Yakima City Zoning Code

The purpose of this chapter is to: establish sitescreening standards to provide a visual buffer between uses of different intensity, streets and structures; reduce erosion and stormwater runoff; protect property values; and eliminate potential land use conflicts by mitigating adverse impacts from dust, odor, litter, noise, glare, lights, signs, water runoff, buildings or parking areas.

Sitescreening shall be required along the property lines in accordance with the provisions of this chapter whenever any use, development, or modification to use or development is being reviewed under this title; provided, the construction of single-family residences or duplexes not part of a larger development is exempt from this chapter unless the site abuts a commercial zoned district. No sitescreening is required along a property line shared with a vacant parcel, except where a nonresidential use is developed upon a vacant parcel in the SR or R-1 zone. The provisions of this chapter also apply to the approval of any residential subdivisions and planned residential development.

The administrative official may adjust the sitescreening standards in this chapter by approving other site-screening plans pursuant to the provisions of YMC §§ 15.10.020 and 15.10.040.

Table 7-1 is hereby adopted as part of this chapter. The letter designation in this table refers to the sitescreening standards in YMC § 15.07.040.

Sitescreening standard A shall apply wherever sitescreening is required under Table 7-1 and the adjoining land use is separated from the proposed use or development by a collector or local access street. The administrative official may also require sitescreening standard A along an arterial when such action is consistent with the purpose of this chapter.

Generally, all required sitescreening shall:

Existing trees and other vegetation may be used for sitescreening if they are healthy and will satisfy the purpose of this section.

The administrative official may require a sitescreening plan showing the approximate location, height, size and type of all plantings and fences whenever sitescreening is required.

All sitescreening required by this title shall be installed prior to occupancy or commencement of use. Where compliance with this requirement is not possible because of seasonal planting limitations, the administrative official shall grant an appropriate delay. However, no permanent certificate of occupancy shall be issued until all required sitescreening is completed.

All sitescreening shall be maintained in accordance with the purpose and intent of this chapter. It is the property owner’s obligation and responsibility to maintain the sitescreening approved. In the event the sitescreening deteriorates or is not maintained in a condition consistent with plan approval, the appropriate jurisdiction may at its option cause necessary maintenance to be performed and assess the costs thereof to the property owner. These costs shall constitute a lien on the property from the date of filing a notice of lien in the office of the county auditor. The lien shall state the legal description of the property and the amount of costs assessed. Such lien may be foreclosed by the appropriate jurisdiction in the manner provided by law for the foreclosure of mortgages.