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.020.080
 

Title 17A Administration

Chapter 17A.020 Definitions

Section 17A.020.080 "H" Definitions
  1. Habitat.

What plants and animals call "home" Habitat for a particular plant or animal consists of the elements it needs to survive. These elements may be tied to temperature, water, soil, sunlight, source of food, refuge from predators, place to reproduce and other living and non-living factors. (taken from department of fish and wildlife).

  1. Habitat Blocks.

Sections of habitat, such as grasslands, forest lands, or riparian areas. These can be either adjacent to other sections, or blocks, of habitat or isolated within urban areas.

  1. Habitat Conservation.

Protection or preservation of habitat by various means, such as regulation or acquisition.

  1. Habitat Fragmentation.

The separation or breakup of a habitat area into smaller sections or habitat blocks by activities, such as development, logging, and agriculture, often resulting in degraded habitat due to blocked migration corridors and decreased access to water and feeding areas. It can also create isolated populations of wildlife and a decrease in their genetic diversity.

  1. Habitat Management Plan.

A fish and wildlife management plan developed to preserve and protect the ecological conditions and habitat specific to a particular site or location. Habitat management plans incorporate best management practices.

  1. Hazard Tree.

Any tree that is susceptible to immediate fall due to its condition (damaged, diseased, or dead) or other factors, and which, because of its location, is at risk of damaging permanent physical improvements to property or causing personal injury.

  1. Hazardous Material.

Any liquid, solid, gas, or sludge, including any material, substance, product, commodity, or waste, regardless of quantity, that exhibits any of the physical, chemical or biological properties described in WAC 173-303-090 or WAC 173-303-100.

  1. Hearing Officer.
  1. A person or reviewing body appointed by the mayor to consider appeals under SMC 17E.010.140.
  1. The officer makes reasonable rules and procedures for the conduct of the hearings authorized hereunder.
  1. Height.

The height of a building is as defined in the International Building Code, Sec. 502.1 as “building height,” the vertical distance from grade plane to the average height of the highest roof surface. Building height for structures in the residential zones is referenced in SMC 17C.110.215, Building Height.

  1. High Quality Vegetative Buffer.

A wetland buffer comprised of multilevel dense native vegetation including shrubs.

  1. Highest Adjacent Grade.

The highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure.

  1. Historic Landmark.

An historic site, object, building or structure designated pursuant to this chapter that serves as an example of the cultural, historical, architectural or archaeological development of Spokane and Spokane County.

  1. Historic Preservation Officer (HPO).

The person charged with the daily operation of the historic preservation office and who:

  1. under the administrative direction of the director of planning and economic development services, community and economic development, conducts the work program of the City/County historic preservation office; and
  1. serves as the primary staff person for the City/County landmarks commission.
  1. Historic Structure

For purposes of the floodplain regulations in chapter 17E.030 SMC, any structure that is:

  1. Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places, as maintained by the Department of Interior, or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;
  1. Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district;
  1. Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of Interior; or
  1. Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either:
  1. By an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior, or
  1. Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs.
  1. Hive.

Any Langstroth type structure with movable-frames intended for the housing of a bee colony. A hive typically consists of a cover, honey supers, brood chambers and a bottom board.

  1. Homeowners’ Association.

Any combination or group of persons or any association, corporation or other entity that represents homeowners residing in a short subdivision, subdivision, or planned unit development. A homeowners’ association shall be an entity legally created under the laws of the State of Washington.

  1. House.

A detached dwelling unit located on its own lot.

  1. Household.

A household may be a single person, family, or unrelated persons living together, consistent with RCW 84.14.010.

  1. Household Pet.

Any animal such as a cat, dog, rabbit, or bird (canary, parakeet, etc.), amphibian/reptile (turtle, lizard, etc.), rodent (rat, mouse, gerbil, etc.), or tropical fish that lives in or is kept within a residence or on a property contain the owner’s residence. Young household pets under the age of four months are not included when counting household pets.

  1. Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA).

A permit issued by the State department of fish and wildlife for modifications to waters of the State in accordance with RCW 77.55.

  1. Hydric Soil.

Soil that is saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part. The presence of hydric soil shall be determined following the methods described in the Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States 6.0 or as amended.

  1. Hydrophytic Vegetation.

Macrophytic plant life growing in water or on a substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen as a result of excessive water content. The presence of hydrophytic vegetation shall be determined following the methods described in the Washington State Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual.

Date Passed: Monday, April 29, 2024

Effective Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024

ORD C36514 Section 3