Commissioners OK Changes To Zoning Code

— Planning Commission members hope to make it a little easier for owners of adjoining lots to build across property lines.

In its regular meeting Monday, the group voted to approve amendments to the city’s zoning code, eliminating side building setbacks between adjacent residentially zoned properties under the same ownership.

In 2012, 314 miscellaneous building permits were issued in the city, according to building division records. Planning Director Chris Suneson said the majority of those permits include construction of docks, decks and accessory buildings.

Suneson said under the current zoning code, the city’s building division can vary the setback up to 2 feet. With these amendments, the process becomes easier and more efficient for all parties involved.

Even under the new code, landowners will be required to file a Notice of Structural Encroachment of Property Line with the county recorder. This will eliminate confusion upon selling one or both adjoined lots, especially in instances when lot owners used the second lot to install a septic system.

The item will be presented to the City Council for final approval.

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