In order to classify, segregate, and regulate the use of land, buildings, and structures, the city is divided into the following use districts:
PRIMARY DISTRICTS
Description
Symbol
Typical Uses
Floodplain district
FP
Pasture, recreation, agriculture
Agricultural district
AG
Agriculture, horticulture, five-acre minimum subdivision
Suburban agricultural district
SAG
Residential uses 43,560 square feet minimum lot size; limited agriculture
Single-family residential district 12,000
R-1-12
Residential uses 12,000 square feet average lot size
Single-family residential district 10,000
R-1-10
Residential uses 10,000 square feet average lot size
Medium-density residential district
R-2
Residential uses 6,000 square feet minimum lot size for a single-family dwelling; 8,000 square feet for duplex dwelling
Medium-density residential – small lot use district
R-2S
Residential uses 4,000 square feet minimum lot size for detached one-family dwelling, 7,000 square feet minimum lot size for two-family dwelling, and 3,000 square feet minimum lot size for attached one-family dwelling
Multiple-family residential district
R-3
Single-family, duplex, multifamily residential; single-family 6,000 square feet; duplex 8,000 square feet; multifamily 1,500 square feet per dwelling unit
Limited business district
C-LB
Offices, clubs, motels, hotels, clinics, apartments
Neighborhood retail business district
C-1
Convenience stores serving immediate neighborhood
Retail business district
C-2
Retail activities, motels, hotels, etc.
General business district
C-3
Retail-wholesale; small fabricating; used/new car sale
Central business district
CBD
Central business mixed uses
Waterfront
WF
Commercial and residential water oriented uses
Commercial winery
CW
Wineries and supporting uses
Commercial recreation
CR
Marina, resort, hotel, recreation
Medium industrial
I-M
Manufacturing district
Heavy manufacturing district
M-2
Manufacturing, warehousing and related uses
Business and commerce use district
B-C
Business and commercial uses
Business research park use district
B-RP
Business research and business park uses
Parks and public facilities
PPF
Parks, playgrounds, and public facility uses
Natural open space district
NOS
Undeveloped open space, pedestrian trails
University district
UNIV
Uses related to university campus
(Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 04-09; Ord. 29-14 § 1.01; Ord. 2024-08 § 2)
Any use district may be combined with a floodplain combining district. The use of land classified in a combined district shall be governed by the regulations relating both to the primary district and to its combining district.
(Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 29-14 § 1.01)
All lands not classified as in one of the use districts established by RMC § 23.08.010 on the official sectional maps and all lands, if any, in the city not shown on the official sectional maps shall be classified R-1-12 until they are specifically classified by an amendment to this title.
(Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 29-14 § 1.01)
All lands hereafter annexed to the city shall be classified by ordinance at the time of annexation in one or more of the use districts established by RMC § 23.08.010. Such classification shall be in accord with the comprehensive plan of the city and shall be made only after receipt by the city council of a report from the planning commission, made after a public hearing, which report shall recommend a land use plan and use district classification for such land.
(Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 29-14 § 1.01)
The above use districts and the boundaries of such use districts are established as shown on a series of sectional maps, numbered 1 through 24 and marked "City of Richland Official Zoning Designation GIS Map Book." The sectional maps constitute the official zoning map of the city of Richland, which official map is by this reference made a part of this title. Such map, consisting of the sectional maps above referred to and all amendments thereto, shall be filed in the office of the city clerk. The amendment of any of the sectional maps shall be an amendment of the official zoning map. Each copy of this title, prepared by or under the direction of the city, shall include facsimiles of the sectional maps comprising the official map.
(Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 29-14 § 1.01; Ord. 03-18 § 1)
When uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of any use district shown on the sectional maps, the following rules of construction shall apply:
A. 
Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately following the centerline of streets, alleys, or highways, the actual centerline shall be construed to be the boundary.
B. 
Where district boundary lines are indicated as running approximately parallel to the centerline of a street, alley, or highway, the boundary lines shall be construed to be parallel to the centerline of the street.
C. 
Where district boundaries are indicated on such maps as approximately following the lot or tract lines, the actual lot or tract lines shall be construed to be the boundary of such use district.
D. 
Where a district boundary on such sectional maps divides a tract in unsubdivided property, the location of such use district boundary, unless the same is indicated by dimensions thereon, shall be determined by use of the scale appearing on such sectional district map.
E. 
Where a public street or alley is officially vacated or abandoned, the regulations applicable to the abutting property to which the vacated portion shall revert shall apply to such vacated or abandoned street or alley.
F. 
In case uncertainty exists which cannot be determined by the application of the foregoing rules, the planning commission shall recommend and the city council shall determine the location of such use district boundaries.
(Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 29-14 § 1.01)
The boundaries of such use districts as are shown upon the official zoning map of the city made a part of this title, or upon amendments thereto, are hereby adopted and approved and the regulations of this title governing the uses of land, buildings and structures, the height of buildings and structures, the size of yards about buildings and structures, and other matters as herein set forth are hereby established and declared to be in effect upon all land included within the boundaries of each and every use district shown upon the official zoning map of the city or upon amendments thereto.
(Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 29-14 § 1.01)
The administrative official may allow a use that is unlisted in the land use classification charts, if:
A. 
The unlisted use is comparable with other uses in the district;
B. 
The unlisted use will have no adverse effect on other permitted uses in the district;
C. 
The unlisted use conforms with the purpose of the zoning for the district;
D. 
The unlisted use will conform with the performance standards and other regulations applicable to other permitted uses in the district; and
E. 
The unlisted use can be permitted without additional conditions.
Whenever the administrative official finds an unlisted use to be a comparable use, he/she shall make a written record of the comparable use and shall consider such written record when considering future land use proposals.
(Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 29-14 § 1.01)
No building or structure shall be erected and no existing structure or building shall be moved, altered, added to, or enlarged, nor shall any land, building, structure, or premises be used, designed or intended to be used, for any purpose or in any manner other than a use permitted by this title, or amendments thereto, as permitted in the use district in which such land, building, structure, or premises is located. No land use shall be permitted or authorized which is determined by the planning manager to be in violation of any local, state, or federal law, regulation, code or ordinance.
(Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 10-13 § 1.01; Ord. 29-14 § 1.01)
No building or structure shall be erected, nor shall any existing building or structure be moved, reconstructed, or structurally altered to exceed the height limit established by this title, or amendments thereto, for the use district in which such building or structure is located.
(Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 29-14 § 1.01)
No building or structure shall be erected, nor shall any building or structure be moved, altered, enlarged, or rebuilt, nor shall any open spaces surrounding any building or structure be encroached upon or reduced in any manner, except in conformity with the building site requirements and the area and yard regulations established by this title, or amendments thereto, for the use district in which such building or structure is located. No yard or other open spaces provided about any building or structure for the purpose of complying with the regulations of this title or amendments thereto shall be considered as providing a yard or open space for any other building or structure.
(Ord. 28-05 § 1.02; Ord. 29-14 § 1.01)
A. 
In addition to uses that are specifically prohibited in RMC § 23.14.030, § 23.18.030, § 23.22.030, § 23.26.030, § 23.28.030 and § 23.30.020, the following uses are also prohibited:
Marijuana-related land uses, including marijuana retail sale, production or processing facilities, collective gardens and/or dispensaries as may be allowed under state law, are expressly prohibited from locating or operating in any zone within the city of Richland.
B. 
No land use shall be permitted or authorized which is determined by the planning manager to be in violation of any local, state, or federal law, regulation, code or ordinance.
(Ord. 29-14 § 1.01)