§ 24.01.030. Interpretations.
For the purposes of this title, certain words and terms shall be interpreted as follows:
A.
The director shall review and resolve any questions involving the proper interpretation or application of the provisions of this title that may be requested by any property owner, tenant, government officer, department, or other person affected. The director's decision shall be in keeping with the intent of this title, the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan, the Growth Management Act, and other applicable federal, state and county regulations.
B.
Recognizing that there may be uses not specifically mentioned in this title, either because of advancing technology or any other reason, the director may permit or condition such use if it is clearly evident that the use is consistent with the listed principal uses permitted in the critical area in which it is to be located. The decision by the director shall be in writing, published on the county's web page, and can be appealed in accordance with this title.
C.
When interpreting and applying the regulations of this code, its provisions shall be the minimum requirements, unless otherwise stated.
D.
Where conflicts occur between the provisions of this title or between this title and other regulations, the more protective of critical areas shall apply except as otherwise provided for in this title. When conflicts occur between meeting minimum land use densities and the provisions of this title, the provisions of this title shall apply. The county may waive minimum density requirements to protect critical areas, as determined by the director.
E.
When the exact location of a critical area or buffer is in doubt, or where there appears to be a conflict between a mapped boundary and actual field conditions, county personnel shall determine the correct boundary. The approval authority may also require submittal of a report by a qualified professional, at the applicant's expense, as needed to make such determinations. The approval authority may, at the applicant's expense, require a third party review of a report. The approval authority shall determine the third party reviewer.
F.
In the event that a boundary on an official county critical areas map depicting critical areas conflicts with the application of the text of this chapter, the text shall control.
G.
Words used in the present tense can include the future; words used in the masculine gender can include the feminine and neuter; words in the singular number can include the plural; and words in the plural can include the singular, unless obvious construction of the wording indicates otherwise.
H.
The inclusion of the words "must" and "shall" in a regulation indicates the requirement is mandatory.
I.
Unless otherwise specified, all distances shall be measured horizontally and at right angles to the line from which the distance is specified.
J.
Unless otherwise specified, the term "day" shall mean calendar day.
K.
The word "used" shall be deemed to also include "designed, intended, or arranged to be used"; the term "erected" shall be deemed also to include "constructed, reconstructed, altered, placed or relocated."
L.
The terms "land use" and "use of land" shall be deemed also to include the building use and use of building.
M.
The terms "Board of Thurston County Commissioners," "planning commission," "hearing examiner," "resource stewardship director," "health officer," "building officer," "building inspector" and other similar officers shall mean the respective boards, commissions, and officers of Thurston County and/or their authorized agents. The use of the term "board" or "Board" shall always mean the Board of Thurston County Commissioners. The use of the terms "planning commission" or "Planning Commission" shall always mean the Thurston County Planning Commission. The use of the terms "examiner" or "hearing examiner" shall always mean the Thurston County Hearings Examiner. The term "director" shall always mean the resource stewardship director or designee.
(Ord. No. 14773, § 3(Att. B), 7-24-2012)