Chapter 15.37 RURAL SETTLEMENT (RS) ZONING DISTRICT

Chapter 15.37
RURAL SETTLEMENT (RS) ZONING DISTRICT

Sections:

15.37.020 Type I Permitted, Type II Administrative and Type III Conditional Uses.

15.37.030 Lot Size and Density.

15.37.050 Conversion Plan.

15.37.010 Purpose.

The Rural Settlement (RS) Zoning District is intended to recognize and maintain the role of unincorporated communities throughout rural Yakima County. This zoning district shall be applicable in small, compact, isolated, rural community centers that primarily exist to provide convenience goods and services reflecting farm and rural consumer needs in the surrounding rural area. The Rural Settlement zoning district is a “general use” zone and is utilized in those rural centers where a mixture of land uses (i.e. commercial, industrial and low to moderate density residential) is the established development pattern. Rural settlements also provide informal community centers for area residents. Continued infill development within rural settlements is allowed by the comprehensive plan, to the extent that appropriate services and facilities are available.

(1) Resource-related industrial uses allowed shall be of a type and scale that are compatible with the overall character of the community, and shall not result in excessive noise, smoke, odor or other nuisances.

(2) Commercial uses allowed shall be of a type and scale to be primarily patronized by local rural residents.

(3) Residential development shall be allowed at low to moderate densities depending on utilities and soil characteristics, road conditions and other essential public services.

(4) Small-scale recreational or tourist uses, including commercial facilities to serve those recreational or tourist uses that rely on a rural location and setting.

(5) Isolated cottage industries and isolated small businesses that do not need to be principally designed to serve the existing and projected rural population and nonresidential uses, but do provide job opportunities for rural residents.

(Ord. 2-2011 § 3 (part), 2011: Ord. 1-2000 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2000).

15.37.020 Type I Permitted, Type II Administrative and Type III Conditional Uses.

Type I permitted, Type II administrative and Type III conditional uses, as listed in Chapter 15.18; provided, Type I multi-family, commercial and industrial uses shall be subject to the Type II review process and criteria when located within a structure that contains more than 4,000 square feet of floor area.

(Ord. 2-2011 § 3 (part), 2011: Ord. 1-2000 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2000).

15.37.030 Lot Size and Density.

(1) Division of land within the RS zoning district must comply with both lot size and density requirements. The density is calculated using the acreage of the parent lot prior to any proposed division of the property.

Lot size and density requirements shall be as follows:


Water and Sewer Combinations	Maximum Density	Minimum Lot Size
Water and Sewer Combinations	Maximum Density	Minimum Lot Size
Public water and public sewer	4 units/acre	7,200 sq. ft.
Public water and community sewage system	3 units/acre	7,200 sq. ft.
Public water and individual sewage system	2 units/acre	21,780 sq. ft.
Individual well and sewage system	1 unit/acre	43,560 sq. ft.

(2) Residential two-family, multi-family, or mixed-use developments shall not exceed the maximum density limitations of the above table.

(3) Proposed RS development shall ensure adequate setbacks, buffering of adjoining uses and sensitivity to physical features. Lot sizes shall be increased to accommodate specific uses, lot coverage, setbacks, access, landscaping, on-site utilities and other requirements as provided in this title.

(4) The minimum lot size herein specified may be increased as needed to comply with Yakima Health District (YHD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Ecology (DOE) and/or other adopted regulations.

(Ord. 2-2011 § 3 (part), 2011: Ord. 1-2000 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2000).

15.37.050 Conversion Plan.

With any application for a land division that does not accomplish full development of the property, a conversion plan that shows how the property can be further developed consistent with the rural settlement provisions in the future shall be submitted for review and approval.

(Ord. 2-2011 § 3 (part), 2011: Ord. 1-2000 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2000).