Wilbur City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 18
40 GENERAL USE PROVISIONS
§ 18.40.010 Signs–Generally.
The provisions set out in Sections 18.40.010 through 18.40.060 are instituted to protect the public health, safety and welfare by regulating the use of signs and displays, thus promoting traffic safety, protection of property values, and preservation of natural and aesthetic community assets.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.01(part), 1980)
§ 18.40.020 Prohibited signs.
The following signs shall be prohibited:
A.
Signs, which in the opinion of the town police department interfere with the view of traffic signs, signals, or devices and approaching or merging traffic;
B.
Signs containing flashing, moving, intermittent or uncomfortably intense lights;
C.
Signs with animated parts;
D.
Signs erected, maintained, or painted upon trees, rocks, or other natural features;
E.
Obsolete or unsafe signs;
F.
Signs which obstruct a view from any public or private property.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.01(1), 1980)
§ 18.40.030 Commercial signs.
“Commercial sign”
means any exterior sign or device conveying a message advertising or attracting the attention of prospective patrons, customers, users, purchasers of property or recipients of service for sale or hire, and without the foregoing includes all signs not specifically included within the definitions of this chapter and shall specifically include political signs advertising candidates or issues.
A.
Commercial signs are permitted only in C commercial and I industrial zones.
B.
No signs shall in any way impair view of traffic circulation, restrict fire safety, or be detrimental to any residential zone by reason of incompatibility so judged by the planning commission.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.01(2), 1980)
§ 18.40.040 Noncommercial signs.
“Noncommercial signs”
means any exterior residential nameplate, ornamental or otherwise, erected for the purpose of identifying a residence; or a permanent sign for naming and identifying an institution, semi-public, public or recreational development or building, or an apartment building or a subdivision.
A.
Noncommercial signs are permitted in the C commercial, I industrial, R residential zones and M-H zones.
B.
Noncommercial signs erected in the R zones shall be subject to the sign regulations specified for that zone, Section 18.16.020.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.01(3), 1980)
§ 18.40.050 Real estate signs.
“Real estate signs”
means the temporary five or six square foot sign customarily employed by real estate brokers or agents or home owners for the purpose of attracting attention to real estate.
A.
Real estate signs are permitted in the C commercial, I industrial, and R residential zones.
B.
Real estate signs of the sandwich or tripod type which are directional in nature, such as open house signs, may be placed on the shoulders of street rights-of-way, at least three feet from the traveled portion of the roadway, and during the daylight hours from sunrise to sunset, provided the location does not create a traffic hazard. The signboard size shall not exceed thirty inches in height.
C.
Real estate signs erected in the R zone shall be subject to the sign regulations specified for that zone, Section 18.16.020.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.01(4), 1980)
§ 18.40.060 Political campaign signs.
Political campaign signs are restricted in size according to the zone in which they are located. Such signs may be displayed one hundred eighty days prior to an election and must be removed seven days after an election. For a successful candidate in a primary election, the sign may remain until the final election. The candidate for which the sign is displayed shall be responsible for its removal.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.01(5), 1980; Ord. 505 § 1, 2010)
§ 18.40.070 Parking and loading–Generally.
Off-street parking in conjunction with all land or building uses erected or established after the enactment of the ordinance codified in this title shall be provided as prescribed in Sections 18.40.080 through 18.40.140.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.02(part), 1980; Ord. 138-B § 1(3), 1983)
§ 18.40.080 Parking and loading–Required number of off-street parking spaces.
The minimum number of off-street parking spaces shall be determined in accordance with the following table:
Land Use | Number of Parking Spaces Required |
|---|---|
A. Single-family residence | 2 for each dwelling unit |
B. Duplexes | 2 for each dwelling unit |
C. Apartments | 2 for each dwelling unit |
D. Food stores, markets and shopping centers having more than 2,000 square feet of gross floor area | 1 for each 200 square feet of gross floor area |
E. Hotels and motels | 1 for each rentable room or unit |
F. Hospitals, nursing homes and rest homes | 1 for each 5 regular beds, plus 1 for each regular employee |
G. Business offices | 1 for each 250 square feet of gross floor area |
H. Restaurants and taverns | 1 for each 200 square feet of gross floor area |
I. All other general commercial activities | 1 for each 200 square feet of gross floor area |
J. Manufacturing uses | 1 for each employee |
No on-street parking shall be considered in fulfilling the requirements for any use.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.02(l), 1980; Ord. 138-B § 1(3), 1983)
§ 18.40.090 Parking and loading–Plan submittal.
The party developing an off-street parking area shall submit a plan of the parking area showing adjacent streets, proposed circulation of traffic, proposed drainage, proposed lighting, proposed landscaping, fencing and screening to the planning commission for their approval.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.02(2), 1980)
§ 18.40.100 Parking and loading–Minimum design standards.
Minimum design standards approved by the Institute of Traffic Engineers shall be used as a guide.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.02(3), 1980)
§ 18.40.110 Parking and loading–Entrances and exits.
All entrances and exits to a parking lot or area must be arranged such that no vehicle shall back into a public street or otherwise cause or create unsafe or hazardous conditions for traffic on adjacent streets, roads or sidewalks. All vehicles exiting a parking lot or area shall have clear vision of all traffic.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.02(4), 1980; Ord. 138-B § 1(4), 1983)
§ 18.40.120 Parking and loading–Grading and surfacing.
All required off-street parking areas shall be graded and surfaced to a standard comparable to the street which serves the parking area as determined by the town engineer.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.02(5), 1980)
§ 18.40.130 Parking and loading–Off-street loading space.
An off-street loading space having access to a public thoroughfare shall be required adjacent to each business building, hereafter enlarged or erected, if the use of such building entails deliveries to or shipments from it, and such loading space shall be of adequate size for accommodating the maximum number and size of vehicles simultaneously loaded or unloaded in connection with the business conducted in such building. No part of the truck or van shall extend in the public thoroughfare when using the loading space.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.02(6), 1980)
§ 18.40.140 Parking and loading–Access to structures.
Every building hereafter erected or moved shall be on a lot adjacent to a public street, or with access to an approved private street, and all structures shall be so located on lots as to provide safe and convenient access for servicing, fire protection, and required off-street parking.
(Ord. 108-B, § 11.02(7), 1980)
§ 18.40.150 Performance standards–Generally.
The general purpose of the regulations set out in Sections 18.40.160 through 18.40.260 is to establish standards which set a level of performance relative to the use of land and buildings, thus rating and limiting these uses according to the degree and intensity of noise, glare, heat, radiation and air pollution, instead of applying such limitations by names, processes, activities or products.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.03(part), 1980)
§ 18.40.160 Performance standards–Air pollution.
The following types of air pollutants shall be subject to the provisions of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and state and regional standards as appropriate:
A.
Smoke and gas;
B.
Dust, dirt or fly ash;
C.
Noxious and odorous matter;
D.
Any discharge of pollutant or odorous matter into the air which is found to be injurious to health and destructive to property.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.03(l), 1980)
§ 18.40.170 Performance standards–Noise levels.
The intensity level of sounds shall not exceed the levels prescribed by the State Department of Ecology (WAC 173-60 and WAC 173-62).
(Ord. 108-B § 11.03(2), 1980)
§ 18.40.180 Performance standards–Construction activities.
In areas where noise, light, and vibration from construction activities may be a nuisance to the surroundings, these activities shall be limited to the hours between seven a.m. and eight p.m. on weekdays and shall generally be prohibited on Sundays.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.03(3), 1980)
§ 18.40.190 Performance standards–Exterior lighting.
Exterior lighting shall be so installed that the surface of the source of the light shall not be visible from any bedroom window, and shall be so arranged as far as practical to reflect light away from a residential use.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.03(4), 1980)
§ 18.40.200 Performance standards–Glare or heat.
Any operation with intensive glare or heat shall be performed within an enclosure so as to completely obscure such operation from view from any point along the property line except during periods of construction.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.03(5), 1980)
§ 18.40.210 Performance standards–Radiation.
The use, storage, transportation and disposal of all radioactive materials and radiation machines shall be subject to the provisions contained in “Rules and Regulations for Radiation Protection” issued by the Radiation Control Agency of the Washington State Department of Health.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.03(6), 1980)
§ 18.40.220 Performance standards–Junk.
In no zone will there be permitted a collection of junk, scrap, unlicensed cars or parts of cars, equipment, abandoned sheds or buildings which are a menace to the health, safety and general welfare of the neighborhood, except where specific provisions are made concerning such items in this title.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.03(7), 1980)
§ 18.40.230 Performance standards–Public utilities.
Public utilities, as defined in this title, shall be permitted in any zone, subject to the provisions of such zone, and to the provisions of this chapter. Operations shall be controlled to minimize impacts on any adjoining residential areas and shall meet all applicable state, county or local laws or regulations. Furthermore:
A.
The proposed site is best located when it serves the intended area with a minimal effect on surrounding property.
B.
Structures such as towers, poles, overhead wires, pumping stations and similar equipment shall be located so as not to degrade scenic views from a street or private property.
C.
All equipment storage or materials shall be buffered, screened, fenced, or kept within a structure.
D.
Where it is possible public utilities shall be located underground.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.4, 1980)
§ 18.40.240 Performance standards–Landscaping and fencing.
Any shrubs and trees used in the landscaping and screening of a zone or use shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition. Dead or dying shrubs or trees shall be replaced immediately and the planting area shall be maintained reasonably free of weeds and trash. Screening fences, walls or hedges shall be erected and maintained in accordance with the requirements of the zone in which the use is to be located. Sight screening by means of hedges shall be of an evergreen material constituting solid planting in two years, at which time the planting shall be not less than five feet. Nothing shall be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as to materially impair vision at intersections. Outdoor storage of materials shall not exceed twenty feet in height and junk shall be obscured by buildings or fencing on all sides.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.5, 1980)
§ 18.40.250 Performance standards–Animals in residential zones.
The purpose of this section is to regulate the keeping of pets and other domestic animals in residential zones.
A.
Permitted Household Animals. All reasonable types of domestic animals shall be permitted in R and M-H zones, subject to the restrictions established for that zone and as long as their keeping does not constitute a nuisance or hazard to the health, peace, safety and welfare of the community in general and the neighbors in particular.
B.
Minimum Area for Livestock. No livestock shall be kept on any property of less than one acre in area. For each additional head of livestock kept on the premises, there must be one-half additional acre.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.6, 1980)
§ 18.40.260 Performance standards–Mitigation of impacts.
The planning commission may recommend, and the town council may require, the mitigation of any of the following impacts:
A.
Erosion potential;
B.
Excessive water runoff;
C.
Environmental hazards;
D.
Environmental pollution;
E.
Fiscal impacts;
F.
Traffic hazards;
G.
Traffic congestion;
H.
Visual and auditory impacts;
I.
Obtrusive visual blight;
J.
Any other unusual impact associated with a proposed use.
(Ord. 108-B § 11.07; Ord. 138-B § 1(6), 1983)
