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Council approves ordinance to streamline permitted‑uses matrix in municipal code
Summary
The council unanimously approved Ordinance 2025‑0924, a code amendment that consolidates and broadens permitted‑use categories in chapter 20.06 to make the land‑use table more user friendly and better align with the building code.
City planning staff presented an amendment to Shelton Municipal Code chapter 20.06 that reduces and broadens the city’s long list of highly specific permitted uses and aligns the land‑use table with the building code; the council approved the ordinance on March 18.
A staff member explained the municipal code previously listed more than 100 highly specific uses (for example, videotape sales or detailed metal‑coating descriptions) that are rarely applicable and can prevent new, hybrid or innovative businesses from locating in Shelton. The ordinance (2025‑0924) consolidates those entries into broader categories—retail, mercantile, gallery/education combinations and similar user types—while keeping specific restrictions for uses that require special siting, such as mineral extraction or bed‑and‑breakfasts, citing state law and neighborhood compatibility concerns.
Staff said the ordinance had been submitted to the state Department of Commerce for the required 60‑day review; Commerce returned no comments. A council member moved to approve Ordinance 2025‑0924, a second was made, and the council approved the ordinance by voice vote at the March 18 meeting.
The ordinance takes effect according to statutory notice and filing requirements; staff said the change is intended to make the code easier to use for small businesses and to reduce uncertainty when novel business models seek permits.
