Chapter 17.02
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
17.02.040 Relationship to other regulations.
17.02.050 Administration and enforcement.
17.02.060 Denial or revoked approvals and permits.
17.02.070 Procedural irregularities.
17.02.005 Authority.
The ordinance codified in this title is adopted pursuant to Chapters 35.63 and 36.70A RCW that empower a town to enact a zoning ordinance and provide for its administration, enforcement and amendment. (Ord. 815 § 3 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 635 § 1, 2003).
17.02.010 Title.
This title shall be known and may be cited as “the Waterville zoning code.” It shall consist of the text hereof, and a zoning map marked “Exhibit A” and by this reference made a part hereof. Said title and each and all of its terms are to be read and interpreted in light of the commitments of said zoning map. In the event a conflict should arise between the text and zoning map, the text of this title shall prevail. (Ord. 815 § 3 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 635 § 1, 2003).
17.02.020 Purpose.
The purposes of this title include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. To implement the comprehensive plan for the physical development of the town by regulating and providing for existing uses and uses planned for the future in compliance with the Growth Management Act.
B. To protect the character and social and economic stability of existing residential, commercial, and other uses, to preserve property values and to ensure the orderly and beneficial development of these uses by:
1. Reserving and retaining appropriate areas for each type of use;
2. Preventing encroachment into these areas by incompatible uses; and
3. Regulating the use of individual parcels of land to prevent unreasonable detrimental effects on nearby uses.
C. To preserve the historic, aesthetic and natural features of the town by:
1. Establishing high standards of environmental protection; and
2. Providing for design and environmental review of proposed actions and projects.
D. To promote the health, safety and general welfare of the town. It is further intended to provide regulations and standards which will:
1. Encourage high standards of development;
2. Prevent the overcrowding of land;
3. Provide adequate light and air;
4. Avoid excessive concentration of population;
5. Lessen congestion on the streets;
6. Facilitate adequate provisions for transportation, utilities, schools, parks and other necessary public needs; and
7. Preserve the small town character of Waterville and provide direction for orderly growth and development, together with flexibility to respond to changing economic circumstances. (Ord. 815 § 3 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 635 § 1, 2003).
17.02.030 Compliance.
The provisions of this title shall be interpreted as the minimum requirements necessary to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public. The regulations established by this title within each district shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land, except as hereinafter provided:
A. All uses and structures shall conform to the special requirements of the zoning district within which they are located and the other general requirements of this title.
B. No structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered except in conformity with the International Building and Fire Codes and all regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located.
C. No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered to exceed the height or bulk as required by this title; to accommodate or house a greater number of families as required by this title; to occupy a greater percentage of lot area as required by this title; to have narrower or smaller rear, front, side yards, or other open spaces than herein required; or in any other manner contrary to the provisions of this title.
D. No part of a yard, or other open space, or off-street parking, or loading space required about or in connection with any building for the purpose of complying with this title shall be considered as providing a yard, open space, off-street parking, or loading space similarly required for any other building.
E. No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of the ordinance codified in this title shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this title. (Ord. 815 § 3 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 635 § 1, 2003).
17.02.040 Relationship to other regulations.
Other official controls, ordinances, regulations and plans have a direct impact on the development of land in the town. The number and type of such ordinances may vary from time to time. Where provisions of other official controls and regulations overlap or conflict with provisions of this title, the more restrictive provisions shall govern. (Ord. 815 § 3 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 635 § 1, 2003).
17.02.050 Administration and enforcement.
A. Administration of this title shall be the responsibility of the mayor, or his/her designee, and shall be conducted as described herein and in WMC Title 14, Development Permit Procedures and Administration.
B. Enforcement of the provisions herein, and any violations thereof, shall be as described in this title and in WMC Title 14, Development Permit Procedures and Administration. (Ord. 815 § 3 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 635 § 1, 2003).
17.02.060 Denial or revoked approvals and permits.
If an application for approval is denied or revoked, no similar application for that site shall be accepted for one year from the date of final action and appeal, if any. After one year, a similar application may be made and shall be processed as a new application. (Ord. 815 § 3 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 635 § 1, 2003).
17.02.070 Procedural irregularities.
No procedural irregularity or informality in the notice, process, review or hearing of any matter under this title shall affect the final decision unless substantial rights of a person with a demonstrable interest in the decision are affected. (Ord. 815 § 3 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 635 § 1, 2003).
17.02.080 Severability.
Shall any chapter, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this title be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this title. (Ord. 815 § 3 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 635 § 1, 2003).