The purpose of this chapter is to list standards for various land uses in Lewis County. The general land use standards in LCC § 17.142.020 apply to all land uses, and the specific use standards apply in addition to the general requirements.
(Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018)
(1) 
The administrator or hearing examiner shall ensure that the following general standards, in addition to the specific standards for the zoning district and use type, are met when approving a land use.
(2) 
General Use Findings. General use findings include the requirements that the land use:
(a) 
Will be harmonious and in accordance with the general and specific objectives of the Lewis County comprehensive plan and zoning regulations.
(b) 
Will be adequately served by essential public facilities such as highways, streets, police and fire protection, drainage structures, refuse disposal, water and waste disposal, and schools; or that the persons or agencies responsible for the establishment of the proposed use shall be able to provide adequately any such services.
(c) 
Will not create excessive additional requirements at public cost for public facilities and services, and will not be detrimental to the economic welfare of the community.
(d) 
Will not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, equipment, or conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any persons, property, or the general welfare by reasons of excessive production of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare, or odors.
(e) 
Will have vehicular approaches to the property designed as to not create an interference with traffic on surrounding public streets.
(f) 
Will not result in the destruction, loss, or damage of any natural, scenic, or historic feature of major importance.
(g) 
Will ensure adequate protection is given critical areas, including surface and ground water consistent with the critical areas requirements of Chapter 17.38 LCC.
(h) 
Will ensure that on-site public facilities, or facilities designed to serve the site, are limited to the project area and are not available to spur growth outside the area of the permit, when located in a rural area.
The administrator or hearing examiner may condition such permits based on written recommendations in environmental documents, and as otherwise necessary to comply with the requirements of this chapter, the county comprehensive plan, development regulations, and environmental regulations.
(3) 
General Use Standards. The following criteria are used to help determine the conformance with the general findings for land uses:
(a) 
The applicable portions of the Lewis County Code, and the Lewis County road development standards.
(b) 
The handling and treatment of dangerous or hazardous waste in accordance with LCC Title 8, Chapter 173-303 WAC, and other applicable standards.
(c) 
The maximum environmental noise levels established by Chapter 173-60 WAC and incorporated herein by reference, together with any adjustments authorized therein.
(d) 
The air quality standards adopted by the Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) and any SWCAA permit issued for a project.
(e) 
Exterior light fixtures, except those required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), shall be pointed downward, hooded and shielded to prevent glare and light from trespassing onto neighboring properties. FAA-required lights shall be minimized to the extent practicable in consultation with the FAA and as required by Chapter 70A.550 RCW for wind energy facilities. Wind turbines over 200 feet shall have obstruction lighting per FAA regulations. Aviation obstruction light-mitigation technology systems shall be FAA approved.
(f) 
The terms of any permit issued for a project by a resource agency, including Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, HPA, water quality permit, Chapter 90.48 RCW, shoreline permit, Chapter 90.58 RCW, or permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
(g) 
Conditions imposed in any final environmental determination, mitigated determination of nonsignificance or final environmental impact statement under Chapter 43.21C RCW.
(h) 
Health standards for wells and drain fields as set forth in sections such as Chapters 8.40 and 8.41 LCC.
(i) 
Flood hazard standards as set forth in Chapter 15.35 LCC.
(j) 
Stormwater standards as set forth in Chapter 15.45 LCC.
(k) 
The supplemental requirements of Chapter 17.145 LCC.
(l) 
Other applicable standards.
(Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
Accessory buildings and structures shall comply with applicable side setback requirements.
(2) 
Accessory buildings and structures shall comply with applicable back setback requirements.
(3) 
On corner lots, accessory buildings in the side setback adjoining a street shall not be erected or altered so as to be nearer to the adjoining street line than 15 feet.
(Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018)
Auctioneering facilities to serve the equipment needs of the transportation, industrial and agricultural industries (including local and regional markets) shall be permitted as a special use. These facilities are deemed to be consistent with the rural character and development patterns of Lewis County so long as the following conditions are met:
(1) 
Site Characteristics.
(a) 
The site is at least 80 gross acres and does not exceed 240 gross acres.
(b) 
The building area on the site does not exceed 80,000 gross square feet.
(c) 
The site is located within one mile, measured horizontally, from a major transportation corridor.
(2) 
Services. The use does not require urban services.
(3) 
Preservation of Rural Areas.
(a) 
Critical areas and their buffers are preserved on the site.
(b) 
No critical area variances are needed except to provide access and/or necessary utilities to the site.
(4) 
Off-Site Impacts. The special use shall adequately mitigate potential off-site impacts, including, but not limited to, parking, noise, lighting, fumes and dust.
(Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018)
(1) 
The following conditions apply to aviation facilities that provide landing surface and takeoff for aircraft or heliports used by nine or fewer aircraft:
(a) 
All landing strips shall be designed, and the runways and facilities oriented, so that the incidents of aircraft passing directly over dwellings during their landing or takeoff patterns is minimized. The facilities shall be located so that traffic does not constitute a nuisance to neighboring uses. The hearing examiner shall find, in writing, that the applicant has secured easements and other rights necessary to implement runway protection zones and other safety regulations required by the FAA consistent with the proposed aviation use.
(b) 
The proponents shall show that adequate controls or measures will be taken to prevent offensive noise, vibrations, dust, or bright lights.
(c) 
New private use landing strips and heliports shall be allowed in rural or resource zones as a special use, with the standards set forth in FAA regulations in effect on the date of application and subject to the notice requirements of subsection (2)(f) of this section.
(d) 
For purposes of this section, an ultra-light aircraft for personal use does not require a permit under this section and shall be considered an accessory use for any residential site in excess of five acres.
(2) 
The following conditions apply to aviation facilities that provide landing surface and takeoff for 10 or more general aviation aircraft:
(a) 
The minimum lot size shall be 60 acres.
(b) 
The centerline of any such landing area shall not be located within 500 feet of any property line, building, or structure; provided, that a legal affidavit from adjacent property owner(s) allowing all, or a portion, of that 500 feet as a recorded easement on their property, which is presented as part of a special use permit application, shall be acceptable.
(c) 
The aviation facility shall comply with the standards set forth in the FAA regulations in effect on the date of application.
(d) 
Fuels and lubricants associated with the operation of personal use aircraft shall be stored and handled in accordance with pertinent state and county codes.
(e) 
Compliance with all current federal aviation regulations for the maintenance and operation of aircraft shall be required.
(f) 
Notification.
(i) 
Notification of a hearing for a special use permit application shall be sent, by first class mail, to residents within 1,000 feet from any point on a proposed aircraft landing area. This notification is intended to supplement all other notification requirements for special use permit applications found in Chapter 17.05 LCC, and the appropriate notification requirements in Chapter 17.158 LCC.
(ii) 
The notice of the special use hearing shall also be published in the newspaper of record and in the newspaper of widest circulation in the area affected.
(g) 
Public aviation facilities shall be located on parcels where the allowed aircraft are at least 500 feet off of the ground prior to crossing a property line on takeoff or landing.
(h) 
No residential structure shall be closer than 1,000 feet to the proposed air facility.
(i) 
No place of public assembly shall be located within one-half mile of the end of any such facility.
(j) 
The hearing examiner shall find, in writing, that the applicant has secured easements and other rights necessary to implement runway protection zones and other safety regulations required by the FAA consistent with the proposed aviation use.
(Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018)
(1) 
A bed and breakfast use shall only occur in an existing residential dwelling that will be occupied by the homeowner during the operation of the use.
(2) 
Bed and breakfasts, offering three or more lodging units to travelers and transient guests, shall meet the standards for transient accommodations in Chapter 246-360 WAC.
(Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018)
(1) 
Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.070(5)(d)(i)(C), commercial buildings that include retail or food service uses and are located in a Type I LAMIRD, which is designated as Small Town Mixed Use (STMU), Rural Residential Center (RRC) and Commercial Crossroad (CC) on the official zoning map, must not exceed the footprint of previously occupied space or 5,000 square feet, whichever is greater, for the same or similar use, or 2,500 square feet for a new use, unless the retail space is for an essential rural retail service and the designated LAMIRD is located at least 10 miles from an existing urban growth area, then the retail space must not exceed the footprint of the previously occupied space or 10,000 square feet, whichever is greater. "Essential rural retail service" means services including grocery, pharmacy, hardware, automotive parts, and similar uses that sell or provide products necessary for health and safety, such as food, medication, sanitation supplies, and products to maintain habitability and mobility.
(2) 
The public facilities and services that serve the commercial use shall be sized and located in a manner that is consistent with rural character and does not encourage urban development outside of urban growth areas. The adequate public facilities and services test of Chapter 17.130 LCC shall be met.
(Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
Clustered tourist uses incorporate a group of uses that are targeted to the traveling public. These uses include:
(a) 
Lodging and transient accommodations.
(b) 
Restaurants.
(c) 
Retail.
(d) 
Fueling/charging stations.
(e) 
Truck stops.
(f) 
Automotive maintenance and repair.
(g) 
Transit facilities.
(2) 
Clustered tourist uses may be located:
(a) 
On parcels within the Rural Development District (RDD) that are located within 1,000 feet of an Interstate 5 on- or off-ramp.
(b) 
Within the Freeway Commercial (FC) zone or Small-Town Mixed-Use (STMU) zone.
(3) 
The maximum square footage of building footprint for an entire group of clustered tourist uses shall not exceed 30,000 square feet. No standalone building shall exceed a 15,000-square-feet footprint.
(4) 
Clustered tourist uses may be approved through a Type I administrative review.
(Formerly 17.142.090; Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018; Ord. 1333 (Exh. E), 2022; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
Noise and Vibration.
(a) 
All equipment associated with the data processing center shall be enclosed within a building(s).
(b) 
Building materials shall include installation of sound-absorptive materials for all walls, ceilings and floors.
(c) 
If the data center is in a multi-tenant building, vibration isolation technology shall be installed in walls or floors that separate the data processing center from other uses.
(d) 
An acoustic barrier or wall at least eight feet tall shall be constructed on all exterior property boundaries, except within 10 feet of a driveway. The barrier or wall shall be set back 10 feet from the abutting property line. Outside the barrier or wall, at least one shrub shall be planted for every 10 horizontal feet of barrier or wall.
(2) 
Building Facade.
(a) 
Reflective surfaces, such as mirrored glass or polished metal, are prohibited.
(b) 
The main entrance shall be differentiated from the building facade by a change in material, pattern, texture or color and the entrance shall project or recess from the adjoining building plane by at least five feet.
(3) 
Lighting. All exterior lighting shall meet the standards of LCC § 17.142.020(3)(e), lighting.
(Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
The following standards apply to home-based businesses:
(1) 
All home-based businesses must be located on the parcel or contiguous to the parcel upon which the owner or manager resides.
(2) 
The use of the dwelling unit for the home-based business shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to its use for residential purposes by its occupants.
(3) 
No more than two persons, other than the family residing on the premises, shall be engaged in such occupation.
(4) 
There shall be no change in the outside appearance of the building or premises, or other visible evidence of the conduct of such home business, other than one sign meeting the standards of LCC § 17.142.207; except that day care facilities with 10 children or less may use yard areas for recreation.
(5) 
No traffic shall be generated by such home-based businesses in greater volume than would normally be expected in a residential neighborhood, and any need for parking generated by the conduct of such home business shall meet the off-street parking requirements as specified in this title and shall not be located in a required front yard. No more than two vehicles used for the operation of the business may be parked on the site at any time.
(6) 
No equipment or process that creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical interference detectable to normal senses off the subject lots shall be used in a permitted home occupation. In the case of electrical interference, no equipment or process shall be used which creates visual or audible interference in any radio or television receivers off the premises, or causes fluctuation in line voltage off the premises.
(Formerly 17.142.110; Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018; Ord. 1333 (Exh. E), 2022; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
The location of all cannabis production and/or processing, including related structures, shall not be closer than 100 feet from any property line, except when located in the Small Town Industrial (STI), urban growth area - small town Industrial (IND) or Rural Area Industrial Districts (RAI) the underlying zoning setback requirements shall be met.
(2) 
The location of all cannabis production and/or processing, including related structures, shall be on parcels with direct access to a public right-of-way.
(3) 
No cannabis production and/or processing shall occur on parcels less than five acres in area, except in the Small Town Industrial (STI), urban growth area - small town Industrial (IND) or Rural Area Industrial Districts (RAI) zones. A special use permit for cannabis production and/or processing may require odor control measures to protect neighboring properties from potential odor nuisances, as specified by the director of community development pursuant to LCC § 5.20.030(1).
(4) 
No facility used for cannabis production and/or processing shall use permanent standby or portable power generators using combustible fuels as a sole source of electrical power, except during periods of power outages.
(5) 
Any outside lighting proposed for cannabis production and/or processing, including security lighting, shall meet the standards of LCC § 17.142.020(3)(e), lighting.
(6) 
The position of cameras required for surveillance systems for cannabis production and/or processing shall not intrude on the privacy of neighboring properties.
(7) 
All structures serving cannabis production and/or processing shall conform to LCC Title 15, except as provided under RCW 19.27.065.
(8) 
All structures and uses serving production and/or processing of recreational cannabis shall conform to LCC Title 8, pertaining to solid waste disposal, and to Chapter 8.40 LCC or Chapter 173-216, 173-218, or 173-303 WAC, as appropriate, pertaining to sewage or wastewater disposal.
(9) 
The development of a cannabis producing and/or processing facility that will generate a liquid industrial waste shall address either:
(a) 
The coordinated disposal with an existing municipal utility sewer treatment plant; or
(b) 
A permitted tank storage and transport disposal off site to a permitted facility; or
(c) 
An on-site closed loop system along with treatment and waste characterization.
(10) 
The development of a cannabis producing and/or processing facility shall implement a fully approved public water supply consistent with Chapter 246-290 WAC or Chapter 8.55 LCC.
(11) 
All structures and uses serving cannabis production and/or processing shall conform to the licensing requirements of Chapter 5.20 LCC.
(12) 
In addition to the buffer requirements stated in Chapter 314-55 WAC, cannabis production and/or processing shall not locate within 1,000 feet of any hospital or any family home child care center as defined in WAC 170-296A-1000. The distance shall be measured as the shortest straight-line distance from the property line of the cannabis production or processing facility to the property line of the hospital or family home child care center.
(13) 
A special use permit granted under Chapter 17.158 LCC for cannabis production and/or processing shall expire automatically if the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board revokes the facility's valid license issued under Chapter 314-55 WAC or if the facility's license under Chapter 5.20 LCC expires, is revoked, or ceases to be valid.
(Formerly 17.142.130; Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018; Ord. 1333 (Exh. E), 2022; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
External lighting shall meet the standards of LCC § 17.142.020(3)(e), lighting.
(2) 
The position of cameras required for surveillance systems for cannabis retailers shall not intrude on the privacy of neighboring properties.
(3) 
Cannabis retailers shall conform to LCC Title 8, pertaining to solid waste disposal, and to Chapter 8.40 LCC or Chapter 173-216, 173-218, or 173-303 WAC, as appropriate, pertaining to sewage or wastewater disposal.
(4) 
Cannabis retailers shall implement a fully approved public water supply if and to the extent required by Chapter 246-290 WAC and Chapter 8.55 LCC.
(5) 
All structures and uses serving cannabis retail shall conform to LCC Title 15, except as provided under RCW 19.27.065.
(6) 
All structures and uses serving cannabis retail shall conform to the licensing requirements of Chapter 5.20 LCC.
(7) 
Cannabis retailers shall locate on parcels with direct access to the following transportation routes under the standards of the Washington State Department of Transportation: state highways, local arterials, and local major collectors.
(8) 
Pursuant to RCW 39.50.331, any cannabis retailer shall not locate within 1,000 feet of the perimeter of the grounds of any elementary or secondary school, playground, recreation center or facility, child care center, public park, public transit center, or library, or any game arcade, admission to which is not restricted to persons aged 21 years or older. In addition, cannabis retailers shall not locate within 1,000 feet of any community center, hospital, or correctional/detention facility. The distance shall be measured as the shortest straight-line distance from the property line of the cannabis retailer to the property line of the specified use.
(9) 
No cannabis retailer shall locate on a parcel that is within the same ZIP postal code region as any other cannabis retailer, except that in the region corresponding to the 98532 postal code, one retailer may locate on each side of Interstate 5. Only cannabis retailers in unincorporated Lewis County shall be counted when considering this limitation; cannabis retailers located within an incorporated town or city shall not preclude the location of another retailer within the same ZIP code.
(10) 
A special use permit granted under Chapter 17.158 LCC for a cannabis retailer shall expire automatically if the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board revokes the facility's valid license issued under Chapter 314-55 WAC or if the facility's license under Chapter 5.20 LCC expires, is revoked, or ceases to be valid.
(Formerly 17.142.140; Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018; Ord. 1333 (Exh. E), 2022; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
Multifamily housing is only allowed in LAMIRDs that have centralized water and wastewater facilities that are able to accommodate the density of the units.
(2) 
The density of a multifamily housing development shall not exceed four units per lot.
(Formerly 17.142.150; Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018; Ord. 1333 (Exh. E), 2022; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
An administrative permit is required for facilities in small town industrial (STI) zones and urban growth area - small towns in the industrial (IND) zones.
(2) 
Standards. All of the following standards must be met:
(a) 
Structures are required to be set back at least 100 feet from abutting lot lines if the abutting lot is not zoned RAI, IND or STI. If the abutting lot is RAI, IND or STI, then standard setbacks in Chapter 17.145 LCC apply.
(b) 
All organic material composting facilities shall meet the screening standards in LCC § 17.142.205.
(Formerly 17.142.090; Ord. 1333 (Exh. E), 2022; Ord. 1367 Exh. C, 2025)
Public utility buildings, telephone exchanges, sewage pump stations, electrical distribution substations, and similar developments necessary for the operation of utilities shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) 
If the installation is housed in a building, the building shall conform architecturally with the surrounding buildings or the type of buildings that are likely to develop in the districts.
(2) 
Any unhoused or housed installations that do not conform to the architectural requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall be surrounded by sight-obscuring planting.
(3) 
Any unhoused installation of a dangerous nature, such as an electrical distribution substation, shall be enclosed by a wire fence at least eight feet in height.
(4) 
All buildings, installations, and fences shall observe the yard requirements for buildings in the district in which they are located.
(Formerly 17.142.160; Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018; Ord. 1333 (Exh. E), 2022)
The following standards apply to regional recreational facilities:
(1) 
Permanent access roads and permanent parking areas shall be hard surface to reduce mud and dust.
(2) 
Pistol, rifle, skeet, and other shooting facilities, which encourage education and training in the safe use of lawful firearms, shall include a noise and range safety evaluation for property within one-half mile of the proposed range. The hearing examiner must specifically find that the range does not pose a safety hazard to any resident within the surrounding area.
(Formerly 17.142.190; Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018; Ord. 1333 (Exh. E), 2022)
For development or improvements where screening is required, screening around the perimeter of the site must be provided. Screening may include fences, walls, vegetation, earth berms with vegetation, or a combination of these methods. Screening shall meet all of the following standards:
(1) 
The screening shall be at least six feet high.
(2) 
Fences and walls shall be articulated by at least two feet in depth, or one shrub or one tree shall be planted on the outside of the fence or wall, for every 25 feet of fence or wall length.
(3) 
All vegetation used for screening must be of sizes, types, numbers and siting adequate to achieve 80 percent opacity within three years.
(4) 
The use of vegetation as screening and buffering is prohibited within 20 feet of any facilities or equipment associated with battery energy storage systems.
(5) 
All vegetation must be maintained in healthy condition and vegetation used for screening that dies must be replaced within six months.
(Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
Purpose. The purpose of the sign standards is to ensure signs are designed to be compatible with existing and future land uses; support commercial communications that recognize the needs of local businesses; ensure safe and thoughtful placement; allow creative and innovative design; and promote proper maintenance.
(2) 
Applicability. Any sign that is to be erected, relocated, constructed, replaced or altered shall obtain a permit, unless specifically exempt under subsection (4) of this section.
(3) 
Prohibitions.
(a) 
Signs on Lewis County property or within public rights-of-way and easements, unless erected by Lewis County, or their designee, the state of Washington or a branch of the federal government. Signs previously placed on Lewis County property or within the public rights-of-way or easements without the controlling agency's consent are considered unlawful and are subject to removal.
(b) 
Any sign which constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety by reason of its size, location, movement, content, coloring, or method of illumination, or by obstructing the vision of drivers, or by obstructing or detracting from the visibility of any official traffic control device by diverting or tending to divert the attention of drivers of moving vehicles from traffic movement on streets, roads, intersections, or access facilities. No sign shall be erected so that it obstructs the vision of pedestrians. Flashing or revolving red, green, blue or amber lights shall be prohibited on any sign. Any sign, which by glare or method of illumination constitutes a hazard to traffic, shall be prohibited. No sign may use the words "stop," "look," "danger," or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse drivers or pedestrians.
(c) 
Flashing signs (except legally installed electronic signs), signs which revolve in excess of five revolutions per minute, signs which contain wind-actuated elements or swinging signs.
(d) 
Digital billboards of any size and nondigital billboards measuring more than 10 feet high and 22 feet wide.
(e) 
Abandoned signs or signs not properly maintained, showing neglect, or in a dilapidated or hazardous condition. Hazardous signs may be required to be repaired or removed.
(4) 
Exemptions. The following are exempt from meeting the sign standards and no permit is required:
(a) 
Existing signs may persist, except pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.
(b) 
Replacement and maintenance of signs when the location, dimensions and lighting of the sign are unchanged. Painting, repainting, cleaning, repairing, and other normal maintenance unless structural or electrical changes are made. Changing of advertising copy or message on a lawfully erected sign.
(c) 
Signs that are required by law.
(d) 
Wayfinding signs such as address signs, street signs, pedestrian/bicycle trail signs, parking signs, historic or scenic site signs or plaques, or other signage required for the safe movement of vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
(e) 
Essential public needs signs such as restrooms, telephones, entrance, exit, etc.
(f) 
Official public notices, official court notices.
(g) 
School, library, religious, charitable or similar signs when located on the premises of the institution.
(h) 
Murals, painted wall designs or patterns that do not represent a business product, service, trademark or that do not identify the user.
(i) 
Memorial plaques nine square feet or less in size.
(j) 
Flags that do not advertise a commercial business.
(k) 
Noncommercial signs affixed to the building such as address numbers or letters, plaques or inscriptions.
(l) 
Signs painted or attached inside a window.
(m) 
Temporary Signs.
(i) 
Real estate signs six square feet or less in size in residential zones, and 32 square feet or less in size in commercial and industrial zones, that are removed once the property is sold.
(ii) 
Political campaign signs that are removed within one week following an election for which the candidate or issue is on the ballot.
(iii) 
Construction signs limited to two per project denoting the architect, engineer, contractor or developer, not to exceed 32 square feet for the first sign and 12 square feet for the second, that are removed within one month of completion of construction.
(iv) 
Estate or garage sale signs eight square feet or less in size, that are in place for no more than 10 days.
(v) 
Sandwich boards that are removed at the end of each business day or the completion of a special event.
(vi) 
Special occasion signs, such as a holiday, wedding, retirement, anniversary, graduation, fair, or community event that are removed within one week after the special event.
(vii) 
Flags that advertise a commercial business that are removed at the end of each business day.
(viii) 
Portable traffic control or directional information that do not block safety sight lines of motorists pulling into or out from a business or within safety sight triangles on corner lots.
(n) 
Commercial Business Signs.
(i) 
Two wall-mounted or roof-mounted signs per business where one sign does not exceed 64 square feet in size and the second sign does not exceed 32 square feet. Each sign shall meet all setback requirements or shall not extend more than five feet outward from any wall or roof surface, whichever is less.
(ii) 
For home-based businesses, one wall-mounted sign not to exceed four square feet and not illuminated.
(iii) 
Gas station signs.
(5) 
Standards. Each freestanding sign shall meet all of the following standards. Additional sign standards apply within urban growth areas - small towns, pursuant to Chapter 17.17 LCC.
(a) 
Each sign shall be adequately constructed and securely and substantially anchored so as to withstand wind pressure in accordance with the requirements of the Washington State Building Code and shall meet the International Building Code standards as now in force or hereafter amended in every other respect. Signs containing electrical circuitry shall meet the requirements of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries standards, all state laws, as now in force or hereafter amended, and an approved electrical testing lab.
(b) 
Each sign shall meet all county and state setback requirements.
(c) 
Each sign shall not obstruct or detract from automotive, bicycle or pedestrian visibility at any intersection or pedestrian crossing and all signs, except a multi-business complex monument sign, shall be placed a minimum of eight feet above any paved or graveled surface designated for automotive, bicycle or pedestrian access.
(d) 
Each commercial business shall be allowed not more than one freestanding commercial sign not to exceed 64 square feet in size, except home-based business shall not exceed four square feet in size.
(e) 
A multiple-business complex shall be allowed not more than one freestanding monument sign not to exceed 100 square feet in size, excluding the base, pedestal or mount, with a maximum height of 25 feet. The sign may not be used entirely for only one tenant unless it is limited to 32 square feet. Individual tenants in a multiple-business complex may not erect individual freestanding signs but may erect one wall-mounted sign that meets the standards of subsection (4)(n)(i) of this section.
(Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
Applicability. This section applies to the creation of new surface mining areas or the expansion of lawfully permitted activities beyond an approved DNR reclamation plan area in effect on July 26, 1999; provided, however, this does not cover any mining activity which is less than three acres in size.
(2) 
Mine Development Standards. All permits issued pursuant to this section shall require the following minimum standards. The hearing examiner may increase buffers and mitigation when good cause is shown.
(a) 
Setbacks/Screening.
(i) 
A 50-foot setback from the mine property and from all abutting property, consistent with and subject to the reduction provisions of LCC § 17.30.810, shall be maintained for areas of direct cut or fill connected with resource extraction operations. For mining operations, the setbacks may be increased when necessary to provide lateral support for abutting properties or public rights-of-way.
(ii) 
A 25-foot-wide screen, consisting of sight-obscuring vegetation, berms, or other methods approved by Lewis County, shall be maintained within the 50-foot setback on the mine property. This screen is meant to conceal the mine from public rights-of-way and/or property used for residential purposes.
(iii) 
Any direct extraction operation areas within a public utility right-of-way shall be subject to the written conditions of approval from the affected utility, which shall be incorporated into the permit.
(iv) 
A 200-foot setback shall be maintained between any mining activity and any existing structure occupied for sleeping or eating purposes but not including accessory structures such as barns or outbuildings, existing at the date of application.
(b) 
Road Use. To assure the maintenance and development of adequate county roadways, owners of surface mining operations may be required to enter into a haul route agreement with the county engineer upon adoption and implementation of a haul route agreement program. The haul route agreement shall address impacts immediately attributable to the project use.
(c) 
Traffic Safety. The operator may be required to install traffic improvement, control, and warning signs to assure adequate access and traffic safety.
(d) 
Noise/Bright Lights.
(i) 
No development or activity shall exceed the maximum environmental noise levels established by Chapter 173-60 WAC.
(ii) 
Bright lights shall be shaded or shielded from adjoining residential properties.
(e) 
Surface Mining Operation Within Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas. Surface mining operations within critical aquifer recharge areas (as designated in Chapter 17.38 LCC) shall meet the following standards:
(i) 
Fuel tanks and oil drums shall be double containment construction and protected by bermed areas having adequate capacity to accommodate, contain, and allow the removal of petroleum spills. Fuel nozzles shall not contain locking devices. Fuel storage shall be above ground. Fueling of mobile equipment shall be located at least 20 feet above the seasonal high ground water level or within lined and bermed areas with adequate capacity to accommodate, contain, and allow the removal of petroleum spills. Where the nature of the operation is such that the machinery cannot be moved for fueling, or the aquifer is less than 20 feet from the surface, the hearing examiner may approve an alternative fueling plan which accomplishes aquifer protection.
(ii) 
All operations shall maintain a fuels/hazardous waste management plan maintained by the operator and available on the site at all times.
(iii) 
Surface mines shall not use any noxious, toxic, flammable, compactable, or combustible materials not specifically authorized by Lewis County department of health for backfill or reclamation. Noncontaminated process water used for gravel washing shall be routed to settling ponds to minimize off-site discharges. A general permit from the Department of Ecology for process and stormwater discharge may substitute for these requirements.
(iv) 
On-site truck and equipment wash runoff shall be routed to retention facilities equipped with an oil-water separator prior to its release to settling ponds.
(v) 
Use of chemicals, petroleum or hazardous products, and disposal of such products, in concrete or asphalt plant operations within critical aquifer recharge areas shall meet the standards set forth in Chapter 90.48 RCW and Chapter 173-303 WAC.
(f) 
Public Safety. Owners of surface mines shall ensure their operation(s) will not be hazardous to neighboring uses. Blasting activities shall be conducted so that ground vibrations comply with all state laws about peak particle velocity, air pressure, and other state requirements, including but not limited to Chapter 9 of the Blasting Guidance Manual identified below. All fly-rock shall be contained within the site. All activities shall comply with the standards set forth in official guidelines, including but not limited to Office of Surface Mining U.S. Department of Interior, Blasting Guidance Manual, 1987 ed., Explosives: WAC 296-52-493, Part F, or as revised.
(g) 
Surface Water Permit. A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) sand and gravel general permit or individual permit, as appropriate, shall be a condition of approval and incorporated herein by reference.
(h) 
Hours of Operation. Regular hours of operation shall be between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.; blasting shall only occur during the time period between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Prior to any blast, 24-hour notice shall be given to all property owners or residences within 500 feet of any mine property line. If a blast does not occur as scheduled in a notification, 24-hour renotification shall be required. The hearing examiner may inquire into the proposed hours of operation and set additional limits when deemed necessary to protect quiet enjoyment of neighboring residential properties. The hearing examiner may include provisions for exceptions from established regular hours of operation. Extended hours may be requested and approved under conditions set by the hearing examiner if a declared emergency exists or for work on public works contracts that may require work outside regular hours and in either situation the request is for less than six consecutive months.
(3) 
Exceptions. This permit process shall not be applicable to mines regulated under federal mining laws.
(Formerly 17.142.200; Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018; Ord. 1333 (Exh. E), 2022; Ord. 1367 (Exh. C), 2025)
(1) 
Site Ownership.
(a) 
Transient accommodations with multiple parcels shall consolidate the lots into one larger parcel and ownership (as part of the application).
(b) 
No division of the ownership of transient accommodations is allowed.
(2) 
Access and Circulation. Transient accommodation sites shall meet the relevant county and state access and circulation standards.
(3) 
State Requirements. Conformity with the transient accommodation standards in Chapter 246-360 WAC shall be required.
(Formerly 17.142.210; Ord. 1292 § 23, 2018; Ord. 1333 (Exh. E), 2022)