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Adams County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

01 GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 17.01.010 Title.

This title, the codification of the Adams County zoning ordinance and amendments thereto, shall be known as “the zoning code of Adams County.”
(Ord. O-01-05 § 2 (part); Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

§ 17.01.020 Authority and purpose.

A. 
This title is adopted pursuant to Chapters 36.70 and 36.70A RCW, as they now exist or are hereafter amended, which empower a county to enact a zoning ordinance and provide for its administration, enforcement and amendment.
B. 
The purpose of this title is to further the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan for the physical development of the county. The objectives of this title are to protect the public health, safety and welfare; encourage the orderly growth of the county; promote compatible uses of land; provide desired levels of population density and intensity of land use; facilitate adequate levels of community services and utilities; and to provide workable relationships between land uses, the transportation system, and the environment.
C. 
The provisions of this title shall apply to all lands, buildings, structures and uses classified under this title.
D. 
The provisions of this title shall be held to constitute the minimum requirements for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the county.
(Ord. O-01-05 § 2 (part); Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

§ 17.01.030 Content.

This title shall consist of the text thereof and in addition thereto zoning maps identified as the official zoning map of the county, as well as shown on the Adams County Geographic Information System (GIS) dataset files designated as “Zoning.” The GIS zoning dataset shall be maintained and edited as necessary by qualified personnel for the county. Said title and each and all of its terms are to be read and interpreted in the light of the commitments of said maps.
(Ord. O-01-05 § 2 (part); Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

§ 17.01.035 Relationship to other regulations.

Other official controls, ordinances, regulations, and plans have a direct impact on the development of land in the county. The number and type of such ordinances may vary from time to time. Where provisions of other official controls and regulations overlap or conflict with provisions of this title, the more restrictive provisions shall govern.
(Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

§ 17.01.037 Establishment of zoning districts.

A. 
The unincorporated territory of Adams County is divided into the following land use zone classifications:
PA-60
Prime Agricultural
60 PA-40
Prime Agricultural
40 GA-20
General Agricultural 20
RS
Rural Settlement
C
Commercial
LI
Light Industrial
HI
Heavy Industrial
R-1
Residential 1 Acre
R-1.25
Residential 1.25 Acre
R-2.5
Residential 2.5 Acre
R-5
Residential 5 Acre
R-20
Residential 20 Acre
AP
Airport
B. 
The unincorporated territory of Adams County includes the following overlay zones and areas:
1. 
Airport Safety Overlay Zones.
a. 
Utility runway visual approach zone.
b. 
Transitional zone.
c. 
Horizontal zone.
d. 
Conical zone.
2. 
Agricultural resource overlay zone.
(Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

§ 17.01.040 Classification of vacated streets.

Whenever a street is vacated and that street has not been given a zone classification, the land of the vacated street shall acquire the zone classification of the property abutting the street prior to vacation. Where one side of the street is of one classification, and the other side of the street is of another classification, the centerline of the street prior to vacation shall be considered the boundary line between the two zones.
(Ord. O-01-05 § 2 (part); Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

§ 17.01.050 Severability.

Shall 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. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

§ 17.01.060 Administration.

The planning administrator is the building and planning director or their designee. The administrator shall have the authority and duty to administer the provisions of this title. The administrator may adopt, and revise as required, such instructions, policies and forms as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this title.
(Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

§ 17.01.070 Interpretation.

A. 
It shall be the duty of the administrator to:
1. 
Classify all proposed uses as an allowable use, accessory use, administrative review or conditional use, or as not allowed in the zoning classifications described in this title
2. 
Interpret the provisions of this title in such a manner as to carry out the intent and purpose of the zoning map(s).
3. 
Interpret and/or administer the provisions of this title in such a manner as to carry out the intent and purpose of the Adams County comprehensive plan as it presently exists or is hereafter amended.
4. 
Keep a record of interpretations of this title to facilitate equitable future administration and future amendments to this title.
(Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))