18J.10.040 Applicability.
The provisions of this Title apply throughout unincorporated Pierce County. Thresholds which establish design review are set forth in applicability Sections and Tables in the subsequent Chapters of this Title.
A. This Title shall apply to:
1. New construction and expansion of buildings, structures, and parking lots;
2. Use permits and expansion of uses, if the underlying project is subject to this Title;
3. Site development activities, if the underlying project is subject to this Title;
4. Site clearing, grading or filling without a proposed principal use; and
5. Land divisions.
B. Exemptions. This Title shall not apply to:
1. Structures used solely for agricultural purposes containing items generally associated with farming including, but not limited to, farm equipment, such as tractors, or farm animals, such as livestock.
2. Installation, construction, replacement, operation, repair, or alteration of all utility lines, equipment, and appurtenances, excluding substations and similar facilities.
3. Water-dependent uses regulated and conducted within the jurisdiction of the Pierce County Shoreline Management and Use Regulations.
4. Land Divisions resulting in the creation of not more than two single-family residential lots, except that the significant tree retention provisions specified in PCC 18J.15.030.F.3 shall apply. The significant trees shall be shown on the site plan and shall be reviewed in conjunction with the short plat.
5. Temporary uses authorized and conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 18A.38 PCC.
6. Interior remodel work that does not alter the exterior of the structure or site.
7. Normal building maintenance, including the repair or maintenance of structural members.
8. Portable classroom structures that are accessory to existing education facilities on a project site of 2 acres or greater.
9. Variances.
10. Bus shelters not exceeding 300 square feet in size.
11. Construction, expansion, remodeling, or reconstruction of single-family residences and their accessory structures, unless located within the Graham, Gig Harbor, or Browns Point/Dash Point Community Plan areas, except that significant tree retention as specified in PCC 18J.15.030.F.3 shall apply. In this instance, the significant trees shall be shown on the site plan and can be reviewed in conjunction with the building permits.
12. A change of use, only when all of the following criteria are met:
a. The new use is permitted outright in the zone classification;
b. The original use was legally established;
c. No exterior building alteration is proposed;
d. Current parking requirements for the new use can be met with existing off-street parking; and
e. Outdoor storage is not proposed.
13. Land divisions exempt pursuant to PCC 18F.10.060.
C. Special Exemptions.
1. Building design and architectural standards of this Title shall not apply to:
a. Buildings, sites, or objects listed on the National, Washington State, or Pierce County Register of Historic Places shall be subject to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, the Washington State Historic Building Code, and other locally adopted review standards, if any.
b. Buildings located at a local park, County park, regional park, linear park/trail, or Resource Conservation Park.
c. Structures and buildings that do not require a building permit.