Gig Harbor City Zoning Code
17.36 General
Business District B-2
In a B-2 district, signs may be allowed in conjunction with any permitted use and are subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.80 GHMC.
17.36.010 Intent.
The purpose of the B-2 district is to provide areas that offer a wide range of consumer goods and services. It is further intended to group buildings and business establishments in a manner that creates convenient, attractive and safe development. The products and services shall primarily be for sale on the premises only. All business shall be conducted within enclosed buildings, except for approved outdoor storage, display and dining areas. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.36.020 Permitted uses.
Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses permitted in the B-2 district. (Ord. 1045 § 42, 2006).
17.36.030 Conditional uses.
Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses conditionally permitted in the B-2 district. (Ord. 1045 § 44, 2006).
17.36.040 Other uses.
Other uses similar to either permitted or conditional uses which are consistent with the intent of the B-2 district may be allowed. The determination of consistency and classification of use whether permitted or conditional shall be made by the planning director. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.36.050 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 § 22, 2010; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.36.055 Maximum gross floor area.
The maximum gross floor area per retail structure is 35,000 square feet, with the following exceptions:
A. In the Olympic Village Activity Center and the Westside general business (B-2) district1 the maximum gross floor area per retail structure is 65,000 square feet.
B. In the B-2 district abutting North Harborview Drive (the area commonly known as Finholm Market) 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).
C. In the B-2 district near the intersection of Harborview Drive and North Harborview Drive (the intersection commonly known as Borgen’s Corner), the maximum gross floor area per building is 6,000 square feet with a minimum separation of 20 feet between buildings. (Ord. 1307 § 40, 2014; Ord. 995 § 6, 2005; Ord. 959 § 1, 2004; Ord. 716 § 2, 1996).
17.36.060 Minimum building setback requirements.
Single-Family and Duplex Dwellings | Other Residential and Nonresidential | |
|---|---|---|
A. Front yard* | House: 20' Porch: 12' Garage: 26' | 20' |
B. Rear yard* | 30' | 20' |
C. Side yard* | 8' | Interior yards: 5' Flanking street: 10' |
D. Separation between structures | 20' | 20' |
E. Any yard abutting residential development: 30 feet with dense vegetative screening. This requirement does not apply to single-family and duplex dwellings in the B-2 district. | ||
(Ord. 1307 § 41, 2014; Ord. 1194 § 29, 2010; Ord. 1085 § 9, 2007; Ord. 975 § 46, 2004; Ord. 710 § 40, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.36.065 Maximum residential density.
The maximum residential density is 32 dwelling units per acre. Thirty-eight dwelling units per acre for mixed-use and apartments. (Ord. 1551 § 13, 2025; Ord. 1389 § 8, 2018).
17.36.070 Maximum impermeable and hard surface coverage.
In a B-2 district, the maximum impermeable surface coverage is 60 percent. The maximum hard surface coverage by all buildings, driveways, walkways and other similar hard surfaces shall be 70 percent. On properties that do not have suitable soils, as identified in the Preliminary Soils Report, the maximum impermeable coverage may be 70 percent. (Ord. 1347 § 35, 2016; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.36.080 Maximum height of structures.
In a B-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 § 30, 2010; Ord. 975 § 47, 2004; Ord. 710 § 41, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.36.090 Parking.
In a B-2 district, parking on private property shall be provided in connection with any permitted or conditional use as specified in Chapter 17.72 GHMC. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.36.100 Signs.
In a B-2 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).
17.36.110 Loading facilities.
In a B-2 district, off-street loading facilities shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.72 GHMC. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.36.120 Performance standards.
In a B-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 for the life of the project. In no event shall such landscaped areas be used for storage of materials, merchandise 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 right-of-way or sidewalks shall be regulated under the provisions of 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 B-2 district shall conform to the design and development standards contained in Chapter 17.99 GHMC. (Ord. 1086 § 19, 2007; Ord. 975 § 48, 2004; Ord. 710 § 42, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).