Shelton City Zoning Code

Provisions of this chapter are of general application to several zoning districts unless otherwise noted. It is the intent of the title to provide standards sufficient to afford continuing protection to property and yet be adaptable enough to avoid unnecessary hardship or interference with growth and natural change. Accordingly, supplementary provisions are also necessary to govern specific deviations from general rules. These special deviations are to be contrasted with the grant of a variance (Chapter 20.50) which requires discretionary action by the hearings examiner where standards cannot be completely defined.

No property may be so reduced in area that it would be in violation of minimum lot size, yard provisions, lot coverage, off-street parking or any other requirements of the zoning district or use.

Where any front yard is required, no building shall be hereafter erected or altered so that any portion thereof shall be nearer the front property line than the distance indicated by the depth of the required front yard.

Steps, terraces, platforms, porches and similar projections having no roof covering and being not over forty-two inches high, may be built within a front yard, but in no case shall such projection cause a front yard to be less than ten feet from the face of the projection to the front property line.

After the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, when forty percent or more, on a front-foot basis, of all the property on one side of a street between two intersecting streets has been built up with buildings having a minimum front yard of more or less depth than that established by this title; and provided, that the majority of such front yards do not vary more than six feet in depth, no building shall be built within, or shall any portion, save as above excepted, project into such minimum front yard; provided further, that no new buildings be required to set back more than thirty-five feet (or as otherwise provided) from the property line in the residential zoning districts nor more than two feet farther than any building on an adjoining lot and that this regulation shall not be interpreted as to reduce a required front yard to less than ten feet in depth.

Where any specified side yard is required, no building shall be hereafter erected or altered so that any portion thereof shall be nearer to the side lot line than the distance indicated by the width of the required side yard.

Eaves, cornices, chimneys and similar projections may extend over the required side yard for a distance of not more than two feet.

Eaves, cornices, steps, platforms, rear porches and similar projections, whether enclosed or not, but not exceeding in width one-half that of the building nor more than one story in height, may extend into the required rear yard not more than twenty percent.

On lots of record held under separate and distinct own-ership prior to the taking effect of Ordinance No. 421-24, the depth of rear yards may be reduced to not less than ten feet; provided, that such is necessary only to the extent needed to permit a building depth of thirty feet.

On irregular-shaped lots, the average distance from the building line to the lot line shall be no less than the minimum yard provision; provided, however, that no part of the structure shall be located so that one-half the minimum yard provisions occurs at any point along such averaged alignment.

Where ownership of a lot of record is restricted to a tract containing a lesser area than is required by this title, provided such property was originally acquired in such form and size prior to the date of city Ordinance No. 421-24, or Mason County Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on November 21, 1960, the lot coverage requirements may be varied to a lesser and reasonable requirement by the hearings examiner.

An accessory building shall not exceed one story nor twenty feet in height and shall be located as follows:

It shall be unlawful to park any commercial coach, mobile/manufactured home or recreational vehicle, or use or occupy the same on any street, alley or other public right-of-way or public property, lot or tract of ground except as may be permitted in this title and Title 18 of this code; provided, that:

All properties with common boundary with the city-owned watershed protection area in Section 7 of Township 20 North Range 3 West that are eligible shall be subject to the provisions of the planned unit development chapter of the zone code, Chapter 20.32 SMC. The open space thus required will be located adjacent to the watershed property unless it can be shown that the goals of watershed protection and open space preservation can be fulfilled by locating it elsewhere.