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Kittitas County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

40 C-G - GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONE

[1]
Editor's Note: Legislation previously included in Ch. 17.40: Ord. 69-7.

§ 17.40.010 Purpose and intent.

The purpose and intent of the general commercial zone is to provide a classification consistent with existing business districts in unincorporated towns (i.e., Vantage, Easton) where a wide range of community retail shops and services are available.
(Ord. 83-Z-2 (part), 1983)

§ 17.40.015 Development within the Ellensburg Urban Growth Area (UGA).

For properties located within the City of Ellensburg UGA, the use and development standards in KCC § 17.11.030 through § 17.11.039 shall be utilized. Where KCC § 17.11.030 through § 17.11.039 does not identify use and development standards to be utilized for development within the Ellensburg UGA, this chapter shall apply.
(Ord. 2022-017, 2022)

§ 17.40.020 Allowed uses.

Uses allowed in the general commercial zone include those uses pursuant to KCC Chapter 17.15.
(Res. 83-10, 1983; Ord. 93-1 (part), 1993; Ord. 96-19 (part), 1996; Ord. 2007-22, 2007; Ord. 2010-014, 2010; Ord. 2011-013, 2011; Ord. 2012-009, 2012; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)

§ 17.40.030 Lot size required.

There shall be no limitation.
(Res. 83-10, 1983)

§ 17.40.040 Maximum lot coverage.

There shall be no limitation.
(Res. 83-10, 1983)

§ 17.40.050 Maximum floor area.

There shall be no limitation.
(Res. 83-10, 1983)

§ 17.40.060 Yard requirements.

1. 
Front yard. No front yard is required.
2. 
Side yard. No side yard is required.
3. 
Rear yard. No rear yard is required; however, if a rear yard is provided, the minimum depth shall be twelve (12) feet.
(Res. 83-10, 1983; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)

§ 17.40.070 Height restriction.

There shall be no limitation.
(Res. 83-10, 1983)

§ 17.40.080 Repealed.

(Res. 83-10, 1983; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)

§ 17.40.090 Access requirement.

All lots in this zone shall abut a public street, or shall have such other access as deemed suitable by the Commission and Board.
(Res. 83-10, 1983; Ord. 83-Z-2 (part), 1983; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)

§ 17.40.100 Half streets.

In an area adjacent to a half street and opposite or outside the plat including the dedication of said half street, structures shall be set back from said half street a distance sufficient to provide for an additional half street and the yard requirements.
(Res. 83-10, 1983)

§ 17.40.110 Off-street parking.

Note: Former § 17.40.110, derived from Res. 83-10 was repealed by Ord. 2013-001, 2013.
1. 
Residential parking exceptions.
a. 
Garages are not required to meet minimum parking spaces required in Table 17.11.039(4)(a)(i).
b. 
Parking spaces that count towards minimum parking requirements may be enclosed or unenclosed.
c. 
Tandem parking spaces must count towards meeting minimum parking requirements at a rate of one space for every 20 linear feet with any necessary provisions for turning radius.
d. 
Existence of legally nonconforming gravel surfacing in existing designated parking areas may not be a reason for prohibiting utilization of existing space in the parking area to meet local parking standards, up to a maximum of six parking spaces.
e. 
Parking space sizes shall be eight feet by 20 feet, except for required parking for people with disabilities.
f. 
Off-street parking is not required as a condition of permitting a residential project if compliance with tree retention would otherwise make a proposed residential development or redevelopment infeasible.
g. 
Parking spaces that consist of grass block pavers may count toward minimum parking requirements.
h. 
Existing parking spaces that do not conform to the requirements of this section by June 6, 2024, are not required to be modified or resized, except for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act[1]. Existing paved parking lots are not required to change the size of existing parking spaces during resurfacing if doing so will be more costly or require significant reconfiguration of the parking space locations.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.
(Ord. 2026-004, 6/16/2026)

§ 17.40.120 Existing residential exceptions.

1. 
A portion of exterior wall assemblies that include insulation shall be allowed to project up to an additional eight inches into the setbacks on all sides.
2. 
A building shall be allowed to exceed the maximum allowable roof height by eight inches to accommodate additional insulation.
3. 
Gross floor area shall be measured from the interior face of the exterior walls, which includes drywall, as typically depicted on the architectural floor plans.
(Ord. 2026-004, 6/16/2026)