Sumner City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 18
40 DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES
§ 18.40.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish the types of developments which shall be subject to design review pursuant to the adopted design guidelines. Further, the chapter shall establish the design guidelines for the city of Sumner.
(Ord. 1694 § 1, 1995)
§ 18.40.020 Types of review.
A.
All development which falls under the thresholds provided in this section shall be subject to design review as provided for in chapter 18.56 SMC, Procedures for Land Use Permits.
B.
Administrative Review. The following types of projects shall require design review according to the procedures for Type III.b decisions, chapter 18.56 SMC, Procedures for Land Use Permits:
1.
Sign permits for permanent signs which are regulated by the design guidelines.
2.
Repealed by Ord. 2907.
3.
Building permits for exterior renovations on commercial, multifamily, light and heavy manufacturing, or mixed-use structures including, but not limited to, new awnings, alterations to exterior treatments, changes to windows and doors, and similar activities which do not increase the square footage more than a minimal amount.
4.
Accessory structures associated with multifamily developments and containing no residential units.
5.
Any new or reconfigured accessory parking.
6.
Structures constructed under the traditional community design option development standards shall comply with regulations outlined in SMC § 18.12.090.
7.
Minor amendments to previous permits involving Type III.c or VI.b decisions.
9.
The conceptual approval at subdivision stage of an industrial park.
10.
Any new light or heavy manufacturing development.
11.
Any new parking lot.
12.
Any new commercial development with total building(s) gross floor area less than 5,000 square feet.
13.
Duplex and multiplex development of nine or less units, subject to the duplex design and development guidelines.
14.
Townhouse development of nine or less units, subject to the townhouse design and development guidelines.
15.
Zero lot line single-family development of nine or less units; provided:
a.
Duplexes and multiplex buildings shall be subject to the duplex design and development guidelines; and
16.
Single-family detached subdivisions of nine or less units.
C.
Design Commission Review. The following types of projects shall require design review according to the procedures for Type III.c decisions, chapter 18.56 SMC, Procedures for Land Use Permits:
1.
Multifamily development, including apartments and attached condominiums, which exceeds the threshold of subsection (B)(3) of this section.
2.
Any new commercial development which exceeds the threshold of subsection (B)(12) of this section.
3.
Any construction of a principal or attached accessory structure or structures within a neighborhood commercial zone.
4.
Any mixed-use development which exceeds the threshold of subsection (B)(3) of this section.
5.
Any new private or public parking garage.
6.
Duplex or multiplex development that exceeds the threshold of subsection (B)(13) of this section.
7.
Townhouse development that exceeds the threshold of subsection (B)(14) of this section.
8.
Zero lot line single-family development that exceeds the threshold of subsection (B)(15) of this section; except that such development shall be subject to the setbacks and open space standards in SMC § 18.14.070 instead of those standards in the design guidelines.
9.
Single-family detached subdivisions that exceed the threshold of subsection (B)(16) of this section.
D.
The following types of projects shall require design review according to the procedures for Type VI.b decisions, chapter 18.56 SMC, Procedures for Land Use Permits:
1.
Planned residential developments that include uses subject to the city of Sumner design and development guidelines. A planned residential development shall comply with the design and development guidelines, except as follows:
a.
A planned residential development shall not be entitled to an increase in density or building height outside of the hearing examiner review process; and
b.
A senior housing planned residential development shall not be subject to the minimum open space requirements in the design and development guidelines.
2.
Planned mixed-use developments.
(Ord. 1739 § 7, 1996; Ord. 1694 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1803 § 7, 1997; Ord. 1904 §§ 1, 2, 1999; Ord. 2134 § 26, 2005; Ord. 2147 § 16, 2005; Ord. 2555 § 1, 2016; Ord. 2812 § 17, 2022; Ord. 2830 § 5, 2022; Ord. 2842 § 18, 2023; Ord. 2907 § 20, 2025)
§ 18.40.030 Procedures.
The procedures for design review shall be as provided in chapter 18.56 SMC, Procedures for Land Use Permits. The director, hearing examiner, and city council shall be responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the design guidelines as provided for under chapter 18.56 SMC. The design commission, as established by ordinance, shall be advisory to the director, hearing examiner, and city council.
(Ord. 1694 § 1, 1995)
§ 18.40.040 Design guidelines adopted.
The following documents shall be utilized in design review as appropriate to the proposed developments listed in SMC § 18.40.020.
A.
The city hereby adopts the design guidelines published in the "City of Sumner Design and Development Guidelines" which shall be applied to the developments as listed in SMC § 18.40.020, except for the uses in SMC § 18.40.020(C)(4).
B.
For review of uses pursuant to SMC § 18.40.020(C)(4), the goals and policies of the community character element of the Sumner comprehensive plan shall be utilized.
(Ord. 1694 § 1, 1995)
§ 18.40.050 Compliance.
No permit for construction or a use subject to these design guidelines shall be issued until the plans are in compliance with the guidelines. All such developments shall be in compliance with the guidelines upon occupancy. All such developments shall be maintained in compliance for the life of the structure. The director may allow bonds or other guarantees to ensure the completion of a project consistent with approved plans.
(Ord. 1694 § 1, 1995)