All proposed subdivisions shall conform to the county comprehensive plan and all applicable zoning regulations in effect at the time they are submitted for approval. Lots shall be of sufficient area, width and length to satisfy zoning requirements, or, where zoning controls do not apply, to satisfy the minimum health and sanitation requirements of the county health department.
If, as of July 26, 1996, an existing lot was lawfully occupied by two (2) single family dwellings, such lot may be granted short plat approval under KCC Chapter 16.32 in order to permit the segregated sale or refinance of such dwellings, even though one or both of the resulting new lots will have dimensions less than required for the zoning district in which the property is located; provided, however, that the degree of density nonconformity shall not be increased. Site triangles shall be consistent with KCC § 12.04.030.
1. 
New small lots around existing residences.
a. 
Lots within AG zoning districts including Commercial AG, AG-20 and AG-5 zones that are greater than three acres may be subdivided to create one small lot around an existing residence, subject to recording of a covenant precluding further division of the subject lot while designated for agricultural use by the adopted Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan maintaining the minimum adjustment necessary to accommodate the proposed use, and it has contained a lawfully existing residence for at least the last five years, subject to the following:
i. 
The five-year date for the establishment of a lawfully existing residence starts from the issuance date of a Certificate of Occupancy by the Building Official or the date of the sign-off on the approved final inspection for the installation permit, if the residence is a manufactured home. If the permit holder failed to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy or approved final inspection of a residence, the applicant may provide other evidence to establish the date of the residence. However, no applications for land division will be accepted until such time that a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued or approved final inspection has been completed and all required changes have been made, if required by the Building Official. Such proof is not required for residences established prior to the adoption of the building code by Kittitas County on April 17, 1984.
ii. 
The small lot shall be one to three acres in size, except the Director may authorize a larger lot size under subsection 16.12.040(1)(A)(iii).
iii. 
Larger lot size authorized. The Director may authorize a larger lot size when the applicant submits evidence or information that documents one or more of the following:
a. 
The Kittitas County Health Department determines a larger area is necessary to include approved water supply and sewage disposal systems within the lot; or
b. 
The logical division to create the lot follows a physical feature which acts as a bonafide, practical obstacle to normal and necessary farming practices (e.g., rock outcrops; Type S and NP streams, slopes exceeding 15%; or a different intervening in-fee ownership physically separates that parcel by a State highway or primary irrigation district canal or major sublateral); or
c. 
A larger lot size is necessary to encompass existing related uses or structures in immediate proximity
iv. 
The lot comprising the balance of the division shall be capable of meeting all applicable setbacks and other requirements to ensure its continued agricultural use.
v. 
Any small lot allowed to be three acres or greater in size shall still be considered a small lot and is not capable of being further subdivided under this Section. A covenant or plat note indicating this restriction shall be recorded whenever a larger lot size is granted.
(Ord. 2005-31, 2005; Ord. 2016-023, 2016; Ord. 2021-015, 2021; Ord. 2022-005, 2022; Ord. 2022-017, 2022)
1. 
Open space. All plats which include open space shall contain appropriate plats notes to ensure the area will not be further subdivided in the future, the use of the open space for the purpose specified will continue in perpetuity, and the open space will be appropriately maintained to control noxious weeds and fire hazards. The identified open space tracts shall be proportionately owned by tenants in the common, and retained by each home owner, and will be assessed, taxed, and foreclosed upon each building lot not fulfilling their obligation. Open space lots shall not be required to be transferred to the other lot owners to be held in common ownership so long as the lots are used for the purposes of agricultural activities as that term is defined by RCW 90.58.065(2)(a) or the lots are designated as timber and forestlands according to RCW 84.33. Open space lots created as a result of an Agricultural Plat shall not be required to be transferred to the other lots owners to be held in common ownership.
2. 
This requirement shall not apply to lots retained by the original landowner or subsequent landowner(s) for the purpose of providing improved recreational facilities serving the benefited parcels. For the purposes of this condition, improved recreational facilities shall be those which exceed $100,000 in value.
3. 
Non-buildable lots. Any lots created specifically for, or dominated by, easements, roadways, storm water retention facilities, septic facilities or other purposes and as a result are non-buildable shall be proportionately owned by tenants in the common, and retained by each home owner, and will be assessed, taxed, and foreclosed upon each building lot not fulfilling their obligation.
(Ord. 2016-023, 2016)
Lot sizes shall comply with minimum zoning, health, and sanitation codes where applicable.
(Ord. 2005-31, 2005)
All lots will have utility easements shown on the face of the plat or in the plat restrictions. Said easements shall be of a width adequate to allow for future utility installations.
1. 
Drainage and storm water easements. Easement for drainage channels and ways shall be of sufficient width to assure that the same may be maintained and improved. Easements for storm water shall be provided and shall be 10 feet in width and properly located to permit future installations. No storm water discharge to irrigation entity facilities shall be authorized without a permit from the irrigation entity or ditch owner.
2. 
Utility installations. Utility lines, including, but not limited to electricity, water, natural gas, sewer, telephone and television cable, serving and located within the subdivision, shall be placed underground. Where topography, soil, or other conditions make underground installations impracticable, and the board, upon recommendation from the county engineer, so finds upon written evidence presented by the supplier of such utilities, may waive this requirement for underground utilities. Utility installations shall be in conformance with requirements of KCC Title 12 (Utilities within the right-of-way).
3. 
Public utilities. Where alleys are not provided, easements for public utilities shall be provided along lot lines where necessary, including any necessary access easements. There shall be a minimum of 10 feet in width. Where possible, the width of rear and side lot line easements shall be equally shared by abutting lots and easements shall be continuous and aligned from block to block within the subdivision and with adjoining subdivisions.
4. 
Irrigation easements. Any plat which includes a lot or lots consisting, in whole or in part, of irrigated land, or un-irrigated land classified by an irrigation district as irrigable to which there is a water right, shall provide adequate irrigation easements to each such lot. Any plat proposed for land through which irrigation water flows to downstream users shall provide easements for existing ditches, channels, conveyances and structures through which such water flows and such shall be shown on the plats, maps and original plans.
All easements and rights-of-way required pursuant to this subsection shall be of sufficient width for maintenance, and the plat shall contain on its face a note of access to downstream water users for the purpose of maintenance. Easements shall be labeled as “existing,” herein dedicated,” or “created via separate document.” In the event that the first or third options are used the recording number shall be shown on the map. All easements shall also include width and purpose of easement on the face of the map. Preliminary applications for the division of land shall conform to KCC Title 12 stormwater regulations and stormwater easements shall be shown prior to final approval of the document.
Any new easement necessary for Irrigation and delivery of water shall be reviewed by the Irrigation district or entity serving the site to make recommendations as to the final location and placement of new easements. It is recognized that the preference is to place new easements outside any existing right-of-way and the County road. Additional easement width may be required to accommodate the delivery or tail water. Existing irrigation conveyances within the County road right of way shall continue to exist under the Right to Farm Ordinance within this code.
(Ord. 2005-31, 2005; Ord. 2022-005, 2022; Ord. 2025-001, 1/7/2025)