Ordinance 15-027 SMP Appendix A CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY,WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. 15-027
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, SPOKANE COUNTY,
WASHINGTON AMENDING SPOKANE VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE APPENDIX A
RELATING TO DEFINITIONS SPECIFIC TO THE SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM,
AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO.
WHEREAS, on September 25, 2007, the City of Spokane Valley (City) adopted Spokane Valley
Municipal Code(SVMC)Appendix A, pursuant to Ordinance 07-015; and
WHEREAS, on October 28, 2007, SVMC Appendix A became effective; and
WHEREAS, such regulations are authorized by RCW 36.70A; and
WHEREAS, on August 4,2015,the Washington State Department of Commerce was notified pursuant
to RCW 36.70A.106, providing a 60-day notice of intent to adopt amendments to Spokane Valley development
regulations; and
WHEREAS, on August 21 and 28, 2015, notice of the Planning Commission public hearing was
published in the Valley News Herald; and
WHEREAS, on August 27,2015,the Planning Commission held a study session; and
WHEREAS,on September 10,2015,the Planning Commission held a public hearing,received evidence,
information, public testimony, and a staff report with a recommendation followed by deliberations; and
WHEREAS, on September 24, 2015, the Planning Commission approved the findings and
recommendations; and
WHEREAS, on December 1,2015, City Council reviewed the proposed amendments; and
WHEREAS, the amendment set forth below is consistent with the goals and policies of the City's
Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, SVMC Appendix A, as amended, bears a substantial relation to the public health, safety,
welfare and protection of the environment.
NOW,THEREFORE,the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley ordains as follows:
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this Ordinance is to amend SVMC Appendix A, by
removing definitions from Appendix A that are contained in the adopted Shoreline Master Program(SMP).
Section 2. Findings and Conclusions. The City Council acknowledges that the Planning
Commission conducted appropriate investigation and study, held a public hearing on the proposed amendments
and recommends approval of the amendments. The City Council has read and considered the Planning
Commission's findings. The City Council hereby makes the following findings:
Ordinance 15-027 Page 1 of 3
A. Growth Management Act Policies - Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA)
provides that each city shall adopt a comprehensive land use plan and development
regulations that are consistent with and implement the comprehensive plan.
B. City of Spokane Valley Goals and Policies-The City of Spokane Valley has adopted goals
and policies consistent with the GMA and adopted County-Wide Planning Policies, set
forth below.
Chapter 8 - Natural Environment Element of the Comprehensive Plan includes the goals
and policies of the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) as goals and policies of the
Comprehensive Plan. The proposed amendments are consistent with the SMP as the goals
and policies of the SMP are included as goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. The
amendments are therefore consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The amendments are
consistent with the following Comprehensive Plan policies:
Land Use Policy LUP-13.1: Maximize efficiency of the development review process by
continuously evaluating the permitting process and modifying as appropriate.
Economic Policy EDP-7.1: Evaluate, monitor and improve development standards to
promote compatibility between adjacent land uses; and update permitting processes to
ensure that they are equitable, cost-effective, and expeditious.
Economic Policy EDP-7.2: Review development regulations periodically to ensure
clarity, consistency and predictability.
The amendments are consistent with the Shoreline Master Program where the purpose is to
protect the public interest in the shoreline, preserve the natural character of the shoreline,
advocate long term over short term benefit, protect the resources and ecology of the
shoreline, increase public access to publicly owned shoreline areas,and increase public
recreational opportunities in shoreline areas. For this reason the amendments bear a
substantial relation to public health, safety,welfare, and protection of the environment.
C. Conclusions
The Shoreline Management Act requires that local governments amend their master
program for regulation of uses of the shorelines of the state consistent with the
required elements of the guidelines adopted by the Department of Ecology.
The goals and policies of the SMP are considered an element of the City's
Comprehensive Plan.
Spokane Valley development regulations are intended to implement the City's
Comprehensive Plan and therefore must be consistent with the Plan.
The proposed text amendment is consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan and
the approval criteria pursuant to SVMC 17.80.150(F).
The proposed City-initiated Code text amendments are consistent with the City's
adopted Comprehensive Plan and the approval criteria pursuant to SVMC
17.80.150(F).
Section 3. Amendment. SVMC Appendix-A is hereby amended as follows:Attachment 1 contains
the full list of definition changes.
Section 4 . Other sections unchanged. All other provisions of Appendix A not specifically
referenced hereto shall remain in full force and effect.
Ordinance 15-027 Page 2 of 3
Section 5. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance shall be held
to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall
not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect five days after
publication of this Ordinance or a summary thereof in the official newspaper of the City of Spokane Valley as
provided by law.
Passed by the City Council this 15'x'day of December 2015.
Dean Grafos,Mpr
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Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk ,
Approved as to Form:
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Office o he Ci rney
Date of Publication: /1;2
Effective Date: %:22 — 3C/ - 32/X13--
Ordinance 15-027 Page 3 of 3
APPENDIX A
DEFINITIONS
A. General Provisions.
1. For the purpose of this code, certain words and terms are herein defined.The word "shall"is always
mandatory. The word "may"is permissive, subject to the judgment of the person administering the code.
2.Words not defined herein shall be construed as defined in Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary.
3. The present tense includes the future, and the future the present.
4. The singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
5. Use of male designations shall also include female.
B. Definitions.
AASHTO:American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Abandoned: Knowing relinquishment by the owner, of right or claim to the subject property or structure on that
property, without any intention of transferring rights to the property or structure to another owner, tenant, or
lessee, or of resuming the owner's use of the property. "Abandoned"shall include but not be limited to
circumstances involving tax forfeiture, bankruptcy, or mortgage foreclosure.
Accessory: A building, area, part of a building, structure or use which is subordinate to, and the use of which is
incidental to, that of the main building, structure or use on the same lot.
Accessory dwelling unit: A freestanding detached structure or an attached part of a structure that is
subordinate and incidental to the principal dwelling unit located on the same property, providing complete,
independent living facilities exclusively for a single housekeeping unit, including permanent provisions for living,
sleeping, cooking and sanitation.
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act.
Adequate public facilities: Facilities which have the capacity to serve development without decreasing levels
of service below locally established minima.
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 1 of 53
Administrative exception: A minor deviation from standards pursuant to Chapter 19.140 SVMC.
Adult entertainment: Includes the following:
•Adult arcade device: Sometimes also known as "panoram,""preview,"or"picture arcade."
•Adult arcade or peep show:Any device which,for payment of a fee, membership fee, or other charge, is
used to exhibit or display a graphic picture, view, film, videotape, or digital display of specified sexual activity, or
live adult entertainment in a booth setting.All such devices are denominated under this chapter by the term
"adult arcade device."The term"adult arcade device"as used in this code does not include other games which
employ pictures, views, or video displays, or gambling devices which do not exhibit or display adult
entertainment.
•Adult arcade establishment: A commercial premises to which a member of the public is invited or admitted
and where adult arcade stations, booths, or devices are used to exhibit or display a graphic picture, view,film,
videotape, or digital display of specified sexual activity, or live adult entertainment in a booth setting to a
member of the public on a regular basis or as a substantial part of the premises activity.
•Adult arcade station or booth:An enclosure where a patron, member, or customer would ordinarily be
positioned while using an adult arcade device or viewing a live adult entertainment performance, exhibition, or
dance in a booth. "Adult arcade station"or"booth" refers to the area in which an adult arcade device is located
and from which the graphic picture, view,film, videotape, digital display of specified sexual activity, or live adult
entertainment is to be viewed. These terms do not mean such an enclosure that is a private office used by an
owner, manager, or person employed on the premises for attending the tasks of his or her employment, if the
enclosure is not held out to any member of the public for use, for hire, or for a fee for the purpose of viewing the
entertainment provided by the arcade device or live adult entertainment, and not open to any person other than
employees.
•Adult entertainment establishment: Collectively refers to adult arcade establishments and live adult
entertainment establishments licensed pursuant to Chapter 5.10 SVMC.
•Applicant: An individual or entity seeking an adult entertainment establishment license.
•Applicant control person: All partners, corporate officers and directors and other individuals in the
applicant's business organization who hold a significant interest in the adult entertainment business, based on
responsibility for management of the adult entertainment establishment.
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• Employee: Any person, including a manager, entertainer or an independent contractor, who works in or at or
renders services directly related to the operation of an adult entertainment establishment.
• Entertainer:Any person who provides live adult entertainment within an adult entertainment establishment as
defined in this section, whether or not a fee is charged or accepted for entertainment.
• Licensing administrator: The director of the community development department of the City of Spokane
Valley and his/her designee and is the person designated to administer this code.
• Liquor: All beverages defined in RCW 66.04.010(25).
• Live adult entertainment:
1.An exhibition, performance or dance conducted in a commercial premises for a member of the public
where the exhibition, performance, or dance involves a person who is nude or seminude. Adult
entertainment shall include, but is not limited to, performances commonly known as"strip teases";
2.An exhibition, performance or dance conducted in a commercial premises where the exhibition,
performance or dance is distinguished or characterized by a predominant emphasis on the depiction,
description, simulation or relation to the following "specified sexual activities":
a. Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal;
b.Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, or bestiality;
c. Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, or female breasts; or
3. An exhibition, performance or dance that is intended to sexually stimulate a member of the public.
This includes, but is not limited to, such an exhibition, performance, or dance performed for, arranged
with, or engaged in with fewer than all members of the public on the premises at that time, whether
conducted or viewed in an arcade booth or otherwise,with separate consideration paid, either directly or
indirectly,for the performance, exhibition or dance and that is commonly referred to as table dancing,
couch dancing, taxi dancing, lap dancing, private dancing, or straddle dancing.
• Live adult entertainment establishment:A commercial premises to which a member of the public is invited
or admitted and where an entertainer provides live adult entertainment, in a setting which does not include
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 3 of 53
arcade booths or devices,to a member of the public on a regular basis or as a substantial part of the premises
activity.
•Manager:Any person who manages, directs, administers or is in charge of the affairs or conduct, or the
affairs and conduct, or of a portion of the affairs or conduct occurring at an adult entertainment establishment.
• Member of the public: A customer, patron, club member, or person, other than an employee, who is invited
or admitted to an adult entertainment establishment.
• Nude or seminude: A state of complete or partial undress in such costume, attire or clothing so as to expose
any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola or any portion of the pubic region, anus, buttocks,
vulva, or genitals, or human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and opaquely
covered.
•"Open to the public room so that the area inside is fully and completely visible to the manager":
Premises where there is no door, curtain, partition, or other device extending from the top of the door frame of
an arcade booth or station, with the exception of a door which is completely transparent and constructed of
safety glass as specified in the International Building Code, so that the activity and occupant inside the
enclosure are fully and completely visible by direct line of sight to the manager located at the manager's station
which shall be located at the main entrance way to the public room.
•Operator:Any person operating, conducting or maintaining an adult entertainment establishment.
• Person:Any individual, partnership, corporation,trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, marital
community,joint venture, governmental entity, or other entity or group of persons however organized.
• Premises:The land, structures, places, equipment and appurtenances connected or used in any business,
and any personal property or fixtures used in connection with any adult entertainment establishment.
•Sexual conduct: Acts of:
1. Sexual intercourse within its ordinary meaning, occurring upon any penetration, however slight; or
2. A penetration of the vagina or anus, however slight, by an object; or
3.A contact between persons involving the sex organs of one person and the mouth or anus of another;
or
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4. Masturbation, manual or instrumental, of oneself or of one person by another; or
5. Touching of the sex organs, anus, or female breast,whether clothed or unclothed, of oneself or of one
person by another.
•Specified sexual activities: Refers to the following:
1. Human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal;
2.Acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral copulation, or bestiality; or
3. Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks or female breasts.
•Transfer of ownership or control: Of an adult entertainment establishment means any of the following:
1. The sale, lease or sublease of the business;
2. The transfer of securities that constitute a controlling interest in the business,whether by sale,
exchange, or similar means;
3. The establishment of a trust, gift, or other similar legal device that transfers the ownership or control of
the business; or
4. Transfer by bequest or other operation of law upon the death of the person possessing the ownership
or control.
Adult entertainment establishment: Collectively refers to adult arcade establishments and live adult
entertainment establishments, as defined herein.
Adult retail use establishment: A retail use establishment which,for money or any other form of
consideration, devotes a significant or substantial portion of stock in trade to the sale, exchange, rental, loan,
trade, or transferring of adult-oriented merchandise.The retail use establishment may permit patrons to view
the adult-oriented merchandise for possible purchase or rental, but such on-premises viewing shall not be in
exchange for money or any other form of consideration.
Affordable housing:Where the term"affordable"is used, it refers to the federal definition of affordability
stating that annual housing costs shall not exceed one-third of a family's annual income.When establishing
affordability standards for moderate-to extremely low-income families and individuals,the median household
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income is the amount calculated and published by the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development each year for Spokane County.
Agricultural: Relating to the science or art of cultivating soil or producing crops to be used or consumed
directly or indirectly by man or livestock, or raising of livestock.
Agricultural processing: The series of operations taken to change agricultural products into food and
consumer products. Uses include creameries.
Aircraft manufacture: The manufacture or assembly of complete aircraft, aircraft prototypes, aircraft
conversion, overhaul and rebuilding.
Airport: An area of land or water that is used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, and
includes its buildings and facilities, if any.
Airport hazard: Any structure or object of natural growth located in the vicinity of the airport which obstructs
the airspace required for the flight of aircraft or airport operations.
Airport land use compatibility zone: Aircraft accident zones established by WSDOT, Division of Aviation and
adopted by ordinance wherein certain land uses are restricted in order to protect the airport from encroachment
from incompatible land uses.
Airport obstruction: Any structure or object of natural growth or use of land which would exceed the federal
obstruction standards established in 14 CFR Sections 77.21, 77.23, 77.25 and 77.28, or which obstructs the
airspace required for flight of aircraft in landing or takeoff, or is otherwise hazardous to airport operations.
Airstrip, private: An aircraft landing strip under private ownership which may provide specialty flying services
without regular routes using general purpose aircraft.
Alley: A public right-of-way which provides access only to the rear and/or side of properties abutting and
having access to a public road.
Altered/alteration:Any change, addition or modification in construction or any change of occupancy from one
use to another or from one division of a trade to another.
Ambulance service: A facility used for the housing and dispatch of emergency medical personnel and
paramedics using ground transportation.
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Amendment:A change in the wording, context, or substance of this code, or a change in the zone boundaries.
Animal clinic/veterinary: A facility dedicated to the care of animals, which may include grooming services and
short-term boarding.
Animal, large: Domesticated animals including, but not limited to, horses, donkeys, burros, llamas, bovines,
goats, sheep, and other animals or livestock of similar size and type. Young of horses, mules, donkeys, burros,
llamas, and alpaca, under one year in age, bovines, under 10 months in age, and sheep and goats under three
months in age shall not be included when computing intensity of large animals.
Animal,small: Domesticated animals or fowl other than a household pet, or large animals including, but not
limited to, chickens, guinea hens, geese, ducks, turkeys, pigeons, emus, ostriches (struthious), kangaroos,
rabbits, mink, chinchilla, and other animals or fowl of similar size and type. Young small animals or fowl under
three months of age shall not be included when computing intensity of small animals or fowl. Young or
miniature large animals are not included in this definition and are considered large animals.
Animal processing: Includes stockyards, meat packing and the rendering of meat byproducts, including the
manufacture of tallow, gelatin and glue.
Animal raising or keeping: The keeping of large and small domesticated animals other than household pets.
Animal,wildlife rehabilitation or scientific research facility: A building, structure, pen or portion(s)thereof
or an area of land where animals are housed, kept or maintained for the purpose of wildlife rehabilitation; or for
the purpose of investigation, aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts or the collecting of information
about a particular subject.
Antique store: A retail establishment offering for sale glass, china, objets d'art,furniture or similar furnishings
and decorations which have value and significance as a result of age and design.
AO: Is characterized as sheet flow and AH indicates ponding and includes a base flood elevation.
Apparel/tailor shop: A service providing for the alteration and repair of clothing.
Appeal: A request for a review of the interpretation of any provision of this code or a request for a variance.
Appliance manufacture: The manufacture, assembly and storage of household appliances.
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Appliance sales/service: The sale, servicing and repair of home appliances including radios, televisions,
washers, refrigerators and ranges.
Aquifer: The underground layer of rock and sand that contains usable quantities of water.
Area of shallow flooding: A designated AO or AH Zone on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and which
has the following characteristics:
1. The base flood depths range from one to three feet;
2. A clearly defined channel does not exist;
3. The path of flooding is unpredictable and indeterminate; and
4. Velocity flow may be evident.
Area of special flood hazard: The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one percent or
greater chance of flooding in any given year. Designation on maps always includes the letters A or V.
Art gallery/studio: The work areas of graphic artists, painters, sculptors, weavers, quilters and other artists
with display and sales areas.
Arterial/road map: The official maps adopted as part of the Comprehensive Plan.
As-graded: The extent of surface conditions on completion of grading.
Asphalt plant/manufacturing: The manufacture of carbon-based paving and saturated materials compounds.
Assembly, heavy: The assemblage of materials and/or metals for commercial and industrial uses.
Assembly, light: The assemblage of metals and/or materials into products, including electronic assembly.
Assisted living facility: A residential facility that provides routine protective oversight or assistance for
independent living to mentally and physically limited persons in a residential setting. Services include, but are
not limited to, transportation, food service, pharmacy and limited nursing services. An assisted living center
may be included as a part of a nursing home or convalescent center complex.
Attached: Structurally dependent, sharing a common or party wall for not less than 50 percent of the length of
the principal structure(s). A breezeway is not a common wall.
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Auction house:A building where sale items are stored or displayed where persons are permitted to attend
sales and offer bids on such items.
Auction yard: An open area where sale items are stored or displayed for not more than seven consecutive
days within any given 30-day period and where persons are permitted to attend sales and offer bids on such
items.
Auction yard, livestock: Facilities designed for the sale of livestock at auction, including barns, holding pens,
and loading facilities.
Automobile assembly plant: A manufacturing facility for new cars and trucks.
Automobile impound yard: A secure area used for the temporary impoundment of motor vehicles by law
enforcement.
Automobile/taxi rental: Facilities including parking,for vehicles available for rent or lease. Facilities for
fueling, servicing and minor repair may be accessory to the rental use.
Automobile/truck sales and service: An area located on private property used for the display and sale of
more than two new or used passenger automobiles or light trucks, including sports utility vehicles, or any truck
with a gross vehicle weight(GVW) of less than one ton, including service.
Automobile/truck/RV/motorcycle painting, repair, body and fender works:A facility providing for the repair
and painting of a wide variety of motor vehicles, not including engine overhaul.
Automotive parts, accessories and tires: A retail establishment engaged in the sale of new or refurbished
automotive parts and accessories, including installation of tires, automotive accessories and the minor repair of
passenger cars and light trucks.
Available public facilities: Facilities or services are in place or a financial commitment is in place to provide
the facilities or services within a specified time. In the case of transportation,the specified time is six years from
the time of development.
Awning:A roof-like cover that projects from the wall of a building for the purpose of identity, decoration or
shielding a doorway or window from the elements.
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Bakery products manufacturing: A facility preparing baked goods for regional distribution with accessory
retail sales.
Bakery, retail: A retail business offering baked goods including pies, doughnuts, cakes and breads for sale to
the public.
Bankfull depth: The average vertical distance between the channel bed and the estimated water surface
elevation required to completely fill the channel to a point above which water would enter the floodplain or
intersect a terrace or hill slope. In cases where multiple channels exist,the bankfull depth is the average depth
of all channels along the cross-section.
Bankfull width:
• For streams—the measurement of the lateral extent of the water surface elevation perpendicular to the
channel at bankfull depth. In cases where multiple channels exist, bankfull width is the sum of the individual
channel widths along the cross-section.
• For lakes, ponds, and impoundments—line of mean high water.
• For periodically inundated areas of associated wetlands—the line of periodic inundation, which will be found
by examining the edge of inundation to ascertain where the presence and action of waters are so common and
usual, and so long continued in all ordinary years, as to mark upon the soil a character distinct from that of the
abutting upland.
Banks,savings and loan and other financial institutions: Offices and service facilities for banks, savings
and loans, credit unions or other financial institutions, including drive-through windows.
Barber/beauty shop: A facility offering haircuts, manicures and similar personal services.
Base flood:The flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.Also
referred to as the"100-year flood." Designation on maps always includes the letters A or V.
Basement: The portion of a building at least four feet below grade for more than 50 percent of the perimeter
but not more than eight feet below grade at any point of the structure.
Battery rebuilding/manufacture:A facility that specializes in retail,wholesale, OEM/manufacturing, custom
battery rebuilding, and battery assembly for consumer and industrial use.
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Bed and breakfast: A single-family dwelling which provides accommodations for one or more paying guests
on a reservation basis.
Bedrock: The more or less solid rock in place on or beneath the surface of the earth. It may be soft, medium,
or hard and have a smooth or irregular surface.
Beehive:A structure designed to contain one colony of honey bees (apis mellifera) and registered with the
Washington State Department of Agriculture per Chapter 15.60 RCW or as hereafter amended.
Beekeeping, commercial: An activity where more than 25 beehives are kept on a lot.
Beekeeping, hobby: The keeping of 25 or fewer beehives on a lot.
Bench: As referred to in grading, a relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be
placed.
Berm: A narrow ledge or shelf of land generally consisting of earth material that may be natural or artificial.
Best management practices (BMP): Currently available,feasible and generally accepted techniques or
practices that mitigate the adverse impact from the uncontrolled stormwater on the environment, surrounding
properties and infrastructure.
Bicycle: A vehicle having two tandem wheels propelled solely by human power, upon which any persons or
person may ride.
Bicycle lane: That portion of a paved roadway striped for use by bicycles.
Bicycle path: A bikeway physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and
either within the highway right-of-way or within an independent right-of-way.
Bicycle route: A segment of a system of bikeways designated with appropriate directional and informational
markers with or without specific bicycle route number.
Bicycle sales and service: A retail establishment offering for sale to the public nonmotorized vehicles,
including bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, unicycles or similar equipment, and providing repairs.
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Bikeway: Any road, path, or way, which in some manner is specifically designated and which may legally be
used by bicycles regardless of whether such facilities are designated for the exclusive use of bicycles or are to
be shared with other transportation modes.
Binding site plan: A division of land approved administratively by the department of community development,
which legally obligates a person making a proposal to conditions, standards or requirements specified by this
code.
Block: A parcel of land surrounded by public streets, highways, railroad rights-of-way, public walks, parks, or
green strips, rural land, drainage channels, or a combination thereof.
Boat building: The construction, refurbishing and repair of recreational boats.
Book/stationery store:A retail establishment offering books, magazines, greeting cards, and similar items to
the public.
Border easement:A dedicated easement on private property adjacent to public street right(s)-of-way
established for the purposes of utility, drainage facilities, pedestrian access or other public purpose.
Borrow:As referred to in grading, earth material acquired from either an on-or off-site location for use in
grading on a site.
Bottling plant: An industrial facility which provides for the packaging and distribution of liquid products,
including the mixing of liquid components.
Boundary line adjustment: A land use action adjusting lot lines.
Boundary line elimination: A land use action aggregating two or more lots or parcels of land.
Bowling alley: Indoor entertainment including rental and sale of bowling equipment, as well as restaurant
services.
Breakaway wall: A wall that is not part of the structural support of the building and is intended through its
design and construction to collapse under specific lateral loading forces, without causing damage to the
elevated portion of the building or supporting foundation system.
Brewery, micro: An establishment brewing specialized beers for localized distribution, as well as local
restaurant services.
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Brewery,winery or distillery:A facility engaged in the production of beer,wine or spirits for regional
distribution, including fermentation, distillation and bottling.
Broom manufacturing: The manufacture of brooms, brushes and mops.
Building height: The vertical distance from the average finished grade to the average height of the highest
30' ' 30'
I
Existing
Grade
...
?ocnt of
Measi remert
roof surface. Elevation
Building official: The authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the adopted building codes
pursuant to SVMC 18.40.010.
Building setback line: A line established as the minimum distance a structure may be located from any
property line or border easement.
Building supply and home improvement: An establishment selling hardware, lumber, sheetrock, plumbing
supplies, flooring, lighting fixtures, landscaping supplies, nursery stock, and appliances at retail and wholesale.
Bulkheads: Retaining wall structures erected to stabilize land at the water's edge and prevent erosion.
Revetments are the same as bulkheads.
Butcher shop/meat market: The retail sales of specialty meat and fish products, not otherwise classified as a
grocery store. See "Food sales, specialty/butcher shop/meat market."
Caliper: The diameter of a deciduous tree measured at four and one-half feet above grade.
Camping units:A structure, shelter or vehicle designed and intended for temporary occupancy by persons
engaged in camping or use of a camping unit for recreation. Camping units include, but are not limited to,
recreational vehicles, recreational park trailers and campers, camping cabins, tents, tepees, yurts and other
similar shelters.
Candy and confectionery: The preparation and specialty retail sale of candy and confectionery, not otherwise
classified as a grocery store.
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Carnival or circus: Temporary entertainment facilities providing rides, exhibits, games, musical productions,
food and drink, and items for sale as part of a private commercial venture.
Carpenter shop: An establishment producing finished wooden products from raw materials.
Carpet and rug cleaning plants:A plant engaged in the cleaning and repair of carpets and textiles utilizing
solvents and volatile organic compounds. Does not include cleaning services provided on client premises.
Car wash: Facilities for the washing of passenger cars and light trucks as either a principal use or accessory to
fueling stations, convenience stores or similar permitted uses.
Car wash, automated: A car wash using robotic tracks or systems to wash the exterior of passenger cars and
light trucks.
Casino:A gaming establishment licensed pursuant to Chapter 9.46 RCW, including restaurant services.
Catalogue and mail-order houses: Merchandise warehouse and distribution center, including showroom.
Category:A land use classification established pursuant to the Spokane Valley Comprehensive Plan.
Catering services: Food preparation intended for delivery to location(s)different from that where the
preparation takes place.
Cemetery: Land or facilities used or planned for use for the preparation for the disposition of human or animal
remains including columbaria, crematories, mausoleums, and mortuaries when operated in conjunction with
and within the boundary of such cemetery.
Ceramics shop: A retail store which provides the supplies and equipment for molding, firing, glazing and
enameling ceramic goods.
Certificate of occupancy: An official certificate issued by the building official that indicates conformance with
building requirements and zoning regulations and authorizes legal use of the premises for which it is issued.
Certificate of title:A letter, report, opinion, statement, policy, or certificate prepared and executed by a title
describing all encumbrances of record which affect the property,together with all recorded deeds, including any
part of the property included in the plat.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 14 of 53
Chemical manufacture: Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing chemicals using basic processes,
such as thermal cracking and distillation. Chemicals manufactured in this industry group are usually separate
chemical elements or separate chemically defined compounds, not including aluminum oxide manufacturing,
primary metal manufacturing, ceramics, and beverage distilleries which are defined separately.
Church,temple, mosque, synagogue, house of worship: An establishment,the principal purpose of which
is religious worship and for which the main building or other structure contains the sanctuary or principal place
of worship, and including accessory uses in the main building or in separate buildings or structures, including
Sunday school rooms and religious education classrooms, assembly rooms, a common kitchen, a library room
or reading room, columbaria, recreation hall and on-site living quarters for members of religious orders and
caretakers.
City: The City of Spokane Valley,Washington.
City council: The governing body of the City.
City property: Real property owned by the City which may include easements, dedications and rights-of-way.
City standards: In reference to stormwater standards,the"Spokane County Guidelines for Stormwater
Management"and other standards developed or recognized by the director that relate to best management
practices, threshold requirements for a site drainage plan, exemptions, permitting processes forms and such
other matters for the administration of stormwater control.
Clothes, retail sales: A retail store offering clothing,footwear and accessories for sale to the general public.
Club:An association of persons for some common purpose, but not including groups organized primarily to
render a service which is customarily carried on as a business.
Clustered housing: Residential lots or building sites which reduce minimum yard requirements within a tract
but provide compensating open space.
Code: Spokane Valley Uniform Development Code.
Cold storage/food locker:A commercial building designed to prevent spoilage of food and to store food for
retail food stores or persons buying in large quantities.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 15 of 53
College or university: A public or private institution offering instruction in liberal arts, or a professional,
vocational, or technical field beyond the twelfth grade.
Collocation: Locating wireless communication equipment from more than one provider on one structure on
one site.
Commercial zones: Those zones permitting commercial uses including the business zones, office zones,
Corridor Mixed Use, Mixed Use Center, and City Center.
Commission: The Spokane Valley planning commission.
Communication equipment manufacture: The manufacture, assembly and storage of communications
equipment.
Communication service/sales: Establishments providing for the sale and service of communications
equipment including, but not limited to, telephones, satellite dishes, and radio equipment.
Community facilities: The facilities of local government, other public agencies or nonprofit organizations
including, but not limited to, police stations,fire stations, government offices, court rooms,water/wastewater
storage and treatment facilities, electric and other utility distribution/collection lines, electric substations,
transmission lines, except transit stations, churches, and schools.
Community hall:A building and related grounds used for social, civic, or recreational purposes and owned
and operated by a nonprofit group serving the area in which it is located and open to the general public.
Community residential facility: A dwelling licensed, certified or authorized by state authorities as a residence
for children or adults with physical or developmental disabilities in need of supervision, support or assistance.
Community transit center:A bus transfer area or facility providing passenger access to routes and adjacent
activities.
Compaction: The densification of a fill by mechanical means.
Composting storage/processing, commercial:A facility storing or composting organic material for
commercial purposes.
Comprehensive Plan: The Comprehensive Plan adopted by Spokane Valley,Washington, pursuant to
Chapter 36.70 RCW.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 16 of 53
Computer manufacture and assembly: See"Electrical/electronic/computer component/system manufacturing
and assembly."
Computer services: Facilities used for the design and testing of computer systems and component parts,
including software design and computer support services.
Concurrency:Adequate public facilities required when the service demands of development occur.
Conditional use:A use authorized subject to conditions and performance standards established by the
hearing examiner.
Contractor's yard: An area and/or building used to store, maintain and repair equipment, trucks and motor
vehicles, construction supplies, building equipment and raw materials for an individual or for a contractor
engaged in building or other construction businesses including, but not limited to, plumbing, electrical,
structural,finish, demolition,transportation, masonry, excavating or other construction work.
Convalescent home/nursing home: A residential facility licensed by the state or county to provide long-term
special care and supervision to convalescents, invalids, and/or aged persons, but where no persons are kept
who suffer from mental sickness or disease or physical disorder or ailment which is normally treated within
sanitariums or hospitals. Special care in such a facility includes, but is not limited to, nursing,feeding,
recreation, boarding and other personal services.
Convenience store: A retail store of less than 10,000 square feet in size engaged in the sale of personal or
household merchandise, packaged foods and beverages,which may include fueling stations as an accessory
use where permitted.
Cosmetic manufacture/distribution: The manufacture, storage and distribution of cosmetics, perfumes, and
toiletries.
Critical areas:Any of the following areas and ecosystems: wetlands, areas with a critical recharge effect on
aquifers used for potable water,fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas,frequently flooded areas, and
geologically hazardous areas.
Critical facility: A facility for which even a slight chance of flooding might be too great. Critical facilities include,
but are not limited to, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, police,fire and emergency response installations,
installations which produce, use or store hazardous materials or hazardous waste.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 17 of 53
Critical material:A substance present in sufficient quantity that its accidental or intentional release would
result in the impairment of one or more beneficial uses of soil, air and ground and surface water pursuant to
Chapter 21.40 SVMC.
Court: An open, unoccupied space, bounded on more than two sides by the walls of a building.An inner court
is entirely surrounded by the exterior walls of a building.An outer court has one side open to a street, alley,
yard or other permanent space.
Cumulative substantial damage: Flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two separate occasions
during a 10-year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, on the average,
equals or exceeds 25 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.
Day(s):A calendar day, unless otherwise specified, computed by excluding the first day and including the last
day pursuant to RCW 1.12.040.When an act to be done requires a City business day, and the last day by
which the act may be done is not a City business day, then the last day to act is the following business day.
Day care,adult:A licensed or accredited facility that provides counseling, recreation,food, or any or all of
these services to elderly or handicapped persons for a period of less than 24 hours a day.
Day care, child: A licensed or accredited facility which regularly provides care for a group of children for
periods of less than 24 hours and includes pre-kindergarten, nursery schools, Montessori schools, mothers'
day out and after school programs.
Deciduous: Plant materials which shed leaves during the fall and winter season.
Density, gross: The total number of residential dwelling units per gross acre.
Density, net: The number of dwelling units per acre of land, including parcels for common open space and
associated recreational facilities within the area, stormwater drainage facilities and tax exempt open spaces,
after deducting the area for roads, parks, churches and schools, public/private capital facilities, dedicated public
lands, and any other nonresidential use.
Department, community development: The City of Spokane Valley department of community development.
Department, public works: The City of Spokane Valley public works department.
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 18 of 53
Department/variety store: A store offering a variety of goods to the public at retail including, but not limited to,
clothing, housewares, linens, small appliances, sporting goods, and footwear.
Detention and post-detention facilities: See"Essential public facility."
Development: Any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to
buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or
storage of equipment or materials located within the area of special flood hazard.
Director: Director of community development, unless otherwise stated specifically in the code.
Director of community development: The individual or designee, appointed by the city manager, responsible
for the interpretation and enforcement of all or part of the provisions of the Spokane Valley Uniform
Development Code.
District: The area to which certain zoning regulations apply.
Dormitory: See"Dwelling, congregate."
Double plumbing: Plumbing installation required for properties for which conversion from on-site to public
wastewater collection is necessary.
Dredging: The removal of sediment, earth, or gravel from the bottom of a body of water, either for the
deepening of navigational channels, to mine the sediment materials, to restore water bodies or for flood control.
Driveway:Any area, improvement or facility between the roadway of a public or private street and private
property, which provides ingress/egress for vehicles from the roadway to a lot(s)or parcel(s).
Drug store:A pharmacy authorized to dispense prescription drugs prescribed by licensed professionals.
Dry cleaners: A retail business providing dry cleaning and laundry services to the public.
Dry cleaning, laundry, linen supply plant, commercial:An industrial facility providing laundry, dry cleaning,
linen supply, and uniforms on a regional basis.
Dry kiln: An industrial process for curing timber.
Dry line sewer: A sewer line, constructed at the time of property development,which is not put into service
until the public sewer system is extended to the development.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 19 of 53
Dwelling:A building or portion thereof designed exclusively for residential purposes.
Dwelling, accessory apartment: A freestanding detached structure or an attached part of a structure that is
subordinate and incidental to the main or primary dwelling unit located on the same property, providing
complete, independent living facilities exclusively for a single housekeeping unit, including permanent
provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation.
Dwelling, caretaker's residence:A dwelling unit provided for the purpose of on-site supervision and security
that is occupied by a bona fide employee of the property owner.
Dwelling, congregate: A residential facility under joint occupancy and single management arranged or used
for lodging of unrelated individuals,with or without meals, including boarding or rooming houses, dormitories,
fraternities and sororities, convents and monasteries, and convalescent care facilities.
Dwelling, duplex: An attached building designed exclusively for occupancy by two families, with separate
entrances and individual facilities for cooking, sleeping, and sanitation, but sharing a common or party wall.
Dwelling, multifamily: A building designed for occupancy by three or more families,with separate entrances
and individual facilities for cooking, sleeping, and sanitation.
Dwelling,single-family: A building, manufactured or modular home or portion thereof, designed exclusively
for single-family residential purposes, with a separate entrance and facilities for cooking, sleeping, and
sanitation.
Dwelling,townhouse: A single-family dwelling unit constructed in groups of three or more attached units in
which each unit extends from foundation to roof, open on at least two sides.
Dwelling unit: One or more rooms, designed, occupied or intended for occupancy as separate living quarters,
with an individual entrance, cooking, sleeping and sanitary facilities for the exclusive use of one family
maintaining a household.
Earth material:Any rock, natural soil or fill or any combination thereof.
Easement: A right to use the land of others. The right may be from the common law or may be acquired,
usually by purchase or condemnation and occasionally by prescription or inverse condemnation. The right is
not exclusive, but subject to rights of others in the same land, the lesser right being subservient to a prior right
which is dominant.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 20 of 53
Ecologist, qualified:A person who has obtained an undergraduate and/or graduate degree in one of the
environmental sciences such as but not limited to biology, zoology, botany, wildlife management or
bioengineering from an accredited college or university and has a minimum of two years of field experience
evaluating the impacts of human encroachments on riparian fish and wildlife habitats and on riparian vegetation
species.
Electrical/electronic/computer component/system manufacturing and assembly: The manufacture,
assembly of light fixtures, computers or computer components including, but not limited to, relays, chips,
routers, semiconductors and optical processing equipment.
Elevated building: For insurance purposes, a non-basement building which has its lowest elevated floor
raised above ground level by foundation walls, shear walls, posts, piers, pilings, or columns.
Elevation certificate: The official form (FEMA Form 81-31) used to track development, provide elevation
information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances, and
determine the proper insurance premium rate with Section B completed by community officials.
Engineering geology: The application of geologic knowledge and principles in the investigation and evaluation
of naturally occurring rock and soil for use in the design of civil works.
Entertainment/recreation, commercial (indoor): A facility offering indoor entertainment such as a bowling
alley, video arcade, dance hall, skating rink or billiard parlor. Also includes indoor archery, pistol or gun range.
Entertainment/recreation, commercial (outdoor): A facility offering outdoor entertainment or games of skill
to the general public for a fee or charge such as a golf driving range, archery range, or miniature golf course.
Equipment rental shop: A business establishment offering equipment for rental.
Equipment sales, repair and maintenance:A business establishment offering equipment for sale, including
repair and maintenance.
Erosion: The disturbance of land or transportation of soil or other native materials by running water,wind, ice
or other geological agents.
Espresso/latte retail sales: An establishment with or without drive-through service offering coffee, tea and
other nonalcoholic beverages for sale to the public,with only limited sale of food items incidental to the
beverage service for take-out or consumption on the premises.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 21 of 53
Essential public facility: Facilities which are typically difficult to site, such as airports, state education
facilities, state or regional transportation facilities, state and local correctional facilities, solid waste handling,
inpatient facilities including substance abuse, mental health, and secure community transition facilities.
• Detention and post-detention facilities: Congregate residential facilities for the housing,training and
supervision of individuals under judicial detention including, but not limited to, prisons,jails, probation centers,
juvenile detention homes, halfway houses and related post-incarceration facilities.
• Hospital, psychiatric and/or substance abuse: A licensed facility providing inpatient residential
rehabilitation and supervision and outpatient care for individuals suffering from substance abuse, psychological
or emotional disease or defect.
•Secure community transition facility (SCTF):A licensed secure and supervised residential facility for
convicted sex offenders.
Excavation: The mechanical removal of earth material.
Exercise facility/gym/athletic club: A facility providing physical fitness equipment and facilities, including
weight rooms, running tracks, swimming pools, play courts and similar facilities, as well as counseling in
exercise and nutrition.
Existing manufactured home park or subdivision:A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the
construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at
a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of
concrete pads) is completed before the effective date of the adopted floodplain management regulations.
Expansion to an existing manufactured home park or subdivision: The preparation of additional sites by
the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including
the installation of utilities,the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete
pads).
Explosive manufacturing: The manufacture and storage of substances causing a sudden release of
pressure, gas and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure or high temperature including, but not
limited to, dynamite, gun powder, plastic explosives, detonators, or fireworks.
Explosive storage: Storage of explosive materials including, but not limited to, dynamite, gun powder, plastic
explosives, detonators, or fireworks.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 22 of 53
FAA: Federal Aviation Administration.
Family: An individual or two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption, or a group of not more
than five persons, excluding dependents, who are not related by blood, marriage or adoption, living together as
a single housekeeping unit.
Family home, adult:A licensed residential home in which a person or persons provide personal care, special
care, room, and board to two, but not more than six, adults who are not related by blood or marriage to the
person or persons providing the services.
Family home, child: A licensed child care facility providing regular care for not more than 12 children in the
family living quarters.
Farm machinery sales and repair: A specialized retail facility catering exclusively to the sale and repair of
farm machinery including tractors, farm implements, combines, loaders, applicators, and their accessories.
FCC: Federal Communications Commission.
Feed lot: A confined area or structure used for feeding, breeding or holding livestock for eventual sale or
slaughter, including barns, pens or other structures.
Feed/cereal/flour mill: A structure or building used to store or grind grain for animal or human consumption.
Fence: A wall or a barrier composed of stone, brick or posts connected by lumber, rails, panels, or wire for the
purpose of enclosing space, marking boundaries, serving as an obstruction or barrier or separating parcels of
land.
Fertilizer manufacture: The manufacture and storage of organic and chemical fertilizer, including manure and
sludge processing.
Fill: A deposit of earth material placed by artificial means.
Film/camera sales and service: The retail sale of photographic equipment and supplies, and the repair of
cameras, lenses,tripods, optical and related photographic accessories.
Film developing: The commercial processing of photographic film, including x-rays.
Fire lane: An access designed to accommodate emergency access to a parcel of land or its improvements.
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 23 of 53
Flood or flooding: A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land
areas from:
1. The overflow of inland or tidal waters; and/or
2.The unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any source.
Flood Insurance Rate Map or FIRM: The official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration has
delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the City.
Flood Insurance Study (FIS): The official report provided by the Federal Insurance Administration that
includes flood profiles, the Flood Boundary-Floodway Map, and the water surface elevation of the base flood.
Floodplain, 100-year:An area determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)or by
Spokane County to have a one percent chance of flooding in any given year.
Flood storage area: Floodplain areas designated on the FIRM where the storage and infiltration of floodwater
has been taken into account in reducing flood discharges. Storage areas may include floodwater conveyance
or floodway characteristics.
Floodway: The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in
order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one
foot.
Florist shop: A retail sales of floral arrangements and accessories.
Food product manufacturing/storage: The commercial production or preservation of food products from
agricultural products, and/or the packaging, repackaging or other preparation of food for wholesale distribution
including, but not limited to, starch manufacture, sugar refining, pickling, tobacco and vegetable oil
manufacture. See also"Meat/fish cutting, canning, curing and smoking."
Food sales, specialty/butcher shop/meat market: The retail sales of specialty meat and fish products, not
otherwise classified as a grocery store.
Food vendor, mobile: An itinerant vendor of beverages, processed foodstuff and produce.
Forest land: Land identified as of long-term significance for growing trees for commercial purposes (WAC 365-
190-030(7)).
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 24 of 53
Fraternity/sorority:An organization formed chiefly for social purposes which may function as a place for living
and eating, especially for college students. See also"Dwelling, congregate."
Freight forwarding: Land and facilities providing for the transport, storage and shipment of goods.
Frontage: The full length of a plot of land or a building measured alongside the road onto which the plot or
building fronts. In the case of contiguous buildings, individual frontages are usually measured to the middle of
any party wall. Interior lots which front on two streets are double frontage lots.
Fueling station:An establishment engaged in the retail sale of gasoline and automotive fuels and lubricants.
Funeral home:A facility licensed by the state engaged in preparing human remains for burial or cremation.
Services may include, but are not limited to, embalming, transport, memorial services, and the sale of caskets.
Furniture manufacture: The manufacture of furniture and cabinetry for regional distribution.
Furniture sales/repair: Retail sales of household furniture and repairs not including re-upholstery.
Garage, public: A building or portion thereof, other than a private garage, used for the care, parking, repair, or
storage of automobiles, boats, and/or recreational vehicles or where such vehicles are kept for remuneration or
hire.
Garment manufacture: The manufacture of apparel, including leather goods,for wholesale distribution.
Gift shop: Retail sales of miscellaneous gift items, including floral arrangements, stationery, statuary,
ornaments and decorations.
Golf course: Outdoor course of nine or more holes, including driving range, cart rentals, pro-shop and
restaurant services.
Grade: The vertical location of the ground surface.
• Existing grade is the grade prior to grading.
• Finish grade is the final grade of the site that conforms to the approved plan.
• Rough grade is the state at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plan.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 25 of 53
•The average elevation of the finished ground level at the center of all exterior walls of a building. In case of
any wall which is parallel to and within five feet of a lot line, elevation at the lot line adjacent to the center of the
wall shall be considered the finished ground level.
Grading:Any excavating or filling or combination thereof.
Grain elevator: A facility for the storage of grain. See also"Feed/cereal/flour mill."
Greenhouse/nursery, commercial: An establishment where flowers, shrubbery, vegetables, trees and other
horticultural and floricultural products are grown both in the open and in an enclosed building for sale on a retail
or wholesale basis.
Greenhouse, nursery, garden center, retail:An establishment where flowers, shrubbery, vegetables,trees
and other horticultural and floricultural products are grown both in the open and in an enclosed building for sale
on a retail basis.
Grocery store: A retail establishment offering a wide variety of comestibles, beverages and household
supplies for sale.
Group living: Living facilities for groups of unrelated individuals that include at least one person residing on the
site who is responsible for supervising, managing, monitoring and/or providing care, training or treatment of
residents characterized by shared facilities for eating, hygiene and/or recreation. Excludes detention and post-
detention facilities. See also"Dwelling, congregate."
Halfway house: See"Essential public facility."
Hardware store: An establishment engaged in the retail sale and/or rental of hardware and small tools.
Hazardous waste: All dangerous or hazardous waste materials, including substances composed of, or
contaminated by, radioactive and hazardous components as defined in RCW 70.105.010(11).
Hazardous waste storage: The holding of hazardous waste for a temporary period, as regulated by Chapter
173-303 WAC.
Hazardous waste treatment: The physical, chemical or biological processing of hazardous waste for the
purpose of rendering these wastes nondangerous or less dangerous, safer for transport, amenable for energy
or material resource recovery, amenable for storage, or reduced in volume.
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 26 of 53
Hearing examiner: The individual designated by the city council to conduct public hearings and render
decisions on amendments, special permits, conditional uses, appeals and other matters as set forth in Chapter
18.20 SVMC.
Helicopter: A rotorcraft that, for its horizontal motion, depends principally on its engine-driven rotors.
Heliport: A landing facility for rotary wing aircraft subject to regularly scheduled use and may include fueling or
servicing facilities for such craft.
Helistop:A landing pad for occasional and infrequent use by rotary wing aircraft. No on-site servicing or
fueling, and not for regularly scheduled stops.
High occupancy vehicle (HOV):A motorized vehicle carrying two or more passengers.
Hobby shop: A retail establishment offering games, crafts and craft supplies, and art supplies to the public.
Home furnishings, retail sales: A retail establishment offering decorating services and materials.
Home occupation:An occupation, profession or craft incidental to the residential use.
Horse boarding: A barn, stable, or other structure where owners or users of the property commercially bathe,
train, house and/or feed more than three horses or other riding animals, any of which are not owned by the
users or owners of the property for more than 24 consecutive hours.
Hospital: An institution licensed by the state offering in-and outpatient medical services, but not including
facilities treating exclusively psychiatric, substance or alcohol abuse.
Hospital, psychiatric and/or substance abuse: See"Essential public facility."
Hospital,specialty: A facility providing specialized in-and/or outpatient medical care, including hospices,
birthing centers, urgent and trauma care, but not including facilities treating psychiatric, substance or alcohol
abuse.
Hotel/motel: A building in which there are six or more guest rooms where lodging with or without meals is
provided for compensation, and where no provision is made for cooking in any individual room or suite.
Household pet: Any animal or bird, other than livestock, large or small animals and animals or birds
considered to be predatory or wild,which normally lives in or is kept in a residence.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 27 of 53
Ice plant: A facility manufacturing and distributing ice.
Incinerator: A vessel, device, apparatus, or structure designed to burn solid waste under controlled, nuisance-
free conditions, and at a relatively high temperature, for the purpose of reducing the combustible components
to a nonputrescible residue capable of ready disposal.
Industrial zoning districts: Those zones permitting various industrial and manufacturing uses. See also
"Zone, zoning district."
Infiltration: The infiltration of floodwater into the ground which may be taken into account in reducing flood
discharges.
Ink manufacture: A facility manufacturing printing ink, and inking supplies.
Jewelry, clock, musical instrument, assembly,sales/service: Retail sale, assembly, service and repair of
clocks, musical instruments and jewelry.
Kennel: An establishment or place, other than an animal or veterinary hospital or clinic or animal shelter,
where six or more dogs or six or more cats, or any combination thereof, over six months of age are housed,
groomed, bred, boarded,trained or sold commercially or as pets.
Key: A designated compacted fill placed in a trench excavated in earth material beneath the toe of a proposed
fill slope.
Laboratories (Bio Safety Level 2, OSHA Standards): A facility in which work is done with the broad spectrum
of indigenous moderate-risk agents present in the community and associated with human disease of varying
severity.
Laboratories (Bio Safety Level 3, OSHA Standards): A facility in which work is done with indigenous or
exotic agents where the potential for infection by aerosols is real and the disease may have serious or lethal
consequences.
Laboratories, Scientific (Bio Safety Level 4, OSHA Standards):A facility in which work is done with
dangerous and exotic agents which pose a high individual risk of life-threatening disease.
Landfill: A licensed facility for the sanitary disposal of solid waste.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 28 of 53
Landscape materials sales lot: The retail sale of organic and inorganic materials including, but not limited to,
soil and soil amendment, bark, sod, gravel, pea gravel, hardscape products, crushed rock, river rock and
landscape boulders primarily used for landscaping and site preparation purposes. The exclusive sale of
horticultural or floricultural stock that is permitted in a commercial greenhouse or nursery-wholesale shall not be
considered landscape materials.
Laundromat: A self-service facility providing machines for the washing and drying of clothes and personal
items.
Library: An establishment for the sole purpose of loaning and circulating books or providing a reading room
and reference service to the public whether conducted by a public or private agency or whether the service is
with or without direct cost to the user.
Liquor store: The retail sale of off-premises distilled spirits, beer and wine.
Livestock: Animals including, but not limited to, horses, cattle, llamas, sheep, goats, swine, reindeer, donkeys
and mules.
Loading zone:An off-street space or designated area or loading dock located on the same lot or site as the
buildings or use served,which provides for the temporary parking of a commercial vehicle while loading or
unloading merchandise, materials, or passengers.
Locksmith: The sale, service and repair of locks and other security devices.
Lot: An undivided tract or parcel of land having frontage on a public street and designated as a distinct tract.
• Lot aggregation: The consolidation of one or more lots into a single parcel through the elimination of lot
lines.
• Lot area: The area of a horizontal plane intercepted by the vertical projections of the front, side, and rear lot
lines of a building lot.
• Lot, corner:A building lot situated at the intersection of two public streets.
• Lot coverage: The percentage of the total area of a lot occupied by the base (first story or floor)of buildings
located on the lot.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 29 of 53
• Lot depth: The mean horizontal distance between the front lot line and the rear lot line of a building lot
measured at the respective midpoints of the front lot line and rear lot line within the lot boundary.
• Lot, double frontage:An interior lot with frontage on more than one street.
• Lot,flag: A lot of irregular shape with reduced frontage on a public or private street with dimensions which
are otherwise adequate at the building line.
• Lot, interior:A lot within a subdivision that is not located at the intersection of any adjacent public or private
street.
• Lot line:A boundary of a building lot.
• Lot line, front: The boundary of a building lot that is the line of an existing or dedicated street. Upon corner
lots either street line may be selected as the front lot line providing a front and rear yard are provided adjacent
and opposite, respectively, to the front lot line.
• Lot line, rear: A boundary of a lot which is most distant from and is, or is most nearly, parallel to the front lot
line.
• Lot line,side: A boundary of a lot which is not a front lot line or a rear lot line.
• Lot of record: An area of land designated as a residential lot on the plat or subdivision recorded or
registered, pursuant to statute, with the auditor for Spokane County.
• Lot, radial: Lots adjacent to curved streets or circular cul-de-sacs with side lot lines running roughly
perpendicular to the street right-of-way.
• Lot, reverse flag: A lot of irregular shape with reduced access to a rear alley, amenity or natural feature.
• Lot segregation: The re-establishment of lot lines within parcels aggregated for tax purposes.
• Lot width: The width of a lot at the front building line. Measurements on irregularly shaped lots to be taken in
a straight line from a point where the front building line crosses the side property lines.
Lowest floor: The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement).An unfinished or flood-
resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking of vehicles, building access or storage, in an area other than a
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 30 of 53
basement area, is not considered a building's lowest floor; provided,that such enclosure is equipped with
adequate flood-ventilation openings specified in SVMC 21.30.090(C)(1)(b).
Lumber mill,sawmill,shingle mill, plywood mill: The manufacture of wood products, including cutting,
planning, preservation and veneering, match manufacture and millwork.
Machine/machinery manufacturing: The fabrication of machines and machinery.
Machine shop: See"Metal fabrication."
Manufactured home fabrication: The construction and assembly of manufactured housing units.
Manufactured home sales: A sales lot for manufactured housing units with display models.
Manufactured home subdivision: A subdivision designed exclusively for manufactured housing.
Manufactured (mobile) home: A pre-assembled dwelling unit transportable in one or more sections,which is
built on a permanent chassis and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to
the required utilities certified by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. The term
"manufactured home"does not include a"recreational vehicle."
Manufactured (mobile) home park: A site having as its principal use the rental of space for occupancy by two
or more manufactured (mobile) homes, and the accessory buildings, structures, and uses customarily
incidental to such homes.
Manufacturing, nonmetallic metal products: The manufacture of clay, earthenware, brick, vitreous, cement
and concrete, including readi-mix, concrete block, lime, gypsum, stone and stone product.
Manufacturing, petroleum and coal products: The manufacture of asphalt paving, roofing and coating and
petroleum refining.
Market, outdoor:A temporary or seasonal location where produce and agricultural products including, but not
limited to, pumpkins, Christmas trees and firewood, as well as crafts and other items are offered for sale to the
public.
Massage therapy: An establishment providing the therapeutic massage services of a licensed massage
therapist.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 31 of 53
Meat/fish cutting, canning, curing and smoking: The processing and packaging of meat and fish for
wholesale distribution; does not include the slaughter of animals.
Meat packing: The slaughter of live animals and the inspection and processing of animal carcasses. See
"Animal processing."
Medical and laboratory instrument/apparatus manufacture: The manufacture of medical and dental
equipment, supplies, and instruments.
Medical/dental clinic:A facility where three or more medical or dental professionals or paraprofessionals,
including physicians, dentists, endodontists, physical therapists, dental hygienists, physician assistants, or
osteopaths, provide outpatient services on a regular basis.
Medical/dental office: A facility housing less than three medical or dental professionals or paraprofessionals.
Medical, dental and hospital equipment supplies and sales: The sale of medical/dental equipment and
supplies including, but not limited to, uniforms, prosthetics, pharmacy, optics, and corrective appliances.
Metal fabrication: The fabrication of metal products including chain and cable manufacture, sheet metal
fabrication, machining, welding and punching.
Metal plating: The electroplating, galvanizing and dip plating of various kinds of metal.
Metal processes, hot: Metal processes including blast furnace, coke oven, die casting, drop hammer or forge,
metal reduction, reclamation, and refining.
Mineral product manufacturing, nonmetallic: The manufacture of brick, cement, gypsum, lime, plaster of
paris, tile, stoneware, earthenware and terra cotta.
Mineral resource lands: Lands primarily devoted to the extraction of minerals with potential for long-term
commercial significance (WAC 365-190-030(13)).
Mining: Mineral extraction, not including oil and gas.
Mobile food vendors: Itinerant vendors of prepared foods and beverages.
Model home: The temporary use of one or more single-family residential units for the marketing and promotion
of residential subdivisions.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 32 of 53
Multiple building complex: A group of structures, or a single structure, with dividing walls and separate
entrances for each business, housing retail businesses, offices, commercial ventures or independent or
separate parts of a business which share the same lot, access and/or parking facilities.
Museum: A premises housing the display of antiquities or artifacts of historical or artistic significance.
Music store: The retail sale of recorded music, musical instruments, sheet music and similar items.
MUTCD: The U.S. Department of Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
NAICS: North American Industry Classification System.
Neighborhood: A geographic area or subarea bounded by distinct physical boundaries, such as major or
minor arterials, geologic formations, broad open spaces and similar features, centered around common
interests or facilities.
New construction: Structures for which the"start of construction"commenced on or after the effective date of
the ordinance codified in this appendix.
New manufactured home park or subdivision:A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the
construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at
a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of
concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date of adopted floodplain management regulations.
Nonconforming:A lot, use, building, or structure,which was legal when commenced or built, but which does
not conform to subsequently enacted or amended regulations pursuant to SVMC 19.20.060.
Nursing home: See"Convalescent home/nursing home."
Occupancy: The type of construction required based on the use of the structure as established by adopted
building codes.
Office: A business office maintained as a principal use including, but not limited to, insurance, sales,legal or
other professional office, but does not include medical or dental clinics. See also"Medical/dental clinic."
Office supply and computer sales: The retail sale of office supplies and office equipment, including
computers, copiers and communication equipment.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1. Page 33 of 53
Off-road recreational vehicle use: The operation of any gas-powered motorized vehicle including, but not
limited to, motorcycles and/or all-terrain vehicles, on private property for recreational purposes. This definition
does not include vehicles used for yard or garden work in residential areas.
Off-street parking: The amount of vehicular parking to be provided on private property for a specified use.
Open space:An area accessible to and permanently reserved for the common use and enjoyment of the
occupants of residential uses for landscaping, leisure and recreational purposes. Open space does not include
area devoted to parking, accessory uses, landscaping required pursuant to this code, drainage easements,
border easements or building separation required under adopted building codes.
Opponent of record: A person who has provided verbal or written testimony in opposition to a proposal/project
before or during the public testimony portion of a hearing, or filled out and submitted a party of record notice
indicating opposition prior to the close of the public hearing.
Orchard,tree farming, commercial: A planting of trees producing fruit and/or nuts and the cultivation of trees
for the purpose of sale.
Overlay zone:A zoning designation that supplements the provisions of the underlying zone within a specified
geographic area.
Owner(s): Any person, partnership, corporation, association, unincorporated organization,trust or any other
legal commercial entity having sufficient proprietary interest to authorize development of land.
Owner's agent: Any person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of real property.
Paper product manufacturing: The manufacture of paper products.
Paper/pulp mills: Manufacturing plants producing paper and paper pulp from timber.
Park-and-ride facility:A parking area or structure used for the temporary storage of motor vehicles for
individuals using public transit or car/van pools.
Park, public: A site designated or developed for recreational use by the public including, but not limited to,
indoor facilities such as museums, swimming pools and skating rinks, and outdoor facilities such as athletic
fields, community gardens, playgrounds,fishing areas, and areas and trails for hikers, equestrians, bicyclists,
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 34 of 53
or off-road recreational vehicle users.Accessory uses include concessions, maintenance facilities, caretakers'
dwellings, and parking facilities.
Parking area, satellite: A parking area more than 300 feet away from the establishment, building, structure, or
use which it is designed to serve.
Parking facility: A parking area, building, or structure used for the specific purpose of parking or storage of
motor vehicles.
Parking facility, controlled access: A parking garage or surface lot controlling patron access using
attendants or ticket dispensers.
Party of record: A person who has provided verbal or written testimony in or regarding a public hearing on a
land use action.
Paved surface:A paved surface shall consist of asphalt, Portland cement, concrete or equivalent material laid
to City specifications.
Pawn shop: An establishment where money is loaned on the security of personal property pledged in the
keeping of the owner or proprietor. Also includes the retail sales of used items.
Performance surety: A financial guarantee that infrastructure required for a project will be constructed and
certified according to the accepted plans and specifications and all applicable standards.
Permitted use: An allowable activity or use within a zoning district.
Person: A corporation, company, association, society,firm, partnership or joint stock company, as well as an
individual, a state, and all political subdivisions of a state or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
Person or party having standing: Any party of record.
Personal services: Services including, but not limited to, barber shops/beauty salons, nail salons, tanning
salons, specialty boutiques, day spas and similar services.
Pet shop: The retail sale of household pets and pet supplies and equipment.
Petroleum and coal products manufacture: The manufacture of petroleum and coal products including
lubricating oil and oil compounding.
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 35 of 53
Photographic studio:A retail establishment that provides portrait and other photographic services.
Pipeline: Gravity or pressurized pipelines for the long-distance transmission of water, petroleum products,
natural gas, and other commodities such as ores in the form of slurries.
Planned residential development(PRD):A residential development project meeting the requirements of
Chapter 19.50 SVMC characterized by flexibility in the regulations of a residential zoning district.
Planning agency: The Spokane Valley community development department, together with its planning
commission.
Planning commission: See"Commission."
Plastic and rubber product manufacture: A chemical manufacturing process utilizing resin and synthetic
compounds for plastics and rubber.
Plastic molding (thermoplastic): A process of converting pelletized plastic into molds using heat,without the
use of solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOC). Thermoplastic resins can be melted, formed and
resolidified. Thermoplastic processes include injection molding, blow molding, injection blow molding, rotational
molding, roto-molding, and extrusion molding. Does not include solvent molding.
Plastic molding (thermoset):An injection molding process which uses heat, industrial processes and solvents
to create plastic forms which cannot be reformed. Thermoset processes include bag molding, cold molding,jet
molding, pulp molding, transfer molding and compression molding.
Plastic solvent molding: Also known as dip molding,forms thermoplastic articles by dipping a male mold and
drawing off the solvent to leave a plastic film adhering to the mold.
Pollution generating impervious surface (PGIS): Surfaces that are subject to vehicular use, industrial
activities, or storage of erodible or leachable materials that receive direct rainfall, or run-on or blow-in rainfall.
Metal roofs are PGIS unless coated with an inert, nonleachable material. Roofs that are subject to venting of
commercial or industrial pollutants are also considered PGIS. A surface, whether paved or not, shall be
considered PGIS if it is regularly used by motor vehicles.The following are considered regularly used surfaces:
roads, graveled and/or paved road shoulders, bike lanes within the traveled lane of a roadway, driveways,
parking lots, unfenced fire lanes, vehicular storage yards, and airport runways.
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 36 of 53
Post office, postal center:A facility owned or operated under contract with the U.S. Postal Service for the
delivery of mail and packages.
Precision instrument runway: An existing or planned runway with instrument approach utilizing an instrument
landing system (ILS), or precision approach radar(PAR)as prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Principal dwelling unit: The principal structure on a lot that is the main residence to which the property is
devoted.
Principal structure: The principal building or other structure on a lot or building site designed or used to
accommodate the primary use to which the premises are devoted.
Principal use: The predominant use to which the lot or property is or may be devoted and to which all other
uses are accessory.
Print shop: Retail print services, including blueprinting, photostat copies, copier and other business support
services.
Printing, reprographics and bookbinding: Commercial printing including engraving, manifold form printing
and book binding.
Professional civil engineering geologist: A geologist experienced and knowledgeable in engineering
geology and licensed by the state of Washington to practice.
Professional engineer: A civil engineer licensed in Washington under Chapter 18.43 RCW who is qualified by
examination and/or experience to practice in the fields of civil, geotechnical and/or soils engineering.
Professional inspection: The observation and testing to determine conformance with project plans and
specifications required by this code performed by a professional civil engineer and/or professional civil
engineering geologist. Such inspection includes that performed by persons supervised by such engineers or
geologists and shall be sufficient to form an opinion relating to the conduct of the work.
Prohibited use:A use not specifically enumerated as a permitted use, accessory use, a conditional use, a
temporary use, or a legal nonconforming use.
Project permit:Any land use or environmental permit or license required for development or construction
including, but not limited to, building permits, short plats, subdivisions, binding site plans, planned unit
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 37 of 53
developments, conditional uses, variances, shoreline permits, site plan review, permits or approvals required
by Chapter 21.40 SVMC, Critical Areas, site-specific zone reclassifications, manufactured home parks, and
change of condition request.
Proper functioning condition (PFC): A methodology for assessing the physical functioning of riparian and
wetland areas, which describes both the assessment process and a defined on-the-ground condition of a
riparian or wetland area.
Public utility: A regulated public or private enterprise with an exclusive franchise for providing a public service
paid for directly by the recipient of that service.
Public utility local distribution facility:Any building, structure, or device which transfers directly to the public
the service or supply provided by a public utility, including telephone, electric, gas, cable television,water and
sewer, and all other facilities, equipment and structures necessary for conducting a local distribution service by
a government or public utility.
Public utility transmission facility: Any building, structure, or device which does not directly transfer to the
public the service or supply provided by a public utility, including telephone, electric(greater than 55 KV), gas,
cable television,water and sewer, and all other facilities, equipment, and structures, including substations,
switching stations, and reservoirs.
Racecourse: An outdoor track or course laid out for competition, testing, practice or use by motorized vehicles
including, but not limited to, automobiles, go-carts, all-terrain vehicles, mopeds, scooters, snowmobiles,
motorcycles, remote-controlled cars and airplanes. See also"Entertainment/recreation, commercial (outdoor)."
Racetrack: A state-licensed facility permitting competitive racing of vehicles, horses and dogs.
Radio/TV broadcasting studio: Facilities serving the broadcast media.
Railroad yard, repair shop and roundhouse: Facilities serving railroad operations.
Record: The official file, exhibits, maps and slides including the tape recorded proceedings or transcription
thereof.
Record of survey:A survey prepared and sealed by a registered Washington surveyor identifying the
boundaries of land and real property, and the location or placement of other improvements.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 38 of 53
Recreational facility, indoor: A place designed and equipped for the conduct of sports and leisure-time
activities within an enclosed space. Examples include gymnasiums, amusement arcades, health and fitness
clubs, indoor tennis and racquetball courts, bowling alleys, and indoor swimming pools. This definition excludes
indoor sports arenas, auditoriums, and exhibition halls.
Recreational vehicle (RV): A vehicular-type built on a single chassis designed as temporary living quarters for
recreational, camping, or travel use,with or without motor power including, but not limited to, travel trailers,
truck campers, camping trailers and self-propelled motor homes.
Recreational vehicle park/campground: An area where facilities are provided for recreational or camping
vehicles or travel trailers, tents or other portable habitation, utilized by the public as a place for camping,
vacationing, or temporary usage, which are in place for not more than 30 days.The park may include certain
recreational or service facilities for the use of the residents of the park.
Recreational vehicle sales and service: An area for the display, sales and service of recreational vehicles.
Recycling facility:A facility that accepts recyclable materials and may perform some processing activities.
The principal function is to separate and store materials that are ready for shipment to end-use markets, such
as paper mills, aluminum smelters or plastic manufacturing plants. Processing activities may include baling,
compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, mechanical sorting, or cleaning.
Repeater facility: A facility for the noncommercial reception and retransmission of radio signals.
Restaurant, drive-in:An establishment designed and constructed to serve food and beverages for
consumption on the premises, in an automobile or for carry-out for off-premises consumption and which
establishment may or may not have on-premises dining room or counter.
Restaurant, drive-through: An establishment serving food to the general public with designated dining areas
and allowing carry-out window(s) serving a single lane of automobiles for the purpose of serving food to go
where food consumption is not allowed in automobiles on the premises.
Restaurant,full service: An establishment serving food and beverages to the general public in specific
designated dining areas.
Retail sales: An establishment engaged in selling goods or merchandise to the general public for personal or
household consumption and rendering services incidental to the sale of such goods.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 39 of 53
Retaining wall:Any wall not an integral part of a building, used to resist the lateral displacement of earth
material.
Riding stable: A commercial enterprise renting horses and providing equestrian instruction.
Right-of-way: The land area provided by dedication for public use for streets, utilities,walks, and other uses,
also providing access to adjoining properties.
Riparian management zone (RMZ):A fish and wildlife conservation buffer established pursuant to Chapter
21.40 SVMC.
Roadway: The paved or improved portion of a street/road, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel
including shoulders, auxiliary lanes, curbs, sidewalks, etc.
Rolling mill: Primary metal manufacturing including the rolling and drawing of purchased metals.
Roof: A structural covering over any portion of a building or structure, including the projections beyond the
walls or supports of the building or structure.
Runway: Any existing or planned paved surface or turf-covered area of an airport which is specifically
designed and used, or planned to be used, for the landing and/or taking off of aircraft.
Schools: Public and private institutions of learning offering instruction from kindergarten to grade 12 required
by the Education Code of the State of Washington.
Schools, professional, vocational and trade schools: Post-secondary professional and training education.
Secondhand store/consignment sales: The sale and resale of used merchandise including thrift shops and
consignment shops.
Secure residential treatment facility: See"Essential public facility."
SEPA: The Washington State Environmental Policy Act of 1971, and administrative codes developed pursuant
thereto or any amendments thereto.
Shared access: A common point of vehicle and pedestrian access from a right-of-way, or a vehicular access
easement or tract for more than one lot or use.
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 40 of 53
Shorelands or shoreland areas: Those lands extending landward for 200 feet in all directions as measured
on a horizontal plane from the ordinary high-water mark;floodways and contiguous floodplain areas landward
200 feet from such floodways; and all wetlands and river deltas associated with the streams, lakes (RCW
98.58.030(2)(d)).
Shoreline master program: Locally adopted plans and regulations governing uses and activities within the
shorelines of the state and shorelines of statewide significance identified in the Spokane Valley Comprehensive
Plan.
Shoreline of statewide significance: A natural river or segment thereof east of the crest of the Cascade
range downstream of a point where the mean annual flow is measured at 200 cubic feet per second or more
and lakes or impoundments of 1,000 or more acres (RCW 98.58.030(2)(f)).
Shoreline of the state: All of the water areas of the state, including reservoirs, and their associated
shorelands, together with the lands underlying them; except:
1. Shorelines of statewide significance;
2. Shorelines on segments of streams upstream of a point where the mean annual flow is 20 cubic feet
per second or less and the wetlands associated with such upstream segments; and
3. Shorelines on lakes less than 20 acres in size and wetlands associated with such small lakes. (RCW
98.58.030(2)(e).) Shorelines of statewide significance are shorelines of the state.
Sign: A visual communication device, structure, or fixture which is visible from any right-of-way and is intended
to aid in promoting the sale of products, goods, services, events or to identify a building using graphics, letters,
figures, symbols,trademarks or written copies. Sign types include:
•Abandoned structure: A sign support structure upon which a sign is located when the advertised business is
no longer conducted on the premises.
• Banner: A temporary sign of lightweight material mounted to a pole or building.
• Mural:A work of art applied directly to an exterior surface where forms and/or figures are the dominant
elements and not containing any copy.
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 41 of 53
• Name plate: A sign showing only the name and address of the owner or occupant of the premises.
• Reader board: A sign face consisting of tracks to hold readily changeable letters allowing frequent changes
of copy.
•Sign:Any board, poster, placard, banner, flag, pennant, streamer, or similar structure, electronic or otherwise
which is constructed, placed, attached, painted or fastened in any manner for the purpose of attracting attention
of the public to any place, person, entity, or business.
•Sign, abandoned:A copy sign that advertises a product or service no longer available or a business no
longer in operation; a sign which is illegible, in disrepair, or a safety hazard as a result of lack of maintenance;
or a nonconforming sign that has lost its nonconforming rights.
•Sign area: The gross surface area of the sign.
• Sign, billboard: A structure for the purpose of leasing advertising space to promote an interest other than
that of an individual, business, product or service available on the premises on which the structure is located.
•Sign, copy: Letters, characters, illustrations, logos, graphics, symbols,writing or any combination thereof
designed to communicate information of any kind, or to advertise, announce or identify a person, entity,
business, business product, or to advertise the sale, rental or lease of premises.
•Sign, copy area: The area of the sign containing any copy, symbol, sign, logo or graphic.
•Sign, decorative emblem (or standard): A one-or two-sided sign with or without copy that is securely
attached by grommets to the top and bottom of a mounting bracket attached to a permanently installed lighting
fixture.
•Sign, directional: Any sign relating solely to internal pedestrian and vehicular traffic circulation within a
complex or project.
•Sign, electronic: A sign that can be changed by electrical, electronic or computerized process; inclusive of
video boards.
• Sign,flashing: An electrical sign or portion thereof which changes light intensity in a brief, brilliant, or sudden
and transient outburst of light causing a steady on and off, glittering, sparkling, or oscillating pattern.
•Sign,freestanding: A permanent sign not attached to or forming part of a building.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 42 of 53
•Sign,freeway:A permanent freestanding on-premises sign or billboard located on a parcel adjacent and
contiguous to Interstate Highway 90.
•Sign, inflatable: Any temporary hollow item or character expanded or enlarged by the use of air or gas.
•Sign, menu board:An on-site display of menu items at a restaurant; not meant to be viewed from the street.
•Sign, monument:A sign and supporting structure constructed as a solid structure or one that gives the
appearance of a continuous, non-hollow, unbroken mass.
•Sign, multi-business complex:A sign with a primary facility name and a list of the individual stores or
businesses mounted on one structural element. Such a sign type includes signage describing a mall
arrangement, a strip-center development, an industrial park complex, or a multi-business structure or complex
of buildings with a unifying name and a listing of businesses contained within the grouping.
• Sign, nonconforming: Any sign which was lawfully erected and maintained on private property which now,
as a result of code amendments, does not conform to all applicable regulations and restrictions of this code.
•Sign, notice: A sign intended to safeguard the premises (e.g., "No Parking,""No Trespassing,""Watch Dog
on Duty"); or which identifies emergency telephone number, hours, and security information.
•Sign, official:A sign erected by a governmental agency within its territorial jurisdiction for the purpose of
carrying out an official duty or responsibility and including, but not limited to,traffic signs and signals,zoning
signs, and street signs. Special lighting or banners celebrating seasonal or civic events sponsored and/or
endorsed by the city council may be official signs.
•Sign, off-premises: A sign which advertises or directs attention to a business, person, organization, activity,
event, place, service, or product not principally located or primarily manufactured or sold on the premises on
which the sign is located.
•Sign, on-premises: A sign which advertises or directs attention to a business, person, organization,activity,
event, place, service, or product which is manufactured and/or available on the premises where the sign is
located.
•Sign, permanent: Signs permanently affixed to a pole, monument, or building. Including decorative emblems
(or standards) affixed by rope, cords,wires, or mechanical devices.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 43 of 53
•Sign, pole:A permanent freestanding sign supported wholly by a pole or poles permanently affixed to the
ground and not attached to a building or structure.
• Sign, POP—Point of purchase: A sign relating to the place, such as a supermarket aisle or soda machine,
where a decision to purchase is made.
• Sign, portable:A sign not permanently attached or affixed to the ground or other permanent structure, or a
sign designed to be transported or moved from place to place including, but not limited to, signs designed to be
transported by means of skids, or wheels, and including reader boards, and A-frame signs.
•Sign, roof: A sign supported by and erected on or above a roof that does not meet the requirements of a wall
sign.
• Sign, support structure(s): Posts or columns and the anchors and bolts that structurally support the sign
attached to it.
•Sign,temporary: Banners, pennants, flags, streamers, searchlights, inflatables, special event signage or
temporary on-premises commercial signs posted in conjunction with the alteration, construction, sale or lease
of real property.
• Sign,three-sided:A sign with three faces.
•Sign,two-sided:A sign with two faces.
•Sign,wall (attached):A permanent sign attached or erected parallel to and extending not more than 15
inches from the facade or face of any building to which it is attached and supported throughout its entire length,
with the exposed face of the sign parallel to the plane of said wall or facade. Signs incorporated into mansard
roofs, marquees or canopies are wall signs.
•Wall area: The two-dimensional representation of a building elevation, including windows and doors,
excluding eaves.
Sign manufacturing/repair: The manufacture of commercial signs and sign support structures.
Sign painting shop: The painting, etching or printing of sign copy.
Site:Any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof, under a single ownership or control, proposed
for development,where grading is performed or permitted.
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 44 of 53
Site development plan: A plan drawn to scale for one or more lots, parcels or tracts on which is shown the
existing and proposed conditions of the lot, tract or parcel.
Site drainage plan: A plan prepared by a professional engineer licensed in the state of Washington that
identifies the stormwater control area, stormwater facilities and other measures reasonably required by the
director. The plan shall contain analysis and recommendations based upon the City standards.
Slope: An inclined ground surface the inclination of which is a ratio of vertical distance to horizontal distance,
expressed as a percentage.
Soap and cleaning compound manufacturing: The manufacture of soaps, detergents and cleaning
chemicals and solvents.
Soil:A natural aggregate of mineral grains that can be separated by such gentle mechanical means as
agitation in water.
Solid waste: All putrescible and nonputrescible solid and semisolid material including, but not limited to,
garbage, refuse, bulky wastes, inert waste, agricultural solid waste, sewage sludge and demolition and
construction wastes.
Solid waste recycling/transfer site: A site storing solid waste or recyclable materials, prior to transport to a
central disposal or collection location.
Special flood hazard areas (SFHA): The land area covered by the flood waters of the base flood is the SFHA
on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) maps. The SFHA is the area where the NFIP's floodplain
management regulations must be enforced and the area where the mandatory purchase of flood insurance
applies.
Specialized training/learning schools/studios:A facility providing specialized classes to persons of all ages
including, but not limited to, gymnastics, fitness, martial arts and dance.
Spoil: Any material removed from an excavation.
Standard soils: Soils comprised of the Natural Resources Conservation District groups: Garrison, Springdale,
Bonner, and Hagen.
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 45 of 53
Start of construction: Includes substantial improvement, and the date the building permit was issued,
provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, placement or other improvement was within 180
days of the permit date. The actual start means either the first placement of permanent construction of a
structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns,
or any work beyond the stage of excavation; or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation.
Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling; nor does it
include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings,
piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of
accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure.
For a substantial improvement,the actual start of construction means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling,
floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the
building.
Storage, general indoor: The storage of equipment, merchandise and supplies within an enclosed structure.
Storage, general outdoor: The storage of any equipment, machinery, commodities, raw, semi-finished
materials, and building materials,which is visible from any point on the building lot line when viewed from
ground level to six feet above ground level.The outdoor display of motor vehicles, equipment for sale or lease,
manufactured housing or landscaping and nursery stock available for sale to the public is not general outdoor
storage.
Storage,self-service facility: A facility including buildings and/or structures containing spaces of varying sizes
leased, rented or sold on an individual basis and used exclusively for the storage of excess property and
outdoor storage of vehicles and boats.
Stormwater: That portion of precipitation or snow melt that has not naturally percolated into the ground or
otherwise evaporated, but is contained, transported or flowing above ground through streets, swales, channels,
pipes, artificial or natural surfaces.
Stormwater drainage facility: Constructed and natural features which function together as a system to collect,
convey, channel, hold, inhibit, retain, detain, infiltrate, evaporate, divert,treat or filter stormwater. Stormwater
facilities include, but are not limited to, pipes, ditches, culverts, street gutters, detention ponds, retention ponds,
evaporation ponds, constructed wetlands, infiltration devices, catch basins, oil/water separators and swales.
Stormwater facility: The drainage system including, but not limited to, drywell, channel, inlet, curb drop,
swale, ditch, detention, retention, and/or infiltration facility designed to contain and control stormwater.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 46 of 53
Street, arterial, minor: Roadways identified in the Spokane Valley Comprehensive Plan providing for
interconnection with and augmentation of the principal arterial system and providing local mobility.
Street, arterial, principal: Roadways identified in the Spokane Valley Comprehensive Plan providing for
regional mobility.
Street, collector: Roadways identified in the Spokane Valley Comprehensive Plan providing for both land
access and traffic circulation within residential neighborhoods and commercial and industrial areas.
Street,flanking: One of the two streets abutting a corner lot which is not parallel with the lot front line.
Street, local access:A street providing access to abutting property.
Structure:Any construction, including a building or any portion thereof, erected for the purposes of support,
shelter or enclosure of persons, animals or property of any kind, including swimming pools, decks in excess of
30 inches in height, and roof overhangs exceeding three feet. A fence of six feet or less in height is not a
structure, nor a masonry, brick, concrete, or cinder block wall of less than four feet in height.
Subdivision: The subdivision of land into two or more parts for the purpose of establishing building sites, and
including both short subdivisions and long subdivisions.
Substantial damage: Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the
structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure
before the damage occurred.
Substantial improvement: Any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure,the cost of which equals
or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure either:
1. Before the improvement or repair is started; or
2. If the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred.
For the purposes of this definition, "substantial improvement" is considered to occur when the first alteration of
any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences,whether or not that alteration affects
the external dimensions of the structure.
The term does not, however, include either:
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 47 of 53
1.Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health,
sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official
and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
2. Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a state inventory of
historic places.
Swale: A constructed depression for the treatment and disposal of stormwater runoff. The swale shall be
designed by an engineer licensed in the state of Washington.
Tailor: A personal service providing alterations and fittings for apparel.
Tank storage(LPG): The storage of liquefied petroleum gas or its component gases.
Tank storage, critical materials: The storage of critical materials identified in Appendix 21-G (SVMC
21.40.060), including but not limited to gasoline, kerosene, diesel, lubricating oils, and solvents.
Tanning and curing of hides: The preparation of animal hides and skins for the manufacture of leather
products.
Tavern:A retail establishment serving alcoholic beverages with incidental food service.
Taxidermy: The operation of preserving, stuffing and mounting the skins of dead birds and animals for
exhibition.
Telecommunications: The transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of audio and/or
visual information and data of the user's choosing,without change in the form or content of the information as
sent and received.
•Alternative mounting structure: A water tower, manmade tree, clock tower, church steeple, bell tower, utility
pole, light standard,freestanding sign,flagpole, or similar structure designed to support and camouflage or
conceal the presence of telecommunications antennas.
•Antenna: A structure or device used to collect or radiate radio,television, or microwave electromagnetic
waves, including directional antennas, such as panels,wireless cable and satellite dishes, and omni-directional
antennas, such as whips, but not including satellite earth stations or noncommercial antennas installations for
home use of radio or television.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 48 of 53
•Array: An arrangement of antennas and their supporting structure.
•Collocation: A single telecommunications tower and/or site used by more than one telecommunications
service provider.
• Dish: A parabolic or bowl shaped device that receives and/or transmits signals in a specific directional
pattern.
• EIA-222: Electronics Industries Association Standard 222, "Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Towers
and Antennas Support Structures."
• Electric transmission: A self-supporting structure in excess of 50 feet in height designed to support high
voltage electric lines. This does not include local utility or distribution poles (with or without transformers)
designed to provide electric service to individual customers.
•Guyed,tower: Any telecommunications tower supported in whole or in part by cables anchored to the
ground.
• Height: The distance measured from grade to the highest point of any and all components of the structure,
including antennas, hazard lighting, and other appurtenances, if any.
•Monopole: A self-supporting telecommunications tower,which consists of a single vertical pole,fixed into the
ground and/or attached to a foundation.
• Panel: An antenna which receives and/or transmits signals in a directional pattern.
•Self-supporting lattice tower:A telecommunications tower that consists of an open network of metal braces,
usually triangular or square in cross-section.
•Service: The offering of telecommunications for a fee directly to the public, or to such classes of users as to
be effectively available directly to the public, regardless of the facilities used.
•Stealth: A telecommunications antenna that is effectively camouflaged or concealed from view.
•Telecommunications antenna:An antenna used to provide a telecommunications service. This excludes
lightning rods, private mobile radio systems, amateur radio antennas less than 35 feet in height in residential
districts and 50 feet in height in nonresidential districts, and whip antennas less than four inches (10 cm) in
diameter and less than 10 feet in height.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 49 of 53
•Tower:A self-supporting or guyed structure more than 20 feet in height, built primarily to support one or more
telecommunications antennas. Does not include ham operator or wind turbine support towers.
•Whip antenna: An omni-directional dipole antenna of cylindrical shape which is no more than six inches in
diameter.
Temporary use:A use permitted for a limited period of time or pending the occurrence of an event.
Textile manufacture:The manufacture of textiles, carpet, canvas and cordage, including knitting.
Theater:A structure or area designed for the presentation of live performances, including dramatic works,
concerts, and motion pictures.
Threshold requirements: The level of development, volume, or peak flow of stormwater that must be
controlled.
Tire recap and retread manufacture: The process of refurbishing and retreading used vehicle tires.
Title notice: A document recorded with the county auditor for the purpose of disclosure to a prospective
purchaser, lender or other interested party of important information, special conditions, restrictions, and/or
circumstances that affect real property.
Tower, ham operator:A structure less than 75 feet in height above grade used for two-way communication for
hobby or emergency service purposes by private individuals.
Tower,wind turbine support:A structure not enclosed with exterior walls used for the production of energy
such as a wind turbine tower. (Public utility towers used for the distribution or transmission of electricity and
wireless communication support towers are not included in this definition.)
Transit center:A facility serving transit patrons which may serve as a transfer point between different
transportation modes and routes, and providing parking.
Transitional housing: Congregate living facilities for temporarily displaced individuals and families with an on-
site resident manager including, but not limited to, homeless and protective shelters. Detention and post-
detention facilities, hospital, psychiatric and/or substance abuse and secure community transition facilities are
not transitional housing.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 50 of 53
Truck sales, rental, repair and maintenance: Land and facilities offering the sale, service and maintenance
of motor vehicles and cargo trailers with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight in excess of one ton.
Truck stop:A facility providing parking,fueling, and restaurant services for large trucks, and may include truck
washing facilities, sleeping accommodations and showers for drivers.
Underground injection control (UIC)well:A manmade subsurface fluid distribution system designed to
discharge fluids into the ground and consists of an assemblage of perforated pipes, drain tiles, or other similar
mechanisms, or a dug hole that is deeper than the largest surface dimension (WAC 173-218-030). Subsurface
infiltration systems include drywells, pipe or French drains, drain fields, and other similar devices that are used
to discharge stormwater directly into the ground.
Upholstery shop:A retail service for the upholstery and re-upholstery of furniture.
Variance: An adjustment to the strict application of regulations to a particular piece of real property which,
because of special circumstances, is deprived of privileges commonly enjoyed by other properties in the vicinity
and similar zone classification. The adjustment remedies the disparity in privileges; provided,that a variance
granted shall not authorize a use otherwise prohibited in the zone classification in which the property is located.
Veterinary hospital or clinic, large animal: An establishment providing veterinary medical services and
similar services to livestock, such as horses, cows, donkeys, sheep, pigs, and similar animals, and may include
outdoor pens.
Veterinary hospital or clinic, small animal: An establishment other than a kennel in which veterinary medical
services, clipping, bathing, boarding and similar services are rendered to dogs, cats and other small animals
and domestic pets.
Warehouse: A structure in which more than 50 percent of the ground floor area is utilized for the storage of
products, which is not the office or showroom area of the building.
Warranty surety: A financial guarantee against defects in the construction of all required infrastructure for a
project.
Welding: The process of uniting metal parts through heat and/or pressure.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 51 of 53
Wetland: An area characterized by saturated or nearly saturated soils most of the year that forms an interface
between terrestrial (land-based) and aquatic environments.Wetlands include marshes around lakes or ponds
and along river or stream channels.
Wholesale business: Those businesses which sell, broker, transfer, receive or otherwise handle volume
commodities for fabrication, resale or internal commercial or industrial consumption.
Wood product manufacturing: The manufacture of wood products, such as lumber, plywood, veneers,wood
containers, wood flooring, wood trusses, and prefabricated wood buildings. The production processes include
sawing, planing, shaping, laminating, and assembling of wood products starting from logs that are cut into
bolts, or lumber that then may be further cut, or shaped by lathes or other shaping tools.
Wrecking,junk and salvage yards: Any area, lot, land, parcel, building, structure or part thereof where waste
or discarded or salvaged materials are exchanged, handled, bought, sold, baled, packed, stripped, stored,
dumped or disassembled including, but not limited to, inoperable vehicles, tires, machines or remnants thereof,
and/or metals, paper, rags, tires and bottles.
WRIA: Water resources inventory area.
Xeriscaping:A planting practice that relies on minimal or no irrigation, eliminating heavily watered landscaping
in favor of those that combine low water requirements with plants adapted to the region.
Yard: An open space, other than a court, on a lot, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward.
• Flanking street yard: That unoccupied area of a lot which is coterminous with a flanking street bounded by
the front yard and rear yard and the flanking street yard depth.
• Front yard: An area extending across the full width of a lot and lying in between the front lot line and building
setback line. The front yard is usually the location of the main entrance to the building and/or its orientation to
the primary street.
• Rear yard: An area extending across the full width of the lot and lying between the lot rear line and that
portion of a proposed or existing building or structure closest to the lot rear line or between the lot rear line and
the required rear yard depth in each classification when no building or structure exists or is proposed.
•Side yard: That area of a lot that is unoccupied and which is not a front yard, a rear yard nor a flanking street
yard.
Ordinance 25-027,Attachment 1 Page 52 of 53
Zero lot line development:A residential development for single-family detached where each dwelling is
located in close proximity to an interior side property line,with a minimum side yard maintained between each
adjacent residence.
Zone,zoning district: A use classification established for the purpose of promoting orderly and efficient
development of land compatible with surrounding areas implementing the Comprehensive Plan.
Ordinance 25-027, Attachment 1 Page 53 of 53