Snoqualmie City Zoning Code

There exist districts within the city, principally containing business uses but also containing residential and other uses, which were platted and built upon before the advent of current zoning and building codes, referred to and defined in this chapter as "historic districts," and more specifically as the "downtown historic overlay zone" and the "Meadowbrook historic overlay zone."

Within the downtown historic district there exists a smaller district containing buildings, sites, structures and objects of more specific historical, cultural, architectural, engineering, geographic, ethnic and archaeological significance, referred to and defined in this chapter as the "historic downtown commercial landmark district."

The protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of the historic districts and the landmark district is necessary in the interest of the prosperity, civic pride and general welfare of the people of Snoqualmie.

The cultural and historic resources within the historic districts and the downtown landmark district are a significant part of the heritage, education and economic base of Snoqualmie. The economic, cultural and aesthetic well-being of historic downtown Snoqualmie cannot be maintained or enhanced by disregarding its heritage and by allowing the unnecessary destruction or defacement of such resources.

Many buildings and uses within the historic districts, due to their age and condition, small lot size and high degree of lot coverage, suffer from unique problems when required to adhere strictly to current zoning and building regulations.

It is unduly difficult to repair, remodel or improve existing buildings in the historic districts for existing uses or to establish new uses therein, whenever such actions cause the building or use to be required to meet current zoning and building regulations.

Variances from the requirements of current zoning and building codes are an inappropriate means of dealing with the problems of the historic districts, as such problems arise from characteristics applicable to a large number of buildings within such districts rather than from the unique characteristics of each individual property.

This state of affairs contributes to the continued physical deterioration of buildings, and to the loss of the ability to sustain viable business uses, in the historic districts.

Preservation and enhancement of the historic districts is deemed essential to preserve the identity and integrity of the historical community and promote sociological integration as new development occurs in other parts of the city.

It is in the public interest to protect, enhance, and perpetuate the historic districts and historic downtown commercial landmark district, and also to provide appropriate relief from the requirements of the strict application of current zoning and building codes, when so doing will serve to preserve and enhance buildings and uses in the historic districts and the public health and safety are not thereby endangered.

Designate, preserve, protect, enhance, and perpetuate those sites, buildings, districts, structures and objects which reflect significant elements of the city's, county's, state's and nation's cultural, aesthetic, social, economic, political, architectural, ethnic, archaeological, engineering, historic and other heritage;

Foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past;

Stabilize and improve the economic values and vitality of landmarks;

Protect and enhance the Snoqualmie tourist industry by promoting heritage-related tourism;

Promote the continued use, exhibition and interpretation of significant sites, districts, buildings, structures, and objects for the education, inspiration and welfare of the people of Snoqualmie;

Promote and continue incentives for ownership and utilization of landmarks;

Assist, encourage and provide incentives to public and private owners for preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and use of landmark buildings, sites, districts, structures and objects;

Work cooperatively with other jurisdictions to identify, evaluate, and protect historic resources in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter;

Provide for the most efficient process for review of all construction, alteration, or demolition of buildings and structures with the historic districts and the downtown landmark district to achieve the foregoing purposes.

There is hereby created the Snoqualmie historical design review board consisting of five members, at least three of whom shall reside within the city. The members of the historic design review board shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by city council. The historic design review board shall be made up as follows:

The historical design review board shall by resolution adopt rules governing its organization and procedures. The board shall meet not less than once a month. The board may hold special meetings on such notice as is required by law as may be required to render historical design review decisions in a timely manner.

The historic preservation officer or his or her designee shall advise the historical design review board.

There is hereby created the Snoqualmie landmark and heritage commission, which shall consist of the King County landmarks and heritage commission as established pursuant to Chapter 20.62 KCC, with a special member appointed by the mayor and confirmed by city council. Such special member shall have demonstrated interest and competence in historic preservation.

The special member shall be appointed for a three-year term; provided, such special member shall serve until his or her successor is duly appointed and confirmed. Such special member may be reappointed. In the event of a vacancy, another qualified person shall be appointed for the remainder of the unexpired term.

The special member shall serve without compensation except for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with commission meetings or programs, which expenses shall be reimbursed by the city in accordance with approved city policies for reimbursement of expenses.

The Snoqualmie landmarks and heritage commission shall conduct no proceedings pursuant to this chapter until its rules and regulations, including procedures consistent with this chapter, have been filed with the city clerk.

The Snoqualmie landmarks and heritage commission shall have exclusive authority to issue certificates of appropriateness for projects relating to designated landmarks outside a historic district overlay zone, and to issue certificates of appropriateness for any single-family residence specifically designated as a landmark, whether located within or without a historic district overlay zone. In such circumstances, the determination shall be made in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings, as published by the U.S. Department of the Interior National Parks Service (1995), which shall prevail over any conflicting standards established in this chapter.

The nomination and designation of buildings, sites, structures and objects of more specific historical, cultural, architectural, engineering, geographic, ethnic and archaeological significance as landmarks shall be accomplished pursuant to the sections of the King County Code incorporated by reference in SMC § 17.35.030. Landmark designations made by the Snoqualmie landmarks and heritage commission shall be maintained on file by the city clerk.

Upon the Snoqualmie landmark and heritage commission's filing of certification of the designation of such buildings, sites, structures and objects as landmarks with the city clerk, such buildings, sites, structures and objects shall be subject to the regulations, standards, guidelines and procedures of this chapter, whether located within or without a historic overlay zone.

Historical design review approval shall constitute the certificate of appropriateness for all projects involving designated landmarks; provided, for any project within a designated landmark district, the applicant may elect to have review conducted by the Snoqualmie landmarks and heritage commission in lieu of review by the historical design review board to insure consistency with county requirements and eligibility for county-wide incentive programs. Upon such election, the determination shall be made in accordance with applicable provisions of the King County Code and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings, as published by the U.S. Department of the Interior National Parks Service (1995), which shall prevail over any conflicting provisions or standards established in this chapter.

There is hereby created within the city a special purpose zoning classification to be known as the historic district overlay zone. The purpose of the historic district overlay zone is to preserve and enhance buildings and uses of historic, cultural and aesthetic value within the city.

The historic district overlay zones, the boundaries of which are established in Ordinance No. 744, shall be as follows:

The boundaries of the historic district overlay zones shall be shown upon the official zoning map.

An historic resource may be designated as a city of Snoqualmie landmark if it is more than 40 years old or, in the case of a landmark district, contains resources that are more than 40 years old, and possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, quality of work, feeling or association, or any combination of the foregoing aspects of integrity, sufficient to convey its historic character, and:

An historic resource may be designated a community landmark because it is an easily identifiable visual feature of a neighborhood or the county and contributes to the distinctive quality or identity of such neighborhood or county or because of its association with significant historical events or historic themes, association with important or prominent persons in the community or county or recognition by local citizens for substantial contribution to the neighborhood or community. An improvement or site qualifying for designation solely by virtue of satisfying criteria set out in this section shall be designated a community landmark and shall not be subject to this chapter.

Cemeteries, birthplaces or graves of historical figures, properties owned by religious institutions or used for religious purposes, structures that have been moved from their original locations, reconstructed historic buildings, properties primarily commemorative in nature and properties that have achieved significance within the past 40 years shall not be considered eligible for designation. However, such a property shall be eligible for designation if they are:

Any person, including the historic preservation officer and any member of the commission, may nominate an historic resource for designation as a landmark or community landmark. The procedures set forth in this section and SMC § 17.35.107 may be used to amend existing designations or to terminate an existing designation based on changes which affect the applicability of the criteria for designation set forth in SMC § 17.35.103. The nomination or designation of an historic resource as a landmark shall constitute nomination or designation of the land which is occupied by the historic resource unless the nomination provides otherwise. Nominations shall be made on official nomination forms provided by the historic preservation officer, shall be filed with the historic preservation officer, and shall include all data required by the commission.

Upon receipt by the historic preservation officer of any nomination for designation, the officer shall review the nomination, consult with the person or persons submitting the nomination, and the owner, and prepare any amendments to or additional information on the nomination deemed necessary by the officer. The historic preservation officer may refuse to accept any nomination for which inadequate information is provided by the person or persons submitting the nomination. It is the responsibility of the person or persons submitting the nomination to perform such research as is necessary for consideration by the commission. The historic preservation officer may assume responsibility for gathering the required information or appoint an expert or experts to carry out this research in the interest of expediting the consideration.

When the historic preservation officer is satisfied that the nomination contains sufficient information and complies with the commission's regulations for nomination, the officer shall give notice in writing, certified mail/return receipt requested, to the owner of the property or object, to the person submitting the nomination and interested persons of record that a preliminary or a designation determination on the nomination will be made by the commission. The notice shall include:

The historic preservation officer shall, after mailing the notice required herein, refer the nomination and all supporting information to the commission for consideration on the date specified in the notice. No nomination shall be considered by the commission less than 30 nor more than 45 calendar days after notice setting the hearing date has been mailed except where the historic preservation officer or members of the commission have reason to believe that immediate action is necessary to prevent destruction, demolition or defacing of an historic resource, in which case the notice setting the hearing shall so state.

The commission may approve, deny, amend or terminate the designation of a historic resource as a landmark or community landmark only after a public hearing. At the designation hearing the commission shall receive evidence and hear argument only on the issues of whether the historic resource meets the criteria for designation of landmarks or community landmarks as specified in KCC 20.62.040 and merits designation as a landmark or community landmark; and the significant features of the landmark. The hearing may be continued from time to time at the discretion of the commission. If the hearing is continued, the commission may make a preliminary determination of significance if the commission determines, based on the record before it that the historic resource is of significant value and likely to satisfy the criteria for designation in KCC 20.62.040. The preliminary determination shall be effective as of the date of the public hearing at which it is made. Where the commission makes a preliminary determination it shall specify the boundaries of the nominated resource, the significant features thereof and such other description of the historic resource as it deems appropriate. Within five working days after the commission has made a preliminary determination, the historic preservation officer shall file a written notice of the action with the director and mail copies of the notice, certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner, the person submitting the nomination and interested persons of record. The notice shall include:

Whenever the commission approves the designation of a historic resource under consideration for designation as a landmark, it shall, within 14 calendar days of the public meeting at which the decision is made, issue a written designation report, which shall include:

Whenever the commission rejects the nomination of a historic resource under consideration for designation as a landmark, it shall, within 14 calendar days of the public meeting at which the decision is made, issue a written decision including findings of fact and reasons supporting its determination that the criteria in SMC § 17.35.103 have not been met. If a historic resource has been nominated as a landmark and the commission designates the historic resource as a community landmark, the designation shall be treated as a rejection of the nomination for Snoqualmie landmark status and the foregoing requirement for a written decision shall apply. Nothing contained herein shall prevent renominating any historic resource rejected under this subsection as a Snoqualmie landmark at a future time.

A copy of the commission's designation report or decision rejecting a nomination shall be delivered or mailed to the owner, to interested persons of record and the director within five working days after it is issued. If the commission rejects the nomination and it has made a preliminary determination of significance with respect to the nomination, it shall include in the notice to the director a statement that historical design review provisions of this chapter no longer apply to the subject historic resources.

If the commission approves, or amends a landmark designation, the historical design review provisions of this chapter shall apply to the landmark designation as approved or amended. A copy of the commission's designation report or designation amendment shall be recorded with the records and licensing services division, or its successor agency, together with a legal description of the designated resource and notification that the historical design review provisions of this chapter apply. If the commission terminates the designation of a historic resource, the historical design review provisions of this chapter shall no longer apply to the historic resource.

Type I projects include the following:

Type II projects include the following:

Type III projects include the following:

The application for historical design review shall be made upon such form as may be prescribed by the historic preservation officer, and shall include the following:

The historic preservation officer may require the submission of other information, photographs or drawings as deemed necessary for historical design review, and the application shall not be deemed complete until such requested information has been submitted. The historic preservation officer may specify the size of materials, which shall be sufficiently large to be useful during presentations to the board and public.

Type I projects shall be reviewed by the historic preservation officer, who shall approve, approve with conditions, or refer the project to the historical design review board. The historic preservation officer shall render a decision on a Type I project or refer such project to the historical design review board within 15 calendar days from the determination of a complete application. Referral of a Type I project to the historical design review board shall be at the sole discretion of the historic preservation officer. If a Type I project is referred to the historical design review board, the board shall render its decision on such project at the next regular meeting of the board, unless the applicant consents to a longer period of time, or the board determines that additional information must be submitted in order for it to render its decision. Type I projects shall be considered Category I or II permits per SMC § 14.30.020.

Type II and Type III projects shall be reviewed by the historic preservation officer, who shall make a staff report and recommendation to the historical design review board. The historic preservation officer may, at their sole discretion, request the technical assistance of the King County historic preservation program staff with respect to any proposed project with a landmark district or relating to a designated landmark outside a landmark district. The board may request the technical assistance of the King County historic preservation program staff. The board shall consider the application at a regular or special meeting open to the public within 45 days after the determination of a complete application. The board shall render its decision within 30 days after the meeting at which the application was first considered, which may be to approve, approve with conditions or deny the application; provided, such time periods may be extended by the board in the event modifications to the project require consideration at more than one meeting of the board. Type II and III projects shall be considered Category III permits per SMC § 14.30.020.

The standards established in this chapter are mandatory. The board may consider variances from the strict application of the standards of this chapter if the applicant demonstrates the need for such a variance; and provided, that the request is in keeping with the intent and purposes of this chapter. Should an applicant for a Type I project request a variance from the strict application of the standards of this chapter, the board shall review and make a decision on the project and the variance. The board shall take the following factors into consideration with respect to decisions on variances:

Type III projects, to the extent that they represent an irreplaceable loss to the historic fabric of the city in the opinion of the board, may only be approved when the action is required to alleviate a threat to public health and safety, when needed due to economic impacts, or when required to accomplish a significant public purpose. The board shall consider such application at a public meeting within 45 days after the date of referral, and render its decision within 30 days after the meeting at which the application was first considered.

The respective decisions of the historic preservation officer and historical design review board shall be in writing, and state applicable findings, conclusions, and decision, including any conditions; provided, the historical design review board may adopt all or portions of the staff report as their findings and conditions. A copy of the findings and decision shall be provided to the property owner and applicant within five days after the decision, and shall be provided to each person who has requested a copy of such findings and decision.

At the public hearing on any application for a Type II or Type III historical design review, or Type I if referred to the board by the historic preservation officer, the board shall, when requested by the property owner, consider evidence of the economic impact on the owner of the denial or partial denial of a proposed project. In no case may a project be denied, in whole or in part, when it is established that the denial or partial denial will, when available incentives are utilized, deprive the owner of a reasonable economic use of the historic resource and there is no viable and reasonable alternative which would have less impact on the features of significance specified in the preliminary determination report or the designation report.

To prove the existence of a condition of unreasonable economic return, the applicant must establish and the board must find both of the following:

Notwithstanding the foregoing enumerated factors, the property owner may demonstrate other appropriate factors applicable to economic return.

Upon reasonable notice to the owner, the commission may appoint an expert or experts to provide advice and/or testimony concerning the value of the landmark or historic resource, the availability of incentives and the economic impacts of approval, denial or partial denial of a proposed project.

Any adverse economic impact caused intentionally or by willful neglect shall not constitute a basis for approval of a proposed project.

The findings and decision of the historic preservation officer for a Type I project, and the findings and decision of the historical design review board for a Type II or Type III project, may be appealed to the hearing examiner by filing a notice of appeal as specified in Chapter 14.40 SMC. The hearing examiner shall render their decision on the appeal per Chapters 2.14 and 14.40 SMC.

Decisions of the historical design review board for a variance under SMC § 17.35.150(C) may be appealed to the Snoqualmie city council by filing a notice of appeal as specified in Chapter 14.40 SMC. The city council shall render its decision on the appeal per Chapter 14.40 SMC.

Decisions of the Snoqualmie landmarks and heritage commission designating, amending, removing or terminating the designation of a historic resource under SMC § 17.35.107 may be appealed to the hearing examiner as specified in Chapter 14.40 SMC. The hearing examiner shall render its decision on the appeal per Chapter 14.40 SMC.

The decisions of the Snoqualmie hearing examiner or the city council on appeals shall be final unless appealed to the superior court pursuant to Chapter 36.70C RCW, the Land Use Petition Act, within the time period therein provided.

The overall objective is to preserve historic buildings and the unique sense of place that make Snoqualmie distinctive and attractive.

The key method of achieving the overall objective is to maintain the historic details and materials of each contributing building. Design standards for contributing buildings are intended to be more stringent for contributing buildings.

Changes to noncontributing buildings or structures or the construction of new buildings or structures should enhance the overall character by using forms, details, colors and materials similar to those of contributing buildings or structures.

The standards and guidelines contained herein are based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, which may be consulted for assistance in understanding the intent hereof.

Retain and preserve the historic character of contributing buildings. Avoid removal of historic materials or alteration of the features that characterize the property.

Make changes to any building or structure constructed prior to 1940 as authentic as possible, based upon that building's own history and materials. Preserve pre-1940 era changes to an original building if such changes have historic significance of themselves or are good examples of that era. For buildings constructed prior to 1940, changes should reflect the building's earlier appearance as shown in pre-1940 photographs. Materials, style and detailing should reflect this period as much as possible.

Any changes to post-1940 building shall reflect to the extent possible the features and character of the surrounding structures and overall historic overlay zone in which it is located. This shall be accomplished through size, massing and setback, roof configuration, window and door type and placement, materials and color.

Prior to maintenance or repair work, each building's historic features shall be identified and a plan developed to retain, maintain and repair such historic features. The identification of historic features shall be based upon the use of photographs from different periods, if possible, to understand the historic development of the building, its style and features and its uses.

Repair rather than remove or replace deteriorated historic features. If replacement is necessary, use a new feature that matches the old feature in design, texture, color and other visual qualities, and where possible, matches the original materials.

Avoid changes that create a false sense of history, such as the addition of architectural features from another era. Respect the physical record of each building's own time, place and past uses. If a feature is missing, replace it only if there is physical or historical evidence demonstrating the original appearance.

Preserve distinctive features, finishes or examples of craftsmanship or construction techniques that are characteristics of the property.

Use the gentlest means possible to clean all surfaces. Avoid irreversible damage by improper cleaning of historic materials, such as sandblasting of brick.

Preserve a building's character even if its interior use changes. If property is no longer used for its historic use, adopt methods to ensure that the new use minimizes changes to the building's defining characteristics and surroundings.

Design new additions and exterior alterations to preserve historic materials. New work shall be designed so that it is differentiated from the old and is compatible with the massing, size, scale and architectural features of the old sections.

Design new additions or alterations such that, if they were to be removed in the future, the essential form and historic integrity of the property would be unimpaired.

Orient buildings toward the principal street, with the primary entrance facing the street front. Avoid buildings or entrances facing to the side.

Locate off-street parking to the rear or side of the building whenever possible. Rear access to parking is preferred. Parking may not dominate the street front. No additional curb cuts shall be permitted on Railroad Avenue or on the west side of Falls Avenue between River and King Streets, except for curb cuts of no more than 18 inches in width to allow water to enter LID BMPs. Elsewhere, the number and size of curb cuts and driveways shall be minimized. Shared driveways are encouraged.

Maintain the predominant street front along the east side of Railroad Avenue by building to the property line. Setbacks not exceeding three feet may be permitted if permanently dedicated to use for seating, landscaping or planter boxes. In other areas, the setback for commercial structures shall be no more than three feet.

Service, Loading, and Waste Enclosures.

Fences shall be constructed of materials that are consistent with SMC § 17.35.210(J). The historical design review board may consider other types of fence designs and fence materials using the criteria in SMC § 17.35.150(C).

Construct new or replacement structures to be similar to but not mimic other existing contributing structures in the district. Use architectural styles and materials representative of the pre-World War II era.

Continue the pattern of massing, height, bulk and setbacks established by the existing pre-World War II structures. All new commercial or industrial structures shall relate specifically in style, massing, materials and fenestration to at least one contributing structure, preferably to one in close proximity to the new structure.

Building height shall be governed by applicable zoning standards in SMC § 17.20.040.

Organize commercial building facades with the three-part horizontal division and vertical columns typically found in Snoqualmie's pre-World War II structures. Primary facades should have a clear base, middle and top. Box-like designs should be avoided.

Emphasize primary building entrances with a recessed entry and transom windows.

Break up street-facing walls more than 30 feet wide with recesses, columns, bays or entryways. Avoid long uninterrupted walls.

Design and maintain rooflines to reflect traditional commercial roof configurations and pitches found in contributing buildings. These configurations include gabled, flat and shed-roof styles, usually with a decorative parapet wall.

Accent the roofline with a dominant parapet wall in one of the styles commonly found in Snoqualmie. The most common styles include pediment, cornice molding, cresting and stepped front.

Make details on each building appropriate to its style. Most buildings are simple in style with minimal detailing.

Use traditional finish materials found in the Snoqualmie historic area, including brick, stucco, and horizontal or vertical wood siding. Modern materials and synthetic substitutes are to be avoided where they are easily visible from the street.

If synthetic siding is used where it is not easily visible, it shall conform to the existing siding in dimension, profile and relationship to corner boards, window trim and other architectural details. Trim or details shall not be permanently removed.

On Railroad Avenue, include an awning or other sidewalk covering suitable to the style of the building, consistent with the awning and canopy standards set forth in the next section.

Choose paint and material colors appropriate to the style and setting of the building. Colors should coordinate with the entire facade and not conflict with adjacent buildings. Color schemes should be simple, in keeping with the community's history. The historic design review board shall establish an approved color palette, which shall be maintained by the historic preservation officer and be available for public inspection and use.

Assure that rooftop mechanical equipment is not visible from the street.

Retain original window and door openings, keeping the original placement, size and spacing. Whenever possible, repair and re-use original openings and trim, including glass, sash, lintels and sills, steps, doors and hardware.

Retain original types and styles of windows, such as doublehung, casement or large commercial. Avoid modern window styles.

Provide generous amounts of clear glass for the ground floor of buildings facing sidewalks to allow passersby to see into the building. Include windows on the second floors of street-facing facades. Alignment, proportions and groupings of windows should relate to the first floor building elements. Windows should have detailing suitable to the building's style and materials.

Avoid the use of vinyl or other synthetic materials, or anodized aluminum, on window or door frames on the principal facade.

Use replacement glass when needed of similar size, color and reflective quality as the original.

Design exterior lighting to enhance the building design, with fixtures of a design and size suitable to the building's style. Excessively bright or colored lighting is prohibited, except for temporary holiday decorations.

Design awnings and canopies to complement the architecture and scale of the building and not obscure its features or dominate the facade.

Lighting under awnings and canopies may be used only to illuminate the storefront, a sign under the awning or canopy, or the sidewalk, but not to illuminate the awning or canopy itself.

Buildings more typical of the Sunset Highway (1919-1930) era are encouraged to use flat canopies, either suspended or cantilevered.

Buildings more typical of the pre-1910 era may use either flat canopies or cloth awnings. Use only a shed-roof (slanted) awning style with a loose valance and avoid any modern appearance. They may be made of cotton-based canvas, canvas duck or dyed woven acrylic, in a range of solid deep or neutral colors such as dark red, blue, brown or green, or gray, black or tan.

Pre-1910 buildings may, as an option, use a canopy supported by posts if the street right-of-way allows (as on Falls Avenue).

Prohibited materials include glossy fabrics or finishes, bright or fluorescent (or day glo) colors, rounded or dome-like awnings, plastic, lightweight fiberglass, aluminum or stock metal awnings, and backlit or internally lit awnings.

Design awnings and canopies to extend approximately six feet from the face of the building but to reach no more than 18 inches from the vertical edge of the curb. The lowest point of an awning or canopy must provide a minimum of eight feet of clearance above the sidewalk.

All requirements of Chapter 17.75 SMC apply in addition to the specific standards set forth in this section.

Make signs part of the building's overall architectural concept. The size, material, color, lettering, number and arrangement must be harmonious with the building design. Individually crafted signs are preferable to mass-produced signs or those advertising specific brands. Freestanding pole signs or monument signs are prohibited.

Use lighting that is harmonious with the overall design. Use only external lighting, with no internal or backlit signs. For external lighting, the light source must be directed down, lighting the sign from above, and shielded from view.

Signs must not obscure or detract from the building's architectural features, or those of an adjacent building.

All signs, except approved temporary signs, must be permanently and securely attached, to avoid damage to the building and to ensure safety. Sign supports, poles and other hardware must be the minimum size needed for a safe installation and not overpower the building or the sign itself or detract from other architectural features.

Painted wood or a wood-like material is preferred. Avoid glossy synthetic-looking materials.

Use neon appropriately. This includes small neon signs, with letters no larger than six inches, placed inside show windows or under canopies or awnings. Projecting neon signs are allowed above canopies if they are made of metal in a vintage style suitable to the Sunset era (1920-1930).

A broad variety of colors are appropriate for signs. Make the sign colors part of the overall design of the building. Bright colors must be used only for accent, not for major portions of the sign. No fluorescent (day glo) or similar bright colors may be used.

Allowable sign types and characteristics include:

Prohibited sign types and characteristics include:

Temporary signs are subject to the following:

In addition to other permitted sign types, one sandwich board sign for commercial purposes may be permitted only for businesses located within the downtown historic district but not having frontage on Railroad Avenue for a sandwich board sign to be located at an approved location within the public right-of-way of Railroad Avenue. In approving proposed locations, the director shall consult with other city departments to ensure that such placement complies with all Washington State Barrier Free regulations and does not interfere with vehicle sight distance upon adjacent streets. Sandwich board signs within the downtown historic district shall conform to all requirements of SMC § 17.75.025.

A sandwich board sign located within the public right-of-way shall require license issued by the director specifying the approved location and any other special conditions necessary for the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Such license may only be issued for a sandwich board sign for which a permit is simultaneously issued pursuant to the provisions of SMC § 17.75.025. Except as otherwise provided herein, the permit fee and license fees shall both be applicable to sandwich board signs placed within public rights-of-way or upon other publicly owned property.

The city council may by resolution establish and from time to time alter the authorized locations for and number of sandwich board signs allowed within the public right-of-way on Railroad Avenue, and establish any other special requirements for sandwich board signs, on the advice of the director and the building official as to compliance with Washington State Barrier Free regulations.

Landscaping and Lot Coverage. Landscaping, setback and maximum lot coverage requirements shall be established by the historic design review board for all regulated improvements which would cause the application to be subject to maximum lot coverage or setback requirements under any provision of this title, as follows:

No trees or flowering shrubs identified on an inventory of significant trees or shrubs adopted by the city shall be removed from any site within the boundaries of a designated historic district without a finding by the historic design review board that such tree or shrub does not have aesthetic or historic significance; provided, nothing contained herein shall prevent normal maintenance and trimming or the removal of dead or diseased plant materials.

Screen parking lots with trees or shrubs.

The following street furniture and streetscape amenity regulations are hereby established for designated historic districts to enhance the unique character and identity of downtown Snoqualmie and create a more pedestrian-oriented environment.

Construct walkways of plain concrete, brick, concrete pavers, pervious concrete, porous asphalt, or permeable pavers. Exposed aggregate is not allowed.

Select street lights that provide lighting for pedestrians (10 to 15 feet high) rather than just high-level lighting for the streets. Use fixtures suitable to the historic character of the area, avoiding modern designs.

Use trash containers that extend no more than 24 inches into the sidewalk.

On-site motor vehicle and bicycle parking requirements shall be waived or reduced from the requirements of Chapter 17.65 SMC, to the extent adequate off-site parking is shown to be available. The adequacy of available parking for a particular project shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, considering the necessity of on-site parking arising from the intended use, and its nature, intensity and hours of operation. On-site motor vehicle parking requirements shall be waived as to any parcel for which the city has requested and received a relinquishment of access to existing on-site parking as part of a street improvement project.

The city parking facilities adjacent to Railroad Avenue shall be deemed available to all commercial uses on Railroad Avenue, Maple Avenue and Falls Avenue between Newton and Northern Streets. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the city that angle parking is preferred to maximize the number of available spaces, when vehicle movements can be made with reasonable safety, and that the acquisition and development of public parking facilities should be pursued.

The following parking regulations are hereby established for designated historic districts:

The Washington State Historic Building Code, Chapter 51-19 WAC, as promulgated by the Washington State Building Code Council, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, is hereby adopted by reference.

All buildings and structures within any historic overlay zone established pursuant to this chapter are hereby declared to be historic buildings for purposes of application of the Historic Building Code.

The provisions of the Uniform Fire Code, as adopted by reference in SMC Title 15, as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, and the additional fire protection requirements of Chapter 15.06 SMC shall apply to buildings and structures in a designated historic district, but the requirements thereof may be modified in a particular case in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Fire Code.

Whenever possible, retain the distinctive features of the building. Before beginning work, identify its most important features. These usually include the roof configuration, the siding, windows, doors, porches and detailing.

Repair original features whenever possible rather than replacing them.

When repair is impossible, use features as similar to the original as possible. Consider material, design, color, texture and other visual qualities when selecting a replacement.

Do not add features that were never a part of the house, such as Victorian detailing that makes the house appear older or fancier than it was originally. Learn about the history of the house and emphasize it, not the history of another house.

In remodeling or new construction, recognize and honor the rhythm of the existing street, in terms of spacing, setback, building size and massing, rooflines and window and door type and placement.

Treat original finishes with sensitivity. Avoid sandblasting, which destroys wood or brick.

Avoid covering wood siding with vinyl, metal asphalt or other modern materials.

If replacement of siding is necessary, retain window trim and other detailing.

Take care in adding modern changes. Decks should be on the side or rear rather than on the main facade or the roofline. Modern details such as sliding or aluminum windows or skylights should not be visible from the front.

Create new additions that are compatible with the house and neighborhood but do not mimic the old construction.

Before painting the exterior, consult with the historic preservation officer for color suggestions. Colors that go well with those on the neighboring houses will enhance the entire neighborhood.

Windows and doors are major character-defining features in Snoqualmie houses. Try to retain the same type, placement and size. Use wood replacement windows if possible. If a new material must be used, select one that looks as much like wood as possible.

Plantings, trees, fences and outbuildings are important to historic character, and should be retained and maintained in good condition.

Wood, either painted or unpainted, is the most appropriate material for fences. Picket fences are most common. Fences in front or corner side yards should be no more than three and one-half feet high. Avoid chain link fences in visible locations. Be sure they are not traffic obstructions. Fences in rear yards and interior side yards should not exceed six feet in height.

When remodeling or changing a newer house, return to the basic character of the surrounding neighborhood. Consider using siting, massing, materials, paint schemes and orientation typical of nearby older homes.

Garages that are detached or in the rear of the property are preferred.

In remodels or new construction, limit the height to the predominant height on the block. Use massing, dimensions, and proportions of neighboring houses. Maintain the traditional gabled or hipped roof configurations.