Gig Harbor City Zoning Code
17.40 Commercial
District C-1
17.40.010 Intent.
A C-1 district is intended to provide for uses that, though not necessarily hazardous or offensive, are different from direct sales and services to customers or residential developments. These uses include light manufacturing, sales, storage, maintenance and processing. The regulations for a C-1 district are intended to allow the efficient use of the land while making the district attractive and compatible with a variety of uses within the district and in surrounding districts. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.40.020 Permitted uses.
Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses permitted in the C-1 district. (Ord. 1045 § 46, 2006).
17.40.030 Permitted accessory uses and structures.
Repealed by Ord. 1045. (Ord. 710 § 44, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.40.040 Conditional uses.
Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses conditionally permitted in the C-1 district. (Ord. 1045 § 49, 2006).
17.40.050 Prohibited uses and structures.
Repealed by Ord. 710. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.40.055 Maximum gross floor area.
The maximum gross floor area per retail structure is 65,000 square feet, except that in the C-1 district abutting Harborview Drive the maximum gross floor area per building is 35,000 square feet with a minimum separation of 20 feet between buildings. (Ord. 1307 § 42, 2014; Ord. 995 § 7, 2005; Ord. 716 § 1, 1996).
17.40.060 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 § 23, 2010; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.40.065 Commercial district minimum requirements and performance standards along the waterfront.
17.40.070 Minimum lot requirements.
In a C-1 district, the minimum site development area is 6,000 square feet, and the minimum lot width is 50 feet. (Ord. 710 § 47, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.40.075 Maximum residential density.
The maximum residential density is 38 dwelling units per acre. (Ord. 1551 § 14, 2025; Ord. 1389 § 9, 2018; Ord. 710 § 48, 1996).
17.40.080 Minimum building setback requirements.
Single-Family and Duplex Dwellings | Other Residential and Nonresidential | |
|---|---|---|
A. Front yard1,2 | House: 20' Porch: 12' Garage: 26' | Front, side and rear building setbacks shall be determined as part of site plan review, Chapter 17.96 GHMC. |
B. Rear yard1 | 30' | |
C. Side yard1 | 8' | |
D. Separation between structures | N/A | 20' |
E. Any yard associated with a nonresidential development abutting residential district shall be 30 feet with a dense vegetative screen located on the nonresidential property. | ||
1If the C-1 district is located in the historic district as defined in Chapter 17.99 GHMC, the setbacks defined in GHMC 17.99.310 and 17.99.320 shall apply. | ||
2The front yard for accessory structures to single-family and duplex dwellings shall meet the minimum front yard for a house. | ||
(Ord. 1307 § 43, 2014; Ord. 1085 § 10, 2007; Ord. 975 § 49, 2004; Ord. 710 § 49, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.40.090 Maximum impermeable and hard surface coverage.
In a C-1 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 § 36, 2016; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.40.100 Maximum height of structures.
In a C-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 § 31, 2010; Ord. 975 § 50, 2004; Ord. 710 § 50, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.40.110 Parking and loading facilities.
In a C-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. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).
17.40.120 Performance standards.
In a C-1 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 C-1 district shall conform to the design and development standards contained in Chapter 17.99 GHMC.
G. Offensive Activities. Activities in the C-1 zone shall not emit smoke, excessive noise, dirt, vibration or glare, or be otherwise offensive or hazardous. (Ord. 1086 § 20, 2007; Ord. 1045 § 50, 2006; Ord. 975 § 51, 2004; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).