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Mukilteo City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

16 PERMITTED, CONDITIONAL, AND TEMPORARY USES

§ 17.16.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to establish the range of permitted, conditional, and temporary uses in each zone.
(Ord. 1516 § 7 (Exh. D), 2025)

§ 17.16.020 Applicability.

Uses within two hundred feet of the shoreline and associated wetlands and floodplains must comply with Title 17B, Shoreline Management Regulations, and Title 15, Buildings and Construction. If a conflict arises between the requirements of this chapter and other titles, then the most restrictive regulation shall apply.
(Ord. 1516 § 7 (Exh. D), 2025)

§ 17.16.030 Number of uses per lot.

A lot may have more than one permitted, conditional, or temporary use, but only one detached single-family dwelling is allowed per lot.
(Ord. 1516 § 7 (Exh. D), 2025)

§ 17.16.040 Permitted uses.

A. 
Permitted use matrix.
Interpreting this table. The symbols in the cells indicate if a particular use in a zone is:
• P = Permitted use, allowed outright without special land use permit or approval
• C = Conditional use, requiring special land use review to ensure compatibility with other uses in the zone
• T = Temporary use, potentially allowed under special circumstances for a temporary period of time
Blank cells indicate that a use is not allowed in that zone. Where the distinction between uses is unclear, the director is authorized to determine which use category applies.
USE
RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
INDUSTRIAL
PUBLIC
RD
12.5
RD
12.5
(S)
RD
9.6
RD
9.6
(S)
RD
8.4
RD
7.5
RD
7.2
MRD
MR
CB
(S)
PCB
(S)
DB
CB
PCB
WMU
BP
IP
PI
LI
HI
PSP
OS9
Commercial and Recreation Uses
Adult entertainment business4
P
P
P
P
P
Amusement facility
P
P
P
P
P
C
P
P
Animal services
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Animal shelter buildings11
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
P/C
Bed and breakfast
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Breweries and wineries5
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
C
Commercial parking lots or structures
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Day care, commercial
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
C
Day care, family
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Financial institutions
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Food trucks16
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Golf course and driving range
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
Health clubs
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Horse paddocks11
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Hotels
P
P
P
P
P
P
Kennel
P/C12
P/C12
P/C12
P/C12
P
P
P
P
Kennel, hobby12
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Marijuana retail facility15
P
Marina associated with principal use
P
P
Mortuary, funeral home
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
P
Mixed-Use17
P
P
P
P
P
P
Model house/sales office
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Motor vehicle and equipment sales or rentals
C
P
P
Office, general
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Personal services shop
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Recreational facility not otherwise listed
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Restaurant
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Retail/commercial services not otherwise listed
P
P
P
P
P
P
P7
P7
P
P
C
Service station18
P
P
C
P
P
C
P
Short-term rental
P23
P23
P23
P23
P23
P23
Tavern/distillery
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Industrial Uses
Automobile repair, major
C
C
Automobile repair, minor
C
C
C
C
P
P
Automobile towing8
C
C
Boat service and repair
P
P
Building contractor yard
P
P
P
Commercial vehicle storage facility
C
C
C
P
P
Laboratory
P
C
P
P
P
P
P
Manufacturing, heavy
C
P
Manufacturing, light
P
P
P
P
P
P
Marijuana processing facility15
P
Marijuana production facility15
P
Mini-self storage
C
C
C
P
P
Warehousing
P
P
P
P
P
P
Wholesale
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
Public, Assembly, and Institutional Uses
Boat launch facility21
C
P
Clubs, charitable, nonprofit or social organizations
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
C
P
P
P
P
P
C
Community center buildings and grounds
P
P
C
Docks and boathouses22
P
Ferry terminal and parking area
P
C
Government garage, shops, storage, and emergency services
C6
C6
C6
C6
C6
C6
P
P
P
P
P
C
Government offices
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
C
Hospitals
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
C
C
C
P
P
C
Museum
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
C
Nursing home
C
P
C
C
P
Open space
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Park and ride lots
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
C
Pedestrian bus/transportation shelter
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Places of worship
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
C
School: Higher education or trade school
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
C
School: K–12 and preschool
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
C
Residential Uses
Accessory dwelling unit1
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Adult family home
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Apartment
P
P
P17
P17
P17
P17
P17
P17
Caretaker's quarters
P
P
P
Co-living housing20
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Cottage10
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
Duplex
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Emergency housing
C
C
C
C
C
C
Emergency shelter
C
C
C
C
C
C
Home occupation2
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Permanent supportive housing
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Senior housing3
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
C
Single-family dwelling
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
Temporary encampments14
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
P
Townhouse
P
P
P17
P17
P17
P17
P17
P17
Trailers and mobile homes for living purposes13
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
Transitional housing
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Utilities
Major aboveground utility facility
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
C
C
Small cell facilities in the ROW with a franchise agreement
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
T
Television and radio towers, for noncommercial use over fifty feet in height
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
T
Television/radio stations and/or towers
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
C
Temporary buildings (one year or less)
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
C
Temporary emergency use or structure
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
C
Water and sewer treatment plants
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
Wireless communication facilities—Attached
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
C
P
P
P
P
P
C
C
Wireless communication facilities—Detached
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P/C19
P
C
C
Wireless communication facilities—Small cell—Attached
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P
P
P
P
C
P
P
P
P
P
C
Wireless communication facilities—Small cell—Detached
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
P/C19
P
C
Wireless communication facilities—Temporary
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
B. 
Reference Notes for Permitted Use Matrix.
1. 
Accessory Dwelling Units. All accessory dwelling units must comply with Chapter 17.30, Accessory Dwelling Units.
2. 
Conditions for Home Occupations.
a. 
The occupation must be secondary to the use of the dwelling as a residence.
b. 
Occupations must be typical for residential settings, carried out by occupants within the residence, with no more than one non-family member employed.
c. 
Products sold must be made by the residents and sold on site.
d. 
The structure must not show external signs of nonresidential use, except for an unilluminated sign, three square feet maximum in area, placed flat against the building.
e. 
The occupation must not cause disturbances to neighbors, such as vibrations, smoke, dust, increased traffic, loud noises, and/or bright lights.
3. 
Senior Housing Density Standards and Restrictions.
a. 
The maximum number of units allowed is twenty-two per acre. Applicants may request up to thirty units per acre through a conditional use permit.
i. 
Impact Study. Proposals for more than twenty-two units per acre must include a mass and height study comparing the effects of twenty-two and thirty units on nearby properties.
ii. 
Design Considerations. The hearing examiner can allow higher densities if the design separates additional units from single-family homes using creative layouts, building features, or improved landscaping. The design must include at least five percent more open space and include common areas for gathering, fitness, and entertainment.
b. 
Twenty percent of the net buildable area must be established as open space and be developed to provide for the specific recreational needs of the residents.
4. 
Separation Requirements for Adult Entertainment Businesses.
a. 
Must be five hundred feet from other adult entertainment businesses and eight hundred feet from residential zones, public parks, public library, schools, youth centers and day cares, and places of worship.
b. 
Distances are measured by extending a straight line from the nearest point on each property line of the relevant uses.
c. 
Applicants may request a variance from the separation requirements, subject to the procedures and criteria set forth in Chapter 17.64, Conditional Uses and Variances.
5. 
Breweries and Wineries. Only permitted if in combination with a restaurant or tavern and cannot exceed the square footage of the principal use.
6. 
Governmental Storage Yards. Storage yards associated with a governmental office or facility must be kept in an enclosed structure.
7. 
Retail Use. Only allowed as an accessory use when subordinate to a primary permitted use and occupies no more than twenty percent of the primary use's floor area.
8. 
Auto Towing. Towing yards are restricted to a maximum capacity of ten cars and must be completely surrounded with Type I screening.
9. 
Optional Park Master Plan Process. Conditional uses in the OS zone will be treated as permitted uses if the city council approves a park master plan for the site. The council's approval must confirm that:
a. 
All commercial uses are accessory to, or in support of, a principal public recreational use.
b. 
The project complies with the zoning ordinance, and other city plans and regulations.
c. 
The activities and parking will not cause adverse impacts related to noise, lighting, water quality, or traffic.
10. 
Cottage Housing Development Standards. Cottage housing developments must comply with the cottage housing standards contained in Chapter 17.50, Cottage Housing.
11. 
Animal Shelter Buildings.
a. 
Structures less than one hundred twenty square feet in area are permitted outright, excluding coops. However, structures over one hundred twenty square feet in area or over twelve feet high require a conditional use permit and are subject to all provisions in Chapter 6.20, Harboring of Horses, Ponies, Birds, Bees, and Rabbits.
b. 
Horse shelter buildings must be at least thirty-five feet from all property lines; horse paddocks must be at least ten feet from all property lines. Lots with horses must have at least one acre per horse, with a maximum of three horses allowed per lot, unless reduced under an approved farm management plan from the Snohomish Conservation District to twenty thousand square feet.
12. 
Kennels. No kennel, hobby or commercial, may harbor any inherently dangerous mammal or reptile as defined in Chapter 6.06, Definitions.
a. 
Kennels in the CB, CB(S), PCB and BP zoning districts are permitted only if they are completely contained within a fully enclosed building. If any of the kennel activity is to take place outside of a building, including exercising of animals, then a conditional use permit is required.
b. 
Hobby kennels for residential use require a home occupation permit but may be allowed in an accessory structure with conditional use permit approval if the structure is at least thirty-five feet from all property lines. All open run areas (or the full yard if no run area is provided) must be enclosed with a six-foot high fence.
13. 
Temporary Trailer Residential Use Limits. The temporary use of trailers or mobile homes for living purposes in residential zoning district may not exceed a cumulative total of two weeks each calendar year unless it is associated with active construction of a residence.
14. 
Temporary encampments must comply with Chapter 17.78, Homeless Temporary Encampments.
15. 
Marijuana Retail, Processing and Production Facilities.
a. 
Marijuana retail, processing, and production facilities (as defined in RCW 69.50.101 through 69.50.102, WAC 314-55-010 and Section 17.08.020) are prohibited from operating as a home occupation.
b. 
The facilities must be state-licensed, and:
i. 
Fully within a permanent structure or enclosed by an eight-foot-tall sight-obscuring wall or fence and located to ensure no odors migrate beyond the internal portion of the structure.
ii. 
At least one thousand feet (measured in the manner set forth in WAC 314-55-050(2)) from schools, playgrounds, recreation facilities, day cares, parks, transit centers, libraries, game arcades serving minors, and any other marijuana related facility.
c. 
The production, processing, or delivery of marijuana must be obscured from public view, including through windows.
16. 
Food Truck Requirements.
a. 
Licensing and Permits. Food trucks must obtain a city business license and pay applicable taxes. Additionally, if the food truck is operating:
i. 
On the street or sidewalk, a right-of-way permit is required.
ii. 
In a residential zone, a special event permit is required.
b. 
Property Owner Permission. Food trucks must obtain written permission from the property owner for the operating location.
c. 
Location Restriction. Food trucks must ensure that their location does not obstruct loading areas, vehicle or pedestrian circulation, drive aisles, fire access, or reduce the off-street parking required for other on-site uses.
d. 
Operating Hours and Noise Compliance. Food trucks can operate between seven a.m. and ten p.m. on weekdays and nine a.m. and ten p.m. on weekends when using a generator. Food trucks must comply with all noise regulations in Chapter 8.18.
e. 
Operational Frequency. The food truck must operate daily and relocate every seventy-two hours.
f. 
Signage. Food trucks must limit signage to the vehicle itself and one portable sign no larger than eight square feet.
17. 
Mixed-Use Requirement for Multifamily Development. Townhouses and apartments are only permitted in commercial zones as part of a mixed-use development, except where ten percent or more of the units are designated as affordable housing as defined in RCW 36.70A.030, or as amended. The affordable housing must remain for at least fifty years or the life of the building, whichever is shorter.
18. 
Service Station Minimum Standards. Pump islands must be at least fifteen feet from the property line; canopies must be a minimum of five feet from the property line.
19. 
Conditional Use Permits for Detached Wireless Communication Facilities. Per Chapter 17.17, Wireless Communication Facilities (WCF) Attached and Detached, detached wireless communication facilities in the light industrial (LI) zone and within four hundred feet of Mukilteo Speedway require a conditional use permit.
20. 
Co-living housing is allowed on any lot adequately sized to allow six or more dwelling units. The use is prohibited on lots that are too small to meet this density threshold.
21. 
Boat Launch Facilities. In addition to demonstrating compliance with conditional use criteria in Chapter 17.64, Conditional Uses and Variances, requirements such as launching depth, dock lengths, pedestrian access, and safety buoys may be applied as necessary to protect public safety.
22. 
Docks, Boathouses, and Development on Piers.
a. 
Structures must be a minimum of fifteen feet from either side of a pier.
b. 
Public piers in the WMU or DB zones cannot exceed one thousand four hundred feet in length and may extend no more than eight hundred feet from shore, unless used for public transport or rail.
c. 
Docks, boathouses, piers, and moored boats cannot be used as dwellings.
d. 
Private overwater structures may not exceed the average length of existing structures within three hundred feet. Where no structures exist within three hundred feet, the maximum length is fifty feet.
e. 
All covered overwater structures must be at least five feet from any side lot line or extension thereof, and cannot exceed:
i. 
Twelve feet in height as measured from the ordinary high water mark and one thousand square feet of roof area in the DB and OS zones.
ii. 
Fifteen feet in height as measured from the ordinary high water mark and three thousand square feet of roof area in the WMU zone.
23. 
Short-term rentals allowed only in mixed-use buildings with a valid city of Mukilteo business license. Business license may be revoked for two or more documented violations of the municipal code within any calendar year.
(Ord. 1516 § 7 (Exh. D), 2025)