§ 20.08G.040. Permitted uses and exclusions.

The following uses are permitted within the AOD subject to the development standards contained in Section 20.08G.020 and the requirements provided herein.

1.

Farmers markets operating under the guidelines of the Washington State Farmers Market Association as amended, where one or more permanent structures are involved is permitted through an administrative site plan review, subject to the following standards.

a.

Farmers markets pursuant to this section are not subject to the minimum lot size requirements of TCC Section 20.08G.020(9).

b.

All applicable local, state and federal laws, including, but not limited to, environmental health, site access, lighting and parking standards shall be met.

c.

Temporary and permanent structures and parking areas shall be located where impacts to adjacent residential uses will be minimized.

2.

Permitted agricultural accessory uses and activities, include, but are not limited to the production, storage, distribution, and marketing of regional agricultural products, including value-added products from one or more producers, agriculturally related experiences and support services that facilitate these activities. Accessory commercial or retail sales in conformance with standards contained in this chapter and other applicable Thurston County Codes are permitted within the AOD subject to the following standards and approval processes. Accessory agritourism activities and agriculturally related experiences involving a building or structure are also subject to these standards.

a.

Unless otherwise specified by this chapter, accessory commercial or retail uses shall be located on an active farm where agriculture is the primary use of the property.

b.

The accessory commercial or retail use shall offer for sale products or services produced on-site, but which may also be supplemented by goods and services produced in the Pacific Northwest. At least seventy-five percent of the agricultural produce displayed shall be grown or produced in the Pacific Northwest. Sale of ancillary products is permitted, however such products shall not exceed twenty-five percent of product display area.

c.

Nonagricultural accessory uses and activities such as corporate or group events, reunions, photography/art classes, art exhibits, archery ranges, group camping and similar accessory uses as determined by the director are permitted as long as they are consistent with the size, scale, and intensity of the existing agricultural use of the property and the existing buildings on the site. Nonagricultural accessory uses and activities, including new buildings, parking, or supportive uses, shall not be located outside the general area already developed for buildings and residential uses and shall not otherwise convert more than one acre of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses or non-resource use.

d.

An accessory commercial or retail use involving seven hundred or less square feet of floor area is allowed by right (no land use permit required), but is subject to all other applicable local, state and federal requirements related to public health, building/construction standards, safety, health and welfare. Such exempt accessory commercial or retail uses are not subject to the lot size requirements of Section 20.08G.020(9) TCC, titled General standards.

e.

An accessory commercial or retail use involving from seven hundred one to six thousand square feet of floor area is permitted with an Administrative Site Plan Review and shall follow the public notice standards of 18.10.030.B(4)—B(5) TCC.

f.

An accessory commercial or retail use involving more than six thousand square feet of floor area is permitted with a special use permit for a home based industry.

g.

Unlisted accessory commercial or retail uses involving no defined area or structure, which are determined to be non-exempt by the director may be reviewed through an administrative site plan review process, subject to the standards of this chapter and all other applicable Thurston County Codes.

3.

Small scale wineries, microbreweries, cider mills, craft distilleries, and similar small scale, craft beverage producers with associated tasting room and retail space are permitted in accordance with the following:

a.

Small scale wineries, microbreweries, cider mills, craft distilleries and other craft beverage production facilities equal to or less than eight thousand square feet shall be permitted through an administrative site plan review and shall follow the public notice standards of 18.10.030.B(4)—B(5) TCC.

b.

Small scale wineries, microbreweries, cider mills, and craft distilleries and other craft beverage production facilities greater than eight thousand square feet and up to a maximum of twenty thousand square feet shall be permitted through a special use permit.

c.

Structures and mechanical appurtenances necessary for the production and storage of locally produced wine, microbrews, cider, distilled spirits and other craft beverages shall be exempt from maximum height limits pursuant to Section 20.07.080 TCC, Structures excluded from maximum height regulations.

d.

Small scale wineries, microbreweries, cider mills, craft distilleries and other small-scale, craft beverage producers within the AOD may also include the following accessory uses:

i.

Product tasting facilities.

ii.

Retail sales of wine, beer and spirits produced on-site and limited sale of other regionally produced goods and services, (i.e. locally produced wines, cheeses, preserves etc.).

iii.

On-site bed and breakfast services, with guest rooms for temporary occupancy (up to thirty days maximum per stay) are permitted in accordance with the following:

A.

Small scale wineries, microbreweries, cider mills and craft distilleries of eight thousand square feet or less pursuant to Section 20.08G.020(3)(a) may also include bed and breakfast accommodations of up to three guest rooms.

B.

Small scale wineries, microbreweries, cider mills and craft distilleries between eight thousand one and twenty thousand square feet or less pursuant to Section 20.08G.020(3)(b) may also include bed and breakfast accommodations of up to eight guest rooms.

iv.

Tours, seminars, parties, weddings and all other temporary uses allowed under item 7. of this section titled "short-term events" are permitted at small scale wineries, microbreweries, cider mills, craft distilleries and other craft beverage production facilities within the AOD.

4.

Country inns with or without a restaurant/lounge, overnight accommodations and meeting space are permitted in the AOD and are exempt from the design standards of Thurston County Code Section 20.54.070(9.5), and replaced with the following in addition to the general standards contained in this chapter. Within the AOD, country inns are permitted subject to the following standards:

a.

Country inns within the AOD are permitted in the following zoning districts, residential LAMIRD, RL 1/2, RL 1/1 and RL 2/1, RR 1/5, RRR 1/5, R 1/10 and R 1/20. Country inns are prohibited within the NA, LTA and LTF zoning districts.

b.

Minimum lot size for country inns within the AOD is ten 10) acres, subject to the following provision:

i.

When a proposed country inn within an existing, nonconforming structure does not meet the minimum lot size or setback requirements of this section, the resource stewardship department may permit the development subject to the applicant demonstrating compatibility with the rural environment and existing development. For this section, existing lots are defined as lots existing at the time of adoption of this chapter.

c.

Building height.

i.

The maximum building height is thirty-five feet (excluding existing structures).

d.

Parking standards for country inns. The following minimum number and design of parking spaces shall be provided:

i.

One space per two hundred square feet of country inn and lounge.

ii.

Parking areas shall be set back a minimum of twenty-five feet from external property lines and shall be landscaped to soften the visual appearance of parking and loading areas. Parking and loading areas should be located within the side or rear yard to reduce visual impacts (all other requirements for parking area are located in Chapter 20.44 TCC).

e.

Lounge/bar area is limited to twenty-five percent floor area of the restaurant, or ten percent of total square footage if no restaurant.

f.

Minimum distance of one county inn from another shall be one air mile. Separation of country inns from a neighborhood convenience use shall be one air mile.

g.

Minimum building setback is one hundred feet from all property lines, subject to the following provision:

i.

When a proposed country inn for an existing structure cannot meet the required setbacks, the director may adjust setbacks to the lesser standards of TCC Section 20.07.030.1.(a.), subject to the applicant demonstrating compatibility with the rural environment and existing development. For this section, existing structures are defined as structures existing at the time of adoption of this chapter.

h.

Proposed country inns within the AOD equal to or less than four thousand five hundred square feet require:

i.

An administrative special use permit; and

ii.

Shall follow the public notice standards of Section 18.10.030.B(4)—B(5) TCC.

i.

Proposed country inns within the AOD between four thousand five hundred and a maximum of eight thousand square feet require a special use permit by hearing examiner.

j.

Landscaping standards. Landscaping will be required to screen, buffer, and enhance the character of the neighborhood. The applicant will be required to provide a landscape plan showing how these requirements will be met.

k.

Access. New country inns shall be located on a paved road and within one-half mile from a county arterial or collector road at minimum.

l.

Design. The outward appearance and design of country inns shall be consistent with the rural character of Thurston County.

5.

Agricutural home stay establishments for the purpose of providing temporary accommodations to visitors and tourists shall only be located on an active farm that produces agricultural products as its primary source of income. All applicable local, state and federal law, permits and licenses shall be met/obtained prior to establishing an agricultural home stay, including required Washington State Department of Health licenses. Agricultural home stays shall be subject to the following:

a.

Minimum parcel size is ten acres.

b.

Farming shall be the primary use of the subject parcel.

c.

The total number of guest rooms permitted for short-term rental on an individual parcel is determined by parcel size and the permitted residential density of the underlying zoning district. To determine the number of short-term rental units per parcel, divide the total parcel acreage by the minimum lot size allowed in the particular zoning district, then subtract any existing residential units on the subject parcel. Critical areas and approved farm housing are not counted in determining the number of permitted guest units.

d.

Up to four guest units shall be reviewed through a minor administrative action permit process.

e.

Between five to a maximum of eight guest units shall be reviewed through an administrative site plan review permit process.

f.

The maximum size of individual guest units is six hundred square feet of floor area and each unit may contain a kitchen.

g.

Maximum length of stay is thirty days per visit.

h.

Maximum number of guests is sixteen overnight guests per day.

i.

Guest units shall be contained within an existing building or home, one new building or in more than one building clustered within a one-acre, non-agricultural area to reduce impacts to agricultural lands.

6.

Activities and uses defined as nature tourism, geo-tourism, culinary tourism, art tourism or eco-tourism may be permitted on all legal lots subject to Sections 20.08G.020, 20.08G.040(2), and all other applicable standards contained in this chapter and Thurston County Code. When a use pursuant to this section is proposed within an existing, nonconforming structure or lot, the Resource Stewardship Department may permit the development subject to the applicant demonstrating compatibility with the rural environment, existing development and all other Thurston County Codes. In addition, such uses shall be designed and operated so as to enhance the economic viability of farming and maintain the rural character of the AOD by:

a.

Promoting locally grown and produced agricultural products, goods and services;

b.

Emphasizing local rural and agricultural attributes such as local specialty crops, farming and rural culture, native and natural resources, local history, local food networks and relationships, and other elements which highlight the importance of local agriculture; and

c.

Enticing visitors who will see and experience the value of local agricultural lands to the culture and economy of rural Thurston County and who may purchase locally grown and produced agricultural products, goods and services.

7.

Short-term, agritourism events meeting the following standards are exempt from the requirements of TCC Section 20.54.070, subsections 41.5(a), (b) and (c). However, the requirements of Section 20.54.070 41.5(d) shall be met. Food and wine festivals, art shows, weddings and similar temporary gatherings as determined by the director are permitted in accordance with the following:

a.

The primary use of the property shall be agriculture, with the exception of sites with an approved winery, brewery, distillery, country inn or approved agritourism operation.

b.

Short-term events up to ten days per year involving fewer than one hundred individuals daily or otherwise listed as exempt under Section 20.54.070(41.5) are allowed as a matter of right.

c.

Short-term events in excess of ten days per year may be permitted pursuant to the following:

i.

Short-term events up to twenty-one days per year may be permitted through a special use permit for a home occupation and shall follow the public notice requirements of Section 18.10.030.B(4) TCC.

ii.

Short-term events exceeding twenty-one days per year may be permitted through a Special Use Permit for a home based industry.

d.

Short term events shall be limited to three consecutive days per event, with a minimum of ten days between events unless otherwise approved by the department.

e.

On-site parking shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 20.44 TCC (Parking and Loading).

f.

All local public health, noise, food handling, building and other applicable regulations shall be followed.

g.

For temporary events lasting two or more days and with an expected daily attendance exceeding two hundred individuals, the on-site manager or owner shall notify all adjacent neighbors bordering the subject property in writing of the date, time, duration and description of the event. Notification shall occur at least five business days prior to the beginning of the event.

h.

Short-term uses within the AOD are subject to the standards contained in Section 20.54.070(41.5)(d).

i.

Short-term events not meeting the criteria contained in this section may be allowed subject to the provisions of Section 20.54.070(41.5).

(Ord. No. 14725, § 2(Att. B), 3-13-2012; Ord. No. 14985, §§ 2—4(Att. A), 1-28-2014)