Nooksack City Zoning Code
19.24 Commercial
District
The purpose of the commercial district is to allow for commercial development to occur in areas separate from, yet close to, residential areas.
19.24.010 Commercial District – Established.
There is hereby established a commercial district and the standards and regulations by which certain uses may be permitted therein. [Ord. 195 §8, 1980.]
19.24.020 Commercial District – Purpose.
The purpose of the commercial district is to allow for commercial development to occur in areas separate from, yet close to, residential areas. [Ord. 195 §9, 1980.]
19.24.030 Commercial District – Permitted Uses.
The uses permitted within the commercial district are as follows:
A. Retail stores and shops or services;
B. Barbers and beauty shops;
C. Cabinet and craft shops;
D. Cleaning and laundry agencies, Laundromats;
E. Dance, music and voice studios;
F. Drive-in restaurants, restaurants, food stands, bars;
G. Financial institutions;
H. Florists, Nurseries;
I. Furniture outlets;
J. Grocery stores, delicatessens, bakeries;
K. Laboratories – medical, dental, optical;
L. Offices – dental, insurance, legal, medical, real estate;
M. Photographic studios;
N. Pharmacies;
O. Printing, blueprinting, publishing;
P. Public utility yards;
Q. Indoor public or private recreational facilities;
R. Public and community facilities including police and fire stations, libraries, community centers and other related uses;
S. Residential units accessory to other permitted uses;
T. Public uses and utilities;
U. Electric vehicle battery charging stations. [Ord. 685 §6, 2016; Ord. 513 §1, 2000; Ord. 250 §1, 1984; Ord. 195 §10, 1980.]
19.24.035 Commercial Fueling Station Standards.
A. All below ground storage tanks shall be installed and maintained in conformance with the applicable provisions of the Uniform Fire Code Edition in effect at the time of application and the Federal Regulations for Underground Storage Tanks 40 CFR 280.
B. All commercial fueling stations shall otherwise meet all other requirements for commercial structures pursuant to local ordinances and state and federal statutes. [Ord. 463 §1, 1997.]
19.24.040 Commercial District – Conditional Uses.
The following conditional uses may be permitted in the commercial district by the City Council upon application and in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 19.56:
A. Equipment rental and sales yards;
B. Lumber yards;
C. Machine shops;
D. Warehouses;
E. Commercial fueling operations;
F. Contractor's storage yards;
G. Ice manufacturing, cold storage;
H. Outdoor Private Recreational Facilities;
I. Churches;
J. Hotels/motels;
K. Uses not explicitly called out in NMC 19.24.030 but that are similar in character, size and impact. [Ord. 513 §2, 2000; Ord. 462 §1, 1997; Ord. 195 §11, 1980.]
19.24.050 Commercial District – Lot and Setback Requirements.
The following minimum size requirements shall be applicable to permitted uses in the commercial district:
A. Minimum Lot Size: The minimum lot size shall be determined by the City Council for each applicant.
B. Front Setback: Ten feet (10').
C. Rear Setback: Ten feet (10').
D. Side Setback: Five feet (5'). [Ord. 195 §12, 1980.]
19.24.060 Commercial District – Building Height Restrictions.
The maximum building height in the commercial district is thirty feet (30'). [Ord. 195 §13, 1980.]
19.24.070 Commercial District – Off-Street Parking and Traffic Requirements.
A. Off-Street Parking Spaces. Each commercial use shall provide not less than one (1) off-street parking space for every two (2) employees, plus such additional spaces as may be required in Chapter 19.44.
B. Parking Lot Design. Design of parking lots providing ten (10) or more spaces shall conform to the design standards of Chapter 19.44.
C. Screening. Parking lots providing twenty (20) or more spaces shall comply with the screening requirements of Chapter 19.44.
D. Turnarounds. Commercial uses whose front lot line abuts an arterial street shall provide approved on-site turnarounds. [Ord. 195 §14, 1980.]
19.24.080 Commercial District – Street and Sidewalk Requirements.
A. Street Trees. Street trees of a size and species approved by the City Council shall be planted and maintained at intervals of thirty feet (30') along all street frontage.
B. Sidewalks. The City Council may require the installation or repair of sidewalks, in accordance with City standards, prior to issuance of any building permit. [Ord. 195 §15, 1980.]