For the purpose of this title certain terms are defined in this chapter. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words in the singular number include the plural, and word "person" may be taken for persons, association, firm, partnership or corporation; the word "occupied" includes premises designed or intended to be occupied; the word "used" includes designed or intended to be used; and the word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directive. Where specific land uses are referenced in this code, those uses are defined as described in SMC 17.13 - Use Categories and Descriptions.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

(Ord. No. 1103, § 1.A, 2-16-2017)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.1, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.015 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "accessory dwelling unit" and derived from Ord. No. 950, § 1, adopted in 1998.

"Accessory use of structure" means a use subordinate to the principal use of a building on that property housing such principal use; an accessory use (of a structure) must serve a purpose customarily incidental to the instant principal use.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Adult animal" means an animal that has been weaned from reliance on its mother and/or has reached the productive age for which it is bred or raised. For bees, a bee colony as it is defined in RCW 15.60.005 is considered one adult animal.

(Ord. No. 1093, § 2, 6-16-2016)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.2, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.030 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "adult family home" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

"Alley" means a public or private right-of-way not over thirty feet wide which affords a secondary means of access to abutting property.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Antenna" means any device designed to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic waves, including but not limited to telephonic, radio, television or internet communications. Antennas include any mounting hardware which does not cause the antenna to exceed the height requirements of this title.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

(Ord. No. 1038, § 3(B), 6-17-10)

"Basement" means any story which has a floor more than two feet below that lower point from which the height of the building is measured.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.3, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.065 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "battery exchange station" and derived from Ord. No. 1051, § 2.1 adopted July 21, 2011.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.4, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.070 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "bed and breakfast" and derived from Ord. 894 (part), 1994; Ord. No. 1092, § 1, 3-17-2016.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1051, § 2.2, adopted July 21, 2011, repealed § 17.10.080, which pertained to billboard and derived from Ord. No. 894, 1994.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.5, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.090 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "boarding house" and derived from Ord. 894 (part), 1994; Ord. No. 1092, § 1, 3-17-2016.

"Building" means any structure built or used for the support, shelter or enclosure of any person, animals, goods, equipment or chattels and property of any kind, but does not include fences.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Accessory building" means a building that is located on the same lot as a principal building and that is used incidentally to a principal building or that houses an accessory use.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Principal building" means the primary building on a lot or a building that houses a principal use.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Building wall" means any vertically oriented structure, other than a fence, having a rise-to-run ratio that is greater than or equal to one-to-one.

1.

"Primary building wall" means any building wall that faces a public right-of-way and contains a public entrance to the building. When walls are not parallel to the street, they are assigned to the street frontage to which they are most oriented.

2.

"Secondary building wall" means any exterior building wall not classified as a primary building wall.

Figure 17.10.125-1—Building Wall Examples

(Ord. No. 1051, § 2.3, 7-21-11)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.6, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.135 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "campground" and derived from Ord. No. 1092, § 1, adopted March 17, 2016.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.7, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.140 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "child day care facility" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.8, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.150 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "child day care center" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted 1994.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.9, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.170 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "clinic" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

"Collocate" means to use a single site or wireless telecommunications support structure by more than one wireless telecommunications service provider.

(Ord. No. 1038, § 3(A), 6-17-10)

"Comprehensive plan" means the comprehensive plan for the city comprised of a text, maps, findings and policies relating to the physical and economic growth and development of the city.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Conditional use" mean a use listed as conditional in the relevant zoning district and permitted only after review as herein provided; except that uses specified as conditional uses for a relevant zoning district shall not be deemed nonconforming and shall not require a conditional use permit if such use was existing at the time of adoption of this title.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Conditional use permit" means a permit issued by the planning commission that authorizes the recipient to make use of property in accordance with the requirements of this chapter as well as any additional requirements imposed by the commission.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.10, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.200 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "cottage industry" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

"Density and dimensional regulations" means standards for each district that include minimum lot area and dimensions, minimum yards, maximum building height and coverage of lot, and maximum dwelling units allowed.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"District" or "zone" means a section or district of the city within which the standards governing the use of buildings and premises are uniform and which is designated by a category of classification listed in Chapter 17.14 of this title.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

Driveway" means that portion of the vehicle travel area [SMC 17.10.855] that consists of a minor private way providing access for vehicles and pedestrians to a lot, parking space, garage, dwelling, or other structure. For residential uses, a driveway frequently serves a secondary purpose as a parking space [SMC 17.10.630].

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

(Ord. No. 1104, § 1.A, 6-15-2017)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.11, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.260 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "dwelling, multi-family" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.12, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.265 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "dwelling, single family detached" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.13, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.270 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "dwelling, two-family" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

"Dwelling unit" means a single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.

(Ord. No. 1157, § 1, 8-20-2020)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.15, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.277 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "electric vehicle (EV) station" and derived from Ord. No. 1051, § 2.4 adopted July 21, 2011.

"FAA" means the Federal Aviation Administration or such other agency as may assume the federal duties of aviation regulation in the future.

(Ord. No. 1038, § 3(A), 6-17-10)

"Family" means one or more persons living together as a single housekeeping unit.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.16, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.300 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "family day care home" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.17, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.302 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "farm animal" and derived from Ord. No. 1093, § 2 adopted June 16, 2016.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.18, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.303 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "farm animal, urban" and derived from Ord. No. 1093, § 2 adopted June 16, 2016.

"FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission or such other agency as may assume the federal duties of communications regulation in the future.

(Ord. No. 1038, § 3(A), 6-17-10)

"Underground fiber-to-the-home" means a system of vaults, conduits, handholds, and/or pedestals wherein fiber optic cables are installed and spliced to provide direct service to a dwelling unit.

(Ord. No. 1104, § 1.B, 6-15-2017)

"Gross floor area" means the total area of a building measured by taking the outside dimensions of the building at each story. For the purpose of determining required parking and loading, the gross floor area of food service uses includes all off-street outdoor seating areas.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

(Ord. No. 1172, § 3(Exh. C), 4-15-2021)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1172, § 3(Exh. C), adopted April 15, 2021 amended § 17.10.310 and in doing so changed the title of said section from "Gross floor area" to "Floor area, gross," as set out herein.

"Net floor area" means, for the purpose of determining required parking and loading, the gross floor area exclusive of areas designed, intended or used principally for the preparation of food and drinks, storage or processing of merchandise, administrative offices, restrooms, waiting rooms, exit corridors, elevators, stairways, furnace or mechanical rooms, and janitorial or other small closets.

(Ord. No. 1172, § 3(Exh. C), 4-15-2021)

"Hazardous waste" means all dangerous and extremely hazardous waste as defined in RCW 70.105.010 except for moderate-risk waste.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.19, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.330 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "hazardous waste storage" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.20, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.360 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "hazardous waste treatment and storage facility" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

"Height of building" means the vertical distance from the average of the lowest point of the building exposed at the finished ground level and the highest point of the building exposed at ground level to the highest point of the building excluding chimneys.

(Ord. 919 §1, 1996: Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Height of wind power generation facility" means the vertical distance measured from the average grade around the facility to the highest point of the facility's support structure or to the blade tip at its highest point of travel, whichever is higher.

(Ord. No. 1048, § 2(A), 3-17-11)

"Height of wireless telecommunications support structure" means the vertical distance measured from the average grade around the support structure to the highest point of the supporting structure. This height includes the support structure itself, the base pad, and any attached antennas. Whip antennas may be excluded from this measurement provided that they do not exceed one hundred ten percent of the height of the structure to which they are attached.

(Ord. No. 1038, § 3(A), 6-17-10)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.21, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.380 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "home occupation" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

"Affordable housing" means housing intended for occupancy by families whose income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income for Skamania County, and where the occupants pay no more than 30% of said income for housing costs, including utilities other than telephone and cable/satellite television.

(Ord. No. 1104, § 1.C, 6-15-2017)

"Workforce housing" means housing intended for occupancy by families whose income does not exceed 120% of the Area Median Income for Skamania County, and where the occupants pay no more than 30% of said income for housing costs, including utilities other than telephone and cable/satellite television.

(Ord. No. 1104, § 1.C, 6-15-2017)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.22, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.388 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "hostel" and derived from Ord. No. 1092, § 1, adopted March 17, 2016.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.23, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.390 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "hotel" and derived from Ord. No. 894, 1994; Ord. No. 1092, § 1, 3-17-2016.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.24, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.395 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "kennel" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

"Future land use map" means a map of the city in the comprehensive plan showing the location of various land uses such as parks, residential, commercial or industrial. The map may depict areas for future growth and land use activities.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

(Ord. No. 1103, § 1.B, 2-16-2017)

"Landscaping" means a continually maintained area: 1) consisting of trees, shrubs, groundcovers, grass, flowers, decorative rock, bark, mulch, and other similar materials; and 2) preventing the spread of non-native invasive species such as scotch broom, Himalayan blackberry, and other noxious weeds.

(Ord. No. 1077, § 1.1, 7-17-2014)

"Loading and unloading area" means that portion of the vehicle accommodation area used to satisfy the handling requirements of goods, merchandise or equipment routinely delivered to or shipped from a site.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Lot" means a parcel of land with fixed boundaries which has the area and dimensions to meet the relevant zoning requirements.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Corner lot" means a lot, abutting two or more streets at their intersection, or upon two parts of the same street, forming an interior angle of one hundred five degrees or less.

(Ord. No. 1051, § 2.5, 7-21-11)

"Interior lot" means a lot other than a corner lot.

(Ord. No. 1051, § 2.6, 7-21-11)

"Through lot" means a lot, other than a corner lot, abutting more than one street.

(Ord. No. 1051, § 2.7, 7-21-11)

"Lot area" means the total area circumscribed by the boundaries of a lot, except that: (1) when the legal instrument creating a lot shows the boundary of the lot extending into a public street right-of-way, then the lot boundary for purposes of computing the lot area shall be the street right-of-way line, or if the right-of-way line cannot be determined, a line running parallel to and thirty feet from the center of the traveled portion of the street; and (2) in a residential district, when a private road that serves more than three dwelling units is located along any lot boundary, then the right-of-way area of the road shall not be used for purposes of computing the lot area.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Lot coverage" means that portion of a lot that is occupied by the principal buildings and accessory buildings, expressed as a percentage of the lot area. It includes all projections including decks and porches but not eaves.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Lot depth" means the horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines but excluding the access panhandle to a lot, if present.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

"Lot width" means the distance between side lot lines measured at the front lot line. In case of irregular shaped lots, such as trapezoidal or triangular lots, the lot width shall be measured at a point midway between the front and rear lot lines.

(Ord. 894 (part), 1994).

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.25, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.480 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "mini-day care center" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.26, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.490 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "mobile home" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.27, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.530 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "mobile home park" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.28, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.540 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "mobile/manufactured housing" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1103, § 1.G.29, adopted Feb. 16, 2017, repealed former § 17.10.550 in its entirety which pertained to the definition of "modular home" and derived from Ord. No. 894 adopted in 1994.