23.50.012

A. All uses are permitted outright, prohibited or permitted as a conditional use, according to Table A for 23.50.012 and this Section 23.50.012 . B. All permitted uses are allowed as either a principal use or an accessory use, unless otherwise indicated in Table A for 23.50.012. C. Public Facilities. 1. Similar Uses Permitted. Except as provided in subsections 23.50.012.C.2 and 23.50.012.C.3 and in Section 23.50.027 , uses in public facilities that are most similar to uses permitted outright or permitted by conditional use in this chapter are also permitted outright or by conditional use, subject to the same use regulations, development standards and administrative conditional use criteria that govern the similar uses. 2. Waivers or Modification by City Council for Similar Uses. The City Council may waive or modify applicable development standards or conditional use criteria for those uses in public facilities that are similar to uses permitted outright or permitted by conditional use according to Chapter 23.76 , Subchapter III, Council Land Use Decisions, with public projects considered as Type IV quasi-judicial decisions and City facilities considered as Type V legislative decisions. 3. Other Uses Permitted in Public Facilities. Unless specifically prohibited, uses in public facilities that are not similar to uses permitted outright or permitted by a conditional use or special exception under this Chapter 23.50 may be permitted by the City Council. City Council may waive or modify development standards or conditional use criteria according to Chapter 23.76 , Subchapter III, Council Land Use Decisions, with public projects considered as Type IV quasi-judicial decisions and City facilities considered as Type V legislative decisions. 4. Uses in public facilities not meeting development standards. In all industrial zones, uses in public facilities not meeting development standards may be permitted by the Council if the following criteria are satisfied: a. The project provides unique services that are not provided to the community by the private sector, such as police and fire stations; and b. The proposed location is required to meet specific public service delivery needs; and c. The waiver or modification to the development standards is necessary to meet specific public service delivery needs; and d. The relationship of the project to the surrounding area has been considered in the design, siting, landscaping and screening of the facility. 5. Expansion of Uses in Public Facilities. a. Major Expansion. Major expansions may be permitted to uses in public facilities allowed pursuant to subsections 23.50.012.C.1, 23.50.012.C.2 and 23.50.012.C.3 according to the same provisions and procedural requirements as described in these subsections. A major expansion of a public facility use is one that would not meet development standards, or one that would exceed the greater of 750 square feet or ten percent of its existing area, including gross floor area and areas devoted to active outdoor uses other than parking. b. Minor Expansion. An expansion that is not a major expansion is a minor expansion. Minor expansions may be permitted to uses in public facilities allowed pursuant to subsections 23.50.012.C.1, 23.50.012.C.2 and 23.50.012.C.3 according to Chapter 23.76 , Procedures for Master Use Permits and Council Land Use Decisions, for a Type I Master Use Permit if the development standards of the zone in which the public facility is located are met. 6. Essential Public Facilities. Permitted essential public facilities shall also be reviewed according to Chapter 23.80 , Essential Public Facilities. D. Rooftop Recreational Space in IG1 and IG2 Zones. Recreational space may be located on the rooftop of a building (including the rooftop of an attached parking structure) existing as of December 31, 1998. Rooftop recreational space shall be used only for the purposes of active recreational uses and/or passive open spaces accessory to office uses of at least 100,000 square feet that are located in the same building or within an attached structure(s) and that are established on or before December 31, 1998. If any portion of the rooftop recreational space is covered by a structure, the following standards apply: 1. The height of the structure shall not exceed 30 feet as measured from the existing rooftop elevation and be limited to only one story; 2. The height shall not exceed the height of the highest portion or feature of the building or attached structure(s); 3. The footprint of the structure shall not exceed 30 percent of the total roof area on which the structure is located; and 4. The structure shall be designed to include a minimum of 30 percent transparent and/or translucent exterior building materials. 5. The rooftop recreational space permitted under this subsection 23.50.012.D shall be used only for active recreational uses and/or passive open spaces accessory to office uses and cannot be used for or converted to other uses. Section 23.50.012.D does not preclude the use of rooftop decks for passive open space use if the deck is on a structure otherwise permitted, including a structure constructed after December 31, 1998, or if the deck is associated with an otherwise permitted use. E. Adult Cabarets. 1. Any lot line of property containing any proposed new or expanding adult cabaret must be 800 feet or more from any lot line of property on which any of the following uses has been established by permit or otherwise recognized as legally established: community center; child care center; school, elementary or secondary; or public parks and open space use. 2. Any lot line of property containing any proposed new or expanding adult cabaret must be 600 feet or more from any lot line of property for which a permit has been issued for any other adult cabaret. 3. The analysis required by subsections 23.50.012.E.1 and E.2 shall be based on the facts that exist on the earlier of: a. the date a complete application is made for a building permit for an adult cabaret for the property proposed to contain the new or expanding adult cabaret, or b. the date of publication of notice of the Director's decision on the Master Use Permit application to establish or expand an adult cabaret use, if the decision can be appealed to the Hearing Examiner, or the date of the Director's decision if no Hearing Examiner appeal is available. Table A for 23.50.012 Uses in Industrial zones Uses Permitted and prohibited uses by zone IB IG1 and IG2 (general) IG1 in the Duwamish M/I Center IG2 in the Duwamish M/I Center A. AGRICULTURAL USES A.1. Animal husbandry X X X X A.2. Aquaculture P P P P A.3. Community garden P(1) P(1) P(1) P(1) A.4. Horticulture X X X X A.5. Urban farm(2) P(1) P(1) P(1) P(1) B. CEMETERIES X X X X C. COMMERCIAL USES C.1. Animal shelters and kennels X(3) P P P C.2. Eating and drinking establishments P P P P C.3. Entertainment uses C.3.a. Cabarets, adult P(4) X X X C.3.b. Motion picture theaters, adult X X X X C.3.c. Panorams, adult X X X X C.3.d. Sports and recreation, indoor P P X P C.3.e. Sports and recreation, outdoor P P X P C.3.f. Theaters and spectator sports facilities C.3.f.i. Lecture and meeting halls P P P P C.3.f.ii. Motion picture theaters P P X X C.3.f.iii. Performing arts theaters P P X X C.3.f.iv. Spectator sports facilities P P X(5) X(5) C.4. Food processing and craft work(2) P P P P C.5. Laboratories, research and development P P P P C.6. Lodging uses CU CU X X C.7. Medical services (6) P P P P C.8. Offices P P P P C.9. Sales and services, automotive P P P P C.10. Sales and services, general(2) P P P P C.11. Sales and services, heavy P P P P C.12. Sales and services, marine P P P P D. HIGH-IMPACT USES X X or CU(7) X or CU(7) X or CU(7) E. INSTITUTIONS E.1. Adult care centers X X X X E.2. Child care centers P P P P E.3. Colleges EB EB(8) X(9) X(9) E.4. Community centers and Family support centers EB EB P P E.5. Community clubs EB EB X P E.6. Hospitals EB CU(10) P P E.7. Institutes for advanced study P P X X E.8. Libraries X X X X E.9. Major institutions subject to the provisions of Chapter 23.69 EB(11) EB(11) EB EB E.10. Museums EB EB X(12) X(12) E.11. Private clubs EB EB X X E.12. Religious facilities P(13) P(13) P(13) P(13) E.13. Schools, elementary or secondary EB EB X X E.14. Vocational or fine arts schools P P P P F. LIVE-WORK UNITS X X X X G. MANUFACTURING USES G.1. Manufacturing, light 2 P P P P G.2. Manufacturing, general P P P P G.3. Manufacturing, heavy CU P or CU(14) P P H. PARKS AND OPEN SPACE P P P P I. PUBLIC FACILITIES I.1. Jails X X X X I.2. Work-release centers X X X X I.3. Other public facilities CCU CCU CCU CCU J. RESIDENTIAL USES J.1. Residential uses not listed below X X X X J.2. Artist's studio/dwellings EB/CU EB/CU EB/CU EB/CU J.3. Caretaker's quarters P P P P J.4. Residential use, except artist's studio/dwellings and caretaker's quarters, in a landmark structure or landmark district CU CU CU CU K. STORAGE USES K.1. Mini-warehouses P P X P K.2. Storage, outdoor P P P P K.3. Warehouses P P P P L. TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES L.1. Cargo terminals P P P P L.2. Parking and moorage L.2.a. Boat moorage P P P P L.2.b. Dry boat storage P P P P L.2.c. Parking, flexible-use P P X(5) X(5) L.2.d. Park and ride facilities P(15) P(15) CU CU L.2.e. Towing services P P P P L.3. Passenger terminals P P P P L.4. Rail transit facilities P P P P L.5. Transportation facilities, air L.5.a. Airports (land-based) X CCU CCU CCU L.5.b. Airports (water-based) X CCU CCU CCU L.5.c. Heliports X CCU CCU CCU L.5.d. Helistops CCU CCU CCU CCU L.6. Vehicle storage and maintenance L.6.a. Bus bases CU CU CU CU L.6.b. Railroad switchyards P P P P L.6.c. Railroad switchyards with a mechanized hump X CU CU CU L.6.d. Transportation services, personal P P P P M. UTILITY USES M.1. Communication utilities, major CU CU CU CU M.2. Communication utilities, minor P P P P M.3. Power plants X P P P M.4. Recycling P P P P M.5. Sewage treatment plants X CCU CCU CCU M.6. Solid waste management M.6.a. Salvage yards X P P P M.6.b. Solid waste transfer stations CU(16) CU CU CU M.6.c. Solid waste incineration facilities X CCU CCU CCU M.6.d. Solid waste landfills X X X X M.7. Utility services uses P P P P Key to Table A for 23.50.012 CU = Administrative conditional use CCU = Council conditional use EB = Permitted only in a building existing on October 7, 1987 EB/CU = Administrative conditional use permitted only in a building existing on October 7, 1987 P = Permitted X = Prohibited Key to Table A for 23.50.012 CU = Administrative conditional use CCU = Council conditional use EB = Permitted only in a building existing on October 7, 1987 EB/CU = Administrative conditional use permitted only in a building existing on October 7, 1987 P = Permitted X = Prohibited Footnotes to Table A for 23.50.012 (1) Except within designated manufacturing and industrial centers, where they are permitted only on rooftops and/or as agricultural uses within an enclosed building. Except for agricultural uses within an enclosed building operating prior to January 4, 2016, agricultural uses within an enclosed building are not permitted in the IG1 zone. Agricultural uses within an enclosed building within designated manufacturing and industrial centers (excluding associated office or food processing areas) shall not exceed: (a) 5,000 square feet in IG1 zones for agricultural uses within an enclosed building established prior to January 4, 2016; (b) 10,000 square feet in IB zones; and (c) 20,000 square feet in IG2 zones. (2) In addition to the provisions of this Chapter 23.50 , urban farms that entail major cannabis activity are regulated by Section 23.42.058 . (3) Animal shelters and kennels maintained and operated for the impounding, holding and/or disposal of lost, stray, unwanted, dead or injured animals are permitted. (4) Subject to subsection 23.50.012.E. (5) Parking required for a spectator sports facility or exhibition hall is allowed and shall be permitted to be used as flexible-use parking or shared with another such facility to meet its required parking. A spectator sports facility or exhibition hall within the Stadium Transition Area Overlay District may reserve parking. Such reserved non-required parking shall be permitted to be used as flexible-use parking and is exempt from the one-space-per-650-square-feet ratio under the following circumstances: (a) The parking is owned and operated by the owner of the spectator sports facility or exhibition hall, and (b) The parking is reserved for events in the spectator sports facility or exhibition hall, and (c) The reserved parking is outside of the Stadium Transition Area Overlay District, and south of South Royal Brougham Way, west of 6th Avenue South and north of South Atlantic Street. Parking that is covenanted to meet required parking will not be considered reserved parking. (6) Medical service uses over 10,000 square feet, within 2,500 feet of a medical Major Institution Overlay District boundary, require administrative conditional use approval, unless included in an adopted Major Institution master plan. See Section 23.50.014 . (7) High-impact uses may be permitted as conditional uses as provided in subsection 23.50.014.B.5. (8) Research and education facilities that are a part of a college or university, and that are water-dependent or water-related, as defined by Section 23.60A.944 , are permitted in new and existing buildings in the Ballard/Interbay/Northend Manufacturing and Industrial Center. (9) A college or university offering a primarily vocational curriculum within the zone is permitted. Footnotes to Table A for 23.50.012 (Cont'd.) (10) Hospitals may be permitted as a conditional use where accessory to a research and development laboratory or an institute for advanced study pursuant to subsection 23.50.014.B.12. (11) Major institution uses are permitted only in a building existing on October 7, 1987, except that such uses are permitted on properties located outside of the Ballard/Interbay/Northend Manufacturing and Industrial Center that are located in an area south of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, east of 8th Avenue West, north of West Nickerson Street, and west of 3rd Avenue West regardless of whether the use is located in a building existing on October 7, 1987. (12) Museums are prohibited except in buildings or structures that are designated City of Seattle Landmarks. (13) Transitional encampments accessory to religious facilities or to principal uses located on property owned or controlled by a religious organization are regulated by Section 23.42.054 . (14) Heavy manufacturing uses may be permitted as a conditional use within the Queen Anne Interbay area as provided in subsection 23.50.014.C. (15) Park and ride facilities are not permitted within 3,000 feet of the Downtown Regional Center. (16) Subject to subsection 23.50.014.B.7.e. (Ord. 127375 , § 79, 2025; Ord. 127099 , § 41, 2024 [changed "marijuana" to "cannabis" and other cleanup]; Ord. 126864 , § 2, 2023; Ord. 125845 , § 1, 2019; Ord. 125558 , § 39, 2018; Ord. 124969 , § 19, 2016; Ord. 124326, § 2, 2013; Ord. 123986, § 1, 2012; Ord. 123872, § 4, 2012; Ord. 123729, § 6, 2011; Ord. 123649, § 31, 2011; Ord. 123589, § 54, 2011; Ord. 123378, § 21, 2010; Ord. 123282, § 4, 2010; Ord. 123046, §§ 41, 65, 2009; Ord. 122935, § 12, 2009; Ord. 122925, § 1, 2009; Ord. 122411 , §§ 6, 7, 2007; Ord. 122311 , § 61, 2006; Ord. 121476, § 11, 2004; Ord. 121196, § 18, 2003; Ord. 120155, § 1, 2000; Ord. 120117, § 38, 2000; Ord. 119972, § 5, 2000; Ord. 119370, § 12, 1999; Ord. 119238, § 7, 1998; Ord. 118794, § 38, 1997; Ord. 118672, § 22, 1997; Ord. 117430 , § 76, 1994; Ord. 117263 , § 48, 1994; Ord. 117202 , § 9, 1994; Ord. 116907 § 7, 1993; Ord. 116596 , § 3, 1993; Ord. 116295 , § 21, 1992; Ord. 115043, § 11, 1990; Ord. 115002 , § 10, 1990; Ord. 114875, § 12, 1989; Ord. 114623, § 14, 1989; Ord. 113658, § 4, 1987.)