Gig Harbor City Zoning Code
17.32 Neighborhood
Commercial District B-1
One off-street loading berth shall be provided, in accordance with Chapter 17.72 GHMC.
17.32.010 Intent.
This district is intended to provide shopping facilities close to residential areas for the convenience of nearby residences in satisfaction of only daily or frequent shopping needs, while reducing the hazards of local traffic by limiting the kinds of retail activities to those suitable for stores of 5,000 square feet of floor area or less per parcel, such as groceries, bakeries or drugstores. Residential uses, subordinate to the principal commercial use, are suitable for this district. The protective standards for site development contained in this chapter are intended to minimize any adverse effect of such development on nearby property values, and to provide for safe and efficient use of the development itself. The principles or guidelines to be applied are as follows:
A. All business establishments shall be retail or service establishments dealing directly with consumers, and only those goods shall be produced that are sold on the premises. Residential uses are allowed, if they are subordinate to the principal commercial use on the site and providing that they do not occupy the ground floor of the structure.
B. The maximum gross floor area for a nonresidential structure shall not exceed 5,000 square feet per lot, exclusive of required parking.
C. All business shall be conducted within completely enclosed buildings. Open or drive-in establishments are not permitted. (Ord. 710 § 31, 1996; Ord. 231, 1976; Ord. 109A § 7.1, 1968).
17.32.020 Permitted and conditional uses.
Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses permitted and conditionally permitted in the B-1 district. (Ord. 1045 § 40, 2006).
17.32.030 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 § 21, 2010; Ord. 710 § 33, 1996; Ord. 254, 1977; Ord. 239, 1976; Ord. 231, 1976).
17.32.033 General standards.
The following general standards shall apply:
A. Minimum lot area: | 5,000 sq. ft. |
B. Minimum lot width: | 50 feet |
C. Minimum front yard:1 | 20 feet |
D. Minimum side yard:1 | 10 feet |
E. Minimum rear yard:1 | 25 feet |
F. Maximum impermeable surface coverage:2 | 70% |
G. Maximum hard surface coverage: | 80% |
H. Maximum residential density: | 32 dwelling units per acre 38 dwelling units per acre |
1If the B-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.
2On properties that do not have suitable soils, as identified in the Preliminary Soils Report, the maximum impermeable coverage may be 80 percent.
(Ord. 1551 § 12, 2025; Ord. 1347 § 34, 2016; Ord. 975 § 40, 2004; Ord. 710 § 34, 1996).
17.32.035 Maximum district area.
The maximum area of a B-1 district shall not exceed three acres. A B-1 district may not be located within one-half mile of another commercial district. (Ord. 710 § 35, 1996).
17.32.040 Lot area.
A. The minimum lot area for residential or public or institutional uses permitted in a B-1 district shall be the same as that required in GHMC 17.20.040.
B. For business establishments, the lot area shall not be less than 7,000 square feet. (Ord. 248, 1977; Ord. 231, 1976; Ord. 109A § 7.3, 1968).
17.32.045 Impervious coverage.
Repealed by Ord. 1194. (Ord. 598 § 3, 1991).
17.32.050 Design.
Development in the B-1 district shall conform to the design and development standards contained in Chapter 17.99 GHMC. (Ord. 975 § 42, 2004).
17.32.060 Rear yard.
A. Residential uses shall provide a rear yard of 30 feet.
B. Business establishments shall not be required to provide rear yards, but if rear yards are provided, they shall be screened from the view of neighbors.
C. Commercial uses shall provide a minimum yard of 30 feet adjacent to a residential district, and said yard shall consist of a dense vegetative buffer. (Ord. 598 § 3, 1991; Ord. 231, 1976; Ord. 109A § 7.5, 1968).
17.32.070 Side yard.
A. Residential side yard requirements shall be the same as those of an R-1 district;
B. Business establishments abutting on residences shall prove a side yard at least eight feet, with screening between them and adjacent residences;
C. Other business establishments shall not be required to provide side yards, but if side yards are provided, they shall be screened from adjacent residential areas;
D. Commercial uses shall provide a minimum yard of 30 feet adjacent to a residential district, and said yard shall consist of a dense vegetative buffer. (Ord. 598 § 3, 1991; Ord. 231, 1976; Ord. 109A § 7.6, 1968).
17.32.080 Maximum height of structures.
In a B-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 § 28, 2010; Ord. 975 § 43, 2004; Ord. 231, 1976; Ord. 109A § 7.7, 1968).
17.32.090 Off-street loading.
One off-street loading berth shall be provided, in accordance with Chapter 17.72 GHMC. (Ord. 710 § 36, 1996; Ord. 231, 1976; Ord. 109A § 7.9, 1968).
17.32.100 Off-street parking.
Off-street parking and loading shall comply with the standards of Chapter 17.72 GHMC. (Ord. 710 § 37, 1996; Ord. 231, 1976; Ord. 109A § 7.10, 1968).
17.32.110 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 direct illumination shall be confined to the property boundaries of the light source. Ground-mounted flood lighting or light projection above the horizontal plane is prohibited between midnight and sunrise. (Ord. 975 § 44, 2004).
17.32.120 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 for the life of the project. In no event shall such landscaped areas be used for storage of materials, merchandise or parking of vehicles. (Ord. 1086 § 18, 2007; Ord. 975 § 45, 2004).