Division I. General Provisions
Chapters:
15.100 Authority, Purpose, Interpretation and Administration
15.110 Calculations, Measurements and Lot Designations
15.115 Land Use Actions and Procedures
15.120 Nonconformance and Reuse of Facilities
Chapter 15.100
AUTHORITY, PURPOSE, INTERPRETATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Sections:
15.100.010 Authority to Adopt Code
15.100.020 Requirement of Code Conformity
15.100.030 Minimum Requirements
15.100.040 Interpretation – General
15.100.050 Administration and Review Authority
15.100.005 Title
This title shall be known as the City of SeaTac Zoning Code, hereinafter referred to as “the code.” (Ord. 15-1018 § 1)
15.100.010 Authority to Adopt Code
The code is adopted by City of SeaTac ordinance, pursuant to Article XI, Section 11 of the Washington State Constitution. (Ord. 15-1018 § 1)
15.100.015 Purpose
A. To implement the SeaTac Comprehensive Plan’s policies and objectives and the goals of the State Growth Management Act (GMA);
B. To protect health, safety and general welfare;
C. To provide for the economic, social, and aesthetic advantages of orderly development and redevelopment through harmonious groupings of compatible and complementary land uses and the application of appropriate development standards;
D. To provide for adequate public facilities and services in conjunction with development;
E. To ensure public safety by restricting development of lands containing physical hazards and to minimize the adverse environmental impacts of development; and
F. To ensure that land use decisions are made in accordance with the public interest and applicable laws of the State of Washington, including the Growth Management Act and subsequent amendments. (Ord. 15-1018 § 1)
15.100.020 Requirement of Code Conformity
A. No use or structure shall be established, substituted, expanded, constructed, altered, moved, maintained, or otherwise changed except in conformance with the Municipal Code. Site planning and design shall consider stormwater management, especially the design and integration of LID BMPs, as early as possible in the project planning phase. Where feasible, locate buildings away from soils that provide effective infiltration; site LID BMPs (as defined in Chapter 12.10 SMC) in areas with good infiltration capacity; reduce impervious surfaces; and retain native vegetation.
1. Repealed by Ord. 18-1001.
2. Repealed by Ord. 18-1001.
3. Exemptions from Permit Requirements. The following actions are exempt from any permit requirements, although they must still meet the requirements of the code:
a. Construction of an accessory building of less than one hundred twenty (120) square feet;
b. Fences of six (6) feet or less in height;
c. The cutting of one (1) or more trees by the owner of a residential property on which is an existing detached dwelling unit, unless such trees are in a steep slope, wetland, or other sensitive area, or sensitive area buffer, or unless such trees are required to be retained by covenants on the property.
B. Creation of, or changes to, lot lines shall conform with the use provisions, dimensional and other standards, and procedures of the code and SMC Title 14, Subdivisions.
C. All land uses and development authorized by the code shall comply with all other regulations and requirements of the code or any other local, State or Federal agency that has jurisdiction over land uses and development. Where a difference exists between the code and other regulations, the more restrictive requirements shall apply.
D. Where more than one (1) part of the code applies to the same aspect of a proposed use or development, the more restrictive requirements shall apply. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 18-1001 § 2; Ord. 16-1022 § 1 (Exh. C); Ord. 15-1018 § 1)
15.100.030 Minimum Requirements
In interpretation and application, the requirements set forth in this title shall be considered the minimum requirements necessary to accomplish the purposes of the code. Additionally, the Director shall issue an interpretation on areas of question as set forth in SMC 15.100.040, Interpretation – General. (Ord. 15-1018 § 1)
15.100.040 Interpretation – General
A. Regulations, conditions or procedural requirements that are specific to an individual land use shall supersede regulations, conditions or procedural requirements of general application.
B. A land use includes the necessary structures to support the use unless specifically prohibited or the context clearly indicates otherwise.
C. Chapter and section headings, captions, illustrations and references to other sections or titles are for reference or explanation only and shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify, or in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of any section.
D. The word “shall” is mandatory and the word “may” is discretionary.
E. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, words in the present tense shall include past and future words defined in this title; all words and terms used in this code shall have their customary meanings.
F. The Director shall issue administrative interpretation on the Zoning Code in order to clarify the intent and standards. The interpretation shall have the stated issue, findings of fact, and conclusions and shall be considered during the annual review of the code for inclusion as a standard.
G. This title does not allow any use which is in violation of any local, State, or Federal laws, regulations, codes and/or ordinances. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 15-1018 § 1. Formerly 15.100.050)
15.100.050 Administration and Review Authority
See SMC 16A.03.030. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 15-1018 § 1. Formerly 15.100.070)
15.100.060 Severability
Should any chapter, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this title be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this title. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 15-1018 § 1. Formerly 15.100.080)