Government
Code Interpretations
Pursuant to TMC 18.96.020, an interpretation of Title 18 may be requested in writing by any person, or initiated by the Director. Requests are processed as a Type 2 Decision and must be accompanied by the applicable fee. The Director’s interpretation is given substantial weight, and the burden of establishing the contrary is on the appellant. Interpretations listed below are currently in effect unless marked “Superseded.” To request a new interpretation, use the Zoning Verification, SEPA & Shoreline Exemption, and Code Interpretation application.
| No. | TMC Section | Subject | Effective Date | Status | Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01 | 18.44.110.G.6.d | Conversion of a demolished non-conforming structure’s footprint to parking in the shoreline buffer | Jul 27, 2026 | Active | |
| A24-0026 | Table 18-6 | Battery energy storage systems (BESS) permitted as a conditional use in the Commercial/Light Industrial (C/LI) zoning district | Dec 4, 2024 | Active | |
| — | 17.20.030(C)(5); 18.06.740, .795, .950 | Parcel access (driveways/private access roads) and front yard setback & orientation standards for short plats and subdivisions in the LDR and MDR districts | May 20, 2024 | Partially superseded | |
| — | Title 19 | Distinguishing a mural from a sign: murals that do not convey a message representing a product, service, or registered trademark, and that do not identify the use, are not considered signs | Aug 26, 2019 | Active | |
| — | 18.54.130(3); 18.54.140 | The 70-trees-per-acre density limit for replacement tree planting applies to on-site planting only, not to the total number of mitigation trees required; trees that cannot be planted on-site due to space, technical issues, or the density limit may be planted off-site or satisfied via fee-in-lieu | Nov 4, 2009 | Partially superseded |
The May 20, 2024 private access road interpretation is marked partially superseded: it was written when the LDR district existed as its own zone; that district has since been consolidated into the Community Residential (CR) district, so the LDR-specific portions no longer apply as originally written. The MDR-district portions remain in effect.
The November 4, 2009 off-site tree planting interpretation is marked partially superseded: the TMC has since been amended with updated tree replacement ratios and density standards, so portions of this interpretation no longer reflect current code.