18J.15.010 Purpose, Applicability and Exemptions.
A. Purpose. This Chapter provides design objectives that are implemented with design standards and guidelines to protect the property values and property rights of property owners and promote compatibility between land uses by reducing the visual, noise, and lighting impacts of development on users of the site and abutting uses. The Chapter also serves to promote the use and protection of vegetation native and common to Western Washington, use solar principles in landscape and building design, enhance and define public and private open spaces, promote the application of water-efficient techniques in the design, installation, and maintenance of landscaping, and promote physical safety of pedestrians and motorists.
B. Applicability. The standards contained in this Chapter shall apply Countywide. If there is a conflict between a community(ies) plan standard and a countywide standard, the community(ies) plan standard shall be followed. Each Section in this Chapter contains specific applicability information unique to the design item. Table 18J.15.010-1 below provides a brief applicability summary of the design standard items contained in this Chapter.
Table 18J.15.010-1. Countywide Design Standard Applicability and Exemptions |
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NOTICE: This Table provides summarized reference information. For detailed and specific language, refer to the Title, Chapter, or Section. |
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Applicability |
Exemptions |
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TITLE: Title level applicability and exemption applies to all Chapters and Sections of the Title. |
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Development Regulations – Design Standards and Guidelines |
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. 5. Land divisions. |
1. Agricultural structures for farming. 2. Utility lines, equipment, and appurtenances, excluding substations and similar facilities. 3. Water-dependent uses subject to Title 18S PCC. 4. Two-lot, single-family short plats, except that significant tree retention applies. (See PCC 18J.15.030.F.3.) 5. Temporary uses. (See Chapter 18A.38 PCC.) 6. Interior remodel work. 7. Building maintenance. 8. Portable classrooms on more than 2 acres. 9. Bus shelters, less than 300 sq. ft. 10. Individual single-family homes, except that special design standards apply in Graham, Gig Harbor, or Browns/Dash Point, and significant tree retention of PCC 18J.15.030.F.3 applies. 11. Sites regulated through a previously adopted site plan or recorded plat. 12. Change of use to outright permitted use with no exterior remodel/outdoor storage. 13. Exempt land divisions. (See PCC 18F.10.060.) |
CHAPTER: Chapter level applicability and exemption applies to all Sections of the Chapter. |
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Countywide Design Standards |
Countywide. If there is a conflict between a countywide standard and a community(ies) plan standard, the community(ies) plan standard shall apply. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. |
SECTIONS: Section level applicability and exemption applies only to that Section. |
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Site Design |
Commercial, industrial, and civic uses and buildings, and residential developments. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. |
Site Clearing |
1. Single-family attached (townhouse), multi-family, civic, utility, commercial, industrial, land divisions, and site development permits. 2. Remodels when the improvement value of the remodel is 60 percent or greater. |
1. Title 18J PCC exemptions. 2. Animal, crop, or forestry production. 3. Proposals that result in the removal of less than 1,000 sq. ft. of native vegetation. 4. Agricultural activities, except for sales and services within ARL and RF, with an approved Hobby Farm Agreement, or Farm and Agricultural Land pursuant to Chapter 84.34 RCW. 5. Urban residential short subdivisions of 4 lots or less on 1 acre or less. 6. Public roads, paths, bicycle ways, trails, bridges, sewer lines, storm drainage facilities, related critical area mitigation, and other similar public infrastructure. |
Landscape Buffers |
Establishes the minimum landscaped area requirement or buffer level required for each proposed land use. |
1. Title 18J PCC exemptions. 2. Existing, legally established, single- and two-family dwellings and accessory structures. 3. A single-family dwelling or accessory dwelling unit with a land division decision that did not include a landscape buffer requirement. 4. Land divisions which result in 4 or fewer detached single-family dwelling unit lots. |
Street Trees |
Both sides of all new roads in urban areas only. |
1. Title 18J PCC exemptions. 2. Street tree plantings may be used to meet Low Impact Development requirements in vegetative strips. |
Infill Compatibility |
New residential developments of 5 or more dwelling units proposed adjacent to lots of less than 1 acre in size, built with similar housing type but to a lesser density. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions and projects designed according to the Urban Infill Design standards of Chapter 18J.17 PCC. |
Noise Attenuating Barriers and Structural Walls |
Any barrier being built to attenuate noise from a proposed or existing land use. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. |
Off-Street Parking, Pedestrian, Bus, and Bicycle Facilities |
1. Neighborhood Corridor (NCOR), Towne Center (TCTR), and Urban Corridor (UCOR) zones. 2. New parking facilities that accommodate 10 or more vehicles. 3. Ten percent or more expansion to an existing parking lot that accommodates 10 or more vehicles. 4. New residential developments. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. |
Exterior Illumination |
1. New residential developments, civic, commercial, and industrial uses; and 2. Multi-family, civic, commercial, or industrial expansion greater than 60% of the building value, excluding interior improvements. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. |
Surface Parking Lot Landscaping |
1. Perimeter parking lot landscaping is required for any portion of a surface parking lot that is within 20 feet of a right-of-way or shared access. 2. Interior parking lot landscaping is required for all new surface parking lots with 10 or more spaces. 3. Interior parking lot landscaping is required for the addition of 10 spaces or more to an existing parking lot. 4. Standards for drive-through facilities, storage, and service areas are applicable when such facilities are proposed for the project. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. |
Plant Lists |
Western Washington native and/or drought-tolerant plant material shall be used within all required landscape screening, buffers, and parking lot landscaping. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. Exceptions: 1. Plants specifically required or prohibited by Title 18E PCC or Title 18S PCC shall supersede this Section. 2. Native plantings are required within natural buffer areas and tree conservation areas. |
Plant Sizes, Soil Amendment, Mulching and Irrigation |
Street trees, landscape buffers, noise attenuating barriers, and parking lot landscaping, unless a standard has otherwise been specified in this Chapter. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. |
Plant Installation |
Street trees, landscape buffers, replacement trees, and parking lot landscaping. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. |
Plant Protection and Maintenance |
All vegetation and associated areas required pursuant to this Chapter. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. |
Low Impact Development (LID) |
Comprehensive LID site design techniques shall be utilized for development within the: 1. RSR zone. 2. USRO overlay. 3. Graham and Gig Harbor Open Space Corridors. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. |
Mechanical Equipment and Outdoor Storage Screening |
1. New multi-family developments, civic, commercial, and industrial uses; and 2. Multi-family, civic, commercial, or industrial remodel or expansion that changes the mechanical equipment or adds outdoor storage. |
Title 18J PCC exemptions. |
Dry Sewer Lines |
New urban developments proposing to utilize interim on-site septic systems. |
1. Title 18J PCC exemptions. 2. If all the following apply: a. The applicable sewer service provider agrees to the dry sewer facility exemption; b. The depth and location of a future sewer line that would serve the project cannot be provided by the applicable sewer service provider; c. All lots within a project shall be connected to the sanitary sewer system at the time a sewer line is installed adjacent to the proposed development; and d. The plat includes a no objection to sewer clause. |
Stormwater Facilities |
Attached single-family, multi-family, civic, utility, commercial, industrial, land divisions, use permits, and site development permits. |
1. Title 18J PCC exemptions. 2. Animal, crop, or forestry production or mineral extraction. 3. Plats for 9 or fewer dwelling units. |
Recreational Areas |
New residential developments of 31 dwelling units or more, new shared housing uses of 124 sleeping units or more, and new Urban Infill Design Developments (Chapter 18J.17 PCC) of any size. |
1. Title 18J PCC exemptions. 2. Single-family and duplex lots 7,260 sq. ft. in size or larger. 3. Single-family lots and mixed-use buildings within Residential Targeted Areas located within 2,640 feet of a public park or public school where a safe pedestrian path exists or is provided. 4. Mixed-use buildings within Residential Targeted Areas with at least 1,500 sq. ft. of recreation space. 5. Residential care facilities in the Frederickson, Mid-County, Parkland-Spanaway-Midland and South Hill Community(ies) Plan areas. |
The following Sections apply to new development, expansion, and conversion of the specific uses. |
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Residential (attached single-family, duplex, triplex, multi-family, residential care facility) |
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Outdoor Event Facilities in all zones except NCOR, TCTR, and UCOR |
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Mobile Home Parks |
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Recreational Vehicle Parks |
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Construction and Contractor Facilities |
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Outdoor Stockpiles |
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Solid Waste Handling, Treatment, and Storage Facilities |
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Hazardous Waste Treatment and Storage Facility |
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Water Supply Facilities |
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Telecommunication Towers and Wireless Facilities |
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Agritourism |