Sequim City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 18
16 ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS
§ 18.16.010 Establishment of zoning districts.
For the purposes of this title and to carry out these regulations, the city of Sequim hereby designates 20 classes of districts, and the specifically permitted and conditional uses described and tabulated in Chapter 18.20 SMC.
(Ord. 97-019 § 4 (Exh. B); Ord. 2024-041 § 3 (Exh. C))
§ 18.16.020 General use provisions.
Except as hereinafter provided, and except where modified by the provisions of the shoreline master program:
A.
Any building, structure, premises or land shall be used or occupied for only the uses permitted in the zoning district and zone overlay in which such building, structure, premises, or land or part thereof is located, and then only after applying for and securing all permits and licenses required by law and city ordinances.
B.
Any building, structure, premises or part thereof shall be erected, raised, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, or altered only for the purpose of accommodating the uses permitted in the zoning district and zone overlay in which such building, structure, or premises is located, and then only after applying for and securing all permits and licenses required by law and city ordinances.
C.
Any building, structure or portion thereof hereafter erected shall not exceed the bulk, dimensional and/or height limits established for the district wherein such building or structure is located.
D.
Any building or structure hereafter built, enlarged or moved on a lot shall conform to the area regulations of the district in which such building or structure is located.
1.
No lot area now existing or hereafter established shall be so reduced or diminished that the yards, open spaces or total lot area be made smaller than required by this title.
2.
No yard or other open space established for any existing or proposed building or structure shall be considered as part of a yard or open space of another building or structure.
3.
No yard shall include any premises dedicated, reserved or set aside for street purposes except as provided in this chapter. No yard shall include any land condemned for or upon which notice of condemnation has been given for public purposes.
4.
A building and an accessory building shall be construed to mean the main building and its subordinate building on the same lot.
(Ord. 97-019 § 4 (Exh. B); Ord. 2024-041 § 3 (Exh. C))
§ 18.16.030 Official zoning map.
The official zoning map adopted by city council and any amendments thereto, showing the locations and boundaries of the city's current zoning districts, will be available for public inspection in the offices of the department of community and economic development. In accordance with RCW 35.63.100, the original resolution or ordinance adopting the official zoning map and any amendments thereto, as attested by the city clerk and signed by the authorized council member, will be kept on file in the office of the city clerk.
(Ord. 97-019 § 4 (Exh. B); Ord. 2011-017 § 2; Ord. 2024-041 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 2025-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
§ 18.16.040 Boundaries.
The boundaries of the zoning districts shown on the official zoning map are as adopted or amended by city council, and the original resolutions or ordinances attested by the city clerk and signed by the authorized council member will be kept on file in the office of the city clerk.
(Ord. 97-019 § 4 (Exh. B); Ord. 2024-041 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 2025-004 § 1 (Exh. A))
§ 18.16.050 Boundary interpretation.
Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of any zone shown upon the zoning map, the following rules shall apply:
A.
Where boundaries are indicated as approximately following the centerline of streets or alleys or lot lines, such lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.
B.
Where one or more boundaries intersect a lot, the location of such boundary shall be determined by use of the scale appearing on said zoning map and the respective portions of the parcel shall be subject to the respective zones except as provided in subsection (D) of this section.
C.
Where a public street is officially vacated or abandoned, the area comprising such vacated street or alley shall acquire the classification of the property to which it reverts.
D.
Whenever a zone boundary line passes through a lot of record which existed prior to the passage of this title the entire lot of record may be used in accordance with the provisions of the least restrictive of the two zones; provided, that more than 50 percent of the lot of record is located within the least restrictive of the two zones. For the purposes of boundary interpretation the zones shall be classified in terms of restriction as follows (least restrictive to most restrictive): M-II, M-I, MU, C-III, C-II, C-I, R-III, R4-8, R-I(S), R-I(LS), PF, B.
E.
The location of a zone boundary line passing through unplatted property shall be defined solely by the legal description contained in "The Official Zoning Map, City of Sequim, Washington," adopted with this title.
(Ord. 97-019 § 4 (Exh. B); Ord. 2013-008 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2016-007 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2024-041 § 3 (Exh. C))