Chapter 17.66
C-F – FREEWAY COMMERCIAL

Sections:

17.66.001    Intent.

17.66.010    Uses.

17.66.020    Bulk regulations (C-F zone).

17.66.030    Parking and loading.

17.66.040    Fences, walls, and hedges.

17.66.050    Accessory building.

17.66.060    Projections into public right-of-way.

17.66.070    Landscape requirements.

17.66.080    Essential services/utilities.

17.66.090    Off-site improvements.

17.66.100    Special provisions.

17.66.110    Signs.

17.66.120    Hazardous waste.

17.66.001 Intent.

The intent of the C-F zone is to provide an area for development of freeway-oriented businesses, primarily tourist facilities such as gas, food and lodging, and retail trade/shopping centers. Zoning controls will provide for such development and minimize the intrusion of nonfreeway-oriented development in such an area. [Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.010 Uses.

A. Permitted uses in the C-F zone shall be those uses listed as “permitted” in CMC 17.78.020, Use chart adopted, in any applicable environmental district (Division III of this title), and in any applicable special district (Division IV of this title).

B. Conditional uses in the C-F zone shall be those uses listed as “conditional” in CMC 17.78.020, Use chart adopted, in any applicable environmental district (Division III of this title), or in any applicable special district (Division IV of this title).

C. Accessory uses and temporary uses listed in CMC 17.78.020, Use chart adopted, are allowed in a C-F zone if they are consistent with all applicable provisions of this title.

D. Uses which are not listed as permitted, accessory, temporary, conditional or prohibited in the C-F zone, and which are not listed as prohibited in any applicable environmental district (Division III of this title) or special district (Division IV of this title), may be submitted as conditional use applications consistent with CMC 17.09.185. Such applications shall not be approved unless the applicant demonstrates consistency with all applicable review and approval criteria.

E. All uses in a C-F zone shall occur, or be contained, within development consistent with CMC 17.66.020 and all other applicable provisions of this title, including the building and fire codes. [Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.020 Bulk regulations (C-F zone).

Use Category

Min. Zone Size

Min. Lot Size

Min. Lot Frontage

Max. Cover

Max. Height

Minimum Street Setback

Minimum Adj. Lot Setback

Minimum Alley Setback

DU Density Minimum/ Maximum

Permitted

1 acre of contiguous commercial zones

5,000 sq. ft.

50'

100%

50'

None

None

None

0/0 units/acre

Accessory

5,000 sq. ft.

50'

50%

50'

None

None

None

0/0 units/acre

Conditional

100%

50'

None

None

None

0/0 units/acre

Temporary

5,000 sq. ft.

50'

100%

50'

None

None

None

0/0 units/acre

Notes:

A.    Minimum DU density is calculated on the zone; maximum DU density is calculated on the lot.

B.    The administrator may approve zoning setback reductions necessitated by floodway and/or NWI area considerations (see also CMC 17.24.070 for wetland buffer requirements).

C.    See CMC 17.03.080(D) for setback criteria for additions to existing buildings.

[Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.030 Parking and loading.

All development and uses shall be consistent with the general requirements of Chapter 17.84 CMC. [Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.040 Fences, walls, and hedges.

A. Fences shall be limited to seven feet high above adjacent grade, plus not more than an additional two feet of ornamental, decorative, and/or security devices, or fixtures atop a regular fence structure.

B. Where a legally established use exists requiring the containment of farm animals or livestock, barbed wire or an electric fence may be used; provided, that such fence is set back more than 20 feet from any public right-of-way or public property and more than three feet from any adjacent private property, and warning signs are posted consistent with CMC 17.51.110.

C. Swimming pools shall require a minimum five-foot-high fence, but not more than six feet high, completely surrounding and securing the area of the pool. Such fence shall not be located within any street setback area. Portions of such a fence need not be provided where a secure building will accomplish the same manner of access and/or control as a fence.

D. Retaining walls shall be located entirely upon private property except where required by the public works director to protect public property.

E. A retaining wall shall not project higher than six inches above the higher adjacent grade except when it is a structural element of a building or structure.

F. Retaining walls which are higher than four feet from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall shall comply with applicable provisions of the building code, including permit requirements.

G. Retaining walls which serve as a structural element of any building or structure shall comply with the applicable provisions of the building code.

H. A hedge shall comply with the requirements for a fence; provided, hedges which are not located within a street setback, and do not otherwise constitute a traffic visibility obstruction on any right-of-way or alley, or any public nuisance condition, are not limited in height. [Ord. 961B § 9, 2016; Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.050 Accessory building.

A. All permitted accessory buildings shall comply with the requirements of CMC 17.66.020.

B. An accessory building shall comply with all applicable building code requirements for the permitted use or occupancy. [Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.060 Projections into public right-of-way.

Projections into or over public rights-of-way shall be consistent with the development engineering standards, require approval of the public works director, and compliance with any conditions of approval. [Ord. 819B § 13, 2007; Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.070 Landscape requirements.

A. No unprotected earth or soil shall be permitted to remain on site subsequent to construction or development. All filling, grading and/or excavating activity shall comply with applicable provisions of the development engineering standards.

B. Landscape irrigation systems shall comply with the development engineering standards for protection of public water supply systems (cross-connection control), and shall be designed so that surface water generated by such an irrigation system shall not flow onto public property or any wetland, except within an approved storm water management system.

C. Site development and landscaping shall maintain an approved means of egress as specified in the building code from the primary exit from any habitable structure to a public right-of-way or alley.

D. Landscape plantings and/or ground cover may be of any type to prevent erosion of soil from the site; provided, only naturally occurring and/or noninvasive species of vegetation may be planted or allowed to grow within a wetland or wetland buffer.

E. Parking lot landscaping shall be consistent with the minimum requirements of CMC 17.84.040. [Ord. 819B § 13, 2007; Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.080 Essential services/utilities.

A. Essential services for any proposed development shall be available to serve such development prior to occupancy. Essential services which the city determines cannot be made available prior to such occupancy shall cause the city to deny issuance of all development permits for such development.

B. Required utility service (water, sewer, storm water) for any development shall be approved by the public works director prior to issuance of any development permits. [Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.090 Off-site improvements.

Any off-site improvements required by the development engineering standards for the specific development proposal shall become an integral part of the development proposal, and shall be reviewed and approved by the DRC as part of the proposal. The public works director may require a separate permit application for work upon a public right-of-way consistent with Chapter 17.93 CMC and/or the development engineering standards. [Ord. 819B § 13, 2007; Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.100 Special provisions.

A. Any approved development with an occupant load of 100 or more persons, or containing 20 or more residential dwelling units or guest rooms, shall provide an approved transit/bus stop on an arterial street within 300 feet of such occupancy, or at an approved location within such development. Such stop shall be consistent with the applicable requirements of the development engineering standards if located upon a public or private right-of-way.

B. Conditional Use. The following criteria shall be used, in addition to all other applicable criteria, in considering a conditional use permit application for any development in a C-F zone:

1. SEPA categorical exemptions shall not be applicable. All conditional use proposals for development within a C-F zone shall require a SEPA checklist, required application fee and compliance with all applicable provisions of Chapter 17.15 CMC, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), including mitigating conditions.

C. Excavation or grading of any development site which involves both:

1. More than three acres of disturbed area; and

2. Transportation of any excavated or graded material to any off-site location;

shall require an application to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a surface mining reclamation permit and compliance with any conditions of approval for such permit unless the DNR advises the city in writing that such permit is not required for the subject proposal. [Ord. 819B § 13, 2007; Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.110 Signs.

A. All signs shall comply with any applicable provisions of Chapter 17.86 CMC, Signs (General), and shall require a sign construction permit unless specifically exempted.

B. Address numbers required by CMC 17.83.090 shall not be considered to be a sign.

C. Except where otherwise permitted by special use permit, any signs permitted within these districts shall be on-premises signs.

D. Revolving pole or freestanding signs shall not exceed five rpm.

E. Signs attached to the bottom of a marquee, canopy or permanent walkway cover (under-marquee signs) shall not exceed one for each of the business entrances on the premises, with sign area not to exceed six square feet per sign face. Such sign shall be located in front of the business adjacent to the main entrance and shall be located no less than eight feet above the grade of the sidewalk or walkway nearest the sign.

F. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 30 feet in height.

G. Each single-tenant building shall be permitted one freestanding sign, with a maximum sign area of one square foot for each linear foot of main street frontage, not to exceed 150 square feet.

H. Each multi-tenant building shall be permitted one freestanding sign with a maximum sign area of one and one-half square feet for each one foot of linear main street frontage, not to exceed 250 square feet. In addition, a maximum of 25 square feet of directory sign for each tenant shall be allowed, not to exceed 100 square feet per building.

I. Each multi-building complex shall be permitted one freestanding sign with a maximum sign area of one and one-half square feet for each one foot of linear main street frontage, not to exceed 250 square feet. In addition, a maximum of 25 square feet of directory sign for each tenant shall be allowed, not to exceed 100 square feet total per complex.

J. On a business multi-tenant building, or multi-building complex, with total linear frontage on the main street of more than 300 feet, the business shall be allowed one additional freestanding sign for each 300 linear feet of frontage, not to exceed 150 square feet. Signs shall be placed at least 150 feet apart.

K. Tourist-oriented businesses adjacent to I-5 may be permitted one additional freestanding sign advertising the availability of gas, food and/or lodging, which sign is oriented toward visibility on the freeway. Such a sign shall comply with all other applicable development criteria.

L. Projecting signs shall not exceed one for each business on the premises, with the sign area not to exceed one square foot for each linear foot of business frontage. Such sign shall not be less than eight feet above grade of the closest sidewalk, nor extend more than eight feet beyond the wall of the building to which it is attached. A projecting sign shall be permitted 16 square feet regardless of building frontage. Such sign shall not extend more than two feet above the roofline, parapet or facade of the building and shall be located at least three feet inside the curb line. Businesses located in a multi-building complex or a multi-tenant building may be permitted a projecting sign in lieu of a wall sign.

M. Wall signs (painted or other) shall be calculated by two square feet of signage for each one foot of linear lot frontage or business establishment frontage, whichever is greater, up to a maximum of 360 square feet per business. If any business has only a wall sign, it shall be permitted 60 square feet regardless of street or building frontage.

N. In a multi-tenant building, any business which has an outside entrance which opens directly to the business shall be allowed a wall sign with an area equal to two square feet per one linear foot of length of the business facade; provided, if the businesses located within the building do not have outside entrances, the total square footage shall be assigned on the basis of two square feet per linear foot of main street frontage, and it shall be the responsibility of the building owner or manager to establish the signage allowed to each business.

O. In a multi-building complex, each building shall be allowed wall signage based on the building frontage.

P. Marquee signs shall be treated as wall signs.

Q. Signs may be erected upon off-street parking lots:

1. Wording on the sign shall be limited to the name of the business and may include the words “Customer Parking Only,” and/or “Tow-away” information;

2. One such sign not larger than 20 square feet shall be permitted at each entrance;

3. A permit shall be required for such signs.

R. Additional signs are permitted as follows:

1. Directional signs giving directions to motorists regarding the location of parking areas, delivery areas, access drives and accessways shall not exceed six square feet per sign face and shall meet the location requirements of this chapter. Permits are not required.

2. Real estate signs shall not exceed one for each street frontage and shall not exceed 32 square feet per sign face and shall not be illuminated. Permits are not required.

3. Incidental signs shall be restricted to one per 25 feet of principal street frontage, shall not exceed eight square feet, and no such business shall be allowed more than four such signs. Incidental signs shall include, but are not limited to, gasoline price signs, bank interest signs, and signs advertising a specific product or service. Such signs shall conform to the regulations of this chapter.

4. Paper or other temporary signs (including painted signs which can be easily removed by washing) may be affixed or otherwise attached to or displayed within glass display windows of commercial establishments and stores without the requirement of a permit being obtained therefor; provided, however, that no such sign shall exceed 50 percent of the open window space, and shall not exceed a maximum of 75 square feet.

5. Credit card (monetary, institutional, and the like) signs, decals, or emblems shall be additionally allowed, but limited to 24 square inches, or an aggregate of 96 square inches per business premises.

6. Signs which are permanently painted upon a window surface shall be treated as a wall sign and included in the total allowable sign area. [Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]

17.66.120 Hazardous waste.

A. On-site treatment and/or storage of hazardous waste which may be an accessory or ancillary aspect of any approved permitted or conditional use may be allowed; provided, that such activity meets the siting criteria of RCW 70.105.210 and any amendments thereto, in addition to any conditions of approval attached by the city.

B. Hazardous waste storage facilities shall not be permitted.

C. Hazardous waste treatment facilities shall not be permitted.

D. Any hazardous waste management activity which requires a Washington State Dangerous Waste Permit pursuant to Chapter 173-303 WAC shall submit a copy of such permit approval to the city prior to initiating such activity. [Ord. 720B § 1, 2002.]