DIVISION II. SUBDIVISIONS
Chapter 20.84
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
20.84.030 Applicability and exemptions.
20.84.050 Sale of noncomplying land prohibited.
20.84.060 Building permits restricted.
20.84.010 Title.
The ordinance codified in this division shall be known as “the Subdivision Ordinance of the City of Sumas, Washington.” (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.84.020 Purpose.
The purpose of this division is to implement the goals and policies established in the city comprehensive plan; regulate the subdivision of land and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare in accordance with the standards established by the state to prevent the overcrowding of land; provide for orderly growth and development; conserve, protect and enhance property values; to lessen congestion in the streets and on the highways; to provide adequate provisions for water, sewerage, parks and recreation areas, sites for schools and school grounds and other public requirements; to provide for proper traffic circulation; and to require uniform monumenting of land subdivisions and conveyancing by accurate legal description. Further, these regulations are established to effectuate the policy of the prescribed state law referring to the platting and dedication of lands and shall not preclude full compliance thereto. (Ord. 1686 § 21, 2016: Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.84.030 Applicability and exemptions.
The provisions of this division shall apply to all division of land within the corporate limits of the city; provided, however, the following are exempt from the provisions of this division:
(1) Divisions made in connection with acquisition of land by the city, including divisions made by deed for road widening purposes; provided, that such land may be accept ed on behalf of the city only by action of the city council;
(2) Divisions made upon court order;
(3) Divisions of land made by leases for purposes other than building developments or establishment of sites for mobile homes, temporary dwellings or camping occupancy;
(4) The combination of portions of previously platted lots, where the total number of development sites is not increased and their size is not decreased below applicable requirements for width and area, provided the resultant sites join on and are accessible to publicly maintained roads. Existing structures at the time of lot split will meet required setbacks of applicable zone;
(5) Cemeteries and burial plots while used for that purpose. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.84.040 Compliance.
(a) After the passage of the ordinance codified in this division, all division, subdivision or resubdivision of land within the corporate limits of the city into lots, tracts, parcels, sites or divisions for any purpose whatsoever shall be in full compliance to the provisions and specifications of this division.
(b) Division of land into four or less lots shall be in compliance with the regulations and standards of this title governing “short subdivisions” (Chapter 20.88). Division of land into five or more lots shall comply with regulations and standards dealing with subdivision and must follow the preliminary and final platting procedures. (Ord. 1176 § 31, 1996; Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.84.050 Sale of noncomplying land prohibited.
Sale of land is prohibited unless it is a duly platted parcel of land or lot, or is a tract of record at time of passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 1176 § 32, 1996: Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.84.060 Building permits restricted.
(a) No building permit shall be issued for construction of any kind unless:
(1) Such lot was of record prior to adoption of the ordinance codified in this division;
(2) Such lot is a division of a recorded subdivision; or
(3) Such lot was created in compliance with the provisions of this division.
(b) It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to establish the status of the lots as it pertains to subsection (a) of this section. (Ord. 1176 § 40, 1996; Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)