Division III. Zoning Districts
Chapter 20.50
LAND USE ZONES
Sections:
20.50.010 General description and intent of zones.
20.50.010 General description and intent of zones.
The zoning districts established in Section 20.02.050 and described in this section, together with their respective regulations as provided in this code, are intended to implement the Land Use Element and Housing Element policies of the Walla Walla Urban Area Comprehensive Plan consistent with the Washington Growth Management Act.
In the residential zoning districts described in subsections A through D of this section, affordable housing opportunities are possible through the use of manufactured (mobile) homes subject to compatibility standards described in Chapter 20.180. Manufactured/mobile home parks are possible under conditional use permit described in Chapter 20.184. Manufactured home subdivisions are permitted as described in Chapter 20.188 and are subject to subdivision regulations under Title 19 of the Walla Walla Municipal Code.
A. R-96 Single-Family Residential (Low Density). The low density R-96 Single-Family Residential Zone is intended to provide for larger home sites than the other residential zones.
B. R-72 Single-Family Residential (Medium Density). The medium density R-72 Single-Family Residential Zone is intended to provide a greater range of housing densities than the R-96 Zone, while maintaining the general character of a single-family residential neighborhood.
C. R-60 Single-Family Residential (High Density). The high density R-60 Single-Family Residential Zone is intended to provide a greater range of housing densities than the other single-family zones. Duplexes are permitted in this zone.
D. RM Multi-Family Residential. The Multi-Family Residential Zone is intended to accommodate a compatible mixture of multi-family residential uses. Such areas generally serve as transition or buffer zones between major arterials or more intensively developed commercial areas and residential districts.
E. CC Central Commercial District. The Central Commercial Zone is intended to accommodate a wide variety of commercial activity (particularly those that are pedestrian oriented) together with compatible residential life styles and uses of upper story levels which will result in the most intensive and attractive use of the city’s Central Business District.
F. CH Highway Commercial. The Highway Commercial Zone is intended to accommodate a wide range of commercial activities which largely depend upon proximity to major streets and arterials for trade and transportation. The types of uses permissible in this zone are generally similar to the types permissible in the Central Commercial zone, except that additional automobile-oriented businesses and land extensive commercial activities such as automobile sales lots, greenhouses and nurseries, lumber yards, etc., are permissible.
G. IL/C Light Industrial/Commercial. The Light Industrial/Commercial Zone is intended to:
1. Provide for the development of areas near designated truck routes, highways and railroads in which certain types of industrial activities, which do not generate noise levels, light, or odor of fumes that would constitute a nuisance or hazard and which do not create exceptional demands upon public facilities and services may be located.
2. Permit in the same areas such commercial uses as may be compatible with the light industrial activities.
3. Protect such areas from other uses which may interfere with the stated purposes and efficient functioning of those purposes.
H. IH Heavy Industrial. The Heavy Industrial Zone is intended primarily to provide adequate land area for the location of a broad range of industrial activities which may, by their nature, create a greater degree of hazard or annoyance than would be permitted in any other zoning district. Certain uses such as residential and retail businesses are not permitted in this zone in order to promote a viable heavy industrial area which will not be injurious to nor hindered by incompatible uses.
I. PR Public Reserve. The Public Reserve Zone is intended to:
1. Protect and preserve certain areas of land devoted to existing and future use for civic, cultural, educational and similar facilities;
2. Provide for the social needs of the community as those needs relate to public services, open space and institutions, whether publicly or privately sponsored;
3. Enhance the identity and image of the community as a desirable place for human growth and development;
4. Provide opportunities and facilities for the various activities and needs of a diverse and dynamic population;
5. Provide and protect parks, open space and other natural, physical assets of the community to improve the aesthetic and functional features of the community.
J. AD Airport Development. The Airport Development Zone is intended for the development and use of land within the boundaries of the Walla Walla Regional Airport, to ensure compatibility with aviation facilities and adjacent properties, and to enhance the potential for future commercial, industrial, public and quasi-public development.
K. AA Airport Approach – Overlay Zone. The Airport Approach Overlay Zone is intended to protect certain runway approaches of the Walla Walla City-County Regional Airport from land uses and structures which would tend to impair the full utilization of the runways. It is further the purpose of this overlay zone to protect the health and lives of the public by preventing the undue concentration of population subject to airport hazards. The rules of this overlay zone are imposed in addition to those of the underlying district. Developments must comply with the requirements of both zones, or the more restrictive of the two.
L. UPC Urban Planned Communities*. The purpose of the Urban Planned Communities (UPC) Zone is to provide greater flexibility and encourage more creative land planning solutions on large parcels of land than would be achieved by traditional lot by lot development using the other zoning districts in this code and the county code, while at the same time ensuring substantial compliance with the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan and permitting more advantageous and efficient use of sites and infrastructure through the location and arrangement of structures, circulation, parking, and open spaces. The purposes of this district also are to provide flexibility to achieve public benefits and to respond to changing community needs. (Ord. 2008-06 § 70, 2008: Ord. 2000-6 § 2(part), 2000: Ord. 95-5 § 1(part), 1995).
* Code reviser’s note: Ordinance 2008-06 § 91 states, “The City of Walla Walla hereby adopts exhibit pages F-13 through F-16 of Walla Walla County Ordinance 322 passed on October 31, 2005, as development regulations for urban planned communities. A copy of exhibit pages F-13 through F-16 of Walla Walla County Ordinance 322 is attached hereto and incorporated by reference.”