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Skamania County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 21

65 CARSON FINAL ZONING

§ 21.65.010 Applicability.

This chapter applies to all lands in that portion of Skamania County lying within the Carson planning area, as depicted on the map entitled "Carson Comprehensive Plan" adopted on December 19, 1994.
(Ord. 2005-02 (part))

§ 21.65.020 Effective date.

This chapter shall become effective upon adoption hereof by the board of county commissioners. (Passed into law December 29, 1997).
(Ord. 2005-02 (part))

§ 21.65.030 Zoning map.

A zoning map will be made a part of this chapter and shall be known as "the Carson Community Zoning Map." The zoning map shall show the zone classifications assigned to specific parcels of property.
(Ord. 2005-02 (part))

§ 21.65.040 Relationship to balance of Title 21.

Except to the extent that the provisions of this chapter are in conflict with or contradict the provisions of the balance of Title 21, the provisions set out in Title 21 shall remain in full force and effect in the Carson community planning area. When conflict arises, the provisions of this chapter shall be controlling.
(Ord. 2005-02 (part))

§ 21.65.050 Zone classifications.

Zones are shown on the Carson Community Zoning Map and its revisions.
Abbreviated Designation Zone Classification Title
Mapping Symbol
High Density Residential
HDR
Rural Residential
RR
Rural Estate
RE
Commercial
C
Industrial
I
Destination Resort
DR
(Ord. 2005-02 (part))

§ 21.65.060 High density residential zone classification (HDR).

A. 
Allowable Uses.
1. 
Single-family dwellings.
2. 
Public facilities.
3. 
Domestic agriculture.
4. 
Advertising signs; on-premises advertising only.
5. 
Accessory equipment structures.
6. 
Attached communication facilities located on BPA towers.
7. 
Religious facilities.
8. 
Light home industry, consistent with Chapter 21.70.
9. 
Cottage occupations, consistent with Chapter 21.70.
B. 
Administrative Review Uses.
1. 
Multi-family housing units.
2. 
Repealed by Ord. 2020-06.
3. 
Repealed by Ord. 2020-06.
4. 
Residential care facilities, consistent with Chapter 21.85.
5. 
Child care facilities, consistent with Chapter 21.86.
6. 
Safe homes.
7. 
Cluster developments.
8. 
Attached communication facilities not located on BPA towers, (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
C. 
Conditional Uses.
1. 
Professional services.
2. 
Commercial agriculture.
3. 
Mobile home parks.
4. 
Communication towers.
5. 
Co-location of communication towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
6. 
Outdoor recreational facilities (on parcels of five acres or larger).
7. 
Campgrounds.
D. 
Temporary Uses. Uses allowed subject to the requirements of Section 21.70.120.
E. 
Prohibited Uses. Any uses not listed above are prohibited, including but not limited to:
1. 
Commercial uses.
2. 
Industrial uses.
3. 
Billboards.
4. 
Above ground utility lines, unless no practical alternative exists.
5. 
Unconcealed, outdoor storage of nonfunctioning vehicles and parts thereof, appliances, construction materials, debris and household garbage.
F. 
Minimum Development Standards.
1. 
Lot Size. The standard minimum lot size, dimensions and proportions shall be as follows:
a. 
The minimum lot size shall be one-half acre.
b. 
Lot depth shall not exceed lot width by more than a ratio of four to one, respectively.
c. 
Access panhandles shall not be taken into account as part of the area calculations relative to minimum lot size.
2. 
Density Requirements.
a. 
Single-Family. Each single-family housing unit shall require minimum lot area of one-half acre.
b. 
Duplex. Each duplex shall require three-fourth of an acre.
c. 
Triplex. Each triplex shall require one acre.
d. 
Fourplex. Each fourplex shall require one and one-fourth acre.
e. 
Apartment Complexes Greater than Fourplex. Each apartment complex shall require a minimum of two acres. Additional land may be required to ensure adequate parking, landscaping and buffers.
3. 
Setbacks.
a. 
Front Yard. No building or accessory building shall be constructed closer than forty-five feet from the centerline of the public road right-of-way or thirty-five feet from the centerline of a private road (not including private driveways), or fifteen feet from the front property line, whichever is greater.
b. 
Side Yard. No building or accessory building shall be constructed closer than seven feet from the property line on each side of the structure.
c. 
Rear Yard. No building or accessory building shall be constructed closer than fifteen from the rear property line.
d. 
Yards Fronting on Two Roads. In addition to the required front yard setback, on lots fronting two roads, no building or accessory building shall be constructed closer than fifteen feet from any established public road right-of-way or private road easement.
e. 
Setbacks from cul-de-sacs and hammerhead turn arounds shall be twenty feet from the property line, or the edge of the public road right-of-way or private road easement, whichever is greater.
f. 
No building or structure may be located within any easements.
(Ord. 2005-02 (part); Ord. 2018-03, 4-17-2018; Ord. 2020-06, 9-29-2020; Ord. 2021-04, 11-30-2021)

§ 21.65.070 Rural residential zone classification (RR).

A. 
Allowable Uses.
1. 
Single-family dwellings.
2. 
Domestic agriculture.
3. 
Industrial forestry.
4. 
Public facilities.
5. 
Repealed by Ord. 2024-02.
6. 
Advertising signs; on-premises advertising only.
7. 
Accessory equipment structures.
8. 
Attached communication facilities located on BPA towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
9. 
Religious facilities.
10. 
Light home industry, consistent with Chapter 21.70.
11. 
Cottage occupations, consistent with Chapter 21.70.
B. 
Administrative Review Uses.
1. 
Repealed by Ord. 2020-06.
2. 
Repealed by Ord. 2020-06.
3. 
Commercial agriculture.
4. 
Residential care facilities, consistent with Chapter 21.85.
5. 
Child care facilities, consistent with Chapter 21.86.
6. 
Safe homes.
7. 
Cluster developments.
8. 
Attached communication facilities not located on BPA towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
C. 
Conditional Uses.
1. 
Multifamily housing units.
2. 
Mobile home parks.
3. 
Professional services.
4. 
Commercial agriculture.
5. 
Communication towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
6. 
Co-location of communication towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
7. 
Repealed by Ord. 2024-02.
8. 
Outdoor recreational facility.
9. 
Indoor recreational facility.
D. 
Temporary Uses. Uses allowed subject to the requirements of Section 21.70.120.
E. 
Prohibited Uses. Any uses not listed above are prohibited, including but not limited to:
1. 
Small-scale and large-scale recreational vehicle parks;
2. 
Commercial uses;
3. 
Industrial uses;
4. 
Billboards;
5. 
Above-ground utility lines, unless no practical alternative exists;
6. 
Unconcealed, outdoor storage of nonfunctioning vehicles and parts thereof, appliances, construction materials, debris, and household garbage.
(Ord. 2005-02 (part); Ord. 2018-03, 4-17-2018; Ord. 2020-06, 9-29-2020; Ord. 2021-02, 6-22-2021; Ord. 2021-04, 11-30-2021; Ord. 2024-02, 7-18-2024)

§ 21.65.080 Rural estate zone classification (RE).

A. 
Allowable Uses.
1. 
Single-family dwellings.
2. 
Repealed by Ord. 2024-02.
3. 
Domestic agriculture.
4. 
Industrial forestry.
5. 
Public facilities.
6. 
Advertising signs; on-premises advertising only.
7. 
Accessory equipment structures.
8. 
Attached communication facilities located on BPA towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
9. 
Religious facilities.
10. 
Light home industry, consistent with Chapter 21.70.
11. 
Cottage occupations, consistent with Chapter 21.70.
B. 
Administrative Review Uses.
1. 
Repealed by Ord. 2020-06.
2. 
Repealed by Ord. 2020-06.
3. 
Commercial agriculture.
4. 
Residential care facilities, consistent with Chapter 21.85.
5. 
Child care facilities, consistent with Chapter 21.86.
6. 
Safe homes.
7. 
Cluster developments.
8. 
Attached communication facilities not located on BPA towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
9. 
Communication towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
10. 
Co-location of communication towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
C. 
Conditional Uses.
1. 
Multifamily housing units.
2. 
Small- and large-scale recreational vehicle parks.
3. 
Commercial agriculture.
4. 
Repealed by Ord. 2024-02.
5. 
Outdoor recreation facility.
D. 
Temporary Uses. Uses allowed subject to the requirements of Section 21.70.120.
E. 
Prohibited Uses. Any uses not listed above are prohibited, including, but not limited to:
1. 
Commercial uses.
2. 
Industrial uses.
3. 
Professional services.
4. 
Billboards.
5. 
Mobile home parks.
6. 
Above ground utility lines, unless no practical alternative exists.
7. 
Unconcealed, outdoor storage of nonfunctioning vehicles and parts thereof, appliances, construction materials, debris and household garbage.
(Ord. 2005-02 (part); Ord. 2018-03, 4-17-2018; Ord. 2020-06, 9-29-2020; Ord. 2021-02, 6-22-2021; Ord. 2021-04, 11-30-2021; Ord. 2024-02, 7-18-2024)

§ 21.65.090 Commercial (C).

A. 
Allowable Uses.
1. 
Professional services.
2. 
Advertising signs; on-premises advertising only.
3. 
Accessory equipment structures.
4. 
Attached communication facilities located on BPA towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
5. 
New commercial uses or expansion of existing commercial uses inhabiting existing commercial buildings.
6. 
New commercial uses or expansion of existing commercial uses located wholly or partially outside of an existing commercial structure.
7. 
Accessory uses normally associated with the primary use of the property.
B. 
Administrative Review Uses.
1. 
New commercial uses, unless specifically listed in subsection (A), (B) or (C) of this section.
2. 
Attached communication facilities not located on BPA towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
3. 
Communication towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
4. 
Co-location of communication towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
5. 
New commercial uses located wholly or partially outside of an existing noncommercial structure.
6. 
New commercial buildings and expansions of existing commercial buildings.
C. 
Conditional Uses.
1. 
Residential use above/over a commercial use; street level floor must be commercial/professional use only.
2. 
Owner/caretaker residence in conjunction with commercial use.
3. 
Small- and large-scale recreational vehicle parks.
D. 
Temporary Uses. Uses allowed subject to the requirements of Section 21.70.120.
E. 
Prohibited Uses. Any uses not listed above are prohibited, including but not limited to:
1. 
Residential uses.
2. 
Billboards.
3. 
Mobile home parks.
4. 
Above ground utility lines, unless no practical alternative exists.
5. 
Unconcealed, outdoor storage of nonfunctioning vehicles and parts thereof, appliances, construction materials, debris and household garbage.
F. 
Minimum Development Standards.
1. 
Lot Size. The standard minimum lot size, dimensions and proportions shall be as required to accommodate the use, including landscaping, open space and parking requirements.
2. 
Setbacks. The setbacks will be established by the review of the listed criteria for each use or the following, whichever is greater:
a. 
No building or structure may be located within any easements.
b. 
No building or accessory building shall be constructed closer than twenty feet from a property line that is adjacent to land that is used for or suitable for residential use.
(Ord. 2005-02 (part); Ord. 2014-02, 1-28-2014)

§ 21.65.100 Industrial (I).

A. 
Allowable Uses.
1. 
Advertising signs; on-premises advertising only.
2. 
Accessory equipment structures.
3. 
Attached communication facilities located on BPA towers, (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
B. 
Administrative Review Use.
1. 
Industrial uses.
2. 
Uses that are accessory to industrial uses.
3. 
Attached communication facilities not located on BPA towers, (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
4. 
Communication towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
5. 
Co-location of communication towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
C. 
Conditional Uses.
1. 
Owner/caretaker residence in conjunction with an industrial use.
D. 
Temporary Uses. Uses allowed subject to the requirements of Section 21.70.120 of this title.
E. 
Prohibited Uses. Any uses not listed above are prohibited, including but not limited to:
1. 
Residential uses;
2. 
Recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds;
3. 
Billboards;
4. 
Unconcealed, outdoor storage of non-functioning vehicles and parts thereof, appliances, debris and household garbage.
F. 
Minimum Development Standards.
1. 
Lot Size. The standard minimum lot size, dimensions and proportions shall be as required to accommodate the use, including landscaping, open space and parking requirements.
2. 
Setbacks. The setbacks will be established by the review of the listed criteria for each use or the following, whichever is greater.
3. 
No building or structure may be located within any easements.
4. 
No building or accessory building shall be constructed closer than twenty feet from a property line that is adjacent to land that is used for or suitable for residential use. Buffers shall be provided to reasonably mitigate adverse noise, dust and glare impacts between industrial and immediately adjacent nonindustrial properties. Such buffers may include fencing vegetation and any other combination of open space and/or physical barriers. In no event shall the industrial use be required to devote more than twenty-five feet to such buffers.
(Ord. 2005-02 (part))

§ 21.65.110 Destination resort (DR).

A. 
Allowable Uses.
1. 
Overnight lodging and convention facilities.
2. 
Food and drink service facilities.
3. 
Recreational service facilities and related equipment sales and rentals.
4. 
Repealed by Ord. 2024-02.
5. 
Indoor recreational facilities.
6. 
Repealed by Ord. 2024-02.
7. 
Group camps.
8. 
Rural event centers.
9. 
Retreat centers.
10. 
Advertising signs; on-premises advertising only.
11. 
Accessory equipment structures.
12. 
Attached communication facilities located on BPA towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
B. 
Administrative Review Uses.
1. 
Attached communication facilities not located on BPA towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
2. 
Communication towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
3. 
Co-location of communication towers (in accordance with Section 21.70.160).
C. 
Conditional Uses.
1. 
Owner/caretaker residence in conjunction with a destination resort. One per resort. The residence shall use the same access as the resort itself, not through existing adjacent neighborhood accesses.
2. 
Small- and large-scale recreational vehicle parks.
3. 
Residential development in conjunction with destination resort facilities. The density of the residential development shall not exceed the density of the residential areas. Additionally, the residential development shall use the same access as the resort itself, not through existing adjacent neighborhood access.
4. 
Outdoor recreation facility.
5. 
Campground.
6. 
Large-scale recreational facility.
D. 
Temporary Uses. Uses allowed subject to the requirements of Section 21.70.120.
E. 
Prohibited Uses. Any uses not listed above are prohibited, including but not limited to:
1. 
Residential uses;
2. 
Mobile home parks;
3. 
Billboards;
4. 
Above ground utility lines, unless no practical alternative exists;
5. 
Unconcealed, outdoor storage of nonfunctioning vehicles and parts thereof, appliances, construction materials, debris and household garbage.
(Ord. 2005-02 (part); Ord. 2021-02, 6-22-2021; Ord. 2024-02, 7-18-2024)