Residential-Commercial (RC) zone, function and locational criteria.
Seattle Mun. Code § 23.34.070
in effectA. Function. 1. Purposes. Areas that serve as the following: a. As a means to downzone strip commercial areas which have not been extensively developed with commercial uses; b. As a means to downzone small commercial areas which have not been extensively developed with commercial uses and where commercial services are available nearby; c. To provide opportunities for needed parking in areas where spillover parking is a major problem; d. As a means of supporting an existing commercial node. 2. Desired Characteristics. Areas that provide the following: a. Physical appearance resembling the appearance of adjacent residential areas; b. Mixed use with small commercial uses at street level. B. Location Criteria. 1. Requirement. A residential-commercial designation shall be combined only with a multifamily designation. 2. Other Criteria. Residential-Commercial zone designation is most appropriate in areas generally characterized by the following: a. Existing Character. (1) Areas which are primarily residential in character (which may have either a residential or commercial zone designation), but where a pattern of mixed residential/commercial development is present; or (2) Areas adjacent to commercial areas, where accessory parking is present, where limited commercial activity and accessory parking would help reinforce or improve the functioning of the commercial areas, and/or where accessory parking would help relieve spillover parking in residential areas. b. Physical Factors Favoring RC Designation. (1) Lack of edges or buffer between residential and commercial uses; (2) Lack of buffer between major arterial and residential uses; (3) Streets with adequate access and circulation; (4) Insufficient parking in adjacent commercial zone results in parking spillover on residential streets. (Ord. 117430 , § 12, 1994; Ord. 112777 § 2(part), 1986.)
Source: Seattle Municipal Code (Municode library)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_codeFetched: 7/25/2026