Gig Harbor City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
17.01 General
Provisions
Sections
- 17.01.010 Title.
- 17.01.020 Purpose.
- 17.01.030 Conformity with regulations required.
- 17.01.040 Public uses.
- 17.01.050 Interpretation and application of provisions.
- 17.01.060 Conflict with other regulations.
- 17.01.070 Public notice.
- 17.01.080 Conformance required – Fence or shrub height.
- 17.01.090 Temporary trailers.
- 17.01.100 Exceptions to minimum lot area.
17.04 Definitions
Sections
- 17.04.010 General interpretation.
- 17.04.015 Accessory dwelling unit.
- 17.04.017 Accessory uses and structures.
- 17.04.020 Administrative official.
- 17.04.021 Adult arcade.
- 17.04.022 Adult cabaret.
- 17.04.023 Adult entertainment.
- 17.04.024 Adult entertainment facility.
- 17.04.025 Adult family home.
- 17.04.026 Adult motel.
- 17.04.027 Adult motion picture theater.
- 17.04.028 Adult retail store.
- 17.04.030 Alley.
- 17.04.040 Alteration.
- 17.04.041 Amateur radio tower.
- 17.04.045 Ancillary services.
- 17.04.050 Animal clinic.
- 17.04.055 Antenna.
- 17.04.060 Apartment.
- 17.04.065 Arborist, qualified.
- 17.04.070 Area, building.
- 17.04.080 Area, site.
- 17.04.085 Art gallery.
- 17.04.086 Attic.
- 17.04.087 Automotive fuel-dispensing facility.
- 17.04.090 Banks and financial institutions.
- 17.04.100 Basement.
- 17.04.103 Bed and breakfast.
- 17.04.105 Best management practices (BMPs).
- 17.04.110 Boardinghouse.
- 17.04.120 Boat house.
- 17.04.125 Broadcast and relay towers.
- 17.04.128 Buildable lands, net.
- 17.04.130 Building.
- 17.04.140 Building, accessory.
- 17.04.150 Building, existing.
- 17.04.160 Building height.
- 17.04.170 Building line.
- 17.04.180 Building, principal.
- 17.04.190 Building setback.
- 17.04.200 Business.
- 17.04.201 Business services.
- 17.04.203 Cel-site.
- 17.04.204 Cemetery.
- 17.04.205 City.
- 17.04.210 Clinic.
- 17.04.220 Clubs.
- 17.04.223 Coffee house.
- 17.04.225 Co-location.
- 17.04.230 Coverage.
- 17.04.235 Commercial.
- 17.04.240 Commercial child care.
- 17.04.242 Commercial photography.
- 17.04.245 Commercial building/structure.
- 17.04.247 Community recreation hall.
- 17.04.250 Comprehensive plan.
- 17.04.255 Computer assembly plants.
- 17.04.260 Conditional use.
- 17.04.261 Contractor’s yard.
- 17.04.262 Courier services.
- 17.04.268 Day care provider, family.
- 17.04.269 Dense vegetative screen.
- 17.04.269.a Density.
- 17.04.269.b Density, maximum.
- 17.04.269.c Density, minimum.
- 17.04.270 Detached buildings.
- 17.04.272 Developed property.
- 17.04.274 Director.
- 17.04.275 Distribution facilities.
- 17.04.280 Dock.
- 17.04.285 Drive-through facility.
- 17.04.287 Dwelling, attached.
- 17.04.288 Dwelling, duplex.
- 17.04.289 Dwelling, fourplex.
- 17.04.290 Dwelling, multiple-family.
- 17.04.300 Dwelling, single-family.
- 17.04.301 Dwelling, triplex.
- 17.04.305 Dwelling, mobile/manufactured.
- 17.04.310 Dwelling, two-family.
- 17.04.320 Dwelling unit.
- 17.04.325 Dwelling, factory-built.
- 17.04.326 Entertainment, commercial.
- 17.04.327 Equipment, heavy.
- 17.04.328 Essential public facilities.
- 17.04.329 Expressive dance.
- 17.04.330 Family.
- 17.04.340 Fence.
- 17.04.350 Fence height.
- 17.04.360 Floor area, gross.
- 17.04.362 Floor area, underground.
- 17.04.365 Floor area ratio.
- 17.04.366 Food truck.
- 17.04.367 Footprint.
- 17.04.370 Garage.
- 17.04.380 Garage, motor vehicle repair.
- 17.04.390 Garage, private.
- 17.04.400 Government administrative office.
- 17.04.405 Grade.
- 17.04.406 Ground cover.
- 17.04.407 Habitable space.1
- 17.04.408 Hard surface.
- 17.04.409 Hedge.1
- 17.04.410 Home occupation.
- 17.04.412 Hospital.
- 17.04.415 Hotel/motel.
- 17.04.420 Impermeable surface.
- 17.04.424 Industrial, level 1.
- 17.04.425 Industrial, level 2.
- 17.04.430 Junkyard.
- 17.04.431 Kennel.
- 17.04.431.5 Kitchen.
- 17.04.432 Legal interest.
- 17.04.433 Land clearing.
- 17.04.434 Light assembly.
- 17.04.436 Light manufacturing.
- 17.04.438 Living facility, assisted.
- 17.04.439 Living facility, independent.
- 17.04.440 Loading berth.
- 17.04.444 Lodging, level 1.
- 17.04.445 Lodging, level 2.
- 17.04.446 Lodging, level 3.
- 17.04.450 Lot.
- 17.04.455 Lot of record.
- 17.04.460 Lot area.
- 17.04.470 Lot, corner.
- 17.04.480 Lot, depth of.
- 17.04.490 Lot, interior.
- 17.04.500 Lot line.
- 17.04.510 Lot line, front.
- 17.04.520 Lot line, rear.
- 17.04.530 Lot line, side.
- 17.04.540 Lot, through.
- 17.04.542 Lot width.
- 17.04.543 Low impact development (LID).
- 17.04.544 Low impact development BMPs.
- 17.04.545 Low impact retail.
- 17.04.546 Mail and packaging facilities.
- 17.04.548 Marina.
- 17.04.549 Marine boat sales, level 1.
- 17.04.550 Marine boat sales, level 2.
- 17.04.551 Marine industrial.
- 17.04.552 Marine sales and service.
- 17.04.554 Microcell.
- 17.04.555 Ministorage.
- 17.04.558 Mixed use.
- 17.04.560 Mobile/manufactured home.
- 17.04.570 Mobile/manufactured home park.
- 17.04.580 Mobile/manufactured home subdivision.
- 17.04.590 Moorage.
- 17.04.600 Motel/hotel.
- 17.04.602 Museum.
- 17.04.605 Natural grade.
- 17.04.610 Natural resource extraction.
- 17.04.612 Net developable area.
- 17.04.615 Net shed, historic.
- 17.04.620 Nonconformity.
- 17.04.623 Nonprofit organization.
- 17.04.625 Nursery, agricultural.
- 17.04.630 Nursing facility, skilled.
- 17.04.633 Other adult entertainment facility.
- 17.04.635 Parking, off-street.
- 17.04.640 Parking, public.
- 17.04.645 Parking lot, commercial.
- 17.04.650 Parking space.
- 17.04.653 Parks.
- 17.04.654 Parsonage.
- 17.04.655 Partially developed property.
- 17.04.656 Performing arts center.
- 17.04.657 Permeable paving.
- 17.04.658 Personal services.
- 17.04.659 Pervious concrete.
- 17.04.660 Planned unit development.
- 17.04.675 Porous asphalt.
- 17.04.676 Principal dwelling unit.
- 17.04.677 Product services, level 1.
- 17.04.678 Product services, level 2.
- 17.04.680 Professional services.
- 17.04.685 Property line.
- 17.04.690 Public/private services.
- 17.04.691 Publishing and printing.
- 17.04.692 Recreation, indoor commercial.
- 17.04.693 Recreation, outdoor commercial.
- 17.04.695 Recreational vehicle.
- 17.04.696 Religious worship, house of.
- 17.04.697 Rental hall facility.
- 17.04.698 Reprographic or reprographic services.
- 17.04.699 Research and development facility.
- 17.04.700 Residential.
- 17.04.702 Restaurant 1.
- 17.04.703 Restaurant 2.
- 17.04.704 Restaurant 3.
- 17.04.706 Retail structure.
- 17.04.708 Sales, ancillary.
- 17.04.709 Sales, level 1.
- 17.04.710 Sales, level 2.
- 17.04.711 Sales, level 3.
- 17.04.712 Sales, retail.
- 17.04.713 Sales, wholesale.
- 17.04.715 Satellite dish antenna.
- 17.04.716 School, higher educational.
- 17.04.717 School, primary.
- 17.04.718 School, secondary.
- 17.04.719 School, vocational/trade.
- 17.04.720 Setback, building.
- 17.04.725 Sexually oriented materials.
- 17.04.726 Short-term rental.
- 17.04.727 Short-term rental platform.
- 17.04.728 Site coverage.
- 17.04.730 Sign.
- 17.04.740 Sign area.
- 17.04.742 Special uses.
- 17.04.745 Specified anatomical areas.
- 17.04.746 Specified sexual activities.
- 17.04.750 Story.
- 17.04.760 Street.
- 17.04.765 Street classification.
- 17.04.770 Structure.
- 17.04.780 Studio apartment.
- 17.04.790 Tank farm.
- 17.04.795 Tavern.
- 17.04.797 Tenant-specific alteration.
- 17.04.800 Tract.
- 17.04.805 Tree.
- 17.04.830 Travel trailer.
- 17.04.835 Truck garden.
- 17.04.837 Undeveloped property.
- 17.04.840 Use.
- 17.04.850 Use, principal.
- 17.04.860 Utilities.
- 17.04.870 Variance.
- 17.04.873 Vehicle wash.
- 17.04.875 Warehouse/warehousing.
- 17.04.876 Wireless communication facility.
- 17.04.877 Wireless communication facility (WCF), attached.
- 17.04.878 Wireless services or wireless communication services.
- 17.04.879 Wireless communication support structure.
- 17.04.880 Yard.
- 17.04.890 Yard, front.
- 17.04.900 Yard, rear.
- 17.04.910 Yard, side.
17.07 Enforcement
Sections
17.12 Zoning
Map and District Boundaries
Sections
- 17.12.010 Districts established.
- 17.12.015 Land use designation and zoning district consistency table.
- 17.12.020 Zoning map.
- 17.12.030 Map changes.
- 17.12.040 Map replacement.
- 17.12.050 District boundary – Interpretation when uncertainty exists.
- 17.12.060 District boundary – Interpretation when street or alley vacated or abandoned.
17.15 Public-Institutional
District PI
Sections
- 17.15.010 Intent and definitions.
- 17.15.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.15.030 Conditional uses.
- 17.15.040 Site plan.
- 17.15.050 Minimum development standards.
- 17.15.060 Maximum height of structures.
- 17.15.070 Parking and loading facilities.
- 17.15.080 Signs.
- 17.15.090 Performance standards.
- 17.15.100 Hours of operation.
17.16 Single-Family
Residential R-1
Sections
- 17.16.010 Intent.
- 17.16.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.16.030 Conditional uses.
- 17.16.040 Prohibited uses and structures.
- 17.16.050 Site plans.
- 17.16.060 Development standards.
- 17.16.070 Maximum height of structures.
- 17.16.080 Height variance for single-family dwellings.
- 17.16.090 Alternative setback and height standards for R-1 district within historic district.
- 17.16.100 Performance standards.
17.31 Downtown
Business District DB
Sections
- 17.31.010 Intent.
- 17.31.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.31.030 Conditional uses.
- 17.31.040 Site plans.
- 17.31.050 Minimum lot requirements.
- 17.31.060 Minimum building setback requirements.
- 17.31.065 Maximum residential density.
- 17.31.070 Maximum impermeable and hard surface coverage.
- 17.31.075 Maximum gross floor area.
- 17.31.080 Maximum height of structures.
- 17.31.090 Parking/loading.
- 17.31.100 Signs.
- 17.31.110 Performance standards.
17.32 Neighborhood
Commercial District B-1
Sections
- 17.32.010 Intent.
- 17.32.020 Permitted and conditional uses.
- 17.32.030 Site plans.
- 17.32.033 General standards.
- 17.32.035 Maximum district area.
- 17.32.040 Lot area.
- 17.32.045 Impervious coverage.
- 17.32.050 Design.
- 17.32.060 Rear yard.
- 17.32.070 Side yard.
- 17.32.080 Maximum height of structures.
- 17.32.090 Off-street loading.
- 17.32.100 Off-street parking.
- 17.32.110 Outdoor lighting.
- 17.32.120 Landscaping.
17.36 General
Business District B-2
Sections
- 17.36.010 Intent.
- 17.36.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.36.030 Conditional uses.
- 17.36.040 Other uses.
- 17.36.050 Site plans.
- 17.36.055 Maximum gross floor area.
- 17.36.060 Minimum building setback requirements.
- 17.36.065 Maximum residential density.
- 17.36.070 Maximum impermeable and hard surface coverage.
- 17.36.080 Maximum height of structures.
- 17.36.090 Parking.
- 17.36.100 Signs.
- 17.36.110 Loading facilities.
- 17.36.120 Performance standards.
17.40 Commercial
District C-1
Sections
- 17.40.010 Intent.
- 17.40.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.40.030 Permitted accessory uses and structures.
- 17.40.040 Conditional uses.
- 17.40.050 Prohibited uses and structures.
- 17.40.055 Maximum gross floor area.
- 17.40.060 Site plans.
- 17.40.065 Commercial district minimum requirements and performance standards along the waterfront.
- 17.40.070 Minimum lot requirements.
- 17.40.075 Maximum residential density.
- 17.40.080 Minimum building setback requirements.
- 17.40.090 Maximum impermeable and hard surface coverage.
- 17.40.100 Maximum height of structures.
- 17.40.110 Parking and loading facilities.
- 17.40.120 Performance standards.
17.46 Waterfront
Residential WR
Sections
17.48 Waterfront
Millville WM
Sections
- 17.48.010 Intent.
- 17.48.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.48.030 Conditional uses.
- 17.48.035 Hours of operation.
- 17.48.037 Prohibited uses.
- 17.48.040 Development standards.
- 17.48.050 Site plans.
- 17.48.060 Maximum height of structures.
- 17.48.070 Parking and loading facilities.
- 17.48.080 Signs.
- 17.48.090 Performance standards.
17.50 Waterfront
Commercial WC
Sections
17.61 Communications
Facilities
Sections
- 17.61.010 Purpose.
- 17.61.020 General guidelines and permit requirements for wireless communications facilities except small wireless facilities.
- 17.61.025 Design zones for small wireless facilities.
- 17.61.035 Design and concealment standards for small wireless deployments.
- 17.61.050 New poles in the rights-of-way for small wireless facilities and installations in a design zone.
- 17.61.060 Eligible facilities requests.
- 17.61.070 Development standards for all public institutional, residential, waterfront district and downtown business districts (PI, R-1, R-2, R-3, RB-1, RB-2, PCD-RLD, PCD-RMD, WR, WM, WC, and DB).
- 17.61.080 Development standards for all commercial districts (C-1, B-1, B-2, PCD-C, PCD-BP).
- 17.61.090 Siting standards for employment district (ED).
- 17.61.100 Special exceptions.
- 17.61.110 Review by independent consultant – Third-party review.
17.64 Conditional
Uses
Sections
- 17.64.010 Intent.
- 17.64.015 Complete application.
- 17.64.020 Procedure.
- 17.64.030 General conditions.
- 17.64.040 Review criteria.
- 17.64.045 Review criteria for accessory apartments.
- 17.64.046 Conditional use permits for review criteria for wireless communication facilities.
- 17.64.050 Duration of approval and expiration.
- 17.64.060 Transfer of a conditional use permit.
- 17.64.070 Revocation of a conditional use permit.
- 17.64.080 Appeal of the examiner’s decision on a conditional use permit.
- 17.64.090 General criteria.
17.65 Special
Use Permits
Sections
- 17.65.010 Purpose and intent.
- 17.65.020 Criteria for a complete application.
- 17.65.030 Procedure.
- 17.65.040 General conditions.
- 17.65.050 Review criteria.
- 17.65.060 Duration of approval.
- 17.65.070 Transfer of a special use permit.
- 17.65.080 Special requirements and regulations for food trucks.
- 17.65.090 Appeal of the director’s decision on a special use permit.
- 17.65.100 Exemptions.
17.67 Performance-Based
Height Exceptions and Height Exemptions
Sections
- 17.67.010 Intent.
- 17.67.020 Applicability – Performance-based height exceptions.
- 17.67.030 Applicability – Height exemptions.
- 17.67.040 Complete application.
- 17.67.050 Permit type.
- 17.67.060 Review criteria.
- 17.67.070 Special review criteria for athletic field lighting.
- 17.67.075 Special review criteria for school facilities.
- 17.67.076 Special review criteria for museums.
- 17.67.080 Duration of approval and expiration.
17.68 Nonconformities
Sections
- 17.68.010 Intent.
- 17.68.015 Applicability to property regulated under the shoreline master program.
- 17.68.020 Nonconforming lots of record.
- 17.68.025 Nonconforming use and structure review.
- 17.68.030 Nonconforming uses of land.
- 17.68.035 Changes from one nonconforming use to another.
- 17.68.038 Discontinuance of nonconforming uses and structures.
- 17.68.039 Uses permitted under conditional use provisions.
- 17.68.040 Nonconforming structures.
- 17.68.050 Repairs and maintenance.
- 17.68.070 Nonconforming parking, loading and other characteristics of use.
- 17.68.080 Continuity of prior conditions and variances.
- 17.68.090 Nonconforming uses in waterfront districts.
17.72 Off-Street
Parking and Loading Requirements
Sections
- 17.72.010 Intent.
- 17.72.020 Off-street parking design standards.
- 17.72.030 Number of off-street parking spaces.
- 17.72.040 Off-street loading design requirements.
- 17.72.050 Off-street loading berth requirements.
- 17.72.060 Joint use of required parking spaces for the downtown business (DB), waterfront commercial (WC), general business (B-2), commercial (C-1) and residential and business (RB-1) districts abutting Harborview Drive and North Harborview Drive and within the View Basin neighborhood design area.
- 17.72.070 Special provisions for lots with existing buildings in the downtown business district.
- 17.72.075 Special provisions for existing buildings with existing nonresidential uses in the downtown business (DB), waterfront commercial (WC), waterfront Millville (WM), general business (B-2), commercial (C-1) and residential and business (RB-1) districts abutting Harborview Drive and North Harborview Drive and within the View Basin neighborhood design area.
- 17.72.080 Joint use of required parking spaces for mixed use developments within the RB-2, B-1, B-2, C-1, DB, PCD-C, PCD-BP, PCD-NB, ED and MUD zoning districts.
- 17.72.090 Electric vehicle charging station spaces.
17.78 Trees
Landscaping and Screening
Sections
- 17.78.010 Intent.
- 17.78.020 Applicability.
- 17.78.030 Tree, landscape and screening plans.
- 17.78.040 Overlapping requirements.
- 17.78.045 General provisions.
- 17.78.050 Preferred species for planting.
- 17.78.060 Perimeter landscaping requirements for residential development.
- 17.78.070 Perimeter landscaping requirements for nonresidential and mixed use development.
- 17.78.080 Parking lot and service area landscaping and screening.
- 17.78.090 Screening/buffering from SR-16, Tacoma Power Cushman transmission line property and SR-16 interchanges.
- 17.78.092 Protection of significant trees and existing native vegetation.
- 17.78.095 Hedges.
- 17.78.100 Alternative landscaping plans.
- 17.78.105 Phased projects.
- 17.78.110 Performance assurance.
- 17.78.120 Maintenance.
17.80 Sign
Code
Sections
- 17.80.010 Purpose and scope.
- 17.80.020 Permits not required.
- 17.80.030 Definitions.
- 17.80.040 Permit procedures.
- 17.80.050 Variances and administrative waivers.
- 17.80.060 General regulations.
- 17.80.070 Master sign plans.
- 17.80.080 Sign districts.
- 17.80.090 Sign standards for Area 1.
- 17.80.100 Sign standards for Area 2.
- 17.80.110 Temporary signs.
- 17.80.120 Prohibited signs.
- 17.80.130 Nonconforming signs.
- 17.80.140 Design review board approval.
- 17.80.150 Liability.
17.88 Annexations
Sections
- 17.88.010 District designation determination – Comprehensive plan.
- 17.88.020 Request for determination prior to annexation.
- 17.88.030 Comprehensive use plan – Formulation.
- 17.88.040 Comprehensive use plan – Hearings.
- 17.88.050 Withdrawal of intent to petition.
- 17.88.060 District designation determination – Petition.
17.89 Planned
Residential Development Zone PRD
Sections
- 17.89.010 Intent of the planned residential zone (“PRD”).
- 17.89.020 Where PRDs are permitted and acceptable parcel characteristics.
- 17.89.025 Prohibition on new preliminary PRD applications.
- 17.89.030 Preliminary PRD permit application procedures.
- 17.89.035 Final PRD permit application procedures.
- 17.89.040 Contents of complete PRD application.
- 17.89.050 Types of uses permitted.
- 17.89.060 Development and design standards.
- 17.89.070 Criteria for approval of preliminary PRD application.
- 17.89.080 Criteria for approval of final PRD application.
- 17.89.090 Roads.
- 17.89.100 Density bonus.
- 17.89.110 Open space.
- 17.89.120 Minor and major amendments of the final plan.
- 17.89.130 Recording by amendment to official zoning map.
17.90 Planned
Unit Development
Sections
- 17.90.010 Intent of the planned unit development zone (“PUD”).
- 17.90.020 Where PUDs are permitted and acceptable parcel characteristics.
- 17.90.030 Preliminary PUD permit application procedures.
- 17.90.035 Final PUD permit application procedures.
- 17.90.040 Contents of complete PUD application.
- 17.90.050 Types of uses permitted.
- 17.90.060 Development and design standards.
- 17.90.070 Criteria for approval of preliminary PUD application.
- 17.90.080 Criteria for approval of final PUD application.
- 17.90.090 Maximum gross floor area bonus.
- 17.90.100 Open space.
- 17.90.110 Roads.
- 17.90.120 Minor and major amendments of the final PUD.
- 17.90.130 Recording by amendment to official zoning map.
17.94 Land
Clearing
Sections
17.96 Site
Plans
Sections
- 17.96.010 Intent.
- 17.96.020 Applicability.
- 17.96.025 Exemptions.
- 17.96.030 Site plan review.
- 17.96.035 Criteria for site plan approval.
- 17.96.040 Preliminary site plan conference.
- 17.96.050 Contents of a complete application.
- 17.96.060 Application open for public inspection.
- 17.96.070 Duration of approval and expiration.
- 17.96.080 Amendments to a site plan.
17.97 Historic
Preservation
Sections
- 17.97.010 Purpose.
- 17.97.020 Definitions.
- 17.97.040 Register of historic places.
- 17.97.050 Review of changes to properties listed on the city’s register of historic places.
- 17.97.060 Review and monitoring of properties for special property tax valuation.
- 17.97.070 Summary of historic preservation applications and procedures.
17.98 Design
Standards and Review
Sections
- 17.98.010 Intent.
- 17.98.020 Design manual.
- 17.98.030 Design manual chapter applicability.
- 17.98.035 Design review criteria.
- 17.98.037 Optional design review preapplication meeting.
- 17.98.040 Design review application requirements.
- 17.98.045 Design review process.
- 17.98.050 Administrative approval.
- 17.98.055 Design review board recommendation.
- 17.98.056 Minor adjustments to DRB review.
- 17.98.058 Administrative review of alternative designs.
- 17.98.060 Exceptions.
- 17.98.070 Recommendations, decisions and appeals.
- 17.98.080 Design review process and decision chart.
- 17.98.090 Duration of approval and expiration.
17.100 Amendments
Sections
- 17.100.010 Authority to amend.
- 17.100.020 Manner of initiation.
- 17.100.025 Citizen suggestions for zoning code update.
- 17.100.030 Public hearing and notification.
- 17.100.035 General criteria for zoning map amendment.
- 17.100.040 General criteria for zoning text amendment.
- 17.100.050 Amendment determination.
- 17.100.060 Amendment recording.
- 17.100.070 Amendment procedure.