18A.05.020 Purpose.
A. Uncoordinated and unplanned growth poses a threat to the environment, sustainable economic development, and the health, safety, and quality of life enjoyed by the residents of Pierce County. The major purpose of the Pierce County Development Regulations – Zoning is to implement the Pierce County Comprehensive Plan, which is intended to prevent the harm posed by uncoordinated and unplanned growth. These Development Regulations – Zoning are not intended to be the sole method of implementing the Comprehensive Plan. Other methods, such as subdivision regulations, taxing strategies, capital facility expenditures, and other implementation techniques, will also be employed.
B. Additional purposes of the Pierce County Development Regulations – Zoning include:
1. To prevent harm to the public health, safety, and general welfare through regulation of land development of Pierce County;
2. To provide guidance for the future development of Pierce County so development may occur in an orderly and predictable fashion;
3. To provide for adequate public facilities and services in an orderly and timely fashion that will support land development;
4. To protect public and private investments within Pierce County;
5. To promote social and economic well-being through integration of aesthetic, environmental, and economic values;
6. To protect the property values and property rights of property owners in Pierce County;
7. To protect and conserve environmentally critical or historically significant resources;
8. To identify and designate adequate land areas needed to accommodate agricultural, forestry, commercial, industrial, residential, and other land uses necessary to protect and provide for the public welfare; and
9. To provide procedures and processes that foster the efficient and effective administration and enforcement of these regulations.