Fircrest City Zoning Code

means: (a) to cease operation for a period of 60 or more consecutive days; (b) to reduce the effective radiated power of an antenna by 75% for 60 or more consecutive days; (c) to relocate an antenna at a point less than 80% of the height of an antenna support structure; or (d) to reduce the number of transmissions from an antenna by 75% for 60 or more consecutive days.

means a building or structure, attached or detached from a principal building located on the same lot, the use of which is incidental, related and clearly subordinate to the principal use of the land or building. With the exception of an accessory dwelling unit, an accessory building or structure is used by the occupants of the principal building.

means a second dwelling unit located on the same lot as a single-family dwelling unit, duplex, triplex, townhome, or other housing unit, which is designed as a completely independent unit which provides for living, sleeping, cooking and sanitation.

means a use incidental, related and clearly subordinate to the principal use of a lot or main building. An accessory use is only located on the same lot as a permitted principal use.

relies on scientific methods to evaluate how well regulatory and nonregulatory actions protect the critical area. An adaptive management program is a formal and deliberate scientific approach to taking action and obtaining information in the face of uncertainty.

means immediately adjoining (in contact with the boundary of the influence area) or within a distance that is less than that needed to separate activities from critical areas to ensure protection of the functions and values of the critical areas. "Adjacent" shall mean any activity or development located:

means a commercial bathhouse which excludes any person by virtue of age from all or any portion of the premises.

means a retail establishment in which:

means a commercial establishment that presents go-go dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators, or similar types of entertainment and which excludes any person by virtue of age from all or any portion of the premises.

means:

means any commercial premises which is one of the following: adult motion picture theater, adult drive-in theater, adult bookstore, adult cabaret, adult video store, adult retail store, adult massage parlor, adult sauna parlor or adult bathhouse.

means as defined in Chapter 70.128 RCW, Adult Family Homes, as amended: a regular family abode in which a person or persons provide personal care, special care, room and board to more than one but not more than six adults who are not related by blood or marriage to the person or persons providing the services. An adult family home is considered a family group home as defined in FMC § 22.98.273.

means a commercial premises to which a member of the public is invited or admitted and where an entertainer provides live adult entertainment to a member of the public on a regular basis or as a substantial part of the premises activity.

means a commercial establishment in which massage or other touching of the human body is provided for a fee and which excludes any person by virtue of age from all or any portion of the premises.

means a building, enclosure, or portion thereof, used for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" for observation by the patrons therein.

means a retail establishment in which 30% or more of the stock-in-trade consists of items, products, or equipment distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on or a simulation of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas," and/or any person is excluded by virtue of age from all or part of the premises generally held open to the public where such items, products, or equipment are sold.

means a commercial sauna establishment which excludes any person by virtue of age from all or any portion of the premises.

means a retail establishment in which 30% or more of the stock-in-trade consists of prerecorded video tapes, discs, or similar material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas"; and/or any person is excluded by virtue of age from all or part of the premises generally held open to the public where such prerecorded video tapes, disks, or similar material are displayed or sold.

means mitigation of an anticipated critical area impact or hazard completed according to an approved critical area report and prior to site development.

means any sign graphics, background colors, logos or trademarks that identify or promote the sign user or any product or service; or that provides information about the sign user, the building or the products or services available.

means a public right-of-way or city-approved private way, providing secondary access to adjacent property, which has less than 200 average daily trips and is no more than 30 feet in width.

means any human-induced change in an existing condition of a critical area or its buffer. Alterations include, but are not limited to, grading, filling, channelizing, dredging, clearing (vegetation), construction, compaction, excavation, or any other activity that changes the character of the critical area.

means a change in the wording, context or substance of this title or the comprehensive plan; a change in the official zoning map or comprehensive plan map; or a change to a condition of approval or modification of a permit or plans reviewed or approved by the director, hearing examiner, planning commission, or city council.

means fish that spawn and rear in freshwater and mature in the marine environment. While Pacific salmon die after their first spawning, adult char (bull trout) can live for many years, moving in and out of saltwater and spawning each year. The life history of Pacific salmon and char contains critical periods of time when these fish are more susceptible to environmental and physical damage than at other times. The life history of salmon, for example, contains the following stages: upstream migration of adults, spawning, intergravel incubation, rearing, smoltification (the time period needed for juveniles to adjust their body functions to live in the marine environment), downstream migration, and ocean rearing to adults.

means any exterior apparatus designed for telephonic, radio, data, Internet, or television communication through the sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves, and includes equipment attached to a tower or building for the purpose of providing personal wireless services, including unlicensed wireless telecommunications services, wireless telecommunications services utilizing frequencies authorized by the Federal Communications Commission for cellular, enhanced specialized mobile radio and personal communications services, telecommunications services, and its attendant base station.

means the vertical distance measured from the base of the antenna support structure at grade to the highest point of the structure even if said highest point is an antenna. Measurement of tower height shall include antenna, base pad, and other appurtenances and shall be measured from the finished grade of the parcel. If the support structure is on a sloped grade, then the average between the highest and lowest grades shall be used in calculating the antenna height.

means any pole, telescoping mast, tower, tripod, or other structure which supports a device used in the transmitting or receiving of radio frequency signals.

means the person, party, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that proposes any activity. The applicant is either the owner of the land on which the proposed activity would be located, a contract vendee, a lessee of the land, the person who would actually control and direct the proposed activity, or the authorized agent of such a person.

means a work of art, piece of furniture or decorative object made at least 50 years ago and having a retail value greater than $75.00.

means a second-hand dealer in which at least 25% of the total retail value of the items for sale are antiques as defined in FMC § 22.98.075. See FMC § 22.98.621, Second-hand store.

means a geologic formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to conduct ground water and to yield sufficient quantity of water to serve as a private or public water supply.

means an aquifer bounded above and below by beds of distinctly lower permeability than that of the aquifer itself and that contains ground water under sufficient pressure for the water to rise above the top of the aquifer.

means areas that, due to the presence of certain soils, geology, and surface water, act to recharge ground water by percolation.

means an area designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, Section 1424(e). The aquifer(s) must supply 50% or more of the drinking water for an area without a sufficient replacement available.

means the ease with which contaminants can move from the land surface to the aquifer based solely on the types of surface and subsurface materials in the area. Susceptibility usually defines the rate at which a contaminant will reach an aquifer unimpeded by chemical interactions with the vadose zone media.

means an aquifer not bounded above by a bed of distinctly lower permeability than that of the aquifer itself and containing ground water under pressure approximately equal to that of the atmosphere. This term is synonymous with the term "water table aquifer."

means an area designated AO or AH zone on the flood insurance map(s). The base flood depths range from one to three feet; a clearly defined channel does not exist; the path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate; and velocity flow may be evident. AO is characterized as sheet flow and AH indicates ponding.

means the giving of emphasis to architectural elements such as windows, balconies, entries, etc., that create a complementary pattern of rhythm, dividing large buildings into smaller identifiable pieces. Articulating a building to divide up its mass and reduce its apparent size may be accomplished through facade modulation (see FMC § 22.98.456) and other design techniques.

means any of the following:

means capacity for a public facility that is currently available for use.

means a cooking appliance that may be portable or permanent.

means a flood event having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year, also referred to as the 100-year flood. Designations of base flood areas on flood insurance map(s) always include the letters A or V.

means any area of the building having its floor below ground level on all sides, when used in the context of a frequently flooded area.

means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

means any vehicle that operates exclusively on electrical energy from an off-board source that is stored in the vehicle's batteries, and produces zero tailpipe emissions or pollution when stationary or operating.

means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.27 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

means current scientific information used in the process to designate, protect, or restore critical areas, which is derived from a valid scientific process as defined by WAC 365-195-900 through 365-195-925. Sources of the best available science are included in Citations of Recommended Sources of Best Available Science for Designating and Protecting Critical Areas published by the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.

means conservation practices or systems of practices and management measures that:

means the variety of animal and plant life and its ecological processes and interconnections – represented by the richness of ecological systems and the life that depends on them, including human life and economies.

is a group of lots, tracts, or parcels within well defined and fixed boundaries.

means a wall that is not part of the structural support of the building and is intended through its design and construction to collapse under specific lateral loading forces, without causing damage to the elevated portion of the building or supporting foundation system.

means an area contiguous or adjacent to a critical area that provides a naturally vegetated zone surrounding a critical area. A buffer provides for the continued maintenance, function, and structural stability of a critical area.

means the area of a lot remaining after the minimum yard and open space requirements of this title have been met.

means any structure having a roof supported by columns, posts, or walls for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of any individual, animal, process, equipment, goods, or materials of any kind.

See FMC § 22.98.009, Accessory building or structure.

means a building surrounded by open space on the same lot.

means the three-dimensional space within which a structure is permitted to be built on a lot and that is defined by maximum height regulations and minimum yard setbacks.

means the visible vertical plane of the side of a building from ground level to the roofline.

means the elevation of a building extending from the ground level up to the bottom of the fascia on a pitched roof building, and up to the top of the wall or parapet on a flat roof building. The area of a building facade for purposes of calculating allowable wall signage includes the area of the windows and doors but excludes openings that do not have solid coverings, such as breezeways, colonnades and gateways that extend through, or to the back side of, the building.

means any flat horizontal member or molding with little projection, or any relatively narrow vertical surface (frieze) or board under a roof edge or which forms the outer surface of a cornice, visible to an observer.

means the ground floor horizontal distance of a building or portion thereof occupied by a tenant. Building frontage shall only be measured along a ground floor wall that has a customer entrance that faces and has access onto a public open space, such as a courtyard or plaza; or is adjacent to a public street, or adjacent to a driveway or parking lot that serves that use. If any building frontage does not consist of one straight line, the frontage of any offset portion shall be projected, for computation purposes, to the extension of the line of the most forward face of the building.

means the average vertical distance between the finished grade on each exterior wall and a horizontal plane level with the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, the deck of a mansard roof, or the highest ridge line of a pitched roof. The height of a stepped or terraced building is measured for each segment of the building.

means a line extending across that part of a building closest to, and fronting, the street.

means a building devoted to the principal use of the lot on which it is situated; where a permissible use involves more than one building or structure designed or used for the principal purpose, each such permissible building on a lot shall be classified as a principal building.

means standards and controls that establish the maximum size of buildings and structures on a lot and the buildable area within which the building or structure can be located, including lot coverage, setbacks, height, floor area ratio, and yard requirements.

means a barrel or other container used to burn rubbish and other debris.

means the purchase, sale or other transaction involving the handling or disposition of any article, service, substance or commodity for livelihood or profit; or the management of office buildings, offices, recreational or amusement enterprises; or the maintenance and use of buildings, offices, structures and premises by professions and trades rendering services. See FMC § 22.98.249, Establishment, business or commercial.

means the diameter of tree trunk measured at 12 inches above soil level. This measurement is used when sizing a tree for purchase and installation.

means a personal wireless service facility that is disguised, hidden, or integrated with an existing structure that is not a monopole or tower, or a personal wireless service facility that is placed within an existing or proposed structure, or new structure, tower, or mount within trees so as to be significantly screened from view.

means a roofed structure providing space for the parking of motorized and nonmotorized vehicles and enclosed on not more than three sides.

means a tract or parcel of land that contains personal wireless service facilities including any antenna, support structure, accessory buildings, and parking, and may include other uses associated with and ancillary to personal wireless services.

means a document issued by the city of Fircrest indicating the quantity of capacity for each concurrency facility that has been reserved for a specific development project on a specific property. The document may have conditions and an expiration date associated with it.

means the lateral extent of likely movement along a stream or river during the next 100 years as determined by evidence of active stream channel movement over the past 100 years. Evidence of active movement over the 100-year time frame can be inferred from aerial photos or from specific channel and valley bottom characteristics. The time span typically represents the time it takes to grow mature trees that can provide functional large woody debris to streams. A CMZ is not typically present if the valley width is generally less than two bankfull widths, if the stream or river is confined by terraces, no current or historical aerial photographic evidence exists of significant channel movement, and there is no field evidence of secondary channels with recent scour from stream flow or progressive bank erosion at meander bends. Areas separated from the active channel by legally existing artificial channel constraints that limit bank erosion and channel avulsion without hydraulic connections shall not be considered within the CMZ.

means the distinctive features or attributes of buildings, uses and site design on adjacent properties and in the vicinity, including but not limited to building facade, building length, building modulation, building height, building location, roof form, building exterior finish materials, tree cover, types of flora, location of landscaping, size and location of signs, setbacks, amount of parking, location of parking, fencing type, fencing height, location of fencing, and intensity of uses.

means the standardized indicators of electrical force, or voltage, at which an electric vehicle's battery is recharged. The terms 1, 2, and 3 are the most common EV charging levels, and include the following specifications:

means a facility licensed by the state providing regularly scheduled care for a group of 13 or more children within one month of age through 12 years of age range exclusively for periods less than 24 hours.

means the city engineer of the city of Fircrest or person appointed by the city manager to act in such a role.

means the destruction, disturbance or removal of logs, scrub-shrub, stumps, trees or any vegetative material by burning, chemical, mechanical or other means.

means a residential development with sleeping units that are independently rented or owned and lockable and provide living and sleeping space with residents sharing kitchen facilities with other sleeping units in the building.

means replacement by creation, enhancement, or restoration of critical areas or buffers equivalent in size, function and value to the one being altered or lost from development.

means actions necessary to replace project-induced critical area and buffer losses, including land acquisition, planning, construction plans, monitoring, and contingency actions.

means replacing project-induced losses or impacts to a critical area, and includes, but is not limited to, the following:

means an association of persons for some common purpose, including social, civic, charitable, or recreational activities, operated by a private nonprofit institution or organization, but excluding groups organized primarily to render a service which is customarily carried on by a business.

means the use of a personal wireless service facility or cell site by more than one personal wireless service provider.

means facilities for which concurrency is required in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 22.12 FMC.

means the comparison of an applicant's impact on all public facilities to the capacity including available and planned capacity of the facilities.

means a use identified within the zoning district regulations of this title, that because of size, location with respect to surroundings, equipment, unique characteristics and effects and/or demands on public facilities, requires a special degree of control in order to ensure compatibility with the vicinity.

means the documented evidence of authority granted by the hearing examiner in accordance with Chapter 22.68 FMC to establish a conditional use at a specific location.

means a legal agreement that the property owner enters into to restrict uses of the land. Such restrictions can include, but are not limited to, passive recreation uses such as trails or scientific uses and fences or other barriers to protect habitat. The easement is recorded on a property deed, runs with the land, and is legally binding on all present and future owners of the property, therefore providing permanent or long-term protection.

means a dwelling structure consisting of more than one adult within a halfway-house, pre-release, training-release, work-release or other similar program under the supervision of a local, state or federal criminal justice system. Additionally, the dwelling structure is operated or contracted by a local, state or federal criminal justice system. A correctional group home includes staff who supervise the residents. A correctional facility which consists solely of individuals below the age of 18 under the supervision of a local, state or federal criminal justice system and correctional staff shall be classified as a family group home and not a correctional group home.

means residential units on a lot with a common open space that either: (a) is owned in common; or (b) has units owned as condominium units with property owned in common and a minimum of 20% of the lot size as open space.

means attached dwelling units arranged on two or three side of a yard or court.

means a restriction or condition placed upon the use of property by private instrument recorded by the Pierce County Auditor.

means an acronym for "cell on wheels," an antenna as defined in FMC § 22.98.063, which is portable.

means bringing a wetland, stream corridor, fish and wildlife habitat, or other critical area, when possible, into existence at a site in which the critical area did not formerly exist.

means areas designated by WAC 365-190-100 that are determined to have a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water as defined by WAC 365-190-030(3).

means those maps and documents housed by the department which contain information on the general location of critical areas.

includes the following areas and ecosystems:

means land held in private ownership and retained in an open condition in perpetuity for the protection of critical areas. Lands within this type of dedication may include, but are not limited to, portions and combinations of forest habitats, grasslands, shrub steppe, on-site watersheds, 100-year floodplains, shorelines or shorelines of statewide significance, riparian areas, and wetlands.

means a facility for which even a slight chance of flooding, inundation, or impact from a hazard event might be too great. Critical facilities include, but are not limited to, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, police, fire and emergency response installations, and installations that produce, use, or store hazardous materials or hazardous waste.

means an area where a tree's roots are located. This root zone is generally the area surrounding a tree at a distance that is equal to a one-foot radius for every one inch DBH. The CRZ may extend further from a tree depending on tree species, age, soil type and other factors.

means all animal and plant species listed by the state or federal government as threatened or endangered.

means the combined, incremental effects of human activity on ecological or critical areas functions and values. Cumulative impacts result when the effects of an action are added to or interact with other effects in a particular place and within a particular time.

for any building means the level of the established curb in front of such building measured at the center of such front. Where no curb elevation has been established, the mean elevation of the finished lot grade immediately adjacent to a building shall be considered the curb level.

is the transfer of property by the owner to another party for a specific use such as roads, utilities and open space. A dedication is conveyed by written instrument and is completed with an acceptance.

means a formally adopted local government process by which projects are reviewed for compliance with design standards for the type of use adopted through local ordinance.

means a development permit process whereby an application is reviewed, approved, or denied by the director or the director's designee based solely on objective design and development standards without a public predecision hearing, unless such review is otherwise required by state or federal law, or the structure is a designated landmark or historic district established under a local preservation ordinance. FMC Chapter 22.66 describes the process for administrative design review.

means a site or portion of a site that may be utilized as the location of development.

means any activity upon the land consisting of construction or alteration of structures, earth movement, dredging, dumping, grading, filling, mining, removal of any sand, gravel, or minerals, driving of piles, drilling operations, bulkheading, clearing of vegetation, or other land disturbance. Development includes the storage or use of equipment or materials inconsistent with the existing use. Development also includes approvals issued by the city that binds land to specific patterns of use, including, but not limited to, subdivisions, short subdivisions, zone changes, conditional use permits, and binding site plans. When used in the context of critical areas regulations, development activity does not include the following activities:

means a building permit or project permit as classified in FMC § 22.05.003.

means a building permit or any other development permit that results in an immediate and continuing impact on public facilities.

means a preliminary site plan, preliminary development plan, preliminary plat or conditional use permit.

means the diameter of a tree trunk in inches at four and one-half feet above the ground. On multistemmed or multitrunked trees, the diameter shall be the diameter equivalent to the sum of trunk areas measured at four and one-half feet above ground. This measurement is used when sizing a mature tree.

means the planning/building director of the city of Fircrest or person appointed by the city manager to act in such a role.

means an imaginary ground line around the perimeter of a tree that defines the outer limits of the tree canopy, where precipitation falling from the branches of that tree lands on the ground.

means a lane or window which is intended to serve customers who remain in their motor vehicles during the business transactions, or which are designed in such a manner that customers must leave their automobiles temporarily in a driving line located adjacent to the facility.

means a building designed exclusively for occupancy by two families living separately from each other and containing two dwelling units. A single-family dwelling which includes an accessory dwelling unit is not classified as a duplex dwelling.

means a detached building designed exclusively for occupancy by one family and containing one dwelling unit. Includes family group homes and manufactured homes, as defined in FMC § 22.98.273 and § 22.98.438 respectively, but excludes manufactured homes which are not designated.

means the city's written response to an applicant stating whether it considers issuance of a SEPA determination of significance likely for the applicant's proposal.

means the system of interrelationships within and between a biological community and its physical environment.

is an acronym for the Electronics Industry Association.

means any two-wheel vehicle that operates exclusively on electrical energy from an off-board source that is stored in the vehicle's batteries and produces zero emissions or pollution when stationary or operating.

means any vehicle that operates, either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board source, that is stored on-board for motive purpose. "Electric vehicle" includes: (a) a battery electric vehicle; (b) a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle; (c) a neighborhood electric vehicle; and (d) a medium-speed electric vehicle.

means a public or private parking space located together with battery charging station equipment that has as its purpose the transfer of electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other storage device in an electric vehicle.

means a building that has no basement and its lowest elevated floor is raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns.

means any request for facility modification of an existing wireless tower or base station that involves:

means a wetland with at least 30% of the surface area covered by erect, rooted, herbaceous vegetation extending above the water surface as the uppermost vegetative strata.

means the actions performed to improve the condition of existing wetlands and/or buffers so that the functions they provide are of a higher quality (e.g., increasing plant diversity, increasing wildlife habitat, installing environmentally compatible erosion controls, removing nonindigenous plant or animal species, removing fill material or garbage).

means the wearing away of earth's surface as a result of movement of wind, water, ice.

means at least those areas identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service as having a "severe" rill and inter-rill erosion hazard.

means a person or business association who furnishes, offers to furnish, or advertises to furnish escorts as one of its primary business purposes for a fee, tip or other consideration.

means those facilities that are typically difficult to site, such as airports, state education facilities and state or regional transportation facilities, state and local correctional facilities, solid waste handling facilities and inpatient facilities including substance abuse facilities, mental health facilities and group homes.

means a place of business carrying on operations, the ownership and management of which are separate and distinct from those of any other place of business located on the same lot and where direct access to each "business or commercial establishment" is separate and distinct from direct access to any other business or commercial establishment.

means the mechanical removal of earth material.

means those activities conducted on lands defined in RCW 84.34.020(2), and those activities involved in the production of crops and livestock, including but not limited to operation and maintenance of farm and stock ponds or drainage ditches, irrigation systems, changes between agricultural activities, and normal operation, maintenance or repair of existing serviceable structures, facilities or improved areas. Activities which bring an area into agricultural use are not part of an ongoing activity. An operation ceases to be ongoing when the area on which it was conducted has been converted to a nonagricultural use or has lain idle both more than five years and so long that modifications to the hydrological regime are necessary to resume operations, unless the idle land is registered in a federal or state soils conservation program. For the purposes of this definition, if a large lot subdivision or other subdivision of land results in the creation of one or more lots five acres or larger, any such lot of five or more acres shall not be considered to be converted to a nonagricultural use. Forest practices are not included in this definition.

means any species of plants or animals which are foreign to the planning area.

means the elimination of a species from a portion of its original geographic range.

is an acronym for the Federal Aviation Administration.

is an acronym for the Federal Communications Commission.

means any modification of an existing wireless tower or base station that does not substantially change the physical dimensions of such tower or base station.

means an individual, individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption, up to and including six individuals who are not related by blood, marriage, or adoption, residing in a single-family dwelling unit (including family group home), individuals with a handicap as defined in the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (42 USC Section 3602) as amended and residing in a group home or children residing in a group home.

means a facility licensed by the state carried on in the family residence of the licensee providing regularly scheduled care for 12 or fewer children, including children who reside at the family residence, within a birth through 11 years of age range exclusively, for periods of less than 24 hours.

means a dwelling unit consisting of individuals with a handicap as defined in the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (42 USC Section 3602) as amended, or children under the legal custody of an institution or an adult and any necessary staff for the care of individuals mentioned herein. An adult family home as defined in FMC § 22.98.033 is a family group home.

means a wall or barrier for the purpose of enclosing space, separating property, reducing noise and/or visual impacts, and composed of bricks, concrete, masonry blocks, or posts connected by boards, rails, panels, or wire. The term fence does not include retaining wall.

means window treatment in a building or building facade.

means any material dumped or placed, by any means, from, to or on any soil or sediment surface including temporary stockpiling of material.

is the final drawing of the subdivision and dedication prepared for filing of record with the Pierce County auditor, and containing all elements and requirements set forth in Chapter 22.21 FMC.

means areas necessary for maintaining species in suitable habitats within their natural geographic distribution so that isolated subpopulations are not created as designated by WAC 365-190-130. These areas include:

means habitat that is used by fish at any life stage at any time of the year, including potential habitat likely to be used by fish that could be recovered by restoration or management and includes off-channel habitat.

means a piece of cloth, attached to a staff, with distinctive colors, patterns or symbols, used as a national or state symbol.

means a line of flags, or a series of lines of flags, suspended above a site.

means the general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of inland waters and/or the unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any source.

means the official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated the areas of special flood hazards and included the risk premium zones applicable to the community. Also known as "flood insurance rate map" or "FIRM."

means the official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration that includes flood profiles, the Flood Boundary-Floodway Map, and the water surface elevation of the base flood.

means the total land area adjoining a river, stream, watercourse, or lake subject to inundation by the base flood.

means the elevation that is two feet above the base flood elevation.

means materials designed to be resistant to the impacts associated with flooding and defined and described in detail in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Technical Bulletin No. 2-93, 1993, and FEMA publication FEMA-348, Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage.

means the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land area that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the surface water elevation more than two feet. Also known as the "zero rise floodway."

means the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the floor(s) of a building or portion thereof, measured from the exterior face of exterior walls and from the centerline of walls dividing uses or establishments. Gross floor area includes basement space, elevator shafts and stairwells at each floor, mechanical equipment rooms or attic space with headroom of 7.5 feet or more, penthouse floors, interior balconies and mezzanines, enclosed porches and malls. Gross floor area shall not include accessory water tanks and cooling towers, mechanical equipment or attic spaces with headroom of less than 7.5 feet, exterior steps or stairs, terraces, breeze ways and open space.

means a wetland with at least 30% of the surface area covered by woody vegetation greater than 20 feet in height that is at least partially rooted within the wetland.

means an assemblage of earth materials grouped together into a unit that is convenient for description or mapping.

means the relatively impermeable formation immediately overlying a confined aquifer.

means lands in the floodplain subject to a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year and those lands that provide important flood storage, conveyance, and attenuation functions, as determined by the director in accordance with WAC 365-190-110. Frequently flooded areas perform important hydrologic functions and may present a risk to persons and property. Classifications of frequently flooded areas include, at a minimum, the 100-year floodplain designations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Flood Insurance Program.

means the property line of an individual lot, tract or parcel that abuts a public or private street right-of-way, excluding alleys and private driveways. The number of frontages on a lot is the same as the number of public or private street rights-of-way that the lot abuts.

means the beneficial roles served by critical areas including, but not limited to, water quality protection and enhancement; fish and wildlife habitat; food chain support; flood storage, conveyance and attenuation; ground water recharge and discharge; erosion control; protection from hazards; historical, archaeological, and aesthetic value protection; educational opportunities; and recreation.

means an accessory building or an accessory portion of the main building, enclosed on not less than three sides and designed and primarily used for the shelter or storage of vehicles, including boats.

means a private garage where the sole vehicular garage door or opening is perpendicular to the lot line used for vehicular access.

means areas that may not be suited to development consistent with public health, safety, or environmental standards, because of their susceptibility to erosion, sliding, earthquake, or other geological events as designated by WAC 365-190-120. Types of geologically hazardous areas include: erosion, landslide and seismic hazards.

means a person who has earned a bachelor's degree in geology and has at least one year of professional experience as a practicing geologist.

means a practicing, geotechnical civil engineer licensed as a professional civil engineer with the state of Washington with at least four years' experience in landslide evaluation, soils and soils hydrology.

means the city council of the city of Fircrest.

means the finished elevation of the ground level after development, measured at a horizontal distance of five feet from a building foundation wall.

means the topographic condition or elevation of a site or portion of a site over the past five years, or the finished grade of an approved site development plan. Changes to grade or elevation resulting from fill, mounding or berming within five years preceding any requested permit other than a site development plan shall not be considered natural grade for permitting purposes.

means clearing of trees, brush, scrubs or grass or excavating, filling or leveling of surface contours.

means low growing vegetative materials with a mounding or spreading manner of growth that provide solid cover within three years after planting.

means water in a saturated zone or stratum beneath the surface of land or a surface water body.

means a specific geographic area or subarea designated pursuant to Chapter 173-100 WAC for which a ground water management program is required.

means a comprehensive program designed to protect ground water quality, to ensure ground water quantity, and to provide for efficient management of water resources while recognizing existing ground water rights and meeting future needs consistent with local and state objectives, policies, and authorities within a designated ground water management area or subarea and developed pursuant to Chapter 173-100 WAC.

means ground water in a saturated zone is separated from the underlying main body of ground water by an unsaturated rock zone.

See FMC § 22.98.168, Correctional group home.

See FMC § 22.98.273, Family group home.

means the specific area or environment in which a particular type of plant or animal lives.

means areas that include a seasonal range or habitat element with which a given species has a primary association, and which, if altered may reduce the likelihood that the species will maintain and reproduce over the long-term. These might include areas of high relative density or species richness, breeding habitat, winter range, and movement corridors. These might also include habitats that are of limited availability or high vulnerability to alterations such as cliffs, talus, and wetlands. (WAC 365-190-030)

means a light source placed behind totally opaque letter or symbol so that the light reflects off the wall or background to which the letters or symbols are mounted rather than emanating through the letters or symbols, creating a halo effect that leaves the letters or symbols viewable in silhouette form only.

means any liquid, solid, gas, or sludge, including any material, substance, product, commodity, or waste, regardless of quantity, that exhibits any of the characteristics or criteria of hazardous waste; and including waste oil and petroleum products.

means all dangerous waste and extremely hazardous waste as designated pursuant to Chapter 70A.300 RCW and Chapter 173-303 WAC.

means a row of small trees, shrubs, or other vegetation planted as a fence or boundary.

See FMC § 22.98.117, Building height.

means land uses that are associated with high levels of human disturbance or substantial habitat impacts including, but not limited to, single-family and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial land uses, when used in the context of critical areas regulations.

means those wetlands that meet the following criteria:

means a condition of the land, including flora, fauna, soil, topography, and hydrology, that existed before the area and vicinity were developed or altered by human activity.

means any activity conducted for financial gain or profit in a dwelling unit, and which activity is clearly incidental or secondary to the residential use of a dwelling unit or an associated accessory building.

means a building or group of buildings in which there are five or more guest rooms where lodging with or without meals is provided for compensation, and where no provision is made for cooking in any individual room or suite. Motels and bed-and-breakfasts are considered hotels under this title. Hotels with guest rooms that contain kitchen facilities shall be considered multifamily dwelling units subject to the provisions and requirements of this title governing such units for the zone in which the establishment is located.

means a permit issued by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for modifications to waters of the state in accordance with Chapter 77.55 RCW.

means soil that is saturated, flooded or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper portion.

means soils grouped according to their runoff-producing characteristics under similar storm and cover conditions. Properties that influence runoff potential are depth to seasonally high water table, intake rate and permeability after prolonged wetting, and depth to a low permeable layer. Hydrologic soil groups are normally used in equations that estimate runoff from rainfall, but can be used to estimate a rate of water transmission in soil. There are four hydrologic soil groups:

means an aquatic plant growing in water or on a substrate (hydric soil) that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen where the saturated soil is too wet for most plants to survive. Examples of hydrophytes include plants such as cattails, sedges, and bulrush.

means the saturated zone located beneath and adjacent to streams that contains some portion of surface waters, serves as a filter for nutrients, and maintains water quality.

means a hard surface area that either prevents or retards the entry of water into the soil mantle as under natural conditions prior to development or that causes water to run off the surface in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from the flow present under natural conditions prior to development. Common impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to, rooftops, walkways, patios, driveways, parking lots or storage areas, concrete or asphalt paving, gravel roads, packed earthen materials, and oiled macadam or other surfaces which similarly impede the natural infiltration of stormwater.

means the area of a lot that is covered by impervious surfaces, measured by percentage.

means to take and hold a vehicle in legal custody.

means any area or enclosure established and used solely and exclusively for the parking and storage of impounded vehicles.

means the downward entry of water into the immediate surface of soil.

means to replace critical areas with substitute areas whose characteristics and functions closely approximate those destroyed or degraded by a regulated activity. It does not mean replacement "in-category."

means a motor vehicle which is apparently inoperable or which requires repairs in order to be legally operated on the public roads, such as repair or replacement of a window, windshield, wheel, tire, motor or transmission.

means areas subject to sheet wash.

means those wetlands that are outside of and not contiguous to any 100-year floodplain of a lake, river, or stream and have no contiguous hydric soil or hydrophytic vegetation between the wetland and any surface water.

means a single application form that may be used to apply for hydraulic project approvals, shoreline management permits, approvals of exceedance of water quality standards, water quality certifications, Coast Guard bridge permits, Washington State Department of Natural Resources use authorization, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits.

means a lot where nonhazardous waste or scrap materials are bought, sold, exchanged, stored, baled, packaged, disassembled or handled, but excludes recycling and vehicle wrecking activities.

means a house, enclosure, or other structure in which five or more dogs, five or more cats, or any combination of eight or more cats and dogs, which individually exceed seven months of age, are kept for breeding, sale, training, boarding, or sporting purposes, or are kept or cared for as pets or for any other purpose.

means a room or part of a room which is used, intended, or designed to be used for preparing food. The kitchen includes facilities, or utility hookups for facilities, sufficient to prepare, cook, and store food, and wash dishes, including, at a minimum, countertops, a kitchen-style sink, space and utilities sufficient for a gas or 220/240v electric stove and oven, and a refrigerator.

means a room or part of a room which is used, intended, or designed to be used for basic food preparation, with a sink and at least one 120v electrical outlet.

means a kitchen that is used, intended, or designed to be used by residents of multiple dwelling or sleeping units for preparing food simultaneously.

means an episodic downslope movement of a mass of soil, rock, and/or snow.

means areas that are potentially subject to risk of mass movement due to geologic landslide resulting from a combination of geologic, topographic, and hydrologic factors. These areas are typically susceptible to landslides because of a combination of factors including: bedrock, soil, slope gradient, slope aspect, geologic structure, ground water, or other factors.

means a retail establishment, or any combination of retail establishments in a single building, occupying more than 25,000 gross square feet of floor area.

means the level of service standards specified in the comprehensive plan.

means an identifying emblem or insignia containing sign graphics, symbols or colors typically used for identification and/or advertisement.

means a logo contained within an area no greater than four square feet, incorporated into a larger sign face or designed as an individual sign or a component of a sign containing individually mounted sign graphics.

means a division of land having fixed boundaries, which has been created by a subdivision or short subdivision; or is a parcel of property that was exempt from subdivision requirements or was established prior to the requirement that lots be created by a subdivision or short subdivision.

means a lot abutting upon two or more streets at their intersection, or upon two portions of the same street forming an interior angle of less than 135 degrees within the lot lines.

means a lot that does not meet minimum frontage requirements and where access to the public road is by a narrow, private right-of-way or driveway.

means a lot other than a corner lot.

means a parcel of land that has less than the minimum area or minimum dimensions required in the zone in which the lot is located.

means a lot that fronts upon two parallel streets or that fronts upon two streets that do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot.

means the entire horizontal land space, including land covered by water, contained within the fixed boundaries of any described lot or parcel of land.

means the area of a lot, excluding future dedications, critical areas and associated buffers, and other specified land features.

means the area of a lot that is covered by buildings.

means the mean horizontal distance between the front lot line and the rear lot line of a lot measured within the lot boundaries.

means the length of the front lot line measured at the street right-of-way line.

means a line of record bounding a lot that divides one lot from another lot or from a public or private street or any other public space.

means the boundary of a lot which abuts a public street right-of-way or private ingress and/or egress easement.

means the lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line. In the case of triangular or otherwise irregularly shaped lots, a line 10 feet in length entirely within the lot, parallel to and at a maximum distance from the front lot line.

means any lot line other than a front or rear lot line.

means a lot that has been legally established and recorded or registered pursuant to statute with the Pierce County Auditor.

means the horizontal distance between the side line of a lot measured at right angles to its depth along a straight line parallel to the front lot line at the minimum required front yard setback line.

means land uses that are associated with low levels of human disturbance or low habitat impacts, including, but not limited to, passive recreation, open space, or forest management land uses, when used in the context of critical areas regulations.

means the lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area, including the basement, when used in the context of a frequently flooded area. An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access, or storage in an area other than a basement area, which is not considered a building's lowest floor; provided, that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of the applicable requirements of this title.

means the photometric quality most closely associated with the perception of brightness. Luminance is measured in candelas per square meters or "nits."

means a roof with two slopes on each side of the four sides, the lower steeper than the upper.

means a factory-assembled structure intended solely for human habitation, which has sleeping, eating, and plumbing facilities, which is being used for residential purposes, which was constructed in accordance with the HUD federal manufactured housing construction and safety standards act in effect at the time of construction, and that is constructed in a way suitable for movement along public highways. A manufactured home is limited to those structures assembled after June 15, 1976, in accordance with state and federal requirements for manufactured homes, which are comprised of at least two fully enclosed parallel sections each of not less than 12 feet wide by six feet long; were originally constructed with and now have a composition or wood shake or shingle, coated metal, or similar roof of not less than three to 12 pitch; and have exterior siding similar in appearance to siding materials commonly used on conventional site-built single-family residences regulated by the International Building Code. The term does not include recreational vehicles.

means a permanent structure attached to, supported by, and projecting from a building and providing protection from the elements.

means a coordinated sign plan that includes the details of all signs (not including exempt or temporary signs) that are or will be placed on a site.

means a building or complex occupied and used by physicians and dentists and other medical practitioners recognized by the state of Washington, for out-patients only; and including accessory uses including but not limited to therapeutic room and x-ray room, medical and dental laboratories, the dispensing of medicine and medical aides to out-patients of the clinic.

means an establishment that manufactures alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages for distribution on or off site. Examples include microbreweries, microdistilleries and microwineries. Microbeverage production facilities may operate in conjunction with a tasting room, retail outlet, and/or food-serving establishment.

means a business known as a craft brewery that produces 5,000 barrels or less of beer per calendar year. A microbrewery may sell beer of its own production directly to a customer for off-premises consumption and by all other legal means. A microbrewery may operate a tasting room or in conjunction with a food-serving establishment. A microbrewery must be licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

means a business known as a craft distillery that produces 5,000 proof gallons or less of spirits per calendar year. A microdistillery may sell spirits of its own production directly to a customer for off-premises consumption and by all other legal means. A microdistillery may operate a tasting room or in conjunction with a food-serving establishment. A microdistillery must be licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

means a business engaged primarily in the production, including crushing, fermentation, aging, bottling, and distribution, of no more than 5,000 cases of wine per year. A microwinery may sell wine of its own production directly to a customer for off-premises consumption and by all other legal means. A microwinery may operate a tasting room or in conjunction with a food-serving establishment. A microwinery must be licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

means buildings that are compatible in scale, form, and character with single-family houses and contain two attached, stacked, or clustered homes including duplexes, stacked flats, courtyard apartments, and cottage housing.

means avoiding, minimizing, or compensating for adverse critical areas impacts. Mitigation, in the following sequential order of preference, is:

means a facility consisting of separate storage units that are rented to customers having exclusive and independent indoor access through a common building entrance to their respective units for storage of residential or commercial oriented goods.

means a facility consisting of separate storage units that are rented to customers having exclusive and independent outdoor access to their respective units for storage of residential or commercial oriented goods.

means land uses that are associated with moderate levels of human disturbance or substantial habitat impacts including, but not limited to, active recreation and moderate agricultural land uses, when used in the context of critical areas regulations.

means a measured and proportioned inflexion or setback in a building's face.

means the process of collecting and evaluating data to assess the biological, hydrological or geological performance of newly created, restored, rehabilitated and/or affected critical ecosystem area.

means the depiction of movement or change of position of text, images or graphics. Motion shall include, but not be limited to, visual effects such as dissolving and fading text and images, running sequential text, graphic bursts, lighting that resembles zooming, twinkling or sparkling, changes in light or color, transitory bursts of light intensity, moving patterns or bands of light, expanding or contracting shapes and similar actions.

means the structure or surface upon which personal wireless service facilities are mounted. There are three types of mounts:

means a group of commercial or industrial structures.

means a single structure that houses more than one retail business, office or commercial venture, but that does not include residential apartment buildings sharing the same lot, access and/or parking facilities.

means an area where native vegetation is preserved for the purpose of preventing harm to property and the environment, including, but not limited to, controlling surface water runoff and erosion, maintaining slope stability, buffering, and protecting plants and animal habitat.

means vegetation comprised of plant species that are indigenous to an area.

means from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise.

means a unit of measure of brightness or luminance. One nit is equal to one candela/square meter.

means any lot, use, or structure which was legally established and in lawful compliance with the applicable zoning prior to the adoption of this title or title amendment, but because of such adoption or amendment, would not be permitted or does not fully comply with the provisions of this title.

means, in the context of Chapter 22.26 FMC, any zone that does not include residential dwelling units except for mixed use zoning districts where residential units are located above or behind nonresidential uses and the ground floor streetscape is characterized by commercial and other nonresidential uses.

means material which is capable of causing injury to living organisms by chemical reaction or is capable of causing detrimental effects upon the physical or economic well-being of individuals.

means a state of complete or partial undress in such costume, attire, clothing so as to expose any portion of the nipple, the areola, or the lower half of the female breast or any portion of the pubic region, anus, buttocks, vulva, or genitals, or human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely covered.

means to replace critical areas away from the site on which a critical area has been impacted.

means to replace critical areas at or adjacent to the site on which a critical area has been impacted.

means a material that does not transmit light from an internal illumination source.

means any fire upon woodland, lot, subdivision, grassland, field or public right-of-way within the city that is not within a receptacle approved by the city.

means any parcel or area of land or water essentially unimproved and set aside, dedicated, designated, or reserved for public or private use or enjoyment or for the use and enjoyment of owners, occupants and their guests of land adjoining or neighboring such space. As used in Chapter 22.92 FMC, open space means lands which contain distinctive geologic, botanic, zoologic, historic, scenic or other critical area features. These areas are often undeveloped and serve as greenbelts and wildlife habitats. Specific types of open space include gulches, steep slopes and wetlands.

means land within or related to a development, not individually owned or dedicated for public use, that is designed and intended for the common use or enjoyment of the residents and their guests of the development and may include such complementary structures and improvements as are necessary and appropriate.

means open space, the use of which is normally limited to the occupants of a single dwelling, building, or property.

means open space owned by a public agency and maintained by it for the use and enjoyment of the general public.

means the ordinance, resolution or other procedure used by the city to adopt regulatory requirements.

means the mark that is found by examining the bed and banks and ascertaining where the presence and action of waters are so common and usual, and so long continued in all ordinary years, that the soil has a character distinct from that of the abutting upland in respect to vegetation.

means the keeping, in an unenclosed area, of any goods, junk, material, merchandise, or vehicles in the same place, or substantially the same place, for more than 24 hours.

means to replace critical areas with substitute critical areas whose characteristics do not closely approximate those destroyed or degraded. It does not refer to replacement "out-of-category."

means when the property owner's primary and permanent legal residence is located on-site, as evidenced by voter registration, vehicle registration and/or other similar means.

means any device which, upon insertion of a coin or by any other means of payment, including membership fee or other charge, exhibits or displays a picture or view by film, video or by any other means, including observation of live performances.

means any premises or portion of a premise on which a panorama is located and which is open to the public, including through membership.

means a protective wall or barrier projecting above any canopy, balcony or roof.

means a description of land which is on record with the Pierce County assessor's office. A parcel of land may or may not be a legal lot of record and may be for tax or description purposes only.

means an area of a lot accessible to vehicles, which is provided, improved, maintained and used for the primary purpose of accommodating a motor vehicle.

means a raised structure which provides partial or complete shelter over a patio area.

means any prepared surface outdoor living area.

means a square or rectangle required to enclose the sign area.

means the capacity of an aquifer or confining bed to transmit water. It is a property of the aquifer or confining bed and is independent of the force causing movement.

includes any individual, firm, joint venture, co-partnership, association, social club, fraternal organization, corporation, estate, trust, business trust, receiver or any other group or combination acting as a unit.

as used in Chapter 22.24 FMC, shall be defined in the same manner as in 47 U.S.C. 332(c)(7)(C), and includes facilities for the transmission and reception of radio or microwave signals used for communication, cellular phone, personal communications services, enhanced specialized mobile radio, and any other wireless services licensed by the FCC and unlicensed wireless services.

as used in Chapter 22.24 FMC, means the appearance of personal wireless service facilities, including such features as their materials, colors, and shape.

means a retail establishment which sells fish, domesticated animals, birds and associated supplies, provided no boarding or veterinarian services are rendered, except bathing and clipping of dogs and cats. Pet shop does not include kennels.

includes drugs, toiletries and cosmetics.

means capacity for a public facility that is not yet available, but for which the necessary facility construction, expansion or modification project is contained in the current adopted capital facilities element of the comprehensive plan and scheduled to be completed within six years.

means a development built under the provisions of Chapter 22.76 FMC, which permits departures from the conventional requirements of other sections of this title in the interest of achieving superior site development, creating open space and encouraging imaginative design by permitting design flexibility.

means the duly appointed planning commission of the city of Fircrest.

means a map or representation of a subdivision, showing thereon the division of a tract or parcel of land into lots, blocks, streets and alleys or other divisions and dedications.

means a roofed, open area, which may be screened, attached to or part of and with direct access to or from a building. A porch becomes a room when the enclosed space is heated or air-conditioned and when the percentage of window area to wall area is less than 50%.

means soils, as identified by the National Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, that contain voids, pores, interstices, or other openings which allow the passing of water.

means a commercially produced chamber or screened enclosure, portable in design, for the purpose of containing a fire of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height for pleasure, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes. The products of combustion will either pass through a chimney prior to being emitted into the air or the chamber will be of screened enclosure.

means water that is safe and palatable for human use.

means an alternative that is available and capable of being carried out after taking into consideration cost, existing technology, and logistics in light of overall project purposes, and that has less impact to critical areas.

means a neat and approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of streets and alleys, lots, blocks and other elements of a subdivision consistent with the requirements of this title. The preliminary plat shall be the basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a subdivision.

means the real estate as a unit, upon which is displayed the sign or signs mentioned in this chapter.

means educational programs that emphasize readiness skills where children of preschool age are enrolled on a regular basis for four hours per day or less.

means a preschool which has been accredited by the State Board of Education in accordance with the standards for accreditation as prescribed in Chapter 180-59 WAC.

means the area that is used on a regular basis by, is in close association with, or is necessary for the proper functioning of the habitat of a critical species. "Regular basis" means that the habitat area is normally or usually known to contain a critical species, or, based on known habitat requirements of the species, the area is likely to contain the critical species. "Regular basis" is species- and population-dependent. Species that exist in low numbers may be present infrequently yet rely on certain habitat types.

means habitat type or elements with unique or significant value to one or more species as classified by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. A priority habitat may consist of a unique vegetation type or dominant plant species, a described successional stage, or a specific structural element.

See FMC § 22.98.720, Use, principal.

means a printing establishment generally serving account customers and utilizing a sheet-fed or web-fed press rather than a typical one-person off-set press.

means a printing establishment generally serving both walk-in and account customers, utilizing small-scale printing presses which are set up and operated by an individual and may include a bindery person as an assistant. Products primarily consist of business cards, envelopes, letterheads, reports, manuals and brochures.

means every way or place in private ownership and used for travel of vehicles by the owner or those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.

examples include natural or synthetic materials, including but not limited to bristles, canvas, cellophane and similar synthetics, chalk, clay, cloth, cork, feathers, felt, fiber, fur, glass, graphite, hair, horn, leather, metal products (nonprecious), paper, paraffin, plastic and resins, precious or semi-precious metals or stones, putty, pumice, rubber, shell, textiles, tobacco, wire, wood, wool and yarn.

means an office maintained and used as a place of business conducted by persons engaged in recognized professions, and others whose business activity consists primarily of services to the person as distinguished from the handling of commodities.

means all areas within 50 feet of the area proposed to be disturbed, altered, or used by the proposed activity or the construction of any proposed structures, when used in the context of critical area regulations. When the action binds the land, such as a subdivision, short subdivision, binding site plan, planned unit development, or rezone, the project area shall include the entire parcel, at a minimum.

means a private corporation performing a public service and subject to special governmental regulations; or a governmental agency performing a similar public service, the services by either of which are paid for directly by individual recipients. Such services shall include, but are not limited to, water supply, electric power, gas and transportation of persons and freight.

means a person with experience and training in the pertinent scientific discipline, and who is a qualified scientific expert with expertise appropriate for the relevant critical area subject in accordance with WAC 365-195-905(4). A qualified professional must have obtained a B.S. or B.A. or equivalent degree in biology, engineering, environmental studies, fisheries, geomorphology, or related field, and two years of related work experience.

means a box-type conduit to house electrical wires for signs and used to support and/or affix signage on a wall.

means alternatives to the proposed project which will result in minimum feasible alteration or impairment of functional characteristics including contours, vegetation, fish and wildlife resources, ground water and hydrological conditions.

means the process involved in the absorption and addition of water to ground water.

means municipal wastewater effluent that has been adequately and reliability treated so that it is suitable for beneficial use, consistent with treatment levels and water quality requirements in the water reclamation and reuse standards adopted by the state Departments of Ecology and Health.

means filed and recorded with the Pierce County auditor.

means leisure-time activities, usually of a formal nature and often performed with others, requiring equipment and taking place at prescribed places, sites, or fields.

means activities that involve relatively inactive or less energetic activities, such as walking, sitting, picnicking, card games and table games such as chess. Passive recreation also includes open space for nature walks and observation.

means fires lit in chimineas, contained fire pits, fire bowls, cooking appliances and barbeques, portable fire devices and similar free-standing devices commonly sold at home-improvement stores and mass retailers, and permanent outdoor fireplaces that occur on private property for cooking, pleasure or ceremonial purposes.

means all vehicles, self-propelled or propelled by another vehicle, designed primarily for touring with living/or sleeping quarters on board. Includes, but is not limited to, campers, travel trailers and motor homes.

shall mean, but not be limited to, those materials such as glass, paper and certain metals which are suitable for break-down and refuse.

means an enclosed facility or outdoor area which is used for the collection and shipment of pre-sorted recyclable material.

means any act which would destroy natural vegetation in a critical area or its buffer; result in significant change in water temperature, physical or chemical characteristics; substantially alter existing pattern of tidal flow; obstruct the flow of sediment or alter the natural contours of a site.

means an establishment, the principal purpose of which is religious worship and for which the principal building or other structure contains the sanctuary or principal place of worship. Accessory uses in the main building or in separate buildings may include, but are not limited to, religious educational classrooms, assembly rooms, kitchen, library or reading room, recreational hall, and a single-family dwelling unit for use by an institution official. Accessory uses to a religious institution do not include day-care facilities or facilities for residence or for training of religious orders.

means an activity that restores the character, scope, size, and design of a serviceable area, structure, or land use to its previously authorized and undamaged condition. Activities that change the character, size, or scope of a project beyond the original design and drain, dredge, fill, flood, or otherwise alter critical areas are not included in this definition.

means measures taken to restore an altered or damaged natural feature including:

(also known as retail store) means an establishment in which 60% or more of the gross floor area is devoted to the sale or rental of goods or merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption or to services incidental to the sale or rental of such goods or merchandise.

means deep-sided channels resulting from accelerated erosion. A rill is generally a few inches deep and not wide enough to be an obstacle to farm machinery. Rill erosion tends to occur on slopes, particularly steep slopes with poor vegetative cover.

means areas adjacent to aquatic systems with flowing water that contain elements of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that mutually influence each other. The width of these areas extends to that portion of the terrestrial landscape that directly influences the aquatic ecosystem by providing shade, fine or large woody material, nutrients, organic and inorganic debris, terrestrial insects, or habitat for riparian-associated wildlife. Widths shall be measured from the ordinary high water mark or from the top of bank if the ordinary high water mark cannot be identified. It includes the entire extent of the floodplain and the extent of vegetation adapted to wet conditions as well as adjacent upland plant communities that directly influence the stream system. Riparian habitat areas include those riparian areas severely altered or damaged due to human development activities.

means that portion of the street improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalks and shoulder. Where there are curbs, the roadway is the curb to curb width of the street.

means the uppermost edge of the roof or the top of the parapet, excluding mechanical equipment screens, whichever is highest. Where a building has several roof levels, the roofline shall be the one belonging to that portion of the building on which the sign is located.

means a valid scientific process that produces reliable information useful in understanding the consequences of a decision. The characteristics of a valid scientific process are as follows:

means a wetland with at least 30% of its surface area covered by woody vegetation less than 20 feet in height as the uppermost strata.

means a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the placement of dredge or fill material or clearing in waters of the United States, including wetlands, in accordance with 33 USC Section 1344. Section 404 Permits may also be for endangered species consultation. They require a consultation under Section 7 of the Federal Endangered Species Act.

means a retail establishment that is involved in the selling of any or all second-hand goods or items of personal property which can be used again for the purpose for which they were originally intended. The establishment may include, but not be limited to, arrangements whereby a building or area is sold, leased, rented, offered or donated to one or more persons where such persons may offer or display second-hand or junk items. This term includes antique stores and consignment shops.

means a spot where water oozes from the earth, often forming the source of a small stream.

means areas that are subject to severe risk of damage as a result of earthquake-induced ground shaking, slope failure, settlement, or soil liquefaction.

means the characteristics of a location that make it readily recognizable as being unique and different from its surroundings.

means a public park or open space area, or any establishment that provides caretaking, education, or recreation for persons under 18 years of age, including a community college, trade or vocational school that on a regular basis has at least one student under the age of 18 years.

means rules contained in Chapter 197-11 WAC adopted by the Department of Ecology. (Statutory authority: RCW 43.21C.130. 84-13-036. (Order DE 84-25), § 173-806-030, filed 6/15/84. Formerly WAC 173-805-030.)

means presently usable.

means a building or lot having storage tanks and pumps for the retail sale of fuel to vehicle drivers and where minor repair service and/or the retail sale of food and vehicle supplies is incidental thereto.

means the minimum required distance between any structure and a specified line such as a property or lot line, easement or buffer line, or public or private right-of-way line, which is required to remain free of structures unless otherwise provided in this title.

means all of the water areas of the state as defined in RCW 90.58.030, including reservoirs and their associated shorelands, together with the lands underlying them except:

means the total of all "shorelines," as defined in RCW 90.58.030(2)(e), and "shorelines of statewide significance" within the state, as defined in RCW 90.58.030(2)(f).

means those areas defined in RCW 90.58.030(2)(f).

means those lands extending landward for 200 feet in all directions as measured on a horizontal plane from the ordinary high water mark; floodways and contiguous floodplain areas landward 200 feet from such floodways; and all wetlands and river deltas associated with the streams, lakes, and tidal waters which are subject to the provisions of Chapter 90.58 RCW.

means the map or representation of a short subdivision.

means the division or redivision of land into four or fewer lots, tracts, parcels, sites or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership into four or fewer lots.

means that property between the curb lines or the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property, set aside and intended for the use of pedestrians or such portion of private property parallel and in proximity to a street and dedicated to use by pedestrians.

means a group of tables and chairs situated and maintained upon the public sidewalk for use in connection with the consumption of food and beverages sold to the public from or in an adjoining restaurant.

means letters, figures, symbols, trademarks, or logos, with or without illumination, intended to identify any place, subject, person, firm, business, product, article, merchandise or point of sale. A sign also includes balloons attached to sign structures, products, streamers, spinners, pennants, flags, inflatables or similar devices intended to attract attention to a site or business, as well as architectural or structural forms, illuminated panels, spandrels, awnings and other structural or architectural features not common to classic vernacular or noncorporate regional architecture and that are intended to convey a brand, message or otherwise advertise a location or product, whether or not such features include text or graphics and whether or not they serve other practical purposes such as lighting, covering or enclosure of persons or products. A sign includes any device which streams, televises or otherwise conveys electronic visual messages, pictures, videos or images, with or without sound or odors. Refer to FMC § 22.26.026 for a list of prohibited signs.

means a sign, the face of which has been removed or is broken and is not refaced within 180 days thereafter. Abandoned signs shall also include signs with rusted, faded, peeled, cracked or otherwise deteriorated materials or finishes that have not been repaired within 90 days after the city provides notice of the sign's deteriorated condition under FMC § 22.26.009.

means a permanent, freestanding or building-mounted sign of limited height and size that provides supplemental opportunity for freestanding or building-mounted signage on a site.

means a change to the copy, color, size, shape, illumination, position, location, construction or supporting structure of a sign, not including ordinary maintenance.

means the smallest square, rectangle, parallelogram or circle that will enclose the extreme limits of writing, representation, logo, or any figure of similar character, together with any frame, background area, structural trim, or other materials or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate such sign from the background against which it is placed. The supports or uprights on which any such sign is supported shall not be included in determining the sign area. The area of signs with two faces shall be considered to be the area of the largest face. The area of signs with three or more faces shall be considered to be the area of the largest face or one-half the area of all of the faces, whichever is less. For sign copy that has varying sizes of letters or graphics, the sign area may be calculated by combining two or more geometric shapes.

means a sign affixed to or imprinted on a temporary shelter or a permanent architectural projection, such as an awning, canopy or marquee, composed of rigid or nonrigid materials on a supporting framework, affixed to the exterior wall of a building, extending over a door, entrance, window or outdoor service area.

means a sign or portion thereof that is designed to have its message or copy readily changed manually or by remote or automatic means without altering or replacing the face or surface. Changeable copy signs support hard-copy text or graphics and do not use digital or electronic text or images.

means a changeable copy sign with monochrome LED (light emitting diodes) text, graphics or symbols over a black, nonilluminated background.

means an electrical sign or portion thereof, except electronic message center signs, that changes light intensity in a sudden transitory burst, or that switches on and off in a constant pattern in which more than one-third of the nonconstant light source is off at any one time, random, or irregular pattern or contains motion or the optical illusion of motion by use of electrical energy.

means a sign and its support pole or base standing directly on the ground that is independent from any building or other structure.

means the vertical distance measured from the adjacent grade at the base of the sign support to the highest point of the sign or sign structure.

means a freestanding low profile sign designed with a solid base and background consistent with FMC § 22.26.017(b).

means a sign with illumination affected by a light source consisting of a neon or other gas tube which is bent to form letters, symbols or other shapes.

means any sign which at one time conformed to all applicable requirements and standards of Chapter 22.26 FMC, including all permit requirements, but which subsequently ceased to so conform due to changes in such requirements and standards.

means a sign graphic that is constructed of a three-sided metal channel, usually having a light source contained within the channel. The open side may face inward, resulting in silhouette lighting, or it may face outward to allow full illumination. The open side of the channel may be enclosed with a translucent material.

means a sign constructed of weather resistant material and intended for permanent use and that does not otherwise meet the definition of "temporary sign." Wall-mounted sign holders designed for insertion of signs and posters shall be considered permanent signage and subject to all standards of this chapter.

means a sign mounted on a weighted base, intended to be movable.

means a freestanding sign that is readily moveable and not permanently affixed to the ground, including A-frame or sandwich board signs, pole signs mounted on weighted bases, and similar signs that are used on more than a temporary basis.

means a sign attached to a building with the face not parallel to the vertical surface of the building. Projecting signs include signs projecting directly from walls, or signs hanging from porch ceilings or other support structures.

means any sign that rotates or turns in a circular motion.

means a sign that has a point of attachment to the roof or mansard of a building. Architectural projections, including mechanical equipment screens, above any parapet or roof line whose sole function is a background for signs shall be considered a sign structure. A sign on such an architectural projection shall be considered a roof-mounted sign.

means a portable sign consisting of two sign faces hinged at the top and separated at the bottom to make it self standing.

means a permanent sign displayed on the service island canopy, spandrel or island spanner of a service station.

means temporary signs or advertising displays or a combination thereof that advertises or attracts public attention to a special one-time event.

means any sign that is used temporarily and is not permanently mounted, painted or otherwise affixed, excluding portable signs as defined by this chapter, including any poster, banner, placard, feather sign, stake sign or sign not placed in the ground with concrete or other means to provide permanent support, stability and rot prevention. Temporary signs may only be made of nondurable materials including, but not limited to, paper, corrugated board, flexible, bendable or foldable plastics, foamcore board, vinyl canvas or vinyl mesh products of less than 20-ounce fabric, vinyl canvas and vinyl mesh products without polymeric plasticizers, and signs painted or drawn with water soluble paints or chalks. Signs made of any other materials shall be considered permanent and are subject to the permanent sign regulations of this chapter.

means a sign that is placed under an awning, marquee or canopy, and is placed perpendicular to the storefront so that it is oriented to pedestrians on a sidewalk or an internal walkway.

means a sign that is attached parallel to or painted on a wall, including parapet or canopy fascia, or a building.

means the total horizontal dimension of a sign, including all frames or structures.

means a sign that is attached to or is intended to be seen in, on or through a window of a building and is visible from the exterior of the window.

means that portion of a species' range likely to be essential to the long-term survival of the population in Washington.

means a healthy evergreen tree with a height of 10 feet or more and a healthy deciduous tree with a minimum caliper of six inches measured at four feet above finished planting grade.

means a unit of land, together with all improvements thereon, determined as follows:

means an independently rented or owned and lockable unit that provides living and sleeping space.

as determined or agreed upon by the city engineer, means an inclined earth surface, the inclination of which is expressed as the ratio of horizontal distance from the top-of-slope to the toe-of-slope to the vertical distance (height of slope). Slope percent is computed by dividing the vertical distance by the horizontal distance times 100. A change in grade of more than 5% along any slope analyzed, or a vertical elevation variation of two feet off of the base line slope, whichever is less, constitutes a separate slope calculation, beginning at the location of grade breaks.

means a card game that constitutes gambling and is authorized by the Washington State Gambling Commission under RCW 9.46.070.

means the most recent soil survey for the local area or county by the National Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

means a panel or box-type structure that spans between and/or is connected to the support columns of a porch, colonnade or canopy, usually for architectural embellishment and/or signage purposes.

means the land in the floodplain within an area subject to a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year. Designations of special flood hazard areas on flood insurance map(s) always include the letters A or V.

means aquifer recharge areas defined by WAC 173-200-090 that require special consideration or increased protection because of unique characteristics, including, but not limited to:

means any group of animals classified as a species or subspecies as commonly accepted by the scientific community.

means any fish or wildlife species that is threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range and is listed by the state or federal government as an endangered species.

means those species of local concern due to their population status or their sensitivity to habitat manipulation, or that are game species.

means any fish or wildlife species requiring protective measures and/or management guidelines to ensure their persistence as genetically viable population levels as classified by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, including endangered, threatened, sensitive, candidate and monitor species, and those of recreational, commercial, or tribal importance.

means any fish or wildlife species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout a significant portion of its range without cooperative management or removal of threats, and is listed by the state or federal government as a threatened species.

means an act of sexual intercourse within its ordinary meaning, occurring upon a penetration, however slight; a penetration of the vagina or anus, however slight, by an object; a contact between persons involving the sex organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another; masturbation, manual or instrumental, of oneself or one person by another; touching of the sex organs, anus, or female breasts, whether clothed or unclothed, of oneself or of one person by another.

means less than completely and/or opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, buttock, or any portion of the nipple, the areola, or the lower half of the female breast and human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state even if completely or opaquely covered.

means a structure, open on at least one side, for the display and sale of goods.

means dwelling units in a residential building of no more than three stories on a residential zoned lot in which each floor may be separately rented or owned.

means the dollar value of all products, equipment, books, magazines, posters, pictures, periodicals, other printed materials, prerecorded video tapes, discs, or similar material readily available for purchase, rental, viewing or use by patrons of the establishment, excluding material located in any storeroom or other portion of the premises not regularly open to patrons; the number of titles of all products, equipment, books, magazines, posters, pictures, periodicals, other printed materials, prerecorded video tapes, discs, or similar material readily available for purchase, rental, viewing or use by patrons of the establishment, excluding material located in any storeroom or other portion of the premises not regularly open to patrons.

means that portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the floor next above, except that the topmost story shall be that portion of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling or roof above. If the finished floor level directly above a basement or unused underfloor space is more than six feet above grade as defined herein for more than 50% of the total perimeter or is more than 12 feet above grade as defined herein at any point, such basement or unused underfloor space shall be considered as a story.

means perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral waters included within a channel of land and its adjacent riparian zones which serves as a buffer between the aquatic and terrestrial upland ecosystems.

means a public right-of-way or private road which provides a primary means of access to abutting property.

means constructed, aboveground objects, such as outdoor seating, kiosks, bus shelters, sculpture, tree grids, trash receptacles, fountains, and telephone booths, that have the potential for enlivening and giving variety to streets, sidewalks, plazas, and other outdoor spaces open to, and used by, the public.

means the strip of land platted, dedicated, condemned, established by prescription or otherwise legally established for the use of pedestrians, vehicles or utilities.

is a design term referring to all the elements that constitute the physical makeup of a street and that, as a group, define its character, including trees and other plantings, awnings and marquees, signs, and lighting.

means the division or redivision of land into five or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership, except as provided in Chapter 22.16 FMC.

means the drainage area of the highest order stream containing the subject property impact area. "Stream order" is the term used to define the position of a stream in the hierarchy of tributaries in the watershed. The smallest streams are the highest order (first order) tributaries. These are the upper watershed streams and have no tributaries of their own. When two first order streams meet, they form a second order stream, and when two second order streams meet they become a third order stream, and so on.

means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

means any change, addition or modification in construction.

means any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the assessed value of the structure either: before the improvement or repair is started; or if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred.

means to increase the height of an existing wireless tower by more than 10%, or by a height exceeding 20 feet, whichever is greater.

means the entire building which encompasses a building or use on a site; or in buildings designed for multi-tenant occupancy, it is the space between demising walls and which has an independent entrance to common corridors or to the outside. Portions of tenant spaces that are sublet to or otherwise allowed to be used by persons or businesses other than the principal person or business of a tenant space are not considered tenant spaces in the context of this chapter.

means a distinct topographic break in slope at the lower most limit of an area where the ground surface drops 10 feet or more vertically within a horizontal distance of 25 feet.

means an improved and equipped play area for small children usually up to elementary school age.

means the cutting of a branch or stem back to a stub or lateral branch not sufficiently large enough to assume the terminal role.

means adverse impacts to a critical area that remain after all appropriate and practical avoidance and minimization have been achieved.

means the number of dwelling units allowed on a lot, regardless of lot size.

means commercial mobile services that operate on public frequencies and do not need an FCC license.

means an external illumination source which is exposed to view.