Chapter 16C.05.40
NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
Sections:
16C.05.40.020 Nonconforming Uses of Land.
16C.05.40.030 Nonconforming Structures.
16C.05.40.010 Generally.
(1) Within the special flood hazard areas established by Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72 or amendments thereto, there may exist structures and uses of land and structures which were lawful before these chapters were adopted or amended, but which would be prohibited, regulated or restricted under the terms of Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72 or future amendment.
(2) It is the intent of Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72 to permit these lawful pre-existing nonconformities to continue until they are removed by economic forces or otherwise, but not to encourage their survival except in cases where continuance thereof would not be contrary to the public health, safety or welfare, or the spirit of said chapters.
(3) To avoid undue hardship, nothing in Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72 shall be deemed to require a change in the plans, construction, or designated use of any building on which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to June 5, 1985, the date Yakima County enacted Ordinance 3-1985 in order to meet the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program, and upon which actual building construction has been diligently carried on; namely, actual construction materials placed in permanent position and fastened in a permanent manner. Where demolition or removal of an existing building has been substantially begun preparatory to rebuilding, such demolition or removal shall be deemed to be actual construction, provided that work shall be diligently carried on until completion of the building involved. October 1, 1995, the effective date of the amended ordinance codified in Title 16A, shall be used as it applies to all other critical areas requirements established under Title 16A by Ordinance 8-1995.
(Ord. 8-2021 § 2(C) (Exh. 1), 2021; Ord. 10-2019 (Exh. 1) (part), 2019: Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017: Ord. 13-2007 §1 (Exh. A)(16C.05.40.010), 2007).
16C.05.40.020 Nonconforming Uses of Land.
If, on October 1, 1995, the effective date of Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72, a lawful use of land not conducted within a building exists that is made no longer permissible under the terms of said chapters as adopted or amended, such use may be continued as long as it remains otherwise lawful, subject to the following provisions:
(1) No such nonconforming use shall be enlarged or increased, nor extended to occupy a greater area of the lot of record than that which it occupied at the effective date of adoption or amendment of Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72.
(2) At such time as a structure is erected thereon, the structure and the use of the land shall conform to the regulations specified by Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72 and YCC Title 19.
(Ord. 8-2021 § 2(C) (Exh. 1), 2021; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017: Res. 80-2016 (Exh. A) (part), 2016; Ord. 13-2007 §1 (Exh. A)(16C.05.40.020), 2007).
16C.05.40.030 Nonconforming Structures.
(1) If, on October 1, 1995, the effective date of Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72, a structure is nonconforming only because the structure is not in conformance with the applicable elevation and/or floodproofing requirement of said chapters and Chapter 19.33 of YCC Title 19, provided that the degree of nonconformity shall not be increased and the applicable elevation and/or floodproofing requirements of this title shall be observed, any structural alterations or enlargements of an existing structure under such conditions shall not increase the degree of nonconformity.
(2) A structure, nonconforming only because the structure is not in conformance with the applicable elevation and/or floodproofing requirements of Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72, destroyed to an extent such that restoration costs would exceed fifty percent of the assessed value of the structure immediately prior to such occurrence, shall be considered completely destroyed and shall be required to meet all applicable requirements of this title and YCC Title 19 upon restoration.
(Ord. 8-2021 § 2(C) (Exh. 1), 2021; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017: Res. 80-2016 (Exh. A) (part), 2016; Ord. 13-2007 §1 (Exh. A)(16C.05.40.030), 2007).
16C.05.40.040 Improvements.
Nothing in Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72 shall be construed to restrict normal structural repair and maintenance activities, including replacement of walls, fixtures and plumbing, provided that the value of work and materials in any twelve-month period does not exceed twenty-five percent of the assessed value of the structure prior to such work.
(Ord. 8-2021 § 2(C) (Exh. 1), 2021; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017: Ord. 13-2007 §1 (Exh. A)(16C.05.40.040), 2007).
16C.05.40.050 Restoration.
Nothing in Chapters 16C.05.20 through 16C.05.72 shall be deemed to prohibit the restoration of the structural portions of a nonconforming use within six months from the date of its accidental damage by fire, explosion, or act of God; provided that the applicable elevation and/or floodproofing requirements of said chapters shall be adhered to if the structure is destroyed. A structure shall be considered to be destroyed if the restoration costs exceed fifty percent of the assessed value.
(Ord. 8-2021 § 2(C) (Exh. 1), 2021; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017: Ord. 13-2007 §1 (Exh. A)(16C.05.40.050), 2007).
16C.05.40.060 Discontinuance.
If the nonconforming use is discontinued for a period of twelve consecutive months or more, the nonconforming status of the use is terminated and any future use of the land or structures shall be in conformity with the provisions of this title. The mere presence of a structure, equipment, or material shall not be deemed to constitute the continuance of a nonconforming use unless the structure, equipment or material is actually being occupied or employed in maintaining such use. The ownership of property classed as nonconforming may be transferred without that fact alone affecting the right to continue such nonconforming use.
(Ord. 8-2021 § 2(C) (Exh. 1), 2021; Ord. 5-2017 § 2(C) (Exh. 1) (part), 2017: Ord. 13-2007 §1 (Exh. A)(16C.05.40.060), 2007).