The purpose of this chapter is to articulate the optional methods to regulate unincorporated urban growth areas associated with cities in Lewis County. Such rules will facilitate the development of the areas in a manner consistent with the comprehensive plan of the city to which the urban growth area will ultimately be annexed. Nothing in this chapter reduces the authority and obligation of Lewis County to comply with the Growth Management Act requirements as specified in Chapter 36.70A RCW and Chapter 365-196 WAC, and the guidance provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce related to the Growth Management Act.
(Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1298 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
This chapter applies to incorporated cities in Lewis County, Washington. Cities may choose one of the following options below. If the city is not listed under Option 2, then the city shall be considered an Option 1 city.
(1) 
Option 1. The county administers the urban growth area, relies completely on county regulations and has sole authority to issue development and building permits. This option applies to cities that are not listed under subsection (2) of this section.
(2) 
Option 2. The county administers the urban growth area, relies on city zoning standards and development regulations adopted by reference under LCC § 17.15.040. Cities that opt-in to Option 2 are required to sign an interlocal agreement.
(Formerly 17.15.015; Ord. 1298 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
Purpose. The purpose of these provisions is to maintain the rural character of the urban growth area until such time as the city annexes land.
(2) 
Zoning Designations and Development Regulations. Any land within an unincorporated urban growth area associated with a city not listed under LCC § 17.15.040 shall be designated by the county as a rural development district at one dwelling unit per five acres (RDD-5) and shall rely entirely on the Lewis County Code until such time as the city annexes the property.
(3) 
Accessory Dwelling Units. There shall be no more than two accessory dwelling units per lot in conjunction with a single-family structure. The accessory dwelling unit shall share the same primary access to a public right-of-way as the principal use.
(Formerly 17.15.018; Ord. 1298 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
Purpose. The purpose of these provisions is to allow development in the unincorporated urban growth area that is consistent with the city's permitted uses to support future annexation.
(2) 
Adoption by Reference. Lewis County adopts by reference the zoning designations and development regulations adopted by the following cities, as they now exist or are hereafter amended, except any section or subsection of the city zoning or development regulations specific to critical areas, shoreline management, flood management, SEPA, public rights-of-way, or on-site well or septic, and as further specified through an interlocal agreement:
(a) 
Centralia, Title 19, Subdivisions, and Title 20, Zoning.
(b) 
Chehalis, Title 17, Uniform Development Regulations.
(c) 
Morton, Title 17, Zoning.
(d) 
Pe Ell, Title 20, Planning and Development, Title 28, Subdivisions, and Title 36, Zoning.
(e) 
Toledo, Title [Reserved].
(f) 
Vader, Title [Reserved].
(3) 
Zoning Designations and Development Regulations. Consistent with the city's comprehensive plan and countywide planning policies, the city shall have the authority to amend zoning designations that apply within the unincorporated urban growth area and to amend development regulations that are adopted by reference pursuant to subsection (2) of this section. The city shall provide notice to Lewis County department of community development, at least 14 days prior to the first public hearing to consider amendments to the zoning designations or development regulations. Within 30 days of adoption by the city, the city shall provide a GIS electronic file with the zoning designations to the Lewis County department of public works, GIS division.
(4) 
Subdivisions.
(a) 
Single-Family Residential. Divisions of land that will create five or more lots for single-family residential development, where any lot is less than two acres in size, shall not be approved within the unincorporated urban growth area. Divisions of land that will create five or more lots for single-family residential development, where all lots are two acres in size or larger, or divisions of land that will create four or fewer lots or adjust boundaries of existing lots, shall conform to the city lot size and density standards as adopted by reference pursuant to subsection (2) of this section except, for the purposes of this section, single-family residential development does not include multifamily residential as defined by subsection (4)(b) of this section.
(b) 
Multifamily Residential. No subdivisions that create new lots for multifamily residential development will be approved within the unincorporated urban growth area. For the purposes of this section, multifamily residential development includes duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhomes or more than five attached dwelling units, and any configuration thereof.
(c) 
Industrial and Commercial. Divisions of land that create lots for industrial or commercial development may be approved within the unincorporated urban growth area; provided, that all development will be connected to city services, including water, sewer and stormwater.
(5) 
Water and Sewer Requirements.
(a) 
Where a connection to city water or sewer is available within 200 feet of the site, the county will include, as a condition of approval of any division of land, including boundary line adjustments, a requirement that the applicant coordinate with the city to ensure that the project is installed according to city water and sewer standards.
(b) 
Parcels located over a critical aquifer recharge area, on a preexisting lot, if city sewer is not available within 200 feet, an on-site domestic septic system at a gross density greater than one system per residence per acre may be permitted pursuant to LCC § 17.38.830(2)(e).
(6) 
Code Enforcement. The county shall be responsible for code enforcement within the unincorporated urban growth area related to violations of development standards as specified by subsection (2) of this section and an interlocal agreement.
(7) 
Interlocal Agreement. The county and any city listed under subsection (2) of this section shall enter into an interlocal agreement to further clarify co-management of zoning designations and development regulations within the unincorporated urban growth area.
(Formerly 17.15.020; Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1179D Ex. A, 2003; Ord. 1190 Ex. A, 2006; Ord. 1298 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
Purpose. The purpose of these provisions is to create a clear and efficient process for cities to propose amendments to the county's comprehensive plan as it relates to urban growth area boundaries (RCW 36.70A.110).
(2) 
Applicability. Only the county or an incorporated city within Lewis County may propose amendments to the urban growth area boundary.
(3) 
Timing.
(a) 
Amendments to the boundary of an urban growth area may be proposed by the county or city at the following times:
(i) 
During the first 12 months of the state-mandated comprehensive plan periodic update grant funding cycle;
(ii) 
The calendar year following county adoption of the updated 20-year population allocation; or
(iii) 
Not more than annually, based on an update to the county or city capital facilities plan.
(b) 
The comprehensive plan map may be amended not more than once per year pursuant to RCW 36.70A.130. All proposed comprehensive plan map amendments shall be consolidated.
(4) 
Process.
(a) 
The city shall adopt a resolution requesting the county consider the urban growth area amendment(s) and the resolution shall include the following as exhibits:
(i) 
Findings against applicable Growth Management Act requirements and countywide planning policies.
(ii) 
An updated land capacity analysis, following the county methodology, that demonstrates the urban growth area will accommodate the adopted population and housing allocations.
(iii) 
Any amendments to city capital facilities plans necessary to address the anticipated changes in future use and provision of public services including, but not limited to, water, wastewater and electrical systems.
(iv) 
A traffic impact analysis, if applicable.
(v) 
A completed SEPA checklist; if significant adverse environmental impact is determined by the county, the city is responsible for any necessary follow-on studies.
(b) 
The county shall review the materials for completeness and following determination that the requirements of this subsection (4) are complete, the county shall forward the request to the planned growth committee. The planned growth committee shall make a recommendation to the Lewis County planning commission, which shall hold a public hearing. Following close of the record, the planning commission shall deliberate and make a recommendation to the Lewis County board of county commissioners who will hold a public hearing and make a final determination. The county shall provide notice to the city at least 14 calendar days prior to any public hearing(s). The county shall provide the notice of decision within 10 calendar days of close of the hearing.
(Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
Regardless of the option chosen in this chapter, a violation of any adopted code or standard pertaining to conduct or development in the urban growth area or the urban growth area's administration is punishable as a civil violation under LCC § 1.20.040 and shall be a public nuisance subject to all remedies as may be available under the law. The penalties in this provision are cumulative and separate to any other available penalties, civil or criminal, established under other law.
(Formerly 17.15.030; Ord. 1333 (Exh. B), 2022; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)