These regulations shall be known and may be cited as the "Grays Harbor County comprehensive zoning code."

(Ord. 241 § 13.01.010, 1998)

(Ord. No. 410, § 1, 3-17-2014)

The purpose of this title is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, and to facilitate the adoption and enforcement of the coordinated plans which are either developed or being designed to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout Grays Harbor County; to group as nearly as possible those uses which are mutually compatible, and to protect each such group of uses from the intrusion of incompatible uses which would destroy the security and stability of land and improvements and which would also prevent the greatest practical convenience and service to citizens of Grays Harbor County; to promote traffic safety; to provide safety from fire and other elements; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent overcrowding of real estate; to promote a wholesome home environment; to prevent housing development in unsuitable areas; and to provide an adequate street system; to promote the coordinated development of unbuilt areas; to encourage the formation of community units; to provide an allotment of land area in new developments sufficient for all the requirements of community life; to conserve natural resources; to protect and enhance the quality of the natural environment; and to provide for adequate public services.

(Ord. 241 § 13.01.020, 1998)

A valid and complete building permit application for a structure that is allowable under Title 17, Zoning, or other land use control ordinances in effect on the date of the application shall be vested under the building permit ordinance in effect at the time of application, and the zoning or other land use control ordinances in effect on the date of application. Such vesting shall exclude any fees for any associated applications, which would be per the current fee schedule. Such vesting rights shall terminate automatically if the application expires.

(Ord. No. 501, § 5, 6-10-2025)

The location and boundaries of the various zones are such as shown and delineated on the Zoning Map of Grays Harbor County adopted under this title.

(Ord. 241 § 13.01.040, 1998)

The zoning map may for convenience, be divided into parts and each such part may, for purposes of more readily identifying locations within such zoning map, be subdivided into units, and such parts and units may be separately employed for identification purposes when adopting or amending the zoning map or for any official reference to the zoning map.

(Ord. 241 § 13.01.050, 1998)

Changes in the boundaries of the zones shall be made by ordinance adopting an amended zoning map, or part of the map, or unit of a part of said zoning map, which the amended maps, or parts of units or parts, when so adopted shall be published in the manner prescribed by law and become a part of this title.

(Ord. 241 § 13.01.060, 1998)

The regulations set by this title within each district shall be minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land, and particularly, except as hereinafter provided:

A.

No building, structure, or land shall hereafter be used or occupied, and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered except in conformity with all the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located.

B.

No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered: (1) to exceed the height or bulk; (2) to accommodate or house a greater number of families; (3) to occupy a greater percentage of lot area; (4) to have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards or other open spaces than herein required; or in any other manner contrary to the provisions of this title.

C.

The zoning districts and their schedule of regulations do not affect uses and related activities on streets and their rights-of-way, rail tracts and their rights-of-way and utility conduits and their rights-of-way. The zoning districts and their schedule of regulations do not affect uses and activities on navigable water surfaces.

D.

No lot existing at the time of passage of the ordinance codified in this title shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Lots created after the effective date of said ordinance shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this title.

(Ord. 241 § 13.01.070, 1998)

Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of any zone shown upon the zoning map or any part or unit thereof, the following rules shall apply:

A.

Where such boundaries are indicated as approximately following street or alley lines or lot lines, such lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.

B.

In unsubdivided property, the district boundary lines on the Map shall be determined by use of the scale contained on such map. Scaled distances indicated as approximately following Governmental Section Subdivision lines shall be construed as following such Governmental Section Subdivision lines.

C.

Where a public street, alley or railroad right-of-way is officially vacated or abandoned, the area comprising such vacated street, alley or railroad right-of-way shall be the classification of the abutting property to the centerline of the right-of-way.

D.

The district boundaries shall extend to mean higher high tide when adjacent to any tidal water body unless otherwise specified.

E.

Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the official zoning map, or in other circumstances not covered by A through D of this section, the planning commission shall interpret the district boundaries.

(Ord. 241 § 13.01.080, 1998)

When a parcel wholly situated on the same side of a public right-of-way is designated by two or more zone districts, the less intensive zone district shall apply to the entire parcel. A subdivision along the boundaries of the zone districts may be allowed pursuant to Title 16.

(Ord. 333 (part), 2005)

(Ord. No. 474, § 40, 6-28-2022; Ord. No. 486, § 7, 8-22-2023)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 474, § 40, adopted June 28, 2022, amended the title of § 17.04.090 by changing "divided" to "designated."