Chapter 16.09 DEFINITIONS

As used in this title, the words or phrases defined in this chapter shall apply unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.020 Binding site plan.

“Binding site plan” means both an alternate method of dividing property interests as allowed by RCW 58.17.040 and the drawing or map to the scale specified herein which identifies and shows the areas and locations of all streets, roads, improvements, utilities, open spaces, and any other matters specified herein; contains inscriptions or attachments setting forth such appropriate limitations and conditions for the use of the land as are established pursuant to this title, and contains provisions making any development be in conformity with the binding site plan. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.030 Block.

“Block” means a group of lots, tracts or parcels within well defined and fixed boundaries. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.035 Boundary line adjustment.

“Boundary line adjustment” means a minor alteration in the location of lot or parcel boundaries on existing lots or parcels in accordance with Chapter 16.10. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025).

16.09.045 City engineer.

“City engineer” means the properly credentialed engineer employed by or contracted by the city, or the properly credentialed designee. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.050 Comprehensive plan.

“Comprehensive plan” means the plans, maps, texts, and reports which comprise the official development plan as adopted by the council in accordance with Chapters 35.63 and 36.70A RCW. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.060 Construction plans.

“Construction plans” means the maps or drawings and specifications accompanying a plat showing the specific location and design of improvements to be installed or constructed in the subdivision. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.070 County auditor.

“County auditor” is the Adams County auditor. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.080 County treasurer.

“County treasurer” is the Adams County treasurer. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.090 Dedication.

“Dedication” means the deliberate appropriation of land by an owner for any general and public uses, reserving to the owner no other rights than such as are compatible with the full exercise and enjoyment of the public uses to which the property has been devoted. The intention to dedicate shall be evidenced by the owner by the presentment for filing a final plat or short plat showing the dedication thereon; and the acceptance by the public shall be evidenced by the approval of such plat for filing by the appropriate governmental unit. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.100 Division of land.

“Division of land” means the creation of any new lot(s) or parcel(s) for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership, whether such lots are created by major subdivision, short subdivision, or binding site plan. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.110 Easement.

“Easement” means a grant of one or more of the property rights by the property owner to and/or for the use by the public, the city, a corporation, or another person or entity. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.120 Final plat.

“Final plat” means the final drawing of the subdivision and dedication prepared for filing for record with the county auditor and containing all elements and requirements set forth in this title. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.130 Improvements.

“Improvements” means any street and utility (sanitary sewer, storm sewer, irrigation, and water) required in granting short or major subdivision or binding site plan approval in conformance with city of Othello public works design standards. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.140 Land surveyor.

“Land surveyor” means an individual registered in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 18.43 RCW and licensed to perform land surveys. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.150 Lease.

“Lease” means a contract or agreement whereby one party grants to another party general or limited rights, title, or interest in real property. This definition is intended to apply to those agreements which are ordinarily considered “ground leases” and shall not apply to those which are ordinarily considered “space leases.” (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.160 Lot.

“Lot” means a fractional part of divided lands having fixed boundaries, being of sufficient area and dimension to meet minimum zoning requirements for width and area. The term shall include tracts or parcels. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.165 Lot consolidation.

“Lot consolidation” means a type of boundary line adjustment where interior lot lines are removed to combine two or more existing lots into a smaller number of resulting lots. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025).

16.09.175 Major plat.

“Major plat” means a map or representation of a major subdivision. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025).

16.09.180 Major subdivision.

“Major subdivision” means the division or redivision of land into five or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions and/or the division or redivision of land into lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 1441 § 1 (part), 2015: Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.190 Performance bond.

“Performance bond” means any security or surety approved by the city attorney that may be accepted as a guarantee that improvements required as a part of any application for development are satisfactorily completed within a specified period of time. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.200 Planning commission.

“Planning commission” means the body created pursuant to Chapter 2.21. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.210 Plat.

“Plat” means a map or representation of a subdivision showing thereon the division of a tract or parcel of land into lots, blocks, streets and alleys, or other divisions and dedications. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.220 Plat administrator.

“Plat administrator” means the community development director or the planner charged with administering land development regulations. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 1203 § 1, 2005: Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.230 Preliminary plat.

“Preliminary plat” means a neat and approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of streets and alleys, lots, blocks, and other elements of a subdivision consistent with the requirements of this title. The preliminary plat shall be the basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a subdivision. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.250 Right-of-way.

“Right-of-way” means a permanent dedication to public use of a strip of land to be used for public roads, bikeways, sidewalks, mass transit, utilities, or similar related public uses. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.270 Short plat.

“Short plat” means a map or representation of a short subdivision. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.280 Short subdivision.

“Short subdivision” means the division or redivision of land into four or fewer lots, tracts, parcels, sites or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 1441 § 1 (part), 2015: Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.285 Subdivision.

“Subdivision” means either a short subdivision or a major subdivision, depending on the context. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025).

16.09.290 Subdivider.

“Subdivider” means a person, firm, or corporation that undertakes to create a major subdivision, a short subdivision, or a binding site plan. When improvements are involved and the city of Othello public works design standards are referred to, the subdivider shall be considered to be the same as the contractor. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).

16.09.310 Tract.

“Tract” means a parcel of land prepared for subdivision or subdividing. (Ord. 1640 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 947 § 2 (part), 1995).