Edmonds City Zoning Code

16.45 BN

Neighborhood Business

16.45.000 Purposes.

The BN zone has the following specific purposes in addition to the general purposes for business and commercial zones listed in Chapter 16.40 ECDC:

A. To reserve areas for those retail stores, offices, retail service establishments which offer goods and services needed on an everyday basis by residents of a neighborhood area;

B. To ensure compact, convenient development patterns by allowing uses that are operated chiefly within buildings. [Ord. 4307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023].

16.45.010 Uses.

This section was recently amended by Ordinance No. 4397, codified in September 2025.

1. Low-density residential building types, as regulated in LDR-M zone;

2. Neighborhood-oriented retail stores, retail service uses, excluding uses such as commercial garages, used car lots, taverns, theaters, auditoriums, undertaking establishments and those uses requiring a conditional use permit as listed below;

3. Offices and outpatient clinics, excluding commercial kennels;

4. Dry cleaning stores and laundromats;

5. Small animal hospitals;

6. Churches, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.020;

7. Primary and high schools subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050(G) through (R);

8. Day care centers

9. Local public facilities designated and sited in the capital improvement plan, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050;

10. Neighborhood parks, natural open spaces, and community parks with an adopted master plan subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.070.

1. Limited assembly, repair or fabrication of goods incidental to a permitted or conditional use;

2. Off-street parking and loading areas to serve a permitted or conditional use;

3. One dwelling unit per lot, in the story above the street floor, with a minimum lot area of 6,000 square feet;

4. Commuter parking lots that contain less than 10 designated parking spaces in conjunction with any local public facility allowed by this section. Any additionally designated parking spaces that increase the total number of spaces in a commuter parking lot to 10 or more shall subject the entire commuter parking lot to a conditional use permit as specified in subsection (D)(2) of this section, including commuter parking lots that are located upon more than one lot as specified in ECDC 21.15.075;

5. Outdoor dining meeting the criteria of Chapter 17.75 ECDC.

1. Commercial parking lots;

2. Drive-in businesses;

3. Businesses open to the public between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;

4. Convenience stores;

5. Local public facilities not planned, designated, or sited in the capital improvement plan, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050;

6. Hospitals, convalescent homes, rest homes, sanitariums;

7. Museums, art galleries, zoos, and aquariums of primarily local concern that do not meet the criteria for regional public facilities as defined in ECDC 21.85.033;

8. Counseling centers and residential treatment facilities for current alcoholics and drug abusers;

9. Regional parks and community parks without a master plan subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.070.

1. Outdoor storage, incidental to a permitted or conditional use;

2. Commuter parking lots with 10 or more designated parking spaces in conjunction with a facility meeting the criteria listed under subsections (C)(6) through (9) of this section. [Ord. 4397 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 4333 § 9 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 4314 § 44 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 4307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 3353 § 3, 2001; Ord. 3269 § 1*, 1999; Ord. 3120 § 1, 1996; Ord. 2759 § 1, 1990; Ord. 2660 § 1, 1988; Ord. 2283 § 4, 1982].

* Code reviser’s note: Ord. 3269 expired August 13, 2000. For provisions on the outdoor display of merchandise, see Chapter 17.65 ECDC.

16.45.020 Site development standards.

This section was recently amended by Ordinance No. 4397, codified in September 2025.

	Minimum Lot Area	Minimum Lot Width	Minimum Street Setback	Minimum Side Setback	Minimum Rear Setback	Maximum Height	Maximum Floor Area
BN	None	None	20'	None¹	None¹	25'	3 sq. ft. per sq. ft. of lot area

1Fifteen feet from lot lines adjacent to LDR-zoned property.

B. Signs, Parking and Design Review. See Chapters 17.50, 20.10 and 20.60 ECDC.

C. Screening. The required setback from R-zoned property shall be permanently landscaped with trees and ground cover and permanently maintained by the owner of the BN lot. A six-foot minimum height fence, wall or solid hedge shall be provided at some point in the setback.

D. Satellite television antennas shall be regulated as set forth in ECDC 16.20.065, and reviewed by the architectural design board. [Ord. 4397 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 4307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 2526 § 5, 1985].

16.45.030 Operating restrictions.

A. All uses shall be carried on entirely within a completely enclosed building except:

1. Public utilities and parks;

2. Off-street parking and loading areas and commercial parking lots;

3. Drive-in businesses;

4. Plant nurseries;

5. Outdoor recreation spaces associated with day care centers;

6. Limited outdoor display of merchandise meeting the criteria of Chapter 17.65 ECDC.

B. Nuisances. All uses shall comply with Chapter 17.60 ECDC, Property Performance Standards. [Ord. 4307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 3320 § 2, 2000].

16.45.040 Site development exceptions – Green building incentives.

This section was recently amended by Ordinance No. 4397, codified in September 2025.

A. General. New buildings, as well as additions and 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, or better. The appropriate LEED rating system depends on the project. Each building receives incentives independently for their individual certification.

B. Eligibility. Development of new single-family residences is ineligible for these incentives. See Chapter 17.100 ECDC for incentives for community facilities.

C. Height. Development certified LEED Gold, Built Green® 4-Star, or better may receive an additional five feet above the stated height limit of ECDC 16.45.020(A) where all portions of the roof above 25 feet are sloped four inches in 12 inches or greater.

D. Parking. Development certified LEED Gold, Built Green® 4-Star, or better must provide at least one parking space per 500 square feet of commercial floor area and/or one parking space per dwelling unit. Electric vehicle parking standards of Chapter 17.115 ECDC remain calculated off standard parking requirements.

E. Enforcement. Development granted these incentives but then failing to achieve the requirements is subject to the enforcement measures of ECDC 19.00.050.

F. Permit Review. Green buildings are eligible to receive expedited plan review, as established by ECDC 19.00.050. [Ord. 4397 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 4375 § 2, 2024].

Edmonds City Zoning Code

16.45 BN

Neighborhood Business

16.45.000 Purposes.

The BN zone has the following specific purposes in addition to the general purposes for business and commercial zones listed in Chapter 16.40 ECDC:

A. To reserve areas for those retail stores, offices, retail service establishments which offer goods and services needed on an everyday basis by residents of a neighborhood area;

B. To ensure compact, convenient development patterns by allowing uses that are operated chiefly within buildings. [Ord. 4307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023].

16.45.010 Uses.

This section was recently amended by Ordinance No. 4397, codified in September 2025.

1. Low-density residential building types, as regulated in LDR-M zone;

3. Offices and outpatient clinics, excluding commercial kennels;

4. Dry cleaning stores and laundromats;

5. Small animal hospitals;

6. Churches, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.020;

7. Primary and high schools subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050(G) through (R);

8. Day care centers

9. Local public facilities designated and sited in the capital improvement plan, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050;

10. Neighborhood parks, natural open spaces, and community parks with an adopted master plan subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.070.

1. Limited assembly, repair or fabrication of goods incidental to a permitted or conditional use;

2. Off-street parking and loading areas to serve a permitted or conditional use;

3. One dwelling unit per lot, in the story above the street floor, with a minimum lot area of 6,000 square feet;

5. Outdoor dining meeting the criteria of Chapter 17.75 ECDC.

1. Commercial parking lots;

2. Drive-in businesses;

3. Businesses open to the public between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;

4. Convenience stores;

5. Local public facilities not planned, designated, or sited in the capital improvement plan, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050;

6. Hospitals, convalescent homes, rest homes, sanitariums;

7. Museums, art galleries, zoos, and aquariums of primarily local concern that do not meet the criteria for regional public facilities as defined in ECDC 21.85.033;

8. Counseling centers and residential treatment facilities for current alcoholics and drug abusers;

9. Regional parks and community parks without a master plan subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.070.

1. Outdoor storage, incidental to a permitted or conditional use;

* Code reviser’s note: Ord. 3269 expired August 13, 2000. For provisions on the outdoor display of merchandise, see Chapter 17.65 ECDC.

16.45.020 Site development standards.

This section was recently amended by Ordinance No. 4397, codified in September 2025.

	Minimum Lot Area	Minimum Lot Width	Minimum Street Setback	Minimum Side Setback	Minimum Rear Setback	Maximum Height	Maximum Floor Area
BN	None	None	20'	None¹	None¹	25'	3 sq. ft. per sq. ft. of lot area

1Fifteen feet from lot lines adjacent to LDR-zoned property.

B. Signs, Parking and Design Review. See Chapters 17.50, 20.10 and 20.60 ECDC.

16.45.030 Operating restrictions.

A. All uses shall be carried on entirely within a completely enclosed building except:

1. Public utilities and parks;

2. Off-street parking and loading areas and commercial parking lots;

3. Drive-in businesses;

4. Plant nurseries;

5. Outdoor recreation spaces associated with day care centers;

6. Limited outdoor display of merchandise meeting the criteria of Chapter 17.65 ECDC.

B. Nuisances. All uses shall comply with Chapter 17.60 ECDC, Property Performance Standards. [Ord. 4307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 3320 § 2, 2000].

16.45.040 Site development exceptions – Green building incentives.

This section was recently amended by Ordinance No. 4397, codified in September 2025.

B. Eligibility. Development of new single-family residences is ineligible for these incentives. See Chapter 17.100 ECDC for incentives for community facilities.

E. Enforcement. Development granted these incentives but then failing to achieve the requirements is subject to the enforcement measures of ECDC 19.00.050.

F. Permit Review. Green buildings are eligible to receive expedited plan review, as established by ECDC 19.00.050. [Ord. 4397 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 4375 § 2, 2024].

Edmonds City Zoning Code

16.45 BN

Neighborhood Business

16.45.000 Purposes.

The BN zone has the following specific purposes in addition to the general purposes for business and commercial zones listed in Chapter 16.40 ECDC:

A. To reserve areas for those retail stores, offices, retail service establishments which offer goods and services needed on an everyday basis by residents of a neighborhood area;

B. To ensure compact, convenient development patterns by allowing uses that are operated chiefly within buildings. [Ord. 4307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023].

16.45.010 Uses.

This section was recently amended by Ordinance No. 4397, codified in September 2025.

1. Low-density residential building types, as regulated in LDR-M zone;

3. Offices and outpatient clinics, excluding commercial kennels;

4. Dry cleaning stores and laundromats;

5. Small animal hospitals;

6. Churches, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.020;

7. Primary and high schools subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050(G) through (R);

8. Day care centers

9. Local public facilities designated and sited in the capital improvement plan, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050;

10. Neighborhood parks, natural open spaces, and community parks with an adopted master plan subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.070.

1. Limited assembly, repair or fabrication of goods incidental to a permitted or conditional use;

2. Off-street parking and loading areas to serve a permitted or conditional use;

3. One dwelling unit per lot, in the story above the street floor, with a minimum lot area of 6,000 square feet;

5. Outdoor dining meeting the criteria of Chapter 17.75 ECDC.

1. Commercial parking lots;

2. Drive-in businesses;

3. Businesses open to the public between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;

4. Convenience stores;

5. Local public facilities not planned, designated, or sited in the capital improvement plan, subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.050;

6. Hospitals, convalescent homes, rest homes, sanitariums;

7. Museums, art galleries, zoos, and aquariums of primarily local concern that do not meet the criteria for regional public facilities as defined in ECDC 21.85.033;

8. Counseling centers and residential treatment facilities for current alcoholics and drug abusers;

9. Regional parks and community parks without a master plan subject to the requirements of ECDC 17.100.070.

1. Outdoor storage, incidental to a permitted or conditional use;

* Code reviser’s note: Ord. 3269 expired August 13, 2000. For provisions on the outdoor display of merchandise, see Chapter 17.65 ECDC.

16.45.020 Site development standards.

This section was recently amended by Ordinance No. 4397, codified in September 2025.

	Minimum Lot Area	Minimum Lot Width	Minimum Street Setback	Minimum Side Setback	Minimum Rear Setback	Maximum Height	Maximum Floor Area
BN	None	None	20'	None¹	None¹	25'	3 sq. ft. per sq. ft. of lot area

1Fifteen feet from lot lines adjacent to LDR-zoned property.

B. Signs, Parking and Design Review. See Chapters 17.50, 20.10 and 20.60 ECDC.

16.45.030 Operating restrictions.

A. All uses shall be carried on entirely within a completely enclosed building except:

1. Public utilities and parks;

2. Off-street parking and loading areas and commercial parking lots;

3. Drive-in businesses;

4. Plant nurseries;

5. Outdoor recreation spaces associated with day care centers;

6. Limited outdoor display of merchandise meeting the criteria of Chapter 17.65 ECDC.

B. Nuisances. All uses shall comply with Chapter 17.60 ECDC, Property Performance Standards. [Ord. 4307 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 3320 § 2, 2000].

16.45.040 Site development exceptions – Green building incentives.

This section was recently amended by Ordinance No. 4397, codified in September 2025.

B. Eligibility. Development of new single-family residences is ineligible for these incentives. See Chapter 17.100 ECDC for incentives for community facilities.

E. Enforcement. Development granted these incentives but then failing to achieve the requirements is subject to the enforcement measures of ECDC 19.00.050.

F. Permit Review. Green buildings are eligible to receive expedited plan review, as established by ECDC 19.00.050. [Ord. 4397 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025; Ord. 4375 § 2, 2024].