Edmonds City Zoning Code
16.60 CG
General Commercial Zone
16.60.000 CG zone.
A. This chapter establishes the general commercial zoning district.
B. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
1. “Amenity space” means outdoor space for uses that are considered to provide an amenity or benefit to people.
2. “Auto sales use” means facilities for the commercial sale of motor vehicles, including buildings and areas typically associated with auto sales use, such as areas for the display and storage of automobiles that are sold or serviced as part of the overall auto sales use.
3. “Frontage” means the front part of a property or building adjacent to a street.
4. “Primary frontage” (or “primary street frontage”) means the frontage for a property that is adjacent to only one street or, for a property that is adjacent to more than one street, the frontage that is adjacent to the street that is considered primary over any other streets to which the property is adjacent.
5. “Step-back” means the upper portion of a building that is required to be set (or stepped) further back than the minimum setback otherwise required by ECDC 16.60.020(A).
C. Where this chapter conflicts with any other, this chapter shall prevail for the general commercial district. [Ord. 4302 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 4078 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2017; Ord. 3981 § 1 (Att. A), 2014; Ord. 3635 § 1, 2007].
16.60.005 Purposes.
The CG zone has the following specific purposes in addition to the general purposes for business and commercial zones listed in Chapter 16.40 ECDC:
A. Encourage economic vitality through businesses, investment, redevelopment, and efficient use of land;
B. Encourage safe and comfortable access for pedestrians, transit, and motorists;
C. Encourage attractive mixed-use development, affordable housing, and a variety of commercial uses; and
D. Recognize the district’s evolving identity and sense of place, including distinctions between different parts of the district, and be sensitive to adjacent residential zones. [Ord. 4302 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 4078 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2017; Ord. 3981 § 1 (Att. A), 2014; Ord. 3635 § 1, 2007].
16.60.010 Uses.
A. Permitted Primary Uses.
1. All permitted or conditional uses in any other zone in this title, except as specifically prohibited by subsection (C) of this section or limited by subsections (B) and (D) of this section;
2. Halfway houses;
3. Sexually oriented businesses, which shall comply with the location standards set forth in ECDC 16.60.015, the development regulations set forth in Chapter 17.50 ECDC, and the licensing regulations set forth in Chapter 4.52 ECC.
B. Permitted Secondary Uses.
1. Off-street parking and loading areas to serve a permitted use.
2. Indoor storage facilities that either comprise less than 40 percent of a permitted primary use of the building in which they are located or are in a separate accessory building or buildings comprising less than 40 percent of the total leasable building space used for the parcel’s permitted primary use(s).
3. Outdoor storage areas that are integral to a permitted primary use, such as storage or display areas for automobile sales, building materials or building supply sales, or garden/nursery sales; provided, that such outdoor uses are screened from adjacent residential zoning districts.
4. Outdoor dining meeting the criteria of Chapter 17.75 ECDC.
C. Prohibited Uses.
2. Storage facilities or outdoor storage areas intended as a primary use, not secondary to a permitted use. Automobile wrecking yards, junk yards, or businesses primarily devoted to storage or mini-storage are examples of this type of prohibited use.
D. Uses Requiring a Conditional Use Permit.
1. Aircraft landings as regulated by Chapter 4.80 ECC. [Ord. 4314 § 47 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 4302 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 4078 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2017; Ord. 3981 § 1 (Att. A), 2014; Ord. 3635 § 1, 2007].
16.60.015 Location standards for sexually oriented businesses.
All sexually oriented businesses shall comply with the requirements of this section, the development regulations set forth in Chapter 17.50 ECDC, and Chapter 4.52 ECC. The standards established in this section shall not be construed to restrict or prohibit the following activities or products: (1) expressive dance; (2) plays, operas, musicals, or other dramatic works; (3) classes, seminars, or lectures conducted for a scientific or educational purpose; (4) printed materials or visual representations intended for educational or scientific purposes; (5) nudity within a locker room or other similar facility used for changing clothing in connection with athletic or exercise activities; (6) nudity within a hospital, clinic, or other similar medical facility for health-related purposes; and (7) all movies and videos that are rated G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17 by the Motion Picture Association of America.
A. Separation Requirements. A sexually oriented business shall only be allowed to locate where specifically permitted and only if the following separation requirements are met:
1. No sexually oriented business shall be located closer than 300 feet to any of the following protected zones, whether such protected zone is located within or outside the city limits:
a. A residential zone as defined in Chapter 16.10 ECDC;
b. A public use zone as defined in Chapter 16.80 ECDC.
2. No sexually oriented business shall be located closer than 300 feet to any of the following protected uses, whether such protected use is located within or outside the city limits:
a. A public park;
b. A public library;
c. A nursery school or preschool;
e. A church, temple, mosque, synagogue, or other similar facility used primarily for religious worship;
f. A community center such as an amusement park, public swimming pool, public playground, or other facility of similar size and scope used primarily by children and families for recreational or entertainment purposes;
g. A permitted residential use located in a commercial zone;
h. A museum; and
3. No sexually oriented business shall be located closer than 500 feet to any bar or tavern within or outside the city limits.
B. Measurement. The separation requirements shall be measured by following a straight line from the nearest boundary line of a protected zone specified in subsection (A) of this section or nearest physical point of the structure housing a protected use specified in subsection (A) of this section to the nearest physical point of the tenant space occupied by a sexually oriented business.
C. Variance From Separation Requirements. Variances may be granted from the separation requirements in subsection (A) of this section if the applicant demonstrates that the following criteria are met:
1. The natural physical features of the land would result in an effective separation between the proposed sexually oriented business and the protected zone or use in terms of visibility and access;
2. The proposed sexually oriented business complies with the goals and policies of the Community Development Code;
3. The proposed sexually oriented business is otherwise compatible with adjacent and surrounding land uses;
4. There is a lack of alternative locations for the proposed sexually oriented business; and
5. The applicant has proposed conditions which would minimize the adverse secondary effects of the proposed sexually oriented business.
D. Application of Separation Requirements to Existing Sexually Oriented Businesses. The separation requirements of this section shall not apply to a sexually oriented business once it has located within the city in accordance with the requirements of this section. [Ord. 4302 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 4078 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2017; Ord. 3981 § 1 (Att. A), 2014; Ord. 3635 § 1, 2007].
16.60.020 Site development standards – General.
A. Table. Except as hereinafter provided, development requirements shall be as follows:
Minimum Lot Area | Minimum Lot Width | Minimum Street Setback | Minimum Side/Rear Setback | Maximum Height | Maximum Floor Area | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CG | None | None | 5'/10'2 | 0'/15'1 | 75'3 | None |
1Fifteen feet from all lot lines adjacent to RM or LDR-zoned property; otherwise no setback is required by this subsection.
2The five-foot minimum width applies only to permitted outdoor auto sales use; otherwise the minimum is 10 feet.
3None for structures located within an area designated as a high-rise node on the comprehensive plan map.
B. Maximum height for purposes of this chapter need not include railings, chimneys, mechanical equipment or other exterior building appurtenances that do not provide interior livable space. In no case shall building appurtenances together comprise more than 20 percent of the building surface area above the maximum height.
C. Pedestrian Area.
1. For purposes of this chapter, the pedestrian area described herein is the area adjacent to the street that encompasses the public right-of-way from the edge of the curb (or, if no curb, from the edge of pavement) and the street setback area, as identified in the table in subsection (A) of this section.
2. The pedestrian area is composed of three zones: the activity zone, the pedestrian zone, and the streetscape zone. Providing improvements to the pedestrian area, as needed to be consistent with this subsection on at least the primary street, is required as part of development projects, excluding development that would not add a new building or that consists of building improvements that do not add floor area equaling more than 10 percent of the building’s existing floor area or that consists of additional parking stalls that comprise less than 10 percent of the existing parking stalls or that consists of development otherwise exempted under this chapter.
a. Activity Zone. The activity zone shall be the open-air pedestrian area from the building front to the edge of the pedestrian zone. The activity zone is the section of the pedestrian area that is reserved for activities that commonly occur immediately adjacent to the building facade. Typical amenities or activities included in the activity zone include, but are not limited to, sidewalks, benches, potted plants, outdoor dining and shopping. The area shall be paved to connect with the pedestrian zone in an ADA-accessible manner. Stairs, stoops and raised decks or porches may be constructed in a portion of the activity zone.
b. Pedestrian Zone. The pedestrian zone is located between the activity zone and the streetscape zone. The pedestrian zone consists of a minimum five-foot clear and unobstructed path for safe and efficient through traffic for pedestrians. Architectural projections and outdoor dining may be permitted to encroach into the pedestrian zone only where a minimum five-foot clear path and seven-foot vertical clearance is maintained within the pedestrian zone.
c. Streetscape Zone. The streetscape zone is located between the curb or pavement edge to the edge of the pedestrian zone and shall be a minimum of five feet wide. The streetscape zone is the section that is reserved for pedestrian use and for amenities and facilities that commonly occur between the adjacent curb or pavement edge and pedestrian through traffic. Typical amenities and facilities in the streetscape zone include, but are not limited to, street trees, street lights, benches, bus stops, and bike racks. Street trees shall be required in conformance with the Edmonds Street Tree Plan.
(Illustration: Pedestrian area)
D. Building Step-Back When Adjacent to or Directly Across the Street From LDR Zones.
1. For buildings greater than 55 feet in height, the portion of the building above 25 feet must step back no less than 10 feet from the required setback adjacent to or directly across the street from an LDR zone. That portion of the building over 55 feet in height must step back no less than 30 feet from the required setback adjacent to or directly across the street from an LDR zone.
2. Balconies, railings, parapets and similar features that do not enclose an interior space may extend into the step-back area in order to encourage more human activity and architectural features.
(Illustrations: Setback and “step-back” of building adjacent to or across the street from LDR zones)
[Ord. 4397 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 4302 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 4078 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2017; Ord. 3981 § 1 (Att. A), 2014; Ord. 3635 § 1, 2007].
16.60.030 Site development standards – Design.
A. Screening and Buffering.
1. General.
a. Retaining walls facing adjacent property or public rights-of-way shall not exceed seven feet in height. A minimum of four feet of planted terrace is required between stepped wall segments.
b. Tree landscaping may be clustered to soften the view of a building or parking lot, yet allow visibility to signage and building entry.
c. Stormwater facilities shall be designed to minimize visual impacts and integrate landscaping into the design.
d. All parking lots are required to provide Type V interior landscaping, consistent with Chapter 20.13 ECDC.
e. Type I landscaping is required for commercial, institutional and medical uses adjacent to residential (LDR and RM) zones. The buffer shall be a minimum of 10 feet in width and continuous in length.
f. Type I landscaping is required for parking areas adjacent to residential (LDR and RM) zones. The buffer shall be a minimum of four feet in width and continuous in length.
g. If there is a loading zone and/or trash compactor area next to a residential (LDR and RM) zone, there shall be a minimum of a six-foot-high masonry wall plus a minimum width of five feet of Type I landscaping. Trash and utility storage elements shall not be permitted to encroach within street setbacks or within setbacks adjacent to the LDR zone. Mechanical equipment, including heat pumps and other mechanical elements, shall not be placed in the setbacks.
h. Outdoor storage areas for commercial uses must be screened from adjacent residential (LDR and RM) zones.
2. Parking Lots Abutting Streets.
a. Type IV landscaping, minimum five feet wide, is required along all street frontages where parking lots, excluding for auto sales use, abut the street right-of-way.
b. For parking lots where auto sales uses are located, the minimum setback area must be landscaped to include a combination of vegetation and paved pedestrian areas.
c. All parking located under the building shall be completely screened from the public street by one of the following methods:
i. Walls that have architectural treatment meeting at least three of the elements listed in subsection (D)(2)(e) of this section;
ii. Type III planting and a grill that is 25 percent opaque; or
iii. Grill work that is at least 80 percent opaque.
B. Parking, Access, and Bicycle Storage Standards.
1. Parking Requirements. Vehicle parking shall be provided as follows:
a. Nonresidential uses, one space per 500 square feet of leasable building space; and
b. Residential uses, an average of 0.75 space per unit that is less than 700 square feet, an average of 1.25 parking spaces per unit that is between 700 and 1,100 square feet, and otherwise 1.75 spaces per unit.
c. In addition, guest parking for residential uses at a minimum ratio of one guest space for every 20 required parking spaces.
d. For mixed-use development, a portion of the parking spaces may be shared between residential and commercial uses provided the director finds that the proposal is supported by a parking study and/or nationally recognized parking standards and that the site plan assures access for all shared parking uses.
e. Parking meeting the nonresidential parking requirements shall be open to the public throughout business operating hours.
2. The first 3,000 square feet of commercial space in a mixed-use development with a shared parking plan is exempt from off-street parking requirements.
3. The planning and development director may approve a different ratio for the vehicle parking required by the standards of subsection (B)(1) of this section when an applicant submits parking data illustrating that the standards do not accurately apply to a specific development. The data submitted for an alternative parking ratio shall include, at a minimum, the size and type of the proposed development, and the anticipated peak and average parking loads of all uses. The director may approve a parking ratio that is based on the specific type of development and its primary users in relationship to:
a. An analysis conducted using nationally recognized standards or methodology, such as is contained in the Urban Land Institute’s most recent version of the publication “Shared Parking” or the latest version of the Institute of Transportation Engineers publication “Parking Generation”; or
b. A site-specific parking study that includes data and analysis for one or more of the following:
i. One-quarter-mile proximity to a bus rapid transit station and methodology that takes into account transit-oriented development;
ii. Use of transportation demand management policies, including but not limited to free or subsidized transit passes for residents and workers;
iii. On-site car-share and bike-share facilities;
iv. Uses that serve patients, clients, or tenants who do not have the same vehicle parking needs as the general population; or
v. Other methods that reduce the need for vehicle parking.
4. All off-street surface parking shall be located to the side or rear of the primary building, except as otherwise allowed by this chapter, and shall be screened from the sidewalk by a wall or plantings between two to four feet in height. Outdoor parking areas shall comprise 40 percent or less of the public street frontage area within 100 feet of the primary street for the lot or tract and, on corner lots, may not be located at the corner. The requirements of this subsection do not apply to permitted auto sales uses.
5. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. See Chapter 17.115 ECDC for parking standards relating to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
6. Bicycle Storage Spaces. See Chapter 17.120 ECDC for parking standards relating to bicycle parking facilities.
7. Driveways Accessing Highway 99. All driveway connections to Highway 99 must meet the applicable requirements of the Washington State Department of Transportation, including minimum requirements for distance between driveway access connections, which may be up to 250 feet to help promote traffic safety and minimize pedestrian-vehicle conflicts.
8. Paths Within Parking Lots.
a. Pedestrian paths in parking lots shall be delineated by separate paved routes that meet federal accessibility requirements and that use a variation in textures and/or colors and may include landscape barriers and landscape islands.
b. Pedestrian paths shall be provided at least every 180 feet within parking lots. These shall be designed to provide access to on-site buildings as well as to pedestrian walkways that border the development.
c. Pedestrian paths shall be a minimum of six feet in width and shall be separated from the parking area either horizontally or vertically (e.g., with curbs). Where paths cross vehicular lanes, raised traffic tables should be considered if feasible.
d. Parking lots shall have pedestrian connections to the main sidewalk at a minimum of every 100 feet.
9. Bonus for Parking Below or Above Ground Floor.
a. For projects where at least 50 percent of the parking is below or above the ground floor of the building, the following standards may be applied regardless of any ECDC standards that otherwise conflict:
i. The minimum drive aisle width may be reduced to 22 feet.
ii. The maximum ramp slope may be increased to 20 percent.
iii. A mixture of full and reduced width parking stalls may be provided without demonstrating the stalls could also be provided at full width dimensions.
10. Drive-Through Facilities. Drive-through facilities such as, but not limited to, banks, cleaners, fast food, drug stores, and espresso stands, shall comply with the following:
a. Drive-through windows and stacking lanes shall not be located along the facades of the building that face a street.
b. No more than one direct entrance or exit from the drive-through shall be allowed as a separate curb cut onto an adjoining street.
11. Pedestrian and Transit Access.
a. Pedestrian building entries must connect directly to the public sidewalk and to adjacent developments if feasible.
b. Internal pedestrian routes shall extend to the property line and connect to existing pedestrian routes where applicable. Potential future connections shall also be identified such that pedestrian access between developments can occur without walking in the parking or access areas.
c. Where a transit station or bus stop is located in front of or adjacent to a parcel, pedestrian connections linking the station or stop directly to the development are required.
d. Pedestrian routes shall connect buildings on the same site to each other.
C. Site Design and Layout. Overall, the design and use of each site shall be based on the building/street relationship and on the integration of pedestrian features. This will take the form of either a pedestrian-oriented design area or an alternative walkable design area, as described in subsections (C)(1) and (2) of this section; provided, that an exceptions process, pursuant to subsection (C)(3) of this section, may be allowed under the provisions of this section. Additional site design and layout standards in this section must also be met.
1. Pedestrian-Oriented Design Area. Unless otherwise permitted under subsection (C)(2) or (3) of this section, development must meet the requirements of this subsection for a pedestrian-oriented design area.
a. Primary Frontage. At least 50 percent of a building’s facade facing the primary public street shall be located within 20 feet of the property line where the primary street frontage exists. The illustration below provides an example of this concept. The requirement does not apply to buildings that are behind another building on the same lot when the other building has a footprint of at least 3,000 square feet and has met the requirement. Where site constraints preclude strict compliance with the requirement, the building line shall be measured one foot behind the line created by that constraint. On a corner lot or a lot with frontages on multiple streets, the planning and development director shall determine the primary street frontage considering the following:
ii. The prevailing orientation of other buildings in the area;
iii. The length of the block face on which the building is located; or
b. The building must include a prominent pedestrian entry on the primary frontage. Vehicle parking, other than where permitted for vehicle sales use, shall not be located within the first 20 feet of the primary street frontage. The first 20 feet of the primary street frontage may include building space, landscaping, artwork, seating areas, outdoor displays, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
2. Alternative Walkable Design Area Option. An alternative to the pedestrian-oriented design area requirements of subsection (C)(1) of this section may be allowed by the planning and development director only for sites that the director has found to have unique and significant constraints related to pedestrian access and for which a phased design plan to increase pedestrian access and connectivity has been submitted to the planning and development department. While they currently may be largely auto-oriented, walkable design areas have a high potential for walking, bicycling and transit service. If a development is allowed to use this standard, it shall be subject to the requirements of this subsection.
a. Building Placement. For any new building permitted on a property after August 1, 2017, a minimum of 50 percent of the building’s facade facing the primary street shall be located within 60 feet of the front property line or within 65 feet where a five-foot landscaping area is provided between the parking lot and the sidewalk. When site constraints preclude strict compliance with this requirement, the building line shall be measured one foot behind the line created by that constraint.
b. On a corner lot or a lot with frontages on multiple streets, the planning and development director shall determine the primary street frontage considering the following:
ii. The prevailing orientation of other buildings in the area;
iii. The length of the block face on which the building is located;
iv. The location of any alley or parking areas; or
c. No more than one double-sided row of parking spaces shall be allowed in the front of a building on its primary frontage.
d. A pedestrian entrance must be located on the primary frontage.
e. Required amenity spaces, under subsection (C)(4) of this section, shall be located to connect the building to the street as much as practicable; provided, that amenity space may also be located between buildings where the space will be used in common.
3. Exceptions Process for Pedestrian or Walkable Design. An exception to the exact requirements of subsection (C)(1) or (2) of this section may be allowed by the hearing examiner under a Type III-A decision process to provide for design flexibility that still encourages pedestrian orientation and efficient land uses when the following criteria are met:
a. The property is located within 300 feet of a highway interchange and has unique pedestrian access constraints or is primarily used for motor vehicle sales;
b. The development provides business and pedestrian areas that are near the primary street frontage and likely to be active throughout the day and evening;
c. The development features a prominent building entry for pedestrian use that is highly visible and connected by a well-lit walkway from the primary street frontage;
d. At least 25 percent of the required amenity space shall be located to connect the building to the street in a manner that encourages pedestrian use and include seating, landscaping, and artwork;
e. Where a site has multiple buildings (excluding accessory utility buildings), 50 percent or more of the required amenity space shall be located between buildings to allow for shared use;
f. No more than 50 percent of vehicle parking, other than that associated with a permitted vehicle sales facility use, may be located within 20 feet of the front property line;
g. One or more buildings on the site must have at least two stories of useable space.
4. Amenity Space. Amenity space is intended to provide residents, employees, and visitors with places for a variety of outdoor activities.
a. An area equivalent to at least five percent of the building footprint shall be provided as amenity space. If a vehicle parking area is being added to the site without the concurrent development of a building of at least 2,000 square feet, amenity space must be provided to equal at least five percent of the additional parking area.
b. The amenity space shall be outdoor space that incorporates pedestrian-oriented features, such as, but not limited to, seating, paths, gazebos, dining tables, pedestrian-scale lighting, and artwork. A minimum of 10 percent of the required amenity space shall be comprised of plantings, which may include tree canopy areas and other shade or screening features. Native vegetation is encouraged.
c. The majority of the required amenity space must be provided in one or more of the following forms:
i. Recreation areas: an open space available for recreation. The area may be spatially defined by landscaping rather than building frontages. Its surface shall consist primarily of hardy ground cover or a material conducive to playground or recreational use. Decorative landscape features, such as flower beds, shall not comprise more than 15 percent of the total area.
ii. Plazas: an open space available for community gathering and commercial activities. A plaza shall be spatially defined primarily by either building facades, with strong connections to interior uses, or close proximity to the public sidewalk, especially at the intersection of streets. Its surface shall be primarily hardscape; provided, that trees, shade canopies, and other landscaping, as well as water features and artwork, may add visual or environmental features to the space.
iii. Squares or courtyards: an open space available for unstructured recreation or community gathering purposes. A square is spatially defined by building facades with strong connections to interior uses. Its surface shall be primarily hardscape, supplemented by trees and other landscaping. Water features and artwork are optional.
iv. Exception. A community garden may comprise a portion of any amenity space; provided, that it:
(A) Is located more than 20 feet from a primary street frontage;
(B) Is dedicated to ongoing use by residents of the site, including for growing edible produce; and
(C) Includes facilities for watering the garden and storing garden supplies.
5. Lighting. All lighting shall be shielded and directed downward and away from adjacent parcels. This may be achieved through lower poles at the property lines and/or full “cut off” fixtures.
a. Parking lots shall have lighting poles that are a maximum of 25 feet in height. Pedestrian paths or walkways and outdoor steps shall have pedestrian-scaled lighting focused on the travel path. Pole height shall be a maximum of 14 feet, although lighting bollards are preferred.
b. For pedestrian paths and walkways on internal portions of the site, solar-powered lighting may be sufficient.
c. Entries shall have lighting for safety and visibility integrated with the building/canopy.
D. Building Design Standards.
1. General. To provide variety and interest in appearance, the following design elements should be considered, and a project shall demonstrate how at least four of the elements will be used to vary the design of the site:
a. Building massing and unit layout;
b. Placement of structures and setbacks;
c. Location of pedestrian and vehicular facilities;
d. Composition and character of open space, plant materials and street trees;
e. Variety in architectural elements, facade articulation, and/or building materials;
2. Building Design and Massing.
a. Buildings shall convey a visually distinct “base” and “top,” which may be achieved through differences in massing elements and/or architectural details.
b. The bulk and scale of buildings of over 3,000 square feet in footprint shall be mitigated through the use of massing and design elements such as facade articulation and modulation, setbacks, step-backs, distinctive roof lines or forms, and other design details.
c. Primary Frontage. On the primary frontage, to provide visual connection between activities inside and outside the building, 50 percent of the building facade between two and 10 feet in height, as measured from the adjacent sidewalk, shall be comprised of windows or doors that are transparent, the bottom of which may not be more than four feet above the adjacent sidewalk. A departure from this standard may be approved when the facade will not be visible from the public street due to the placement of other buildings on the site; provided, that the requirements of subsection (D)(2)(e) of this section shall apply.
i. On the primary frontage, no vehicle parking shall be located within the first 20 feet of the first level of a building facing the street except where such parking is underground.
d. All Other Building Frontages. All street-facing facades within 30 feet of a public street, other than for the primary frontage or those facing an alley or the last block of a dead-end street, shall comply with the standard below.
i. Thirty percent of the building facade between two and 10 feet in height shall be made of windows or doors that are transparent, the bottom of which may not be more than four feet above the adjacent sidewalk. Windows shall not be mirrored or have glass tinted darker than 40 percent in order to meet this requirement.
e. Wall Treatment. Building facades not subject to all requirements of subsection (D)(2)(c) or (d) of this section are intended to not display blank, unattractive walls to the public or to other building tenants. To accomplish this, walls greater than 30 feet in length shall have architectural treatment that incorporates at least four of the following elements into the design of the facade:
i. Masonry (except for flat concrete block).
ii. Concrete or masonry plinth at the base of the wall.
iii. Belt courses of a different texture and color.
iv. Projecting cornice.
v. Projecting metal or wood canopy.
vi. Decorative tilework.
vii. Trellis containing planting.
viii. Medallions.
ix. Artwork or wall graphics.
x. Vertical differentiation.
xi. Decorative lighting fixtures.
xii. Glazing.
xiii. An architectural element not listed above that is approved by the director to meet the intent of this subsection. [Ord. 4397 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 4302 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 4299 § 18 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 4277 § 2 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 4251 § 2 (Exh. A), 2022; Ord. 4078 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2017; Ord. 3981 § 1 (Att. A), 2014; Ord. 3736 § 11, 2009; Ord. 3635 § 1, 2007].
16.60.040 Operating restrictions.
A. Enclosed Building. All uses shall be carried on entirely within a completely enclosed building, except the following:
1. Public utilities;
2. Off street parking and loading areas;
4. Secondary uses permitted under ECDC 16.60.010(B);
5. Limited outdoor display of merchandise meeting the criteria of Chapter 17.65 ECDC;
6. Public markets;
7. Outdoor dining meeting the criteria of Chapter 17.75 ECDC;
8. Motorized and nonmotorized mobile vending units meeting the criteria of Chapter 4.12 ECC.
B. Interim Use Status – Public Markets. Unless a public market is identified on a business license as a year-round market within the city of Edmonds, a premises licensed as a public market shall be considered a temporary use. As a temporary activity, any signs or structures used in accordance with the market do not require design review. When a location is utilized for a business use in addition to a public market, the public market use shall not decrease the required available parking for the other business use below the standards established in this chapter.
C. Ongoing Uses.
1. Audio equipment at drive-through facilities shall not be audible off site.
2. Development subject to the standards of this chapter shall continue to meet the standards of this chapter except as specifically permitted otherwise. [Ord. 4397 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 4302 § 1 (Att. A), 2023; Ord. 4078 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2017; Ord. 3981 § 1 (Att. A), 2014; Ord. 3932 § 8, 2013; Ord. 3902 § 5, 2012; Ord. 3635 § 1, 2007].
16.60.050 Green building incentives.
A. General. New buildings, as well as additions or remodels to existing permitted buildings, may earn reduced site development standards by receiving U.S. Green Building Council® Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design™ (LEED) Gold certification, Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties Built Green® 4-Star certification, or better. The appropriate LEED rating system depends on the project. Each building receives incentives independently for their individual certification.
B. Eligibility. These incentives are available to commercial, multifamily residential, and mixed-use development only. Development of new single-family residences is ineligible for these incentives. See Chapter 17.100 ECDC for incentives for community facilities.
C. Parking. Multifamily residential development certified LEED Gold, Built Green® 4-Star, or better must provide at least one off-street parking space per dwelling unit rather than the standards of ECDC 16.60.030(B)(1). Electric vehicle parking standards of Chapter 17.115 ECDC remain calculated off standard parking requirements.
D. Enforcement. Development granted these incentives but then failing to achieve the requirements is subject to the enforcement measures of Chapter 19.00 ECDC.
E. Permit Review. Green buildings are eligible to receive the expedited plan review, as established by ECDC 19.00.050. [Ord. 4375 § 6, 2024].