Chapter 21.10
DEFINITIONS
Sections:
21.10.010 Definitions.
As used in this title, unless the context or subject matter clearly requires otherwise, the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
“Binding site plan” means a division of land for sale or lease of commercially or industrially zoned property as provided in RCW 58.17.040(4), divisions of property for lease as provided in RCW 58.17.040(5), and divisions of properties as provided for in RCW 58.17.040(7).
“Block” means a group of lots, tracts, or parcels within well-defined and fixed boundaries.
“City Engineer” means a licensed professional engineer appointed by the City Manager as the City Engineer or authorized designee.
“Council” means the City Council.
“County Assessor-Treasurer” means the Pierce County Assessor.
“County Auditor” means the Pierce County Auditor.
“Dedication” is the deliberate appropriation of land by an owner for any general and public uses, reserving no other rights than such as are compatible with the full exercise and enjoyment of the public uses to which the property has been devoted. The intention to dedicate shall be evidenced by the owner by the presentment for filing of a final plat, short plat, or large lot subdivision showing the dedication thereon; and the acceptance by the City shall be evidenced by the approval of such plat for filing by the appropriate governmental unit.
“Department” means the City of University Place Department of Community and Economic Development.
“Developer” shall mean the person, party, firm, or corporation who applies for approval of a subdivision, short plat, or large lot subdivision.
“Development regulations” means any of the City’s regulations that specify how land can be developed and/or used, including but not limited to the zoning code, subdivision regulations, shoreline regulations, critical area regulations, building codes, and public works code.
“Director” means the Director of the City of University Place Department of Community and Economic Development or authorized designee or representative.
“Electric utility facilities” means unstaffed facilities, except for the presence of security personnel, that are used for or in connection with or to facilitate the transmission, distribution, sale, or furnishing of electricity including, but not limited to, electric power substations.
“Examiner” means the Land Use Hearings Examiner who is herein authorized to approve subdivisions and hear appeals on short subdivisions, large lot divisions, and other administrative decisions.
“Final plat” is the final drawing of the subdivision and dedication drawn to a scale not smaller than one inch equals 100 feet unless approval of another scale is given by the director, on standard 18-inch by 24-inch sheet size, prepared for filing for record with the county auditor, and containing all elements and requirements set forth in state law and in this title.
“Improvement” shall mean any thing or structure constructed for the benefit of all or some residents of a subdivision, short subdivision, or binding site plan or the general public such as but not limited to streets, alleys, storm drainage systems and ditches, sanitary sewer pipes or main lines, storm drainage containment facilities, and recreational facilities.
“Land division” shall mean a subdivision, short subdivision, binding site plan, or boundary line adjustment.
“Lot” is a fractional part of divided lands having fixed boundaries, and of sufficient area and dimension to meet minimum zoning requirements for width and area. The term “lot” includes tracts or parcels. Lots shall also include those lots legally established prior to the effective date of this title.
“Model home” means a dwelling unit(s) used to demonstrate a variety of housing designs together with all associated on-site improvements, e.g., landscaping, improved driveway, patios, etc.
“Original tract” means all contiguous units of land that the applicant(s) own(s), or in which the applicant(s) holds controlling ownership and all contiguous lands under separate ownership when said owners have a direct or indirect common property interest in the subdivision or where a husband and wife own contiguous lots in separate or community ownership.
“Personal wireless services” means any federally licensed personal wireless service facility including unstaffed facilities that are used for the transmission or reception, or both, of wireless communication services including, but not necessarily limited to, antenna arrays, transmission cables, equipment shelters, and support structures.
“Planning agency” means the Department of Community and Economic Development or other such department designated by the City Manager.
“Plat” is a map or representation of a subdivision, showing thereon the division of a tract or parcel of land into lots, blocks, streets and alleys, or other divisions and dedications.
“Preliminary plat” is a neat and approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of streets and alleys, lots, blocks, and the restrictive covenants applicable to a subdivision. A preliminary plat furnishes a basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a subdivision.
“Short plat” is the map or representation of a short subdivision.
“Short subdivision” is any voluntary or involuntary division or redivision of land into nine or fewer lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or subdivisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership. Other lots, tracts, or parcels created by the short subdivision shall be used exclusively for roads, utilities, open space, or protection of critical areas including but not limited to wetlands, and determined unbuildable or do not have the potential for future development as a residential building site.
“Subdivision” is any voluntary or involuntary division or redivision of land into 10 or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites or division for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership, or which do not otherwise satisfy the requirements for a short subdivision.
Unlisted words and phrases: The definition of any word or phrase not listed in this chapter that is in question when administering this regulation shall be defined from one of the following sources, which are incorporated herein by reference. Said sources shall be utilized by finding the desired definition from source A, but if it is not available there, then source B may be used and so on. The sources are as follows:
A. City development regulations;
B. Any City resolution, ordinance, code, or regulation;
C. Any statute or regulation of the State of Washington (i.e., the most applicable);
D. Legal definitions from case law or a law dictionary;
E. Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, copyright 1986.
(Ord. 769 § 2 (Exh. B), 2023; Ord. 749 § 29, 2021; Ord. 500 § 1, 2007; Ord. 423 § 76, 2004; Ord. 61 § 1, 1995. Formerly 21.02.020).