Mount Vernon City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
17.06 Definitions
Sections
- 17.06.005 Definitions generally.
- 17.06.010 A definitions.
- 17.06.020 B definitions.
- 17.06.030 C Definitions.
- 17.06.040 D definitions.
- 17.06.050 E definitions.
- 17.06.060 F definitions.
- 17.06.070 G definitions.
- 17.06.080 H definitions.
- 17.06.090 I definitions.
- 17.06.100 J definitions.
- 17.06.110 K definitions.
- 17.06.120 L definitions.
- 17.06.130 M definitions.
- 17.06.140 N definitions.
- 17.06.150 O definitions.
- 17.06.160 P definitions.
- 17.06.170 Q definitions.
- 17.06.180 R definitions.
- 17.06.190 S definitions.
- 17.06.200 T definitions.
- 17.06.210 U definitions.
- 17.06.220 V definitions.
- 17.06.230 W definitions.
- 17.06.240 X definitions.
- 17.06.250 Y definitions.
- 17.06.260 Z definitions.
17.09 Districts Established
Zoning Map
Sections
- 17.09.010 Districts established and designated.
- 17.09.020 Unclassified areas.
- 17.09.021 Annexation of property prezoned and located within urban growth areas (UGA).
- 17.09.030 Zoning maps and district boundaries.
- 17.09.040 Boundaries – Rules for interpretation.
- 17.09.050 Boundaries adopted and regulations established.
- 17.09.060 Conflict between zoning map and legal description of rezone ordinance.
- 17.09.070 Designation of special zoning categories and time limitations.
- 17.09.080 Zoning regulation interpretation.
17.15 R-1
Single-Family Detached Residential District
Sections
- 17.15.010 Intent.
- 17.15.020 Subdistricts – Lot area requirements.
- 17.15.030 Permitted uses.
- 17.15.040 Accessory uses.
- 17.15.045 Administrative conditional uses.
- 17.15.050 Conditional uses.
- 17.15.055 Special uses.
- 17.15.060 Lot area and width.
- 17.15.070 Setbacks.
- 17.15.080 Maximum land coverage.
- 17.15.090 Building height.
- 17.15.100 Parking.
- 17.15.110 Signs.
- 17.15.120 Design review.
17.18 R-2
Duplex and Townhouse Residential District
Sections
- 17.18.010 Intent.
- 17.18.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.18.030 Accessory uses.
- 17.18.040 Conditional uses.
- 17.18.045 Administrative conditional uses.
- 17.18.050 Lot area and width.
- 17.18.060 Setbacks – Maximum land coverage – Building height.
- 17.18.070 Landscaping.
- 17.18.080 Parking.
- 17.18.090 Signs.
- 17.18.100 Design review.
17.24 R-3
Multifamily Residential District
Sections
- 17.24.010 Intent.
- 17.24.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.24.030 Accessory uses.
- 17.24.040 Conditional uses.
- 17.24.045 Administrative conditional uses.
- 17.24.050 Lot area and width.
- 17.24.060 Setbacks.
- 17.24.070 Maximum land coverage.
- 17.24.080 Building height.
- 17.24.090 Distance between buildings.
- 17.24.100 Landscaping.
- 17.24.110 Parking.
- 17.24.120 Signs.
- 17.24.130 Site plan review.
- 17.24.140 Design review.
17.27 R-4
Multifamily Residential District
Sections
- 17.27.010 Intent.
- 17.27.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.27.030 Accessory uses.
- 17.27.040 Conditional uses.
- 17.27.045 Administrative conditional uses.
- 17.27.050 Lot area and width.
- 17.27.060 Setbacks.
- 17.27.070 Maximum land coverage.
- 17.27.080 Building height.
- 17.27.090 Distance between buildings.
- 17.27.100 Landscaping.
- 17.27.110 Parking.
- 17.27.120 Signs.
- 17.27.130 Site plan review.
- 17.27.140 Design review.
17.30 P
Public District
Sections
- 17.30.010 Intent.
- 17.30.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.30.030 Accessory uses.
- 17.30.040 Conditional uses.
- 17.30.045 Administrative conditional uses.
- 17.30.050 Lot area and width.
- 17.30.060 Setbacks.
- 17.30.070 Maximum land coverage.
- 17.30.071 Buildable area calculation – Transfer of floor area.
- 17.30.080 Building height.
- 17.30.090 Special regulations.
- 17.30.100 Landscaping.
- 17.30.110 Parking.
- 17.30.120 Signs.
- 17.30.130 Site plan review.
- 17.30.140 Development exceptions adjacent to C-1 district.
- 17.30.150 Design review.
17.33 R-O
Residential Office District
Sections
- 17.33.010 Intent.
- 17.33.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.33.030 Accessory uses.
- 17.33.040 Conditional uses.
- 17.33.045 Administrative conditional uses.
- 17.33.050 Lot area and width.
- 17.33.060 Setbacks.
- 17.33.070 Maximum land coverage.
- 17.33.080 Building height.
- 17.33.090 Landscaping.
- 17.33.100 Parking.
- 17.33.110 Signs.
- 17.33.120 Site plan review.
17.36 P-O
Professional Office District
Sections
- 17.36.010 Intent.
- 17.36.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.36.030 Conditional uses.
- 17.36.035 Administrative conditional uses.
- 17.36.040 Lot area and width.
- 17.36.050 Setbacks.
- 17.36.060 Maximum land coverage.
- 17.36.070 Building height.
- 17.36.071 Buildable area calculation – Transfer of floor area.
- 17.36.080 Special regulations.
- 17.36.090 Landscaping.
- 17.36.100 Parking.
- 17.36.110 Signs.
- 17.36.120 Site plan review.
17.39 MHP
Mobile Home Park District
Sections
- 17.39.010 Intent.
- 17.39.020 Mobile homes subject to chapter regulations.
- 17.39.030 Permitted uses.
- 17.39.040 Site area.
- 17.39.050 Mobile homes – Number permitted per gross acre.
- 17.39.060 Utility facilities.
- 17.39.070 Mobile homes – Lot requirements.
- 17.39.080 Mobile homes – Accessory buildings and structures.
- 17.39.090 Mobile home park streets.
- 17.39.100 Mobile homes – Setback requirements.
- 17.39.110 Perimeter screening.
- 17.39.120 Common open space.
- 17.39.130 Electrical distribution and telephone service systems.
- 17.39.140 Other requirements.
- 17.39.150 Site plan required – Contents – Approval authority.
- 17.39.160 Electrical and plumbing installations.
- 17.39.170 Health department regulations.
- 17.39.180 Landscaping.
- 17.39.190 Parking.
- 17.39.200 Signs.
- 17.39.210 Site plan review.
17.42 LC
Limited Commercial District
Sections
- 17.42.010 Intent.
- 17.42.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.42.030 Accessory uses.
- 17.42.040 Conditional uses.
- 17.42.050 Lot area and width.
- 17.42.060 Setbacks.
- 17.42.070 Maximum land coverage.
- 17.42.071 Buildable area calculation – Transfer of floor area.
- 17.42.080 Building height.
- 17.42.090 Size.
- 17.42.100 Landscaping.
- 17.42.110 Parking.
- 17.42.120 Signs.
- 17.42.130 Site plan review.
17.48 C-2
General Commercial District
Sections
- 17.48.010 Intent.
- 17.48.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.48.025 Accessory uses.
- 17.48.030 Prohibited uses.
- 17.48.040 Conditional uses.
- 17.48.050 Lot area and width.
- 17.48.060 Setbacks.
- 17.48.070 Building height.
- 17.48.080 Landscaping.
- 17.48.090 Parking.
- 17.48.100 Signs.
- 17.48.110 Site plan review.
- 17.48.120 Design review.
17.51 C-3
Community Commercial District
Sections
- 17.51.010 Intent.
- 17.51.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.51.025 Accessory uses.
- 17.51.030 Prohibited uses.
- 17.51.040 Conditional uses.
- 17.51.045 Administrative conditional uses.
- 17.51.050 Lot area and width.
- 17.51.060 Setbacks.
- 17.51.070 Building height.
- 17.51.071 Buildable area calculation – Transfer of floor area.
- 17.51.080 Landscaping.
- 17.51.090 Parking.
- 17.51.100 Signs.
- 17.51.110 Site plan review.
17.54 C-4
Neighborhood Commercial District
Sections
- 17.54.010 Intent.
- 17.54.020 Application.
- 17.54.030 Permitted uses.
- 17.54.035 Accessory uses.
- 17.54.040 Conditional uses.
- 17.54.045 Administrative conditional uses.
- 17.54.050 Prohibited uses.
- 17.54.060 Setbacks.
- 17.54.070 Maximum land coverage.
- 17.54.071 Buildable area calculation – Transfer of floor area.
- 17.54.080 Building height.
- 17.54.090 Size.
- 17.54.095 Development requirements.
- 17.54.100 Landscaping.
- 17.54.110 Parking.
- 17.54.120 Signs.
- 17.54.130 Site plan review.
17.56 C-L
Commercial/Limited Industrial District
Sections
- 17.56.010 Intent.
- 17.56.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.56.030 Accessory uses.
- 17.56.040 Prohibited uses.
- 17.56.050 Conditional uses.
- 17.56.060 Public facility requirement.
- 17.56.070 Performance standards – Violation deemed nuisance.
- 17.56.080 Storage yard requirements.
- 17.56.090 Lot area and width.
- 17.56.091 Buildable area calculation – Transfer of floor area.
- 17.56.100 Setbacks.
- 17.56.110 Building height.
- 17.56.120 Landscaping.
- 17.56.130 Parking.
- 17.56.140 Signs.
- 17.56.150 Site plan review.
17.57 M-1
Light Manufacturing and Commercial District
Sections
- 17.57.010 Intent.
- 17.57.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.57.023 Accessory uses.
- 17.57.025 Special uses.
- 17.57.030 Performance standards – Violation deemed nuisance.
- 17.57.040 Storage yard requirements.
- 17.57.050 Setbacks.
- 17.57.051 Buildable area calculation – Transfer of floor area.
- 17.57.060 Building height.
- 17.57.070 Landscaping.
- 17.57.080 Parking.
- 17.57.090 Signs.
- 17.57.100 Site plan review.
- 17.57.110 Design review.
17.60 M-2
Industrial District
Sections
- 17.60.010 Intent.
- 17.60.020 Permitted uses.
- 17.60.030 Accessory uses.
- 17.60.035 Special uses.
- 17.60.040 Performance standards – Violation deemed nuisance.
- 17.60.050 Storage yard requirements.
- 17.60.060 Setbacks.
- 17.60.061 Buildable area calculation – Transfer of floor area.
- 17.60.070 Landscaping.
- 17.60.080 Parking.
- 17.60.090 Signs.
- 17.60.100 Site plan review.
- 17.60.110 Design review.
17.69 Planned
Unit Developments
Sections
- 17.69.010 Purpose.
- 17.69.020 Scope.
- 17.69.030 Minimum lot areas, lot size, ranges of lot sizes, and density.
- 17.69.035 Accessory uses.
- 17.69.040 Predesign development meeting, preapplication conference and neighborhood meeting.
- 17.69.050 Design assistance.
- 17.69.060 Design evaluation checklist.
- 17.69.070 Application contents and fees.
- 17.69.080 Innovative residential development.
- 17.69.090 Modification of permitted uses – Commercial uses.
- 17.69.100 Modification of permitted uses – Multifamily units.
- 17.69.110 Modification of permitted uses – Duplex units.
- 17.69.120 Modification of development standards.
- 17.69.130 Open space requirements.
- 17.69.135 Phasing.
- 17.69.140 Preliminary approval criteria.
- 17.69.150 Preliminary PUD review process.
- 17.69.160 Authority to approve, condition or deny preliminary PUD.
- 17.69.170 Performance guarantees – PUD agreement.
- 17.69.180 Modifications to an approved preliminary or final PUD.
- 17.69.190 Building and occupancy permits – Issuance after final PUD approval.
- 17.69.200 Final PUD plan requirements.
- 17.69.210 Time limitation on final PUD submittal.
- 17.69.220 Filing of final PUD plan.
17.70 Design
Review
Sections
- 17.70.010 Intent and objectives.
- 17.70.015 Definitions.
- 17.70.020 Areas and developments requiring design review.
- 17.70.030 Supplemental materials adopted by reference.
- 17.70.035 Community conference requirements.
- 17.70.040 Submittal requirements.
- 17.70.050 Creation of design review board and processes.
- 17.70.060 Approval authorities and processes.
- 17.70.070 Modifications.
- 17.70.080 Waivers.
- 17.70.090 Revisions.
17.72 Provisions
Applicable to All Districts
Sections
- 17.72.010 Compliance with use regulations.
- 17.72.020 Compliance with height regulations.
- 17.72.030 Compliance with site, area and yard requirements.
- 17.72.040 Yards and open spaces.
- 17.72.050 Provisions deemed minimum standards.
- 17.72.060 Prior covenants – Jurisdiction.
- 17.72.070 Street improvements and site improvements.
- 17.72.080 Fire lanes.
- 17.72.090 Storage/cargo containers.
- 17.72.095 Use of ecology blocks.
- 17.72.100 Accessory building placement.
- 17.72.110 Upgrade of entire site.
- 17.72.120 Portable marijuana related uses prohibited.
- 17.72.130 Marijuana uses prohibited.
- 17.72.140 Adult entertainment uses.
17.73 Regulations
to Encourage Affordable Housing
Sections
- 17.73.000 Purpose.
- 17.73.010 Definitions.
- 17.73.020 General provisions.
- 17.73.030 Encouraging affordable housing in single-family zones (R-1).
- 17.73.040 Encouraging affordable housing in the duplex and townhouse zone (R-2).
- 17.73.050 Encouraging affordable housing in multifamily zones (R-3 and R-4).
- 17.73.060 Encouraging affordable housing in planned unit developments.
- 17.73.070 Encouraging affordable housing in downtown, community and neighborhood commercial zones (C-1, C-3 and C-4).
- 17.73.080 Required affordable housing for rezones.
- 17.73.090 Required covenants and agreements.
- 17.73.100 Density transitions and design standards.
- 17.73.110 Accessory dwelling units.
- 17.73.130 Other affordable housing tools offered by the city.
17.78 Dimensional
Requirements
Sections
- 17.78.010 Marquee setbacks.
- 17.78.020 Existing lots.
- 17.78.030 Front yard and rear yard setback averaging – Permitted where.
- 17.78.040 Private garage location exceptions.
- 17.78.050 Roofs or trellises over porches or terraces.
- 17.78.060 Sight distance requirements.
- 17.78.065 Sight triangle.
- 17.78.070 Cul-de-sac lot setback and dimensional requirements – Exceptions.
- 17.78.080 Allowed projections into setbacks.
17.81 Special
Uses
Sections
- Article I. Use Descriptions
- 17.81.010 Public utilities – Permitted where – Requirements generally.
- 17.81.020 Public utilities – Architectural conformance of buildings.
- 17.81.030 Public utilities – Sight-screening required when.
- 17.81.040 Public utilities – Fence required when.
- 17.81.050 Public utilities – Setback requirements.
- 17.81.060 Public utilities – Sound level limitations.
- 17.81.070 Public utilities – Site plan prerequisites.
- 17.81.080 Public utilities – Installation specification – Tree trimming permitted when.
- 17.81.090 Carnival and revival tents – Permit required – Requirements.
- 17.81.110 Accessory dwelling units.
- 17.81.120 Variances, special use permits and appeals for ADU.
- Article II. Special Use Permits
- 17.81.500 Authority to grant special use permits.
- 17.81.510 Application.
- 17.81.520 Fee.
- 17.81.530 Public hearing notification.
- 17.81.540 Approval or denial of application – Standards.
- 17.81.550 Conditions of approval.
- 17.81.560 Appeal from decision – Time limits.
- 17.81.570 Appeal of city council decision.
- 17.81.580 Findings of fact.
- 17.81.590 Expiration of special use permits.
17.84 Parking
and Loading
Sections
- 17.84.010 Intent.
- 17.84.020 Parking requirements generally.
- 17.84.030 Number of parking spaces required.
- 17.84.040 Parking requirements for other uses and areas.
- 17.84.050 Parking requirements for mixed occupancies – Cooperative provisions.
- 17.84.060 Parking space requirements.
- 17.84.065 Accessible parking facilities.
- 17.84.066 Design and construction.
- 17.84.070 Access for parking spaces.
- 17.84.075 Structured parking requirements.
- 17.84.080 Pavement for parking spaces.
- 17.84.090 Arrangements prerequisite to building permit issuance.
- 17.84.100 Ingress and egress specifications – City engineer authority.
- 17.84.110 Entrances and exits – Location restrictions – Approval required when.
- 17.84.120 Loading space requirements.
- 17.84.130 Waiver of requirements – Permitted when.
- 17.84.140 Conversions to Group B or M occupancies.
17.87 Signs
Sections
- 17.87.010 Intent.
- 17.87.020 Definitions.
- 17.87.025 Applicability and permit required.
- 17.87.030 Residential districts (R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and MHP) – General provisions.
- 17.87.040 Residential districts – Additional provisions.
- 17.87.050 Public district (P).
- 17.87.060 Residential office district (R-O).
- 17.87.065 Professional offices and health care development districts (P-O and H-C-D).
- 17.87.070 Central business district (C-1).
- 17.87.080 General commercial, community commercial, and commercial limited industrial districts (C-2, C-3 and C-L).
- 17.87.090 Neighborhood business district (C-4).
- 17.87.100 Light manufacturing and commercial and industrial districts (M-1 and M-2).
- 17.87.110 Comprehensive sign plan.
- 17.87.120 Permits – Fees.
- 17.87.130 Technical requirements.
- 17.87.140 Miscellaneous restrictions and requirements.
- 17.87.150 Signs specifically prohibited.
- 17.87.155 Liquor Control Board’s rules.
- 17.87.160 Noncompliance – Removal when.
- 17.87.170 Portable signs.
- 17.87.180 Bench signs.
17.90 Site
Plan Review
Sections
- 17.90.010 Intent.
- 17.90.020 Committee membership.
- 17.90.030 Review requirement.
- 17.90.040 Procedure.
- 17.90.050 Site plan approval options.
- 17.90.060 Appeals.
- 17.90.070 Content of application.
- 17.90.080 Preliminary site plan review.
- 17.90.090 Additional information for review.
- 17.90.100 Duration of approval.
- 17.90.110 Waiver and exemption from site plan review.
17.92 Development
and Permit Requirements for Mobile Food Vans and Espresso Stands
Sections
- 17.92.010 Permit required.
- 17.92.020 Application process.
- 17.92.030 Application contents.
- 17.92.040 Size.
- 17.92.050 Setbacks.
- 17.92.060 Service lanes.
- 17.92.070 Restroom facilities.
- 17.92.080 Health department approval required.
- 17.92.090 Building permit.
- 17.92.100 Business license required.
- 17.92.110 Conditions for operation.
- 17.92.120 Impact fees.
- 17.92.130 Cancellation of permit.
- 17.92.140 Permit fee.
17.93 Landscaping
Sections
- 17.93.010 Purpose and intent.
- 17.93.020 General site landscaping.
- 17.93.030 Parking lot landscaping.
- 17.93.040 Screening requirements.
- 17.93.050 Existing site vegetation.
- 17.93.060 Maintenance.
- 17.93.070 Performance assurance/bonding.
- 17.93.080 Minor modification of requirements.
- 17.93.090 Payment in lieu of landscaping.
- 17.93.100 Verification of code compliance.
- 17.93.110 Additions to existing buildings and change of use or remodel/ renovation.
17.96 Home
Occupation Permits
Sections
- 17.96.010 Purpose and intent.
- 17.96.020 Home occupation.
- 17.96.030 Type I and Type II home occupations defined.
- 17.96.040 Applicability and exemptions.
- 17.96.050 Permit procedures and submission requirements.
- 17.96.060 Conditions applicable to Type II home occupation approvals.
- 17.96.070 Action regarding complaints and violations of standards.
- 17.96.080 Fees.
17.100 Wireless
Telecommunications Towers and Antennas
Sections
- 17.100.010 Purpose – Goals.
- 17.100.020 Definitions.
- 17.100.030 Applicability.
- 17.100.040 General requirements.
- 17.100.050 Permitted uses.
- 17.100.060 Administratively approved uses.
- 17.100.070 Conditional use permits.
- 17.100.080 Buildings or other equipment storage.
- 17.100.090 Removal of abandoned antennas and towers.
- 17.100.100 Nonconforming uses.
17.102 Nonconforming
Buildings or Uses
Sections
- 17.102.010 Existing uses – Continuance permitted when.
- 17.102.020 Expansion, alteration or reconstruction of nonconforming buildings utilized for conforming uses.
- 17.102.025 Expansion, alteration, or reconstruction of nonconforming buildings and uses.
- 17.102.030 Authority to grant special permission.
- 17.102.040 Application and permit type.
- 17.102.050 Fee.
- 17.102.060 Public hearing notification.
- 17.102.070 Approval or denial of application – Standards.
- 17.102.080 Approval of application – Procedure.
- 17.102.090 Denial of application – Appeal.
- 17.102.100 Appeal of city council decision.
- 17.102.110 Destroyed buildings – Reconstruction restriction.
- 17.102.120 Permit expiration.
- 17.102.130 Existing uses – Certification issued when.
17.105 Variances
Sections
- 17.105.010 Authority to grant variance.
- 17.105.020 Application.
- 17.105.030 Fee.
- 17.105.040 Public hearing notification.
- 17.105.050 Approval or denial of application – Standards.
- 17.105.060 Conditions of approval.
- 17.105.070 Review and appeal of decisions of community and economic development director.
- 17.105.080 Appeal from decision – Time limits.
- 17.105.090 Findings of fact.
- 17.105.100 Violations deemed misdemeanor – Penalty – Additional lawful actions.
17.111 Amendments
and Reclassifications
Sections
- 17.111.010 Amendments – Initiation authority and procedure.
- 17.111.020 Authority to grant reclassification.
- 17.111.030 Petition required – Contents – Order of classifications.
- 17.111.040 Application.
- 17.111.050 Fee.
- 17.111.060 Public hearing notification.
- 17.111.070 Approval or denial of application – Standards.
- 17.111.080 Approval of application – Procedure.
- 17.111.090 Denial of application – Appeal.
- 17.111.100 Resubmitting denied reclassification request.
- 17.111.110 Site plan approval – Appeal.
- 17.111.120 Site plan approval – Plan conformance required.
- 17.111.130 Site plan approval – Plan content.
- 17.111.140 Approval of application – Procedure.
- 17.111.150 Denial of application – Effective when.
- 17.111.160 Denial of application – Appeal.
- 17.111.170 Resubmitting denied reclassification request.
- 17.111.180 Appeal of city council decision.
- 17.111.190 Variances not allowed.
17.200 Essential
Public Facilities
Sections
- 17.200.020 Purpose.
- 17.200.030 Scope.
- 17.200.040 Procedure.
- 17.200.050 Applications for EPF projects.
- 17.200.060 CUP-EPF review criteria.
- 17.200.070 Building permit application.
- 17.200.080 Special provisions for secure community transition facilities (SCTFs).
- 17.200.090 Processing timelines.
- 17.200.100 CUP city council authority – Final decision.
17.210 Temporary
Homeless Encampments
Sections
- 17.210.010 Purpose.
- 17.210.015 Definitions.
- 17.210.020 Application for temporary homeless encampment permit.
- 17.210.030 Requirements for approval and operation.
- 17.210.040 Hardship exception.
- 17.210.050 Decision criteria.
- 17.210.060 Revocation of permit.
- 17.210.070 Limited homeless encampment (safe parking) accommodations.