The purpose and intent of this zone is to provide for areas of Kittitas County wherein natural resource management is the highest priority and where the subdivision and development of lands for uses and activities incompatible with resource management are discouraged consistent with the commercial forest classification policies of the comprehensive plan. The commercial forest classification applies to lands which have long-term commercial significance for the commercial production of timber, and which have been designated as commercial forest in the comprehensive plan. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the Washington State Forest Practices Act. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed in a manner to prohibit uses permitted prior to the effective date of this chapter.
(Ord. 94-1 (part), 1994)
Uses allowed in the commercial forest zone include those uses pursuant to KCC Chapter 17.15.
(Ord. 94-1 (part), 1994; Ord. 96-19 (part), 1996; Ord. 2011-013, 2011; Ord. 2012-009, 2012; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)
1. 
All structures shall maintain a minimum of two hundred (200) feet setback from all front, rear and side yard lines. In the event this requirement reduces the buildable area of a parcel to a dimension that is less than one hundred (100) feet in width and/or in depth, the setback requirement from all yard lines shall be reduced to a point that allows for a maximum building area of one hundred (100) feet in width and/or one hundred (100) feet in depth. For instances where the subject property is bordered by zones other than Commercial Forest, the two hundred (200) foot setback shall be maintained at the property lines located bordering the Commercial Forest Zone.
2. 
No dwelling units or accessory structures shall be placed within two hundred (200) feet of the Commercial Forest Zone boundary delineation unless this requirement together with standard front, rear, and side yard setbacks as identified in the underlying zoning district reduces the buildable area of the parcel to a dimension that is less than one hundred (100) (100) feet in width and/or in depth. In this instance, the setback requirement from the Commercial Forest Zone boundary shall be reduced to a point that allows for a maximum building area of one hundred (100) feet in width and/or one hundred (100) feet in depth.
(Ord. 94-1 (part), 1994; Ord. 2007-22, 2007; Ord. 2013-001, 2013; Ord. 2018-021, 2018)
Maximum structure height. No structure shall exceed thirty-five feet (35) in height. This limit does not apply to agricultural buildings or transmission structures.
(Ord. 94-1 (part), 1994; Ord. 2013-001, 2013; Ord. 2023-010, 2023)
All new structures shall comply with the applicable standards contained in: (1) "Fire Safety Considerations for Developments in Forested Areas: Fire Hazard Severity Rating and Recommended Standards" (Northwest Interagency Fire Prevention Group) Washington Department of Natural Resources Severity Type Rating System; (2) standards adopted by Kittitas County Fire Protection Cooperative - "Recommendations For Fire Safety and Prevention of Forest and Range Land in Kittitas County Including Rural, Commercial and Private Developments"; and/or (3) Urban Wildland Interface Code for structures outside a fire district.
(Ord. 94-1 (part), 1994; Ord. 2007-22, 2007)
1. 
When residential or other structural uses are intended to be supplied with potable water from off-site sources, recorded, written permission shall be obtained from the property owners supplying the water prior to plat approval or building permit issuance, as applicable.
2. 
New residential or recreational domestic water supplies shall be certified by the state of Washington and shall not be located within one hundred (100) feet of adjacent property without recorded, written consent of the property owners.
(Ord. 94-1 (part), 1994; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)
No permanent buildings shall be located in a one hundred-(100)-year floodplain, in wetlands, or in geologically hazardous critical areas.
(Ord. 94-1 (part), 1994; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)
Vehicular access to residential properties shall not traverse commercial forest lands unless legal access has been granted by the property owner of the forest commercial lands. Easements for permanent access shall be recorded with the county assessor by the property owner.
(Ord. 94-1 (part), 1994)
1. 
Roads serving new residential, commercial or industrial building sites shall meet or exceed county road standards.
2. 
Private driveways. Private driveways shall be a minimum of twelve (12) feet in width providing curves are not too sharp, a minimum centerline radius of fifty-five (55) feet for curves, a maximum grade of twelve percent (12%) up to fifteen percent (15%) for very short distances subject to approval by the county director of public works and county fire marshal (grades over twelve percent (12%) are required to be paved with asphalt cement or Portland cement concrete; any grade over twenty percent (20%) must be paved with Portland cement concrete), with functional turnouts intervisible, and a minimum of eighty (80) feet diameter turn-around for dead ends.
(Ord. 94-1 (part), 1994; Ord. 2013-001, 2013)
All conveyance instruments, plats, short plats, development permits, and building permits issued for development activities on, or within five hundred (500) feet of land designated as Commercial Forest Zone lands contain the following notice: "The subject property is within or near designated natural resource land of long-term commercial significance on which a variety of commercial activities may occur that are not compatible with residential development for certain periods of limited duration. Commercial natural resource activities performed in accordance with county, state and federal laws are not subject to legal action as public nuisances." (RCW 7.48.305)
(Ord. 94-1 (part), 1994; Ord. 2007-22, 2007)