The purpose of this chapter is to protect rural character, prevent rural area sprawl and avoid the need for urban services in rural areas.
(Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1283 § 19, 2017)
(1) 
Rural Areas of More Intensive Development. Any permit issued in a rural area of more intensive development shall meet the following conditions:
(a) 
The proposed use is consistent with the uses authorized in RCW 36.70A.070(5)(d)(i) through (iii), Chapter 17.42 LCC and the Lewis County comprehensive plan.
(b) 
The public facilities and services that supply the development are sized and located in a manner that is consistent with the Lewis County comprehensive plan, countywide planning policies and Growth Management Act.
(c) 
No boundary change is required for the area of more intensive rural development. Where a boundary change is required, no change shall be allowed without an amendment of the comprehensive plan consistent with the requirements of RCW 36.70A.070(5)(d)(i) through (v).
(2) 
All Rural Area Uses. Any permit issued in rural areas shall meet the following conditions:
(a) 
Urban growth is prohibited in all rural area developments, except as otherwise allowed in Chapter 36.70A RCW, the Growth Management Act.
(b) 
To accomplish this objective, the review authority (either the administrator or hearing examiner, depending on the permit) shall find that:
(i) 
The project makes adequate provision to assure that the development is limited to rural development and rural governmental services.
(ii) 
The project does not, directly or in concert with growth likely in the area affected, create a demand for urban governmental services or establish a form of "urban growth" that is prohibited outside urban growth areas.
(Ord. 1170B, 2000; Ord. 1283 § 19, 2017)
(1) 
Special Characteristics of Rural Development.
(a) 
Rural development refers to development outside of urban growth areas and outside designated long-term agricultural forest and mineral resource lands. Rural development can consist of a variety of residential, commercial and industrial uses and densities, including clustered residential development, at levels which are consistent with the preservation of rural character as defined in the Lewis County comprehensive plan.
(b) 
Rural development in Lewis County typically relies on existing facilities for school and fire, though existing facilities may be upgraded or expanded.
(c) 
Rural development commonly uses existing small towns and crossroad commercial facilities to meet local commercial needs.
(d) 
Rural residential development typically minimizes any impacts to the overall productivity of designated long-term resource lands within a one-mile radius of the proposed development.
(e) 
Clustered developments are considered appropriate for rural development if:
(i) 
The overall density of the land does not exceed the underlying zoning of the parcel (unless bonus densities are awarded);
(ii) 
The development can be accommodated with fire, school, and other rural public facilities without the need to relocate or create a new facility to serve the newly developing area; and
(iii) 
The development can be served by commercial facilities in existing crossroad commercial areas and small towns and does not establish a new commercial center for the county.
(f) 
Industrial and commercial uses are appropriate forms of rural development if consistent with the requirements in RCW 36.70A.070(5)(d) and the descriptions of rural character in Lewis County comprehensive plan.
(Ord. 1283 § 19, 2017)