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Council approves code changes shifting select fire-safety rules out of the zoning code
Summary
The Washington City Council adopted an ordinance removing certain fire-safety items from the zoning code (fire lanes, department connections, storage-tank rules) so they will be enforced under the fire code; staff said the move will reduce delays and duplicated review.
The Washington City Council on second reading adopted an ordinance amending multiple code sections to remove specific fire-safety provisions from the zoning code and place those requirements under the city’s fire code.
Planning staff (Aaron) told the council the amendments pull items such as fire lanes, fire-department connections and the regulation of flammable/combustible liquids out of zoning and into the fire code so the fire department can apply technical standards directly. "These code changes specifically are ... aiming to remove the fire lane regulations, the fire department connections, flash point, flammable liquid, and combustible liquid from our zoning code," Aaron said during the presentation. He added that the changes align zoning definitions with the International Building Code and create a clearer enforcement path.
Washington’s fire chief, who spoke in support of the package, said the earlier practice of embedding fire requirements in zoning created extra steps and delays for projects. The chief described a recent example where a Taco Bell project faced months of additional process because of a three‑foot fire-lane discrepancy and said moving the rules into the fire code would allow technical waivers or additional conditions to be handled directly by the department.
Council discussion addressed above-ground storage tanks and propane: staff said the proposed ordinance uses the International Fire Code tank definition, which generally does not include residential propane tanks, but added the city will research whether size-based exceptions (for example, 500‑ to 1,000‑gallon thresholds) are needed. Staff committed to returning with clarifications if necessary.
The ordinance was introduced and adopted on second reading by roll call. By council action, the identified provisions will be regulated under the fire code going forward rather than enforced through zoning variances and board-of-adjustment processes, a change staff said should reduce extra fees and multi-board reviews for developers.
The council did not identify any immediate changes to enforcement practice for existing permits; staff said they expect to provide implementation guidance and possible follow-up code tweaks if the research on above‑ground tanks indicates the need for explicit exceptions.
