Chapter 20.04
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
20.04.010 Title.
20.04.020 Intent.
20.04.030 Interpretation.
20.04.040 Exemptions.
20.04.050 Permitted intrusions into required yards.
20.04.060 Vision clearance area.
Prior legislation: Ord. 2147.
20.04.010 Title.
This title shall be known as the zoning ordinance of the city of Centralia. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).
20.04.020 Intent.
It is the intent of this title to:
A. Facilitate orderly growth and development of the city of Centralia, consistent with the policies, goals and objectives of the Centralia comprehensive plan;
B. Protect the health and general welfare of the city’s residents;
C. Promote sound economic development and protect property values;
D. Preserve and protect vital aspects of the natural environment;
E. Designate land use districts and provide for compatibility between the several districts;
F. Provide flexible regulations and controls for the intensity and character of land use;
G. Provide for the administration and enforcement of these regulations. As the public health, safety and general welfare is superior to the interests and pecuniary gains of the individual, the intent of this title may limit the use of property and prevent its most profitable gain. If some reasonable use of property is allowed by this title, the effect is not confiscatory and is a proper exercise of police power. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).
20.04.030 Interpretation.
Where the conditions imposed by any provision of this title upon the use of land or building or upon the size, location, coverage or height of buildings are either more restrictive or less restrictive than comparable conditions imposed by any other provisions of this title or of any other ordinance, resolution or regulation, the provisions which are more restrictive shall govern. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).
20.04.040 Exemptions.
A. The following structures and their uses shall be exempt from the regulations of this title:
1. Wires, cables, conduits, vaults, laterals, pipes, mains, valves or other similar equipment for the distribution to consumers of telephone or other communications, electricity, gas or water or the collection of sewage, or surface or subsurface water operated or maintained by a governmental entity or a public utility or other city-franchised utilities including customary meter pedestals, telephone pedestals, distribution transformers and temporary utility facilities required during building construction, whether any such facility is located underground or aboveground; but only when such facilities are located in a street right-of-way or in a street easement less than twenty-five feet in width. This exemption shall not include any substation located on or above the surface of the ground or any such distribution facility located in an easement of twenty-five feet or more in width, which shall be regulated by the provisions of this chapter;
2. Railroad tracks, signal bridges and similar facilities and equipment located on a railroad right-of-way, and maintenance repair work on such facilities and equipment listed as special uses.
B. The enforcing officer may exempt the following from the minimum setback requirements set forth in this title when the subjects are located outside the public right-of-way and are obviously intended to serve the public interest: telephone booths and pedestals, utility equipment, substations, mail boxes, bus shelters, public bicycle shelters or any other similar structure or device. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).
20.04.050 Permitted intrusions into required yards.
A. Cornices, eaves and other similar architectural features may project from the foundation or wall into any minimum yard setback requirement a maximum distance of two feet.
B. Open, unwalled and uncovered steps or ramps, not more than four feet in height, may extend into the required front or rear yard setback requirement not more than five feet.
C. Decks may be permitted to encroach into all residential district rear yard setbacks, provided a minimum setback of fifteen feet is retained and the deck is not more than thirty inches above existing natural grade, measured at deck floor from the highest point. In no case shall a deck be constructed in a required side yard.
D. Awnings and marquees may be allowed within required front yards and over sidewalks or public right-of-way in commercial and industrial zones if all the following requirements are satisfied:
1. The building official and the city engineer or their designees determine that the placement of the awning or marquee within the setback areas or over the public sidewalk does not impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic flow or create any other type of hazard to the public;
2. The awning or marquee is specifically designed to benefit pedestrians by providing shelter and creating a friendlier pedestrian environment;
3. The development of an awning or a marquee within the setback area or over public sidewalk is consistent with the goals of the Centralia comprehensive plan, standards of the specific zone in which it is proposed to be located and is consistent with the character of the surrounding neighborhood;
4. Uniform building codes and uniform fire codes are satisfied for the structure and location. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999).
20.04.060 Vision clearance area.
Vision clearance areas are required as per CMC 18.10.030, Design and Development Guidelines manual. (Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008: Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999. Formerly 20.04.070).