Winthrop City Zoning Code

Establishing and retaining a pattern of land use within the town reflective of the needs of the residents thereof and considering the existing land uses, structures, and their associated intensities in both residential and commercial areas;

Recognizing that the location, the river, the views and the associated environmental qualities are a valuable asset to the town and its citizens;

Achieving public and private land use decisions that are consistent with the goals and policies of the comprehensive plans of the town;

Encouraging the location and use of structures and land for commerce, industry, residences and recreational opportunities where they are most compatible with existing land uses and identified environmental and aesthetic constraints;

Providing flexible means to encourage innovative site design and land use patterns responsive to both human and natural environmental needs while maintaining sufficient control to assure compliance with the goals of this title and the comprehensive plans of the town;

Protecting existing land uses and property values from undue adverse impacts of adjacent development;

Providing for adequate light, view, open space, air, privacy and fire separation;

Ensuring efficient use of public investments in community facilities, roads and improvements;

Providing an interim set of land use regulations to protect the town and its citizens while allowing proper planned growth, to allow time for careful consideration and deliberation in revising the town's comprehensive land use plan and related comprehensive plans;

Providing a clear, orderly and efficient administrative system for review and approval of proposed projects and developments;

Encouraging the development of recreational opportunities and support facilities such as trails, parks and parking areas.

The provisions of this title shall be liberally construed to further its purposes and in the event controversy as to the meaning of a particular provision of this title shall arise, such provision shall be construed liberally in favor of the general public interest and the stated purposes of this title.

If the conditions imposed by a provision of this title are less or more restrictive than or conflict with the conditions of any other provision of this title, or any other law, rule, contract, resolution or regulation of the state or federal government or the county of Okanogan or the town of Winthrop, then the more restrictive requirement or the higher standard shall govern.

Reference in this title to any existing provisions of law, including town ordinances or regulations or state or federal laws, rules or regulations shall include reference to any amendments to such provision that may occur subsequent to adoption of the ordinance codified in this title.

Residential Districts. The intent of the residential districts of the town is to provide several residential areas to allow for a variety of types and styles of residential use and development, while still assuring that the residents of the town are provided with the protection and regulations necessary to protect their home investments and their home lives from incompatible uses and developments. A district is provided for strictly single-family dwelling use with lot sizes consistent with existing development in the existing residential area; for single- and two-family dwellings with slightly larger lot sizes and multifamily dwellings allowed only with strict review and conditions through the planned development process, to allow for a wider variety of residential uses in areas of the town which are already in mixed residential use and/or are less densely developed with room for well-planned expansion of residential development; and for a district for higher density multifamily housing mixed with residential-tourist development.

Mixed Use District. The intent of the mixed use district is to provide an area in the town that fosters a cohesive mixture of residential and commercial uses.

Commercial Districts.

Industrial District. The town has one industrial district designation to allow for light nonpolluting industrial uses which are compatible with the rural surroundings and the pristine natural environment of the area. The industrial district is intended to be out of the main traffic pattern of the town and removed from the residential districts with which it might conflict.

Public Use District. The public use district is created to protect public amenities and areas of environmental sensitivity, including town parks and areas of existing town facilities such as the town sewer plant.

Overlay Zones. Three overlay zones are created that provide supplemental regulation or design review requirements in addition to the basic standards of the underlying zone district. The overlays are described as follows: