Chapter 18.22
GC GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONE DISTRICT
Sections:
18.22.050 Development standards.
18.22.010 Intent.
The intent of the general commercial (GC) zone is to:
A. Provide for those commercial uses and activities which are dependent on convenient vehicular access.
B. Discourage extension of “strip” development by filling in available space in areas where substantial auto-oriented commercial development already exists.
C. Provide development standards which enhance efficient operation of these districts, and lead to more pedestrian and transit oriented development.
D. Provide for a type, configuration, and density of development that will entice pedestrian shoppers to frequent the area, encourage pedestrian traffic between businesses, facilitate efficient mass transit, and require less reliance on automobiles within a business area.
E. Balance the needs of motorists and businesses serving a regional or community-wide market with the needs of pedestrians and neighborhood residents.
F. Integrate new development with existing uses to achieve a better environment for pedestrians and to maintain or enhance the livability of adjacent residential neighborhoods.
G. Encourage the provision of urban plazas and convenient access to transit stops.
(Ord. O95-035, Added, 12/19/1995)
18.22.020 Permitted uses.
Uses permitted in the GC district are as follows:
A. Professional services;
B. General retail sales;
C. General offices;
D. Appliance equipment repair;
E. Support facilities;
F. Parks and open space areas;
G. Recreational facilities;
H. Restaurants;
I. Automobile service stations including car washes;
J. Post offices;
K. Motels, hotels;
L. Planned unit developments (PUD);
M. Medical clinics;
N. Child day care center, child mini-day care center;
O. Adult family homes, residential care facilities;
P. Group foster homes;
Q. Private clubs and lodges;
R. Family child care home;
S. Mixed use structures;
T. Multifamily residential structures consisting of a minimum of three and a maximum of four stories on sites within one-quarter mile of a degree-granting state education facility. A minimum density of fourteen dwelling units per acre shall be provided. Calculation of density is based on the portion of the site devoted to residential and associated uses (e.g., dwelling units; private community clubs; open space; stormwater detention, treatment and infiltration). The following land is excluded from density calculations:
1. Land that is required to be dedicated for public use as open space, right-of-way, or land on which development is prohibited by TMC Title 16, Environment, and land that is to be used for private roads. Provided, that portion of park and open space areas that consists of stormwater facilities and that is designed for active and/or passive recreational purposes in accordance with the drainage design and erosion control manual for Tumwater shall not be excluded from density calculations.
2. Land that consists of lots devoted to uses other than residential and associated uses, including but not limited to churches, schools, and support facilities (except for stormwater detention, treatment and infiltration facilities);
U. Personal services;
V. Used motor oil recycling collection point;
W. Parking lots as separate, primary uses are permitted. The proposed parking lot shall exclusively serve specifically identified uses in or adjacent to the district to accommodate shared employee or customer parking or off-site employee parking. The uses served by the lot may change over time;
X. Parking structures;
Y. Park and ride lots;
Z. Museum, library, art gallery;
AA. Recreational vehicle parks;
BB. Riding academies;
CC. Entertainment facilities;
DD. Nurseries, retail;
EE. Attached wireless communication facilities, except that it is prohibited to attach a nonaccessory wireless communication antenna on a single-family or two-family dwelling;*
FF. Equipment rental and sales facilities;
GG. Motorsports sales facility, provided outdoor displays or visible storage of vehicles does not cover an area larger than ten percent of the gross floor area of the facility;
HH. Electric vehicle infrastructure;
II. Community gardens;
JJ. Farmers markets;
KK. Marijuana retailer;
LL. Motor vehicle sales facilities located west of Interstate 5 and south of Bishop Road subject to the requirements set forth in TMC 18.42.090;
MM. Breweries, wineries, distilleries;
NN. Auto repair facilities;
OO. Churches;
PP. Temporary expansions of schools, such as portable classrooms;
QQ. Animal clinics or hospitals;
RR. Convalescent centers, rest homes, nursing homes;
SS. Movie theaters, playhouses and similar performance and assembly facilities;
TT. Senior housing facilities, independent and assisted;
UU. Taverns, cocktail lounges;
VV. Food trucks or trailers in accordance with TMC 18.42.120;
WW. Food truck or trailer courts in accordance with TMC 18.42.120;
XX. Permanent supportive housing, subject to 18.42.150;
YY. Transitional housing, subject to TMC 18.42.150;
ZZ. Emergency housing, subject to TMC 18.42.150;
AAA. Emergency shelter, subject to TMC 18.42.150;
BBB. Optometry clinics.
*Wireless communication facilities are subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and approval, and furthermore are subject to provisions for wireless communication facilities in TMC Chapter 11.20, Wireless Communication Facilities.
(Ord. O2022-013, Amended, 10/04/2022; Ord. O2021-019, Amended, 01/18/2022; Ord. O2020-005, Amended, 03/16/2021; Ord. O2019-020, Amended, 11/19/2019; Ord. O2018-025, Amended, 12/18/2018; Ord. O2017-006, Amended, 07/18/2017; Ord. O2016-006, Amended, 06/07/2016; Ord. O2015-001, Amended, 10/20/2015; Ord. O2014-012, Amended, 08/19/2014; Ord. O2013-013, Amended, 10/01/2013; Ord. O2012-003, Amended, 07/17/2012; Ord. O2010-029, Amended, 06/07/2011; Ord. O2010-015, Amended, 09/07/2010; Ord. O2003-001, Amended, 02/18/2003; Ord. O97-019, Amended, 06/17/1997; Ord. O96-022, Amended, 12/17/1996; Ord. O95-035, Added, 12/19/1995)
18.22.030 Accessory uses.
Accessory uses in the GC district are as follows:
A. Storage, if less than fifty percent of gross floor area of the primary structure;
B. Energy systems;
C. On-site hazardous waste treatment and storage facilities;
D. All uses customarily accessory to permitted uses;
E. Cocktail lounge as an accessory use to restaurants;
F. Living or residential quarters as an accessory use including, but not limited to, security guards’ quarters where such quarters are customarily provided for security and/or insurability of the premises and other residential uses directly related to the operation of the primary permitted use;
G. Off-street parking and loading areas;
H. Accessory wireless communication antenna;*
I. Supportive housing facilities such as emergency housing, emergency shelters, permanent supportive housing, and transitional housing are permitted as an accessory use only as part of a permitted church use. Such supportive housing facilities shall not exceed twenty percent of the total building square footage of a church use and are subject to the requirements of TMC 18.42.150.
*Emergency communication towers and antennas and wireless communication facilities are subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and approval if they apply, and furthermore both uses are subject to provisions for wireless communication facilities in TMC Chapter 11.20, Wireless Communication Facilities.
(Ord. O2021-019, Amended, 01/18/2022; Ord. O2018-025, Amended, 12/18/2018; Ord. O97-019, Amended, 06/17/1997; Ord. O96-022, Amended, 12/17/1996; Ord. O95-035, Added, 12/19/1995)
18.22.040 Conditional uses.
Conditional uses in the GC district are as follows:
A. Transportation terminals;
B. High-rise residential (five stories or more);
C. Wireless communication towers;*
D. Schools;
E. Mini-storage facilities;
F. The following essential public facilities:
1. Emergency communication towers and antennas;*
2. State education facilities;
3. Large scale state or regional transportation facilities;
4. Prisons, jails and other correctional facilities;
5. Mental health facilities (including but not limited to congregate care facilities; adult residential treatment facilities; evaluation and treatment centers);
6. Inpatient facilities including substance abuse facilities (including but not limited to: intensive inpatient facilities; long-term residential drug treatment facilities; recovery house facilities);
G. Private post-secondary education facilities;
H. Kennels;
I. Campgrounds.
*Emergency communication towers and antennas and wireless communication facilities are subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and approval if they apply, and furthermore both uses are subject to provisions for wireless communication facilities in TMC Chapter 11.20, Wireless Communication Facilities.
(Ord. O2018-025, Amended, 12/18/2018; Ord. O2017-006, Amended, 07/18/2017; Ord. O2016-037, Amended, 01/03/2017; Ord. O2014-012, Amended, 08/19/2014; Ord. O2008-016, Amended, 09/16/2008; Ord. O2003-001, Amended, 02/18/2003; Ord. O2000-004, Amended, 07/18/2000; Ord. O97-019, Amended, 06/17/1977; Ord. O96-022, Amended, 12/17/1996; Ord. O95-035, Added, 12/19/1996)
18.22.050 Development standards.
Development in the GC zone district must meet the following requirements:
A. Site area: no minimum, except the lot shall be adequate to provide for required parking, yards and landscaping;
B. Lot coverage, maximum impervious surface: eighty-five percent of the total area of the lot;
C. Structure height: a maximum height of sixty-five feet; provided, however, that no structure shall penetrate imaginary airspace surfaces as defined by 14 C.F.R. Part 77. A map that provides detailed information on ground and imaginary airspace surface elevations is available for inspection in the community development department. Note: New multifamily or mixed use projects with a total of thirty or more dwelling units that provide thirty percent of those units as permanently affordable housing units would be allowed a maximum building height increase of ten feet, subject to imaginary airspace surface limitations. This would create a new maximum height limit of seventy-five feet. Projects providing permanently affordable housing units by this method would have to meet the requirements of TMC 18.42.140;
D. Yards.*
1. Front: no minimum setback,
2. Side: no minimum,
3. Rear: no minimum.
Where any structures or portions of structures are adjacent to any residential zoning district, the minimum structural setback shall be twenty feet. Where structures are constructed over one story, the setback of the structure from the adjacent property line or lines shall be increased by ten feet for every story above the ground level story of the proposed new building, and shall be screened from view in accordance with TMC Chapter 18.47.
E. Park and Open Space Area. New development in this zone district shall set aside land for park and open space area as specified in TMC 17.12.210 and 18.42.130 and the citywide design guidelines.
* See Diagram 18.04.670, Yard Determination Diagram, in TMC 18.04.230, Y definitions.
(Ord. O2020-005, Amended, 03/16/2021; Ord. O2020-015, Amended, 02/16/2021; Ord. O2016-037, Amended, 01/03/2017; Ord. O2011-002, Amended, 03/01/2011; Ord. O2004-009, Amended, 12/07/2004; Ord. O2000-004, Amended, 07/18/2000; Ord. O97-024, Amended, 03/03/1998; Ord. O96-022, Amended, 12/17/1996; Ord. O95-035, Added, 12/19/1995)