Division II. Zoning Districts
Chapter 16.10
ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS
Sections:
16.10.010 Establishment of zoning districts.
16.10.020 Establishment of zoning map.
16.10.030 Default zoning designation.
16.10.040 Use prohibited in all zoning districts.
16.10.010 Establishment of zoning districts.
The city of Sultan is hereby divided into eight zoning districts and one overlay district as follows:
A. Low density residential (LDR) zone;
B. Moderate density residential (MDR) zone;
C. High density residential (HDR) zone;
D. Neighborhood commercial (NC) zone;
E. Urban center (UC) zone;
F. Highway-oriented commercial (HOC) zone;
G. Manufacturing (M) zone;
H. Public buildings, parks and open spaces (PB/P/OS) zone. (Ord. 1263-17 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A))
16.10.020 Establishment of zoning map.
A. The boundaries and identification of the zoning districts and overlay zone(s) established by this chapter are shown on the official zoning map of the city of Sultan, which is filed in the office of the city clerk/treasurer (with copies in the office of the building and zoning official). The zoning map is hereby adopted and incorporated by this reference as if fully set forth herein.
B. No building or land shall be used and no building shall be erected or altered except in conformity with the regulations herein prescribed for the district designated and identified on the zoning map in which such building or land is located.
C. Interpretation of the Zoning Map.
1. Zoning district boundaries are shown as heavy solid lines on the zoning map and may be superimposed on lighter lines designating platted lot lines, streets, and other physically identifiable ground features, unless specific distances in feet or angles, bearings, radii, or other references to a boundary line located are specified.
2. Zoning district boundary lines, when located in streets or other public rights-of-way, shall be interpreted as being located in the centerline of such rights-of-way. When distances expressed as linear footage are shown between a zoning district and a street, the distance shall be interpreted as being between said boundary line and the centerline of said street, unless otherwise specified.
3. Boundary lines between zoning districts which are interrupted on the zoning map to show street names or other identification numbers shall be interpreted as extending through such identification, unless otherwise specified.
4. When the exact location of a zoning district boundary line is not clear, it shall be determined by the building and zoning official, with due consideration given to the location as indicated by the scale of the zoning map. When, for any reason, the streets or alleys as they actually exist on the ground differ from the depiction of said streets and alleys as they are shown on the zoning map, the building and zoning official may apply the district designations on the map to the streets on the ground in such manner as to conform to the intent and purpose of this title.
D. Zoning Map Amendments. The zoning map is separate and distinct from the future land use map (Sultan comprehensive plan Figure LU-1). Accordingly, amendments to the zoning map may be applied for independent from the annual docketing process required for amendments to the comprehensive plan future land use map. Zoning map amendments for large area rezones and revisions to existing zoning district boundaries shall be processed as development regulation amendments. Site-specific rezones that can be categorized as “spot zones” will not be considered for a zoning map amendment. (Ord. 1263-17 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A))
16.10.030 Default zoning designation.
A. Annexed Territories. Unless otherwise provided for in the annexation ordinance or in subsection (C) or (D) of this section, all new territory annexed to the city shall be designated as the city zoning district that closely equates to the permitted county land uses in the annexation area at the time of annexation, regardless of the future land use designations that may be desired or indicated by the property owners or petitioners for annexation; provided, that nothing in this section shall prevent annexation petitioners from requesting that the city initiate a zoning designation for the annexation area concurrent with the annexation process pursuant to RCW 35A.14.330 through 35A.14.340.
B. Zoning Map. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (D) of this section, any property for which a zoning district designation is not indicated on the official zoning map shall be designated as the same zoning district as the adjacent property. If an unclassified property is adjacent to multiple parcels with different zoning designations, the unclassified property shall be designated as the same zoning district as the adjacent property or properties with the greatest contiguous border(s). For the purposes of this subsection, “adjacent property” means adjacent property within the corporate limits of the city.
C. Previously Annexed Territory. Territory that has been annexed to the city prior to the adoption of this section, but for which no zoning district has previously been designated, shall be designated as the city zoning district that most closely fits the existing use of the property(ies) as of the effective date of the ordinance adopting this section.
D. Municipal Property.
1. Territory that is annexed to the city solely for municipal purposes shall be designated as public buildings, parks and open spaces zone, unless otherwise provided in the annexation ordinance.
2. Any municipal property which would otherwise fall within the scope of subsection (B) of this section shall be designated as public buildings, parks and open spaces zone, notwithstanding the zoning designations of adjacent properties thereto. (Ord. 1263-17 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 1244-16 § 3 (Exh. A))
16.10.040 Use prohibited in all zoning districts.
Medically supervised injection centers (“MSIC”) designed to provide a hygienic environment where individuals are able to consume illicit drugs intravenously are prohibited in all zoning districts in the city. An MSIC includes all uses established or activities undertaken for the above-defined purpose, irrespective of how the use or activity is described. An MSIC may also be referred to as a community health engagement location, supervised injection site or facility, safe injection site, fix room, or drug consumption facility. (Ord. 1287-18 § 1)