Gig Harbor City Zoning Code
17.28 Residential
and Business District RB-1
17.28.010 Intent.
An RB-1 district is intended to provide a mix of residential uses with certain specified business, personal and professional services. It is also intended to serve as a buffer between high intensity commercial and lower density residential uses. The regulations and restrictions in an RB-1 district are intended to protect and preserve residential uses while permitting business uses characterized principally by professional and consultive services or executive and administrative offices, compatible with single-family residential development. To this extent, nonresidential structures should be limited in total gross floor area per lot in order to minimize the impact of bulk and scale to residential neighborhoods. (Ord. 710 § 19, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.28.020 Permitted uses.
Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses permitted in the RB-1 district. (Ord. 1045 § 27, 2006).
17.28.030 Conditional uses.
Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses conditionally permitted in the RB-1 district. (Ord. 1045 § 29, 2006).
17.28.040 Site plan.
The site plan review process established under Chapter 17.96 GHMC shall apply to all uses and development within this district. (Ord. 1197 § 18, 2010; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.28.050 Minimum development standards.
In an RB-1 district, the minimum lot requirements are as follows:
Single-Family Dwellings | Other Residential | Nonresidential | |
|---|---|---|---|
A. Minimum lot area (sq. ft.) | 7,200 | 7,200 | 15,000 |
B. Minimum lot width | 70' | 70' | 70' |
House: 20' Porch: 12' Garage: 26' | 20' | 20' | |
30' | 25' | 15' | |
8' | 7' | 10' | |
F. Maximum hard surface coverage | 50% | 50% | 60% |
G. Minimum street frontage | 20' | 20' | 50' |
H. Minimum density | 6 dwelling units/acre | 6 dwelling units/acre | |
I. Maximum density | 12 dwelling units/acre | 12 dwelling units/acre | |
J. Maximum gross floor area | N/A | N/A | 5,000 sq. ft. per structure |
K. Separation between structures | 20' | 20' | 20' |
L. Any yard abutting a single-family residence shall be required to maintain a 30-foot-wide dense vegetated screen. This requirement does not apply to single-family dwellings in the RB-1 district. | |||
1If the RB-1 district is located in the historic district defined in Chapter 17.99 GHMC, the setbacks defined in GHMC 17.99.310 and 17.99.320 shall apply.
2Garages accessory to single-family and duplex dwellings may be located in the defined side and rear yards, provided they conform to the criteria in GHMC 17.99.490(A)(1).
3Accessory structures to single-family shall meet the minimum front yard setback for a house.
(Ord. 1551 § 11, 2025; Ord. 1393 § 4, 2018; Ord. 1347 § 30, 2016; Ord. 1307 § 38, 2014; Ord. 1194 § 22, 2010; Ord. 1085 § 7, 2007; Ord. 1083 § 1, 2007; Ord. 982 § 1, 2005; Ord. 975 § 31, 2004; Ord. 716 § 3, 1996; Ord. 710 § 21, 1996; Ord. 601 § 1, 1991; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.28.060 Maximum height of structures.
In an RB-1 district, all buildings and structures shall not exceed a height of 35 feet as provided for in GHMC 17.99.370(D), except as restricted under Chapter 17.62 GHMC, Height Restriction Area, and as provided under GHMC 17.99.390(A)(3), 17.99.510(A)(2) and 17.99.510(B). (Ord. 1194 § 23, 2010; Ord. 975 § 32, 2004; Ord. 710 § 22, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.28.070 Parking and loading facilities.
In an RB-1 district, parking and loading on private property shall be provided in connection with any permitted or conditional use as specified in Chapter 17.72 GHMC. Parking is not permitted in the side yards. Parking in front and rear yards is permitted; provided, that a minimum landscaped buffer of 10 feet is provided. In rear yards, a dense vegetative screen shall be provided between the parking area and any adjacent residence. (Ord. 710 § 22, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.28.080 Signs.
In an RB-1 district, signs may be allowed in conjunction with any permitted use and are subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.80 GHMC. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.28.085 Design.
Development in the RB-1 district shall conform to the design and development standards contained in Chapter 17.99 GHMC. (Ord. 975 § 33, 2004).
17.28.090 Performance standards.
In an RB-1 district, the performance standards are as follows:
A. Exterior Mechanical Devices. Air conditioners, heating, cooling and ventilating equipment, pumps and heaters and all other mechanical devices shall be screened.
B. Landscaping. Landscaping is required and shall be installed in conformance with Chapter 17.78 GHMC and/or conditions of approval of discretionary applications required by this title; such landscaping shall be maintained in a neat manner. In no event shall such landscaped areas be used for storage of materials or parking of vehicles.
C. Outdoor Storage of Materials. The outdoor storage of materials, including but not limited to lumber, auto parts, household appliances, pipe, drums, machinery or furniture, is permitted as an incidental or accessory activity of a permitted use or the principal feature of a conditional use. Such storage shall be screened by a wall, fence, landscaping or structure from surrounding properties and streets.
D. Outdoor Lighting. Outdoor lighting shall conform to the standards of GHMC 17.99.350 and 17.99.460. Such lighting shall be shielded so that the direct illumination shall be confined to the property boundaries of the light source. Ground-mounted floodlighting or light projection above the horizontal plane is prohibited between midnight and sunrise.
E. Trash Receptacles. Trash receptacles shall be screened from view. Screening shall be complementary to building design and materials.
F. Design. Development in the RB-1 district shall conform to the design and development standards contained in Chapter 17.99 GHMC.
G. Restaurant 1 and Food Stores. In addition to all other performance standards, restaurant 1 and food store uses shall be situated on the street level in an office building and not exceed 800 square feet in floor area. No outside sales or storage are allowed. The hours of operation are limited to 16 hours per day. (Ord. 1086 § 15, 2007; Ord. 1045 § 30, 2006; Ord. 975 § 34, 2004; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).