Whatcom County Code (2024)

FAQs

What is R5A in Whatcom County? ›

If shown, the number associated with the zone designation is also an indicator to determine the allowable density. For example, a property that is zoned R5A is rural and has a base density of 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres.

(a) Rise and run. The rise of steps and stairs must not be less than four inches nor more than eight inches. The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs must not exceed the smallest by more than three-eighths inch. The run must not be less than nine inches.

The R-6 Single-Family Urban Residential zone provides for primarily single-family residential neighborhoods on lands suitable for residential development with an allowed base density of six dwellings per gross acre.

Purpose. An Administrative Use Permit is required for uses which are not normally permitted in a given zoning designation, but which may be approved at the discretion of the zoning administrator.

Four or More Risers: According to OSHA regulations, handrails are required on stairways with four or more risers (steps). Handrails may not be mandatory under OSHA rules if a staircase has three or fewer steps, but local building codes or other regulations may still require them.

Height requirements

Decks higher than 30″ off the ground must have guardrails to satisfy a majority of local building codes. Most U.S. guidelines require railings at least 36″ tall between the decking and top rail, though this varies by location. California and Washington require 42″ or taller railings for decks.

The height of a handrail above the floor or the nosing of a stair tread, shall be between 900mm and 1100mm. Where fall from height is significant it is recommended to increase the height of the guardrail to at least 1000 mm.

What is the sales tax rate in Whatcom County? The minimum combined 2024 sales tax rate for Whatcom County, Washington is 8.2%. This is the total of state and county sales tax rates. The Washington state sales tax rate is currently 6.5%.

Rural Residential-5 (1 dwelling unit per 5 acres). The Rural Residential-5 category would allow a 1 dwelling unit per 5-acre density in areas that have an existing 5-acre or smaller subdivision lot pattern. Small Tract Agriculture (1 dwelling unit per 10 acres).

Whatcom County (/ˈwɒtkəm/, /ˈhwɒtkəm/) is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Washington, bordered by the Lower Mainland (the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley Regional Districts) of British Columbia to the north, Okanogan County to the east, Skagit County to the south, San Juan County ...

What is r5 zoning in Chicago? ›

Residential Group R-5 occupancy shall include buildings with no more than four stories above grade plane containing one, two or three dwelling units (including live/work units ), with or without an attached private garage , and no other occupancy, where each dwelling unit is primarily occupied on a non- transient basis ...