Chapter 13.01
INTRODUCTION

Sections:

13.01.010    Purpose and applicability.

13.01.020    Supersedes where conflict.

13.01.030    Rules of interpretation.

13.01.040    Definitions.

13.01.010 Purpose and applicability.

The purpose of this title is to prescribe the manner in which permits for development and construction are classified and processed, and the general procedures and practices for development permit administration.

The purpose of Chapters 13.01, 13.03, 13.05, 13.07 and 13.09 WCC is to enact the processes and timelines for local land development permitting. The objectives of these chapters are to encourage the preparation of appropriate information early in the permitting process, to process permit applications in a timely manner, to provide the general public with an adequate opportunity for review and comment, to integrate environmental review with development project review, and to provide the development community with a standardized process and predictability.

This title shall apply to permit applications for land development that are regulated by the Wenatchee City Code (WCC), including, without limitation, the following:

WCC Title 2, Buildings;

WCC Title 3, Fire;

WCC Title 10, Zoning;

WCC Title 11, Subdivisions;

WCC Title 12, Environmental Protection.

Certain chapters within this title may apply to other titles within the WCC, as indicated elsewhere in the WCC. Other laws, ordinances, regulations and plans have a direct impact on the development of land. These include, but are not limited to, the Wenatchee urban area comprehensive plan, the wastewater facilities plan, the comprehensive water system plan, the six-year transportation improvement program, the Wenatchee City Code (WCC), the International Building Code, and the laws, ordinances, regulations and plans of federal, state and local agencies. (Ord. 2024-03 § 1; Ord. 2010-34 § 1; Ord. 2007-35 § 2 (Exh. A))

13.01.020 Supersedes where conflict.

This title of the Wenatchee City Code (WCC) shall supersede other titles, chapters and sections of the WCC where conflict exists. (Ord. 2010-34 § 1; Ord. 2007-35 § 2 (Exh. A))

13.01.030 Rules of interpretation.

For the purposes of this title, all words used in the code shall have their normal and customary meanings, unless specifically defined otherwise in the code.

Words used in the present tense include the future.

The plural includes the singular and vice versa.

The words “will” and “shall” are mandatory.

The word “may” indicates that discretion is allowed.

The word “used” includes designed, intended or arranged to be used.

The masculine gender includes the feminine and vice versa.

Distances shall be measured horizontally unless otherwise specified.

The word “building” includes a portion of a building or a portion of the lot on which it stands. (Ord. 2010-34 § 1; Ord. 2007-35 § 2 (Exh. A))

13.01.040 Definitions.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this title:

“Application” means a request for any land use permit required from the city for proposed development or action, including, without limitation, building permits, conditional uses, binding site plans, planned developments, subdivisions, short subdivisions, variances, permits or approvals required by critical area ordinances and site-specific rezones.

“Closed record appeal” means an appeal on the record with no new evidence or information allowed to be submitted and only appeal argument allowed.

“Closed record decision” means a proceeding which does not involve an open record public hearing, but instead entails a review and decision based on the record already established before the hearing body. No new evidence or testimony is allowed at a closed record decision hearing.

“Open record hearing” means a hearing that creates the record through testimony and submission of evidence and information. An open record hearing may be held on an appeal if no open record hearing has previously been held on the application.

“Public meeting” means an informal meeting, hearing, workshop, or other public gathering to obtain comments from the public or other agencies on an application. A public meeting does not constitute an open record hearing. (Ord. 2010-34 § 1; Ord. 2007-35 § 2 (Exh. A))