What size drawings should I submit for my permit application?

We prefer that all drawings be submitted on 22” x 34” sheets.  Site plans and related plan-view documents should be drawn at a scale of 1” = 30’.  Elevation drawings should be drawn at a scale of ¼” = 1’-0”.

 

How can I find out what my zoning designation is? 

Click here to view the City of Gig Harbor zoning map. 

 

What are the development regulations for each zoning district and what do the abbreviations on the zoning map designate?

The regulations for each zoning district can be found in Title 17 of the Gig Harbor Municipal Code:

R-1: Single-Family Residential (Chapter 17.16 GHMC)

R-2: Medium-Density Residential (Chapter 17.20 GHMC)

R-3: Multiple-Family Residential (Chapter 17.24 GHMC)

RB-1: Residential and Business District (Chapter 17.28 GHMC)

RB-2: Residential and Business District (Chapter 17.30 GHMC)

B-1: Neighborhood Commercial District (Chapter 17.32 GHMC)

B-2: General Business District (Chapter 17.36 GHMC)

C-1: Commercial District (Chapter 17.40 GHMC)

DB: Downtown Business District (Chapter 17.31 GHMC)

WC: Waterfront Commercial (Chapter 17.50 GHMC)

WM: Waterfront Millville (Chapter 17.48 GHMC)

WR: Waterfront Residential (Chapter 17.46 GHMC)

ED: Employment District (Chapter 17.45 GHMC)

PCD-BP: Planned Community Development Business Park District (Chapter 17.54 GHMC)

PCD-C: Planned Community Development Commercial (Chapter 17.41 GHMC)

PCD-NB: Planned Community Development Neighborhood Business District (Chapter 14.56 GHMC)

PCD-RLD: Planned Community Development Low Density Residential (Chapter 17.17 GHMC)

PCD-RMD: Planned Community Development Medium Density Residential (Chapter 17.21 GHMC)

PI: Public-Institutional District (Chapter 17.15 GHMC)

MUD: Mixed Use District Overlay (Chapter 17.89 GHMC)

 

What types of projects require Design Review? 

Design review is required for all outdoor proposals which require a building permit, clearing and grading permit, or which are part of a project requiring a site plan, conditional use permit or utility extension agreement.  During the Design Review process, the City determines if the project meets the requirements of the Design Manual. The Design Manual (Chapter 17.99 GHMC) applies to all proposals:

• to subdivide land,

• to build, locate, construct, remodel any visible structure or building

• to alter or modify any facade on any structure or building or other visible element of the facade of the structure or building or site, including, but not limited to: landscaping, parking lot layout, signs, outdoor furniture in public or commercial locations, outdoor lighting fixtures, fences, walls and roofing materials.

  

What is the difference between administrative design review approval, and Design Review Board approval? 

Every applicant of design review has the option to have their project reviewed administratively or by the Design Review Board. 

Administrative design review allows the planning staff to approve the Design Review application if the project meets the specific requirements of the Design Manual.   This method provides for a reasonable degree of flexibility while minimizing review time.  If a project receives administrative design review approval, no meetings or hearings are required for that application.   

Design Review Board review encourages a creative approach to design by providing a more flexible review standard than is allowed in administrative review.  By providing an alternative design solution to the Design Review Board, a project may vary from the specific requirements of the Design Manual.  The Design Review Board will recommend approval of an alternative design solution only if:

• The alternative design represents an equivalent or superior design solution to what would otherwise be achieved by rigidly applying the specific requirements, and

• The alternative design meets the intent of each general requirement.

After a public meeting, the Design Review Board issues a recommendation to the Hearing Examiner on the project.  The Hearing Examiner will make the final decision on the project at a public hearing.

 

 What is the Design Review Board (DRB)?

The Design Review Board is a seven-member body tasked with implementing, reviewing and interpreting Design Review as described in the City of Gig Harbor Design Manual.  The Board is comprised of architects, urban designers, residents, a planning commission member, and historic preservationists.

The Design Review Board also promotes an awareness of the city’s history and preservation of the city’s historic buildings and carries out all activities related to historic preservation under the certified local government (CLG) program.

The Design Review Board meets every 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays on each month at 6:00 pm.

 

What is a pre-application conference?

A pre-application conference allows the opportunity for those interested in developing a parcel to sit down and discuss their proposal with the City’s staff members who normally review these projects. Pre-application conferences are recommended for any new subdivision plats, commercial developments, and multi-family developments.  A designee from planning, building and fire safety, and operations and engineering will be present to answer any questions and identify any concerns about the proposed project.  Per-application conference can be done at any time during proposal development; however, the more detailed the application documents, the greater depth to which staff can review and comment.  

 

How can I schedule a pre-application meeting?

Two pre-application conferences occur every 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays at 2:15 pm and 3:30 pm.  Pre-application conferences can be scheduled by filling out an application form and submitting it to the City of Gig Harbor Community Development Department.  Application forms are available at the Department or here: Application for Pre-Ap Conference.  Pre-application conferences are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and a complete application must be submitted at least one week prior to the requested conference time.