Division 2. Zoning Regulations

Chapter 18.40
ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS

Sections:

18.40.010    Purpose and classification of zoning districts.

18.40.020    Classification of zoning districts.

18.40.030    Determination of zoning district boundaries.

18.40.010 Purpose and classification of zoning districts.

This chapter establishes zoning districts, consistent with the City of Harrisburg comprehensive plan. Every unit of land (parcel, lot, tract, and right-of-way) within the City of Harrisburg is designated with a zoning district or “zone,” and may also be designated with one or more overlay zones (Chapter 18.55 HMC). The use of land is limited to the uses allowed by the applicable zone(s). [Ord. 987 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022.]

18.40.020 Classification of zoning districts.

Zoning designations are as depicted on the City of Harrisburg zoning map. The City Administrator maintains official copies of the City zoning map and comprehensive plan. Where a conflict between documents arises, the comprehensive plan shall govern.

1. Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3). Residential zoning districts are intended to accommodate a mix of residential uses at a variety of densities, consistent with the housing needs and goals of the City; promote the orderly development and improvement of neighborhoods; facilitate compatibility between dissimilar land uses; allow residences in proximity, and with direct connections to schools, parks, and community services; and to ensure efficient use of land and public facilities. The following summarizes the purpose of each residential district. See also Chapter 18.45 HMC, Zoning District Regulations, and Chapter 18.50 HMC, Special Use Standards.

a. The residential low density (R-1) district permits residential uses at densities between one and six dwelling units per net acre. Permitted residential uses consist primarily of detached single-family housing, or duplex/townhome housing subject to special use standards, and community service uses such as churches, schools, and parks.

b. The residential medium density (R-2) district permits residential uses at densities between two and 12 dwelling units per net acre. Permitted residential uses consist of detached (e.g., single-family and duplex) housing and attached (e.g., townhouse and multifamily) housing. The R-2 district also allows, subject to special use standards, parks, schools, places of worship, and certain community or public service uses.

c. The residential high density (R-3) district permits residential and mixed uses at densities between 12 and 18 dwelling units per net acre. Permitted residential uses consist of detached (e.g., single-family dwellings, vacation rentals, community gardens, and utility structures/City facilities). The R-3 district also allows certain commercial, public and institutional uses subject to specific special use or conditional use standards. The table in Chapter 18.45 HMC provides the actual list of allowed uses.

2. Commercial District (C-1). The commercial zoning district accommodates a mix of commercial services, retail, and civic uses, with existing residences permitted to continue, and new residential uses permitted in the upper stories of buildings. The commercial zoning district provides for the full range of commercial land uses within the City. The zoning district regulations are intended to promote the orderly development and improvement of walkable or short-trip auto commercial areas; facilitate compatibility between dissimilar land uses; provide employment opportunities in proximity to residential and industrial areas; and to ensure efficient use of land and public facilities. The commercial district allows many uses, except that different development and design standards may apply to specific types of development based on the physical context, traffic or pedestrian activity of each subarea of the C-1 zone. See Chapter 18.45 HMC, Zoning District Regulations, and Chapter 18.50 HMC, Special Use Standards.

3. Limited Industrial District (M-1). The M-1 zoning district accommodates a mix of less intensive uses engaged in manufacturing, processing, warehousing, distribution, and similar activities. The M-1 industrial zoning district provides for a limited range of planned industrial land uses within the City. The district is intended to provide for efficient use of land and public services, employment opportunities and a high-quality environment for business, offer a range of parcel sizes and locations for industrial site selection, avoid negative impacts on neighboring parcels, provide transportation options for employees and customers, and facilitate compatibility between dissimilar uses.

4. General Industrial District (M-2). The M-2 zoning district accommodates a mix of industrial, manufacturing, processing, and related activities, including intensive uses. The district is intended to provide for efficient use of land and public services, employment opportunities, a variety of parcel sizes and locations for industrial uses.

5. Public Use and Facilities, Parks and Open Space Districts (PUZ). See also Chapter 18.45 HMC, Zoning District Regulations, and Chapter 18.50 HMC, Special Use Standards.

a. The public use and facilities (PUZ) district provides a zoning option where public and semi-public uses, including, but not limited to, schools, government offices, fire stations, police stations, libraries, public works yards, reservoirs, parks, recreation areas or fields, open space, community/senior centers, and similar uses, are permitted outright.

6. Greenway Special Purpose Overlay Zone (GSP). The greenway special purpose overlay zone represents special requirements that apply to M-1, C-1, and residential zones adjacent to the Willamette River as further described in HMC 18.55.040. [Ord. 1002 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 987 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022.]

18.40.030 Determination of zoning district boundaries.

Due to the scale, lack of scale, lack of detail, or illegibility of the zoning map, or due to any other reason, where there is uncertainty, contradiction, or conflict as to the intended location of a zoning district boundary, the City Administrator or, upon referral, the Planning Commission, shall determine the boundary as follows:

1. Right-of-Way. Boundaries that approximately follow the centerlines of a street, highway, alley, bridge, railroad, or other right-of-way shall be construed to follow such centerlines. Whenever any public right-of-way is lawfully vacated, the lands formerly within the vacated right-of-way shall automatically be subject to the same zoning district designation that is applicable to lands abutting the vacated areas. In cases where the right-of-way formerly served as a zoning district boundary, the vacated lands within the former right-of-way shall be allocated proportionately to the abutting zoning districts.

2. Parcel, Lot, Tract. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the boundaries of a parcel, lot, or tract shall be construed as following such boundaries.

3. Jurisdiction Boundary. Boundaries indicated as approximately following a City or County boundary, or the urban growth boundary, shall be construed as following said boundary.

4. Natural Feature. Boundaries indicated as approximately following a river, stream, topographic contour, or similar feature not corresponding to any feature listed in subsections (1) through (3) of this section shall be construed as following such feature. [Ord. 987 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022.]