Pierce County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
18A.43 Siting
Rural Schools
18A.43.010 Purpose.
The intent of this Chapter is to establish regulations to allow new primary and secondary educational facilities (Kindergarten through twelfth grades) in rural areas.
18A.43.020 Location Standards.
A. New educational facilities (not exempted by PCC 18A.05.025 C.) may be allowed through Chapter 18A.17 PCC, Use Category and Use Type Tables, in the rural area through a Conditional Use Permit subject to the following conditions:
1. The location of the proposed facility meets Comprehensive Plan policies addressing schools outside of the urban growth area;
2. The proposed facility is harmonious with the existing rural character of the area; and
3. The school district has made a finding that the new school is necessary to accommodate the district's need, which cannot otherwise be reasonably accommodated on an existing site.
B. Replacement, expansion, and/or modernization of existing schools or placement of portable classrooms are permitted outright with applicable permits.
18A.43.030 Coordination Standards.
In accordance with RCW 36.70A.212, each school district siting new schools in rural areas shall participate in the County's periodic Comprehensive Plan updates.
18A.43.040 Extension of Public Services and Facilities.
A. The extension of public facilities and utilities to serve a school sited in a rural area may be authorized as a component of the Conditional Use Permit if the school district provides documentation of the following:
1. An adopted policy by the school district board of directors addressing the school service area and facility needs and educational program requirements;
2. The school district's determination, with the concurrence of the County Council and the legislative authorities of any affected cities, that the district's proposed site is suitable to site the school and any associated recreational facilities, which cannot otherwise be reasonably collocated on an existing school site, taking into consideration the policy from subsection A.1. above and the extent to which vacant or developable land within the growth area meets facility needs and educational program requirements; and
3. The County and any affected cities agree to the extension of public facilities and utilities to serve the school sited in a rural area that serves urban and rural students at the time of concurrence as referenced in subsection A.2. above.
B. For sanitary sewer lines extended beyond the Urban Growth Area to serve a school, as permitted under PCC 18A.43.040 A., private properties may connect to the sewer line if:
1. The property has a failing onsite sanitary sewer system; or
2. The property owner requests connection provided:
a. The property is located no further from the public facility or utility than the distance that, if the property were within the Urban Growth Area, the property would be required to connect to the public facility or utility;
b. The property may only develop at existing zoning densities; and
c. There may be no request to expand the Urban Growth Area boundary.
18A.43.010 Purpose.
The intent of this Chapter is to establish regulations to allow new primary and secondary educational facilities (Kindergarten through twelfth grades) in rural areas.
18A.43.020 Location Standards.
A. New educational facilities (not exempted by PCC 18A.05.025 C.) may be allowed through Chapter 18A.17 PCC, Use Category and Use Type Tables, in the rural area through a Conditional Use Permit subject to the following conditions:
1. The location of the proposed facility meets Comprehensive Plan policies addressing schools outside of the urban growth area;
2. The proposed facility is harmonious with the existing rural character of the area; and
3. The school district has made a finding that the new school is necessary to accommodate the district's need, which cannot otherwise be reasonably accommodated on an existing site.
B. Replacement, expansion, and/or modernization of existing schools or placement of portable classrooms are permitted outright with applicable permits.
18A.43.030 Coordination Standards.
In accordance with RCW 36.70A.212, each school district siting new schools in rural areas shall participate in the County's periodic Comprehensive Plan updates.
18A.43.040 Extension of Public Services and Facilities.
A. The extension of public facilities and utilities to serve a school sited in a rural area may be authorized as a component of the Conditional Use Permit if the school district provides documentation of the following:
1. An adopted policy by the school district board of directors addressing the school service area and facility needs and educational program requirements;
2. The school district's determination, with the concurrence of the County Council and the legislative authorities of any affected cities, that the district's proposed site is suitable to site the school and any associated recreational facilities, which cannot otherwise be reasonably collocated on an existing school site, taking into consideration the policy from subsection A.1. above and the extent to which vacant or developable land within the growth area meets facility needs and educational program requirements; and
3. The County and any affected cities agree to the extension of public facilities and utilities to serve the school sited in a rural area that serves urban and rural students at the time of concurrence as referenced in subsection A.2. above.
B. For sanitary sewer lines extended beyond the Urban Growth Area to serve a school, as permitted under PCC 18A.43.040 A., private properties may connect to the sewer line if:
1. The property has a failing onsite sanitary sewer system; or
2. The property owner requests connection provided:
a. The property is located no further from the public facility or utility than the distance that, if the property were within the Urban Growth Area, the property would be required to connect to the public facility or utility;
b. The property may only develop at existing zoning densities; and
c. There may be no request to expand the Urban Growth Area boundary.