgment of the person administering the code.
2. Words not defined herein shall be construed as defined in Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary.
3. The present tense includes the future, and the future the present.
4. The singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
5. Use of male designations shall also include female.
B. Definitions.
AASHTO: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Abandoned: Knowing relinquishment by the owner, of right or claim to the subject property or structure on that property, without any intention of transferring rights to the property or structure to another owner, tenant, or lessee, or of resuming the owner’s use of the property. “Abandoned” shall include but not be limited to circumstances involving tax forfeiture, bankruptcy, or mortgage foreclosure.
Abate: To take whatever steps are deemed necessary by the city manager or designee to ensure that the property complies with applicable SVMC requirements. Abatement may include, but is not limited to, rehabilitation, demolition, removal, replacement, or repair.
Accessory: A building, area, part of a building, structure, or use which is subordinate to, and the use of which is incidental to, that of the primary building, structure, or use on the same lot.
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act.
Addressing: Includes the following:
• Address: A property location identification with the following format: address number, directional prefix, street name, street type, building designator, and secondary address (e.g., “123 E. Main St., Apt. 456”). The following elements are required: address number, street name, and street type. The following elements may be optional: directional prefix, building designator, and secondary address.
• Address number: The numeric designation for an addressable parcel, structure, or unit.
• Addressable: A property required to be assigned an address pursuant to Chapter 22.135 SVMC.
• Addressable property, addressable structures, addressable sites, addressable lots, or addressable units: The habitable or legally occupied structure on a parcel, but may also include other structures or sites as determined necessary by the city manager.
• Addressing grid system: The address number and directional system in a particular area such as a grid system or block system.
• Building designator: A single character alphabetic descriptor for a single building within a multiple unit complex (e.g., “1221 E. Sprague Avenue, Bldg. A”).
• Directional prefix: A single or double character alphabetic descriptor preceding a street name consisting of any combination of the cardinal directions of north, south, east, and west which are generally used in specific street naming schemes (i.e., N, S, E, W).
• Multiple units: The presence of two or more addressable structures, addressable sites, or addressable units on a single parcel.
• Multiple unit complex: An apartment, condominium, or business complex where there exist multiple buildings on a single site, and two or more buildings include multiple units.
• Multiple unit structure: A single structure which contains two or more units.
• Street name: The word or words either existing or, in the case of new or renamed streets, which are approved by the City, used in conjunction with a directional prefix and/or a street type to identify a public or private street.
• Temporary address: An address assigned for the purpose of installing phone/electrical service or other utility on a parcel of land prior to an application for a building permit. Temporary addresses are subject to change at the time of building permit application.
• Unit: A specific dwelling or commercial space amongst a larger group of dwellings or commercial spaces (e.g., apartment, suites, etc.).
• Unit designator: An abbreviated word used in conjunction with a secondary address to describe the character of the unit, and will be in accordance with current USPS published standards.
Adequate public facilities: Facilities which have the capacity to serve development without decreasing levels of service below locally established minima.
Administrative exception: A minor deviation from standards pursuant to Chapter 19.140 SVMC.
Adult entertainment: Includes the following:
• Adult arcade device: Sometimes also known as “panoram,” “preview,” or “picture arcade.”
• Adult arcade establishment: A commercial premises to which a member of the public is invited or admitted and where adult arcade stations, booths, or devices are used to exhibit or display a graphic picture, view, film, videotape, or digital display of specified sexual activity, or live adult entertainment in a booth setting to a member of the public on a regular basis or as a substantial part of the premises’ activity.
• Adult arcade or peep show: Any device which, for payment of a fee, membership fee, or other charge, is used to exhibit or display a graphic picture, view, film, videotape, or digital display of specified sexual activity, or live adult entertainment in a booth setting. All such devices are denominated under this appendix by the term “adult arcade device.” The term “adult arcade device” as used in this code does not include other games which employ pictures, views, video displays, or gambling devices which do not exhibit or display adult entertainment.
• Adult arcade station or booth: An enclosure where a patron, member, or customer would ordinarily be positioned while using an adult arcade device or viewing a live adult entertainment performance, exhibition, or dance in a booth. “Adult arcade station” or “booth” refers to the area in which an adult arcade device is located and from which the graphic picture, view, film, videotape, digital display of specified sexual activity, or live adult entertainment is to be viewed. These terms do not mean such an enclosure that is a private office used by an owner, manager, or person employed on the premises for attending the tasks of his or her employment, if the enclosure is not held out to any member of the public for use, for hire, or for a fee for the purpose of viewing the entertainment provided by the arcade device or live adult entertainment, and not open to any person other than employees.
• Adult entertainment establishment: Collectively refers to adult arcade establishments and live adult entertainment establishments licensed pursuant to Chapter 5.10 SVMC.
• Applicant: An individual or entity seeking an adult entertainment establishment license.
• Applicant control person: All partners, corporate officers and directors, and other individuals in the applicant’s business organization who hold a significant interest in the adult entertainment business, based on responsibility for management of the adult entertainment establishment.
• Employee: Any person, including a manager, entertainer, or an independent contractor, who works in, at, or renders services directly related to the operation of an adult entertainment establishment.
• Entertainer: Any person who provides live adult entertainment within an adult entertainment establishment as defined in this appendix, whether or not a fee is charged or accepted for entertainment.
• Licensing administrator: The city manager of the City of Spokane Valley and his/her designee and is the person designated to administer this code.
• Liquor: All beverages defined in RCW 66.04.010(25).
• Live adult entertainment:
1. An exhibition, performance, or dance conducted in a commercial premises for a member of the public where the exhibition, performance, or dance involves a person who is nude or seminude. Adult entertainment shall include, but is not limited to, performances commonly known as “strip teases”;
2. An exhibition, performance, or dance conducted in a commercial premises where the exhibition, performance, or dance is distinguished or characterized by a predominant emphasis on the depiction, description, simulation, or relation to the following “specified sexual activities”:
a. Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal;
b. Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, or bestiality;
c. Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, or female breasts; or
3. An exhibition, performance, or dance that is intended to sexually stimulate a member of the public. This includes, but is not limited to, such an exhibition, performance, or dance performed for, arranged with, or engaged in with fewer than all members of the public on the premises at that time, whether conducted or viewed in an arcade booth or otherwise, with separate consideration paid, either directly or indirectly, for the performance, exhibition, or dance and that is commonly referred to as table dancing, couch dancing, taxi dancing, lap dancing, private dancing, or straddle dancing.
• Live adult entertainment establishment: A commercial premises to which a member of the public is invited or admitted and where an entertainer provides live adult entertainment, in a setting which does not include arcade booths or devices, to a member of the public on a regular basis or as a substantial part of the premises’ activity.
• Manager: Any person who manages, directs, administers, or is in charge of the affairs or conduct, or the affairs and conduct (or of a portion of the affairs or conduct) occurring at an adult entertainment establishment.
• Member of the public: A customer, patron, club member, or person, other than an employee, who is invited or admitted to an adult entertainment establishment.
• Nude or seminude: A state of complete or partial undress in such costume, attire, or clothing so as to expose any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola or any portion of the pubic region, anus, buttocks, vulva, or genitals, or human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.
• “Open to the public room so that the area inside is fully and completely visible to the manager”: Premises where there is no door, curtain, partition, or other device extending from the top of the door frame of an arcade booth or station, with the exception of a door which is completely transparent and constructed of safety glass as specified in the International Building Code, so that the activity and occupant inside the enclosure are fully and completely visible by direct line of sight to the manager located at the manager’s station which shall be located at the main entrance way to the public room.
• Operator: Any person operating, conducting, or maintaining an adult entertainment establishment.
• Person: Any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, marital community, joint venture, governmental entity, or other entity or group of persons however organized.
• Premises: The land, structures, places, equipment, and appurtenances connected or used in any business, and any personal property or fixtures used in connection with any adult entertainment establishment.
• Sexual conduct: Acts of:
1. Sexual intercourse within its ordinary meaning, occurring upon any penetration, however slight;
2. A penetration of the vagina or anus, however slight, by an object;
3. A contact between persons involving the sex organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another;
4. Masturbation, manual or instrumental, of oneself or of one person by another; or
5. Touching of the sex organs, anus, or female breast, whether clothed or unclothed, of oneself or of one person by another.
• Specified sexual activities: Refers to the following:
1. Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal;
2. Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, or bestiality; or
3. Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, or female breasts.
• Transfer of ownership or control: Of an adult entertainment establishment means any of the following:
1. The sale, lease, or sublease of the business;
2. The transfer of securities that constitute a controlling interest in the business, whether by sale, exchange, or similar means;
3. The establishment of a trust, gift, or other similar legal device that transfers the ownership or control of the business; or
4. Transfer by bequest or other operation of law upon the death of the person possessing the ownership or control.
Adult entertainment and retail: An adult entertainment or adult retail use establishment. See “Entertainment, use category.”
Adult entertainment establishment: Collectively refers to adult arcade establishments and live adult entertainment establishments, as defined herein.
Adult retail use establishment: A retail use establishment which, for money or any other form of consideration, devotes a significant or substantial portion of stock in trade to the sale, exchange, rental, loan, trade, or transferring of adult-oriented merchandise. The retail use establishment may permit patrons to view the adult-oriented merchandise for possible purchase or rental, but such on-premises viewing shall not be in exchange for money or any other form of consideration.
Affordable housing: Where the term “affordable” is used, it refers to the federal definition of affordability stating that annual housing costs shall not exceed one-third of a family’s annual income. When establishing affordability standards for moderate to extremely low-income families and individuals, the median household income is the amount calculated and published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development each year for Spokane County.
Agricultural: Relating to the science or art of cultivating soil or producing crops to be used or consumed directly or indirectly by man or livestock, or raising of livestock.
Agricultural processing: The series of operations taken to change agricultural products into food and consumer products. Uses include creameries. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Agriculture and animals, use category: Activities wherein animals or plants are raised, produced, or kept. It also includes establishments that process animals and agricultural products to make food or goods. Examples include beekeeping, animal shelters, kennels, doggie day cares, riding stables, community gardens, commercial greenhouses or nurseries, orchards, tree farms, feed lots, rendering yards, livestock auction yards, and slaughterhouses.
Aircraft manufacture: The manufacture or assembly of complete aircraft, aircraft prototypes, aircraft conversion, overhaul, and rebuilding. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Airport: An area of land or water that is used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, and includes its buildings and facilities, if any.
Airport hazard: Any structure or object of natural growth located in the vicinity of the airport which obstructs the airspace required for the flight of aircraft or airport operations.
Airport land use compatibility zone: Aircraft accident zones established by WSDOT, Division of Aviation, and adopted by ordinance wherein certain land uses are restricted in order to protect the airport from encroachment from incompatible land uses.
Airport obstruction: Any structure or object of natural growth or use of land which would exceed the federal obstruction standards established in 14 CFR Sections 77.21, 77.23, 77.25, and 77.28, or which obstructs the airspace required for flight of aircraft in landing or takeoff, or is otherwise hazardous to airport operations.
Airstrip, private: An aircraft landing strip under private ownership which may provide specialty flying services without regular routes using general purpose aircraft. See “Transportation, use category.”
Alley: A public right-of-way which provides access only to the rear and/or side of properties abutting and having access to a public road.
Altered/alteration: Any change, addition, or modification in construction or any change of occupancy from one use to another or from one division of a trade to another.
Ambulance service: A facility used for the housing and dispatch of emergency medical personnel and paramedics using ground transportation. See “Medical, use category.”
Amendment: A change in the wording or substance of the code, or a change in the zone boundaries.
Animal clinic/veterinary: A facility dedicated to the care of animals, which may include grooming services and short-term boarding. See “Office, use category.”
Animal, large: Domesticated animals including, but not limited to, horses, donkeys, burros, llamas, bovines, goats, sheep, and other animals or livestock of similar size and type. Young of horses, mules, donkeys, burros, llamas, and alpaca, under one year in age; bovines, under 10 months in age; and sheep and goats under three months in age shall not be included when computing intensity of large animals.
Animal processing/handling: The management or processing of animals for food preparation or goods manufacturing. Includes stockyards, feed lots, auction yards for livestock, slaughterhouses, meat packing facilities, and rendering plants. See “Agriculture and animals, use category.”
Animal raising or keeping: The keeping of large and small domesticated animals other than household pets. See “Agriculture and animals, use category.”
Animal shelter: A facility that houses and disposes of homeless, lost, or abandoned animals; mostly dogs and cats. See “Agriculture and animals, use category.”
Animal, small: Domesticated animals or fowl other than a household pet, or large animals including, but not limited to, chickens, guinea hens, geese, ducks, turkeys, pigeons, emus, ostriches (struthious), kangaroos, rabbits, mink, chinchilla, and other animals or fowl of similar size and type. Young small animals or fowl under three months of age shall not be included when computing intensity of small animals or fowl. Young or miniature large animals are not included in this definition and are considered large animals.
Animal, wildlife rehabilitation, or scientific research facility: A building, structure, pen, or portion(s) thereof, or an area of land where animals are housed, kept, or maintained for the purpose of wildlife rehabilitation; or for the purpose of investigation, aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts; or the collecting of information about a particular subject.
Antique store: A retail establishment offering for sale glass, china, art objects, furniture, or similar furnishings and decorations which have value and significance as a result of age and design. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
AO: Is characterized as sheet flow and AH indicates ponding and includes a base flood elevation.
Apparel/tailor shop: A service providing for the alteration and repair of clothing. See “Personal services.”
Appeal: A request for a review of the interpretation of any provision of the code or a request for a variance.
Appliance manufacture: The manufacture, assembly, and storage of household appliances. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Appliance sales/service: The sale, servicing, and repair of home appliances including radios, televisions, washers, refrigerators, and ranges. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Aquifer: The underground layer of rock and sand that contains usable quantities of water.
Area of shallow flooding: A designated AO or AH Zone on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and which has the following characteristics:
1. The base flood depths range from one to three feet;
2. A clearly defined channel does not exist;
3. The path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate; and
4. Velocity flow may be evident.
Area of special flood hazard: The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. Designation on maps always includes the letters A or V.
Art gallery/studio: The work areas of graphic artists, painters, sculptors, weavers, quilters, and other artists with display and sales areas. See “Cultural facilities.”
Arterial/road map: The official maps adopted as part of the Comprehensive Plan.
As-graded: The extent of surface conditions on completion of grading.
Asphalt plant/manufacturing: The manufacture of carbon-based paving and saturated materials compounds. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Assembly, heavy: The assemblage of materials and/or metals for commercial and industrial uses. For examples, see “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Assembly, light: The assemblage of materials into products. For examples, see “Industrial, light use category.”
Assisted living facility: A residential facility that provides routine protective oversight or assistance for independent living to mentally and physically limited persons in a residential setting. Services include, but are not limited to, transportation, food service, pharmacy, and limited nursing services. An assisted living center may be included as a part of a nursing home or convalescent center complex. See “Group living, use category.”
Attached: Structurally dependent, sharing a common or party wall for not less than 50 percent of the length of the primary structure(s). A breezeway is not a common wall.
Auction house: A building where sale items are stored or displayed where persons are permitted to attend sales and offer bids on such items. See “Warehouse, wholesale, and freight movement, use category.”
Auction yard: An open area where sale items are stored or displayed and where persons are permitted to attend sales and offer bids on such items. See “Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category.”
Auction yard, livestock: Facilities designed for the sale of livestock at auction, including barns, holding pens, and loading facilities. See “Animal processing/handling.”
Automobile assembly plant: A manufacturing facility for new cars and trucks. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Automobile impound yard: A secure area used for the temporary impoundment of motor vehicles by law enforcement. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Automobile/taxi rental: Facilities including parking, for vehicles available for rent or lease. Facilities for fueling, servicing, and minor repair may be accessory to the rental use. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Automobile/truck/RV/motorcycle painting, repair, body and fender works: A facility providing for the repair and painting of a wide variety of motor vehicles, not including engine overhaul. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Automobile/truck sales and service: An area located on private property used for the display and sale of more than two new or used passenger automobiles or light trucks, including sports utility vehicles, or any truck with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of less than one ton, including service. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Automotive parts, accessories, and tires: A retail establishment engaged in the sale of new or refurbished automotive parts and accessories, including installation of tires, automotive accessories, and the minor repair of passenger cars and light trucks. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Available public facilities: Facilities or services are in place or a financial commitment is in place to provide the facilities or services within a specified time. In the case of transportation, the specified time is six years from the time of development.
Awning: A roof-like cover that projects from the wall of a building for the purpose of identity, decoration, or shielding a doorway or window from the elements.
Bakery products manufacturing: A facility preparing baked goods for regional distribution with accessory retail sales. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Bakery, retail: A retail business offering baked goods including pies, doughnuts, cakes, and breads for sale to the public. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Bankfull depth: The average vertical distance between the channel bed and the estimated water surface elevation required to completely fill the channel to a point above which water would enter the floodplain or intersect a terrace or hill slope. In cases where multiple channels exist, the bankfull depth is the average depth of all channels along the cross-section.
Bankfull width:
• For streams – the measurement of the lateral extent of the water surface elevation perpendicular to the channel at bankfull depth. In cases where multiple channels exist, bankfull width is the sum of the individual channel widths along the cross-section.
• For lakes, ponds, and impoundments – line of mean high water.
• For periodically inundated areas of associated wetlands – the line of periodic inundation, which will be found by examining the edge of inundation to ascertain where the presence and action of waters are so common and usual, and so long continued in all ordinary years, as to mark upon the soil a character distinct from that of the abutting upland.
Banks, savings and loan, and other financial institutions: Offices and service facilities for banks, savings and loans, credit unions, or other financial institutions, including drive-through windows. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Barber/beauty shop: A facility offering haircuts, manicures, and similar personal services. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Base flood: The flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Also referred to as the “100-year flood.” Designation on maps always includes the letters A or V.
Basement: The portion of a building at least four feet below grade for more than 50 percent of the perimeter but not more than eight feet below grade at any point of the structure.
Battery charging station: An electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
Battery exchange station: A fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.27 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540 as now adopted or hereafter amended.
Battery rebuilding/manufacture: A facility that specializes in retail, wholesale, OEM/manufacturing, custom battery rebuilding, and battery assembly for consumer and industrial use. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Bed and breakfast: A single-family dwelling which provides accommodations for one or more paying guests on a reservation basis. See “Lodging, use category.”
Bedrock: The more or less solid rock in place on or beneath the surface of the earth. It may be soft, medium, or hard and have a smooth or irregular surface.
Beehive: A structure designed to contain one colony of honey bees (apis mellifera) and registered with the Washington State Department of Agriculture per Chapter 15.60 RCW or as hereafter amended.
Beekeeping, commercial: An activity where more than 25 beehives are kept on a lot. See “Agriculture and animals, use category.”
Beekeeping, hobby: The keeping of 25 or fewer beehives on a lot. See “Agriculture and animals, use category.”
Bench: As referred to in grading, a relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be placed.
Berm: A narrow ledge or shelf of land generally consisting of earth material that may be natural or artificial.
Best management practices (BMP): Currently available, feasible, and generally accepted techniques or practices that mitigate the adverse impact from the uncontrolled stormwater on the environment, surrounding properties, and infrastructure.
Bicycle: A vehicle having two tandem wheels propelled solely by human power, upon which any persons or person may ride.
Bicycle lane: That portion of a paved roadway striped for use by bicycles.
Bicycle path: A bikeway physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and either within the highway right-of-way or within an independent right-of-way.
Bicycle route: A segment of a system of bikeways designated with appropriate directional and informational markers with or without specific bicycle route number.
Bicycle sales and service: A retail establishment offering for sale to the public nonmotorized vehicles, including bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, unicycles, or similar equipment, and providing repairs. See “General sales/service.”
Bikeway: Any road, path, or way, which in some manner is specifically designated and which may legally be used by bicycles regardless of whether such facilities are designated for the exclusive use of bicycles or are to be shared with other transportation modes.
Binding site plan: A plan drawn to scale for the division of land processed in accordance with SVMC Title 20 and Chapter 58.17 RCW.
Block: A parcel of land surrounded by public streets, highways, railroad rights-of-way, public walks, parks, green strips, rural land, drainage channels, or a combination thereof.
Boat building: The construction, refurbishing, and repair of recreational boats. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Book/stationery store: A retail establishment offering books, magazines, greeting cards, and similar items to the public. See “Educational and hobby store.”
Border easement: A dedicated easement on private property adjacent to public street right(s)-of-way established for the purposes of utility, drainage facilities, pedestrian access, or other public purpose.
Borrow: As referred to in grading, earth material acquired from either an on- or off-site location for use in grading on a site.
Bottling plant: An industrial facility which provides for the packaging and distribution of liquid products, including the mixing of liquid components. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Boundary line adjustment: A land use action adjusting lot lines.
Boundary line elimination: A land use action aggregating two or more lots or parcels of land.
Bowling alley: Indoor entertainment facility that provides rental and sale of bowling equipment and restaurant services. See “Recreational facility.”
Breakaway wall: A wall that is not part of the structural support of the building and is intended through its design and construction to collapse under specific lateral loading forces, without causing damage to the elevated portion of the building or supporting foundation system.
Brewery, micro: An establishment brewing specialized beers for localized distribution, as well as local restaurant services. See “Tavern/night club.”
Brewery, winery, or distillery: A facility engaged in the production of beer, wine, or spirits for regional distribution, including fermentation, distillation, and bottling. See “Tavern/night club.”
Broom manufacturing: The manufacture of brooms, brushes, and mops. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Building height: The vertical distance from the average finished grade to the average height of the highest roof surface.
Building official: The authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the adopted building codes pursuant to SVMC 18.40.010.
Building setback line: A line established as the minimum distance a structure may be located from any property line or border easement.
Building supply and home improvement: An establishment selling hardware, lumber, sheetrock, plumbing supplies, flooring, lighting fixtures, landscaping supplies, nursery stock, and appliances at retail and wholesale. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Bulkheads: Retaining wall structures erected to stabilize land at the water’s edge and prevent erosion. Revetments are the same as bulkheads.
Caliper: The diameter of a deciduous tree measured at four and one-half feet above grade.
Camera sales and service: The retail sale of photographic equipment and supplies, and the repair of cameras, lenses, tripods, optical, and related photographic accessories. See “Specialty stores.”
Camping units: A structure, shelter, or vehicle designed and intended for temporary occupancy by persons engaged in camping or use of a camping unit for recreation. Camping units include, but are not limited to, recreational vehicles, recreational park trailers and campers, camping cabins, tents, tepees, yurts, and other similar shelters.
Candy and confectionery: The preparation and specialty retail sale of candy and confectionery, not otherwise classified as a grocery store. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Carnival or circus: Temporary entertainment facilities providing rides, exhibits, games, musical productions, food and drink, and items for sale as part of a private commercial venture. See “Entertainment, use category.”
Carpenter shop: An establishment producing finished wooden products from raw materials. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Carpet and rug cleaning plants: A plant engaged in the cleaning and repair of carpets and textiles utilizing solvents and volatile organic compounds. It does not include cleaning services provided on client premises. See “Industrial service.”
Car wash: Facilities for the washing of passenger cars and light trucks as either a primary use or accessory to fueling stations, convenience stores, or similar permitted uses. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Car wash, automated: A car wash using robotic tracks or systems to wash the exterior of passenger cars and light trucks. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Casino: A gaming establishment licensed pursuant to Chapter 9.46 RCW, including restaurant services. See “Entertainment, use category.”
Catalogue and mail-order houses: Merchandise warehouse and distribution center, including showroom. See “Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category.”
Catering services: Food preparation intended for delivery to location(s) different from that where the preparation takes place. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Cemetery: Land or facilities used or planned for use for the preparation for the disposition of human or animal remains including columbaria, crematories, mausoleums, and mortuaries when operated in conjunction with and within the boundary of such cemetery. See “Parks and open space, use category.”
Ceramics shop: A retail store which provides the supplies and equipment for molding, firing, glazing, and enameling ceramic goods. See “Specialty stores.”
Certificate of occupancy: An official certificate issued by the building official that indicates conformance with building requirements and zoning regulations and authorizes legal use of the premises for which it is issued.
Certificate of title: A letter, report, opinion, statement, policy, or certificate prepared and executed by a title describing all encumbrances of record which affect the property, together with all recorded deeds, including any part of the property included in the plat.
Chemical manufacture: Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing chemicals using basic processes, such as thermal cracking and distillation. Chemicals manufactured in this industry group are usually separate chemical elements or separate chemically defined compounds, not including aluminum oxide manufacturing, primary metal manufacturing, ceramics, and beverage distilleries which are defined separately. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Church, temple, mosque, synagogue, house of worship: An establishment, the principal purpose of which is religious worship and for which the main building or other structure contains the sanctuary or principal place of worship, and including accessory uses in the main building or in separate buildings or structures, including Sunday school rooms and religious education classrooms, assembly rooms, a common kitchen, a library room or reading room, columbaria, recreation hall, and on-site living quarters for members of religious orders and caretakers. See “Community services, use category.”
City: The City of Spokane Valley, Washington.
City council: The governing body of the City.
City property: Real property owned by the City which may include easements, dedications, and rights-of-way.
City standards: The Spokane Regional Stormwater Manual, the City of Spokane Valley street standards, and other standards developed or recognized by the city manager or designee that relate to best management practices, design criteria, exemptions, permitting processes forms, and such other matters for the administration of stormwater control.
Clothes manufacture: The manufacture of apparel for wholesale distribution. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Clothes, retail sales: A retail store offering clothing, footwear, and accessories for sale to the general public. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Club: An association of persons for some common purpose, but not including groups organized primarily to render a service which is customarily carried on as a business.
Code: Spokane Valley Municipal Code (SVMC).
Cold storage/food locker: A commercial building designed to prevent spoilage of food and to store food for retail food stores or persons buying in large quantities. See “Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category.”
Collocation: Locating wireless communication equipment from more than one provider on one structure on one site.
Communication equipment manufacture: The manufacture, assembly, and storage of communications equipment. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Communication facilities, use category: Any towers, poles, antennas, structures, or broadcasting studios intended for use in connection with transmission or receipt of telecommunication signals.
Communication service/sales: Establishments providing for the sale and service of communications equipment including, but not limited to, telephones, satellite dishes, and radio equipment. See “General sales/service.”
Community facilities: The facilities of local government, other public agencies, or nonprofit organizations including, but not limited to, police stations, fire stations, government offices, courtrooms, water/wastewater storage and treatment facilities, except transit stations, churches, and schools. See “Public/quasi-public, use category.”
Community garden: Facility or area for cultivation of fruits, flowers, vegetables, or ornamental plants by more than one person or family. See “Agriculture and animals, use category.”
Community hall, club, or lodge: A building and related grounds used for social, civic, or recreational purposes and owned and operated by a nonprofit group serving the area in which it is located and open to the general public. See “Community services, use category.”
Community residential facility: A dwelling licensed, certified, or authorized by state authorities as a residence for children or adults in need of supervision, support, or assistance. See “Group living, use category.”
Community services, use category: Uses of a public, nonprofit, or charitable nature that provide a local service to the community. Examples include funeral service facilities, religious institutions, senior centers, community centers, youth club facilities, hospices, drug and alcohol centers, social service facilities, mass shelters, short-term housing when operated by a public or nonprofit agency, vocational training for the physically or mentally disabled, soup kitchens, and surplus food distribution centers. “Community services” include the following specific uses:
• Emergency housing: Temporary indoor accommodations for individuals or families who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless that is intended to address the basic health, food, clothing, and personal hygiene needs of individuals or families. Emergency housing may or may not require occupants to enter into a lease or an occupancy agreement.
• Emergency shelter: An indoor facility that provides a temporary shelter for individuals or families who are currently homeless. Emergency shelters may not require occupants to enter into a lease or an occupancy agreement. Emergency shelter facilities may include day and warming centers that do not provide overnight accommodations.
• Permanent supportive housing: Subsidized, leased housing with no limit on length of stay that prioritizes people who need comprehensive support services to retain tenancy and utilizes admissions practices designed to use lower barriers to entry than would be typical for other subsidized or unsubsidized rental housing, especially related to rental history, criminal history, and personal behaviors. Permanent supportive housing is paired with on-site or off-site voluntary services designed to support a person living with a complex and disabling behavioral health or physical health condition who was experiencing homelessness or was at imminent risk of homelessness prior to moving into housing to retain their housing and be a successful tenant in a housing arrangement, improve the resident’s health status, and connect the resident of the housing with community-based health care, treatment, or employment services. Permanent supportive housing is subject to all of the rights and responsibilities defined in Chapter 59.18 RCW.
• Transitional housing: A project that provides housing and supportive services to homeless persons or families, or other displaced individuals or families in need of protective shelter, for up to two years and that has as its purpose facilitating the movement of homeless or otherwise displaced persons and families into independent living. Detention and post-detention facilities, hospitals, psychiatric and/or substance abuse and secure community transition facilities are not transitional housing.
• Transitional parking program: A program for people who are experiencing homelessness and sleeping in their vehicles at night. A transitional parking program can include locations open only for overnight use, or locations only during the daytime and overnight where persons experiencing homelessness reside in their vehicles on site.
Compaction: The densification of a fill by mechanical means.
Composting storage/processing, commercial: A facility storing or composting organic material for commercial purposes. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Comprehensive Plan: The Comprehensive Plan adopted by Spokane Valley, Washington, pursuant to Chapter 36.70A RCW.
Computer manufacture and assembly: See “Electrical/electronic/computer component/system manufacturing and assembly.”
Computer services: Facilities used for the design and testing of computer systems and component parts, including software design and computer support services. See “Office, professional.”
Concurrency: Adequate public facilities required when the service demands of development occur.
Conditional use: A use authorized subject to conditions and performance standards established by the hearing examiner.
Contractor’s yard: An area and/or building used to store, maintain, and repair equipment, trucks, and motor vehicles, construction supplies, building equipment, and raw materials for an individual or for a contractor engaged in building or other construction businesses including, but not limited to, plumbing, electrical, structural, finish, demolition, transportation, masonry, excavating, or other construction work. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Convalescent home/nursing home: A residential facility licensed by the state or county to provide long-term special care and supervision to convalescents, invalids, and/or aged persons, but where no persons are kept who suffer from mental sickness or disease or physical disorder or ailment which is normally treated within sanitariums or hospitals. Special care in such a facility includes, but is not limited to, nursing, feeding, recreation, boarding, and other personal services. See “Group living, use category.”
Convenience store: A retail store of less than 10,000 square feet in size engaged in the sale of personal or household merchandise, packaged foods, and beverages, which may include fueling stations as an accessory use where permitted. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Cosmetic manufacture/distribution: The manufacture, storage, and distribution of cosmetics, perfumes, and toiletries. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Court: An open, unoccupied space, bounded on more than two sides by the walls of a building. An inner court is entirely surrounded by the exterior walls of a building. An outer court has one side open to a street, alley, yard, or other permanent space.
Crematory: A facility containing a furnace for cremating and providing cremation services. See “Community services, use category.”
Critical areas: Any of the following areas and ecosystems: wetlands, areas with a critical recharge effect on aquifers used for potable water, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, and geologically hazardous areas.
Critical facility: A facility for which even a slight chance of flooding might be too great. Critical facilities include, but are not limited to, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, police, fire, and emergency response installations, installations which produce, use, or store hazardous materials or hazardous waste.
Critical material: A substance present in sufficient quantity that its accidental or intentional release would result in the impairment of one or more beneficial uses of soil, air, and ground and surface water pursuant to Chapters 1730-200 and 246-290 WAC.
Cultural facilities: Establishments that provide cultural opportunities to the public. Examples include performing art centers, exhibition halls, auditoriums, museums, art galleries and studios, dance, and music venues. See “Entertainment, use category.”
Cumulative substantial damage: Flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two separate occasions during a 10-year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, on the average, equals or exceeds 25 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
Day(s): A calendar day, unless otherwise specified, computed by excluding the first day and including the last day pursuant to RCW 1.12.040. When an act to be done requires a City business day, and the last day by which the act may be done is not a City business day, then the last day to act is the following business day.
Day care, adult: A licensed or accredited facility that provides counseling, recreation, food, or any or all of these services to elderly or handicapped persons for a period of less than 24 hours a day. See “Day care, use category.”
Day care, child: A licensed or accredited facility which regularly provides care for a group of children for periods of less than 24 hours and includes pre-kindergarten, nursery schools, Montessori schools, mothers’ day out, and after school programs. See “Day care, use category.”
Day care, use category: A licensed or accredited place, program, or organization that regularly provides care for children, elderly, or handicapped adults for periods of less than 24 hours per day.
Deciduous: Plant materials which shed leaves during the fall and winter season.
Density, gross: The total number of residential dwelling units per gross acre.
Department, community and economic development: The City of Spokane Valley department of community and economic development.
Department, public works: The City of Spokane Valley public works department.
Department/variety store: A store offering a variety of goods to the public at retail including, but not limited to, furniture, clothing, housewares, linens, toys, electronics, small appliances, sporting goods, and footwear. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Detention and post-detention facilities: See “Essential public facility (EPF).”
Development: Any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, drilling operations, or storage of equipment or materials located within the area of special flood hazard.
Director: City manager, unless otherwise stated specifically in the code. The city manager or designee is the individual responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of all or part of the provisions of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code.
District: The area to which certain zoning regulations apply.
Dormitory: See “Dwelling, congregate.”
Double plumbing: Plumbing installation required for properties for which conversion from on-site to public wastewater collection is necessary.
Dredging: The removal of sediment, earth, or gravel from the bottom of a body of water, either for the deepening of navigational channels, to mine the sediment materials, to restore water bodies, or for flood control.
Driveway: Any area, improvement, or facility between the roadway of a public or private street and private property, which provides ingress/egress for vehicles from the roadway to a lot(s) or parcel(s).
Dry cleaners: A retail business providing dry cleaning and laundry services to the public. See “Personal services.”
Dry cleaning, laundry, linen supply plant, commercial: An industrial facility providing laundry, dry cleaning, linen supply, and uniforms on a regional basis. See “Industrial service.”
Dry kiln: An industrial process for curing timber. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Dry line sewer: A sewer line, constructed at the time of property development, which is not put into service until the public sewer system is extended to the development.
Dwelling: A building or portion thereof designed exclusively for residential purposes.
Dwelling, accessory unit: A freestanding detached structure or an attached part of a structure that is subordinate and incidental to the primary dwelling unit located on the same property, providing complete, independent living facilities exclusively for a single housekeeping unit, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation. See “Residential, use category.”
Dwelling, accessory unit – industrial: A dwelling unit within a primary building located in the Industrial zone for occupancy by a person or family for living and sleeping purposes.
Dwelling, accessory unit – industrial mixed-use: A dwelling unit within a primary building located in the Industrial Mixed-Use zone for occupancy by a person or family for living and sleeping purposes.
Dwelling, caretaker’s residence: A dwelling unit provided for the purpose of on-site supervision and security that is occupied by a bona fide employee of the property owner. See “Residential, use category.”
Dwelling, congregate: A residential facility under joint occupancy and single management arranged or used for lodging of unrelated individuals, with or without meals, including boarding or rooming houses, dormitories, fraternities and sororities, and convents and monasteries. Emergency shelters, emergency housing, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing are not considered congregate dwellings. See “Group living, use category.”
Dwelling, cottage: A small single-family dwelling unit developed as a group of dwelling units clustered around a common area pursuant to SVMC 19.40.050 as now adopted or hereafter amended.
Dwelling, duplex: An attached building designed exclusively for occupancy by two families, with separate entrances and individual facilities for cooking, sleeping, and sanitation, but sharing a common or party wall or stacked. See “Residential, use category.”
Dwelling, multifamily: A building designed for occupancy by three or more families, with separate entrances and individual facilities for cooking, sleeping, and sanitation. Townhouses are not considered multifamily development. See “Residential, use category.”
Dwelling, single-family: A building, manufactured or modular home or portion thereof, designed exclusively for single-family residential purposes, with a separate entrance and facilities for cooking, sleeping, and sanitation. See “Residential, use category.”
Dwelling, townhouse: A single-family dwelling unit constructed in groups of three or more attached units in which each unit extends from foundation to roof, open on at least two sides. See “Residential, use category.”
Dwelling unit: One or more rooms, designed, occupied, or intended for occupancy as separate living quarters, with an individual entrance, cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities for the exclusive use of one family maintaining a household.
Earth material: Any rock, natural soil, or fill or any combination thereof.
Easement: A right to use the land of others. The right may be from the common law or may be acquired, usually by purchase or condemnation and occasionally by prescription or inverse condemnation. The right is not exclusive, but subject to rights of others in the same land, the lesser right being subservient to a prior right which is dominant.
Eating and drinking establishment, use category: This is a use in which food and/or beverages are prepared and sold at retail for immediate consumption on or off premises. Eating and drinking establishments include restaurants and drinking establishments.
Ecologist, qualified: A person who has obtained an undergraduate and/or graduate degree in one of the environmental sciences such as, but not limited to, biology, zoology, botany, wildlife management, or bioengineering from an accredited college or university and has a minimum of two years of field experience evaluating the impacts of human encroachments on riparian fish and wildlife habitats and on riparian vegetation species.
Education, use category: Uses that provide state mandated basic education, higher learning education, vocational or trade education, or specialized training. Preschools and pre-kindergarten facilities are included in the “Day care, use category.”
Educational and hobby store: An establishment that sells educational and hobby oriented merchandise such as bookstores, stationery stores, games, arts, and crafts stores. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Electric vehicle infrastructure: Structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations, rapid charging stations, and battery exchange stations.
Electrical/electronic/computer component/system manufacturing and assembly: The manufacture, assembly of light fixtures, computers or computer components including, but not limited to, relays, chips, routers, semiconductors, and optical processing equipment. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Elevated building: For insurance purposes, a nonbasement building which has its lowest elevated floor raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns.
Elevation certificate: The official form (FEMA Form 81-31) used to track development, provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances, and determine the proper insurance premium rate with Section B completed by community officials.
Engineering geology: The application of geologic knowledge and principles in the investigation and evaluation of naturally occurring rock and soil for use in the design of civil works.
Entertainment/recreation, commercial (indoor): A facility offering indoor entertainment such as a bowling alley, video arcade, dance hall, skating rink, billiard parlor, indoor archery, and gun range. See “Recreational facility.”
Entertainment/recreation, commercial (outdoor): A facility offering outdoor entertainment or games of skill to the general public for a fee or charge such as an archery range, or miniature golf course. See “Recreational facility.”
Entertainment, use category: Uses that are entertainment or recreation oriented.
Equipment rental shop: A business establishment offering equipment for rental. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Equipment sales, repair, and maintenance: A business establishment offering equipment for sale, including repair and maintenance. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Erosion: The disturbance of land or transportation of soil or other native materials by running water, wind, ice, or other geological agents.
Espresso establishment: An establishment with or without drive-through service offering coffee, tea, and other nonalcoholic beverages for sale to the public, with only limited sale of food items incidental to the beverage service for take-out or consumption on the premises. See “Eating and drinking establishment, use category.”
Essential public facility (EPF): Facilities which are typically difficult to site, such as airports, state education facilities, state or regional transportation facilities, state and local correctional facilities, solid waste handling, inpatient facilities including substance abuse, mental health, and secure community transition facilities. See “Public/quasi-public, use category.”
• Detention and post-detention facilities: Congregate residential facilities for the housing, training, and supervision of individuals under judicial detention including, but not limited to, prisons, jails, probation centers, juvenile detention homes, halfway houses, and related post-incarceration facilities.
• Hospital, psychiatric and/or substance abuse: A licensed facility providing inpatient residential rehabilitation and supervision and outpatient care for individuals suffering from substance abuse, psychological or emotional disease, or defect.
• Secure community transition facility (SCTF): A licensed, secure, and supervised residential facility for convicted sex offenders.
Excavation: The mechanical removal of earth material.
Exercise facility: A facility providing physical fitness equipment and facilities, including weight rooms, running tracks, swimming pools, play courts, and similar facilities, as well as counseling in exercise and nutrition. See “Entertainment, use category.”
Existing manufactured home park: A manufactured home park for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, installation of utilities, construction of streets, and either final site grading or pouring of concrete pads) is completed before the effective date of the adopted floodplain management regulations.
Expansion to an existing manufactured home park: The preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including installation of utilities, construction of streets, and either final site grading or pouring of concrete pads).
Explosive manufacturing: The manufacture and storage of substances causing a sudden release of pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure, or high temperature including, but not limited to, dynamite, gun powder, plastic explosives, detonators, or fireworks. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Explosive storage: Storage of explosive materials including, but not limited to, dynamite, gun powder, plastic explosives, detonators, or fireworks. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
FAA: Federal Aviation Administration.
Family: An individual or two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption, or a group of not more than five persons, excluding dependents, who are not related by blood, marriage, or adoption, living together as a single housekeeping unit.
Family home, adult: A licensed residential home in which a person or persons provide personal care, special care, room, and board to adults who are not related by blood or marriage to the person or persons providing the services. See “Community residential facility.”
Family home, child: A licensed child care facility providing regular care for children in the family living quarters. See “Community residential facility.”
Farm machinery sales and repair: A specialized retail facility catering exclusively to the sale and repair of farm machinery including tractors, farm implements, combines, loaders, applicators, and their accessories. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
FCC: Federal Communications Commission.
Feed/cereal/flour mill: A structure or building used to store or grind grain for animal or human consumption. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Feed lot: A confined area or structure used for feeding, breeding, or holding livestock for eventual sale or slaughter, including barns, pens, or other structures. See “Animal processing/handling.”
Fence: A wall or a barrier composed of stone, brick, or posts connected by lumber, rails, panels, or wire for the purpose of enclosing space, marking boundaries, serving as an obstruction or barrier, or separating parcels of land.
Fertilizer manufacture: The manufacture and storage of organic and chemical fertilizer, including manure and sludge processing. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Fill: A deposit of earth material placed by artificial means.
Fire lane: An access designed to accommodate emergency access to a parcel of land or its improvements.
Flood Insurance Rate Map or FIRM: The official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the City.
Flood Insurance Study (FIS): The official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration that includes flood profiles, Flood Boundary-Floodway Map, and water surface elevation of the base flood.
Flood or flooding: A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:
1. The overflow of inland or tidal waters; and/or
2. The unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any source.
Floodplain, 100-year: An area determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or by Spokane County to have a one percent chance of flooding in any given year.
Flood storage area: Floodplain areas designated on the FIRM where the storage and infiltration of floodwater has been taken into account in reducing flood discharges. Storage areas may include floodwater conveyance or floodway characteristics.
Floodway: The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot.
Florist shop: The retail sales of floral arrangements and accessories. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Food product manufacturing/storage: The commercial production or preservation of food products from agricultural products, and/or the packaging, repackaging, or other preparation of food for wholesale distribution including, but not limited to, starch manufacture, sugar refining, pickling, tobacco, and vegetable oil manufacture. See also “Meat/fish cutting, canning, curing, and smoking.” See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Food sales, specialty/butcher shop/meat market/specialty foods: The retail sales of specialty meat and fish products and specialty food, not otherwise classified as a grocery store. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Forest land: Land identified as of long-term significance for growing trees for commercial purposes (WAC 365-190-030(7)).
Fraternity/sorority: An organization formed chiefly for social purposes which may function as a place for living and eating, especially for college students. See also “Dwelling, congregate.”
Freight forwarding: Land and facilities providing for the transport, storage, and shipment of goods. See “Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category.”
Frontage: The full length of a plot of land or a building measured alongside the road onto which the plot or building fronts. In the case of contiguous buildings, individual frontages are usually measured to the middle of any party wall. Interior lots which front on two streets are double frontage lots.
Fueling station: An establishment engaged in the retail sale of gasoline, automotive fuels, and lubricants. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Funeral home: A facility licensed by the state engaged in preparing human remains for burial or cremation. Services may include, but are not limited to, embalming, transport, memorial services, and the sale of caskets. See “Community services, use category.”
Furniture manufacture: The manufacture of furniture and cabinetry. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Furniture sales/repair: Retail sales of household furniture and repairs not including re-upholstery. See “Department/variety store.”
Garage, public: A building or portion thereof, other than a private garage, used for the care, parking, repair, or storage of automobiles, boats, and/or recreational vehicles or where such vehicles are kept for remuneration or hire.
General sales/service: Retail establishments that sell and service small electronics or consumer products such as bikes, computers, small electronics, communication equipment, jewelry, clocks, and musical instruments. Does not include appliance sales/service and equipment sales, repair, and maintenance. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Gift shop: Retail sales of miscellaneous gift items, including novelty merchandise, souvenirs, statuary, ornaments, and decorations. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Golf course: Outdoor course of nine or more holes, including driving range, cart rentals, pro-shop, and restaurant services. See “Parks and open space, use category.”
Golf driving range: A tract of land for practicing long golf shots. See “Parks and open space, use category.”
Grade: The vertical location of the ground surface.
• Existing grade is the grade prior to grading.
• Finish grade is the final grade of the site that conforms to the approved plan.
• Rough grade is the state at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plan.
• Average finished grade is the elevation of the finished ground level at the center of all exterior walls of a building. In case of any wall which is parallel to and within five feet of a lot line, elevation at the lot line adjacent to the center of the wall shall be considered the finished ground level.
Grading: Any excavating or filling or combination thereof.
Grain elevator: A facility for the storage of grain. See also “Feed/cereal/flour mill.” See “Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category.”
Greenhouse/nursery, commercial: An establishment where flowers, shrubbery, vegetables, trees, and other horticultural and floricultural products are grown both in the open and in an enclosed building for sale on a retail or wholesale basis. It does not include marijuana production. See “Agriculture and animals, use category.”
Greenhouse, nursery, garden center, retail: An establishment where flowers, shrubbery, vegetables, trees, and other horticultural and floricultural products are grown both in the open and in an enclosed building for sale on a retail basis. It does not include marijuana production. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Grocery store: A retail establishment offering a wide variety of comestibles, beverages, and household supplies for sale. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Group living, use category: Living facilities for groups of unrelated individuals that include at least one person residing on the site who is responsible for supervising, managing, monitoring, and/or providing care, training, or treatment of residents characterized by shared facilities for eating, hygiene, and/or recreation. Examples include dormitories, fraternities and sororities, assisted living facilities, nursing and convalescent homes, aggregate dwellings, and community residential facilities. Excludes detention and post-detention facilities, emergency shelters, emergency housing, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing.
Gymnasium: A building containing space and equipment for various indoor sports activities (such as basketball or boxing) and usually including spectator accommodations, locker and shower rooms, offices, and swimming pools. See “Recreational facility.”
Halfway house: See “Essential public facility (EPF)” and “Public/quasi-public, use category.”
Hardware store: An establishment engaged in the retail sale and/or rental of hardware and small tools. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Hazardous waste: All dangerous or hazardous waste materials, including substances composed of, or contaminated by, radioactive and hazardous components as defined in RCW 70.105.010(11).
Hazardous waste storage: The holding of hazardous waste for a temporary period, as regulated by Chapter 173-303 WAC. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Hazardous waste treatment: The physical, chemical, or biological processing of hazardous waste for the purpose of rendering these wastes nondangerous or less dangerous, safer for transport, amenable for energy or material resource recovery, amenable for storage, or reduced in volume. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Hearing examiner: The individual designated by the city council to conduct public hearings and render decisions on amendments, special permits, conditional uses, appeals, and other matters as set forth in Chapter 18.20 SVMC.
Heavy truck and industrial vehicle sales, rental, repair, and maintenance: Land and facilities offering the sale, service, and maintenance of motor vehicles and cargo trailers with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight in excess of one ton. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Heliport: A landing facility for rotary wing aircraft subject to regularly scheduled use and may include fueling or servicing facilities for such craft. See “Transportation, use category.”
Helistop: A landing pad for occasional and infrequent use by rotary wing aircraft. No on-site servicing or fueling, and not for regularly scheduled stops. See “Transportation, use category.”
High occupancy vehicle (HOV): A motorized vehicle carrying two or more passengers.
Hobby shop: A retail establishment offering games, crafts and craft supplies, and art supplies to the public. See “Educational and hobby store.”
Home business: A business, profession, or craft accessory to the residential use.
Home furnishings, retail sales: A retail establishment offering decorating services and materials. See “Department/variety store.”
Horse boarding: A barn, stable, or other structure where owners or users of the property commercially bathe, train, house, and/or feed more than three horses or other riding animals, any of which are not owned by the users or owners of the property for more than 24 consecutive hours.
Hospital: An institution licensed by the state offering in- and outpatient medical services, but not including facilities treating exclusively psychiatric, substance or alcohol abuse. See “Medical, use category.”
Hospital, psychiatric and/or substance abuse: See “Essential public facility (EPF).” See “Public/quasi-public, use category.”
Hospital, specialty: A facility providing specialized in- and/or outpatient medical care, including hospices, birthing centers, urgent and trauma care, but not including facilities treating psychiatric, substance or alcohol abuse. See “Medical, use category.”
Hotel/motel: A building in which there are six or more guest rooms where lodging with or without meals is provided for compensation, and where no provision is made for cooking in any individual room or suite. See “Lodging, use category.”
Household pet: Any animal or bird, other than livestock, large or small animals, and animals or birds considered to be predatory or wild, which normally lives in or is kept in a residence.
Ice plant: A facility manufacturing and distributing ice. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Incinerator: A vessel, device, apparatus, or structure designed to burn solid waste under controlled, nuisance-free conditions, and at a relatively high temperature, for the purpose of reducing the combustible components to a nonputrescible residue capable of ready disposal.
Industrial, heavy use category: Establishments that assemble, manufacture, package, or process raw or semi-finished materials to produce goods. Heavy industry can require large amounts of raw materials, area, and power. Heavy industrial uses can have the potential to be dangerous or to have significant impacts to surrounding properties with noise, odor, nuisance, or vibration. It includes uses that do heavy assembly, manufacturing, and processing; produce energy; and handle or store waste. All uses that are allowed in the industrial (light) use category are allowed in the industrial (heavy) use category.
• Dangerous facilities examples include storage of explosives.
• Heavy industrial assembly examples include assembly of motor vehicles and aircraft.
• Heavy industrial manufacturing examples include the production of chemicals, stone, leather, explosives, nonmetallic mineral, machinery, fertilizer, plastic, rubber, tires, soap, petroleum, coal, ink, food, and roll forming and stamping metal.
• Handling waste examples include hazardous solid or liquid waste treatment and storage facilities.
• Heavy processing examples include rubber reclamation facilities, composting, processing and storage facilities (commercial), asphalt/concrete plants, dry kiln, rolling mills, lumber mills, paper mills, metal processing plants, dry kilns, rolling mills, wood preservation, woodworking, composting yards, and mines. It also includes plastic injection molding (thermoset), except that plastic injection molding (thermoplastic) is classified as light industrial use.
Industrial, light use category: Establishments that assemble, manufacture, package, or process semi-finished materials to produce goods. Light industry uses require small amounts of raw materials, area, and power. All processing, fabricating, assembly, or disassembly of items takes place within an enclosed building. Many light industrial uses can utilize small spaces designed for general commercial use, often needing very little renovation or adaptation. Light industry uses tend to be consumer oriented as the products are for end users and typically not to be used in an intermediate step by another industry. Uses that have the potential to impact the environment or adjacent properties are classified in the heavy industrial use category. Production of goods that are to be sold primarily on site and to the general public are classified in the retail sales and services use category.
• Light industrial assembly examples include establishments that assemble electronics, computer components and systems, communication equipment, precision tools, musical, medical and laboratory instruments and apparatus, and power hand tools.
• Light industrial manufacturing examples include clothes, shoes, furniture, signs, medical, and household appliances.
• Light industrial processing examples include ice plants, bottling plants, machine shops, meat and fish processing plants (such as canning, curing, and smoking), feed, cereal, and flour mills, bakery product manufacturing, agricultural processing plants, and marijuana processing facilities.
Industrial service: Establishments that service equipment or products for or to support industrial, commercial, or medical uses, such as: commercial carpet rug cleaning, dry cleaning, laundry linen supply plants, contractors and building maintenance services that perform services off-site, janitorial and building maintenance services, heating and plumbing contractors, construction companies, or electrical contractors, industrial and commercial printing facilities, research, development or scientific laboratories, recycling facilities, and laundry, dry-cleaning, and carpet cleaning plants.
Infiltration: The infiltration of floodwater into the ground which may be taken into account in reducing flood discharges.
Ink manufacture: A facility manufacturing printing ink and inking supplies. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Jewelry, clock, musical instrument, assembly, sales/service: Retail sale, assembly, service and repair of clocks, musical instruments, and jewelry. See “General sales/service.”
Kennel: An establishment or place, other than an animal or veterinary hospital, clinic or animal shelter, where six or more dogs or six or more cats, or any combination thereof, are housed, groomed, bred, boarded, trained, or sold commercially or as pets. See “Agriculture and animals, use category.”
Key: A designated, compacted fill placed in a trench excavated in earth material beneath the toe of a proposed fill slope.
Laboratories, medical and diagnostic: A facility where samples are collected and/or tests are done to obtain information about the health of a patient to diagnose, treat, or prevent a disease. See “Medical, use category.”
Laboratories, scientific (Bio Safety Level 2, OSHA Standards): A facility in which work is done with the broad spectrum of indigenous moderate-risk agents present in the community and associated with human disease of varying severity. See “Industrial service.”
Laboratories, scientific (Bio Safety Level 3, OSHA Standards): A facility in which work is done with indigenous or exotic agents where the potential for infection by aerosols is real and the disease may have serious or lethal consequences. See “Industrial service.”
Laboratories, scientific (Bio Safety Level 4, OSHA Standards): A facility in which work is done with dangerous and exotic agents which pose a high individual risk of life-threatening disease. See “Industrial service.”
Land use designation: A land use established pursuant to the Comprehensive Plan.
Landfill: A licensed facility for the sanitary disposal of solid waste.
Landscape materials sales lot: The retail sale of organic and inorganic materials including, but not limited to, soil and soil amendment, bark, sod, gravel, pea gravel, hardscape products, crushed rock, river rock, and landscape boulders primarily used for landscaping and site preparation purposes. The exclusive sale of horticultural or floricultural stock that is permitted in a commercial greenhouse or nursery-wholesale shall not be considered landscape materials. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Laundromat: A self-service facility providing machines for washing and drying of clothes and personal items. See “Personal services.”
Library: An establishment for the sole purpose of loaning and circulating books or providing a reading room and reference service to the public whether conducted by a public or private agency or whether the service is with or without direct cost to the user. See “Community facilities.”
Liquor store: A retail establishment that sells prepackaged alcoholic beverages intended to be consumed off premises. See “Specialty stores.”
Livestock: Animals including, but not limited to, horses, cattle, llamas, sheep, goats, swine, reindeer, donkeys, and mules.
Loading zone: An off-street space or designated area or loading dock located on the same lot or site as the buildings or use served, which provides for the temporary parking of a commercial vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise, materials, or passengers.
Locksmith: The sale, service, and repair of locks and other security devices. See “Personal services.”
Lodging, use category: Establishments that provide a person, typically a traveler, a place to stay for a short period of time. Examples include bed and breakfasts, hotels, and motels. Transitional housing and mass shelters are included in the “Community services, use category.”
Lot: An undivided tract or parcel of land having frontage on a public street and designated as a distinct tract.
• Lot aggregation: The consolidation of one or more lots into a single parcel through the elimination of lot lines.
• Lot area: The area of a horizontal plane intercepted by the vertical projections of the front, side, and rear lot lines of a building lot.
• Lot, corner: A building lot situated at the intersection of two public streets.
• Lot coverage: The percentage of the total area of a lot occupied by the base (first story or floor) of buildings located on the lot.
• Lot depth: The mean horizontal distance between the front lot line and the rear lot line of a building lot measured at the respective midpoints of the front lot line and rear lot line within the lot boundary.
• Lot, double frontage: An interior lot with frontage on more than one street.
• Lot, flag: A lot with two distinct parts:
1. A large portion of the lot which is the only building site, and is located behind another lot; and
2. A strip of land which connects the flag to the street and provides the only street frontage for the lot.
• Lot, interior: A lot within a subdivision that is not located at the intersection of any adjacent public or private street.
• Lot line: A boundary of a building lot.
• Lot line, front: The boundary of a building lot that is the line of an existing or dedicated street. Upon corner lots either street line may be selected as the front lot line providing a front and rear yard are provided adjacent and opposite, respectively, to the front lot line.
• Lot line, rear: A boundary of a lot which is most distant from and is, or is most nearly, parallel to the front lot line.
• Lot line, side: A boundary of a lot which is not a front lot line or a rear lot line.
• Lot of record: An area of land designated as a residential lot on the plat or subdivision recorded or registered, pursuant to statute, with the auditor for Spokane County.
• Lot, radial: Lots adjacent to curved streets or circular cul-de-sacs with side lot lines running roughly perpendicular to the street right-of-way.
• Lot, reverse flag: A lot of irregular shape with reduced access to a rear alley, amenity, or natural feature.
• Lot segregation: The reestablishment of lot lines within parcels aggregated for tax purposes.
• Lot width: The width of a lot at the front building line. Measurements on irregularly shaped lots to be taken in a straight line from a point where the front building line crosses the side property lines.
Lowest floor: The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement). An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage, in an area other than a basement area, is not considered a building’s lowest floor; provided, that such enclosure is equipped with adequate flood-ventilation openings specified in SVMC 21.30.090(C)(1)(b).
Lumber mill, sawmill, shingle mill, plywood mill: The manufacture of wood products, including cutting, planing, preservation, and veneering, match manufacture and millwork. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Machine/machinery manufacturing: The fabrication of machines and machinery. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Machine shop: See “Metal fabrication.” See “Industrial, light use category.”
Major event entertainment: Uses that draw large numbers of people to special events or shows on a periodic basis. Activities are generally of a spectator nature. Examples include stadiums, sports arenas, coliseums, and fairgrounds. See “Entertainment, use category.”
Manufactured home fabrication: The construction and assembly of manufactured housing units. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Manufactured home sales: A sales lot for manufactured housing units with display models. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Manufactured (mobile) home: A pre-assembled dwelling unit transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities certified by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. The term “manufactured home” does not include a “recreational vehicle.”
Manufactured (mobile) home park: A site having as its primary use the rental of space for occupancy by two or more manufactured (mobile) homes, and the accessory buildings, structures, and uses customarily incidental to such homes. See “Residential, use category.”
Manufacturing: The production or fabrication of goods using labor, tools, or machinery. For examples, see the “Industrial, heavy use category” and “Industrial, light use category.”
Manufacturing, nonmetallic metal products: The manufacture of clay, earthenware, brick, vitreous, cement, and concrete, including readi-mix, concrete block, lime, gypsum, stone, and stone product. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Manufacturing, petroleum and coal products: The manufacture of asphalt paving, roofing and coating, and petroleum refining. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Marijuana club or lounge: A club, association, or other business, for profit or otherwise, that conducts or maintains a premises for the primary or incidental purpose of providing a location where members or other persons may keep or consume marijuana on the premises, whether licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board or not, or such other similar use pursuant to RCW 69.50.465, as now adopted or hereafter amended.
Marijuana cooperative: A marijuana cooperative formed pursuant to Chapter 69.51A RCW, as now adopted or hereafter amended. A marijuana cooperative is comprised of up to four qualifying patients or designated providers and formed for the purposes of sharing responsibility for acquiring and supplying the resources, and producing and processing marijuana for the medical use of the members of the marijuana cooperative.
Marijuana processing: Processing marijuana into usable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, and marijuana concentrates; packaging and labeling usable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, and marijuana concentrates for sale in retail outlets; and sale of usable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, and marijuana concentrates at wholesale by a marijuana processor licensed by the State Liquor and Cannabis Board and pursuant to Chapter 69.50 RCW and rules promulgated thereunder, as now adopted or hereafter amended.
Marijuana production: Production and sale of marijuana at wholesale by a marijuana producer licensed by the State Liquor and Cannabis Board and pursuant to Chapter 69.50 RCW and rules promulgated thereunder, as now adopted or hereafter amended.
Marijuana sales: Selling usable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, and marijuana concentrates in a retail outlet by a marijuana retailer licensed by the State Liquor and Cannabis Board, along with any applicable other use allowed as part of the marijuana sales pursuant to an endorsement associated with marijuana retail including, but not limited to, marijuana sales with a medical endorsement, operation of a marijuana club or lounge pursuant to an endorsement, or delivery of marijuana that may require an endorsement, all as provided pursuant to Chapter 69.50 RCW and rules promulgated thereunder, as now adopted or hereafter amended.
Marijuana sales with medical endorsement: Marijuana sales and medical marijuana sales by a marijuana retailer licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board that has been issued a medical marijuana endorsement pursuant to Chapter 69.50 RCW and rules promulgated thereunder, as now adopted or hereafter amended.
Marijuana transporter: A common carrier engaged in marijuana-related transportation or delivery services licensed for such marijuana-related transportation or delivery, all as provided pursuant to Chapter 69.50 RCW and rules promulgated thereunder, as now adopted or hereafter amended. Marijuana transporters shall only include common carriers providing marijuana-related transportation services between licensed marijuana producers, marijuana processors, marijuana researchers, and marijuana retailers and shall not include any residential delivery or delivery to end-users.
Marijuana uses, category: Marijuana uses conducted in compliance with state law, including but not limited to Chapters 69.50 and 69.51A RCW and rules promulgated thereunder, as now adopted or hereafter amended.
Market, outdoor: A temporary or seasonal location where produce and agricultural products including, but not limited to, pumpkins, Christmas trees and firewood, as well as crafts and other items, are offered for sale to the public. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Massage therapy: An establishment providing the therapeutic massage services of a licensed massage therapist. See “Personal services.”
Meat/fish cutting, canning, curing, and smoking: The processing and packaging of meat and fish for wholesale distribution; does not include the slaughter of animals. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Meat packing: The slaughter of live animals and the inspection and processing of animal carcasses. See “Animal processing/handling.”
Medical and laboratory instrument/apparatus manufacture: The manufacture of medical and dental equipment, supplies, and instruments. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Medical, dental, and hospital equipment supplies and sales: The sale of medical/dental equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, uniforms, prosthetics, pharmacy, optics, and corrective appliances. See “Medical, use category.”
Medical/dental clinic: A facility where medical or dental professionals or paraprofessionals, including physicians, dentists, endodontists, chiropractors, physical therapists, dental hygienists, physician assistants, or osteopaths provide outpatient services on a regular basis. See “Medical, use category.”
Medical, use category: Includes uses that pertain to the science or practice of medicine, such as hospitals and medical and dental clinics. It also includes incidental uses such as ambulance services, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and medical supplies. See “Retail sales and services, use category” for pharmacies.
Metal fabrication: The fabrication of metal products including chain and cable manufacture, sheet metal fabrication, machining, welding, and punching. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Metal plating: The electroplating, galvanizing, and dip plating of various kinds of metal. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Metal processes, hot: Metal processes including blast furnace, coke oven, die casting, drop hammer or forge, metal reduction, reclamation, and refining. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Mineral product manufacturing, nonmetallic: The manufacture of brick, cement, gypsum, lime, plaster of Paris, tile, stoneware, earthenware, and terra cotta. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Mineral resource lands: Lands primarily devoted to the extraction of minerals with potential for long-term commercial significance (WAC 365-190-030(13)).
Mining: Mineral extraction, not including oil and gas. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Mobile food vendors: Itinerant vendors of prepared foods and beverages. See “Eating and drinking establishment, use category.”
Model home: The temporary use of one or more single-family residential units for the marketing and promotion of residential subdivisions.
Multiple building complex: A group of structures, or a single structure, with dividing walls and separate entrances for each business, housing retail businesses, offices, commercial ventures, or independent or separate parts of a business which share the same lot, access, and/or parking facilities.
Museum: A premises housing the display of antiquities or artifacts of historical or artistic significance. See “Cultural facilities.”
Music store: The specialty retail sale of recorded music, musical instruments, sheet music, and similar items. See “Specialty stores.”
MUTCD: The U.S. Department of Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
NAICS: North American Industry Classification System.
Neighborhood: A geographic area or subarea bounded by distinct physical boundaries, such as major or minor arterials, geologic formations, broad open spaces, and similar features, centered around common interests or facilities.
New construction: Structures for which the “start of construction” commenced on or after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this appendix.
New manufactured home park or subdivision: A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, installation of utilities, construction of streets, and either final site grading or pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date of adopted floodplain management regulations.
Nonconforming: A lot, use, building, or structure, which was legal when commenced or built, but which does not conform to subsequently enacted or amended regulations pursuant to Chapter 19.25 SVMC.
Nursing home: See “Convalescent home/nursing home.” See “Group living, use category.”
Occupancy: The type of construction required based on the use of the structure as established by adopted building codes.
Office, professional: A business office maintained as a primary use including, but not limited to, insurance, sales that do not include a tangible commodity, consulting services (accounting, legal, financial, engineering, architectural, real estate), studios, data entry, computer related, or other professional office. Contractors and others who perform services off site are included if the equipment, materials, and vehicles used in conjunction with the business are not stored on the site and fabrication, services or similar work is not carried on at the site. Professional office does not include animal, medical, or dental clinics. See “Office, use category.”
Office supply and computer sales: The retail sale of office supplies and office equipment, including computers, copiers, and communication equipment. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Office, use category: Uses conducted in an office setting and that generally provide business, government, professional, veterinary, or financial services.
Off-road recreational vehicle use: The operation of any gas-powered motorized vehicle including, but not limited to, motorcycles and/or all-terrain vehicles, on private property for recreational purposes. This definition does not include vehicles used for yard or garden work in residential areas. See “Entertainment, use category.”
Off-street parking: Parking that is provided on private property for a specified use.
Open space: An area accessible to and permanently reserved for the common use and enjoyment of the occupants of residential uses for landscaping, leisure, and recreational purposes. Open space does not include area devoted to parking, accessory uses, landscaping required pursuant to the code, drainage easements, border easements, or building separation required under adopted building codes.
Orchard, tree farming, commercial: A planting of trees producing fruit and/or nuts and the cultivation of trees for the purpose of sale. See “Agriculture and animals, use category.”
Overlay zone: A zoning designation that supplements the provisions of the underlying zone within a specified geographic area.
Owner(s): Any person, partnership, corporation, association, unincorporated organization, trust, or any other legal commercial entity having sufficient proprietary interest to authorize development of land.
Owner’s agent: Any person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of real property.
Paper product manufacturing: The manufacture of paper products. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Paper/pulp mills: Manufacturing plants producing paper and paper pulp from timber. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Park-and-ride facility: A parking area or structure used for the temporary storage of motor vehicles for individuals using public transit or car/van pools. See “Transit center.”
Parking area, satellite: A parking area more than 300 feet away from the establishment, building, structure, or use which it is designed to serve.
Parking facility: A parking area, building, or structure used for the specific purpose of parking or storage of motor vehicles.
Parking facility, controlled access: A parking garage or surface lot controlling patron access using attendants or ticket dispensers. See “Transportation, use category.”
Parks and open space, use category: Land uses designated or developed for recreational use by the public including, but not limited to, indoor facilities such as museums, swimming pools, and skating rinks; and outdoor facilities such as athletic fields, community gardens, playgrounds, fishing areas, and areas and trails for hikers, equestrians, bicyclists, or off-road recreational vehicle users. Accessory uses include concessions, maintenance facilities, caretakers’ dwellings, and parking facilities. Examples include trails, botanical gardens, nature preserves, golf courses, cemeteries, plazas, and parks.
Party of record: A person who has provided verbal or written testimony in or regarding a public hearing on a land use action.
Paved surface: A paved surface shall consist of asphalt, Portland cement, concrete, or equivalent material laid to City specifications.
Pawn shop: An establishment where money is loaned on the security of personal property pledged in the keeping of the owner or proprietor. Also includes the retail sales of used items. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Performance surety: A financial guarantee that infrastructure required for a project will be constructed and certified according to the accepted plans and specifications and all applicable standards.
Permanent supportive housing: A residential development with more than one small residential dwelling, together with shared facilities.
Permitted use: An allowable activity or use within a zoning district.
Person: A corporation, company, association, society, firm, partnership, or joint stock company, as well as an individual, state, and all political subdivisions of a state or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
Person of record: A person who has provided verbal or written testimony to a proposal/project before or during the public testimony portion of a hearing, or filled out and submitted a party of record notice prior to the close of the public hearing.
Person or party having standing: Any party of record.
Personal services: Services including, but not limited to, nail salons, tanning salons, day spas, locksmith services, apparel and tailor shops, massage parlors, tattoo parlors, permanent makeup salons, massage therapy, dry cleaning, laundromat, and photographic studios. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Pet shop: The specialty retail sale of household pets and pet supplies and equipment. See “Specialty stores.”
Petroleum and coal products manufacture: The manufacture of petroleum and coal products including lubricating oil and oil compounding. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Photographic studio: A retail establishment that provides portrait and other photographic services. See “Personal services.”
Pipeline: Gravity or pressurized pipelines for the long-distance transmission of water, petroleum products, natural gas, and other commodities such as ores in the form of slurries.
Planning commission: The Spokane Valley planning commission.
Plastic and rubber product manufacture: A chemical manufacturing process utilizing resin and synthetic compounds for plastics and rubber. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Plastic molding (thermoplastic): A process of converting pelletized plastic into molds using heat, without the use of solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOC). Thermoplastic resins can be melted, formed, and resolidified. Thermoplastic processes include injection molding, blow molding, injection blow molding, rotational molding, roto-molding, and extrusion molding. Does not include solvent molding. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Plastic molding (thermoset): An injection molding process which uses heat, industrial processes, and solvents to create plastic forms which cannot be reformed. Thermoset processes include bag molding, cold molding, jet molding, pulp molding, transfer molding, and compression molding. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Plastic solvent molding: Also known as dip molding, forms thermoplastic articles by dipping a male mold and drawing off the solvent to leave a plastic film adhering to the mold. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Pollution generating impervious surface (PGIS): Surfaces that are subject to vehicular use, industrial activities, or storage of erodible or leachable materials that receive direct rainfall, or run-on or blow-in rainfall. Metal roofs are PGIS unless coated with an inert, nonleachable material. Roofs that are subject to venting of commercial or industrial pollutants are also considered PGIS. A surface, whether paved or not, shall be considered PGIS if it is regularly used by motor vehicles. The following are considered regularly used surfaces: roads, graveled and/or paved road shoulders, bike lanes within the traveled lane of a roadway, driveways, parking lots, unfenced fire lanes, vehicular storage yards, and airport runways.
Post office, postal center: A facility owned or operated under contract with the U.S. Postal Service for the delivery of mail and packages. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Power plant: A heavy industrial facility that generates electric power. It excludes public utility facilities. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Precision instrument runway: An existing or planned runway with instrument approach utilizing an instrument landing system (ILS) or precision approach radar (PAR) as prescribed by the FAA.
Print shop: Retail print services, including blueprinting, copier, and other business support services. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Printing, reprographics and bookbinding: Commercial printing including engraving, manifold form printing, and book binding. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Processing: To convert raw or semi-raw materials into a marketable form through a series of mechanical or chemical operations. For examples, see “Industrial, heavy use category” and “Industrial, light use category.”
Professional civil engineering geologist: A geologist experienced and knowledgeable in engineering geology and licensed by the state of Washington to practice.
Professional engineer: A civil engineer licensed in Washington under Chapter 18.43 RCW who is qualified by examination and/or experience to practice in the fields of civil, geotechnical, and/or soils engineering.
Professional inspection: The observation and testing to determine conformance with project plans and specifications required by the code performed by a professional civil engineer and/or professional civil engineering geologist. Such inspection includes that performed by persons supervised by such engineers or geologists and shall be sufficient to form an opinion relating to the conduct of the work.
Prohibited use: A use not specifically enumerated as a permitted use, accessory use, conditional use, temporary use, or legal nonconforming use.
Project permit: Any land use or environmental permit or license required for development or construction including, but not limited to, building permits, short plats, subdivisions, binding site plans, conditional uses, variances, shoreline permits, site plan review, permits, or approvals required by Chapter 21.40 SVMC, Critical Areas, site-specific zone reclassifications, manufactured home parks, and change of condition request.
Proper functioning condition (PFC): A methodology for assessing the physical functioning of riparian and wetland areas, which describes both the assessment process and a defined on-the-ground condition of a riparian or wetland area.
Public/quasi-public, use category: Uses related to, paid for by, or working for a government or which are essentially public (as in services rendered) although may be under private ownership or control. Examples include community facilities, essential public facilities, and public utility facilities.
Public utility: A regulated public or private enterprise with an exclusive franchise for providing a public service paid for directly by the recipient of that service.
Public utility local distribution facility: Any building, structure, or device which transfers directly to the public the service or supply provided by a public utility, including telephone, electric, gas, cable television, water and sewer, and all other facilities, equipment, and structures necessary for conducting a local distribution service by a government or public utility. See “Public/quasi-public, use category.”
Public utility transmission facility: Any building, structure, or device which does not directly transfer to the public the service or supply provided by a public utility, including telephone, electric (greater than 55 KV), gas, cable television, water and sewer, and all other facilities, equipment, and structures, including substations, switching stations, and reservoirs. See “Public/quasi-public, use category.”
Qualified professional: A person who, in the opinion of the city manager or designee, has appropriate education, training, and experience in the applicable field to generate a report or study required by Chapter 21.40 SVMC.
1. For reports related to wetlands, this means a certified professional wetland scientist or a noncertified professional wetland scientist with a minimum of five years’ experience in the field of wetland science and with experience preparing wetland reports.
2. For reports related to critical aquifer recharge areas, this means a hydrogeologist, geologist, or engineer who is licensed in the state of Washington and has experience preparing hydrogeologic assessments.
3. For reports related to fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas this means a biologist with experience preparing reports for the relevant type of habitat.
4. For reports related to geologically hazardous areas this means a geotechnical engineer or geologist, licensed in the state of Washington, with experience analyzing geologic, hydrologic, and ground water flow systems.
5. For reports related to frequently flooded areas this means a hydrologist or engineer, licensed in the state of Washington, with experience in preparing flood hazard assessments.
6. For reports related to cultural and archaeological resources and historic preservation, this means a professional archaeologist or historic preservation professional.
Racecourse: An outdoor track or course laid out for competition, testing, practice, or use by motorized vehicles including, but not limited to, automobiles, go-carts, all-terrain vehicles, mopeds, scooters, snowmobiles, motorcycles, remote-controlled cars, and airplanes. See “Entertainment, use category.”
Racetrack: A state-licensed facility permitting competitive racing of vehicles, horses, and dogs. See “Entertainment, use category.”
Radio/TV broadcasting studio: Facilities serving the broadcast media. See “Communication facilities, use category.”
Railroad yard, repair shop, and roundhouse: Facilities serving railroad operations. See “Transportation, use category.”
Rapid charging station: An industrial grade electrical outlet that allows for faster recharging of electric vehicle batteries through higher power levels and that meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
Record: The official file, exhibits, maps, and slides including the tape recorded proceedings or transcription thereof.
Record of survey: A survey prepared and sealed by a registered Washington surveyor identifying the boundaries of land and real property, and the location or placement of other improvements.
Recreational facility: An indoor or outdoor facility used on a continuous basis for sports, games of skill, and leisure-time activities. Examples include gymnasiums, amusement arcades, tennis and racquetball courts, bowling alleys, video arcades, dance halls, skating rinks, billiard parlors, archery, miniature golf course, indoor gun ranges, and indoor swimming pools. This definition excludes indoor theaters, golf driving ranges, gymnastic facilities, indoor sports arenas, auditoriums, and exhibition halls. See “Entertainment, use category.”
Recreational vehicle park/campground: An area where facilities are provided for recreational or camping vehicles, travel trailers, tents, or other portable habitation utilized by the public as a place for camping, vacationing, or temporary usage which are in place for not more than 30 days. The park may include certain recreational or service facilities for the use of the residents of the park. See “Lodging, use category.”
Recreational vehicle (RV): A type of vehicle built on a single chassis designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, with or without motor power including, but not limited to, travel trailers, truck campers, camping trailers, and self-propelled motor homes.
Recreational vehicle sales and service: An area for the display, sales, and service of recreational vehicles. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Recycling facility: A facility that accepts recyclable materials and may perform some processing activities. The principal function is to separate and store materials that are ready for shipment to end-use markets such as paper mills, aluminum smelters, or plastic manufacturing plants. Processing activities may include baling, compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, mechanical sorting, or cleaning. See “Industrial service.”
Rendering plant: A facility that converts waste animal tissue into stable, value-added materials. Rendering can refer to any processing of animal products into more useful materials, or more narrowly to the rendering of whole animal fatty tissue into purified fats like lard or tallow. See “Animal processing/handling.”
Repeater facility: A facility for the noncommercial reception and retransmission of radio signals. See “Communication facilities, use category.”
Residential, use category: Uses for residential purpose.
Restaurant, drive-in: An establishment designed and constructed to serve food and beverages for consumption on the premises, in an automobile or for carry-out for off-premises consumption, and which establishment may or may not have on-premises dining room or counter. See “Eating and drinking establishment, use category.”
Restaurant, drive-through: An establishment serving food to the general public with designated dining areas and allowing carry-out window(s) serving automobiles for the purpose of serving food to go where food consumption is not allowed in automobiles on the premises. See “Eating and drinking establishment, use category.”
Restaurant, full service: An establishment serving food and beverages to the general public in specific designated dining areas. See “Eating and drinking establishment, use category.”
Retail sales and services, use category: This is a general household sales and service use that provides goods and services to households rather than businesses. This use includes general retail sales uses, personal services, and customer service office uses. Examples of general retail sales and services include, but are not limited to, bakeries, department and variety stores, barber shops, nail salons, convenience stores, grocery and specialty food stores, automotive parts stores, and equipment rentals.
Retaining wall: Any wall not an integral part of a building, used to resist the lateral displacement of earth material.
RF engineer: A person who is qualified with education, training and experience in wireless communication services, radio frequencies, and FCC and other applicable governmental regulations to provide the necessary certification(s) required pursuant to Chapter 22.121 SVMC.
Riding stable: A commercial enterprise renting horses and providing equestrian instruction. See “Agriculture and animals, use category.”
Right-of-way: The land area provided by dedication for public use for streets, utilities, walks, and other uses, also providing access to adjoining properties.
Riparian management zone (RMZ): A fish and wildlife conservation buffer established pursuant to Chapter 21.40 SVMC.
Roadway: The paved or improved portion of a street/road, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel including shoulders, auxiliary lanes, curbs, sidewalks, etc.
Rolling mill: Primary metal manufacturing including the rolling and drawing of purchased metals. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Roof: A structural covering over any portion of a building or structure, including the projections beyond the walls or supports of the building or structure.
Runway: Any existing or planned paved surface or turf-covered area of an airport which is specifically designed and used, or planned to be used, for the landing and/or taking off of aircraft.
Schools (K through 12): Public and private institutions of learning offering instruction from kindergarten to grade 12 required by the Education Code of the state of Washington. See “Education, use category.”
Schools, college or university: A public or private institution of higher learning, which offers courses of general or specialized study leading to a degree. They are certified by the State Board of Higher Education or by a recognized accrediting agency. Examples include universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, nursing and medical schools not accessory to a hospital. See “Education, use category.”
Schools, professional, vocational, and trade schools: Post-secondary schools at which students are trained in a trade or skill to be pursued as a career. These schools focus on job skill training rather than academics in the liberal arts. Training periods are typically shorter than in a traditional college or university. Examples include institutions providing training to drafters, carpenters, electricians, HVAC technicians, aviation mechanics, plumbers, pipefitters, and welders. See “Education, use category.”
Schools, specialized training/studios: A facility providing specialized classes to persons of all ages including, but not limited to, gymnastics, fitness, martial arts, and dance. See “Education, use category.”
Secondhand store/consignment sales: The sale and resale of used merchandise including thrift shops and consignment shops. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Secure residential treatment facility: See “Essential public facility (EPF).”
SEPA: The Washington State Environmental Policy Act of 1971, administrative codes developed pursuant thereto, or any amendments thereto.
Shared access: A common point of vehicle and pedestrian access from a right-of-way, or a vehicular access easement or tract for more than one lot or use.
Shorelands or shoreland areas: Those lands extending landward for 200 feet in all directions as measured on a horizontal plane from the ordinary high-water mark; floodways and contiguous floodplain areas landward 200 feet from such floodways; and all wetlands and river deltas associated with the streams and lakes (RCW 98.58.030(2)(d)).
Shoreline master program (SMP): Locally adopted plans and regulations governing uses and activities within the shorelines of the state and shorelines of statewide significance identified in the Spokane Valley Comprehensive Plan.
Shoreline of statewide significance: A natural river or segment thereof east of the crest of the Cascade Range downstream of a point where the mean annual flow is measured at 200 cubic feet per second or more, and lakes or impoundments of 1,000 or more acres (RCW 98.58.030(2)(f)).
Shoreline of the state: All of the water areas of the state, including reservoirs, and their associated shorelands, together with the lands underlying them, except:
1. Shorelines of statewide significance;
2. Shorelines on segments of streams upstream of a point where the mean annual flow is 20 cubic feet per second or less, and the wetlands associated with such upstream segments; and
3. Shorelines on lakes less than 20 acres in size and wetlands associated with such small lakes (RCW 98.58.030(2)(e)). Shorelines of statewide significance are shorelines of the state.
Showroom: Space for buyers to view merchandise for sale in their retail stores or to showcase high value specialty items such as cabinetry, pianos, and luxury vehicles. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Sign: A visual communication device, structure, or fixture which is visible from any right-of-way and is intended to aid in promoting the sale of products, goods, services, events, or to identify a building using graphics, letters, figures, symbols, trademarks, or written copies. Sign types include:
• Abandoned structure: A sign support structure upon which a sign is located when the advertised business is no longer conducted on the premises.
• Banner: A temporary sign of lightweight material mounted to a pole or building.
• Mural: A work of art applied directly to an exterior surface where forms and/or figures are the dominant elements and not containing any copy.
• Name plate: A sign showing only the name and address of the owner or occupant of the premises.
• Reader board: A sign face consisting of tracks to hold readily changeable letters allowing frequent changes of copy.
• Sign: Any board, poster, placard, banner, flag, pennant, streamer, or similar structure, electronic or otherwise which is constructed, placed, attached, painted, or fastened in any manner for the purpose of attracting attention of the public to any place, person, entity, or business.
• Sign, abandoned: A copy sign that advertises a product or service no longer available or a business no longer in operation; a sign which is illegible, in disrepair, or a safety hazard as a result of lack of maintenance; or a nonconforming sign that has lost its nonconforming rights.
• Sign area: The gross surface area of the sign.
• Sign, billboard: A structure for the purpose of leasing advertising space to promote an interest other than that of an individual, business, product, or service available on the premises on which the structure is located.
• Sign, copy: Letters, characters, illustrations, logos, graphics, symbols, writing, or any combination thereof designed to communicate information of any kind or to advertise, announce, or identify a person, entity, business, business product, or to advertise the sale, rental, or lease of premises.
• Sign, copy area: The area of the sign containing any copy, symbol, sign, logo, or graphic.
• Sign, decorative emblem (or standard): A one- or two-sided sign, with or without copy, that is securely attached by grommets to the top and bottom of a mounting bracket attached to a permanently installed lighting fixture.
• Sign, directional: Any sign relating solely to internal pedestrian and vehicular traffic circulation within a complex or project.
• Sign, electronic: A sign that can be changed by electrical, electronic, or computerized process; inclusive of video boards.
• Sign, flashing: An electrical sign or portion thereof which changes light intensity in a brief, brilliant, or sudden and transient outburst of light causing a steady on and off, glittering, sparkling, or oscillating pattern.
• Sign, freestanding: A permanent sign not attached to or forming part of a building.
• Sign, freeway: A permanent, freestanding, on-premises sign or billboard located on a parcel adjacent and contiguous to Interstate Highway 90.
• Sign, inflatable: Any temporary hollow item or character expanded or enlarged by the use of air or gas.
• Sign, menu board: An on-site display of menu items at a restaurant; not meant to be viewed from the street.
• Sign, monument: A sign and supporting structure constructed as a solid structure or one that gives the appearance of a continuous, nonhollow, unbroken mass.
• Sign, multi-business complex: A sign with a primary facility name and a list of the individual stores or businesses mounted on one structural element. Such a sign type includes signage describing a mall arrangement, a strip-center development, an industrial park complex, or a multi-business structure or complex of buildings with a unifying name and listing of businesses contained within the grouping.
• Sign, nonconforming: Any sign which was lawfully erected and maintained on private property which now, as a result of code amendments, does not conform to all applicable regulations and restrictions of the code.
• Sign, notice: A sign intended to safeguard the premises (e.g., “No Parking,” “No Trespassing,” “Watch Dog on Duty”); or which identifies emergency telephone number, hours, and security information.
• Sign, official: A sign erected by a governmental agency within its territorial jurisdiction for the purpose of carrying out an official duty or responsibility and including, but not limited to, traffic signs and signals, zoning signs, and street signs. Special lighting or banners celebrating seasonal or civic events sponsored and/or endorsed by the city council may be official signs.
• Sign, off-premises: A sign which advertises or directs attention to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service, or product not principally located or primarily manufactured or sold on the premises on which the sign is located.
• Sign, on-premises: A sign which advertises or directs attention to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service, or product which is manufactured and/or available on the premises where the sign is located.
• Sign, permanent: Signs permanently affixed to a pole, monument, or building, including decorative emblems (or standards) affixed by rope, cords, wires, or mechanical devices.
• Sign, pole: A permanent, freestanding sign supported wholly by a pole or poles permanently affixed to the ground and not attached to a building or structure.
• Sign, POP – point of purchase: A sign relating to the place, such as a supermarket aisle or soda machine, where a decision to purchase is made.
• Sign, portable: A sign not permanently attached or affixed to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported or moved from place to place including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of skids or wheels, and including reader boards, and A-frame signs.
• Sign, roof: A sign supported by and erected on or above a roof that does not meet the requirements of a wall sign.
• Sign, support structure(s): Posts or columns and the anchors and bolts that structurally support the sign attached to it.
• Sign, temporary: Banners, pennants, flags, streamers, searchlights, inflatables, special event signage, or temporary on-premises commercial signs posted in conjunction with the alteration, construction, sale, or lease of real property.
• Sign, three-sided: A sign with three faces.
• Sign, two-sided: A sign with two faces.
• Sign, wall (attached): A permanent sign attached or erected parallel to and extending not more than 15 inches from the facade or face of any building to which it is attached and supported throughout its entire length, with the exposed face of the sign parallel to the plane of said wall or facade. Signs incorporated into mansard roofs, marquees, or canopies are wall signs.
• Wall area: The two-dimensional representation of a building elevation, including windows and doors, excluding eaves.
Sign manufacturing/repair: The manufacture of commercial signs and sign support structures. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Sign painting shop: The painting, etching, or printing of sign copy. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Site: Any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof, under a single ownership or control, proposed for development, where grading is performed or permitted.
Site development plan: A plan drawn to scale for one or more lots, parcels, or tracts on which is shown the existing and proposed conditions of the lot, tract, or parcel.
Site drainage plan: A plan prepared by a professional engineer licensed in the state of Washington that identifies the stormwater control area, stormwater facilities, and other measures reasonably required by the city manager or designee. The plan shall contain analysis and recommendations based upon the City standards.
Slope: An inclined ground surface the inclination of which is a ratio of vertical distance to horizontal distance, expressed as a percentage.
Soap and cleaning compound manufacturing: The manufacture of soaps, detergents, and cleaning chemicals and solvents. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Soil: A natural aggregate of mineral grains that can be separated by such gentle mechanical means as agitation in water.
Solid waste: All biodegradable and nonbiodegradable solid and semisolid material including, but not limited to, garbage, refuse, bulky wastes, inert waste, agricultural solid waste, sewage sludge, and demolition and construction wastes.
Solid waste recycling/transfer site: A site storing solid waste or recyclable materials, prior to transport to a central disposal or collection location. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Special flood hazard areas (SFHA): The land area covered by the flood waters of the base flood is the SFHA on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) maps. The SFHA is the area where the NFIP’s floodplain management regulations must be enforced and the area where the mandatory purchase of flood insurance applies.
Specialty stores: Small establishments that focus on the sale of a particular product and associated items. Examples include pet shops, specialty boutiques, music stores, ceramics shops, and liquor stores. It does not include stores selling specialty food such as a butcher shop, meat market, and specialty foods. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Spoil: Any material removed from an excavation.
Standard soils: Soils comprised of the Natural Resources Conservation District groups: Garrison, Springdale, Bonner, and Hagen.
Start of construction: Includes substantial improvement, and the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, placement, or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. The “actual start” means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation; or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation such as clearing, grading, and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the “actual start of construction” means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.
Storage, general indoor: The storage of equipment, merchandise, and supplies within an enclosed structure. The storage area occupies 50 percent or less of the ground floor area of the structure. See “Warehouse” for storage areas that exceed 50 percent of the ground floor area. See “Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category.”
Storage, general outdoor: The storage of any equipment, machinery, commodities, raw, semi-finished materials, and building materials, which is visible from any point on the building lot line when viewed from ground level to six feet above ground level. The outdoor display of motor vehicles, equipment for sale or lease, manufactured housing, or landscaping and nursery stock available for sale to the public is not general outdoor storage. See “Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category.”
Storage, self-service facility: A facility including buildings and/or structures containing spaces of varying sizes leased, rented, or sold on an individual basis and used exclusively for the storage of excess property and outdoor storage of vehicles and boats. See “Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category.”
Stormwater: That portion of precipitation or snow melt that has not naturally percolated into the ground or otherwise evaporated, but is contained, transported or flowing above ground through streets, swales, channels, pipes, artificial or natural surfaces.
Stormwater drainage facility: Constructed and natural features which function together as a system to collect, convey, channel, hold, inhibit, retain, detain, infiltrate, evaporate, divert, treat, or filter stormwater. Stormwater facilities include, but are not limited to, pipes, ditches, culverts, street gutters, detention ponds, retention ponds, evaporation ponds, constructed wetlands, infiltration devices, catch basins, oil/water separators, and swales.
Stormwater facility: The drainage system including, but not limited to, drywell, channel, inlet, curb drop, swale, ditch, detention, retention, and/or infiltration facility designed to contain and control stormwater.
Street, arterial, minor: Roadways identified in the Comprehensive Plan providing for interconnection with and augmentation of the principal arterial system and providing local mobility.
Street, arterial, principal: Roadways identified in the Comprehensive Plan providing for regional mobility.
Street, collector: Roadways identified in the Comprehensive Plan providing for both land access and traffic circulation within residential neighborhoods and commercial and industrial areas.
Street, flanking: One of the two streets abutting a corner lot which is not parallel with the lot front line.
Street, local access: A street providing access to abutting property.
Structure: Any construction, including a building or any portion thereof, erected for the purposes of support, shelter, or enclosure of persons, animals, or property of any kind, including swimming pools, decks in excess of 30 inches in height, and roof overhangs exceeding three feet. A fence of six feet or less in height is not a structure, nor a masonry, brick, concrete, or cinder block wall of less than four feet in height.
Subdivision: The subdivision of land into two or more parts for the purpose of establishing building sites, and including both short subdivisions and long subdivisions.
Substantial damage: Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
Substantial improvement: Any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure either:
1. Before the improvement or repair is started; or
2. If the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred.
For the purposes of this definition, “substantial improvement” is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include either:
1. Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
2. Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a state inventory of historic places.
Swale: A constructed depression for the treatment and disposal of stormwater runoff. The swale shall be designed by an engineer licensed in the state of Washington.
Tailor shop: A personal service providing alterations and fittings for apparel. See “Personal services.”
Tank storage, critical materials: The storage of critical materials including, but not limited to, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, lubricating oils, and solvents. See “Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category.”
Tank storage (LPG): The storage of liquefied petroleum gas or its component gases.
Tanning and curing of hides: The preparation of animal hides and skins for the manufacture of leather products. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Tavern/night club: A retail establishment serving alcoholic beverages with incidental food service. Examples are lounges, bars, nightclubs, wineries, micro-breweries, and distilleries. See “Eating and drinking establishment, use category.”
Taxidermy: The operation of preserving, stuffing, and mounting the skins of dead birds and animals for exhibition. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Telecommunications: The transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of audio and/or visual information and data of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received.
• Alternative mounting structure: A water tower, manmade tree, clock tower, church steeple, bell tower, utility pole, light standard, freestanding sign, flagpole, or similar structure designed to support and camouflage or conceal the presence of telecommunications antennas.
• Antenna: Any exterior apparatus designed for telephonic, radio, data, Internet or other communications through the sending and/or receiving of radio frequency signals including, but not limited to, equipment attached to a tower, pole, light standard, utility pole, building or other structure for the purpose of providing wireless services. Types of antennas include:
1. An “omni-directional antenna” receives and transmits radio frequency signals in a 360-degree radial pattern;
2. A “whip antenna” is an omni-directional antenna that is up to 15 feet in height and no more than six inches in diameter; and
3. A “directional or panel antenna” receives and transmits radio frequency signals in a specific directional pattern of less than 360 degrees.
• Antenna height: The vertical distance measured from average building elevation to the highest point of the antenna, or if on a rooftop or other structure, from the top of the roof or structure to the highest point of the antenna. For replacement structures, antenna height is measured from the top of the existing structure to the highest point of the antenna or new structure, whichever is greater.
• Approved small cell facility: Any small cell facility that has received all required permits.
• Array: An arrangement of antennas and their supporting structure.
• Base station: A structure or equipment at a fixed location that enables FCC-licensed or authorized wireless communications between user equipment and a communications network. The term does not encompass a tower as defined herein nor any equipment associated with a tower. Base station includes, without limitation:
1. Equipment associated with wireless communications services as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.
2. Radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration (including distributed antenna systems (“DAS”) and small cell networks).
3. Any structure other than a tower that, at the time the relevant application is filed with the City, supports or houses equipment described above that has been reviewed and approved under the applicable zoning or siting process, or under another state or local regulatory review process, even if the structure was not built for the sole or primary purpose of providing that support.
The term does not include any structure that, at the time the relevant application is filed with the City, does not support or house equipment described above.
• Collocation: The mounting or installation of transmission equipment on an eligible support structure for the purpose of transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency signals for communication purposes.
• Concealment technology: Transmission facilities designed to look like some feature other than a wireless tower or base station or which minimizes the visual impact of an antenna by use of nonreflective materials, appropriate colors and/or a concealment canister or enclosure.
• Dish: A parabolic or bowl-shaped device that receives and/or transmits signals in a specific directional pattern.
• EIA-222: Electronics Industries Association Standard 222, “Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Support Structures.”
• Electric transmission: A self-supporting structure in excess of 50 feet in height designed to support high voltage electric lines. This does not include local utility or distribution poles (with or without transformers) designed to provide electric service to individual customers.
• Eligible facilities request: Any request for modification of an existing tower or base station that does not substantially change the physical dimensions of such tower or base station, involving:
1. Collocation of new transmission equipment;
2. Removal of transmission equipment; or
3. Replacement of transmission equipment.
• Eligible support structure: Any tower or base station as defined in this section; provided, that it, at the time the relevant application is filed with the City, houses or supports an antenna, microcell or small cell deployment.
• Equipment structure: A facility, shelter, cabinet or vault used to house and protect electronic or other associated equipment necessary for processing wireless communications signals. “Associated equipment” may include, for example, air conditioning, backup power supplies and emergency generators.
• Existing: A constructed tower or base station is existing if it has been reviewed and approved under the applicable zoning or siting process, or under another state or local regulatory review process; provided, that a tower that has not been reviewed because it was not in a zoned area when it was built, but was lawfully constructed, is existing for purposes of Chapter 22.122 SVMC.
• Guyed tower: Any telecommunications tower supported in whole or in part by cables anchored to the ground.
• Height: The distance measured from grade to the highest point of any and all components of the structure, including antennas, hazard lighting, and other appurtenances, if any.
• Microcells: Has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 80.36.375, as now adopted or hereafter amended.
• Monopole: A self-supporting telecommunications tower, which consists of a single vertical pole, fixed into the ground and/or attached to a foundation.
• Other support structure: A structure used to support small cell facilities or equipment structures, excluding buildings, utility poles, and water reservoirs. Examples of “other support structures” include flagpoles and ball field light standards.
• Panel: An antenna which receives and/or transmits signals in a directional pattern.
• Prior approval: Certification of approval(s) from the City authorizing the initial installation of a specific wireless carrier’s small cell facilities on a base station or tower. Prior approval may also include the subsequent approval(s) from the City authorizing modifications to the initial installation that have resulted in the existing state of the small cell facility including, but not limited to, the number and location of equipment structures, antennas, antenna support structures, and ancillary equipment.
• Self-supporting lattice tower: A telecommunications tower that consists of an open network of metal braces, usually triangular or square in cross-section.
• Service: The offering of telecommunications for a fee directly to the public, or to such classes of users as to be effectively available directly to the public, regardless of the facilities used.
• Service provider: Has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 35.99.010(6), as now adopted or hereafter amended. Service provider shall include those infrastructure companies that provide telecommunications services or equipment to enable the deployment of personal wireless services.
• Small cell and small cell deployment: Have the same meaning as set forth in RCW 80.36.375, as now adopted or hereafter amended.
• Stealth: A telecommunications antenna that is effectively camouflaged or concealed from view.
• Substantial change: A modification substantially changes the physical dimensions of an eligible support structure if it meets any of the following criteria:
1. For towers other than towers in the public rights-of-way, it increases the height of the tower by more than 10 percent or by the height of one additional antenna array with separation from the nearest existing antenna not to exceed 20 feet, whichever is greater; for other eligible support structures, it increases the height of the structure by more than 10 percent or more than 10 feet, whichever is greater;
2. For towers other than towers in the public rights-of-way, it involves adding an appurtenance to the body of the tower that would protrude from the edge of the tower more than 20 feet, or more than the width of the tower structure at the level of the appurtenance, whichever is greater; for other eligible support structures, it involves adding an appurtenance to the body of the structure that would protrude from the edge of the structure by more than six feet;
3. For any eligible support structure, it involves installation of more than the standard number of new equipment cabinets for the technology involved, but not to exceed four cabinets; or, for towers in the public rights-of-way and base stations, it involves installation of any new equipment cabinets on the ground if there are no preexisting ground cabinets associated with the structure, or else involves installation of ground cabinets that are more than 10 percent larger in height or overall volume than any other ground cabinets associated with the structure;
4. It entails any excavation or deployment outside the current site;
5. It would defeat the concealment elements of the eligible support structure; or
6. It does not comply with conditions associated with the siting approval of the construction or modification of the eligible support structure or base station equipment; provided, however, that this limitation does not apply to any modification that is noncompliant only in a manner that would not exceed the thresholds identified above.
• Telecommunications antenna: An antenna used to provide a telecommunications service. This excludes lightning rods, private mobile radio systems, amateur radio antennas less than 35 feet in height in residential districts and 50 feet in height in nonresidential districts, and whip antennas less than four inches (10 cm) in diameter and less than 10 feet in height.
• Telecommunications service: Has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 35.99.010(7), as now adopted or hereafter amended.
• Tower: Any structure built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting any FCC-licensed or authorized antennas and their associated facilities, including structures that are constructed for wireless communications services including, but not limited to, private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul and the associated site. A “tower” shall not include a replacement utility pole as authorized by a lease with the City, a franchise or a small cell permit.
• Transmission equipment: Equipment that facilitates transmission for any FCC-licensed or authorized wireless communication service, including, but not limited to, radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, and regular and backup power supply. The term includes equipment associated with wireless communications services including, but not limited to, private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.
• Unified design enclosure: Concealment of antennas and equipment within a single enclosure.
• Utility pole: A structure designed and used primarily for the support of electrical wires, telephone wires, television cable, traffic signals, or lighting for streets, parking areas, or pedestrian paths.
• Wireless: Having no wire or wires, operating by means of transmitted electromagnetic waves.
Temporary use: A use permitted for a limited period of time or pending the occurrence of an event.
Textile manufacture: The manufacture of textiles, carpet, canvas, and cordage, including knitting. See “Industrial, light use category.”
Theater, indoor: An establishment for the indoor viewing of motion pictures by patrons. See “Entertainment, use category.”
Threshold requirements: The level of development, volume, or peak flow of stormwater that must be controlled.
Tire recap and retread manufacture: The process of refurbishing and retreading used vehicle tires. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Title notice: A document recorded with the county auditor for the purpose of disclosure to a prospective purchaser, lender, or other interested party of important information, special conditions, restrictions, and/or circumstances that affect real property.
Tower, ham operator: A structure less than 75 feet in height above grade used for two-way communication for hobby or emergency service purposes by private individuals. See “Communication facilities, use category.”
Tower, wind turbine support: A structure not enclosed with exterior walls used for the production of energy such as a wind turbine tower (public utility towers used for the distribution or transmission of electricity and wireless communication support towers are not included in this definition).
Towing: Facilities that provide towing services. Towed vehicle storage is permitted under impound yard or junk and salvage yards. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Transit center: A facility serving transit patrons which may serve as a transfer point between different transportation modes and routes, and providing parking. See “Transportation, use category.”
Transportation, use category: Facilities that provide public or private transportation services and/or transfer points between modes of transportation. Examples include private airstrips, heliports, park and ride stations, private parking garages, and transit centers.
Truck stop: A facility providing parking, fueling, and restaurant services for large trucks, and may include truck washing facilities, sleeping accommodations, and showers for drivers. See “Vehicle services, use category.”
Underground injection control (UIC) well: A manmade subsurface fluid distribution system designed to discharge fluids into the ground and consists of an assemblage of perforated pipes, drain tiles, or other similar mechanisms, or a dug hole that is deeper than the largest surface dimension (WAC 173-218-030). Subsurface infiltration systems include drywells, pipe or French drains, drain fields, and other similar devices that are used to discharge stormwater directly into the ground.
Upholstery shop: A retail service for the upholstery and re-upholstery of furniture. See “Retail sales and services, use category.”
Variance: An adjustment to the strict application of regulations to a particular piece of real property which, because of special circumstances, is deprived of privileges commonly enjoyed by other properties in the vicinity and similar zone classification. The adjustment remedies the disparity in privileges; provided, that a variance granted shall not authorize a use otherwise prohibited in the zone classification in which the property is located.
Vehicle services, use category: Establishments that sell, service, repair, or rent passenger vehicles, boats, recreation vehicles, heavy trucks, and industrial vehicles. It also includes other uses that relate to vehicles such as truck stops, impound yards, and towing establishments.
Veterinary hospital or clinic, large animal: An establishment providing veterinary medical services and similar services to livestock, such as horses, cows, donkeys, sheep, pigs, and similar animals, and may include outdoor pens. See “Animal clinic/veterinary.”
Veterinary hospital or clinic, small animal: An establishment other than a kennel in which veterinary medical services, clipping, bathing, boarding, and similar services are rendered to dogs, cats, and other small animals and domestic pets. See “Animal clinic/veterinary.”
Warehouse: A structure in which more than 50 percent of the ground floor area is utilized for the storage of products, which is not the office or showroom area of the building. See “Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category.”
Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category: Wholesale businesses and establishments that store or transport goods for themselves or other firms.
Warranty surety: A financial guarantee against defects in the construction of all required infrastructure for a project.
Welding: The process of uniting metal parts through heat and/or pressure.
Wetland: An area characterized by saturated or nearly saturated soils most of the year that forms an interface between terrestrial (land-based) and aquatic environments. Wetlands include marshes around lakes or ponds and along river or stream channels.
Wholesale business: Those businesses which sell, broker, transfer, receive, or otherwise handle volume commodities for fabrication, resale, or internal institutional, commercial, or industrial consumption. Examples include sale of building materials, special trade tools, welding supplies, major wholesale distribution centers, major postal services, machine parts, electrical supplies, janitorial supplies, restaurant equipment and store fixtures, mail order houses, and wholesalers of food, clothing, auto parts, and building hardware. See “Warehouse, wholesale and freight movement, use category.”
Wood product manufacturing: The manufacture of wood products, such as lumber, plywood, veneers, wood containers, wood flooring, wood trusses, and prefabricated wood buildings. The production processes include sawing, planing, shaping, laminating, and assembling of wood products starting from logs that are cut into bolts, or lumber that then may be further cut, or shaped by lathes or other shaping tools. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
Wrecking, junk and salvage yards: Any area, lot, land, parcel, building, structure, or part thereof where waste or discarded or salvaged materials are exchanged, handled, bought, sold, baled, packed, stripped, stored, dumped, or disassembled including, but not limited to, inoperable vehicles, tires, machines or remnants thereof, metals, paper, rags, tires, and/or bottles. See “Industrial, heavy use category.”
WRIA: Water resources inventory area.
Xeriscaping: A planting practice that relies on minimal or no irrigation, eliminating heavily watered landscaping in favor of those that combine low water requirements with plants adapted to the region.
Yard: An open space, other than a court, on a lot, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward.
• Front yard: An area extending across the full width of a lot and lying in between the front lot line and building setback line. The front yard is usually the location of the main entrance to the building and/or its orientation to the primary street.
• Rear yard: An area extending across the full width of the lot and lying between the lot rear line and that portion of a proposed or existing building or structure closest to the lot rear line, or between the lot rear line and the required rear yard depth in each classification where no building or structure exists or is proposed.
• Side yard: That area of a lot that is unoccupied and which is not a front yard, a rear yard, nor a flanking street yard.
Zero lot line development: A residential development for single families detached where each dwelling is located in close proximity to an interior side property line, with a minimum side yard maintained between each adjacent residence.
Zone, zoning district: A district established for the purpose of promoting orderly and efficient development of land compatible with surrounding areas implementing the Comprehensive Plan.
Zoning map: The official zoning map of the City adopted as part of SVMC Title 19. (Ord. 22-011 § 7 (Att. E), 2022; Ord. 21-019 § 9, 2021; Ord. 21-009 § 2(A) (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 20-009 § 6 (Att. B), 2020; Ord. 19-011 § 2, 2019; Ord. 19-007 § 4, 2019; Ord. 18-007 § 3 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 18-004 § 3, 2018; Ord. 18-001 § 5, 2018; Ord. 17-004 § 3, 2017; Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B), 2016).