Chapter 14.01
HOW TO USE THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE
Sections:
14.01.020 Orientation to SCC Title 14.
14.01.030 Example—Establishing a commercial or special use.
14.01.040 Example—Building a home or ADU.
14.01.010 About the Code.
(1) The Unified Development Code (SCC Title 14) is intended to consolidate most of the regulations that govern land use in unincorporated Skagit County in a single title of the County Code.
(2) In addition to SCC Title 14, land uses and developments in Skagit County are regulated by:
(a) SCC Title 12, Health, Welfare, and Sanitation, which includes regulations for water systems, septic systems, and food establishments;
(b) SCC Title 15, Buildings and Construction, which includes the County’s adoption of the International Building Code and related standardized codes, as well as rules for building and road addresses;
(c) SCC Title 16, Environment, which includes the County’s implementation of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), as well as water pollution controls.
(3) The instructions in this Chapter are summaries only and not a comprehensive guide to how the code is interpreted and applied. (Ord. O20250005 § 2 (Exh. A))
14.01.020 Orientation to SCC Title 14.
The first few Chapters of SCC Title 14 help the reader understand the terms used throughout (SCC Chapter 14.04, Definitions) and the processes for applying for permits (SCC Chapter 14.06).
(1) Division 1, Zoning and Land Uses, contains several fundamental chapters:
(a) SCC Chapter 14.10, General Provisions, includes lists of uses allowed and prohibited in all zones.
(b) SCC Chapters 14.11 through 14.16 describe the County’s zones. Each chapter lists:
(i) The uses allowed in each zone;
(ii) The dimensional standards (e.g., setbacks, lot size, height limits) for each zone;
(iii) Additional uses and restrictions for each zone.
(c) SCC Chapter 14.18 describes regulations for each type of use.
(2) Division 2, Project Design Standards, includes regulations that apply to many different kinds of uses, including fences, landscaping, parking, setbacks, and signs.
(3) Division 3, Land Management, includes chapters on land clearing and stormwater management, as well as special provisions that apply to natural resource lands (those that are zoned for agriculture, forestry, or mineral resource).
(4) Division 4, Critical Areas and Shorelines, is reserved for recodification of the County’s rules governing critical areas (e.g., streams, wetlands, frequently flooded areas), as well as shorelines.
(5) Division 5, Special Permits, includes chapters on permits that are not frequently needed, such as special use permits, master planned resorts, essential public facilities, and variances.
(6) Division 6, Public Facilities, regulates how and when infrastructure is constructed, especially for commercial uses, and how impact fees are set.
(7) Division 7, Land Division and Boundaries, includes rules for subdividing land and adjusted lot boundaries. Importantly, SCC Chapter 14.70 describes how the County determines whether your existing lot was properly created and whether it is eligible to be bought and sold or developed. (Ord. O20250005 § 2 (Exh. A))
14.01.030 Example—Establishing a commercial or special use.
(1) To understand the code that governs a commercial, industrial, or special use, an applicant should review:
(a) The standards in SCC Chapter 14.70 that determine whether your lot was properly divided.
(b) The specific chapter for your zone in Division 1, which contains:
(i) Uses allowed in the zone;
(ii) Dimensional standards applicable within the zone;
(iii) Special conditions applicable to the zone.
(c) The rules for any applicable overlay zone in SCC Chapter 14.14.
(d) The section for your proposed use in SCC Chapter 14.18, which may contain:
(i) Restrictions and criteria for the use applicable to all zones;
(ii) Special restrictions on the use that apply only in certain zones.
(e) The requirements for a special use permit in SCC Chapter 14.51 (SCC Chapter 14.52 for mining), if one is required for your use.
(f) The general performance standards (SCC Chapter 14.20).
(g) The requirements for landscaping (SCC Chapter 14.25).
(h) The requirements for parking (SCC Chapter 14.26).
(i) The limitations on signs (SCC Chapter 14.29).
(j) The rules for protection of critical areas (SCC Chapter 14.24) that may exist on or near your lot.
(k) The rules for shorelines (SCC Chapter 14.48) and flood damage prevention (SCC Chapter 14.34), if they apply to the location of your lot.
(l) The rules you need to follow before you start clearing your lot (SCC Chapter 14.30).
(m) How to manage stormwater from your construction (SCC Chapter 14.32).
(n) The process of applying for a permit (SCC Chapter 14.06).
(2) Do not forget: the health code, administered by the County Health Department, governs food establishments (SCC Chapter 12.36) and solid waste handling (SCC Chapter 12.16).
(3) If you are renovating or expanding an existing structure that was legally constructed, or a land use that was legally established, but no longer meets current code, see the rules for nonconforming uses and structures (SCC Chapter 14.07). (Ord. O20250005 § 2 (Exh. A))
14.01.040 Example—Building a home or ADU.
(1) To understand the code that governs the construction of a typical residence in Skagit County, an applicant should review:
(a) The standards in SCC Chapter 14.70 that determine whether your lot was properly divided.
(b) The specific chapter for your zone in Division 1 (usually SCC Chapter 14.11), which contains dimensional standards and may include special conditions for your zone.
(c) The rules for any applicable overlay zone in SCC Chapter 14.14.
(d) The standards for your type of residence in SCC Chapter 14.18 Part I, which may contain special conditions for your proposed residence.
(e) How the setbacks prescribed for your zone are applied to your lot (SCC Chapter 14.28).
(f) The rules for protection of critical areas (SCC Chapter 14.24) that may exist on or near your lot.
(g) The rules for shorelines (SCC Chapter 14.48) and flood damage prevention (SCC Chapter 14.34), if they apply to the location of your lot.
(h) The rules you need to follow before you start clearing your lot (SCC Chapter 14.30).
(i) How to manage stormwater from your construction (SCC Chapter 14.32).
(2) Do not forget: availability of sewer and water services for a new home is essential! Those matters are governed by the health code in SCC Chapters 12.05 and 12.48 and administered by the County Health Department.
(3) If you are renovating an existing home that was legally constructed but no longer meets current code, see the rules for nonconforming uses and structures (SCC Chapter 14.07). (Ord. O20250005 § 2 (Exh. A))