Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

Main. See Water Main.

Maintain. To allow to continue in existence. When the context indicates, the word shall mean to preserve and care for a structure, or to improve in condition an area to such an extent that it remains attractive, safe, and presentable and carries out the purpose for which it was installed, constructed or required.

Major Thoroughfare. The principal, minor, collector arterials, and State highways, as shown on the Arterial Street Plan adopted in compliance with Chapter 35.77 RCW.

Management Plan. A plan detailing how operations and maintenance activities subject to the provisions of VMC 20.740 will be performed.

Manufacture. Includes production, processing, assembling, packaging or treatment of semi-finished or finished products from raw materials or previously prepared materials or components.

Manufactured Home, Designated – means a manufactured home constructed after June 15, 1976, in accordance with state and federal requirements for manufactured homes. Conforms to federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (HUD Code – “Red Label”) rather than to the Building Code (“Gold Label”) requirements.

Manufactured Home, Mobile – Means a structure transportable in one or more sections, which is built on a permanent chassis, and is designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities. (Generally built before June 15, 1976). "Mobile manufactured homes" are not "recreational vehicles".

Manufactured Home, Modular – Means any home built in modules at a factory. Modular homes conform to all state and local building codes. Modules are transported on truck beds, and then joined together at the site. They are inspected by local officials. (Regulated under the IBC standards – State Building Code).

Manufactured Home, New – means any manufactured home required to be titled under Title 46 RCW, which was not titled to retail purchaser before July 1, 2005, and was not a “used mobile home” as defined in RCW 82.45.032. (Regulated under the HUD construction and safety standards).

Manufactured Home Development. An existing site containing spaces with required improvements and utilities that are leased for the long-term placement of manufactured homes. This term shall also include "mobile home parks" as that term is used in other titled of the Vancouver Municipal Code (VMC).

Manufactured Home Subdivision. An existing subdivision created for the placement of manufactured homes on individual lots.

Marquee. A roofed structure attached to and supported by the building and projecting over public property.

Master Plan. A comprehensive, long-range site plan for a development project. The project may be located on a single parcel or on several contiguous parcels which are owned by one or more parties working cooperatively and collectively, and is usually implemented in phases.

Mean Sea Level. For purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program, the vertical datum to which base flood elevations shown on a community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map are referenced.

Meandering Sidewalks. Those sidewalks separated by a nonuniform planting strip from the back of the curb.

Micro Facility. Regarding wireless communication facilities, a single antenna, or group of antennae, co-located on an existing tower, building or other appurtenance that is small in size and visually unobtrusive.

Mitigation. Mitigation is a six-step sequencing process used to reduce the severity of effects from activities that potentially affect sensitive resources:

a. Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action;

b. Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation, by using appropriate technology or by taking affirmative steps to avoid or reduce impacts;

c. Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating or restoring the affected environment;

d. Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation, and maintenance operations during the life of the action;

e. Compensating for the impact by replacing, enhancing or providing substitute resources or environments; and/or

f. Monitoring the impact and taking appropriate corrective measures.

Mitigation, Compensatory. Compensation for potential impacts to functions and values of critical areas (including fish and wildlife habitat, frequently flooded areas, geologic hazard areas, and wetlands) and their buffers.

Mixed-Use Development. The development of a tract of land, building or structure with a variety of complementary and integrated uses, such as, but not limited to, residential, office, manufacturing, retail, public or entertainment, in a compact urban form.

Mixed-Use Structure. A single structure containing at least two complementary, integrated, or mutually-supporting uses (such as housing, offices, manufacturing, retail, public service, or entertainment). The structure must achieve physical and functional integration within itself.

Moderate-Intensity Land Use. Land uses which are associated with moderate levels of human activity or substantial habitat impacts including Open Space Parks and Open Space Greenways: General zoning districts.

Mode. Refers to the means of transportation used by employees, including single-occupant vehicle, carpool, vanpool, transit, bicycle, and walking.

Monopole Tower. A wireless communications support structure, consisting of a single pole to support antennae and connecting appurtenances.

National Register of Historic Places. The national listing of properties significant to the nation’s cultural history because of their documented importance to history, architectural history, engineering or cultural heritage.

Naturally occurring ponds. Ponds less than twenty acres and their submerged aquatic beds that provide fish or wildlife habitat, including those artificial ponds intentionally created from dry areas in order to mitigate impacts to ponds. Naturally occurring ponds do not include ponds deliberately designed and created from dry sites, such as canals, detention facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, farm ponds, temporary construction ponds, and landscape amenities, unless such artificial ponds were intentionally created for mitigation.

Native. Native plants are those species on the City of Vancouver’s Native Plant Species list (available from the Planning Official).

Native Vegetation. Vegetation that encompasses both that occurring naturally and vegetation well adapted to current and anticipated environmental conditions in this region.

New Construction. For the purposes of VMC 20.740.120, Frequently Flooded Areas, "new construction" means structures for which the "start of construction" commenced on or after September 5, 2012.

New Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision (Applies in Frequently Flooded Areas). A manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of streets, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date of adopted floodplain management regulations by the community.

Noise Contour. The graphic depiction of the spatial extent to which an average noise level affects the area surrounding a source of noise. The contour is a line depicting equal points of impact.

Noise Contour, 65 Ldn. The most current 65 Ldn Noise Contour, as annually updated by the Port of Portland for the Portland International Airport using the criteria and methodology adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration for the purpose of establishing noise contours as a part of airport planning, or as provided by other objective sources for noise generations other than the Portland International Airport.

Noise, Environmental. Shall mean the intensity, duration, and character of sounds from any land use, measured at the property line of the receiving property.

Noise Impact. The extent to which a level of noise interferes with the full utilization of land.

Nonconforming, Legal. A use of land, building, structure or use which lawfully existed at the time of the adoption of this title or of any amendment thereto, but which does not conform with the use or development regulations imposed by this title or such amendment thereto.

Noncontributing. A property which either does not date to the historic period or has not retained sufficient physical integrity so as to convey its historic character.

Normal water year. A twelve-month period (October 1-September 30) with average precipitation based upon data from the past 50 years.

Noxious weeds. Non-native plants which are destructive, competitive, and difficult to control as defined by the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.

Nudity. Regarding Adult Businesses, the showing of the human male or female genitals or pubic area, the showing of the female breast, with less than a fully opaque covering of any part of the nipple, or the showing of the covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.

Obligate, facultative wet, and facultative. Groupings of plants according to their frequency of occurrence in wetlands. Obligate wetland plants almost always (99% probability) occur in wetlands under natural conditions. Facultative wetland plants usually (67%-99% probability) occur in wetlands. Facultative plants are equally likely (34%-66% probability) to occur in wetlands or nonwetlands. Such groupings are more fully defined in the Wetlands Delineation Manual defined in this chapter.

Obstruction. Any dam, wall, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, projection, excavation, channel modification, bridge, conduit, culvert, building, wire, fence, rock, gravel, refuse, fill, structure or matter which is in, along, across or projecting into any channel, watercourse or regulatory flood hazard area; and which may impede, retard or change the direction of the flow of water, either in itself or by catching or collecting debris carried by such water or which is placed where the flow of water might carry the same downstream to the damage of life or property.

Occupant. Any individual living or sleeping in a building or having possession of a building or space therein. Unless otherwise stated, occupant is synonymous with tenant.

Occupancy Certificate. A city certificate allowing the use of a building or structure after it has been determined that all the requirements of applicable ordinances have been met.

Off-Site Impact. A condition that creates, imposes, aggravates or leads to inadequate, impractical, unsafe or unhealthy conditions on a site proposed for development or on off-site property or facilities. This includes, but is not limited to, noise, glare, and odor.

Off-Site Improvement. Improvements required to be made off-site to address impacts identified from an application for development and including, but not limited to, road widening and upgrading, storm water facilities, and traffic system improvements.

100-Year Flood. The flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Also referred to as the “base flood.”

100-Year Flood Elevation. The elevation that the 100-year flood is expected to reach. Also referred to as the “base flood elevation.”

Open Record Predecision Hearing. An open record hearing as defined by 197-11-775 WAC, which is held before the Planning Commission or Hearings Examiner prior to the closed record approval hearing before the City Council.

Ordinary high water mark. That mark which is found by examining the bed and banks of a water body and ascertaining where the presence and action of waters are so common and usual, and so long continued in all ordinary years that the soils and vegetation have a character distinct from that of the abutting upland area. Where the ordinary high water mark cannot be found, it shall be the line of mean high water in areas adjoining fresh water. [WAC 173-22-030(11)]

Ordinary Repair and Maintenance. The work for which a permit issued by the City of Vancouver is not required by law, and where the purpose and effect of such work is to correct any deterioration or decay of or damage to the real property or structure appurtenance therein and to restore the same, as nearly as may be practicable, to the condition prior to the occurrence of such deterioration, decay or damage.

Original Parcel. A lot, parcel or tract created in compliance with all regulations in effect at the time it was initially conveyed, that constitutes the basis for considering the appropriate provisions of this title for platting or short platting; provided, that any lot, parcel or tract conveyed in its present configuration prior to December 18, 1978 (the passage of the short plat ordinance, M-1930) which complies with current zoning requirements, shall be conclusively presumed to have been lawfully created.

Overlay Area. A special geographic area designated in a capital facilities plan to be served by a system improvement, which area is not generally contiguous with an established service area. An overlay area may be local (i.e., covering only a portion of a single service area), regional (i.e., covering portions or all of several service areas), or county wide (i.e., covering both incorporated and unincorporated areas).

Overlay Zone or District. A designated area within a base zoning district for which specific land use regulations apply, in addition to the base zoning requirements.

Owner. The owner of record of real property as shown on the tax rolls of the County, or a person purchasing a piece of property under contract. For the purpose of this title, in terms of violations and binding agreements between the city and the owner, the owner shall also mean a leaseholder, tenant, or other person in possession or control of the premises or property at the time of agreement, violation of agreement, or the provisions of this title.

Ownership Interest. A property interest in an existing single-family residence under a recorded deed or under a contract of purchase, recorded mortgage, recorded deed of trust or recorded lease by which the applicant is responsible under penalty of forfeiture, foreclosure or default for payment of real property taxes and/or local improvement district assessments. The term shall also include a share ownership in a cooperative housing association, corporation or partnership if the applicant can establish that his or her share represents the specific unit or portion of such structure in which he or she resides.

Painted Wall or Wall Graphic. An advertisement painted directly on the wall of a building.

Parking Area, Public. An open area other than a street or other public way, used for the parking of automobiles and available to the public whether for a fee, free of charge or as an accommodation for clients or customers.

Parking Space. A permanently surfaced and marked area not less than that specified in Chapter 20.945 VMC Parking and Loading, excluding paved area necessary for access, for the parking of a motor vehicle.

Parking Storage. A location where vehicles are placed or left for maintenance, repair, sale, rental or future use.

Partition. See subdivision.

Party of Record. A person or group who makes an appearance in a proceeding through the submission of either written or verbal evidence. Groups shall designate one person as a representative or contact.

Pedestrian Area. Any sidewalk, walking trail, courtyard, plaza or other area intended primarily for use by pedestrians.

Perimeter. The boundaries or borders of a lot, tract or parcel of land.

Permitted Use. Those uses allowed as a matter of right within certain zoning districts provided that such use is in accordance with requirements of the particular district and general conditions stated elsewhere in this title.

Permittee. The person who is proposing to use or who is using the land pursuant to any permit required herein.

Person. Any individual, partnership, co-partnership, firm, company, corporation, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, governmental entity, or any other legal entity; or their legal representatives, agents, or assigns. This definition includes all federal, state or local governmental entities.

Person with Functional Disabilities. A person who, because of a recognized chronic physical, mental condition or disease, is functionally disabled to the extent of:

1. needing care, supervision or monitoring to perform activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living;

2. needing supports to ameliorate or compensate for the effects of the functional disability so as to lead as independent a life as possible;

3. having a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person’s major life activities;

4. having a record of having such an impairment;

5. being regarded as having such an impairment, but such term does not include current, illegal use of or active addiction to a controlled substance.

Pervious Surface. Pervious surface is a surface material that allows stormwater to infiltrate into the ground. Examples include lawn, landscape, pasture, native vegetation areas, and permeable pavements.

Petroleum. Crude oil, gases (including natural gas), natural gasoline, and other related hydrocarbons, oil shale, and the products of any of such resources.

Petroleum/Oil Refinery. An industry engaged in refining crude petroleum/oil into refined petroleum/oil. Petroleum/oil refining involves one or more of the following activities: 1) fractionation; 2) straight distillation of crude oil; and 3) cracking.

Planned Action Ordinance. The applicable city ordinance establishing the geographic boundaries, impact thresholds, and mitigation measures for the particular planned action subarea in which a planned action project is located.

Planned Action Project or Development Application. A project or application for a project which meets the criteria for designation as a planned action under the provisions of Section 43.21.031 RCW, Section 197-11-164 WAC, Section 20.790.630, and the particular planned action ordinance for the planned action subarea in which the project is located.

Planned Action Subarea. A specific geographic area, less extensive than the city’s jurisdictional boundaries, for which a subarea plan under Chapter 36.70A RCW and an EIS under Chapter 43.21C RCW have been prepared and adopted to provide for prospective environmental review and comprehensive planning for future development.

Planning Commission. The Planning Commission of the City of Vancouver, Washington.

Planning Official. The city official within the community development department charged with administratively approving land use permits or her/his designate.

Planting strip. The area from the back of curb and the front of sidewalk or the area in the raised median used for grass or approved landscaping plants.

Plat. A final map, diagram or written document containing all the descriptions, specifications, and provisions concerning a subdivision of land.

Plat, Final. The final drawing of the subdivision or short subdivision and dedication prepared for filing for record with the Clark County Auditor and containing all elements and requirements set forth in this title and in state law.

Plat, Preliminary. An orderly and approximate drawing to scale of either a proposed subdivision or short subdivision showing the general layout of streets and alleys, lots and blocks, and other required submittals which shall furnish a basis for the approval or disapproval.

Poultry. Domesticated fowl such as chickens, ducks, geese and similar, and all game birds which are legally held in captivity.

Predetermination, Archaeological. A procedure by which an archaeologist makes a determination of the probable existence (presence or absence) of an archaeological site in a disturbance area and a recommendation to proceed or not to proceed with an archaeological resource survey in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

Predominant. Regarding Infill Development, the most frequently occurring residential design characteristic along both sides of the road frontage from intersection to intersection (or block face).

Predictive Model. The classification of property according to the probability of its having archaeological resources. The probability levels are low, low-moderate, moderate, moderate-high, and high, which are based on a combination of information from inventories and predictive models provided by DAHP, other agencies, tribal governments and local permit review. The probability levels within the urban growth boundary of the city are generally shown on maps provided by Clark County Geographic Information Systems.

Premises. A lot or number of lots on which is situated a building or group of buildings designed as a unit, or on which a building or group of buildings are to be constructed.

Preserved. Leaving in the present condition.

Primary. The largest or most substantial use or element on the property, as in “primary” activity, residence, entrance, etc. All other similar elements are secondary in size or importance.

Priority Habitats and Species. Priority Habitats and Species are important fish and wildlife species and habitats as determined by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Priority Habitats include habitats of state and federal listed species as well as other important species.

Private Open Space. The space included within a development for recreational use.

Process Type. Shall mean the process by which a land use decision is rendered.

Process Type, Legislative. A legislative action or decision is the making of law, as opposed to the application of existing law to a particular use, such as the adoption of or amendment to a comprehensive plan or development regulation.

Process Type, Quasi-Judicial. Refers to an action or decision that requires substantial discretion or judgment in applying the standards or criteria of this title, and usually involves a public hearing.

Prohibited Use. A use that is not permitted in a base zoning, overlay or plan district. Any use that is not specifically enumerated in this title as a permitted or conditional use or has not been determined by the planning official to be a legal nonconforming use.

Project Area. The portion of a site where development activity will take place.

Project Improvements. Project improvements shall mean site improvements and facilities that are planned and designed to provide service for a particular development project and that are necessary for the use and convenience of the occupants or users of the project, and are not system improvements. No improvement or facility included in the capital facilities plan shall be considered a project improvement.

Project Permit. Any land use or environmental permit or approval for a proposed action which is subject to the procedural provisions of Chapter 20.210 VMC.

Protected Area. All land where no construction activity, tree removal, vegetation removal or soil compaction is allowed and includes the critical root zone of those trees to be preserved.

Public Facilities. Regarding the Public Facilities Master Plan Ordinance:

1. Governmental facilities such as civic centers; libraries; auditoriums; police, fire and other public safety facilities; public streets; parks, open space and recreational facilities; and water, sewer; and storm water treatment facilities;

2. Public transit facilities including airports, train stations and transit centers;

3. Publicly and privately-owned medical centers;

4. Public and private elementary, middle and high schools;

5. Public and private colleges and universities; and

6. Religious institutions.

Public Improvement Plans. The technical drawings of the design and proposed construction of such items as streets, water and sewer systems, drainage and erosion control systems, meeting the requirements established by the City of Vancouver, Washington.

Public Place of Amusement, Public Amusement/Entertainment, and Public Entertainment. An amusement, diversion, entertainment, show, performance, exhibition, display or like activity, for the use or benefit of a member or members of the public, or advertised for the use or benefit of a member or members of the public, held, conducted, operated or maintained for a profit, either direct or indirect. (Ord. M-4402 § 3(C), 2023; Ord. M-4380 § 3, 2022; Ord. M-4325 § 3, 2020; Ord. M-4179 § 64, 2016; Ord. M-4170 § 6, 2016; Ord. M-4034 § 2, 2012)