City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 17A
Chapter 17A.020
Section 17A.020.070
 

Title 17A Administration

Chapter 17A.020 Definitions

Section 17A.020.070 “G” Definitions
  1. Gabions.

Works composed of masses of rock, rubble, or masonry tightly enclosed usually by wire mesh so as to form massive blocks. They are used to form walls on beaches to retard wave erosion or as foundations for breakwaters or jetties.

  1. Garage.
    1. A covered structure designed to provide shelter for vehicles, and which is accessory to a use in these structure types:
      1. houses,
      1. attached houses,
      1. duplexes, or
      1. mobile homes.
    1. Carports are considered garages.
    1. Floor area adjacent to the space designed to provide shelter for vehicles, if not entirely separated from the garage area by floor-to-ceiling walls, is considered part of the garage.
    1. A garage may be attached to or detached from another structure.
  1. Garage Wall Length.

The garage wall length is determined by measuring the length of the specific side of a structure that is backed by garage space. The garage wall length is not limited to the length of the garage door; it includes all the length on the specified side of a structure between the walls of the garage (see Figure17A.020.070.A). For carports, the garage wall length is determined by measuring the length extending from the outer edges of the roof. (See Figure 17A.020.070.B)

http://my.spokanecity.org/smc/images/c34910_17A-020-070_A.jpg

http://my.spokanecity.org/smc/images/c34910_17A-020-070_B.jpg

  1. General Site Plan.
    1. An informal map of a proposed subdivision; or
    1. A scale drawing showing the:
      1. actual dimensions and shape of the site to be built upon;
      1. size and location of existing buildings on the site to the nearest foot; and
      1. location and dimensions of proposed building(s), structure(s) and alteration(s).
  1. Genetic Diversity.

The variety of different genes within a species. The larger the variety of genes in the gene pool of a species, or the less related the breeding individuals are, the greater the chances of that species surviving various adversities, such as disease.

  1. Geologically Hazardous Area.

An area that because of its susceptibility to erosion, sliding, or other geological events is not suited to siting commercial, residential, or industrial development consistent with public health or safety concerns.

  1. Geotechnical Report.
    1. Or “geotechnical analysis” means a scientific study or evaluation conducted by a qualified professional that includes a description of the ground and surface hydrology and geology, the affected land form and its susceptibility to mass wasting, erosion, and other geologic hazards or processes, conclusions, and recommendations regarding the effect of the proposed development on geologic conditions, the adequacy of the site to be developed, the impacts of the proposed development, alternative approaches to the proposed development, and measures to mitigate potential site-specific and cumulative geological and hydrological impacts of the proposed development, including the potential adverse impacts to adjacent and down-current properties.

Geotechnical reports shall conform to accepted technical standards and must be prepared by qualified professional engineers or geologists who have professional expertise about the regional and local geology and processes.

  1. Glazing

Glass as used in building façades, including windows, transoms and glass portions of storefronts.

  1. Grade.

The “grade” of a building is defined in the International Building Code, Sec. 502.1 as a grade plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the building of exterior walls. Where the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line or, where the lot line is more than six feet (one thousand eight hundred twenty-nine mm) from the building, between the building and a point six feet (one thousand eight hundred twenty-nine mm) from the building.

  1. Groins.

A bank of shore-protection structure in the form of a barrier oblique to primary motion of water, deigned to control movement of bed material.

  1. Ground Disturbing Activity.

Any activity that results in a change in the existing soil cover (both vegetative and non-vegetative) and/or the existing soil topography. Ground disturbing activities include, but are not limited to demolition, construction, clearing, grading, filling, logging, and excavation.

  1. Ground Water.

Water in a saturated zone or stratum beneath the surface of the land or below a surface water body.

  1. Group Living Structure.

A structure that contains sleeping areas and at least one set of cooking and sanitary facilities that is used as a residence for group living uses.

Date Passed: Monday, January 12, 2015

Effective Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2015

ORD C35212 Section 15