Chapter 15.120
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Sections:

Article I. General

15.120.010    General.

Article II. Specific Requirements

15.120.020    Noise.

15.120.030    Vibration.

15.120.040    Air pollution – Emissions.

15.120.050    Fire and explosive hazards.

15.120.060    Electromagnetic interference.

15.120.070    Surface water.

15.120.080    Screening.

15.120.090    Outdoor storage areas.

15.120.100    Heat, glare, and steam.

15.120.110    Disposal of wastes.

15.120.120    Erosion.

Article I. General

15.120.010 General.

All uses shall meet the requirements of the Northwest Air Pollution Authority and Maximum Environmental Noise Levels, Chapter 173-60 WAC and other applicable federal and state regulatory agencies. [Ord. 671 § 8.1, 1995.]

Article II. Specific Requirements

15.120.020 Noise.

On-site sound levels and accumulative industrial district sound levels are not to exceed levels established by noise control regulations of the Department of Labor and Industries. Maximum permissible environmental noise levels to be emitted to adjacent properties are not to exceed levels of the environmental designations for noise abatement (EDNA) as established by the state of Washington Department of Ecology as now exists or is hereafter amended. EDNA classifications will conform to certain zone designations established under this code as follows:

Class A EDNA:    Residential Zone

Class B EDNA:    Commercial Zone, Public Use Zone

Class C EDNA:    Industrial Zone

[Ord. 671 § 8.2.A, 1995.]

15.120.030 Vibration.

Every use shall be so operated that the ground vibration inherently and/or recurrently generated from use and/or equipment other than vehicles is not perceptible without instruments at any point on or beyond any zone district boundary in which the use is located. [Ord. 671 § 8.2.B, 1995.]

15.120.040 Air pollution – Emissions.

Emissions of smoke, dust and other particulate matter, toxic and noxious gasses are not to exceed current standards set by the local air pollution authority (Northwest Air Pollution Control Authority) and all Washington State and federal standards as now exist, or are hereafter amended. [Ord. 671 § 8.2.C, 1995.]

15.120.050 Fire and explosive hazards.

The manufacture, use, or processing of flammable liquids or materials which produce flammable or explosive vapors or gasses shall be permitted only in accordance with the regulations of the fire prevention and building codes of the town of La Conner that now exist or are hereafter amended. [Ord. 671 § 8.2.D, 1995.]

15.120.060 Electromagnetic interference.

No activity shall emit electrical disturbance adversely affecting the operation of equipment or appliances at any point beyond the boundaries of the location of the use creating such disturbance. [Ord. 671 § 8.2.E, 1995.]

15.120.070 Surface water.

There shall be no pollution of surface or subsurface drainage waters. [Ord. 671 § 8.2.F, 1995.]

15.120.080 Screening.

Commercial and industrial uses and public parking areas shall be screened from adjacent residential uses. The use for which a sight-obscuring fence or planting is required shall not begin operation until the fence or planting is erected or in place and approved by the town council or designee. An exception to the screening requirement may be granted if the owner of the residential use files a written statement that such screening is not desired, and that any such screening needed in the future shall be installed at the expense of the residential property owner. Fences for the purpose of screening shall be a minimum of five feet in height. [Ord. 671 § 8.2.G, 1995.]

15.120.090 Outdoor storage areas.

All outdoor storage yards shall be screened by a fence or wall at least six feet high. [Ord. 671 § 8.2.H, 1995.]

15.120.100 Heat, glare, and steam.

Any activity producing steam, heat or glare shall be carried on in such a manner that the steam, heat or glare shall not create a nuisance beyond the boundary lines of the district within which the use is located. No building materials may be used in construction of buildings where reflected sunlight would throw intense glare on adjacent areas. Direct light from high intensity lamps shall not result in glare upon surrounding residential areas. [Ord. 671 § 8.2.I, 1995.]

15.120.110 Disposal of wastes.

Disposal of wastes shall be subject to regulations of the state and local health department, Department of Ecology, and local, state and federal pollution controls as now exist, or are hereafter amended.

(1) Storage of Garbage. A plan approved by the town for temporary (one-week) storage of garbage will be required in the commercial and industrial areas.

(2) Recycling. New construction and major remodeling ($25,000), in all zones, will include an approved site for temporary storage of on-site generated recyclables and garbage. [Ord. 671 § 8.2.J, 1995.]

15.120.120 Erosion.

Property owners must take all reasonable steps to prevent erosion by either wind or water which damages properties or carries objectionable substances into or through neighboring properties, ground water or storm drains. [Ord. 671 § 8.2.K, 1995.]