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Adams County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

32 COMMERCIAL DISTRICT C

§ 17.32.010 Purpose.

The purpose of the commercial zoning (C) district is to promote retail business areas and to provide shopping and business services to the entire county, consistent with the goals and policies of the Adams County comprehensive plan. This district retains and enhances established businesses, as well as providing guidance to the development of new areas, making them compatible and consistent with existing development.
The C zone is utilized on lands that have the following characteristics:
A. 
Public water and sewer systems may not be required, depending on the type of use;
B. 
Located near existing population centers and/ or near major intersecting transportation corridors (highways); and
C. 
Are coordinated with adjacent jurisdictions to ensure status of existing and future public facilities and services if known.
The types of activities that are allowed may include retail and service commercial uses, commercial recreational uses, and some light industrial activities that do not involve manufacturing and/or processing activities. Development standards include fire flow, access to public streets with sufficient rights-of-way, adequate off-street parking and loading, landscaping/buffers next to residential areas, adequate setbacks, clear view triangles (adequate sight and turning distance); lighting should not project onto other properties; signs, near urban area sidewalks, should be provided and/or at least an area set aside for future sidewalks.
(Ord. O-01-05 § 2 (part); Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

§ 17.32.020 Development standards.

New lots and structures and additions to structures subject to this section shall comply with the applicable dimensional standards as set forth in Tables 17.32.020-1 and 17.32.020-2, subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.76.
Table 17.32.020-1 Commercial Dimensional Standards
Zoning District
Minimum Lot Area (square feet)
Minimum Lot Width (feet)
Minimum Lot Depth (feet)
C
None
None
None
Minimum setbacks
Pursuant to buffering and screening standards contained in Section 17.76.140 as well as special setbacks applicable to lots neighboring an agricultural district (see Chapter 17.42).
Minimum setbacks adjacent to residential district
Pursuant to the screening and buffering standards contained in Section 17.76.140 plus an additional 1/2 foot for each foot the building exceeds 20 feet in height to a maximum setback requirement of 40 feet. Buildings in excess of 20 feet may be stepped.
Maximum lot coverage
Maximum determined by compliance with screening and buffering standards contained in Section 17.76.140 and all other applicable standards.
Maximum building height
None
(Ord. O-01-05 § 2 (part). Formerly 17.32.030; Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

§ 17.32.030 Commercial district use chart.

The uses set out in Table 17.32.030-1 are examples of uses allowable in the Commercial zone. The appropriate review authority is mandatory.
•
“P”—Uses allowed subject to approval of applicable permits.
•
“R/A”—Uses permitted upon Administrative review and approval as set forth in Chapter 17.69 or as otherwise noted in this title.
•
“C”—Conditional uses which may be permitted subject to the approval of a conditional use permit as set forth in Section 17.85.030.
•
“X”—Or uses not listed are specifically prohibited.
Where there are special use standards or restrictions for a listed use, the applicable code section(s) in Chapter 17.69, Special Uses and Standards, or other applicable chapter is noted in the “Special Standards” column.
Table 17.32.030-1 Commercial District Use Chart
 
C
Special Standards
1. Residential.
 
 
a. Caretaker residence
P
17.69.060
2. Services, Business.
 
 
a. Commercial nurseries
P
 
b. Agricultural market
P
17.69.110
c. Commercial kennels
R/A
17.69.170
d. Animal hospital, clinic or veterinary, large (domestic, livestock and other farm animals)
R/A
17.69.180
e. Animal hospital, clinic or veterinary, small (domestic pets only)
P
17.69.180
f. Auto towing, secured
P
 
g. Auto/truck sales and service
P
 
h. Convenience stores and fuel sales
P
 
i. Mini storage
P
 
j. Arts and crafts, antique sales
P
 
k. Bakery, retail
P
 
l. Car rental
P
 
m. Car wash
P
 
n. Restaurant
P
 
o. Financial/lending institution (bank, etc.)
P
 
p. Funeral home/crematorium
P
 
q. Gas/service station
P
 
r. Retail stores
P
 
s. Hotels/motels
P
 
t. Cannabis retail facilities
P
17.60
u. Professional services
P
 
v. Clinic, outpatient (medical, dental, etc.)
P
 
w. Food trucks
P
17.69.310
3. Services, Amusement.
 
 
a. Public interpretive/educational uses
P
 
b. Circuses, carnivals or amusement rides
P
 
c. Gun range
C
 
d. Hunting club/lodge
X
 
e. Recreational vehicle park or tent campground
P
17.69.250
f. Rodeo grounds
C
 
4. Services, General.
 
 
a. Event facilities
P
 
b. Microbrewery/winery
C
 
c. Parking lots—trucks
X
 
d. Exercise facility
P
 
5. Services, Membership Organization.
 
 
a. Churches
P
17.69.090
6. Services, Educational.
 
 
a. Educational facilities
P
 
7. Public Service and Facilities.
 
 
a. EMS dispatch facilities
C
 
b. Government facilities
C1
 
c. Public corrections facilities
X
 
e. Wireless communication facilities
R/A
17.74
f. Solar energy facilities large scale
C
17.72
g. Solar energy facilities small scale
R/A
17.72
8. Resource Activities.
 
 
a. Agricultural
P2
 
b. Accessory buildings
P
17.69.010
9. Other.
 
 
a. Signs
P3
 
b. Utilities, structures and uses including but not limited to utility substations, pump stations, wells, watershed intake facilities, gas and water transmission lines
P/C
 
c. Expansion of existing cemeteries
P
 
d. Electric vehicle rapid charging stations (Level 3)
P
17.69.190
e. Electric vehicle battery exchange stations
P
17.69.190
1.
Government facilities necessary to serve the unincorporated areas of Adams County, including fire stations, ambulance dispatch facilities and storage yards, warehouses, or similar uses.
2.
Storage and maintenance facilities, disposal areas, and other uses involved in the harvesting of agricultural products.
3.
As permitted per Chapter 47.42 RCW.
(Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))