Skip to main content
Loading…

Preface

This preface is included in your selections.
Citation to the Bellevue City Code

This code should be cited as BCC; i.e., “see BCC 3.08.020.” A BCC title should be cited BCC Title 3. A BCC chapter should be cited Chapter 3.08 BCC. A BCC section should be cited BCC 3.08.020. Through references should be made as BCC 3.08.010 through 3.08.040. Series of sections should be cited as BCC 3.08.010, 3.08.020, and 3.08.060. Ordinances amending zoning regulations of the city are codified in the Land Use Code which is published separately. Internal citations to the Land Use Code are designated as LUC.

Numbering system

The number of each section of this code consists of three parts, in sequence as follows: Number of title; number of chapter within the title; number of section within the chapter. Thus BCC 3.08.020 is Title 3, Chapter 8, Section 20. The section part of the number (.020) initially consists of three digits. This provides a facility for numbering new sections to be inserted between existing sections already consecutively numbered. In most chapters of the BCC, sections have been numbered by tens (.010, .020, .030, .040, etc.), leaving nine vacant numbers between original sections so that for a time new sections may be inserted without extension of the section number beyond three digits.

Legislation

The legislative source of most sections is enclosed in parentheses at the end of the section. References to enactments are abbreviated; thus “(Ord. 1122 § 1, 1992; Ord. 779 § 2, 1984.)” refers to section 1 of Ordinance No. 1122 and section 2 of Ordinance No. 779. “Formerly” followed by a BCC citation preserves the record of original codification. A semicolon between enactment citations indicates an amendment of the earlier section.

1961 code citations

References in the legislative history notes to “1961 code” sections refer to the organization of the code first published in 1961 and revised in 1975. To determine the underlying ordinance history for these sections, it is necessary to consult the “Cross-Reference Table” found in the 1975 code, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city clerk.

Codification tables

To convert an enactment (ordinance, resolution, etc.) citation to its BCC number consult the codification tables.

Errors or omissions

(1)Where an error has been made in the ordinance during the legislative process, Code Publishing Company adds a corrected word or phrase for clarity. Such additions do not constitute any part of the ordinance.

(2)Although considerable care has been used in the production of this code, it is inevitable in so large a work that there will be errors. As users of this code detect such errors, it is requested that a note citing the section involved and the nature of the error be emailed to: , so that correction may be made in a subsequent update.

How to Amend the Code

Code Structure and Organization

The code is organized using a 3-factor decimal numbering system which allows for additions between sections, chapters, and titles, without disturbing existing numbers.

2

.

04

.

050

Title

Chapter

Section

Typically, there are nine vacant positions between sections; four positions between chapters; and several title numbers are “Reserved” to allow for codification of new material whose subject matter may be unrelated to an existing title.

Enactments of a general or public nature, or one imposing a fine, penalty or forfeiture, are codifiable. Prior to adopting a codifiable enactment, ascertain whether the code already contains provisions on the topic.

Additions

If the proposed enactment will add material not contained in the code, the enactment will specify an “addition”; that is, a new title, chapter, section, or subsection will be added. For example:

Section 1. Chapter 5.20, Taxicab Licenses, is added to read as follows:

– or –

Section 1. A new title, Title 18, Zoning, is added to read as follows:

A specific subsection can also be added when appropriate:

Section 2. Subsection D is added to Section 5.05.070, to read as follows:

Amendments

If the enactment amends existing code provisions, specify the affected section or chapter numbers in the enactment. This kind of amendment typically adds a section to an existing chapter, or amends an existing section. Set out the entire section or subsection, not just the text (e.g., sentence) that was changed. For example:

Section 1. Section 5.05.030 is amended to read as follows:

– or –

Section 1. Section 5.05.035, Additional fees, is added to Chapter 5.05 to read as follows:

An enactment can also amend a specific subsection of a code section:

Section 3. Subsection B of Section 5.05.070 is amended to read:

Repeals

Enactments which repeal codified material should specify the code chapter, section, or subsection number. The chapter, section, or subsection numbers will be retained in the code, along with their title, as a record of enactment activity (and as an explanation for gaps in the numbering sequence). The number of the repealed section or chapter can be reused at a later time when desired. For example:

Section 2. Section 5.05.020, License, is repealed.

Renumbering

If the enactment renumbers existing code provisions (either sections or subsections), identify how remaining sections or subsections should be renumbered (or relettered).

Codification Assistance

Code Publishing Company can assist either in specifying code numbers or in providing remedies for other codification related problems free of charge. Please call us at (206) 527-6831.