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Cathlamet City Zoning Code

18.30 Commercial/Industrial

District CI

Whenever any commercial/industrial district building is located within or is adjacent on two sides or more, to any residential district, the building in such commercial district shall be limited to one story in height; provided, however, that the town council may allow additional stories to be built by special permit and consent after examination of the location and upon due proof to the satisfaction of the town council that such additional height will not be unduly detrimental to adjacent and surrounding property. In any event maximum height shall not exceed 50 feet, as measured from street center line adjacent to front of building.

18.30.010 Permitted uses.

In the commercial/industrial district (CI), no building shall be hereafter erected, unless otherwise provided in this title, except for one or more of the following uses:

(1) Any use permitted in the residential district, provided regulations pertaining thereto as heretofore provided are complied with: namely site, area, open space, yards, height limit and permits;

(2) Any use permitted in the commercial district, provided regulations pertaining thereto as heretofore provided are complied with: namely site, area, height limit, open space, yards, and permits. (Ord. 369 § 6, 1995)

18.30.020 Prohibited uses.

In the CI district, all buildings and premises may be used for any use except the following:

(1) Uses which have been declared nuisances by any court of record or may be obnoxious or offensive by reason of emission of dust, smoke, gas, odors or noise;

(2) Manufacturing which uses chemicals or materials which may cause undue fire or explosive hazards;

(3) Arsenals;

(4) Tanning, curing, or storage of raw hides or skins. (Ord. 369 § 6, 1995)

18.30.030 Junkyards.

Junkyards may be constructed and used only by special permit and consent of the town council, and then only when enclosed by a board fence of at least 10 feet high, as measured from center grade line of adjoining street. (Ord. 369 § 6, 1995)

18.30.040 Height limit.

Whenever any commercial/industrial district building is located within or is adjacent on two sides or more, to any residential district, the building in such commercial district shall be limited to one story in height; provided, however, that the town council may allow additional stories to be built by special permit and consent after examination of the location and upon due proof to the satisfaction of the town council that such additional height will not be unduly detrimental to adjacent and surrounding property. In any event maximum height shall not exceed 50 feet, as measured from street center line adjacent to front of building. (Ord. 369 § 6, 1995)

18.30.050 Front yards, side yards and rear yards.

No yards are required except for lots the side lines for which are adjacent to any residential district, in which case the regulations shall be the same as in the residential district as to such lines except that where premises are not served with an alley, space shall be provided on the premises for all necessary loading and unloading of vehicles other than private passenger vehicles. (Ord. 369 § 6, 1995)

18.30.060 Dimensional standards – Minimum lot area.

Minimum lot area in the commercial/industrial district is 5,000 square feet. Lots already established at the time of the passage of the ordinance codified in this section, if smaller than minimum, need not meet this minimum requirement. (Ord. 410 § 1, 2000; Ord. 369 § 6, 1995)

18.30.070 Signs and sidewalks.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in CMC 12.10.010 for a certain portion of Main Street, no private signs, exhibits, benches or other objects may be placed on a sidewalk unless such object extends no more than three feet from the building adjacent to which they are placed; and provided, that there is at least four feet of free passage.

(2) Private or commercial signs will not exceed a total of 24 square feet per premises on or attached to exterior walls. Additional private or commercial signs are allowed as window displays. Additional noncommercial external signs for public safety are allowed to a limit of an additional 12 square feet.

(3) No sign may extend above the roofline or parapet. Extension of blade signs may not exceed four feet from the premises and must be located above the ground story of the premises.

(4) Private banners and signs may not extend across any town right-of-way unless approved under a conditional use permit.

(5) Externally illuminated signs are allowed at all hours but internally illuminated signs on the exterior of the premises must be turned off during non-operating hours. External neon, LED or similar illuminated signs, or flashing signs are not allowed. Neon, LED or similar illuminated signs, and internally illuminated signs are allowed as window displays; provided, that they are turned off during non-operating hours.

(6) Pole signs are allowed; provided, that they are a minimum of one story high and provided the premises has a minimum of 20-foot setback and one parking space for each 200 square feet of public area within the premises. The square foot limitation of 24 square feet applies to cumulative area of pole signs with exterior signs.

(7) Signs that move may be allowed under a conditional use permit. Signs that must exceed the area restrictions of this provision because of unique circumstances associated with distances, topography, location or obstructions may be allowed under a conditional use permit. Signs in furtherance of events sanctioned by the town council may be allowed under a conditional use permit.

(8) Notwithstanding contrary provisions of CMC 18.45.010, those requirements for turning off internally illuminated and neon, LED or similar illuminated signs during non-operating hours shall apply to any lawfully erected nonconforming sign, even though already installed at the time of the passage of the ordinance codified in this section. Alteration, enlargement, replacement, or modification of a lawfully erected nonconforming sign renders such sign illegal and requires conformance with all provisions contained in this section. (Ord. 561, 2013)