Chapter 14.13 NATURAL RESOURCE ZONES AND USES

Chapter 14.13
NATURAL RESOURCE ZONES AND USES

Sections:

14.13.010 Applicability.

14.13.020 Allowed uses.

14.13.030 Dimensional standards.

14.13.100 Agricultural—Natural Resource Lands (Ag-NRL).

14.13.200 Industrial Forest—Natural Resource Lands (IF-NRL).

14.13.300 Secondary Forest—Natural Resource Lands (SF-NRL).

14.13.400 Rural Resource—Natural Resource Lands (RRc-NRL).

14.13.010 Applicability.

(1) This Chapter applies to the following zones:

(a) Agricultural—Natural Resource Lands (Ag-NRL).

(b) Industrial Forest—Natural Resource Lands (IF-NRL).

(d) Rural Resource—Natural Resource Lands (RRc-NRL). (Ord. O20250005 § 2 (Exh. A))

14.13.020 Allowed uses.

(1) The uses shown in the table below are allowed in the zones to which this Chapter applies. For development standards for these uses, see the use section in SCC Chapter 14.18.

Table 14.13.020-1 Allowed Uses in the Natural Resource Zones
	Ag-NRL	IF-NRL	SF-NRL	RRc-NRL
Residential Uses
Single-family residence	AC	P	P	P
Accessory dwelling unit	P	P	P	P
Residential accessory use	P	P	P	P
Temporary manufactured home	P		P	P
Co-housing, as part of a CaRD	P	P	P	HE
Seasonal worker housing			HE	HE
Commercial Uses
Animal clinic/hospital			AD	AD
Asphalt/concrete batching or recycling, temporary	HE		HE	HE
Family day care provider	P		P	P
Bed and breakfast	AD			AD
Historic sites open to the public	P	P	P	P
Home-Based Business 1	P	P	P	P
Home-Based Business 2	AD	AD	AD	AD
Home-Based Business 3		HE	HE	HE
Kennel, boarding				HE
Kennel, limited	HE	HE	HE	AD
Marijuana production/processing facility	AD
Marina, primitive, with ≤ 3 slips	HE
Marina, primitive, with ≤ 10 slips with no conversion of resource land		HE	HE	HE
Temporary events	AD	AD	AD	AD
Natural Resource Uses
Agriculture	P			P
Agricultural accessory use	P			P
Agricultural processing facility	P			P
Agricultural slaughtering facilities	AD			AD
Anaerobic digester, when accessory to an agricultural use	P			HE
Anaerobic digester, when not accessory to an agricultural use	HE			HE
Aquaculture				P
Concentrated animal feeding operation	HE			HE
Farm-based business	P			P
Forestry	P	P	P	P
Forestry-based business		HE	HE	HE
Habitat enhancement/restoration project	HE	P	P	P
Manure lagoon	P			HE
Natural resources training/research facility	HE	HE	HE	HE
Nursery/greenhouse, retail			AD	AD
Nursery/greenhouse, wholesale	P		AD	AD
Seasonal roadside stand ≤ 300 sf	P			P
Seasonal roadside stand > 300 sf and ≤ 2,000 sf	AD		AD	AD
Seasonal roadside stand > 2,000 sf and ≤ 5,000 sf	HE		AD	AD
Park/Recreational Uses
Campground, primitive		P	P	P
Off-road vehicle use areas and trails		HE	HE
Outdoor outfitters enterprises	HE	HE	HE	HE
Shooting club (outdoor)	HE
Park, regional		AD
Park, recreation open space			AD
Stables and riding club				AD
Shooting club, outdoor		HE	HE	HE
Trail, nonmotorized	AD	P	AD	AD
Trail, other than nonmotorized	AD	AD	AD	AD
Trailhead, primary and secondary	AD	AD	AD	AD
Transportation Uses
Aircraft landing field	HE	HE	HE	HE
Vehicle charging station		P

(Ord. O20250005 § 2 (Exh. A))

14.13.030 Dimensional standards.

Table 14.13.030-1 Dimensional Standards in the Natural Resource Zones
	Ag-NRL	IF-NRL	SF-NRL	RRc-NRL
Lot Dimensions
Minimum lot size (ac)	40	80	20	40
Minimum lot width (ft)		400	400	400
Lot Coverage
Maximum lot coverage (%)	–	–	–	*
Minimum Setbacks (residential uses)
Front (ft)	*	100	100	50
Interior Side (ft)	8	100	100	50
Rear (ft)	35	100	100	50
Minimum Setbacks (nonresidential uses)
Front (ft)	35	100	100	50
Interior side (ft)	15	100	100	50
Rear (ft)	35	100	100	50
Building Size Limits
Maximum height (ft)	40	40	40	40

(Ord. O20250005 § 2 (Exh. A))

14.13.100 Agricultural—Natural Resource Lands (Ag-NRL).

(1) Purpose. The purpose of the Agricultural—Natural Resource Lands district is to provide land for continued farming activities, conserve agricultural land, and reaffirm agricultural use, activities and operations as the primary use of the district. Nonagricultural uses are allowed only as accessory uses to the primary use of the land for agricultural purposes. The district is composed mainly of low flat land with highly productive soil and is the very essence of the County’s farming heritage and character.

(2) Allowed Uses. In addition to the uses in SCC 14.13.020, the following uses are allowed in this zone:

(a) Permitted Uses.

(i) Commercial greenhouse operations that are an integral part of a local soil-based commercial agriculture operation.

(ii) Individual or multiple farm composting as an incidental agricultural operation to a working farm with no net loss of soil. The composting operation must be managed according to an approved nutrient management plan in conjunction with the local Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) standards and all applicable environmental, solid waste, access and health regulations. Such use must not generate traffic uncommon to a farm operation.

(iii) On-site sorting, bagging, storage, and similar wholesale processing activities of agricultural products that are predominantly grown on site or produced principally from the entire commercial farm operation. Such activities are limited to those which are integrally related to the agricultural production and harvesting process.

(iv) Water diversion structures and impoundments related to resource management.

(b) Administrative Special Uses.

(i) Greenhouse operations that are not integral to a local soil-based commercial agricultural operation. Greenhouses operating in the Ag-NRL zone as an administrative special use, if they cease operation, must be required to return the land to its former state or otherwise place the land in agricultural production.

(i) Expansion of existing natural resource industrial zoned agricultural support service businesses, provided the expansion is limited to only the area necessary for the business; and also provided, that any conversion of agricultural land is minimized to the greatest extent possible.

(3) Dimensional Standards.

(a) Setbacks.

(i) Front: 35 feet minimum, 200 feet maximum from public road.

(A) Unless specified below or elsewhere in this Chapter, no portion of a structure may be located closer than 35 feet from the front lot line and no portion of a structure may be located further than 200 feet from the front lot line.

(B) If a parcel is located such that no portion or developable portion of the property is within 200 feet of a public road, the maximum 200-foot setback must be measured from the front property line.

(C) The maximum setback may be waived by the Director where critical areas, preventing the placement of residential structures, are located within the 200-foot setback area. The maximum setback may also be waived by the Director in cases where nonfloodplain or nonprime agricultural land is located on the lot outside of the setback area, which would provide for a more appropriate placement of residential structures.

(D) In cases where a residence exists outside the setback area, residential accessory structures may be placed outside the setback area if located in accordance with the siting criteria outlined in this Section.

(4) Siting Criteria for Nonagricultural Structures. In addition to the dimensional standards above, new nonagricultural structures are required to comply with the following provisions:

(a) Siting of all nonagricultural structures in the Agricultural—Natural Resource Lands district must minimize potential impacts on agricultural activities consistent with this Subsection (4).

(b) Nonagricultural structures and development must be contained within the developed area of the parcel. “Developed area” includes areas covered with nonagricultural structures, lawn, gravel, concrete, asphalt, parking areas, driveways, septic systems, and landscaping, but does not include fields, farmed areas, or areas available to be farmed. Unless substantial evidence is provided indicating the location is not feasible, wells must also be located within the developed area whenever possible. Wells located outside of the developed area must be sited to minimize potential impacts on agricultural activities.

(c) New nonagricultural structures must be clustered and located no more than 35 feet from existing, compatible buildings. If a driveway is needed between buildings for access, the distance between buildings may be increased to a maximum of 50 feet to allow for the driveway. Driveways, whether existing or new, must be shared whenever possible.

(d) When the subject parcel has an existing nonagricultural developed area larger than one acre, the developed area may not be enlarged.

(e) When the subject parcel has an existing nonagricultural developed area less than one acre and there is insufficient developed area for the proposed building, the total developed area may be expanded in the minimum amount necessary but may not exceed a maximum of one acre in size.

(f) When the subject parcel has no existing nonagricultural developed area, all nonagricultural development (including structures, parking areas, driveways, septic systems, wells, and landscaping, etc.) must share a common access and must be clustered within a one-acre area located at a corner of the parcel. If any adjacent parcel has a more intensive zoning designation (e.g., allows greater residential development potential), the selected corner must be adjacent to the parcel with more intensive zoning designation; in the alternative, if there is existing development on adjacent parcels, the selected corner must be the one nearest the adjacent development.

(g) A site plan for any nonagricultural development must include adjacent parcels and must show the location of existing structures on the subject and adjacent parcels, including the current use of existing structures (e.g., dwelling, shop/garage, dairy barn). (Ord. O20250005 § 2 (Exh. A))

14.13.200 Industrial Forest—Natural Resource Lands (IF-NRL).

(1) Purpose. The purpose of the Industrial Forest—Natural Resource Lands district is to ensure that forest lands of long-term commercial significance are conserved and managed to provide sustainable forest yields, job stability, ecological values and the continuation of a viable commercial forest industry in Skagit County. Conservation of forest resources must be ensured through measures designed to prevent incompatible development on or adjacent to resource lands. Forest activities do not constitute a nuisance if conducted in accordance with the State Forest Practice Rules and Regulations, WAC Title 222.

(2) This zone applies to all land zoned Industrial Forest and to all fee simple ownerships within National Forests.

(3) Allowed Uses. In addition to the uses in SCC 14.13.020, the following uses are allowed in this zone:

(a) Permitted Uses.

(i) Extraction of gravel and rock for the purpose of forest road construction and/or maintenance, and the operation of rock crushers, provided the material and equipment is used within the Industrial Forest or Secondary Forest—Natural Resource Lands zones, or on same forest owners’ property.

(ii) Management and propagation of fish and wildlife.

(iii) Nonresidential structures which are accessory to forest management activities (i.e., temporary watchman quarters, equipment shop or storage structures).

(iv) Operations of scaling stations, log dumps, sorting and storage areas, forest industry residue dumping areas; provided, that any such use within 1,000 feet of any residential use district, park or recreation area must be temporary and less than 12 months in duration.

(v) Operation of sawmills, chippers, shake and shingle mills, forest industry equipment maintenance buildings and storage yards; provided, that such uses are temporary and are located on the property for no longer than 12 months’ duration.

(vi) Storage of explosives for resource management use per adopted IBC and IFC, when located at least 300 feet from property boundary or public road right-of-way.

(vii) Temporary use of recreational vehicles only where it is in conjunction with an active forest practice application. Temporary use of recreational vehicles is only allowed under this Subsection where such recreational vehicle is used as temporary living quarters for trail crews, fire crews, nursery crews, logging crews, maintenance crews or watchman, and where such use occurs for less than six months per year.

(viii) Water diversion structures and impoundments related to resource management and on-site wetland restoration/enhancement projects.

(b) Administrative Special Uses. Reserved.

(i) Storage of explosives for commercial purposes when located at least 600 feet from property boundary or public road right-of-way.

(4) A single-family residence or residential accessory use in this zone is allowed only when all of the following criteria are met:

(a) The residence is located within 200 feet of an existing County road or State highway;

(b) The residence is located within the existing, as of July 26, 2005, boundaries of a fire district;

(d) Ingress and egress for fire vehicles meets the standards of the International Fire Code Section 503, as amended;

(e) There is a 200-foot slash abatement maintained around the exterior portion of the dwelling;

(f) There is a safety zone cleared of flammable vegetation 30 feet from any portion of the exterior of any structure on level ground and 100 feet downhill on sloped ground;

(g) The dwelling or any accessory structure is constructed of a noncombustible roofing material; and

(h) There is availability of 300 gallons of water on site, 400 feet of one-inch fire hose with nozzle, and an internal combustion engine powered pump. (Ord. O20250005 § 2 (Exh. A))

14.13.300 Secondary Forest—Natural Resource Lands (SF-NRL).

(1) Purpose. The purpose of the Secondary Forest— Natural Resource Lands (SF-NRL) district is to provide a transitional area between the Industrial Forest—Natural Resource Lands zone and Rural zoned lands designated primarily for residential use and other nonforestry uses. The SF-NRL zone also provides a zone where smaller scale timber and other resource management activities can occur while providing protection from encroachment of residential activity that may encumber standard forest practices.

(2) Allowed Uses. In addition to the uses in SCC 14.13.020, the following uses are allowed in this zone:

(a) Permitted Uses.

(ii) Management and propagation of fish and wildlife.

(iii) Nonresidential structures which are accessory to forest management activities (i.e., temporary watchman quarters, equipment shop or storage structures).

(iv) Operations of scaling stations, log dumps, sorting and storage areas, forest industry residue dumping areas; provided, any such use within 1,000 feet of any residential use district, park or recreation area must be temporary and less than 12 months in duration.

(vi) Storage of explosives for resource management use per adopted IBC and IFC, when located at least 300 feet from property boundary or public road right-of-way.

(viii) Water diversion structures and impoundments related to resource management and (on-site) wetland restoration/enhancement projects.

(b) Administrative Special Uses. Reserved.

(i) Storage of explosives for commercial purposes when located at least 600 feet from property boundary or public road right-of-way.

(3) Dimensional Standards.

(a) Access frontage: 100 feet. (Ord. O20250005 § 2 (Exh. A))

14.13.400 Rural Resource—Natural Resource Lands (RRc-NRL).

(1) Purpose. The purpose of the Rural Resource—Natural Resource Lands district is to recognize and encourage the conservation of those lands which have the characteristics of both long-term commercially significant agriculture and forestry either on site or on adjacent sites. These are lands generally not managed as industrial resource lands, because of less productive soils, parcel size and/or geographic location, but are managed on a smaller scale and provide support for the industrial natural resource land base. It is the intent of this district to restrict incompatible nonresource-related uses and to retain a long-term, commercially significant natural resource land base.

(2) Allowed Uses. In addition to the uses in SCC 14.13.020, the following uses are allowed in this zone:

(a) Permitted Uses.

(i) Commercial greenhouse operations that are an integral part of a local soil-based commercial agriculture operation.

(ii) Commercial uses supporting resource uses, such as packing, first stage processing and processing that provides added value to resource products as long as there is no permanent conversion of the forest land.

(iii) Individual or multiple farm composting as an incidental agricultural operation to a working farm with no net loss of soil. The composting operation must be managed according to an approved nutrient management plan in conjunction with the local Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) standards and all applicable environmental, solid waste, access and health regulations. Such use may not generate traffic uncommon to a farm operation.

(iv) Extraction of gravel and rock on three acres or less for the purpose of forest road construction and/or maintenance, and the operation of rock crushers, provided the material and equipment is used within the Rural Resource—Natural Resource Lands zone, or on same forest owners’ property.

(v) Operation of scaling stations, log dumps and sorting areas, and forest industry residue dumping areas; provided, that any such use within 1,000 feet of any residential use zone, park, or recreation area is temporary and less than 12 months’ duration.

(vi) Operation of sawmills, chippers, shake and shingle mills, forest industry equipment maintenance buildings, and storage yards; provided, that such uses are temporary and are located on the property for no longer than 12 months’ duration.

(vii) Water diversion structures and impoundments related to resource management and on-site wetland restoration/enhancement projects.

(b) Administrative Special Uses. Reserved.

(i) Extraction of gravel and rock on more than three acres for the purpose of forest road construction and/or maintenance, and the operation of rock crushers, provided the material and equipment is used within the Rural Resource—Natural Resource Lands zone, or on same forest owners’ property.

(ii) Impoundments for public drinking water; provided, that analysis determines a need that cannot be otherwise met and where no other viable site is available.

(iii) Storage of explosives for commercial purposes when located at least 600 feet from property boundary or public road right-of-way.

(3) Dimensional Standards.

(a) Maximum Lot Coverage.

(i) Greenhouses: 35 percent.

(ii) All other uses: 10 percent or 10,000 square feet, whichever is greater. (Ord. O20250005 § 2 (Exh. A))