Mason County, WA Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Under 25,000 sq ft
- 1 loading area (waivable)
- 25,000-50,000 sq ft
- 2 loading areas required
- Over 50,000 sq ft
- 2 plus 1 per additional 25,000 sq ft
- Space dimensions
- 45 ft long, 8 ft wide minimum
- Separation
- Loading areas separate from general parking
Summary
New commercial and industrial buildings in Mason County's Shelton urban growth area must provide dedicated off-street loading space under Mason County Code § 17.08.110: one loading area for buildings under 25,000 square feet, two for 25,000 to 50,000 square feet, and one additional bay for every 25,000 square feet beyond that, each sized for a 45-foot vehicle.
Off-street loading standards are as follows: Commercial and Industrial Buildings Loading Area Less than 25,000 square feet One (except administrative judgment may waive this requirement) 25,000—50,000 square feet Two 50,000 square feet or greater Two plus one per additional 25,000 square feet over 50,000 square feet. Off-street loading and unloading spaces shall be designed to accommodate vehicles at least forty-five feet in length and at least eight feet in width. Off-street loading areas shall be provided separate from general parking areas.
Full Breakdown
Section 17.08.110 sets a sliding scale for off-street loading based on building size: a commercial or industrial building less than 25,000 square feet needs one loading area, though administrative judgment may waive this requirement; a building of 25,000 to 50,000 square feet needs two; and a building of 50,000 square feet or greater needs two plus one per additional 25,000 square feet over 50,000 square feet. Every loading and unloading space the code requires shall be designed to accommodate vehicles at least forty-five feet in length and at least eight feet in width, and loading areas shall be provided separate from general parking areas rather than sharing striped spaces with customer or employee parking.
The requirement sits in Chapter 17.08, the county's parking standards chapter, which applies to residential, commercial, and industrial development in the county and the Shelton UGA under § 17.08.010. The same chapter requires screening of loading areas from adjoining residential uses under § 17.08.120(D), and access and egress points for loading areas are subject to review by the Mason County Engineer, or the State Department of Highways where a site abuts a state route, under § 17.08.120(C). None of these standards regulate hours of use or noise from loading operations directly; they govern only the size, number, and separation of the loading space itself.
Violations & Fines
Building or operating a commercial or industrial site without the required off-street loading areas, or without the separation and dimension standards of § 17.08.110, is a Title 17 zoning violation. It is enforced under Mason County Code Title 15, Chapter 15.13, which allows a civil fine of up to $1,000 per day per violation under § 15.13.050(b) and misdemeanor penalties of up to $500 and 90 days in jail under § 15.13.020(c) for willful violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many loading spaces does a new commercial building need in Mason County?
How big does an off-street loading space have to be?
Does the county regulate loading zone hours or noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mason County
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