(1) Rules.

(2) Adopted Codes. If a code that has been adopted contains a definition that conflicts with the one in this Title, the definition in that code will take priority for that specific code section. (Ord. 25-08 §1 (Att. A), 2025; Ord. 87-9 §1, 1987).

(1) Accessory Building. An additional building, the use of which is secondary and customary to that of the principal building including a private garage and which is located on the same lot. If any accessory building is attached to the principal building by a common wall or roof, such accessory building will be considered a part of the principal building.

(2) Accessory Use. A use secondary and additional to the principal use which is located on the same lot.

(3) Accessory Dwelling Unit, Attached. A secondary dwelling unit located within or attached to another dwelling unit.

(4) Accessory Dwelling Unit, Detached. A detached dwelling unit located on the same lot as another dwelling unit.

(5) Accessory Living Quarters. Living quarters, which may include kitchen facilities, located within the principal building, and not otherwise used as a separate dwelling.

(6) Acres or Acreage, Gross. The total area of a parcel of land expressed in square feet or fractions of an acre.

(7) Acres or Acreage, Net. The area of a parcel of land, excluding the area dedicated to public streets, roads, or alleys, expressed in square feet or fractions of an acre. The area devoted to private streets, roads, and alleys is included when computing net acreage.

(8) Addition. An extension or increase in floor area or height of a building or structure.

(9) Adult Family Home. A residential home in which a person or persons provide personal care, special care, room, and board to more than one (1) but not more than seven (7) adults who are not related by blood or marriage to the person or persons providing the services. An adult family home may provide services to up to eight (8) adults upon approval from the department under RCW 70.128.066.

(10) Alley. A public right-of-way, usually at the rear or side of a lot(s), that provides a means of vehicular or pedestrian access to a lot(s).

(11) Alteration. A change or rearrangement of the structural parts of existing facilities or an enlargement by extending the sides or increasing the height or depth or the moving from one location to another.

(12) Amendment. A change in the wording, context, or substance of this Title, including any change in or addition to the Official Zoning Map; or, a change in the wording, context, or substance of the Comprehensive Plan, including any change in or addition to the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map.

(13) Animal, Large. Any domestic animal over six (6) months of age having a size equal to or greater than a goat or sheep including the infants of such animals as regulated in PCC 17.35.050, Animals and Fowl.

(14) Animal, Small. Any domestic animal having a size smaller than a goat or sheep over six (6) months of age, not classified as a household pet, and as regulated in PCC 17.35.050, Animals and Fowl.

(15) Arterial Street: Major, Secondary, Collector. Street classification, as defined and designated in the Comprehensive Plan and its accompanying arterial street map.

(16) Assisted Living Facility. Any home or other institution, which is advertised, announced, or maintained for the express or implied purpose of providing housing, basic services, and assuming general responsibility for the safety and well-being of the residents, and may also provide domiciliary care, consistent with chapter 142, Laws of 2004, to seven (7) or more residents. This does not include facilities certified as group training homes pursuant to RCW 71A.22.040, nor any home, institution, or section thereof which is otherwise licensed and regulated under the provisions of state law providing specifically for the licensing and regulation of such home, institution, or section thereof. Nor will it include any independent senior housing, independent living units in retirement communities, or other similar living situations including those subsidized by the department of housing and urban development.

(17) Automobile Repair, Major. General repair, engine rebuilding, rebuilding, or reconditioning of motor vehicles or trailers; collision service, including body, frame, or fender straightening or repair; overall painting or paint shop.

(18) Automobile Salvage or Wrecking Yard. Any open area where more than two (2) unlicensed and/or inoperable motor vehicles, or motor vehicle parts, are stored or parked for a period exceeding 30 days.

(19) Balcony. An elevated platform, enclosed by a railing, that projects from the side of a building. The term “balcony” does not include any part of a stairway or walkway used as general access to habitable space within a building.

(20) Basement. Any floor level below the first story in a building.

(21) Buffer. An area of land or structure intended to insulate or separate a structure or land use from adjacent uses or structures in such a manner as to reduce or mitigate adverse impacts of one on the other.

(22) Buildable Area. That portion of a lot within which a structure may be built, bounded by the required yards.

(23) Building. Any structure having a roof, used, or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy, and permanently affixed to the ground.

(24) Building Coverage. The portion of the lot area expressed as a percentage that may be occupied by buildings or structures. Building coverage includes eaves, bay windows, and similar structures, as well as decks, balconies, stairs, and landings more than 30 inches (2.5 feet) in height above grade.

(25) Building Height. The vertical distance above a reference datum measured to the highest point of a flat roof, to the deck line of a mansard roof, or to the average height of the highest gable of a pitched or hipped roof, with the reference datum selected by either of the following, whichever yields a greater height of building:

(b) An elevation 10 feet higher than the lowest grade when the sidewalk or ground surface described in subsection (25)(a) of this section is more than 10 feet above lowest grade.

The height of a stepped or terraced building is the maximum height of any segment of the building.

(26) Building Line. A line established as the minimum distance a building may be located from any property line as determined by the minimum yard requirements of this Title.

(27) Building Official. The Building Official is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Construction Code or any codes adopted by reference therein. The Building Official will be the head of the Protective Inspections Division, will serve as the Building Official pursuant to the Construction Code (PCC Title 2) and will report to the Director of Community Development.

(28) Cannabis. “Cannabis” as defined in RCW 69.50.101, as it now exists or may hereafter be amended.

(29) Cannabis-Infused Products. “Cannabis-infused products” as defined in RCW 69.50.101, as it now exists or may hereafter be amended.

(30) Cannabis Processing Facility. An establishment licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board to process cannabis into usable cannabis and cannabis-infused products, package and label usable cannabis and cannabis-infused products for sale in cannabis retail facilities, and sell usable cannabis and cannabis-infused products at wholesale to cannabis retail facilities.

(31) Cannabis Production Facility. An establishment licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board to produce and sell cannabis at wholesale to cannabis processing facilities and other cannabis production facilities.

(32) Cannabis, Recreational. Cannabis as administered under the provisions of Chapter 69.50 RCW and Chapter 314-55 WAC, as they now exist or may hereafter be amended.

(33) Cannabis Retail Facility. An establishment licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board for the retail sale of usable cannabis and/or cannabis-infused products.

(34) Cannabis, Usable. “Usable cannabis” as defined in RCW 69.50.101, as it now exists or may hereafter be amended.

(35) Child Day Care Facility. A facility licensed by the State in which an agency or person(s) regularly provides child care for a group of children aged 12 years or less for periods of less than 24 hours per day. There are two separate categories of child day care facilities:

(36) Church. A place of assembly, the principal purpose of which is religious worship, and for which the principal building or other structures contain the sanctuary or principal place of worship, and which may include related accessory uses in the principal building or in other separate structures.

(37) City. The City of Pullman, Washington.

(38) Code. The Pullman City Code (PCC) as most recently amended.

(39) Commercial Parking Area or Garage. A parking area or garage in which vehicles park in exchange for a fee or paid permit, including any permit parking facilities operated, for example, by Washington State University (WSU).

(40) Commercial Vehicle. Any motor vehicle having a gross vehicular weight of more than 14,000 pounds.

(41) Common Open Space. Open space, including landscaped and recreational areas, in which residents of the development own an undivided interest and which is managed jointly by those owners through a property owners’ association. (See illustration accompanying definition of “Planned Residential Development.”)

(42) Comprehensive Plan. The official document adopted by the Council as authorized by Chapter 35A.63 RCW, that sets forth goals, policies, and standards to guide decisions about the future development of the City.

(43) Conditional Use. A use which because of special requirements, unusual character, size or shape, infrequent occurrence, possible detrimental effects on surrounding property, or other similar reasons, may be allowed in certain zones only after review by the Hearing Examiner and the granting of a conditional use permit imposing such performance standards as will make the use compatible with other permitted uses in the same vicinity or zone.

(44) Condominium. An ownership arrangement of single units or apartments in a building containing two (2) or more dwelling units or two (2) or more buildings each containing one (1) or more dwelling units, with common areas and facilities, as regulated by Chapter 64.32 RCW. The term “Condominium” refers to an ownership arrangement, not a land use. The unit may be any permitted dwelling type.

(45) Conforming Building. A building that accommodates uses permitted in the zoning district it is located in and that also conforms to the requirements of this Title in the matter of use, height, yards, area coverage, and density.

(46) Contiguous. Sharing a common boundary.

(47) Convenience Store. A retail store with a net floor area of 2,500 square feet or less that offers easy access for short shopping trips to purchase frequently needed items. Convenience stores may include gasoline sales only in districts where gasoline service stations are permitted.

(48) Council. The elected governing body of the City.

(49) Crisis Residential Center. A place of temporary refuge for victims of domestic violence, operated by a public or private nonprofit group or organization on a 24-hour basis; or a temporary residential facility operated by the State Department of Social and Health Services.

(50) Density, Basic. The average number of dwelling units per net acre that may be developed in a zoning district.

(51) Density, PRD Bonus. The basic density plus an increase of up to an additional 20 percent which may be earned by taking advantage of the bonus density allowances as described in PCC 17.107.040(2)(b), PRD Bonus Density.

(52) Director of Community Development. An employee of the City who administers the Department of Community Development. The Director of Community Development may indicate a designee for projects.

(53) Director of Public Works. An employee of the City who administers the Department of Public Works. The Director of Public Works may indicate a designee for projects.

(54) Driveway. A vehicular access way leading from a public right-of-way or private road to a garage, carport, or other off-street parking area. A driveway is accessed from a public right-of-way or private road by means of a curb cut or, where there is rolled curb or no constructed curb, a connection to a public right-of-way or private road authorized by the Director of Public Works.

(55) Dwelling, Duplex. A building containing two (2) dwelling units.

(56) Dwelling, Multifamily. A building containing three (3) or more dwelling units including an apartment house.

(57) Dwelling, Single-Family. A detached dwelling containing only one (1) dwelling unit.

(58) Dwelling Unit. Any building or portion thereof which contains living facilities including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.

(59) Easement. A grant by a property owner to another party to use designated land for a specific purpose.

(60) Educational Service. An educational or related service offered by an organization for children or adults, including a kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, and vocational school. The term “Educational Service” does not include “Child Day Care Facility,” “Nursery School or Preschool” or “University Facility.”

(61) Family. A “family” means a collective group of one (1) or more persons living together as a single housekeeping unit, and sharing and operating a unified and common household.

(62) Floodplain. See Chapter 16.60 PCC, Floodplain Management District, for all definitions relevant to the Floodplain Management District.

(63) Floor Area, Net. The floor area of a building, except areas used exclusively for the service of a building such as: mechanical equipment spaces and shafts; elevators; stairways; hallways; escalators and ramps; restrooms; wall thicknesses; loading docks and ramps.

(64) Foster Family Home. A foster family home as defined in RCW 74.15.020(1)(f), licensed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington.

(65) Fowl. Any domestic bird commonly raised for meat or eggs, including, but not limited to, chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese.

(66) Fraternity. See “Membership Lodging.”

(67) Garage, Private. An accessory building or portion of principal building intended to be used for the storage of vehicles or boats by the occupants of the principal building.

(68) Grade (adjacent ground level). Either:

(69) Group Care Facility. A group care facility as defined in RCW 74.15.020(1)(g), licensed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington.

(70) Hearing Examiner. The Hearing Examiner for the City.

(71) Hen. A female chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus).

(72) Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). The HPC created by PCC 17.15.040 and acting as the “Local Review Board (Board)” as used in Chapter 84.26 RCW and Chapter 254-20 WAC for the special valuation of historic properties.

(73) Home Occupation. See Chapter 17.55 PCC, Home Occupations, for all definitions relevant to home occupations.

(74) Household Pet. Small domestic creatures including dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, domestic rats and mice, caged birds, non-venomous reptiles, fish, and amphibians as regulated in PCC 17.35.050, Animals and Fowl.

(75) Infill Development. Original construction of a duplex, multifamily dwelling, townhouse, and/or a membership lodging facility on a lot that, prior to further subdivision for individual townhouses or other dwelling units, contains 10,000 square feet or less of lot area and that abuts one (1) or more other lots occupied by a dwelling(s).

(76) Kennel, Commercial. Any premises or building in which four (4) or more dogs, four (4) or more cats, or five (5) or more dogs and cats over six (6) months of age are kept commercially for board, breeding, or sale.

(77) Limited (L) Zone. A portion of a zoning district to which the Council has added conditions intended to limit or govern the use of a parcel(s) of land in the public interest, as specified in PCC 17.115.030, “Limited” Zone.

(78) Lot. A recorded lot, occupied or intended to be occupied by a principal use or building and its accessory buildings, together with all required yards and open spaces, except the following special lot types:

(79) Lot Area and Dimensions.

(c) Lot Width. The distance between the side lot lines measured at right angles to the lot depth at a point midway between the front and rear lot lines.

(80) Lot Lines.

(b) Rear. The boundary line of a lot which is opposite and most distant from the front lot line. For establishing the rear lot line, the following will apply:

(i) In the case of a lot with a rear boundary formed by a single line that is parallel to the front lot line, such rear boundary is the rear lot line.

(ii) In the case of a lot with a rear boundary formed by two (2) or more lines, the rear lot line will be a line 10 feet in length within the lot and farthest removed from the front lot line and at right angles to the lot depth.

(iii) In the case of a trapezoidal lot with the rear boundary not parallel to the front lot line, the rear lot line will be deemed to be a line at right angles to the lot depth and drawn through a point bisecting the recorded rear lot line.

(iv) In no case will the application of the above be interpreted as permitting a main building to locate closer than five (5) feet to any property line unless such building portion is below grade with no visible portion above grade.

(81) Lot Types.

(a) Corner. A lot located at the intersection of two (2) or more streets.

(b) Interior. A lot with frontage on one (1) street only.

(c) Through. A lot having frontage on two (2) parallel or nearly parallel streets, also referred to as a “double frontage” lot.

(82) Manufactured Home (MH). A dwelling unit built according to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act (42 U.S.C Chapter 70), as it exists now or may be amended. A MH also:

(83) Manufactured Home Park (MHP). Real property under single ownership and management, or multiple ownerships and a single management, that is used as the location for two (2) or more manufactured or mobile homes that are, or are intended to be, occupied as dwellings.

See Chapter 17.105 PCC for additional definitions related to Manufactured Home Parks.

(84) Maternity Service Agency. A maternity service agency as defined in RCW 74.15.020(1)(h) licensed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington.

(85) Membership Lodging. A building or portion thereof having only one (1) kitchen and occupied by six (6) or more persons, not related by blood or marriage living together as a single nonprofit housekeeping unit. The term will include dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and other similar group living quarters, but will exclude “hotels” and “motels.”

(86) Nonconforming. See Chapter 17.30 PCC, Nonconforming Uses, Buildings or Structures, and Lots, for definitions relevant to this subject.

(87) Nursery School or Preschool. A public or private agency, school, or institution engaged in educational work with preschool children and in which no child is enrolled on a regular basis for four (4) or more hours per day. Enrollment for four (4) or more hours per day will classify the facility as a “Child Day Care Facility.”

(88) Nursing Home. A home, place, or institution that provides long-term care for people who are unable to care for themselves due to illness or frailty is defined here. This care is for three (3) or more patients who are not related to the operator by blood or marriage. The care can last more than 24 hours and may include things like giving medicine, preparing special diets, providing bedside nursing care, applying bandages, and following medical treatments prescribed by a licensed doctor. It can also include care for people with mental disabilities and community-based care.

However, this definition does not include general hospitals, which treat people with serious, acute illnesses or perform major surgeries or obstetrics. It also does not apply to assisted living facilities, guest homes, or hotels that only provide food, shelter, and laundry services, unless someone is temporarily ill. Just calling a place a hospital or sanatorium doesn’t automatically mean it is exempt from these rules, especially if it does not provide care for the acutely ill or have surgery and obstetrics facilities. If the nursing home provides psychiatric treatment, it must follow specific rules for such care.

(89) Open Space. The unoccupied portion of a lot or building site that is open to the sky and which may or may not contain landscaping, landscaping structures, or outdoor recreational facilities.

(90) Overlay Zone. A set of zoning requirements described in this Title and imposed in addition to those of the underlying zoning district.

(91) Owner. The recorded owner as determined by the records of the County Auditor. The owner under a real estate contract is the purchaser.

(92) Parking Space. A hard surface or porous pavement space meeting the design standards in PCC 17.40.040, that is reserved for vehicle parking purposes.

(93) Permitted Use. An activity permitted by right in a given zone which may occur without special action by the Hearing Examiner or Commission, subject to the development regulations of the zoning district in which it is located.

(94) Pig, Miniature. Swine that has a maximum weight of 150 pounds and a maximum height of 22 inches at the shoulder.

(95) Planned Residential Development (PRD). A parcel of land which is planned and developed as a unit under single or common ownership or control, and which generally includes clustered buildings, common open spaces, and a mix of building types.

(96) Planned Unit Development (PUD). A parcel of land which is planned and developed as a unit under single or common ownership or control and includes a mix of commercial and residential uses, common open spaces, and various building types.

(97) Planning Commission (Commission). The Planning Commission of the City as provided for in Chapter 17.20 PCC, Planning Commission.

(98) Principal Use. The primary or predominant use to which the property, land, or structure is or may be devoted, and to which all other uses on the premises are secondary or accessory.

(99) Prohibited Use. Any use not specifically listed as a permitted use, conditional use, or nonconforming use, including but not limited to the listed prohibited uses within each zoning district.

(100) Property Line. Any line bounding the ownership of a parcel of land.

(101) Public Utility. A public or private business or organization performing some public service paid for directly by the recipients of such service and having appropriate approval from the State. Such services will include, but are not limited to, water supply, electric power and gas supply, transportation for persons and freight, and communications.

(102) Public Utility Facility. Any building, structure, or device which transfers to the public the service or supply provided by a public utility.

(103) Recorded Lot. A lot as shown on an official recorded plat or subdivision, or any parcel of land described by metes and bounds in a recorded deed, record of survey or other appropriate document filed with the County Auditor.

(104) Recreational Vehicle. A motor home, travel trailer, truck camper, or camping trailer with or without motor power, built on a single chassis, and having a living area of less than 220 square feet.

(105) Recreational Vehicle Park (RVP). Real property under a single ownership or management that is used as the location for the temporary occupancy of two (2) or more recreational vehicles and/or tents.

See Chapter 17.105 PCC for additional definitions related to Recreational Vehicle Parks.

(106) Residential Care Facility. A facility licensed by the State for the care of children under 18 years of age, expectant mothers regardless of age, or persons with developmental disabilities on a 24-hour basis. It will include group care facilities, maternity service agencies, and foster family homes.

(107) Retirement Home. A residential building for residents 50 years and older, which does not include care by nursing staff. “Retirement home” does not include an assisted living facility licensed under Chapter 18.20 RCW.

(108) Screening or Screen. A continuous fence, wall, earth berm, landscaping, or any combination thereof that provides a sight-obscuring and sound-absorbing buffer around the property it encloses. See Chapter 17.45 PCC, Landscaping and Screening, for further clarification.

(109) Short-Term Rental (STR). A lodging use, that is not a hotel or motel, in which a dwelling unit, or portion thereof, is offered or provided to a guest for a fee for fewer than 30 consecutive nights. STRs are not allowed in buildings with three (3) or more units.

(110) Sign. See Chapter 17.50 PCC, Sign Regulations, for all definitions relevant to signs.

(111) Story. That portion of a building included between the upper surface of any floor and the upper surface of the floor next above, except that the topmost story will be that portion of a building included between the upper surface of the topmost floor and the ceiling. If the finished floor level directly above a basement is more than six (6) feet above grade, as defined herein, for more than 50% of the total perimeter or is more than 12 feet above grade at any point, such basement will be considered as a story.

(112) Story, First. The lowest story in a building which qualifies as a story, as defined herein, except that a floor level in a building having only one (1) floor level will be classified as a first story; provided, that such floor level is not more than four (4) feet below grade for more than 50% of the total perimeter, or more than eight (8) feet below grade at any point, in which case it will be classified as a basement.

(113) Street. The entire width between the boundary lines of every right-of-way, except alleys, that provides for public use of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the placement of utilities and including the terms “road,” “highway,” “lane,” “place,” “avenue,” and other similar designations.

(114) Street, Flanking. A street other than the one on which a corner lot has its main frontage. Main frontage is determined by the orientation of the main entrance of a structure.

(115) Structure. A building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together.

(116) Temporary Use. A use permitted for a restricted period as specified in PCC 17.35.040, Temporary Uses.

(117) Townhouse. A dwelling containing one (1) dwelling unit exclusively occupying a space from the ground to the roof and not lying vertically over or under another dwelling unit or part thereof, having direct access to private open space, and attached to one (1) or more other such dwelling units by common walls which may be located on lot lines.

(118) University Facility. A facility or service operated by or within a university institution involving education, research, administration, public safety, athletics, medical services, places of assembly, university housing, retail and service businesses, parking facilities, public works improvements, and other university support facilities and services.

(119) Use. The nature of the occupancy, the type of activity, or the character and form of improvements to which land is devoted or may be devoted.

(120) Variance. A modification of the terms of this Title that may be granted pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 17.130 PCC, Variances.

(121) Vehicle. Any motorized apparatus capable of being moved upon a public way and in, upon, or by which any persons or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public way, except railroad trains.

(122) Wireless Communication Attached Facility. A wireless communication transmission and/or reception device that is affixed to an existing structure such as an existing building, tower, water tank, or utility pole; an equipment structure; and connecting appurtenances.

(123) Wireless Communication Facility. An unstaffed public utility facility for the transmission and/or reception of radio frequency signals usually composed of an equipment structure; a support structure; transmission and/or reception devices, consisting of linear and/or parabolic antennas; and related equipment. This definition does not include ancillary antennas that individual businesses and residences use and which conform to height limits and other development standards in the zoning district in which such antennas would be located, nor does it include radio and television transmitting stations and towers, accessory TV reception or amateur radio/citizens radio antennas, or their respective support structures.

(124) Wireless Communication Freestanding Facility. A wireless communication transmission and/or reception device(s) that is affixed to a structure erected to support said transmission and/or reception device(s), an equipment structure, and connecting equipment. Support structure types include, but are not limited to, metal poles, lattice towers, wood poles, and guyed towers.

(125) Yard. An open space, other than a court, on the same lot with a building, unoccupied and unobstructed by a portion of a structure from the ground upward, except as otherwise provided within this Title.

(126) Yard, Front. A yard extending across the full width of a lot on which a building is located, and between the front lot line and the building line.

(127) Yard, Minimum Required. That minimum yard, either front, side, or rear, the dimensions of which are set by various sections of this Title.

(128) Yard, Rear. A yard extending across the full width of a lot on which a building is located and situated between the rear lot line and the building line.

(129) Yard, Side. A yard extending from the front yard to the rear yard of a lot on which a building is located and situated between the side lot line and the building line; in the case of a corner lot, the side yard on the flanking street will extend to the rear lot line. (Ord. 25-08 §1 (Att. A), 2025; Ord. 23-17 §1, 2023; Ord. 22-10 §1, 2022; Ord. 22-2 §3, 2022; Ord. 21-15 §6, 2021; Ord. 21-9 §1, 2021; Ord. 14-12 §1, 2014; Ord. 14-4 §1, 2014; Ord. 03-33 §1, 2003; Ord. 02-32 §1, 2002; Ord. 01-5 §1, 2001; Ord. 00-8 §1, 2000; Ord. 00-3 §1, 2000; Ord. 99-49 §1, 1999; Ord. 96-19 §1, 1996; Ord. 87-9 §1, 1987).