A. 
The purpose of this subchapter is to establish the uses generally permitted in each zone which are compatible with the purpose of the zone and other uses allowed within the zone.
B. 
The use of a property is defined by the activity for which the building or lot is intended, designed, arranged, occupied or maintained.
C. 
The use is considered permanently established when that use will be or has been legally established in continuous operation for a period exceeding 60 days.
Exception to SMC § 20.40.100(C): A use which will operate for less than 60 days or operates under an approved temporary use permit is considered a temporary use, and subject to the requirements of a temporary use permit.
D. 
All applicable requirements of this Code, or other applicable State or Federal requirements, shall govern a use located in the City.
(Ord. 238 Ch. IV § 2(A), 2000; Ord. 731 § 1 (Exh. A), 2015)
A. 
The land use tables in this subchapter determine whether a specific use is allowed in a zone. The zone designation is located on the top of each column and the specific use is located on the horizontal rows.
B. 
If no symbol appears in the box at the intersection of the column and the row, the use is not allowed in that zone.
C. 
If the letter “P” appears in the box at the intersection of the column and the row, the use is permitted in that zone.
D. 
If the letter “C” appears in the box at the intersection of the column and row, the use is allowed subject to a conditional use permit.
E. 
If the letter “S” appears in the box at the intersection of the column and the row, the use is allowed subject to a special use permit.
F. 
If an “-i” appears in the box at the intersection of the column and the row, the use may be allowed subject to the appropriate review process indicated above (P, C or S), the requirements of this Code, and the specific conditions indicated in the Index of Supplemental Use Criteria (SMC §§ 20.40.200 through 20.40.610) for that type of use.
G. 
For the purposes of this Code, in most instances only broad use classifications that share similar characteristics are listed in the use tables. Where separate regulations or permit processes are necessary, uses are classified further. Some uses are identified with a detailed description provided in a referenced North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) number. (This system classifies land uses by categories and provides subclassification for more detailed associated uses.) In case of a question as to the inclusion or exclusion of a particular proposed use, which is not identified in these tables, the use shall not be permitted unless allowed through a Code interpretation applying the criteria for Unlisted Use found in the Index of Supplemental Use Criteria (SMC §§ 20.40.200 through 20.40.610). Temporary uses are allowed under criteria listed in SMC § 20.30.295.
H. 
The Director is authorized to make reasonable accommodations to provisions of the Code that apply to dwellings occupied or to be occupied by disabled persons as defined by the Federal Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Act Amendments, when such reasonable accommodations may be necessary in order to comply with such acts. All such accommodations shall be personal to the applicant and shall expire immediately if the disabled applicant terminates occupancy at the subject site.
I. 
Where a zoning designation line divides a parcel which was in single ownership on August 17, 2015, and it contains more than one nonresidential zoning designation with no internal or abutting residential zoning designations, then any combination of the nonresidential zones’ allowed land uses shall be permitted throughout the entire parcel. All other development standards apply to each zone separately. See SMC § 20.50.020(D) for more exceptions to lots with split zoning.
(Ord. 238 Ch. IV § 2(B), 2000; Ord. 425 § 2, 2006; Ord. 609 § 9, 2011; Ord. 722 § 1, 2015)
Table 20.40.120 Residential Uses
NAICS #
SPECIFIC LAND USE
NR3
NR2
NR1
TC-4
NB
CB
MB
TC-1, 2 & 3
RESIDENTIAL GENERAL
Accessory Dwelling Unit
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Affordable Housing
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Cottage Housing Development
P
P
P
Courtyard Apartment
P
P
P
P
Duplex
P
P
P
P
Fiveplex
P
P
P
Fourplex
P
P
P
P
Home Occupation
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Manufactured Home
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Mobile Home Park
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Multifamily
P
P
P
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Permanent Supportive and Transitional Housing
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Single-Family Attached
P
P
P
P
Single-Family Detached
P
P
P
P
Sixplex
P
P
P
Stacked Flat
P
P
P
P
Triplex
P
P
P
P
GROUP RESIDENCES
Adult Family Home
P
P
P
P
Assisted Living Facility
C
P
P
P
P
P
P
Co-Living Housing
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Residential Care Facility
C-i
C-i
P-i
P-i
721310
Dormitory
C-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
TEMPORARY LODGING
721191
Bed and Breakfasts
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Enhanced Shelter
P-i
P-i
P-i
Emergency Housing
P-i
P-i
P-i
Homeless Shelter
P-i
P-i
P-i
72111
Hotel/Motel
P
P
P
Recreational Vehicle
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
MISCELLANEOUS
Animals, Small, Keeping and Raising
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P = Permitted Use
S = Special Use
C = Conditional Use
-i = Indexed Supplemental Criteria
(Ord. 238 Ch. IV § 2(B, Table 1), 2000; Ord. 281 § 6, 2001; Ord. 299 § 1, 2002; Ord. 301 § 1, 2002; Ord. 352 § 1, 2004; Ord. 368 § 1, 2005; Ord. 408 § 2, 2006; Ord. 560 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 654 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2013; Ord. 669 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 731 § 1 (Exh. A), 2015; Ord. 762 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 767 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 824 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 850 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 901 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 907 § 1 (Exh. B), 2020; Ord. 929 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 984 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1000 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 1027 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 1047 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
Table 20.40.130 Nonresidential Uses
NAICS #
SPECIFIC LAND USE
NR3
NR2
NR1
TC-4
NB
CB
MB
TC-1, 2 & 3
RETAIL/SERVICE
532
Automotive Rental and Leasing
P
P
P only in TC-1
81111
Automotive Repair and Service
P
P
P
P only in TC-1
451
Book and Video Stores/Rental (excludes Adult Use Facilities)
P
C
P
P
P
P
Brewpub
P
(See Chapter 20.50 SMC, Subchapter 2)
P
P
P
P
P
513
Broadcasting and Telecommunications
P
P
812220
Cemetery, Columbarium
C-i
C-i
C-i
C-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Houses of Worship
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
P
Construction Retail, Freight, Cargo Service
P
Daycare I Facilities
P-i
P-i
P
P
P
P
P
P
Daycare II Facilities
P-i
P-i
P
P
P
P
P
P
722
Eating and Drinking Establishments (excluding Gambling Uses)
P-i
(See Chapter 20.50 SMC, Subchapter 2)
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
812210
Funeral Home/Crematory
C-i
C-i
C-i
C-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
447
Fuel and Service Stations
P
P
P
General Retail Trade/Services
P
P
P
P
811310
Heavy Equipment and Truck Repair
P
481
Helistop
S
S
S
S
C
C
812910
Kennel or Cattery
C-i
P-i
P-i
Library Adaptive Reuse
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
31
Light Manufacturing
P
P
Marijuana Operations – Medical Cooperative
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Marijuana Operations – Retail
P
P
P
P
Marijuana Operations – Processor
S
P
Marijuana Operations – Producer
P
Microbrewery
P
P
P
Microdistillery
P
P
P
Minor Fleet Base
S
S
S
C
C
441
Motor Vehicle and Boat Sales
P
P only in TC-1
Neighborhood Commercial
P
P
P
P
Personal Services
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Professional Office
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P
P
P
P
5417
Research, Development and Testing
P
P
Temporary Construction Facilities
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Temporary Real Estate Office
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
484
Trucking and Courier Service
P-i
P-i
P-i
Self-Storage Facilities
P-i
P-i
541940
Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals
C-i
C-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Warehousing and Wholesale Trade
P
Wireless Telecommunication Facility
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P = Permitted Use
S = Special Use
C = Conditional Use
-i = Indexed Supplemental Criteria
(Ord. 238 Ch. IV § 2(B, Table 2), 2000; Ord. 258 § 5, 2000; Ord. 277 § 1, 2001; Ord. 281 § 6, 2001; Ord. 299 § 1, 2002; Ord. 317 § 1, 2003; Ord. 469 § 1, 2007; Ord. 560 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 643 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 654 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2013; Ord. 669 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 695 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014; Ord. 734 § 4, 2016; Ord. 735 § 1, 2016; Ord. 765 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016; Ord. 767 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 789 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 896 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 999 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 1027 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 1047 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
Table 20.40.140 Other Uses
NAICS #
SPECIFIC USE
NR3
NR2
NR1
TC-4
NB
CB
MB
TC-1, 2 & 3
EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE, AND RECREATION
Adult Use Facilities
P-i
P-i
71312
Amusement Arcade
P
P
71395
Bowling Center
C
P
P
P
6113
College and University
S
P
P
P
56192
Conference Center
C-i
C-i
C-i
C-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
6111
Elementary School, Middle/Junior High School
C
C
C
C
Gambling Uses (expansion or intensification of existing nonconforming use only)
S-i
S-i
S-i
S-i
71391
Golf Facility
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
514120
Library
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
71211
Museum
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
Nightclubs (excludes Adult Use Facilities)
C
P
P
7111
Outdoor Performance Center
S
P
Parking Area
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Parks and Trails
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Performing Arts Companies/Theater (excludes Adult Use Facilities)
P-i
P-i
P-i
6111
School District Support Facility
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
6111
Secondary or High School
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
6116
Specialized Instruction School
C-i
C-i
C-i
C-i
P
P
P
P
71399
Sports/Social Club
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
6114 (5)
Vocational School
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
GOVERNMENT
9221
Court
P-i
P-i
P-i
92216
Fire Facility
C-i
C-i
C-i
C-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
Interim Recycling Facility
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
92212
Police Facility
S
P
P
P
92
Public Agency Office/Yard or Public Utility Office/Yard
S
S
S
S
S
P
P
221
Utility Facility
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
HEALTH
Enhanced Services Facility
S
Evaluation and Treatment Facility
S
622
Hospital
C-i
C-i
C-i
P-i
P-i
P-i
6215
Medical Lab
P
P
P
6211
Medical Office/Outpatient Clinic
C-i
C-i
P
P
P
P
623
Nursing Facility
C
C
P
P
P
P
Residential Treatment Facility
C
C
C
P
P
P
REGIONAL
Major Fleet Base
S
S
S
S
S
School Bus Base
S-i
S-i
S-i
S-i
S-i
S-i
S-i
Secure Community Transitional Facility
S-i
Transfer Station
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
Light Rail Transit System/Facility
S-i
S-i
S-i
S-i
S-i
S-i
S-i
S-i
Transit Park and Ride Lot
S-i
S-i
S-i
S-i
P
P
P
P
Work Release Facility
S-i
P = Permitted Use
S = Special Use
C = Conditional Use
-i = Indexed Supplemental Criteria
(Ord. 238 Ch. IV § 2(B, Table 3), 2000; Ord. 258 § 3, 2000; Ord. 281 § 6, 2001; Ord. 299 § 1, 2002; Ord. 309 § 4, 2002; Ord. 531 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2009; Ord. 560 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 654 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2013; Ord. 695 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014; Ord. 731 § 1 (Exh. A), 2015; Ord. 739 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016; Ord. 824 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 882 § 1 (Exh. C, 2020; Ord. 907 § 1 (Exh. B), 2020; Ord. 930 § 1 (Exh. A-1), 2021; Ord. 999 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 1027 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
Permitted uses for parcels located in a campus zone shall be consistent with the campus master development plan approved by the City. Campus master development plans include:
1. 
CRISTA;
2. 
Fircrest;
3. 
Shoreline Community College; and
4. 
Public Health Laboratories.
(Ord. 507 § 4, 2008; Ord. 731 § 1 (Exh. A), 2015; Ord. 762 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 824 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 907 § 1 (Exh. B), 2020; Ord. 1047 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)
Table 20.40.160 Station Area Uses
NAICS #
SPECIFIC LAND USE
MUR-35'
MUR-45'
MUR-70'
RESIDENTIAL
Accessory Dwelling Unit
P-i
P-i
P-i
Adult Family Home
P
Affordable Housing
P-i
P-i
P-i
Bed and Breakfast
P-i
P-i
P-i
Co-Living Housing
P-i
P-i
P-i
Emergency Housing
P-i
Enhanced Shelter
P-i
Home Occupation
P-i
P-i
P-i
Homeless Shelter
P-i
Hotel/Motel
P
Live/Work
P (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
P-i
Multifamily
P
P
P-i
Permanent Supportive and Transitional Housing
P-i
P-i
P-i
Residential Care Facility
C-i
Single-Family Attached
P-i
P-i
Single-Family Detached
P-i
COMMERCIAL
Book and Video Stores/Rental (excludes Adult Use Facilities)
P (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
Brewpub
P (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
House of Worship
C
C
P
Daycare I Facilities
P
P
P
Daycare II Facilities
P
P
P
Eating and Drinking Establishment (excluding Gambling Uses)
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P-i
General Retail Trade/Services
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P-i
Kennel or Cattery
C -A
Marijuana Operations – Medical Cooperative
P
P
P
Marijuana Operations – Retail
Marijuana Operations – Processor
Marijuana Operations – Producer
Microbrewery
P (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
Microdistillery
P (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
Mini-Storage
C -A
C -A
Professional Office
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
Research, Development and Testing
P-i
Temporary Construction Facilities
P-i
P-i
P-i
Temporary Real Estate Office
P-i
P-i
P-i
Veterinary Clinic and Hospital
P-i
Wireless Telecommunication Facility
P-i
P-i
P-i
EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE, AND RECREATION
Amusement Arcade
P -A
P -A
Bowling Center
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
College and University
P
Conference Center
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
Elementary School, Middle/Junior High School
C
C
P
Library
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
Museum
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
Parks and Trails
P
P
P
Performing Arts Companies/Theater (excludes Adult Use Facilities)
P -A
P -A
School District Support Facility
C
C
Secondary or High School
C
C
P
Specialized Instruction School
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
Sports/Social Club
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
Vocational School
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
GOVERNMENT
Fire Facility
C-i
C-i
C-i
Police Facility
C-i
C-i
C-i
Public Agency Office/Yard or Public Utility Office/Yard
S
S
S
Utility Facility
C
C
C
HEALTH
Hospital
C
C
C
Medical Lab
C
C
C
Medical Office/Outpatient Clinic
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
Nursing Facilities
P-i (Adjacent to Arterial Street)
P
OTHER
Animals, Small, Keeping and Raising
P-i
P-i
P-i
Light Rail Transit System/Facility
S-i
S-i
S-i
Transit Park and Ride Lot
S
P
P = Permitted Use
C = Conditional Use
S = Special Use
-i = Indexed Supplemental Criteria
A= Accessory = Thirty percent of the gross floor area of a building or the first level of a multi-level building.
(Ord. 706 § 1 (Exh. A), 2015; Ord. 731 § 1 (Exh. A), 2015; Ord. 734 § 5, 2016; Ord. 735 § 2, 2016; Ord. 739 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016; Ord. 756 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016; Ord. 762 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 767 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 789 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 824 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 850 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2019; Ord. 907 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 1000 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 999 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 1027 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 1047 § 1 (Exh. A), 2025)