The following uses are permitted subject to administrative approval pursuant to WCC §
22.05.028:
.131 A temporary second dwelling unit of no more than 1,248 square feet in floor area, in the form of a manufactured home, a fully serviced travel trailer, park model trailer, or motor home, to provide:
(1) A temporary dwelling space for family members who, due to professionally documented physical or mental disorders, or risks of such disorders, require supervision and care where such care is provided by members of the family who reside on the property; or
(2) A temporary dwelling space for a person providing care for the resident owner of the subject property when said owner needs supervision and care as described in (1) above.
Approval Requirements:
Administrative approval for temporary second dwelling units shall be approved if it is determined that the proposal meets the following requirements:
(1) Temporary second dwelling units shall only be permitted on fully serviced parcels on which the applicant can meet setback, ingress, egress, height restrictions, and lot coverage requirements.
(2) The size of the temporary dwelling shall be appropriate to the use and size of the parcel and shall be limited so as to comply with the standards set forth in (1) above.
(3) The temporary home shall be connected to an approved water supply and adequate capacity sewage disposal system approved by the Whatcom County health department.
(4) When care is no longer necessary, the temporary home shall be removed within 60 days.
(5) The permit shall be valid for one year. The permit may be extended on a yearly basis; provided, that an affidavit is furnished by the permittee affirming that the circumstances allowing the original permit remain in effect.
(6) A covenant shall be filed that restricts sale of the property while the temporary dwelling is in place.
(7) The use will not be hazardous or disturbing to existing or future neighboring uses.
(8) Evidence of adequate off-street parking space shall be provided.
(9) There shall be no occupancy of the temporary dwelling outside the conditions under which the temporary dwelling is permitted pursuant to this section.
(10) All mobile homes must demonstrate compliance with minimum HUD Fire Safety Standards and compliance with current Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
Penalties: False statements on supporting documentation submitted with the application or failure to comply with any of the approval requirements may be cause for revocation of the permit and prosecution.
.132 Repealed by Ord. 2025-060.
.134 Repealed by Ord. 2023-078.
.135 One private, noncommercial, recreational vehicle or park model trailer and one accessory guest RV per lot within pre-existing recreational subdivisions of the Foothills Subarea, as listed in the definition of "recreational subdivisions" in Chapter
20.97 WCC; provided, that the following minimum requirements and standards are met and/or followed:
(1) All recreational vehicles that remain on the site for more than 14 consecutive days shall be connected to a permitted on-site sewage system or public sewer.
(2) Maximum length of occupation of a recreational vehicle shall not exceed 120 days per calendar year; provided, that no accessory guest recreational vehicle shall stay on the lot for more than 14 consecutive days nor more than 30 days total per calendar year.
(3) All recreational vehicles shall be screened from neighboring properties not using RVs and from public roads. Such screening may consist of landscaped buffer areas, suitable native vegetation or a fence.
(4) Lots shall not be leased or rented out on a daily or overnight basis for recreational use.
(5) Accessory structures shall be limited to storage, shop, garage, carport and/or similar personal use only and shall not exceed a total of 200 square feet in floor area per lot; provided, that the 200-square-foot limitation shall not apply to that portion of a carport covering the RV.
(6) The locations of parked RVs on vacant lots shall observe normal building setback standards for a single-family residence.
(7) All recreational vehicles shall be supported by their own wheels or camper jacks, and not be fastened to accessory structures.
(Ord. 87-11, 1987; Ord. 87-12, 1987; Ord. 91-009, 1991; Ord. 95-010, 1995; Ord. 95-031, 1995; Ord. 96-056 Att. A § B2, 1996; Ord. 98-018 § 1, 1998; Ord. 98-083 Exh. A § 6, 1998; Ord. 99-068, 1999; Ord. 2000-040 § 1, 2000; Ord. 2005-079 § 1, 2005; Ord. 2006-061 § 1 (Att. A)(7), 2006; Ord. 2009-034 § 1 (Att. A), 2009; Ord. 2010-016 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2011-013 § 2 Exh. B, 2011; Ord. 2013-057 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 2019-013 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 2021-059 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 2023-018 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 2023-042 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 2023-078 § 1 (Exh. A § 8), 2023; Ord. 2025-020 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 2025-060, 12/9/2025)