Gig Harbor City Zoning Code

17.91 Mixed

Use District Overlay MUD

17.91.010 Intent.

The intent of the mixed use zone is to provide flexibility in promoting the development of an integrated multi-use district which permits a variety of residential types and compatible businesses in close proximity to each other.

Development standards and the design manual assure site development that is sensitive to critical lands and will provide the flexibility necessary to accommodate changing land use patterns and conditions.

Projects should be designed to ensure that early development does not foreclose options for later development and that new and different uses can be added without jeopardizing uses already established or planned for. (Ord. 747 § 7, 1997).

17.91.020 Permitted uses.

Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses permitted in the MUD district overlay. (Ord. 1045 § 82, 2006).

17.91.030 Conditional uses.

Refer to Chapter 17.14 GHMC for uses conditionally permitted in the MUD district overlay. (Ord. 1045 § 84, 2006).

17.91.040 Site development and performance standards.

A. Minimum Development Parcel Size. To promote efficient and compatible groupings of uses within a mixed use district, the following minimum development parcel sizes shall apply:

1. No parcel less than 10 acres shall be developed with residential uses, except where the parcel is contiguous to a developed or planned residential area.

2. No parcel less than 10 acres shall be developed with nonresidential uses, except where the parcel is contiguous to a developed or planned business or commercial area.

3. Where phased development is proposed for a parcel of 10 acres or greater and where the first phase is less than 10 acres, the remaining portion of the parcel reserved for future development shall be committed to residential or nonresidential uses.

4. Where residential and nonresidential uses are developed on the same parcel or site, the parcel size requirements may be waived where it is found that the intent of the mixed use zone is otherwise met.

1. The minimum density is 24 dwelling units per acre and maximum residential density is 32 dwelling units per acre.

2. Each unit must have individual private yards or courts enclosed by a wall, berm or dense landscaping.

3. Townhouse units adjacent to a single-family residence within the same development shall have a front yard equal to or exceeding the single-family dwelling and a minimum side yard of 25 feet if adjacent to a single-family lot.

4. Easements shall be required for all zero lot line developments to facilitate access from the adjoining lot for necessary maintenance and repair activities.

C. Separation of Uses/Transition Buffers. To ensure that different land uses are adequately separated, the following transition buffers and setbacks shall be used:

1. Buffers Separating New Businesses from Existing Residential Uses. A business or nonresidential use must meet the following standards where it is adjacent to property which is either developed or planned for residential use in addition to the zone transition standards defined in GHMC 17.99.180:

a. A minimum 35-foot setback from any property shared with a residential site.

b. Landscaping forming a dense vegetative screen or retention of existing native vegetation within required buffer areas equal to the minimum setback.

c. No parking shall occur within a required buffer.

2. Buffers Separating New Residential Use from Existing Nonresidential Uses. A residential use must meet the following standards where it is adjacent to property which is either developed or planned for nonresidential or business use:

a. A minimum 35-foot setback from any property shared with a nonresidential site.

b. Landscaping forming a dense vegetative screen or retention of existing native vegetation within required buffer areas equal to the minimum setback.

3. Buffers Separating New Multifamily Dwellings from Existing Single-Family Dwellings. In addition to the zone transition standards in GHMC 17.99.180, a multifamily use must meet the following standards where it is adjacent to property which is developed as single-family residential:

a. A minimum setback of 25 feet from all street rights-of-way common to both uses.

b. A minimum setback of at least 25 feet from any property line shared with a single-family use.

c. Landscaping within required buffer areas equal to minimum width of the buffer.

Parking areas shall not occupy the required buffer area.

4. Buffers Separating Single-Family Dwellings from Existing Multifamily Dwellings. Where adjacent property is developed or planned for single-family residential use, a multifamily residential development must meet the following standards:

a. A minimum setback of 25 feet from all street rights-of-way common to both uses.

b. A minimum setback of at least 25 feet from any property line shared with a single-family use.

c. Landscaping within required buffer areas equal to the minimum width of the buffer.

D. Mixed Use Occupancies Within the Same Structure. Residential units and retail business or office uses shall be permitted within the same structure, subject to the following standards:

1. The nonresidential use must have access by way of a business arterial and shall front directly on an adjacent sidewalk or pedestrian walkway, or on a front or side yard from which vehicles are excluded.

2. Where a business or residential portion of the building is located on different floors, business uses shall occupy the floors below the residential uses.

3. Business and residential portions of a building must be separated by soundproof walls, floors, equipment, utilities or other suitable architectural features or appurtenances.

4. Allocation of uses shall be consistent with the city of Gig Harbor comprehensive plan.

a. Front, 15 feet.

b. Side, five feet. At least 20 feet is required on the opposite side of a lot having a zero lot line.

c. Rear, 15 feet.

2. Maximum Height. The maximum height of a structure shall not exceed 35 feet.

3. Maximum Lot Area Coverage. Forty-five percent, excluding driveways, private walkways and similar hard surfaces.

4. Landscaping. Landscaping shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 17.78 GHMC.

5. Exterior Mechanical Devices. All HVAC equipment, pumps, heaters and other mechanical devices shall be screened from view from all public rights-of-way.

6. Outdoor Storage of Materials. Outdoor storage of materials and supplies, except for authorized sales displays, shall be completely screened from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way.

7. 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 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.

8. Trash Receptacles. Trash receptacles shall be screened from view. Screening shall be complementary to building design and materials.

9. Design. Development in the MUD district shall conform to the design and development standards contained in Chapter 17.99 GHMC. Duplex dwellings shall conform to the design standards defined for single-family dwellings in Chapter 17.99 GHMC.

10. Signage. Signage must comply with the requirements of Chapter 17.80 GHMC.

11. Site Plans. The site plan review process established under Chapter 17.96 GHMC shall apply to all uses and development within this district. (Ord. 1551 § 20, 2025; Ord. 1347 § 59, 2016; Ord. 1307 § 61, 2014; Ord. 1197 § 54, 2010; Ord. 1194 § 45, 2010; Ord. 1086 § 26, 2007; Ord. 1045 § 85, 2006; Ord. 975 § 73, 2004; Ord. 747 § 7, 1997).