1. The facility is not a superstore. “Superstore” means a retail establishment that exceeds 90,000 square feet of gross floor area, sells a wide range of consumer products primarily for household or personal use and devotes more than 10 percent of the total sales floor area to the sale of nontaxable merchandise. “Nontaxable merchandise” means products, commodities, or items the sale of which is not subject to Washington State sales tax. “Sales floor area” means only interior building space devoted to the sale of merchandise, and does not include restrooms, office space, storage space, automobile service areas, or open-air garden sales space. This definition excludes membership warehouse clubs where shoppers pay a membership fee in order to take advantage of discounted prices on a wide variety of items such as food, clothing, tires, and appliances and many items are sold in large quantities or bulk; and

2. The proposal satisfies the following environmental mitigation measures:

1. “Closure” of a store means the point at which a grocery store ceases the retail sale of groceries.

2. “Grocery store” means any retail establishment or portion thereof that sells a wide range of groceries intended primarily for home preparation and consumption, including fresh, packaged, canned, dry, prepared or frozen food or beverage products, and similar items. Grocery stores exclude drug stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, gasoline stations, or other retail establishments selling food products which are almost exclusively processed or prepared.

3. “Impose” means to execute, sign, record, or seek to enforce a legal instrument related to real property.

4. “Owner” includes any owner, past or present, of real property, and any agents of such owners, and incorporates the definition of “owner” set forth in BMC 1.04.010.

5. “Restrictive covenant” includes restrictive land covenants, use restrictions, negative easements and other similar legal clauses or provisions contained in deeds, recorded documents, contracts, agreements, leases, and other legal instruments that are executed by a private party and seek to limit the use of property for a particular purpose or seek to impose a cost on the use of property for a particular purpose.

6. “Retail center” means a multi-tenanted or multi-owner retail development with at least one shared common area and which is subject to common management or common control through one or more restrictive covenants or easements.

1. The prohibition in this section shall not apply to an owner or operator of a grocery store that discontinues operations at a site for the purpose of relocating the grocery store if the following conditions are met:

2. The prohibition in this section shall not apply to a restrictive covenant that is used to limit competition or conflicting uses within the confines of a retail center; provided, however, that it shall be unlawful for any owner or operator who discontinues grocery store sales at a site for a period exceeding one year to seek to enforce a restrictive covenant regarding grocery sales within said retail center.

3. The director is authorized to adopt rules for the purpose of interpreting and applying the exceptions set forth in subsections (C)(1) and (C)(2) of this section, consistent with BMC 20.24.010 for interpretations generally; provided, that such rules shall be consistent with the purpose of this section.

4. The director shall have discretion to extend the distance limit in subsection (C)(1)(b) of this section to no more than one mile; the time requirement in subsection (C)(1)(c) of this section; the term limit in subsection (C)(1)(d) of this section; and the time period in subsection (C)(2) of this section upon written request of an owner or operator and such requesting party’s presentation of evidence establishing extenuating circumstances that demonstrate good cause for the extension. Factors to be considered in evaluating good cause shall be: (a) maintaining or increasing food access in the surrounding area, including the area around the discontinued site; (b) needs related to financing and construction for the new location; and (c) promoting private investment in the surrounding area. The director shall issue a written determination on the request.

1. Any restrictive covenant imposed in violation of this section is null and void and of no lawful force and effect.

2. To the extent allowed by law, enforcement of this section may be through a cause of action in a court of competent jurisdiction and may include declaratory relief, injunctive relief, or other appropriate legal or equitable remedy as appropriate to carry out the purpose and intent of this section.

3. Any owner who imposes a restrictive covenant on real property that is prohibited by this section shall be subject to denial, suspension, or revocation of a business registration under Chapter 6.05 BMC.

4. In addition to any other remedy provided by this section or allowed by law, any owner who imposes a restrictive covenant that is prohibited by this section shall have committed a civil infraction and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000. Each day that such restrictive covenant is of record or otherwise effective shall constitute a separate and distinct civil infraction.

1. It is a “new manufactured home,” which means any manufactured home required to be titled under RCW Title 46, which has not been previously titled to a retail purchaser, and is not a “used mobile home” as defined in RCW 82.45.032(2); and

2. It is set upon a permanent foundation, as specified by the manufacturer, and the space from the bottom of the home to the ground be enclosed by concrete or an approved concrete product which can be either load bearing or decorative; and

3. It complies with energy efficiency standards for manufactured homes as specified in BMC 17.10.020; and

4. It complies with all zoning, design and land use regulations applicable to single-family dwelling units at the subject location.

1. The owner of a MHP shall not make a final unconditional acceptance of any offer for the sale or transfer of a MHP without first sending notice of sale by certified mail or personal delivery to the following entities, pursuant to RCW 59.20.300:

2. A notice of sale must include:

3. If a MHP owner enters into a purchase and sale agreement prior to providing the notification to tenants and other organizations identified in subsection (A)(1) of this section, then the purchase and sale agreement shall include an express reference to the notice requirements, including the owner’s obligation to negotiate in good faith with the tenants if they notify the owner in writing of their interest in purchasing the MHP. Also, any purchase and sale agreement should include a closing date no earlier than six months from the date of execution to provide the required notice to the tenants and afford them a meaningful opportunity to negotiate a purchase of the park.

1. The owner of a MHP that is closing or changing use must comply with the applicable requirements of the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act (Chapter 59.20 RCW) and Mobile Home Relocation Assistance (Chapter 59.21 RCW).

2. The owner of a MHP must submit a relocation report and plan to the city of Bellingham’s planning and community development department for approval prior to issuing a 12-month eviction notice in the case of a change of use or closure of a MHP. The relocation report and plan shall describe how the MHP owner intends to comply with this section and how the MHP owner will assist each MHP tenant household to relocate, in addition to making any state or federal required relocation payments. Such assistance must include providing tenants an inventory of relocation resources, referring tenants to alternative public and private subsidized housing resources, helping tenants obtain and complete the necessary application forms for state-required relocation assistance, and helping tenants to move their manufactured/mobile homes from the MHP. Further, the relocation report and plan shall contain the following information:

3. The city of Bellingham’s planning and community development department may require MHP owners to designate a relocation coordinator to administer the provisions of the relocation report and plan.

4. The MHP owner shall make available to any MHP tenant residing in the MHP copies of the proposed relocation report and plan, with confidential information deleted. Once the planning and community development department approves the relocation report and plan, a copy of the approved relocation report and plan shall be delivered to each MHP tenant with the required 12-month eviction notice.

5. The MHP owner shall update the information required under this code section to include any change of circumstances occurring after submission of the relocation report and plan that affects the relocation report and plan’s implementation.

6. No MHP owner may close a MHP or obtain final approval of a comprehensive plan or zoning amendment until the MHP owner obtains a certificate of compliance from the planning and community development department. The department shall issue a certificate of compliance only if satisfied that the owner has complied with the provisions of an approved relocation report and plan, with eviction notice requirements of RCW 59.20.080 and 59.21.030, with relocation assistance requirements of RCW 59.21.020, and any additional requirements imposed by the city. [Ord. 2022-11-025 § 3].

1. It is the purpose of this legislation to implement policy provisions of the city’s comprehensive plan promoting increased housing options and innovation that will help meet the needs of the many sectors of the community, including smaller households, students, millennials, baby boomers, people with disabilities, and low-income families; make more efficient use of public infrastructure and services; are within walking distance to shops, jobs, and amenities; encourage well-designed infill development; and improve the economic and social well-being of the community.

2. ADU applications shall follow the procedures in Chapter 21.10 BMC.

1. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) may be allowed in general use types where listed as a permitted use if they comply with the requirements listed in this section, except on property regulated by Chapter 16.80 BMC, Lake Whatcom Reservoir Regulatory Provisions.

2. An ADU shall comply with all zoning code provisions for the principal unit and site for height; setbacks; floor area and floor area ratio (FAR); lanes; garage and parking location, access, and design; accessory buildings; and open space, except as provided in this section. This provision shall also apply to ancillary structures attached to a D-ADU such as garages, carports, garden sheds and workshops.

3. Applicants may request minor modifications to the development and design standards for ADUs. A minor modification is a request by the applicant to meet or exceed a particular ADU standard through the use of a technique or alternative standard not otherwise listed under the applicable requirement. Minor modifications are not variances and are not required to meet all of the criteria typically associated with a variance application. The director may grant a minor modification if the following criteria are met:

4. Ownership and Land Division.

5. Site Requirements.

6. ADU Size.

b. Detached ADUs (D-ADU). Up to 800 square feet of ancillary space (garage, workshop, garden shed, storage shed, etc.) that is directly accessible to the outside by a person door is allowed to be attached to a D-ADU, provided:

i. One D-ADU with ancillary space may not exceed 1,800 square feet in area unless approved by the hearing examiner by conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 20.16 BMC.

ii. Two attached D-ADUs with ancillary space may not exceed 2,000 square feet in area unless approved by the hearing examiner by conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 20.16 BMC.

iii. For subsections (B)(6)(b)(i) and (B)(6)(b)(ii) of this section, the floor area of the D-ADU, excluding ancillary space, shall not exceed 1,000 square feet.

7. Minimum Yards for D-ADUs.

8. Building Height for D-ADUs. A D-ADU shall be no higher than 24 feet under BMC 20.08.020, height definition No. 1 or 12 feet under height definition No. 2.

9. Parking. When parking is provided, the following provisions apply:

13. Compliance With Applicable Codes. ADUs shall comply with all standards for health and life safety as set forth in BMC Titles 15 and 17, and any other applicable codes or regulations, except as provided in this section.

14. Accessibility. To encourage the development of housing units for people with disabilities, the director may allow reasonable deviation from the stated requirements to install features that facilitate accessibility. Such facilities shall be in conformance with the city-adopted building code.

15. Conversion of Existing Accessory Structures to ADUs. ADUs may be converted from existing structures, including but not limited to detached garages, even if they violate current code requirements for setbacks or lot coverage.

1. Application may be made for any accessory dwelling unit existing prior to January 1, 1995, to become legally permitted, pursuant to the provisions of this section. Whether an ADU permit is approved or denied, the owner of any nonpermitted unit shall be subject to the penalties provided in this code.

2. An application to legalize an existing ADU shall include an application for an ADU permit and a building permit application, showing changes made to the principal unit or detached accessory building to accommodate the ADU. Approval shall be consistent with the ADU regulations and process outlined in this section. The ADU shall be reviewed using the current editions of building codes in place at the time its owner brings the unit forward for permit.

3. Nothing in this section shall require that the city permit existing ADUs that are determined to be dangerous.

1. The regulations and standards in this section apply to short-term rentals citywide, unless otherwise noted.

2. Subsections (D)(1)(a) through (D)(1)(c), (D)(2), (D)(5), and (D)(9)(a) and (D)(9)(b) of this section do not apply to short-term rentals in commercial and urban village general use type areas.

3. Short-term rentals are permitted in residential, commercial and urban village general use type areas per this section.

4. Short-term rentals are not permitted in industrial, institutional or public general use type areas, including these designations within urban village general use type areas.

5. Short-term rentals are permitted in legally established accessory dwelling units in accordance with this section as follows:

6. Short-term rentals are not permitted on properties in the Lake Whatcom Watershed that drain to Basin One of Lake Whatcom as identified on BMC Map 16.80.040, or shoreline areas regulated per BMC Title 22, Shoreline Master Program.

7. Short-term rentals are not permitted in any dwelling unit or building that has received approval under the city’s multifamily tax exemption program (Chapter 17.82BMC). This standard does not apply after the exemption period has ended.

8. Short-term rentals are not permitted in housing units subsidized through city programs.

9. Short-term rentals are not permitted in co-living housing.

10. Specific terms in this section are defined in Chapter 20.08 BMC, Definitions.

11. Short-term rentals do not include hotels or motels. See Chapter 20.08 BMC, Definitions, for definitions of “hotel” and “motel.”

1. The following table applies to all dwelling units:

1. Number of Short-Term Rental Permits per Operator. It is the intent of these regulations to limit the ownership and operation of short-term rentals located in residential general use type areas to no more than one per individual, family living together, domestic partnership, those living as a family unit and/or acting as a principal in any business entity that has ownership of a residential unit. Assigning ownership and/or application for short-term rental use to separate individuals that are living together as a family, in a domestic partnership, or living as a family unit as a means of exceeding this limitation is not permitted.

2. Number of Short-Term Rentals in Condominiums. No more than one unit or 25 percent of the total units, whichever is greater, in a condominium building may include a short-term rental. If a condominium association approves, more than 25 percent of the dwelling units in the building may include short-term rentals if approved through a Type III-A conditional use permit process.

3. Proof of Primary Residency. An affidavit must be submitted to the planning and community development department on or before January 1st of every even-numbered year attesting to primary residency when the short-term rental is identified as such in the original application.

4. Number of Guests. No more than two guests, excluding children five years old and under, per bedroom are permitted per guest stay.

5. Parking. At least one off-street parking space must be provided for guests on site during guest stay. The planning director may determine, through a simple parking analysis provided by the applicant, that on-street parking or nearby parking may be substituted for off-street parking.

6. Appearance and Behavior.

7. Local Contact Person.

8. Notifications.

9. Events.

10. Food. If a short-term rental operator provides breakfast, light snacks, or both to guests, the facility and operator must meet applicable health and safety regulations including, but not limited to, regulations of the Whatcom County health department and the Washington State Department of Health.

11. Safety. The planning and community development department must verify, through a city inspection, that each dwelling unit to be rented to overnight guests meets the following requirements:

12. Age Requirement. The person booking the short-term rental shall be over the age of 25 years old.

13. Licenses and Taxes.

14. Insurance. Short-term rental operators shall maintain liability insurance appropriate to cover the short-term rental use in the aggregate of not less than $1,000,000 or conduct each short-term rental transaction through a platform that provides equal or greater insurance coverage.

15. Renewal. Short-term rental permits must be renewed on or before January 1st of every even-numbered year.

16. Nontransferability. Short-term rental permits are not transferable to another operator or location.

17. Permit Revocation.

18. Nonconforming Status. No use that constitutes or purports to be a short-term rental, which was engaged in that activity prior to the adoption of this section, will be deemed to have been a legally established use under the provisions of the Bellingham Municipal Code and that use will not be entitled to claim legal nonconforming status.

19. Alterations and Expansions. If construction, including expansion of building area or alterations that increase the intensity of the facility, accompanies the short-term rental use, the project will be reviewed for conformance with all applicable building and construction codes.

20. Relationship to Other Sections of the Code. The provisions of this section apply in addition to the provisions of any other code provision or ordinance. Where there is a conflict, the more restrictive provision applies.

21. Effective Date. The provisions of this section and other sections of the Bellingham Municipal Code related to short-term rentals will not take effect until six months after the date of adoption.

22. Evaluation of Ordinance. This section will be reviewed two years from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section to assess the impact of short-term rentals on the city’s neighborhoods and housing market.

1. Any person operating a short-term rental without a required permit as described in subsection (C) of this section shall be in violation of this subsection and subject to the penalties in Chapter 20.52 BMC.

2. Any person operating a short-term rental in violation of any standard outlined in subsections (B) and (D) of this section shall be in violation of this subsection and subject to the penalties in Chapter 20.52 BMC and permit revocation under subsection (D)(17) of this section. [Ord. 2025-12-035 § 3; Ord. 2025-12-033 § 3; Ord. 2021-12-053 § 4; Ord. 2018-11-024 § 5 (Exh. A)].

1. Christmas tree sales in any general use type except residential single for a time period not to exceed 45 days.

2. Circuses and carnivals may be permitted in any general use type except residential single and residential multi with the concurrence of the director of public works.

3. Temporary vegetable and farm crop vendors in commercial and/or industrial general use types not to exceed 60 days.

4. Contractors’ office and equipment storage on the premises of a construction project holding a valid building permit not to exceed the period of construction.

5. Temporary structures to house hobby and/or noncommercial construction projects such as pleasure boat construction, antique restoration, and similar uses. The temporary use may not be permitted for more than a one-year period and must not, in the opinion of the director, cause any hazardous conditions nor be detrimental to neighboring uses in regards to aesthetics, privacy, light, air, and/or general welfare.

6. Annual neighborhood activities conducted by nonprofit organizations for the purpose of raising funds for community improvements or other nonprofit causes. The use shall be limited to once a year, not longer than 72 hours in duration, and shall include such activities as home tours, community garage sales, art fairs, auctions, etc.

7. Special events as allowed under Chapter 13.13 BMC.

8. Temporary homeless shelters, per Chapter 20.15 BMC. [Ord. 2018-10-019 § 2; Ord. 2017-02-007 § 3; Ord. 9582 § 2, 1986; Ord. 9401 § 1, 1984; Ord. 9024, 1982].

1. Home occupations must be conducted within the main residential building by the occupant. The occupation may include such uses as personal, business, or professional services, or offices and repair shops for household items; however, veterinarian offices and clinics, hospitals, mortuaries, major and/or minor automotive repairs, eating and/or drinking establishments, stables, or kennels are prohibited.

2. There shall be no exterior modification of the building in order to accommodate the occupation, nor shall there be any outward manifestation of the occupation. No home occupation shall be located anywhere but in the main building. The primary use of the premises shall be residential and at no time shall the home occupation be the predominant use.

3. No more than one assistant or employee, in addition to the resident(s), may engage in the occupation on the premises. One off-street parking space shall be provided for the use of the employee.

4. A flat, unlighted sign flush against the building is allowed. Such sign shall not exceed two square feet in area. The sign shall state only the name/address/phone number of the occupant and the occupation.

5. No retail sales of goods in connection with the home occupation shall occur on or about the subject premises.

1. Exempt. If the home occupation is limited to those activities which involve bookkeeping and office for a business conducted elsewhere, has no outward manifestation of the business, and no customers or employees coming to the home, it shall be considered “exempt.” An exempt home occupation shall be considered an accessory use and permitted outright with no land use permit required.

2. A nonexempt home occupation is required to obtain approval following the procedures established in Chapter 21.10 BMC. The director shall have authority to place such restrictions and conditions on the permit as deemed necessary to protect the neighborhood from any detrimental effect which may arise from the proposed use. Once a home occupation permit has been issued, it shall not be transferable to another person or location, nor shall the specified conditions be changed in any manner except upon reapplication. If after issuance of the permit, the use violates any of the conditions of the permit, or if the director otherwise finds the use to have a detrimental effect on the surrounding neighborhood, the director shall have the authority to place additional restrictions on the permit or to revoke the permit and order the use abated. [Ord. 2004-09-065; Ord. 2002-10-069 § 42; Ord. 10169 § 11, 1991; Ord. 9024, 1982].

1. The applicant shall provide satisfactory evidence that the organization operating the shelter has a demonstrated capability to operate the program (such as by having a record of successful operation of a similar program, maintaining a board of directors with appropriate experience, and/or obtaining program recognition through grants, etc.).

2. The applicant shall submit a site and floor plan for approval and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the director that adequate provision has been made for parking, screening and mitigation of impacts and that the building complies or will comply with housing and building codes as determined by the building official. The site and facilities shall be of a size and nature to provide for adequate mitigation of impacts based on the number of residents and staff while maintaining a single-family residential appearance. The director may impose conditions to satisfy these requirements. Any required certificate of occupancy shall be obtained.

3. The director shall have the authority to revoke the grant of special accommodation if the conditions of approval are not satisfied or if unacceptable impacts cannot be adequately mitigated. [Ord. 1998-06-034 § 2].

1. The project applicant must be a legal entity created for the purpose of developing a co-housing project. The organization shall be transformed into a residential owners’ association upon completion of the development and subsequent occupation of the dwelling units. Membership of the association shall be open only to owners of the dwelling units in the development. It is intended that co-housing projects be primarily owner occupied. Commercially owned rental projects are not permitted.

2. The housing type may consist of any housing type (e.g., townhouses, flats, etc.). Individual lots are not required for each unit. The project density shall not exceed the allowed density, regardless of the type of housing, specified in the applicable subarea of the zoning tables in Chapter 20.00 BMC. If there is more than one density listed, the highest listed density for any housing type specified in the applicable neighborhood subarea pursuant to zoning tables in Chapter 20.00 BMC shall be considered the maximum potential density for co-housing. A co-housing development in a multifamily zoned area shall be developed to the minimum density provisions pursuant to BMC 20.32.040(B). The maximum number of units which may be approved for a particular project may be less than the maximum potential if the site is within an environmentally sensitive area of the Lake Whatcom watershed or if it cannot meet the criteria for approval at the proposed density. Any proposal for division of the property shall comply with city codes regarding subdivision.

3. Uses within the co-housing project shall be limited to those permitted uses listed in the residential single use district and those allowed under the provisions of this subsection. Any request for a conditional use on the co-housing site may be considered through the appropriate permit review procedures for conditional uses as prescribed by city code. The co-housing contract shall specify the uses approved for the specific site.

4. Height. The height limit of the underlying zone shall apply. Common buildings may be considered main buildings for the purposes of determining height limits.

5. Usable Space. At a minimum, usable space in an amount equal to that required for a proposal of the same number of units under BMC 20.32.040(F) shall be required.

6. Yards. In residential single zones, the minimum setback from the perimeter of the site shall be 15 feet from all property lines except from arterial streets. The setback from arterial street sides shall be as provided in BMC 20.30.040(G)(1), provided the minimum required setback under this provision shall not be greater than 20 feet from the edge of the right-of-way.

7. Parking. Co-housing developments shall satisfy all parking regulations contained in Chapter 20.12 BMC; provided, that the hearing examiner may increase or decrease the required number in order to mitigate expected impacts based on the proposed development design and/or occupancy or based on proposed use and occupancy restrictions. Open parking areas shall not be located within 15 feet of any property line unless the hearing examiner determines that a reduced setback will provide adequate buffering to protect adjacent properties and uses. In no case shall the setback be reduced below five feet without variance approval.

8. Landscaping. Co-housing developments shall satisfy all landscaping requirements for similar uses contained in BMC 20.12.030. Additionally, open parking areas shall be screened from adjacent property lines by a minimum three-foot to four-foot-high hedge or fence. Refuse and recycling bins shall be screened from view of adjacent properties by fencing and landscaping.

9. Open Space. In residential single zones, at least 15 percent of the project site area shall be maintained as common open space. For the purposes of this provision, common open space shall be any undeveloped area designated, dedicated or otherwise reserved for public and/or private use and benefit as a natural area, greenway corridor or for recreational purposes as may be specified on the approved site plan. In other zones, the open space requirements of the underlying use district shall apply.

10. Common buildings for uses consistent with the definition of co-housing may be permitted, provided no common building shall exceed 5,000 square feet in floor area.

11. A sidewalk shall be constructed within all abutting city street rights-of-way. A local improvement district commitment or other method of obtaining a financial contribution to sidewalk construction may be accepted in place of construction if the city does not desire immediate construction.

12. Walkways shall be required to link building entrances, streets, recreational areas and parking.

13. Streets and utilities shall be designed to fulfill reasonably anticipated future need and be located to enable the continued orderly and reasonable use of adjacent property. Streets and utilities shall be extended across the full width of the property unless it is clearly demonstrated that the extension will not be needed for development of adjacent property.

14. Abutting streets shall be improved to a three-quarter standard, based on the specified street standard in Chapter 13.04 BMC or the street standard specified in the neighborhood plan.

15. Activities that are part of a home occupation may take place in a portion of a common building if specifically approved through a home occupation permit. All other rules and limitations regarding home occupations shall apply. Common buildings shall not be designed for commercial uses. Common buildings or groups of residences are not to be used to conduct business activities that exceed the magnitude of activity normally associated with home occupations that are conducted within single-family residence. Business activities shall not be the primary function of a common building and in no case shall more than 50 percent of the area of a common building be used for home occupations. The number of home occupations and the area used for each may be regulated in order to limit cumulative impacts. The co-housing contract may provide for additional home occupation limitations.

16. Design Guidelines.

17. The proposed development must also be found to:

18. The standards herein are minimum standards and may be increased for a particular co-housing proposal where more stringent standards are necessary to protect neighboring properties, conform with existing development in the area, preserve natural resources or sensitive environments, provide for orderly development or conform with the comprehensive plan.

1. “Shoreline.”

2. “Flood.”

3. “View.”

4. “Clearing.”

1. Prerequisite considerations are items which shall be addressed by the responsible official in conjunction with any proposal not exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) or by the decision-making body in regard to those projects which require discretionary approval.

2. Any conditions attached to discretionary approval of a project pursuant to this section shall be based upon the prerequisite consideration as explained by language (if any) contained in either the introductory paragraph to the area classification system or in the preceding text of the neighborhood plan, as well as the goals of the comprehensive plan.

3. Conditions based upon prerequisite considerations shall be formulated to correspond to the degree of impact which the specific development proposal is anticipated to have upon the situation giving rise to the prerequisite consideration; provided, that conditions to proposals which are based upon such prerequisite considerations shall be formulated so as to allow the reasonable use of property for a purpose to which it is suitably adapted.

4. In the event a mechanism exists which will ensure that a prerequisite consideration will be satisfied at an appropriate time, the responsible official or decision-making body may approve the development proposal conditioned upon such future performance. Where the responsible official or decision-making body decides that the prerequisite consideration is inapplicable to a development proposal and attaches no corresponding condition, the rationale for such decision shall be specifically set out in findings of fact.