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 17E
Chapter 17E.060
Section 17E.060.490
 

Title 17E Environmental Standards

Chapter 17E.060 Shoreline Regulations

Article V. General Requirements for Shoreline Use and Modifications: Part V. Requirements for Specific Shoreline Uses

Section 17E.060.490 Capital Facilities and Utilities
  1. Definition.

Utilities are services and facilities that produce, convey, store, or process such things as power, gas, sewage, communications, oil, and waste. Capital Facilities include wastewater treatment plants, bridges, water reservoirs, electrical substations, gas regulating stations, and power generating facilities. On-site utility features serving a primary use such as a water, sewer, or gas line to a residence are “accessory utilities” and shall be considered a part of the primary use.

  1. New utilities and capital facilities shall be located, designed, and maintained in such a way that there is no net loss of shoreline ecological functions.
  1. New utilities shall be located in existing rights-of-way and corridors whenever feasible and not harmful to existing utilities.
  1. All new utility production and processing facilities such as power plants, or parts of those facilities that are non-water oriented, shall not be allowed in the shoreline jurisdiction unless it can be demonstrated that no other feasible alternative is available.
  1. Transmission facilities for the conveyance of services such as power lines, cables, and pipelines shall be located outside of the shoreline jurisdiction where feasible.
  1. Over-water utility crossings shall be allowed only when no feasible alternative exists.
  1. New utilities or the substantial expansion of existing utilities shall:
    1. be located underground or under water, if feasible (feasible as defined by chapter 17A.020 SMC and WAC 173-26-020(13));
    1. utilize low impact, low profile, design and construction methods; and
    1. be consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
  1. Maintenance and replacement of existing utilities shall be exempt from subsections (G)(1) and (G)(2) above.
  1. The construction of bridges solely for pipelines shall not be allowed.
  1. Facilities which constitute the final termination or destination of a transmission line shall not be allowed in the shoreline jurisdiction.
  1. New utilities and facilities shall be located to eliminate the need for extensive shoreline stabilization measures.
  1. Upon completion of installation and/or maintenance projects, shorelines shall be re-vegetated pursuant to SMC 17E.060.270, Vegetation Replacement Plan.
  1. New wastewater treatment plant facilities and accessory uses, including pumping stations, shall be located outside of the shoreline jurisdiction, with the exception of outfall infrastructure, unless no other feasible alternative exists.
  1. Expansions or upgrades of existing wastewater treatment plant facilities shall be allowed in the shoreline jurisdiction.
  1. New wastewater treatment plant outfalls shall be located so they will not be visible at mean low water.
  1. New wastewater treatment plant outfalls shall be designed and constructed to prevent the entry of fish.
  1. Wastewater treatment plant facilities shall be required to mitigate the aesthetic impacts to the surrounding environment through low impact development.
  1. Wastewater treatment plant improvements shall incorporate mitigation measures for odor reduction.

Date Passed: Monday, November 3, 2008

Effective Date: Monday, July 26, 2010

ORD C34326 Section 2