This title and maps shall be known as, and may be cited as "the comprehensive zoning ordinance for Walla Walla County" in accordance with and exercising the authority of the Planning Enabling Act (RCW 36.70) and the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A), and among others to:

A.

Regulate and restrict the location and use of buildings, structures and land for residence, agriculture, trade, commerce, recreation, industry and other purposes;

B.

Regulate the height, number of stories, size and placement of buildings and other structures; and

C.

Divide the county or any portion thereof into districts of such size, shape and area, and to establish such official maps as may be deemed best suited to carry out the regulations and provide for their enforcement. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

Such regulations are deemed necessary in order:

A.

To promote the general public health, safety and welfare;

B.

To conserve and stabilize property values;

C.

To preserve forest, recreation, mineral, rural and agricultural lands;

D.

To facilitate the economic provision of adequate transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements;

E.

To implement and be consistent with the goals and policies of Walla Walla County's comprehensive plan in accordance with RCW 36.70 (Planning Enabling Act) and RCW 36.70A (Growth Management Act); and

F.

To facilitate rural economic development. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this title shall be held to be minimum requirements, adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, or general welfare. Wherever the requirements of this title are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, ordinances, the most restrictive or that imposing the higher standards, shall govern. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense shall include the future; the singular shall include the plural, and the plural the singular. The word "shall" is always mandatory, and the word "may" indicates a use of discretion in making a decision. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

(Ord. No. 386, § III(Exh. A, § 2), 8-30-2010)

All plats, short plats, development permits and building permits issued for development activities on or within one thousand three hundred twenty feet of lands designated as agricultural lands, forest lands, or mineral resource lands of long-term commercial significance in the comprehensive plan and zoned accordingly shall contain a notice that the subject property is located on or within one thousand three hundred twenty feet of lands designated as resource lands in the comprehensive plan and that a variety of activities may occur that are not compatible with residential development.

A.

Plats and Short Plats. All plats pursuant to Title 16 (Subdivisions) of this code shall contain the notice in section 17.04.050C below as a covenant running with the land binding all lots within the subdivision.

B.

Development Permits. For all development permits not subject to section 17.04.050A, including but not limited to large lot subdivisions, binding site plans, and building permits, the property owner shall record with the county auditor the notice in section 17.04.050C below prior to issuance of a building permit.

C.

Notice. This property is on or within one thousand three hundred twenty feet of lands designated as resource lands of long-term commercial significance in the comprehensive plan and zoned accordingly and subject to a variety of activities that may not be compatible with residential development for certain periods extending beyond the normal work day and/or work week. In addition to other activities, these activities may include, but are not limited to, noise, dust, smoke, visual impacts, and odors resulting from crop or timber harvesting, planting, application of fertilizers, pesticides, animal husbandry, mining-related operations, and associated activities. These activities are to be expected, consented to by the owners of this property, their heirs, successors, and assigns, and shall not be subject to legal action or considered a public or private nuisance.

(Ord. No. 371, § III(Exh. A, Pt. A), 8-3-2009)

Subdivision applications and building permit applications requiring potable water, and relying on permit exempt wells, shall comply with the following in order to demonstrate evidence of an adequate water supply prior to approval by Walla Walla County:

A.

Subdivision applications and building permit applications within WRIA 32 that utilize a permit exempt well withdrawing from the gravel aquifer (as defined in WAC 173-532) must be consistent with 90.44.050 and the provisions of WAC 173-532.

B.

Subdivision applications and building permit applications within WRIA 32 utilizing an exempt well withdrawing from outside of the gravel aquifer (as defined in WAC 173-532), shall comply with RCW 90.44.050, and shall submit a well report meeting the criteria of RCW Chapter 18.104.

C.

Subdivision applications and building permits outside of WRIA 32 utilizing a permit exempt well shall comply with RCW 90.44.050, and shall submit a well report meeting the criteria of RCW Chapter 18.104.

(Ord. No. 476, § III(Exh. A), 8-5-2019)

If any section, subsection, clause or phrase of this title is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this title, and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase of this title would have been prepared, proposed, adopted, approved and ratified irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)