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City of Bellingham Municipal Code
Title 20 LAND USE DEVELOPMENT Chapter 34 COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
20.34.040 - DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
A
.
Applicability
1.
The regulations of this section shall apply to the development of any principal and/or accessary use other than a single family dwelling within any area designated with the Commercial General Use Type; except where the "planned" use qualifier is designated.
2.
The regulations of this section shall apply to the development of any permitted conditional use in an area designated Commercial unless other applicable regulations appear within Conditional Use, Chapter 20.16 of the General Regulation Handbook.
B. Minimum Site Area. Any lot of record.
C. Maximum Building Size/Density
.
1.
Buildings utilized as retail establishments within neighborhood and auto commercial areas shall not exceed the maximum building size specified within the neighborhood plan land use classification system under "DENSITY." In Neighborhood Commercial areas generally, apartments shall not exceed one unit for every 500 sq. ft. of total site area and offices shall be limited to 2,000 sq. ft. of total gross floor area unless other regulations are stated in the neighborhood plan's land use classifications system which shall then apply.
2.
An individual retail establishment, including but not limited to membership warehouse clubs, discount stores, specialized product stores and department stores, shall not exceed 90,000 square feet of gross floor area.
For the purpose of this Subsection C.2., gross floor area shall consist of the sum of the gross horizontal areas of all floors within the inside perimeter of the exterior walls of the structure or tenant space and roofed or partially walled outdoor areas reserved for the display, storage, or sale of merchandise, including accessory uses inside the primary retail establishment. Structured parking is excluded. The gross floor area of adjacent stores shall be aggregated in cases where the stores (1) are engaged in the selling of similar or related merchandise and operate under common ownership or management; (2) share check stands, a warehouse, or a distribution facility; or (3) otherwise operate as associated, integrated or cooperative business enterprises.
A building space occupied by an existing single retail establishment larger than 90,000 square feet may change occupancy to a different retail establishment of the same or smaller size.
D. Height
.
The maximum building height within waterfront, auto, and neighborhood commercial areas shall be three stories but not exceeding 35 feet under height definition #1. (See height definition, and
Figure 6
).
E. Minimum Yards
1.
There shall be no minimum yards except in the following instances:
a.
Within the vision clearance triangle in neighborhood commercial areas. (See Section
20.34.120
, Vision Clearance)
b.
When land within a neighborhood commercial area is adjacent to land within an area having a residential general use type designation a minimum 20 foot yard shall be provided.
c.
When land within an auto commercial area is adjacent to land within an area having a residential general use type designation a minimum 25 foot yard shall be provided.
2.
The minimum yard required in E.(1)(b) or (c) above may be reduced to 10 feet provided an 8 foot high masonry wall is constructed adjacent to the property line which abuts the residential designated property.
F. Standards
1.
Animal Hospital
a.
The building must be maintained in accordance with current standards of the American Animal Hospital Association.
b.
The facility shall be designed and constructed to reduce sound levels to those standards as established by the Washington State Department of Ecology.
c.
Ventilation shall be designed and constructed to insure that there will be no emission of odor detrimental to persons in the area. No opening to the outside shall be permitted in areas where animals will be housed.
d.
All business shall be conducted within a completely enclosed structure.
e.
Boarding and grooming of animals, other than that incidental to medical and surgical care shall be prohibited.
f.
Off-street parking shall be provided pursuant to Section
20.12.010
, herein. All parking areas shall be screened from view from abutting residential districts.
2. Automotive Repair
a.
Complete minor automotive repairs; however, engine overhaul, body and fender work, tire recapping, and vehicle sales are prohibited.
b.
Inoperable motor vehicles shall not be stored on the premise longer than 30 days unless parked within an enclosed structure. Automobile wrecking is prohibited.
c.
All business shall be conducted within a completely enclosed structure.
3. Bed and Breakfast Facilities
a.
There shall be no outside visible evidence of the conduct of the Bed and Breakfast establishment other than 1 flat, unlighted sign, not exceeding 2 square feet in area, mounted flush against the building.
b.
A telephone shall be available for occupant use with emergency numbers and the address clearly posted.
[Ord. 2007-02-011; Ord. 9188 § 3, 1983; Ord. 9024 (part), 1982; Ord. 9639 §6, 1987]
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