Title 17A Administration
Chapter 17A.020 Definitions
Section 17A.020.020 “B” Definitions
- Backed Sign.
See SMC 17C.240.015.
- Balloon Sign.
See SMC 17C.240.015.
- Bank Carving.
The incorporation of masses of alluvium or other weak bank materials into a stream channel because of undermining, usually in high flow stages.
- Bank Erosion.
The incorporation of masses of alluvium or other weak bank materials into a stream channel.
- Bankfull Width.
- For streams, the measurement of the lateral extent of the water surface elevation perpendicular to the channel at bankfull depth. In cases where multiple channels exist, bankfull width is the sum of the individual channel widths along the cross-section.
- For lakes, ponds, and impoundments, line of mean high water.
- For periodically inundated areas of associated wetlands, line of periodic inundation, which will be found by examining the edge of inundation to ascertain where the presence and action of waters are so common and usual, and so long continued in all ordinary years, as to mark upon the soil a character distinct from that of the abutting upland.
- Banner.
See SMC 17C.240.015.
- Bas-relief.
Sculptural form in which shapes or figures are carved in a flat surface and project only slightly from the background.
- Base Flood.
The flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year, also referred to as the “one hundred year flood.”
- Base Flood Elevation (BFE)
The elevation to which floodwater is anticipated to rise during the base flood.
- Basement.
The portion of a building having its floor sub-grade (below ground level) on all sides.
- Bedrock.
Means a general term for rock, typically hard, consolidated geologic material that underlies soil or other unconsolidated, superficial material or is exposed at the surface.
- Bee.
Any stage of development of the common domestic honeybee, Apis mellifera species.
- Beekeeper.
A person owning, possession, or controlling one or more colonies of bees.
- Best Available Science.
Current scientific information used in the process to designate, protect, or restore critical areas, which is derived from a valid scientific process.
- Best Management Practices.
The utilization of methods, techniques, or products that have been demonstrated to be the most effective and reliable in minimizing environmental impacts.
- Bicycle Facilities
Facilities designated for use by bicyclists and sometimes by other non-motorized users. The following types of bikeway facilities are identified and further defined in the Comprehensive Plan:
- Bike-Friendly Route.
- Shared lane.
- Neighborhood Greenway.
- Bicycle lane, both striped and physically protected.
- Shared-use pathway.
- Binding Site Plan – Final.
A drawing to a scale which:
- identifies and shows the areas and locations of all streets, roads, improvements, utilities, open spaces, and any other matters provided in SMC 17G.080.060;
- contains inscriptions or attachments setting forth such appropriate limitations and conditions for the use of the land; and
- contains provisions making any development be in conformity with the site plan.
- A binding site plan can only be used on property zoned commercial or industrial.
- Binding Site Plan – Preliminary.
A neat and approximate drawing of a proposed binding site plan showing the general layout of streets, alleys, lots, blocks, and other elements required by this chapter. The preliminary binding site plan shall be the basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a binding site plan.
- Block.
A group of lots, tracts, or parcels within well-defined and fixed boundaries. Blocks shall be recognized as closed polygons, bordered by street right-of-way lines, addition lines, or a combination of the two, unless an alley is desired, in which case a block is comprised of two closed polygons bordered by street and alley right-of-way lines.
- Block Frontage.
All of the property fronting on one side of a street that is between intersecting or intercepting streets, or that is between a street and a water feature, or end of a dead end street. An intercepting street determines only the boundary of the block frontage on the side of the street which it intercepts.
- Board.
The board of county commissioners of Spokane County.
- Boating Facilities.
Boating facilities include uses for boat or launch ramps. Boating facility use generally requires shoreline modification with impacts to the shoreline both waterward and landward of the ordinary high-water marks.
- Boundary Line Adjustment.
A division made for the purpose of adjusting boundary lines which does not create any additional lot, tract, parcel, site, or division nor create any lot, tract, parcel, site, or division which contains insufficient area and dimension to meet minimum requirements for width and area for a building site.
- Breakaway Wall.
A wall that is not part of the structural support of the building and is intended through its design and construction to collapse under specific lateral loading forces, without causing damage to the elevated portion of the building or supporting foundation system.
- Breezeway.
A breezeway is a roofed passageway joining two separate structures.
- Building.
- A “building” is a structure, or part, used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
- The term includes “factory-built structure” and “mobile home.”
- “Building” does not include a recreational vehicle.
- “Building” means a structure that has a roof and is enclosed on at least fifty percent of the area of its sides for purposes of administration of zoning provisions.
- Building Base.
The plinth or platform upon which a building wall appears to rest, helping establish pedestrian-scaled elements and aesthetically tying the building to the ground.
- Building Coverage.
- Included Items.
Building coverage is the total amount of ground area covered by a structure or structures. Coverage includes both conditioned and unconditioned space and is measured from the exterior wall. The following features are included in the calculation of Building Coverage:
- Covered porches;
- Covered decks;
- Uncovered decks more than forty-two (42) inches above grade;
- Covered stairways;
- Uncovered stairways more than forty-two (42) inches above grade;
- Entry bridges more than forty-two (42) inches above grade;
- Pergolas;
- Trellises;
- Bay windows;
- Cantilevered extensions; and
- Eave overhangs exceeding twenty-four (24) inches.
- Excluded Items.
- Eave overhangs of twenty-four (24) inches or less; and
- Uncovered decks, stairways, or entry bridges less than forty-two (42) inches above grade.
- Eave Overhangs.
For eave overhangs that exceed twenty-four (24) inches, the entirety of the eave overhang shall be included in the calculation.
- Building Envelope.
The area of a lot that delineates where a building may be placed.
- Building Footprint
The Building Coverage attributable to an individual building.
- Building Frontage.
The length of any side of a building which fronts on a public street, measured in a straight line parallel with the abutting street.
- Building Official.
The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the Building Code.
- Build-to Line.
An alignment establishing a certain distance from the property line (street right-of-way line) along which the building is required to be built.
- Bulkhead.
A solid or open pile wall erected generally parallel to and near the ordinary high-water mark for the purpose of protecting adjacent uplands from water or erosion. Bulkheads are considered a “hard” shoreline stabilization measure.
Date Passed: Monday, April 29, 2024
Effective Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
ORD C36514 Section 2
