Columbia County Unincorporated, WA Zoning Ordinance

The purpose of the bed and breakfast conditional use is to ensure that transient lodging provided within a dwelling unit located within Columbia County is compatible with local and state regulations and does not disrupt or disturb the land use in the area.

(Ord. 91-01 § A; Ord. 91-05 § A)

A "bed and breakfast" is a single-family residence containing one kitchen and shared dining area providing lodging for guests and travelers for a period of up to 14 days and serving primarily breakfast only to those people registered to use the facility for lodging or special events that require facilities to provide more than just meals.

(Ord. 91-01 § B; Ord. 91-05 § B)

A conditional use permit in accordance with the provisions of this chapter is required for all bed and breakfasts occurring in Columbia County. Bed and breakfasts occurring in commercial or light industrial shall be considered hotels and regulated accordingly.

(Ord. 91-01 § C; Ord. 91-05 § C)

All bed and breakfasts shall comply with the following development standards:

All bed and breakfasts shall be located in single-family residences and shall exhibit no outward appearance of a business or of a nonresidential nature other than permitted signs.

All bed and breakfast operators or managers shall live on the premises during those times that the establishment is occupied by guests.

A bed and breakfast shall provide parking spaces for the operator and one parking space per available room(s).

All signs shall be no more than eight square feet in area, indirectly lit and parallel to the building facade to which they are attached unless they are freestanding on the property. Freestanding signs cannot exceed four feet in height but may be perpendicular to the facade. The light source shall be shielded from abutting property and rights-of-way. There shall be a maximum of two signs.

All bed and breakfasts shall comply with the applicable local and state fire and health codes.

Bed and breakfasts shall not be transferable to new locations.

Bed and breakfasts shall have no more than two bedrooms to meet local regulations. If more than two rooms for rent are applied for, the applicant will be required to meet the "Bed and Breakfast Guidelines for Washington State," and "Health and Sanitation Standards for Transient Accommodations in the State of Washington." The applicant will also be required to meet all the requirements of Chapter 246-215 WAC. These regulations can be obtained from the environmental health official or from the planning department.

Accessory activities and facilities, e.g., swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, etc., require special approval. Requests for such activities and facilities shall be made through the planning department.

Any change in the ownership, structure or the site plan requires a revised permit.

(Ord. 91-01 § D; Ord. 91-05 § D; Ord. 2017-04)

The application for a conditional use permit for a bed and breakfast shall be submitted on a form obtained from the planning department and shall also be signed by the applicant for the owner of the property if other than the applicant.

Upon receipt of an application, a copy of the application will be mailed to the following departments or agencies for their comments or recommendations regarding the application:

Environmental health official.

Columbia County engineer.

Chief of the rural fire district the proposed conditional use is in.

County sheriff.

(Ord. 91-01 § E; Ord. 91-05 § E)

Upon receipt of a completed application the planning director shall schedule and advertise a public hearing on the application and present the proposal to the planning commission. The planning commission shall consider compliance of the proposal with state and local laws and codes, potential impacts on neighboring public private improvement, the general welfare, health and safety of neighboring residents and the general public, as well as testimony and comments received from the public prior to making a decision to approve, deny or approve with conditions.

(Ord. 91-01 § F; Ord. 91-05 § F; Ord. 2010-03 § 2)

Once a conditional use permit has been issued for a bed and breakfast, it shall not be transferred to another location.

The conditional use permit shall be valid only for so long as the bed and breakfast complies with the requirements of this chapter and the conditions of approval.

(Ord. 91-01 § H; Ord. 91-05 § G; Ord. 2010-03 § 2)

The planning director may immediately revoke or suspend the permit, or deny either the issuance or renewal thereof, if it is found that:

The applicant or permittee has violated or failed to meet any of the provisions of this chapter or conditions of the permit; or

Any required licenses have been suspended, revoked or canceled.

Upon denial, suspension or revocation, the planning director shall notify the applicant or permittee in writing of the action he/she has taken and the reasons therefor. After giving such notice by certified mail, if the bed and breakfast has not ceased operation within 30 days, the planning director, or his designee, may cause the closure of any bed and breakfast found in violation of this chapter.

(Ord. 91-01 § I; Ord. 91-05 § H)