Gig Harbor City Zoning Code
17.30 Residential
and Business District RB-2
17.30.010 Intent.
The RB-2 district is intended to provide a mix of medium density residential uses with certain specified business, personal and professional services. It is intended to serve as a transitional buffer between high intensity commercial areas and lower intensity residential areas. The RB-2 zone is similar in construction to the RB-1 zone while allowing a higher percentage of hard surface coverage and multifamily residential development. Furthermore, the RB-2 zone would serve to minimize impacts to adjacent residential uses by limiting general operational impacts of a use to that portion of the site between the structure(s) and the fronting road. (Ord. 1347 § 31, 2016; Ord. 554 § 1A, 1989).
17.30.020 Permitted uses.
Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses permitted in the RB-2 district. (Ord. 1045 § 32, 2006).
17.30.030 Conditional uses.
Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses conditionally permitted in the RB-2 district. (Ord. 1194 § 24, 2010; Ord. 1045 § 34, 2006).
17.30.040 Site plans.
The site plan review process established under Chapter 17.96 GHMC shall apply to all uses and development within this district. (Ord. 1197 § 19, 2010; Ord. 554 § 1D, 1989).
17.30.050 Development standards.
In an RB-2 district, development standards shall be satisfied for all new and redeveloped uses:
Single-Family and Duplex Dwellings | Other Residential and Nonresidential | |
|---|---|---|
A. Minimum lot area | 12,000 sq. ft. | 12,000 sq. ft. |
B. Minimum lot width | 70' | 70' |
C. Front yard setback2 | House: 20' Porch: 12' Garage: 26' | 20' |
D. Side yard setback1 | 8' | 8' |
E. Rear yard setback1 | 30' | 15' |
F. Any nonresidential yard abutting an existing residential use or zone: 40 feet with dense vegetative screening. Easements not having dense vegetative screening are not included; | ||
G. Minimum density: 12 dwelling units/acre; | ||
H. Maximum density: 32 dwelling units/acre. | ||
1Garages 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).
2Accessory structures to single-family and duplex dwellings shall meet the front yard setback for a house.
(Ord. 1551 § 10, 2025; Ord. 1389 § 6, 2018; Ord. 1307 § 39, 2014; Ord. 1085 § 8, 2007; Ord. 954 § 3, 2004; Ord. 710 § 26, 1996; Ord. 554 § 1E, 1989).
17.30.060 Hard surface coverage.
Hard surface coverage in an RB-2 district shall be limited as follows:
A. Fifty-five percent hard surface coverage is permitted outright.
B. Seventy percent hard surface coverage is conditionally allowed, subject to the following:
1. For every one percent increase in hard surface coverage, an additional 0.5 feet of buffer shall be provided between the use and adjacent single-family residential use or zone;
2. Increased buffering shall consist of one of the following:
a. Undisturbed native vegetation which meets the definition of a dense vegetative screen,
b. Appropriate landscape vegetation consisting of a mixture of coniferous and broadleaf evergreen species with minimum planting height of six feet and capable of providing a dense vegetative screen within three years of planting,
c. As an alternative to paragraph b of this subdivision, the opaque portion of the screen may consist of a weather-resistant wood fence of six feet in height, constructed along the property line.
C. Buffer vegetation shall be maintained for the life of the project. Dead, diseased or dying vegetation may be removed; provided, that replanting of vegetation of a like or similar species in size and area coverage shall be accomplished within six months from removal. (Ord. 1347 § 32, 2016; Ord. 554 § 1F, 1989).
17.30.070 Maximum height of structures.
In an RB-2 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 § 25, 2010; Ord. 975 § 35, 2004; Ord. 710 § 27, 1996; Ord. 554 § 1G, 1989).
17.30.080 Parking.
In an RB-2 district, parking on private property shall be provided in connection with any permitted or conditional use as specified in Chapter 17.72 GHMC. Where the parcel abuts a residential use or zone, parking and vehicle access areas shall be located between the fronting road and the structure(s); provided, that where site characteristics or design preclude locating parking and access as described, that an additional 10 feet of buffering shall be required. (Ord. 554 § 1H, 1989).
17.30.090 Signs.
In an RB-2 district, signs may be allowed in conjunction with any permitted use and are subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.80 GHMC. (Ord. 554 § 1I, 1989).
17.30.100 Loading.
In an RB-2 district, off-street loading facilities shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.72 GHMC. (Ord. 554 § 1J, 1989).
17.30.110 Performance standards.
In an RB-2 district, 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 by 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, pipes, 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. Temporary outdoor lighting intended to advertise a temporary promotional event shall be exempt from this requirement.
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-2 district shall conform to the design and development standards contained in Chapter 17.99 GHMC. (Ord. 1086 § 16, 2007; Ord. 975 § 36, 2004; Ord. 710 § 28, 1996; Ord. 554 § 1K, 1989).