The regulations set by this title within each district shall be minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land, except as provided in Chapter 17.36 (Nonconforming Uses, Lots and Structures):

A.

No building, structure, or land shall hereafter be used or occupied, and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered unless in conformity with all of the regulations specified in this title for the district in which it is located.

B.

No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered:

1.

To exceed the height;

2.

To accommodate or house a greater number of families;

3.

To occupy a greater percentage of lot area;

4.

To have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards, or other open spaces than required in this title; or in any other manner contrary to the provisions of this title.

C.

No part of a yard, or other open space, or off street parking or loading space required about or in connection with any building for the purpose of complying with this title, shall be included as a part of a yard, open space, or off-street parking or loading space similarly required for any other building.

D.

No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of the ordinance codified in this title shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements set forth in this title. Yards or lots created after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this title. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

A.

It is the purpose of this chapter to establish districts that are consistent with the Walla Walla comprehensive plan and wherein compatible uses of land may be located and grouped to create, protect or maintain a mutually satisfying environment for the citizens of Walla Walla County.

B.

It is the intent of this title to promote orderly growth, resource conservation, protect critical areas, and contribute to the economy and general welfare of the county. It is also the purpose of this classification to make it possible to more efficiently and economically design and install all physical public service facilities to adequately and permanently meet needs resulting from defined intensity of land use and to provide for health, safety, prosperity and well-being of the county. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

The county of Walla Walla is divided by this section into separate districts with the designations and general purposes listed in this section and the specifically permitted uses tabulated in Section 17.16.014 of this title. See Chapter 17.14 for the development regulations specific to the UPC zone.

A.

Primary Agriculture. All lands in this district are lands of long-term commercial significance. The purpose of this zoning district is to maintain the viability of irrigated and non-irrigated resource lands of long-term commercial significance. Uses are distinctive of the agricultural sector. Natural resource-related industries are priority compatible uses. Limited outdoor recreation uses and agricultural accessory uses and non-agricultural accessory uses and activities that support, promote, or sustain agricultural operations and production consistent with RCW 36.70A.177 are permitted. Residences are an allowed use. Clustering to preserve large tracts of resource land is the preferred method of residential land development.

B.

Exclusive Agriculture. All lands in this district are lands of long-term commercial significance. This district is intended to: preserve agriculture lands of long-term commercial significance; protect and preserve land for agricultural use in areas of large holdings with a minimum of roads and other utilities and services; recognize the desire of owners of large commercial agricultural operations to maintain those operations and limit the creation of nonfarm parcels. Natural resource related industries are priority compatible uses. Limited outdoor recreation uses and agricultural accessory uses and non-agricultural accessory uses and activities that support, promote, or sustain agricultural operations and production consistent with RCW 36.70A.177 are permitted uses. Residences are an allowed use in this district, but clustering of residential development is not allowed.

C.

General Agriculture. All lands in this district are lands of long-term commercial significance. The purpose of this zoning district is to perpetuate the viability of resource lands of long-term commercial significance. Land in this district is characterized by a mix of sparsely populated irrigated and non-irrigated lands within close proximity to existing transportation corridors and urban areas. Uses in this district are distinctive of the agricultural sector except that natural resource-related industries are permitted compatible uses. Limited outdoor recreation and agricultural accessory uses and non-agricultural accessory uses and activities that support, promote, or sustain agricultural operations and production consistent with RCW 36.70A.177 are permitted. Residences are an allowed use in this district and clustering to preserve large tracts of resource land is an encouraged method of residential land development.

D.

Agriculture Residential. All lands in this district are lands of long-term commercial significance. The purpose of this district is to maintain the viability of agricultural uses. Land in this district is located adjacent to existing rural lands, rural activity centers, and urban growth areas. Uses are distinctive of the agricultural sector. Large-scale natural resource processing industry is discouraged. Limited commercial-tourism and businesses that support agriculture are permitted. Residences are an allowed use and clustering to preserve large tracts of resource land is the preferred method of residential land development.

E.

Rural Remote. The purpose of this district primarily is to accommodate resource-oriented activities in on large rural lots that are not suitable for intensive farming and are generally not attractive for residential development. Land in this district typically is too far from an urban area to enable cost-effective provision of public services at this time. Uses in this district emphasize resource-oriented activities such as farming, grazing, timber harvesting, and mineral extraction. Residential and recreation uses also are appropriate in this district. In determining the appropriate implementing zoning district, factors such as the following should be considered; historic platting patterns, road access, floodplain locations, land availability, and the surrounding built densities.

F.

Rural Agriculture. The primary purpose of this district is to accommodate smaller scale farming activity, and limited agricultural production on medium-sized rural lots. Limited residential and recreational uses also should be accommodated. In determining the appropriate implementing zoning district, factors such as the following should be considered; historic platting patterns, road access, floodplain locations, land availability, and the surrounding built densities.

G.

Rural Residential Mill Creek. The purpose of this district is to recognize and preserve the unique physical and visual characteristics of land and uses in the Mill Creek canyon. Uses should emphasize small scale farming, commercial uses appropriate for the agricultural nature of the area, and other uses consistent with the current rural character of the area. The minimum lot size in this district is five acres.

H.

Rural Residential. The purpose of this district is to provide a transition or a buffer between existing rural developments and areas of higher densities and higher or lower densities in the Burbank Rural Activity Center. Land in this district typically is too far from an urban area to enable cost-effective provision of public services at this time. Typical uses include small-scale farms, dispersed single-family homes, recreation, and other uses that do not require urban services. Within the Burbank Rural Activity Center limited recreational and community-oriented cultural uses are allowed.

I.

Rural Development. The primary purpose of this district is to recognize that there are certain rural areas within the county that are characterized by more intensive rural development but do not have the range of uses typically found in rural activity centers. These areas are previously platted neighborhoods or shoreline development areas where development patterns differ from those in the surrounding area, and they either include or have access to public facilities and services such as roads and water systems. Infill, new development, or redevelopment is allowed, as is the intensification of isolated nonresidential uses. New development of small-scale recreational or tourist uses with related commercial facilities is allowed as is the new development of isolated cottage industries and small-scale businesses that conform to the rural character of the area.

J.

Rural Activity Center. The purpose of this zone is to recognize the historic, unincorporated rural communities in the county. Rural activity centers are generally small, compact, isolated rural centers that primarily exist to provide housing, convenience goods, and services to residents in and around the area. They may also provide limited services to travelers and some tourist attractions. This zone is intended to allow a mixture of uses. Permitted uses in this zone include single-family residences, small-scale industries and businesses, and public facilities such as post offices, schools, and fire departments.

K.

Industrial Agriculture Heavy. This district is primarily for manufacturing, processing, fabrication and assembling of products or materials, warehousing and storage, rail and water borne transportation facilities and agricultural activities.

L.

Industrial Agriculture Mixed. This district is for a mix of agricultural activities and light and heavy industrial uses, excluding power plants.

M.

Burbank Commercial. This district is a general commercial designation that allows for commercial uses that serve the local retail needs of the community as well as passing travelers.

N.

Public Reserve District. This district is intended for open space uses such as parks, playgrounds, federal and state wildlife habitats, and greenbelts; public facilities such as schools, fire stations, and recreation centers; low intensity public cultural facilities; and limited low intensity general service uses such as utilities, cemeteries and mausoleums.

O.

Airport Development District. The purpose of the airport development district is to provide a zoning classification to regulate the use and development of land within the boundaries of the city-county airport, to insure compatibility with aviation facilities and adjacent properties, protection of runway safety and clear zones and aviational facilities, and enhance the potential for future industrial development.

P.

Light Industrial District. This district is exclusively for limited assembly, fabrication, processing and service facilities involving small or portable machinery and regulated with regards to dissemination of atmosphere, pollutants, noise, vibration, odors and the creation of physical hazards to adjacent uses.

Q.

Industrial/Business Park District. This district allows for light industrial uses such as assembly, fabrication, and processing as well as compatible commercial, office, and recreation uses to serve the surrounding community.

R.

Heavy Industrial District. This district is primarily for manufacturing, processing, fabrication and assembling of products or materials, warehousing and storage, and transportation facilities.

S.

Neighborhood Commercial District. This district is exclusively a neighborhood business district for the provision of convenience shopping for limited residential area and which involves retail enterprises dispensing commodities, and providing personal services to the individual.

T.

Urban Planned Community. The purpose of the urban planned communities (UPC) zone is to provide greater flexibility and encourage more creative land planning solutions on large parcels of land than would be achieved by traditional lot by lot development using the other zoning districts in this title, while at the same time insuring substantial compliance with the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan and permitting more advantageous and efficient use of sites and infrastructure through the location and arrangement of structures, circulation, parking, and open spaces. The purposes of this district also are to provide flexibility to achieve public benefits and to respond to changing community needs.

U.

Rural Farm Worker Community District. The primary purpose of this district is to provide housing for employees of agricultural operations and limited services to support the residents in a planned community that includes or is located in close proximity to agricultural processing facilities. Residential uses can include permanent and temporary single family or multi-family housing for farm worker employees and their families. Limited recreational and cultural uses in support of residents also should be accommodated. The range of appropriate resident-related services may include uses such as: day care facilities, meeting rooms, laundry facilities, offices, recreation facilities, health services, convenience retail uses, and storage facilities for residents. Residential densities are limited by the capacity for on-site sewage disposal.

V.

Single Family Residential District. The purpose of this district is primarily to accommodate residential dwellings, neighborhood-serving public uses, and limited low intensity non-residential uses on small and medium-size lots.

W.

Suburban Residential District. The purpose of this district is primarily to accommodate residential dwellings, neighborhood-serving public uses, and limited low intensity non-residential uses on large lots.

X.

Multiple Family Residential District. The purpose of this district is primarily to accommodate high density residential dwellings, recreational facilities, schools, and low intensity service and cultural uses on large lots in close proximity to major streets.

Y.

General Commercial District. The purpose of this district is primarily to accommodate regional retail enterprises, offices, service uses, institutions, and recreational and cultural uses which require close proximity to major streets and arterials for trade or transportation. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002; Ord. 287, Part B, §§ 1, 2, 2003; Ord. 322 Attach. F (part), 2005; Ord. 357 § 2, 2007)

(Ord. No. 371, § III(Exh. A, Pt. C), 8-3-2009; Ord. No. 488, § IV(Exh. B, § 1), 5-24-2021)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 371, adopted Aug. 3, 2009, repealed former 17.12.050 in its entirety which pertained to the zoning of unincorporated urban growth areas and derived from Ord. No. 269, adopted in 2002.