Division 1. General Administration
Chapter 21.10
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
21.10.020 Statement of purpose.
21.10.040 Minimum requirements.
21.10.060 Administrative authority.
21.10.070 Interpretations of the official zoning map.
21.10.080 Administrative (code) interpretations.
21.10.090 Compliance with other laws.
21.10.110 Responsibility for compliance.
21.10.010 Title.
This title of the Woodinville Municipal Code shall be known as, and may be cited as, the “Woodinville Unified Development Code” and may be cited as the UDC. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)
21.10.020 Statement of purpose.
(1) The UDC is a comprehensive set of regulations that governs the physical development of all land and water within the City of Woodinville for the purpose of orderly development within the community. The UDC consolidates the City’s zoning, platting, environmental, construction and other development regulations into a one-book source with the goal of providing consistency between different regulations and making the ability to find information related to development easier.
(2) The primary purpose of this title is:
(a) To encourage land use decision making in accordance with the public interest and applicable laws of the State of Washington;
(b) To protect the general public health, safety, and welfare;
(c) To implement the City of Woodinville Comprehensive Plan’s goals and policies through land use regulations;
(d) To provide for the economic, social, and aesthetic advantages of orderly development through harmonious groupings of compatible and complementary land uses and the application of appropriate development standards;
(e) To provide for adequate public facilities and services in conjunction with development; and
(f) To promote general public safety by regulating development of lands containing physical hazards and to minimize the adverse environmental impacts of development. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)
21.10.030 Compliance.
No building or other structure shall be constructed, improved, altered, enlarged, moved, or maintained, nor shall any use or occupancy of premises within the City be commenced or changed, nor shall any condition of or upon real property be caused or maintained, except in conformity with the conditions prescribed within this title. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)
21.10.040 Minimum requirements.
The regulations set forth in this title shall constitute the minimum requirements necessary to promote the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)
21.10.050 Conflicts.
(1) The requirements of this title shall govern when the UDC imposes a greater restriction than is required by other ordinances, regulations, easements, covenants, or other agreements. In the case of internal conflicts within the UDC, the most restrictive provision shall prevail unless prescribed otherwise by law.
(2) Where there are conflicts, disputes, or disagreements concerning the application of this title, interested parties are encouraged to submit in writing their concerns to be heard by the Director. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)
21.10.060 Administrative authority.
(1) The Director has authority to make and issue orders, rules, procedures, permits, interpretations, decisions, or determinations as necessary in the administration and enforcement of the regulations in this title, except where specified otherwise by law.
(2) The Director has the authority to incorporate drawings as necessary for the purpose of illustrating concepts and regulatory standards contained in this title; provided, that the adopted provisions of the UDC shall control. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)
21.10.070 Interpretations of the official zoning map.
Where uncertainty exists as to the location of any zone boundary, the rules below, listed in priority order, shall apply:
(1) Where boundaries are indicated as the approximate centerline of the street right-of-way, the zone shall be the centerline of the street right-of-way.
(2) Where boundaries are indicated as following approximate property lines, the actual property lines shall be considered the boundaries.
(3) Where boundaries are indicated as following lines of ordinary high water, or government meander lines, the lines shall be considered to be the actual boundaries. If these lines should change the boundaries shall be considered to move with them.
(4) If none of the rules of interpretation described in subsections (1) through (3) of this section apply, then the zone boundary shall be determined by map scaling. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)
21.10.080 Administrative (code) interpretations.
(1) The Director is authorized to make written interpretations of the UDC whenever necessary for clarification, or to resolve a conflict within these regulations, so as to provide consistent interpretation and application of this title. However, interpretations shall not be made for the purpose of superseding unambiguous regulations.
(2) Code interpretations are a Type 1 decision subject to the review procedures set forth in Chapter 21.80 WMC.
(3) Any person may submit a written request for a code interpretation of this title, or the Director may issue a code interpretation at the Director’s own initiative.
(4) A written request shall include the following:
(a) Specify the regulation for which a code interpretation is requested, including reference to sections of the code subject to the interpretation;
(b) A statement on why an interpretation is necessary;
(c) Any reasons or materials that might support making the interpretation; and
(d) Payment of fees adopted pursuant to the City’s fee resolution.
(5) Code interpretations shall be in writing and made based on the following criteria:
(a) The defined, plain, or common meaning of the words of the regulation;
(b) The general purpose of the regulation as expressed in the provision; and
(c) The logical or likely meaning of the regulation viewed in relation to the Comprehensive Plan, if applicable.
(6) The Director, when interpreting the code, must:
(a) Give every word, phrase, sentence, and part of a regulation, significance, and effect, where possible; and
(b) Interpret the regulation so as to be harmonious with the UDC as a whole.
(7) A written interpretation shall be enforced as if it is part of this title.
(8) A record of all written interpretations shall be maintained by the City and be available for public inspection during regular business hours. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)
21.10.090 Compliance with other laws.
Nothing in this title shall be construed to excuse compliance with other applicable Federal, State, or local laws or regulations. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)
21.10.100 City liability.
Nothing in this title shall be construed to impose any duty upon the City or any of its officers or employees so as to subject them to liability for damages not otherwise imposed by law to protect individuals from personal injuries or property damage. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)
21.10.110 Responsibility for compliance.
(1) Regardless of any review, approval, inspection or other action of the City or its agents, consultants, or employees, it is the responsibility of developers, applicants, owners, and occupiers of land within the City to ensure that all work, actions, or conditions comply with the requirements of this title and all other applicable laws.
(2) An applicant for a permit or any other approvals from the City is responsible for providing accurate and complete information that complies with the requirements of this title and all applicable laws and regulations. The City is not responsible for the accuracy of information or plans provided by an applicant. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)
21.10.120 Severability.
If any section, subsection, clause or phrase of this title or amendment thereto, or its application to any person or circumstance, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the remainder or application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected. (Ord. 737 § 2 (Att. A), 2022)