Chapter 23.30 - ZONE DESIGNATIONS ESTABLISHED

Seattle Mun. Code § 23.30.010 Classifications for the purpose of this Subtitle III

A. General zoning designations. The zoning classification of land shall include one of the designations in this subsection 23.30.010.A. Only in the case of land designated "RC," the classification shall include both "RC" and one additional multifamily zone designation in this subsection 23.30.010.A. Zones Abbreviated Residential, Neighborhood NR Residential, Multifamily, Lowrise 1 LR1 Residential, Multifamily, Lowrise 2 LR2 Residential, Multifamily, Lowrise 3 LR3 Residential, Multifamily, Midrise MR Residential, Multifamily, Highrise HR Residential-Commercial RC Neighborhood Commercial 1 NC1 Neighborhood Commercial 2 NC2 Neighborhood Commercial 3 NC3 Master Planned Community—Yesler Terrace MPC-YT Seattle Mixed—South Lake Union SM-SLU Seattle Mixed—Dravus SM-D Seattle Mixed—North Rainier SM-NR Seattle Mixed - Rainier Beach SM-RB Seattle Mixed—University District SM-U Seattle Mixed—Uptown SM-UP Seattle Mixed—Northgate SM-NG Commercial 1 C1 Commercial 2 C2 Downtown Office Core 1 DOC1 Downtown Office Core 2 DOC2 Downtown Retail Core DRC Downtown Mixed Commercial DMC Downtown Mixed Residential DMR Pioneer Square Mixed PSM International District Mixed IDM International District Residential IDR Downtown Harborfront 1 DH1 Downtown Harborfront 2 DH2 Pike Market Mixed PMM General Industrial 1 IG1 General Industrial 2 IG2 Industrial Buffer IB Industrial Commercial IC Maritime Manufacturing and Logistics MML Industry and Innovation II Urban Industrial UI B. Suffixes—Height limits, letters, and mandatory housing affordability provisions. The zoning classifications for land subject to some of the designations in subsection 23.30.010.A include one or more numerical suffixes indicating height limit(s) or a range of height limits, or one or more letter suffixes indicating certain overlay districts or designations, or numerical suffixes enclosed in parentheses indicating the application of incentive zoning provisions, or letter suffixes and letter-with-numerical suffixes enclosed in parentheses indicating the application of mandatory housing affordability provisions, or any combination of these. Mandatory housing affordability suffixes include (M), (M1), and (M2). A letter suffix may be included only in accordance with provisions of this Title 23 expressly providing for the addition of the suffix. A zoning classification that includes a numerical or letter suffix or other combinations denotes a different zone than a zoning classification without any suffix or with additional, fewer, or different suffixes. Except where otherwise specifically stated in this Title 23 or where the context otherwise clearly requires, each reference in this Title 23 to any zoning designation in subsection 23.30.010.A without a suffix, or with fewer than the maximum possible number of suffixes, includes any zoning classifications created by the addition to that designation of one or more suffixes. (Ord. 127376 , § 14, 2025; Ord. 126862 , § 1, 2023; Ord. 126509 , § 13, 2022 [zone name change]; Ord. 125792 , § 2, 2019; Ord. 125791 , § 2, 2019; Ord. 125432 , § 3, 2017; Ord. 125267 , § 4, 2017; Ord. 124883 , § 4, 2015; Ord. 123963, § 11, 2012; Ord. 123770, § 1, 2011; Ord. 123495, § 4, 2011; Ord. 122311 , § 5, 2006; Ord. 121782, § 1, 2005; Ord. 118302, § 2, 1996; Ord. 117430 , § 4, 1994; Ord. 115002 , § 3, 1990; Ord. 114888, § 1, 1989; Ord. 114887, § 1, 1989; Ord. 114196, § 1, 1988; Ord. 113658, § 1, 1987; Ord. 112777, § 1, 1986; Ord. 112519, § 2, 1985; Ord. 112134, § 4, 1985; Ord. 11110, § 2, 1983; Ord. 110793, § 1, 1982; Ord. 110570, § 5, 1982; Ord. 110381, § 1, 1982.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 23.30.020 Zone boundaries

Unless the location of zone boundary lines is expressly established by reference to established lines, points, or features on the Official Land Use Map, the zone boundary lines are the centerlines of streets, including freeways, expressways and parkways, public alleys, waterways, or railroad rights-of-way; or in the case of navigable water, the pierhead or outer harbor lines; or in the case of Lake Union, the "Seattle Construction Limit Line" as established by Section 23.60A.016 . Where the pierhead, outer harbor lines, or construction limit lines are not established, then the zone boundary lines shall be on the water side of the natural shoreline and 500 feet, measured at right angles, from the shoreline. If the exact location of a zone boundary line cannot be determined otherwise, then its location shall be determined by measuring to scale on the Official Land Use Map. (Ord. 125603 , § 6, 2018; Ord. 117570, § 8, 1995; Ord. 110381, § 1(part), 1982.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 23.30.030 Property not specifically zoned.

In every case where property has not been specifically included within a zone on the Official Land Use Map the property is declared to be in the NR1 Zone. This provision shall apply to any property included in areas annexed to the City after the effective date of this provision unless the area is zoned at the time of annexation. (Ord. 126509 , § 14, 2022 [zone name change]; Ord. 110381, § 1, 1982.)