Gig Harbor City Zoning Code
17.31 Downtown
Business District DB
In the DB district, signs may be allowed in conjunction with any permitted use and are subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.80 GHMC.
17.31.010 Intent.
A. The purpose of the DB district is to:
1. Provide for an area that offers a broad range of goods and services for the citizens of Gig Harbor;
2. Promote and enhance services and activities which cater to visitors to the city; and
3. Maintain the traditional scale and character of downtown Gig Harbor.
B. The standards for development in this chapter are intended to allow uses which are:
1. Primarily conducted within enclosed buildings except for parking, dining areas and newsstands;
2. Protect views; and
3. Allow for commercial developments which do not adversely affect residences through excessive noise or bothersome activities. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.31.020 Permitted uses.
Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses permitted in the DB district. (Ord. 1045 § 36, 2006).
17.31.030 Conditional uses.
Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses conditionally permitted in the DB district. (Ord. 1045 § 38, 2006).
17.31.040 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 § 20, 2010; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.31.050 Minimum lot requirements.
In a DB district, the minimum lot area is 6,000 square feet, and the minimum lot width is 50 feet. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.31.060 Minimum building setback requirements.
In a DB district, the setbacks defined in GHMC 17.99.310 and 17.99.320 apply; provided, however, that where a DB district abuts a residential district, the nonresidential building setback shall be 20 feet minimum, and the space so created shall be landscaped to screen the nonresidential uses from the abutting residential district. (Ord. 1194 § 26, 2010; Ord. 975 § 37, 2004; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.31.065 Maximum residential density.
The maximum residential density is 12 dwelling units per acre. (Ord. 1551 § 11, 2025; Ord. 1389 § 7, 2018).
17.31.070 Maximum impermeable and hard surface coverage.
In the DB district, the maximum impermeable surface coverage is 70 percent. The maximum hard surface coverage by all buildings, driveways, walkways and other similar hard surfaces shall be 80 percent. On properties that do not have suitable soils, as identified in the Preliminary Soils Report, the maximum impermeable coverage may be 80 percent. (Ord. 1347 § 33, 2016; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.31.075 Maximum gross floor area.
A. Except as provided for in subsection B of this section, in the DB district, the maximum gross floor area per building is 6,000 square feet. Multiple buildings on the same site shall be separated by a nonpenetrated fire wall as defined in the International Fire Code except that a single six-foot opening in the fire wall separating structures is permissible; provided, that each structure has an outside customer entrance accessible to the street. Each structure shall be designed to stand independent of other structures on the site (i.e., the addition or removal of any one building on a site will not require structural attachments or modifications to any other building on the site).
B. For structures existing as of the effective date of this section, additional gross floor area may be added to a structure and the total gross floor area may exceed the maximum allowed in subsection A of this section; provided, that the additional gross floor area to be added is interior to the building and does not enlarge or expand the existing building footprint. Roof modifications to accommodate the increase in interior gross floor area are allowed provided the roof modifications do not exceed the building height allowed in GHMC 17.99.510. No additional parking spaces are required to accommodate the increase in gross floor area. (Ord. 1268 § 1, 2013; Ord. 995 § 5, 2005).
17.31.080 Maximum height of structures.
In the DB district, the height provisions of GHMC 17.99.510 apply. (Ord. 975 § 38, 2004; Ord. 710 § 29, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.31.090 Parking/loading.
In the DB district, parking and loading facilities on private property shall be provided in connection with any permitted or conditional use as specified in Chapter 17.72 GHMC, off-street parking and loading requirements. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.31.100 Signs.
In the DB 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).
17.31.110 Performance standards.
In a DB 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 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 Display of Merchandise. The outdoor display of merchandise is limited to the area immediately along the building frontage a maximum distance of 12 feet from the building. Outdoor displays of merchandise on public sidewalks or rights-of-way shall be regulated per Chapter 12.02 GHMC.
E. 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.
F. Trash Receptacles. Trash receptacles shall be screened from view. Screening shall be complementary to building design and materials.
G. Design. Development in the DB district shall conform to the design and development standards contained in Chapter 17.99 GHMC. (Ord. 1086 § 17, 2007; Ord. 975 § 39, 2004; Ord. 710 § 30, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).