These standards are intended to be used in areas of the city where stacked, mixed-use buildings are desired to promote a more walkable, pedestrian-friendly environment, and provide basic services within easy access to the community.
These standards have been formulated to achieve a mix of residential and nonresidential uses within a desired building form. The standards are intended to give more flexibility to developers and designers to improve the feasibility of mixed-use development. In return, it is expected that developers and designers will positively contribute to the goals outlined in the comprehensive plan.
(Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
The following form-based standards may be used in lieu of the use-based standards established in SMC § 16.12 if the proposed development meets all of the following criteria:
A. 
The lot is zoned for either NC or HOC.
B. 
The building(s) contain a residential use and at least one other use. Uses must be permitted in the underlying zone.
C. 
At least 40% of the floor area on the ground floor must be dedicated and designed for non-residential uses, such as service, retail, or dining.
(Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)
A. 
There is no minimum lot size required when using these standards, only a minimum lot width measured along a public right-of-way.
B. 
There are no residential density limits when these mixed-use standards are used; however, living spaces must still comply with the applicable building code requirements.
C. 
Parking cannot be between the building and the primary street. The primary will be the street with the highest volume. The community development director may allow applicants to use a different street as the primary if the applicant shows that this would lead to a more pedestrian-friendly and walkable design, and would better serve the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan.
D. 
Additional standards are set out in the tables below for the NC and HOC Zones.
E. 
Lot and Building Placement (see diagram and table below).
NC
HOC
Lot and Building Placement
A
Lot width (min) [without driveway/with driveway]
30 ft/40 ft
40 ft/50 ft
Setbacks/Build to
B
Street build to (min/max)
0 ft/10 ft
25 ft/35 ft
C
Interior side setback (min)
0 ft
3 ft
D
Interior rear setback [alley/no alley] (min)
10 ft/15 ft
15 ft/25 ft
Coverage
E
Building coverage (max)
65%
85%
F. 
Building Form (see diagram and table below).
NC
HOC
Building Form
A
Height (max)
30 ft/35 ft with pitched roof
4 stories and 48 ft (excluding flood pedestals)
B
Upper level stepbacks
none
8 ft back above a height of 15 ft. For buildings over 45 ft in total height, add 1 ft of setback for each additional foot of height. The additional setback may occur anywhere between 15 ft and 45 ft above grade (includes flood pedestals).
C
Street-facing entries (min)
1 per 30 linear bldg ft
1 per 40 linear bldg ft
D
Ground floor transparency (min), measured between 2 ft and 10 ft above finished grade
Residential
35%
30%
Nonresidential
50%
50%
(Ord. 1418-25, 7/24/2025)