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Commercial activities include the provision of services and the sale, distribution, or rental of goods that benefit the daily needs of the general public which are not otherwise classified as civic, office, or industrial activities. The Commercial Use Category has been separated into the following types based upon distinguishing features such as: nature of business activity and type of goods or products sold or serviced.

A. Adult Business. Adult Business Use Type refers to establishments which provide entertainment, devices or services that are sexually explicit in nature and generate social impacts, thus, locationally sensitive to other uses. Examples include adult arcades, adult bookstores, adult cabarets, adult motion picture theaters, adult novelty stores, escort services, massage parlors, and public bathhouses.

B. Amusement and Recreation. Amusement and Recreation Use Type refers to establishments or places of business primarily engaged in the provision of sports, entertainment, or recreational services to the general public or members. Examples include, but are not limited to, marinas, video arcades, teen clubs, athletic clubs, swimming pools, billiard parlors, bowling alleys, ice or roller skating rinks, indoor movie theaters, drive-in theaters, miniature golf courses, golf courses, outdoor performance centers, sports arenas, festival and event facilities, and race tracks. Also see Lodging Use Type, Commercial Use Category, for camp sites and recreational vehicle parks.

Table 18A.33.270-1. Amusement and Recreation Use Type – Description of Levels

Level

Location of activity

Total floor area

Typical uses and other requirements

Level 1

Indoor

Up to 5,000 square feet

Video arcades, martial arts studios, dance studios, billiard parlors, rental of recreational sports equipment, etc.;

Not including Dance Halls

Level 2

Indoor

Up to 30,000 square feet

Level 1 uses;

Amusement centers with multiple activities, mini-golf, batting cages, climbing walls, skateboard facilities, teen clubs, bowling alleys, live performance theatres, athletic clubs, dance halls as regulated per Chapter 5.32 PCC*, etc.

*Code reviser’s note: Chapter 5.32 PCC was repealed by Ordinance No. 2012-17.

Level 3

Indoor or outdoor

NA

Batting cages, driving ranges, mini-golf, climbing walls, swimming pools, marinas, outdoor performance centers, racetracks, motor-tracks, outdoor sports arenas, drive-in theatres, recreational fishing ponds, festival and event facility, paintball facilities, gun ranges, etc.

Level 4

Indoor or outdoor

Over 30,000 and up to 80,000 square feet

Level 1 and 2 uses;

Tennis courts, swimming pools, movie theatres, sports arenas, ice rinks, skating rinks, soccer facilities, performing arts centers, etc.

Level 5

Indoor or outdoor

Greater than 80,000 square feet

Level 4 uses;

Indoor sports arenas, large multi-plex movie theatre complexes, etc. Accessory uses include parking lots, restrooms, food and beverage service.

Level 6

Golf Courses.

C. Billboards. Billboards Use Type refers to an advertising mechanism conveyed on a preprinted or hand painted changeable sign which directs attention to businesses, commodities, services, or facilities which are not sold, manufactured, or distributed from the property on which the sign is located. See also Chapter 18A.55 PCC, Billboards.

D. Building Materials and Garden Supplies. Building Materials and Garden Supplies Use Type refers to establishments primarily engaged in selling lumber and other building materials, paint, glass, and wallpaper, hardware, nursery stock, and lawn and garden supplies. Establishments primarily selling these products for use exclusively by businesses or to other wholesalers or primarily selling plumbing, heating and air-conditioning equipment, and electrical supplies are classified in the Wholesale Trade Use Type, Commercial Use Category.

Table 18A.33.270-2. Building Materials and Garden Supplies Use Type – Description of Levels

Level

Primary activity

Total floor area

Use of outdoor areas

Other requirements

Level 1

Retail sale of basic hardware lines, such as tools, builders' hardware, paint, and glass.

Up to 5,000 square feet

For display and storage as an accessory use

Accessory uses include retail sales of nursery, lawn and garden supplies and lumber

Level 2

Same as Level 1

Over 5,000 and up to 10,000 square feet

Same as Level 1

Same as Level 1

Level 3

Same as Level 1

Over 10,000 and up to 30,000 square feet

Same as Level 1

Same as Level 1

Level 4

Sales of lumber and a general line of building materials, nursery, lawn, and garden supplies to the public

Over 30,000 and up to 80,000 square feet

Same as Level 1

General line of building materials may include rough and dressed lumber, flooring, molding, doors, frames, roofing, siding, shingles, wallboards, paint, brick, tile, and cement.

Level 5

Outdoor retail sales of landscape materials, such as bark, crushed rock, soil, sand, plant materials, etc.

NA

See primary activity; may include storage of delivery trucks

Located on a lot or combination of lots not exceeding 2 acres in size.

No more than 2 delivery trucks, up to 20,000 pound gross vehicle weight, can be kept on-site.

Level 6

Same as Level 5.

NA

See primary activity; may include storage of delivery trucks

Located on a lot or combination of lots exceeding 2 acres in size.

E. Business Services. Business Services Use Type refers to uses primarily engaged in providing services to business establishments on a contract or fee basis. Examples include courier services, parcel delivery services, FAX services, telegraph services, reproduction services, commercial art and photography services, stenographic services, and janitorial services.

Level 1:    Total floor area of up to 5,000 square feet; may include outdoor storage of vehicles.

Level 2:    Total floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet; may include outdoor storage of vehicles.

F. Commercial Centers. Commercial Centers Use Type refers to any lot or combination of lots with a store or variety of stores, offices, and services integrated into a complex utilizing uniform parking facilities. A variety of goods are sold or services provided at these centers ranging from general merchandise to specialty goods and foods. The specific uses permitted in Commercial Centers are limited to those uses allowed in the particular zone. The allowable size for individual commercial uses within the Commercial Center may not exceed the floor area allowed in the zone for that use. (For example, if the maximum square footage for a garden supply store is 5,000 square feet in an Activity Center zone, this would be the maximum floor area for a garden supply store allowed in that Commercial Center.) Commercial centers can be grouped into three levels:

Level 1:    Any store or commercial center containing a variety of stores with a cumulative floor area over 40,000 square feet and up to 80,000 square feet. Flea Markets or Swap meets with up to 80,000 square feet of sales area.

Level 2:    Any store or commercial center containing a variety of stores with a cumulative floor area over 80,000 square feet and up to 200,000 square feet.

Level 3:    Any commercial center containing a store or variety of stores with a cumulative floor area greater than 200,000 square feet.

G. Eating and Drinking Establishment. Eating and Drinking Establishment Use Type refers to establishments that sell prepared food, beer, wine and/or liquor and may also provide music and dancing. Examples include, but are not limited to, espresso stands, fast food restaurants, full service restaurants, taverns, brewpubs, craft distilleries and wineries.

Level 1:    Espresso stands with or without drive-through facilities, no preparation of meals allowed; and not exceeding 400 square feet in structure size.

Level 2:    Fast food restaurants with drive-through facilities.

Level 3:    Full service restaurants, taverns, brewpubs, craft distilleries, wineries, or cafes. This level of restaurant may not have a separate lounge area for patrons 21 years of age or older, and/or allow music and dancing.

H. Lodging. Lodging Use Type refers to establishments that provide sleeping accommodations, whether with or without meals, furnished for hire to transient guests. Examples include, but are not limited to, hotels/motels, employee housing, camping, and retreat centers. For Bed and Breakfast, see PCC 18A.37.040.

Level 1:        Combination recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds for tents or tent cabins.

Level 2:        Lodging.

Level 3:        Lodging with up to 20 guest rooms.

Level 4:        Employee Housing. This housing type is a permanent sleeping accommodation that is limited to housing for seasonal employees/laborers and their family members. Employee housing may include individual units and/or sleeping units with shared kitchen and sanitary facilities. Prior to the issuance of permits, a property title notice shall be recorded with the Pierce County Auditor acknowledging: (1) that the housing is exclusively for employees, laborers, or the employees' or laborers' family members, and (2) that utilization of the employee housing for any other use must be allowed in the underlying zoning and development regulations.

Level 5:        Retreat Centers. Retreat Centers may accommodate each visitor for no longer than 10 consecutive days and for no more than 50 visitors at any one time.

Level 6:        Campgrounds and camp sites for tents or tent cabins, not including recreational vehicle parks.

I. Mobile, Manufactured, and Modular Homes Sales. Mobile, Manufactured, and Modular Homes Sales Use Type refers to those establishments that store and sell pre-manufactured homes. There shall be no storage of uninhabitable or dilapidated mobile, manufactured, and modular homes. The primary purpose is to provide sites for marketing and distribution.

J. Motor Vehicles and Related Equipment Sales/Rental/Repair and Services. Motor Vehicles and Related Equipment Sales/Rental/Repair and Services Use Type refers to establishments or places of business engaged in the sales, leasing, or service of automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and vessels; or heavy equipment and supplies related to motor vehicles; and self-moving services. Electric vehicle charging stations are exempt from zoning requirements and are allowed outright within the County.

Level 1:    Fuel service stations together with accessory automobile repair and convenience shopping, car washes with a one car capacity, and express lube/oil shops that do not keep vehicles onsite for repairs.

Level 2:    Automotive repair shops and car washes on sites less than one-acre in size. Typical uses include general repair shops, transmission and engine rebuild shops, vessels and outboard motor repair shops, muffler shops, glass repair shops, automobile upholstery services, and lube/oil shops. On-site rental and lease of motor vehicles is permitted as an accessory use to automotive repair shops provided the number of vehicles available for rent or lease shall not exceed 10 at any given time.

Level 3:    Same uses as Level 2, except at a more intensive scale and on sites exceeding one-acre in size. This level allows for motor vehicles sales as an accessory use provided the number of vehicles for sale on-site does not exceed 15 at any given time.

Level 4:    On-site sales, lease, repair, or rental of vessels, automobiles, trucks not exceeding three tons of vehicle weight, and recreational vehicles.

Level 5:    Sales, lease, or rental of heavy truck and heavy equipment exceeding three tons of vehicle weight, supplies intended for outdoor use, and truck service stations. Typical use includes truck stops primarily designed for the service and fueling of heavy trucks and tractor trailer sales. Other activities include automobile body repair and paint facilities.

Level 6:    Aircraft sales, lease or rental.

K. Rental and Repair Services. Rental and Repair Services Use Type refers to establishments primarily engaged in the provision of repair services or closely related uses. Typical uses include upholstery shops, appliance repair shops, small engine and power tool rental and repair such as lawn mowers and chainsaws, vacuum cleaner repair, medical equipment rental and repair services, rental furnishings, and instrument repair services. Refer to Motor Vehicles and Related Equipment Sales/Rental/Repair and Services Use Type for automotive repair. Also see Personal Services Use Type for clothing alterations.

Level 1:    Establishments that do not involve outdoor storage.

Level 2:    Establishments that involve outdoor storage of equipment.

L. Sales of Merchandise and Services. Sales of Merchandise and Services Use Type refers to establishments that sell general merchandise or provide services to individuals or businesses.

Level 1:    Total indoor/outdoor retail sales area up to 5,000 square feet.

Level 2:    Total indoor/outdoor retail sales area up to 15,000 square feet.

Level 3:    Total indoor/outdoor retail sales area up to 30,000 square feet.

Level 4:    Total indoor/outdoor retail sales area up to 80,000 square feet.

Level 5:    Total indoor/outdoor retail sales area greater than 80,000 square feet.

M. Storage and Moving. Storage and Moving Use Type refers to businesses engaged in the storage of items for personal and business use and transportation of personal and business items between locations. This use type includes storage of vehicles, boats and recreational vehicles only when stored for personal use and not for sale, repair or maintenance purposes. Examples of uses include mini-warehousing, temporary storage of personal or business items by a moving and storage company, and boat storage yards. Personal hobby activities may occur within storage units when additional parking is provided for units that could accommodate such use, pursuant to Table 18A.35.040-1. For maintenance or repair of recreational vehicles or boats, also see the Motor Vehicles and Related Equipment Sales/Rental/Repair and Services Use Type.

Table 18A.33.270-4. Storage and Moving – Description of Levels

Total Use Area

Outdoor Use Allowed

Building Standards

Level 1

Total use area consists of a lot or combination of lots of up to 4 acres in size.

Yes

N/A

Level 2

Total use area consists of a lot or combination of lots more than 4 acres in size.

Yes

N/A

N. Wholesale Trade. Wholesale Trade Use Type refers to establishments primarily engaged in selling merchandise to retailers; to industrial, commercial, institutional, or professional business users; to other wholesalers; or acting as agents or brokers and buying for or selling merchandise to such individuals or companies. Typical Wholesale Trade establishments include, but are not limited to, cooperative buying associations, electrical distributors, plumbing supplies, heating and air-conditioning equipment supplies, lumber and construction materials supplies, professional and commercial equipment supplies. Use may include showroom or retail space and associated warehouse.

Level 1:    Establishments with total floor area of 10,000 square feet or less and indoor storage only.

Level 2:    Establishments with total floor area of more than 10,000 to 80,000 square feet and with indoor or outdoor storage.

(Ord. 2022-49s § 2, 2022; Ord. 2020-102s § 3, 2020; Ord. 2016-33 § 2 (part), 2016; Ord. 2016-24s2 § 1 (part), 2016; Ord. 2016-14s § 2 (part), 2016; Ord. 2013-85 § 1 (part), 2013; Ord. 2013-30s2 § 5 (part), 2013; Ord. 2012-2s § 5 (part), 2012; Ord. 2012-17 § 12, 2012; Ord. 2010-7 § 2 (part), 2010; Ord. 2009-18s3 § 2 (part), 2009; Ord. 2008-51s § 1 (part), 2008; Ord. 2008-15s § 1 (part), 2008; Ord. 2007-109s § 3 (part), 2007; Ord. 2006-53s § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 2006-9s § 1 (part), 2006; Ord. 2005-84s § 2 (part), 2006; Ord. 2004-52s § 3 (part), 2004)