A. Measuring building height. Height of buildings is measured from the vertical distance from the average grade to the average height of the roof peak of the building, except in a shoreline jurisdictional area, in which case the height shall be measured from average existing grade (prior to development) to the highest point of a structure (see also WAC 173-27-030). For exceptions subject to airport height limits located within the approach, transitional and horizontal surfaces refer to Sections 20.570 and 20.630.050 VMC.

B. Measuring height of other structures. The height of other structures such as flag poles and fences is the vertical distance from the ground level immediately under the structure to the top of a structure, excluding exempted portions. When chimneys and other objects are allowed to exceed the base height of the zone by a set amount, that set amount is measured to the top of these objects. Special measurement provisions are also provided below.

1. Height is measured from the grade level adjacent to the inside edge of the wall or fence.

C. Measuring Height of a Slope. See VMC 20.740.130.