Mattawa City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
60 NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES AND LOTS
§ 17.60.010 Intent and purpose.
Within the districts established by this chapter or subsequent amendments thereto, there exists uses, structures and lots which were lawfully established or created, but which would be prohibited, regulated or restricted under the terms of this chapter or future amendments. The intent of this chapter is to allow these nonconformities to continue but not to encourage their perpetuation or survival. Nonconformities are declared by this chapter to be incompatible with permitted uses, structures and lots in the districts involved. It is further the intent of this chapter that nonconformities shall not be enlarged upon, expanded, or enjoy an increase in intensity of use.
(Ord. 453 § 1(part), 2007)
§ 17.60.020 Nonconforming uses.
A.
A legal nonconforming use in existence as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter may be continued but shall not be enlarged upon, expanded, increased in intensity, or be extended. However, the extension of the nonconforming use of a structure that was originally arranged or designed for such nonconforming use at the time of passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter or amendment thereto shall not be deemed the extension of a nonconforming use.
B.
A nonconforming use shall not be changed to any other use unless changed to a conforming use. A nonconforming use, if changed to a conforming use, may not thereafter be changed to a nonconforming use.
C.
No nonconforming use shall be enlarged, increased or extended to occupy a greater area of land than was occupied on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter or amendment thereto.
D.
No nonconforming use shall be moved in whole or in part to any portion of the lot or parcel other than that part occupied by such use on the effective date of adoption or amendment of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
E.
If a nonconforming use is discontinued or abandoned from active use for a period of one year, further use of the property shall conform to the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 453 § 1(part), 2007)
§ 17.60.030 Nonconforming structure.
A.
A structure which is legally nonconforming as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter by reason of restrictions on area, lot coverage, height, required setbacks, or other requirements concerning structures may be continued so long as it remains otherwise lawful.
B.
A structure, with one or more nonconformity, may be extended when said addition or extension would be no less conforming as to setback distance than the existing structure.
C.
A nonconforming structure shall not be altered, extended, enlarged, or otherwise physically changed in any manner that would have the effect of increasing its amount or degree of nonconformity.
D.
A nonconforming structure destroyed by any cause to an extent exceeding fifty percent of its cost of replacement using new materials shall only be replaced with a structure conforming to the provisions of this chapter.
E.
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prevent the normal maintenance and repair of a nonconforming structure or its restoration to a safe condition when declared to be unsafe by any official charged with protecting the public safety.
(Ord. 453 § 1(part), 2007)
§ 17.60.040 Nonconforming lots.
Lots which were lots of record on the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, or amendment thereto, which contain less than the required width, depth, or area as required by this chapter shall be considered building lots in all respects, provided that any structures proposed to be built meet all of the dimensional requirements of the district in which the lot is located. However, a lot which is nonconforming by virtue of the lack of its adequate access to a public street as required elsewhere in this chapter, shall not be considered a building lot.
(Ord. 453 § 1(part), 2007)