update 12/29/22


CODE

Grays Harbor County Code Title 15 - Buildings and Construction



APPLICATION STEPS:

To begin the application process for an exempt agricultural building, the property owner is required to submit a Site Plan Review application to the Planning and Building Division.

  • STEP 1:  Site Plan Review Application  - Declaration of Exemption applications will not be accepted prior to completing STEPS 1 & 2.
  • STEP 2:  Related Permits and Approvals  -  Complete other requirements identified in STEP 1.  The applicant will be notified when the project is ready to proceed to STEP 3.
  • STEP 3:  Agricultural Declaration of Exemption Application  -  Staff will review your application and submittal documents for completeness and compliance with applicable regulations.  If the proposal is consistent with these regulations, the applicant will be notified and provided a Declaration of Exemption to record with the GHC Auditor's Office. 
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REQUIREMENTS:

Exempt agricultural buildings shall meet the following conditions:

 1. The building is designed and constructed to house farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock, or other horticultural products.
 2. The building cannot be used as a place of human habitation, but can be used for the occasional or seasonal processing, treating or packaging of agricultural or forest products.
 3. The building will not be open to the public.
 4. The building cannot be greater than one-story in height and 5,500 square feet in area.
 5. The location of the building is in an A-1, A-2, G-1, or G-5 zoning district.
 6. The building must meet the setback and critical areas requirements of the zoning district.
 7. Building and vehicular setbacks to existing On-Site Sewage Systems (OSS) components and OSS reserve area must be maintained in accordance with Chapter 8.16 of the Grays Harbor County Code.
 8. Setbacks to water wells must be maintained per Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-160.
 9. Building shall be constructed in accordance with all currently adopted building code design and construction standards.
10. This Declaration of Exemption shall be recorded in the Grays Harbor County Auditor’s Office.

NOTICE:  Please note this is an exemption from the requirement to obtain Building Permits only.  Failure to meet any of the above requirements by current or future owners of the property will void this exemption and require the applicant or owner to obtain a Building Permit as required under Title 15, Buildings and Construction, of the Grays Harbor County Code.



HELPFUL RESOURCES:




STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Please contact a Planner at 360-249-4222 or by email at pbd@graysharbor.us if you have questions.


Grays Harbor County