Orting City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 3

ZONE CLASSIFICATIONS

13-3-1: PURPOSE:

The purpose of this chapter is to list and describe the zone classifications and their purposes; provide interpretations of uses allowed in each zone classification; and classify uses according to a limited number of categories on the basis of common functional, product, or compatibility characteristics. (Ord. 792, 7-29-2004)

13-3-2: ZONE CLASSIFICATIONS:

Zone classifications are grouped into residential classifications; mixed use classifications; industrial classification; and public classifications as follows:

A. RC Residential-Conservation Zone:

1. Purpose And Intent: The Residential-Conservation Zone is intended to predominantly provide for low density single-family residential uses along the Puyallup and Carbon Rivers where there are critical areas such as frequently flooded areas, wetlands, and fish and wildlife habitat.

B. RU Residential-Urban Zone:

1. Purpose And Intent: The Residential-Urban Zone is intended to provide for medium- and high-density urban single-family, townhouse, cottage, and duplex residential uses which benefit from the full array of services and amenities available in the Town core.

C. RMF Residential-Multi-Family Zone:

1. Purpose And Intent: The intent of the Multi-Family Residential Zone is to provide for the highest residential density, including multifamily housing, cottage housing, and limited commercial uses.

D. MUTC Mixed Use-Town Center Zone:

1. Purpose And Intent: The intent of the MUTC Zone is to provide an attractive mix of commercial retail, office, residential and service development in the Town core. Pedestrian amenities, public transportation or transportation network improvements, and architectural design review will be considerations in development approvals for projects in this zone.

E. MUTCN Mixed Use-Town Center North Zone:

1. Purpose And Intent: The intent of the MUTCN Zone is to develop new economic opportunities including a mix of residential, commercial, open space and recreational uses that support a sustainable community by providing jobs and increasing the tax base in areas north of the Town core. The downtown core is the area bound by Whitesell St, Rainier Ln, Bridge St, and Van Scoyoc Ave. Pedestrian amenities, public transportation or transportation network improvements, and architectural design review will be considerations throughout master planning and development approvals for projects in this zone.

F. LM Light Manufacturing Zone:

1. Purpose And Intent: The intent of the Light Manufacturing Zone is to provide for development of utility facilities, low impact manufacturing and warehousing employment centers that can be concentrated where traffic congestion, visual and other impacts on the surrounding areas can be minimized. Light manufacturing includes, but is not limited to: canning or bottling of food or beverages using an assembly line; production, assembly, finishing, or packaging of articles from parts made at another location; and production of finished household and office goods from materials that are already refined or from raw materials that do not need refining.

G. OS Open Space And Recreation Zone:

1. Purpose And Intent: The intent of the Open Space and Recreation Zone is to provide for parks, trails, open spaces, and recreational areas for the use of the public.

H. PF Public Facilities Zone:

1. Purpose And Intent: The intent of the Public Facilities Zone is to be applied to major parcels of land serving the cultural, educational, recreational and public service needs of the community, such as, but not limited to: schools, water and wastewater facilities, City buildings, City parking lots, and other City owned uses. This zone shall only apply to lands owned by governmental agencies or educational institutions. (Ord. 2018-1026, 4-25-2018; amd. Ord. 2018-1033, 7-25-2018; Ord. 2019-1051, 10-30-2019; Ord. 2019-1057, 1-8-2020; Ord. 2021-1073, 3-10-2021; Ord. 2024-1136, 12-11-2024; Ord. 2025-1149, 12-10-2025)

13-3-3: USES:

A. General: The uses of property are defined by the activity for which the building or lot is intended, designed, arranged, occupied, or maintained. Each lot or parcel shall contain one principal use as set forth in table 1 of this section, except that lots or parcels in the MUTC and MUTCN zones may have more than one principal use as set forth in table 1 of this section. Other uses on a lot or parcel may be permitted accessory or conditional uses as set forth in table 2 of this section.

B. Use Tables: Table 1 of this section sets forth allowed principal (P) and conditional (C) uses for each zone. The table lists the zones in the vertical columns and the land use activities in the horizontal rows. If no symbol appears in the box at the intersection of a row and column, the use is not allowed and is prohibited unless otherwise noted. In general, prohibited uses shall be as follows:

1. Any use or structure that is not of a character similar to the stated principal, conditional or accessory uses for the zone; or

2. Any use which causes or may be expected to cause an excessive disturbance not in keeping with the character and stated intent of the zone. "Excessive" is defined for these purposes as a degree exceeding that generated by the uses permitted in the zone in their customary manner of operation or to a degree injurious to the public safety, health, welfare or convenience.

If the letter "P" appears in the box, the use is permitted outright subject to the provisions of this title. If the letter "C" appears in the box, the use is conditional, subject to review and approval under section 13-6-2 of this code. If the box contains a number, the corresponding footnote further specifies the conditions applicable to the use in the zone.

C. Undefined Uses: In instances where an applicant wishes to develop or use land in a manner that is otherwise undefined in this chapter, the City Administrator may administratively interpret the proposed land use and define its allowance in each of the city’s zones. The Administrator’s interpretation shall identify the defined land use set forth in tables 1 and 2 of this section most similar to the proposed undefined land use. The undefined land use interpreted in this section shall be governed as permitted, conditionally permitted, or prohibited in each zone in the same manner as is set forth for its most similar defined use in tables 1 and 2 of this section. The Administrator's determination in these instances may be appealed according to title 15, chapter 10 of this Code.

TABLE 1
CITY OF ORTING PERMITTED LAND USES BY ZONING DESIGNATION

RC: Residential-Conservation Zone	MUTC: Mixed Use-Town Center Zone	OS: Open Space and Recreation Zone
RU: Residential-Urban Zone	MUTCN: Mixed Use-Town Center North Zone	PF: Public Facilities Zone
RMF: Residential-Multi-Family Zone	LM: Light Manufacturing Zone

			Zones
			RC	RU	RMF	MUTC	MUTCN2	LM	OS	PF
Residential uses1 :
	Accessory dwelling units (ADU), subject to OMC 13-5-6		P	P	P
	Cottage		P	P	P		P
Cottage housing development	Cottage housing development			P3,4	P3,4		P
	Duplex			P10	P	P	P
	Group residences:			C	C3	C3				C12
		Adult family homes	P	P	P	P	P
		Emergency housing16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21				C	C
		Emergency shelter16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21				C	C
		Permanent supportive housing15, 19, 20, 21, 22	C	C	C	C	C
		Single room occupancy sleeping units			P26	P3, 26	P26			P26, 27
		Transitional housing15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22	C	C	C	C	C
		Other5		C	P	C
	Manufactured home park		C	C	C
	Manufactured home6		P	P	P
	Multi-family				P	P3	P
	Single-family detached		P	P	P		P
	Temporary lodging:
		Bed and breakfast	C	C	C	P3
		Hotel/motel				P3	P
		Rooming house			C	C3
	Townhouse			P7	P	P3	P13
Commercial uses:
	Adult businesses					C3
	Banks, Savings and Loan Associations, Business or Professional Offices					P	P
	Clubs and lodges				C3	P3
	Communication facilities:
	Communication services					P3	C
	Daycare facilities:
		Daycare center	P	P	P	P	P	P	C25
		Family daycare	P	P	P	C3	P
	Fuel service station					P3
	Health services				P3	P3	P
	Home occupations8		P	P	P	P	P
	Liquor stores					P3	P
	Offices				C3	P3	P	C3
	Personal services					P3	P
	Restaurant				C3	P3	P		C3
	Retail fuel sales					C3	P	P3
	Retail sales				C3,9	P3	P	C3	C3
	Theaters					P3	P
	Veterinary facilities					P3	P	P3
Industrial uses:
	Manufacturing:
		Assembly/fabrication					C14	P
		Food processing					C14	P
		Light manufacturing					C14	P
		Petroleum products						P
		Wineries and breweries				P	P	P
		Wood products						P
	Storage and shipping:
		Construction business					C14	P
		Equipment rental				P24	C14	P
		Freight facilities warehousing						P
		Outdoor storage					C14	C
		Self-service storage					C14	P
		Wholesale trade					C14	P
Cultural and recreational uses:
	Cultural:
		Art galleries				P3	P
		Churches	C3	C3	C3	P3	P
		Community centers				P3	C
		Libraries				P3	P
		Museums				P3	P
		Outdoor theaters				P3	C
	Recreation:
		Athletic fields	C10	C10	C10		C		P	P
		Bowling alleys				C3
		Campgrounds	C10	C10	C10				P	P
		Dance halls, skating rinks, youth cabarets				C3				P
		Golf facilities	C10	C10	C10				P	P
		Parks	C10	C10	C10	C10	P	C10	P	P
		RV parks	C10	C10	C10				C	C
		Resorts (including lodging)			C	C	C
		Shooting ranges	C					C	C	C
		Spas and health clubs				P3	P
		Stables/riding clubs	C10						C	P
		Trails	C10	C10	C10	C10	P	C10	P	P
Public uses:
	Animal shelters						C14	P		P
	Colleges and universities				C	C	C	C		P
	Correctional facilities							C		C
	Elementary, middle, junior high, and high schools		C	C	C	P	C			P
	Emergency services			C	C	C	C	P		P
	Fraternity, sorority, or group student houses				C	C	C	C		C
	Government offices				P	P	P	P		P
	Hazardous materials						C		C
	Hospitals		C3	C3	C3	C	C	C		P
	Justice facilities									P
	Landfills							C		C
	Preschool and kindergarten		P	P	P	P	P	C
	Public safety facilities			C	C	C	C	P		P
	School support facilities						C	P		P
	Shared off street parking					C	P
	Solid waste facilities							C		P
	Transit facilities		C	C	C	C	C	C	C	P
	Utility facilities		C	C	C	C	C	P	C	P
	Vocational schools				C	C	C	C		P
	Wastewater treatment									P
	Water supply facilities		C	C	C	C	C	C	C	P
Resource uses:
	Agricultural:
		Agricultural research, testing and training	C				C	P		C
		Growing crops	P				C
		Livestock and small animals	P11				C
	Fish and wildlife management:
		Aquaculture	C						C	C
		Wildlife shelters	C						C	C
	Forestry:								C
		Growing trees	P
		Mills						P
		Research and testing	C					P		C
	Mineral:
		Batch plants						P
		Extraction and processing	C	C	C			P		C

Notes:

1. Residential planned unit developments (PUD) may allow increases in underlying density except in the MUTCN.

2. All development subject to Master Development Plan and MUTCN Bulk and Dimensional Requirements. See sections 13-3-2 E2 and E5 of this code.

3. Subject to architectural design review.

4. As a binding site plan.

5. Occupancy limit may only be regulated in accordance with RCW 35.21.682 or its successor.

6. On a legal lot with permanent foundation and no older than three years old on the date the home is placed on the lot.

7. Townhouses are not allowed on flag lots (pipestem) in the RU zone.

8. Subject to section 13-5-4 of this title.

9. Food stores only.

10. Private facilities.

11. Subject to all other City regulations regarding livestock.

12. Redevelopment of the Orting Soldiers' Home subject to site plan and architectural design review approval.

13. Three or more units per building.

14. May not have frontage along SR 162/Washington Avenue N. Must be screened from all adjacent residences with sight obscuring landscaping, 6-foot tall solid fencing.

15. The number of permanent supportive housing units and transitional housing units allowed on any given property shall be no more than the number of standard dwelling units that would be allowed under the applicable zoning of the property.

16. The total combined capacity of all emergency shelter beds, emergency housing beds, and transitional housing units in the City shall not exceed 0.4% of the City's population, as estimated annually by the Washington Office of Financial Management.

17. Emergency housing and emergency shelters are required to be indoors. An operations and security plan shall be required that addresses site management and neighborhood impacts. Each facility shall be limited to a total of 10 individuals.

18. Emergency housing, emergency shelter, and transitional housing uses shall not be located on any parcel that abuts or is directly across a public right-of-way from a parcel with an existing school or park use, or on any parcel within the main street area of Orting, defined as the area bounded by Whitsell Street, Bridge Street, Corrin Avenue Northwest, and Rainier Lane Northeast. This does not include indoor emergency shelter facilities that are needed to respond temporarily to a natural disaster or other similarly acute emergency (ex: heating and cooling centers).

19. No person convicted of a felony assault, arson, illegal drug manufacturing, burglary, or kidnapping charge within the past three (3) years, or otherwise under court supervision or sex offender registration requirements can receive services from a provider, unless providing such services is consistent with the laws, regulations, and/or supervisory requirements related to such persons. To ensure compliance, providers of transitional housing and permanent supportive housing shall order and review background checks prior to resident entry. Providers of emergency housing and emergency shelter shall order and review background checks within three days of intake.

20. All providers of emergency shelter, emergency housing, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing shall, after the initial two years of operation of any such facility, provide the City with a report that demonstrates ongoing compliance with the terms of the Conditional Use Permit as defined at the time of approval. Such providers are also required to maintain a valid City of Orting business license and liability insurance. These service providers should prioritize individuals living in the Orting valley. Upon intake, providers shall record each individual's most recent city or other place of residence and shall provide a report on such data to the City every year. Providers shall also record the number of individuals seeking services who are turned away due to lack of capacity and their most recent place of residence.

21. In reviewing Conditional Use Permit applications for emergency shelter, emergency housing, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing, the Hearing Examiner shall not treat adversely or discriminate against people experiencing homelessness.

22. No more than two persons per bedroom shall inhabit a permanent supportive housing or transitional housing facility.

23. Two or more physically attached dwelling units sharing a wall, where each unit has separate access to a yard, court, or street.

24. No outdoor storage.

25. If located in or around a high hazard facility, the daycare center is prohibited.

26. Single room occupancy sleeping units are allowed only if the lot subject to their development allows for at least six multi-family residential units. Density of single room occupancy sleeping units shall be calculated as 0.25 dwelling units per single room occupancy sleeping unit. Single room occupancy sleeping units shall be considered 0.5 ERU per sleeping unit for purposes of calculating the city’s current sewer hook-up fee as adopted by resolution or ordinance applicable to the proposed development of single room occupancy sleeping units. All other provisions regulating co-living units (which are referred to as “single room occupancy sleeping units in this title) set forth in RCW 36.70A.535, or as amended.

27. Residential development in the PF zone is limited to that land owned by the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs. On all other land in the PF zone, residential uses are prohibited.

TABLE 2
PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES BY ZONING DESIGNATION

		Zones
Conditional accessory uses:
	Church and religious organizations5	RU (CUP4)
Permitted accessory uses:
	Accessory structures such as garages, carports, and sheds	All zones
	Barns and agricultural structures	RC, PF
	Caretaker residences	LM, OS
	Cargo container	LM, PF
	Collective gardens2	All residential zones
	Maintenance and storage facilities and yards	OS
	Off street parking for 1 commercial truck or van used for commuting	All residential zones
	Parking lots	OS
	Private outdoor storage of small noncommercial trucks, boats and recreational vehicles in required setbacks	All residential zones
	Recreation facilities in conjunction with planned residential developments	All residential zones
	Required automobile parking for permitted principal and conditional uses	All zones
	Required truck loading facilities	All zones
	Restrooms and bathing facilities	OS
	Retail sales associated with the principal manufacturing or processing use and not occupying more than 10 percent of the site area	LM
	Stationary food vending	MUTC
	Uses customarily incidental to the principal uses 3	MUTC
	Utility installations except solid waste disposal facilities	All zones

Notes:

1. Repealed.

2. Collective gardens must conform to chapter 8 of this title.

3. Such as seasonal displays, sidewalk sales, etc.

4. “CUP” means Conditional Use Permit. Accessory uses indicated with “CUP” in this table are allowed conditionally and are subject to the Conditional Use Permit provisions codified in the OMC.

5. When accessory to a community center.

(Ord. 792, 7-29-2004; amd. Ord. 943, 5-14-2014; Ord. 1026, 4-25-2018; Ord. 2019-1051, 10-3-2019; Ord. 2021-1073, 3-10-2021; Ord. 2021-1083, 9-29-2021; Ord. 2021-1086, 10-27-2021; Ord. 2022-1093, 3-30-2022; Ord. 2022-1095, 8-10-2022; Ord. 2022-1097, 8-31-2022; Ord. 2024-1136, 12-11-2024; Ord. 2025-1149, 12-10-2025)

13-3-4: ZONING MAP:

A. Map Established: The official zoning map used as the basis for this zoning regulation is the same as the adopted Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map and shall be maintained by the City. Each property in the City is classified under this title and is subject to the requirements of this title. Zoning classifications on the official zoning map shall use the symbols shown in this chapter. (Ord. 2018-1026, 4-25-2018)

B. Urban Growth Area Boundary: The official zoning map shall include the designation of the comprehensive plan urban growth area boundary for the City. Any reference to the urban growth area boundary in this title shall mean that mapped designation.

C. Interpretation Of Boundaries: When uncertainty regarding zone classification boundaries arises, the following rules shall apply:

1. Where zoning or urban growth area boundaries are indicated as following the centerline of streets, alleys or highways; the right-of-way centerline shall be the boundary.

2. Where zoning or urban growth area boundaries are indicated as following lot or tract lines, the lot or tract lines shall be the boundaries.

3. Unmapped shore lands shall be considered to be within the same zoning classification or urban growth area designation as the adjacent upland.

4. Where a public street or alley is officially vacated or abandoned, the zone classification applicable to the property abutting the vacated portion shall apply to the vacated or abandoned street or alley.

5. Where zoning or urban growth area boundaries divide a parcel created prior to January 11, 1996, the entire parcel shall be considered to be within the classification of the majority of the parcel, i.e., the portion which is greater than fifty percent (50%) of the area. The property owner(s) may petition the City for relief from this provision based on hardship created by unique or special circumstances, such as natural features. If the City finds that such hardship exists, the boundary line may be moved within the lot area to a location which provides relief from said hardship so long as the action does not create hardships upon adjacent properties or conflict with other provisions of this Code.

6. Where these rules (subsections C1 through C5 of this section) do not clarify a boundary issue, the Administrator shall make the determination based on an analysis of the specific parcel(s) with written findings and conclusions. The Administrator's determination in these matters may be appealed according to title 15, chapter 10 of this Code. (Ord. 792, 7-29-2004; amd. Ord. 2024-1136, 12-11-2024)

13-3-5: INTERPRETATION OF USES:

A. Typical Uses Within Use Types: The descriptions of use types in this chapter may contain examples of usual and customary uses. These uses are intended to be typical and are not intended to represent all permissible uses.

B. Interpretation By Administrator: Where there is a question regarding the inclusion or exclusion of a particular proposed use within a particular use category or use type, the Administrator shall have the authority to make the final determination based on an analysis of the specific question with written findings and conclusions. The Administrator's determination in these instances may be appealed according to title 15, chapter 10 of this Code. (Ord. 792, 7-29-2004)

13-3-6: EXEMPTED USES:

A. Applicability To Other Chapters: Unless otherwise stated, the uses exempted in this section are also exempted from chapters 5 and 6 of this title and title 15, "Development Code Administration", of this Code.

B. Uses Exempted: The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following uses:

1. On site and community septic systems;

2. Stormwater conveyance systems which includes features such as gutters, pipelines, culverts, manholes, weirs, manmade and natural channels, water quality filtration systems and dry wells;

3. Electrical distribution lines and poles (55 kilovolts and under);

4. Sewerage and water conveyance systems which include underground or flush with the ground features, including, but not limited to, pipes and manholes;

5. Water, oil, and petroleum gas distribution pipelines;

6. Natural gas distribution lines (not transmission lines), and necessary appurtenant facilities and hookups;

7. Cable, fiber optic, or telephone transmission and distribution lines, poles and appurtenances (not including antennas or cellular transmission towers);

8. Public streets and linear trails when located in existing rights-of-way;

9. Cargo containers when authorized pursuant to subsection 13-4-2 A of this title as a temporary construction building or pursuant to subsection 13-4-2 E of this title when being used as a portable storage unit.

10. The establishment of vaccination centers, medical testing operations, cooling/heating centers, severe weather shelters and other community gathering places where emergency services and aid is provided during the daytime hours when an Emergency proclamation or declaration of Disaster is be made by any of the following: Pierce County Executive, Pierce County Council, Orting City Council, Washington State Governor, or the President of the United States.

C. Repair And Maintenance: The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to regulate the maintenance and repair of any use or facility exempted or permitted in this chapter. (Ord. 792, 7-29-2004; amd. Ord. 873, 2-25-2009; Ord. 2024-1136, 12-11-2024)