Hoquiam City Zoning Code

The purpose of this chapter is to classify land within the city into various districts as set forth in the 2009 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, with appropriate district designations, and within each district, limit the use of the land and the height, size, use and locations of structures; identify public health and safety standards; and provide for nonconforming uses to protect property owners from undue economic hardship. (Ord. 10-25 § 3, 2010; Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

Each parcel of land in the city shall be covered by one of the preceding zoning districts. (Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

This code establishes an official zoning map, referred to herein as the “Official Zoning Map of the City of Hoquiam.” The map shall show as graphically as possible the regular zoning districts within the city. The map shall be approved by the city council of Hoquiam and shall contain the signatures of the mayor and finance director as verification of the approval of the city council. The city planning administrator shall have, maintain and make available to the public the only official current original zoning map as adopted by the city council. This code and all its terms are to be read and interpreted in light of the contents of this map. In cases where there may be conflicts of interpretation between the map and the text of the code, the text of the code shall prevail. (Ord. 10-25 § 5, 2010; Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

Where an uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts as shown on the map, the following rules shall apply:

Changes in zoning district boundaries shall be made by the city council by adopting an amended zoning map. At the time of amendment, these adopted changes shall become a part of this code. In adopting zoning district boundary changes, the procedures in HMC 10.07.140 shall apply. (Ord. 16-07 § 1, 2016; Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

Any property other than the right-of-way of a street or alley that is not designated as being zoned shall be deemed to be in an R-1 district. (Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

The city council shall determine the zoning of all property annexed into the city of Hoquiam in accordance with RCW 35A.14.120. Any subsequent rezoning of the property shall follow the procedures for amendments to this code as described in HMC 10.07.050. (Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

Purpose: The general purposes of the low density residential district are to encourage sustainable residential development patterns within the community. The R-1 zone accommodates single-family residences including duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes at a density of up to five dwelling units per acre. Limited multifamily or higher lot density development could occur with the approval of a planned unit development within this zone.

This zoning district has been applied to the outlying areas away from the downtown, commercial corridor and industrial areas. The district generally maintains slightly lower densities that maintain and promote the small town character of Hoquiam while maintaining that environmentally sensitive areas are not adversely impacted by development densities. Clustering density by means of a PUD to provide open space in environmentally sensitive areas is encouraged. Permitted and conditional uses are identified in HMC 10.03.106, Table of permitted and conditional uses – Residential. (Ord. 10-25 § 8, 2010).

The general purpose of the high density residential district is to accommodate single-family residences including duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes at a density of nine per acre and multifamily at twenty-five per acre. The area corresponds to the portion of town which is currently platted to eight lots per block, includes few developments and has close proximity to public facilities and services. The district includes areas that are along major collectors, arterials and planned transit service. Permitted and conditional uses are identified in HMC 10.03.106, Table of permitted and conditional uses – Residential. (Ord. 10-25 § 9, 2010).

The general purposes of the general commercial district are to provide appropriate commercial areas for retail and service establishments, neighborhood convenience stores and office uses required by residents of the city in a manner consistent with the comprehensive plan. The district provides employment opportunities for residents of the city and adjacent areas, businesses which meet the needs of the local population and attract populations located throughout Western Washington; provide adequate space to meet the needs of commercial development and associated on- and off-street parking/loading; and to concentrate the commercial development such that the intensity promotes vitality within the commercial areas, facilitates transit and optimizes available infrastructure.

General commercial accommodates a wide range of commercial uses to serve the local community and region. The businesses are ones that are most heavily dependent on vehicular access and are located adjacent to the major transportation route through the city. Uses allowed with this district include retail businesses, professional offices, hotels, restaurants, and personal service shops. Live/work units are permitted outright. (Ord. 10-25 § 11, 2010).

The general purposes of the downtown commercial district are to accommodate a mix of uses that have occurred over time in the city’s downtown area. This district makes provision for retail uses on the ground floor of structures and promotes a mix of uses on the upper floors of historic buildings including residences, hotels, art studios, and professional offices. The district is intended to permit the development of a scale, type, height, and architectural style that reinforces the historic character of the downtown area. It is designed to promote pedestrian-oriented land uses and minimize parking facilities associated with individual businesses off street. On-street parking characteristic of typical historic areas is promoted and transit and pedestrians are the focus of the area. (Ord. 10-25 § 12, 2010).

The general purposes of the industrial district are to provide a variety of manufacturing and marine-related uses in limited areas, which if located elsewhere would be unacceptable. The district also accommodates those general retail uses that do not serve community and neighborhood needs and are not compatible with other commercial land uses allowed in commercial zoning districts elsewhere in the city. The district protects residential and manufacturing areas from adverse effects associated with industrial activity. The district promotes economic diversification and employment opportunities for present and future residents. Activities within the district may include small-scale manufacturing, processing, fabrication and assembly of products and materials, warehousing, storage, and transport facilities. Marine-related activities may include boat-related haul-out, repair and fabrication, painting services, and associated retail sales. The district accommodates heavy manufacturing activities including processing, assembling of products or bulk storage. (Ord. 14-07 § 1, 2014; Ord. 10-25 § 13, 2010).

The general purposes of the natural resources district are to provide flexibility in the newly annexed area of the city for future development while limiting urban sprawl. The natural resource district is primarily used for the commercial production and harvesting of trees. Additionally it is available for passive recreational activities, educational uses and public and private utilities.

This area of the city will provide opportunity for future growth. The city will prepare a buildable lands inventory and analysis of potential street design and utility layout. As development is proposed for these areas it should be compatible with adjacent land use. (Ord. 10-25 § 14, 2010).

Repealed by Ord. 04-16. (Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

Repealed by Ord. 04-16. (Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

The purpose of this chapter is to classify land within the city into various districts as set forth in the 2009 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, with appropriate district designations, and within each district, limit the use of the land and the height, size, use and locations of structures; identify public health and safety standards; and provide for nonconforming uses to protect property owners from undue economic hardship. (Ord. 10-25 § 3, 2010; Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

Each parcel of land in the city shall be covered by one of the preceding zoning districts. (Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

This code establishes an official zoning map, referred to herein as the “Official Zoning Map of the City of Hoquiam.” The map shall show as graphically as possible the regular zoning districts within the city. The map shall be approved by the city council of Hoquiam and shall contain the signatures of the mayor and finance director as verification of the approval of the city council. The city planning administrator shall have, maintain and make available to the public the only official current original zoning map as adopted by the city council. This code and all its terms are to be read and interpreted in light of the contents of this map. In cases where there may be conflicts of interpretation between the map and the text of the code, the text of the code shall prevail. (Ord. 10-25 § 5, 2010; Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

Where an uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts as shown on the map, the following rules shall apply:

Changes in zoning district boundaries shall be made by the city council by adopting an amended zoning map. At the time of amendment, these adopted changes shall become a part of this code. In adopting zoning district boundary changes, the procedures in HMC 10.07.140 shall apply. (Ord. 16-07 § 1, 2016; Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

Any property other than the right-of-way of a street or alley that is not designated as being zoned shall be deemed to be in an R-1 district. (Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

The city council shall determine the zoning of all property annexed into the city of Hoquiam in accordance with RCW 35A.14.120. Any subsequent rezoning of the property shall follow the procedures for amendments to this code as described in HMC 10.07.050. (Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

Purpose: The general purposes of the low density residential district are to encourage sustainable residential development patterns within the community. The R-1 zone accommodates single-family residences including duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes at a density of up to five dwelling units per acre. Limited multifamily or higher lot density development could occur with the approval of a planned unit development within this zone.

This zoning district has been applied to the outlying areas away from the downtown, commercial corridor and industrial areas. The district generally maintains slightly lower densities that maintain and promote the small town character of Hoquiam while maintaining that environmentally sensitive areas are not adversely impacted by development densities. Clustering density by means of a PUD to provide open space in environmentally sensitive areas is encouraged. Permitted and conditional uses are identified in HMC 10.03.106, Table of permitted and conditional uses – Residential. (Ord. 10-25 § 8, 2010).

The general purpose of the high density residential district is to accommodate single-family residences including duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes at a density of nine per acre and multifamily at twenty-five per acre. The area corresponds to the portion of town which is currently platted to eight lots per block, includes few developments and has close proximity to public facilities and services. The district includes areas that are along major collectors, arterials and planned transit service. Permitted and conditional uses are identified in HMC 10.03.106, Table of permitted and conditional uses – Residential. (Ord. 10-25 § 9, 2010).

The general purposes of the general commercial district are to provide appropriate commercial areas for retail and service establishments, neighborhood convenience stores and office uses required by residents of the city in a manner consistent with the comprehensive plan. The district provides employment opportunities for residents of the city and adjacent areas, businesses which meet the needs of the local population and attract populations located throughout Western Washington; provide adequate space to meet the needs of commercial development and associated on- and off-street parking/loading; and to concentrate the commercial development such that the intensity promotes vitality within the commercial areas, facilitates transit and optimizes available infrastructure.

General commercial accommodates a wide range of commercial uses to serve the local community and region. The businesses are ones that are most heavily dependent on vehicular access and are located adjacent to the major transportation route through the city. Uses allowed with this district include retail businesses, professional offices, hotels, restaurants, and personal service shops. Live/work units are permitted outright. (Ord. 10-25 § 11, 2010).

The general purposes of the downtown commercial district are to accommodate a mix of uses that have occurred over time in the city’s downtown area. This district makes provision for retail uses on the ground floor of structures and promotes a mix of uses on the upper floors of historic buildings including residences, hotels, art studios, and professional offices. The district is intended to permit the development of a scale, type, height, and architectural style that reinforces the historic character of the downtown area. It is designed to promote pedestrian-oriented land uses and minimize parking facilities associated with individual businesses off street. On-street parking characteristic of typical historic areas is promoted and transit and pedestrians are the focus of the area. (Ord. 10-25 § 12, 2010).

The general purposes of the industrial district are to provide a variety of manufacturing and marine-related uses in limited areas, which if located elsewhere would be unacceptable. The district also accommodates those general retail uses that do not serve community and neighborhood needs and are not compatible with other commercial land uses allowed in commercial zoning districts elsewhere in the city. The district protects residential and manufacturing areas from adverse effects associated with industrial activity. The district promotes economic diversification and employment opportunities for present and future residents. Activities within the district may include small-scale manufacturing, processing, fabrication and assembly of products and materials, warehousing, storage, and transport facilities. Marine-related activities may include boat-related haul-out, repair and fabrication, painting services, and associated retail sales. The district accommodates heavy manufacturing activities including processing, assembling of products or bulk storage. (Ord. 14-07 § 1, 2014; Ord. 10-25 § 13, 2010).

The general purposes of the natural resources district are to provide flexibility in the newly annexed area of the city for future development while limiting urban sprawl. The natural resource district is primarily used for the commercial production and harvesting of trees. Additionally it is available for passive recreational activities, educational uses and public and private utilities.

This area of the city will provide opportunity for future growth. The city will prepare a buildable lands inventory and analysis of potential street design and utility layout. As development is proposed for these areas it should be compatible with adjacent land use. (Ord. 10-25 § 14, 2010).

Repealed by Ord. 04-16. (Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).

Repealed by Ord. 04-16. (Ord. 00-09 § 3, 2000).