Definitions — "E"
Seattle Mun. Code § 23.60A.910
in effect"Earth material" means unprocessed substances that come from the earth. "Ecological functions" or "shoreline functions" means the work performed or role played by the physical, chemical, and biological processes that contribute to the maintenance of the aquatic and terrestrial environments that constitute the shoreline's natural ecosystem. See WAC 173-26-200(2)(c). "Ecological restoration and enhancement." See "restoration and enhancement." "Ecology" means the Washington State Department of Ecology. "Elliott Bay" means the Shoreline District area from 24 th Avenue West to SW Atlantic Street, except the Harborfront, Harbor Island and the Duwamish Waterways. "Emergency" means an unanticipated and imminent threat to public health, safety or the environment that requires immediate action within a time period too short to allow full compliance with this Chapter 23.60A . Emergency construction does not include development of new permanent protective structures where none previously existed. Where new protective structures are deemed by the Director to be the appropriate means to address the emergency situation. "Environmentally critical area" means wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas and geologically hazardous areas as designated in Section 25.09.020 and located in Section 25.09.030 , as incorporated by reference into Section 23.60A.156 . "Essential public facilities" means those public facilities identified as potential essential public facilities in Section 23.84A.012 . "Existing," when modifying a use that is either to determine whether that use is allowed, allowed as a special use or conditional use, prohibited or to determine what standards apply to the use: 1. Means a use that both (a) was a lawful use when the use was established; and (b) has not been discontinued for more than 12 consecutive months in the CN, CP, CR, CM, CW, UR, UH and UC Environments or more than 24 consecutive months in the UM, UG or UI Environments. 2. A use is considered discontinued if: a. A permit to change the use of the structure or property has been issued and acted upon; or b. The structure or property or portion of a structure or property is vacant or not being used for the use allowed by the most recent permit. 3. The use of the structure is considered discontinued even if materials from the former use remain or are stored on the property. A multifamily structure with one or more vacant dwelling units is not considered vacant and the use is not considered to be discontinued unless all units in the structure are vacant. "Extreme low tide" means the lowest line on land reached by a receding tide. (Ord. 124105 , § 3, 2013.)
Source: Seattle Municipal Code (Municode library)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_codeFetched: 7/25/2026