A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the "natural" environment is to protect those shoreline areas that are relatively free of human influence or that include intact or minimally degraded shoreline functions intolerant of human use. These systems require that only very low-intensity uses be allowed in order to maintain the ecological functions and ecosystem-wide processes.
B. 
Designation Criteria. Natural environment designation should be assigned to shoreline areas if any of the following characteristics apply:
1. 
The shoreline is ecologically intact and therefore currently performing an important, irreplaceable function or ecosystem-wide process that would be damaged by human activity;
2. 
The shoreline is considered to represent ecosystems and geologic types that are of particular scientific and educational interest; or
3. 
The shoreline is unable to support new development or uses without significant adverse impacts on ecological functions or risk to human safety.
C. 
Management Policies.
1. 
Any use or development activity that would degrade the ecological functions or adversely alter the natural character of the shoreline area should be severely limited or prohibited.
2. 
Development activity in the natural environment should only be permitted when no suitable alternative site is available on the subject property outside of shoreline jurisdiction.
3. 
The following new uses should not be allowed in the natural environment:
a. 
Commercial uses.
b. 
Industrial uses.
c. 
Non-water-oriented recreation.
d. 
Roads, utility corridors, and parking areas that can be located outside of natural-designated shorelines.
4. 
Single-family residential development may be allowed as a conditional use within the natural environment if the density and intensity of such use is limited as necessary to protect ecological functions and be consistent with the purpose of the environment.
5. 
Commercial forestry may be allowed as a conditional use provided it meets the conditions of the State Forest Practices Act and its implementing rules, and is conducted in a manner consistent with the purpose of this environment designation.
6. 
Development, when feasible, should be designed and located to preclude the need for shoreline stabilization, flood control measures, native vegetation removal, or other shoreline modifications.
a. 
Development activity or land surface modification that would reduce the capability of vegetation to perform normal ecological functions should be prohibited.
b. 
Subdivision of property in a configuration that, to achieve its intended purpose, will require significant vegetation removal or shoreline modification that adversely impacts ecological functions should not be allowed. Each new parcel must be able to support its intended development without significant adverse ecological impacts on the shoreline ecological functions.
7. 
Limited access may be permitted for scientific, historical, cultural, educational and low-intensity water-oriented recreational purposes, provided there are no significant adverse ecological impacts.
(Ord. 1476 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2012)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the "urban conservancy" environment is to protect and restore ecological functions of open space, parks, floodplains and floodways, other critical areas, and other undeveloped areas with low levels of alteration, while allowing a variety of compatible uses. The urban conservancy environment contains two sub-environments: urban conservancy – residential for areas with moderate to high levels of ecological function that can or do appropriately accommodate shoreline priority residential uses, or urban conservancy – recreation/open space for areas that are highly valued for recreation and public access, contain critical areas such as wetlands or floodplains, and/or have low levels of alteration corresponding to moderate to high ecological function.
B. 
Urban Conservancy – Residential Designation Criteria. This designation is appropriate for lands containing or planned for low-density single-family uses, which:
1. 
Have potential for ecological restoration;
2. 
Retain important ecological functions, even though partially developed; and/or
3. 
Have potential for development that is compatible with ecological restoration.
C. 
Urban Conservancy – Recreation/Open Space Designation Criteria. This designation is appropriate for lands:
1. 
Containing or suitable for parks and recreation facilities or other water-enjoyment uses;
2. 
Suitable for water-related uses;
3. 
Designated as open space, floodplain or other sensitive areas that should not be more intensively developed;
4. 
Having potential for ecological restoration;
5. 
Retaining important ecological functions, even though partially developed; or
6. 
Having potential for development that is compatible with ecological restoration.
D. 
Management Policies. All urban conservancy environments should be managed consistent with the following policies:
1. 
Allowed uses should be those that preserve the natural character of the area and/or promote preservation and restoration within critical areas and public open spaces either directly or over the long term.
2. 
Uses that result in restoration of ecological functions should be allowed if the use is otherwise compatible with the purpose of the environment and the setting.
3. 
Restoration of shoreline ecological functions should be a priority.
4. 
Development, when feasible, should be designed to ensure that any necessary shoreline stabilization, flood control measures, native vegetation removal, or other shoreline modifications do not result in a net loss of shoreline ecological function or further degrade other shoreline values.
5. 
Public access and public recreation objectives should be implemented, except on existing single-family lots, whenever feasible and significant adverse ecological impacts can be mitigated.
6. 
Recognize that single-family residential development is a preferred use, and is a priority use when developed in a manner consistent with control of pollution and prevention of damage to the natural environment.
7. 
Water-oriented uses should be given priority over non-water-oriented uses.
8. 
Commercial and industrial uses, other than limited commercial activities conducted accessory to a public park, should be prohibited.
(Ord. 1476 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2012)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the "commercial conservancy" environment is to accommodate commercial and employment park land uses, such as office, retail, transportation, warehouse, manufacturing, and mixed use developments, together with appropriate accessory uses, while protecting the existing ecological functions of floodways, floodplains and other critical areas.
B. 
Designation Criteria. Assign a commercial conservancy environment designation to shoreline areas within city limits and urban growth areas if they currently support commercial, employment park, or mixed use developments, are suitable and planned for such uses, or are located near the core of downtown North Bend. This environment designation recognizes that in North Bend's shoreline jurisdiction, undeveloped lands planned for such uses are typically constrained by critical areas and the governing regulations as integrated by reference by NBMC § 14.20.290.
C. 
Management Policies.
1. 
Allowed urban uses should be sited outside of critical areas and their buffers and should be preferentially located to minimize alteration of other vegetated areas consistent with the commercial conservancy development standards and the shoreline vegetation conservation regulations.
2. 
Give first priority to water-dependent uses, and second to water-related and water-enjoyment uses.
3. 
Non-water-oriented uses may be allowed as part of an existing or mixed use development, where they do not conflict with or limit opportunities for water-oriented uses, on sites where there is no direct access to the shoreline, or when associated with public access or ecological restoration.
4. 
Visual and physical access should be implemented whenever feasible and adverse ecological impacts can be avoided. Continuous public access along the shoreline should be provided, preserved or enhanced consistent with the public access regulations in NBMC § 14.20.320.
5. 
Aesthetic objectives should be implemented by means such as sign control regulations, appropriate development siting, screening and architectural standards, and maintenance of natural vegetative buffers where they exist.
6. 
Full utilization of existing urban areas should be achieved before further expansion of the commercial conservancy designation is allowed.
7. 
No net loss of shoreline ecological functions as a result of new development should be assured by application of SMP policies and regulations.
8. 
Where applicable, new development shall include environmental cleanup and restoration of the shoreline to comply in accordance with any relevant state and federal law.
(Ord. 1476 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2012; Ord. 1701 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2019)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the shoreline residential environment is to accommodate current and planned higher-density residential development and appurtenant structures, as well as appropriate public access and recreational uses, in areas suited for urban densities.
B. 
Designation Criteria. Assign a shoreline residential environment designation to properties in the city limits or urban growth areas with predominantly single-family or multifamily residential development or that are planned and platted for residential development.
C. 
Management Policies.
1. 
Standards for buffers, lot coverage limitations, shoreline stabilization, vegetation conservation, critical area protection, and water quality should mitigate adverse impacts on and maintain shoreline ecological functions.
2. 
Access, utilities, and public services should be available and adequate to serve existing needs and/or planned future development.
3. 
Visual and physical access should be implemented whenever feasible and adverse ecological impacts can be avoided. Continuous public access along the shoreline should be provided, preserved or enhanced.
4. 
Water-dependent recreational uses should be permitted.
5. 
Limited water-oriented uses which depend on or benefit from a shoreline location should also be permitted provided the underlying zoning classifications permit such uses.
(Ord. 1476 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2012)
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the "aquatic" environment is to protect, restore, and manage the unique characteristics and resources of the areas waterward of the OHWM.
B. 
Designation Criteria. Assign an aquatic environment designation to lands waterward of the OHWM.
C. 
Management Policies.
1. 
Provisions for the management of the aquatic environment should be directed towards maintaining and restoring shoreline ecological functions.
2. 
Shoreline uses and modifications should be designed and managed to prevent degradation of water quality and alteration of natural hydrographic conditions.
3. 
All developments and uses should be located and designed to protect public recreational uses of the water; to minimize adverse visual impacts; and to allow for the safe, unobstructed passage of fish and wildlife, particularly those species dependent on migration.
4. 
New overwater structures for public access and public infrastructure are permitted, provided they are the minimum size necessary to support the structure's intended use and will not preclude attainment of ecological restoration.
5. 
Underwater pipelines and cables should not be permitted unless demonstrated that there is no feasible alternative location based on an analysis of technology and system efficiency, and that the adverse environmental impacts are not significant or can be shown to be less than the impact of upland alternatives.
6. 
Uses that adversely impact the ecological functions of critical freshwater habitats should not be allowed except where necessary to achieve the objectives of RCW 90.58.020, and then only when their impacts are mitigated according to NBMC § 14.20.290(B) as necessary to assure no net loss of ecological functions.
(Ord. 1476 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2012)
A. 
Any areas within shoreline jurisdiction that are not mapped and/or designated due to minor mapping inaccuracies in the lateral extent of shoreline jurisdiction from the shoreline waterbody related to site-specific surveys of OHWM are automatically assigned the category of the contiguous waterward shoreline environment designation provided the error does not extend onto a new parcel.
B. 
All other areas that were not mapped in shoreline jurisdiction, but which do meet criteria in NBMC § 14.20.200, Shoreline jurisdiction, shall be assigned an urban conservancy – recreation/open space designation until the shoreline can be redesignated through an SMP amendment.
C. 
Property shown in shoreline jurisdiction that does not meet the applicability criteria in NBMC § 14.20.200, Shoreline jurisdiction, shall not be subject to the requirements of this SMP. The actual location of the OHWM must be determined at the time a development is proposed.
D. 
In the event of an environment designation mapping error, the shoreline administrator shall use the environment designation criteria contained in NBMC § 14.20.210 through § 14.20.250 to establish the appropriate shoreline environment designation. Appeals of such interpretations may be filed pursuant to Article VI of this chapter, Administration and Enforcement.
(Ord. 1476 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2012)
A. 
Table 14.20.270 indicates which shoreline activities, uses, developments and modifications may be allowed or are prohibited in shoreline jurisdiction within each shoreline environment designation. Activities, uses, developments, and modifications are classified as follows:
1. 
"Permitted uses" require a shoreline substantial development permit or a shoreline exemption.
2. 
"Conditional uses" require a shoreline conditional use permit per NBMC § 14.20.680.
3. 
"Prohibited" activities, uses, developments, and modifications are not allowed.
Article III of this chapter, General Regulations, and Article IV of this chapter, Use-Specific and Modification Regulations, shall be consulted for additional limitations.
B. 
Accessory uses shall be subject to the same shoreline permit process as their primary use.
C. 
Where there is a conflict between the chart and the written provisions in this SMP, the written provisions shall control.
D. 
Authorized uses and modifications shall be allowed only in shoreline jurisdiction where the underlying zoning allows for it and are subject to the policies and regulations of this SMP.
E. 
A use is considered unclassified when it is not listed in Table 14.20.270, Article III of this chapter, General Regulations, or Article IV of this chapter, Use-Specific and Modification Regulations. Any proposed unclassified use shall be classified by the shoreline administrator as permitted, conditional, or prohibited, based on the listed use to which the proposed use is most similar. If the shoreline administrator determines that the proposed use is not similar to any use in this SMP, the proposed use shall be considered prohibited.
F. 
If any part of a proposed activity, use, modification or development is not eligible for exemption per NBMC § 14.20.660, then a shoreline substantial development permit or shoreline conditional use permit shall be required for the entire proposed development project.
G. 
When a specific use or modification extends into the aquatic environment and an abutting upland environment without clear separation (e.g., private moorage facility, shoreline stabilization), the most restrictive permit process shall apply to that use or modification.
H. 
Shoreline and critical areas buffers found in NBMC § 14.20.290(B) apply to all uses and modifications unless stated otherwise in the regulations.
I. 
None of the allowed uses could be conducted in the floodway in any environment designation, except as allowed by Chapter 14.12 NBMC, Floodplain Management.
Table 14.20.270. Shoreline Use and Modification Matrix
Use/Modification
Urban Conservancy – Residential
Urban Conservancy – Recreation/Open Space
Shoreline Residential
Natural
Commercial Conservancy
Aquatic
Resource Uses
Agriculture
P
P
P
X1
X
X
Aquaculture, noncommercial
X
C
X
X
P
P
Forest practices
X
C
X
X
C
NA
Mining
X
C
X
X
X
X
Boating Facilities
Boat launch (motorized boats)
X
X
X
X
X
X
Boat launch (nonmotorized boat – canoe/kayak)
P
P
P
X
P
P
Marina
X
X
X
X
X
X
Community dock
X
X
X
X
X
X
Commercial Development2
Automotive/vehicular
X
X
X
X
X
X
Bed & breakfast
P
P
P
X
P
X
Concession stand
X
P3
X
X
P
X
Dry land boat storage
X
X
X
X
X
X
Entertainment or cultural facility
P
P
P
X
P
X
Hotel/motel
X
X
X
X
P
X
Mixed use commercial and residential
X
X
C
X
P
X
Mixed use water-dependent and non-water-oriented
X
C
P
X
P
X
Office use
X
X
X
X
P
X
Repair and service of boat and boat motors
X
X
X
X
X
X
Restaurant
X
P4
X
X
P
X
Retail establishment
X
C4
X
X
P
X
Retail sale of new or used nonmotorized boats including electric motor boats (sales or rental)
X
P
X
X
P
X
Dredging Activities
Dredging
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
P
Dredge material disposal
X
C12
C12
X
C12
C12
Fill
Waterward of OHWM and in floodways
C
C
C
C
C
C4
Between upland edge of floodway and upland edge of floodplain
C5
C5
C5
C5
P
NA
Other upland fill
P
P
P
C5
P
NA
Industry
Water-oriented
Manufacturing, distribution, storage, and warehousing
X
X
X
X
P
C
Non-water-oriented
Manufacturing, distribution, storage, and warehousing
X
X
X
X
C
X
In-Water Modifications
Breakwaters
X
X
X
X
X
X
Groins and weirs
C5
C5
C5
C5
C5
C5
In-stream structures
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
C5
Private Moorage Facilities
X
X
X
X
X
X
Recreational Development
Water-oriented
Public parks/recreation and accessory uses
P
P
P
P9
P
P
Private parks/recreation and accessory uses
P
P
P
P9
P
P
Non-water-oriented
Public parks/recreation and accessory uses
X
C6
P
C6
P
X
Private parks/recreation and accessory uses
X
C
C
X
C
X
Residential Development
P
C
P
C
P
X
Shoreline Habitat and Natural Systems Enhancement Projects
P
P
P
P
P
P
Flood Control and Shoreline Stabilization
Flood Control
Modification of existing levees and flood control facilities, including replacement landward of existing location
P
P
P
P
P
P
New levees and flood control facilities
P
C
P
C10
P
C
Shoreline Stabilization
New
Hard
C
C
C
X
C
C
Soft
P
P
P
C
P
P
Replacement: hard replaced with hard
C
C
P
C
P
C
Replacement: hard replaced with soft
P
P
P
P
P
P
Transportation
New bridges
C
P
P
X
P
P
New railroads
C
C
C
X
C
NA
New roads
P
C13
P
X
P
NA
New trails
P
P
P
P11
P
P
New parking, accessory
Takes permit type of primary use
New parking, primary
X
X
X
X
X
X
Existing bridges, trails, roads, and parking facilities: maintenance, improvement or expansion8
P
P
P
P
P
P
Utilities
P/C7
P/C7
P
C
P
P
Notes for Table 14.20.270:
1. Permitted in those areas east of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail for Meadowbrook Farm and established areas of Tollgate Farm, consistent with the Tollgate and Meadowbrook Farm master plans.
2. Non-water-oriented commercial uses are allowed consistent with shoreline buffer requirements and NBMC § 14.20.380(A) if such use provides significant public benefit and implements objectives of the Shoreline Management Act.
3. Only when accessory or associated use within a public park or private recreation facility.
4. Conditional use permit if not accessory to a public park, public recreation facility, or private recreation facility open to the public.
5. Structures or modifications installed to protect or restore ecological functions may be permitted with a shoreline substantial development permit or exemption.
6. For projects in Tollgate Farm, Meadowbrook Farm, and other publicly owned parks or landward of a public roadway, these uses shall be allowed with a substantial development permit or shoreline exemption provided projects comply with mitigation sequencing, critical areas and vegetation conservation regulations of this SMP.
7. Permitted if accessory; shoreline conditional use permit if primary use.
8. Expansion to support existing and proposed shoreline uses allowed, provided the expansion is located to have the least possible adverse effect on ecological function. When feasible, expansions should be located on the landward side of the existing corridor or outside of critical areas, consistent with the SMP. Other expansions shall be permitted as new facilities.
9. In the natural environment, only passive water-oriented recreation is allowed. Sites with fragile and unique shoreline conditions, such as high-quality wetlands and wildlife habitats, shall be used only for nonintensive recreation activities, such as trails, viewpoints, interpretive signage, and similar passive and low-impact facilities that result in no net loss of shoreline ecological function, and do not require the construction and placement of permanent structures.
10. Permitted as a conditional use only when the shoreline conditional use permit review criteria are met and when no other alternative locations are feasible.
11. New trails in the natural environment limited to primitive trails a maximum of five feet wide with the use of permeable surfaces as approved by the shoreline administrator.
12. Disposal of dredge material on shorelands or wetlands within a river's channel migration zone shall require a shoreline conditional use permit in those limited instances when it is allowed. This provision is not intended to address discharge of dredge material into the flowing current of the river or in deep water within the channel where it does not substantially affect the geohydrologic character of the channel migration zone.
13. New roads may be permitted in the outer 10 percent in the urban conservancy – recreation/open space environment if no other alternative locations are feasible.
(Ord. 1476 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2012; Ord. 1701 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2019)
A. 
To preserve the existing and planned character of the shoreline consistent with the purposes of the shoreline environment designations, development standards are provided in Table 18.10.040. These standards apply to all use and modification unless indicated otherwise. In addition, shoreline developments shall comply with all other dimensional requirements of the North Bend Municipal Code.
B. 
When a development or use is proposed that does not comply with the dimensional performance standards of this SMP not otherwise allowed by administrative reduction or administrative modification, such development or use can only be authorized by approval of a shoreline variance.
Table 14.20.280. Impervious Surface Cover Standards Matrix
Standard
Urban Conservancy – Residential
Urban Conservancy – Recreation/Open Space
Shoreline Residential
Natural
Commercial Conservancy
Aquatic
Impervious surface cover
> .5-acre parcel 35%
< .5-acre parcel 50%
15
55%
5
Middle Fork: 65%
South Fork: 60%
NA
Shoreline buffers
See NBMC § 14.20.290(B)
Shoreline buffers apply to all new or expanded uses, activities and modifications, unless otherwise indicated in the regulations.
(Ord. 1476 § 2 (Exh. A (part)), 2012; Ord. 1701 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2019)