"Salmonid."
A member of the fish family salmonidae, including:
A.
Chinook, coho, chum, sockeye and pink salmon;
B.
Rainbow, steelhead and cutthroat salmon;
D.
Brook and Dolly Varden char;
"School bus base."
An establishment for the storage, dispatch, repair and maintenance of coaches and other vehicles of a school transit system.
"School district."
Any school district whose boundaries include an area of the city.
"School district support facility."
Uses (excluding schools and bus bases) that are required for the operation of a school district. This term includes school district administrative offices, centralized kitchens, and maintenance or storage facilities.
"Schools, elementary, and middle/junior high."
Institutions of learning offering instruction in the several branches of learning and study required by the education code of the state of Washington in grades kindergarten through nine, including associated meeting rooms, auditoriums and athletic facilities.
"Schools, preschool."
Establishments providing exclusively educational programs for prekindergarten or preschool children (ages two to five), but excluding daycare as defined by NMC 18.06.040
"Schools, secondary or high."
Institutions of learning offering instruction in the several branches of learning and study required by the education code of the State of Washington in grades nine through 12, including associated meeting rooms, auditoriums and athletic facilities.
"Screen, screening."
A continuous fence, hedge or combination of both which obscures vision through 80% or more of the screen areas, not including walkways or drives.
"Secure community transition facilities (SCTF)."
A facility for persons civilly committed and conditionally released to a less restrictive alternative under Chapter 71.09 RCW. A secure community transition facility has supervision and security, and either provides or ensures the provision of sex offender treatment services. Secure community transition facilities include but are not limited to the facilities established pursuant to RCW 71.09.250 and any community-based facilities established under Chapter 71.09 RCW and operated by or under contract with the Washington State Department of Social Health and Services.
"Seismic hazard areas."
Those areas in the city of Newcastle subject to severe risk of earthquake damage as a result of earthquake-induced ground shaking, slope failure, liquefaction-induced settlement, or surface rupture in areas underlain by cohesionless soils of low density and usually in association with a shallow groundwater table or of other seismically induced settlement.
"Self-service storage facility."
An establishment containing separate storage spaces that are leased or rented as individual units.
"Semi-pervious surface."
For the purpose of measuring impervious surface, porous concrete and porous asphaltic concrete, permeable pavers, and gravel or grass modular grid pavement shall be considered semi-pervious surfaces. Fifty percent of the area covered by these semi-pervious surfaces shall be calculated against the impervious lot coverage maximum.
"Senior citizen, assisted."
A building containing two or more dwelling units restricted to occupancy by senior citizens, and including, but not limited to, the following support services, as deemed necessary:
A.
Food preparation and dining areas;
"SEPA."
Washington State Environmental Policy Act, Chapter 43.21C RCW.
"Setback."
"Setback" means the minimum distance that structures must be set back from a lot line. Setback is measured perpendicular to the lot line at any point along the lot line, resulting in a continuous line or arc running parallel to said lot line. Where setback lines intersect with other setback lines, the more restrictive setback standard applies.
"Setback, front."
"Setback, front" or "front setback" means the minimum distance required by this code for a structure to be set back from the front lot line. Front setback is measured from the front lot line as defined in NMC § 18.06.379.
"Setback, rear."
"Setback, rear" or "rear setback" means the minimum distance required by this code for a structure to be set back from the rear lot line. For triangular-shaped lots that are not corner lots and that have no rear lot line, the rear setback is determined as follows: An imaginary line shall be drawn which connects two points, one on each side lot line, and each point located 40 feet from where the two side lot lines converge. This line shall represent the required rear setback.
"Setback, side."
"Setback, side" or "side setback" means the minimum distance required by this code for a structure to be set back from a side lot line.
"Shelters for temporary placement."
Housing units that provide housing to persons on a temporary basis for a duration not to exceed four weeks.
"Shooting range."
A facility designed to provide a confined space for safe target practice with firearms, archery equipment, or other weapons.
"Shopping plaza."
A unified multi-tenant structure(s) with a minimum of 150 feet of continuous public street frontage (excluding driveway cuts) and consisting of six or more business units, typically sharing a common driveway, parking areas and landscaping features, and constructed as a single building or a group of buildings designed as a unified and commonly identified commercial center or plaza. Such plazas may include separate tax lots under separate ownership but which are still part of the unified commercial center or plaza.
"Short-term rental."
A dwelling unit that is rented or otherwise let out for any form of compensation for a period of less than 30 days. A short-term rental does not include motels and hotels.
"Sign."
See definitions of all sign types in NMC 18.20.290.
"Significant tree."
All mature trees except nuisance tree species.
"Single detached."
A detached building containing one dwelling unit.
"Single-family zones."
Those zones where single-family detached residences are the predominant land use.
"Site cost per student."
The estimated cost of a site in the district for the grade span of school to be provided, as a function of the district's design standard per grade span and taking into account the requirements of students with special needs.
"Site Improvement."
Any improvement or improved area.
"Site plan."
A document or group of documents, prepared to scale, containing sketches, text, drawings, maps, photographs and other material intended to present and explain accurately, and with complete dimensioning, the boundaries of a site and the location of all buildings, structures, uses, physical design, interior vehicular and pedestrian access, the provision of improvements, principal site development features proposed for a specific parcel of land, and the interrelationship of these elements.
"Site plan review."
A permit process whereby a plan of a proposed development drawn to scale is processed in accordance with city codes and Chapter 17.05 NMC:
A.
Identifies and shows the areas and locations of all improvements;
B.
Contains inscriptions or attachments setting forth such appropriate limitations and conditions for the use of the land as are established by the director of community development;
C.
Contains provisions requiring any development of land to be in conformity with the approved site plan.
"Sixplex."
A residential building with six attached dwelling units.
"Soil survey."
The most recent soil survey for the local area or county by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"Solid waste."
All putrescible and nonputrescible solid and semisolid wastes, including, but not limited to, garbage, rubbish, ashes, industrial wastes, biomedical waste, swill, demolition and construction wastes, land clearing wastes, abandoned vehicles or parts thereof, discarded commodities, or contaminated excavated soil/fill material. This includes all liquid, solid and semisolid materials which are not the primary products of public, private, industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations. Solid waste includes but is not limited to biosolids from wastewater treatment plants, septage from septic tanks, woodwaste, dangerous waste, and problem wastes.
"Source-separated organic material."
Vegetative material, scrap lumber or wood, or other materials that provide a source for recycled or composted products. This does not include chemically treated wood products and/or toxic organic substances.
"Special use permit."
A permit granted by the city to locate a regional land use at a particular location, subject to conditions placed on the proposed use to ensure compatibility with adjacent land uses.
"Specialized instruction school."
Establishments engaged in providing specialized instruction in a designated field of study, rather than a full range of courses in unrelated areas; including, but not limited to:
"Species."
Any subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plants, and any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate fish or wildlife that interbreeds when mature.
"Species, endangered."
Any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, and/or is listed under the federal Endangered Species Act or state endangered list (see WAC 220-610-110 or current "Priority Habitat and Species List" published by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife).
"Species of local importance."
Those species of local concern that are designated by the city as needing additional or special consideration or protection due to their population status or their sensitivity to habitat manipulation.
"Species, priority."
Any fish or wildlife species requiring protective measures and/or management guidelines to ensure its persistence at genetically viable population levels as classified by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, including endangered, threatened, sensitive, candidate, and monitor species, and those of recreational, commercial, or tribal importance.
"Species, sensitive."
Any wildlife species native to the State of Washington that is vulnerable or declining and is likely to become endangered or threatened throughout a significant portion of its range within the state without cooperative management or removal of threats (WAC 232-12-297, Section 2.6).
"Species, threatened."
Any wildlife species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range (WAC 232-12-297, Section 2.5).
"Specified sexual activities."
Human genitalia in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal; acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse or sodomy; or erotic fondling, touching or display of human genitalia, pubic region, buttock, or female breast.
"Sporting goods store."
An establishment engaged in the retail sale of sporting goods and equipment, including uses located in SIC Industry Nos.:
A.
5941 – Sporting goods stores and bicycle shops; and
B.
5999 – Tent shops and trophy shops.
"Sports club."
An establishment engaged in operating physical fitness facilities and sports and recreation clubs, including uses located in SIC Industry Nos.:
A.
7991 – Physical fitness facilities; and
B.
7997 – Membership sports and recreation clubs.
"Stable."
A structure or facility in which horses or other livestock are kept for:
"Stacked flat."
Dwelling units in a residential building of no more than three stories on a residential zoned lot in which each floor may be separately rented or owned.
"Standard of service, school."
The standard adopted by each school district which identifies the program year, the class size by grade span and taking into account the requirements of students with special needs, the number of classrooms, the types of facilities the district believes will best serve its student population, and other factors as identified by the school district. The district's standard of service shall not be adjusted for any portion of the classrooms housed in relocatable facilities which are used as transitional facilities or for any specialized facilities housed in relocatable facilities. Except as otherwise defined by the school board pursuant to a board resolution, "transitional facilities" shall mean those facilities that are used to cover the time required for the construction of permanent facilities; provided, that the "necessary financial commitments" as defined in Chapter 18.28 NMC are in place to complete the permanent facilities called for in the capital plan.
"Steep slope hazard areas."
Those areas on slopes 40% or steeper within a vertical elevation change of at least 10 feet. A slope is delineated by establishing its toe and top and is measured by averaging the inclination over at least 10 feet of vertical relief. For the purpose of this definition:
A.
The toe of a slope is a distinct topographic break in slope which separates slopes inclined at less than 40% from slopes 40% or steeper. Where no distinct break exists, the toe of a steep slope is the lowermost limit of the area where the ground surface drops 10 feet or more vertically within a horizontal distance of 25 feet; and
B.
The top of a slope is a distinct topographic break in slope which separates slopes inclined at less than 40% from slopes 40% or steeper. Where no distinct break exists, the top of a steep slope is the uppermost limit of the area where the ground surface drops 10 feet or more vertically within a horizontal distance of 25 feet.
"Step-back."
The portion of an upper story facade that begins behind the facade of the next lowest floor (see Chapter 18.15 NMC).
"Stream functions."
Natural processes performed by streams including functions which are important in facilitating food chain production; providing habitat for nesting, rearing and resting sites for aquatic, terrestrial and avian species; maintaining the availability and quality of water, such as purifying water; acting as recharge and discharge areas for groundwater aquifers; moderating surface and stormwater flows and maintaining the free flowing conveyance of water, sediments and other organic matter.
"Streams."
Those areas in the city of Newcastle where surface waters meet the criteria contained within WAC 222-16-030 and produce a defined channel or bed, not including irrigation ditches, canals, storm or surface water run-off devices or other entirely artificial watercourses, unless they are used by fish or are used to convey streams naturally occurring prior to construction in such watercourses. For the purpose of this definition, a defined channel or bed is an area which demonstrates clear evidence of the passage of water and includes, but is not limited to, bedrock channels, gravel beds, sand and silt beds and defined-channel swales. The channel or bed need not contain water year-round provided there is evidence of at least intermittent flow during years of normal rainfall. For the purpose of defining the following categories of streams, normal rainfall is rainfall that is at or near the mean of the accumulated annual rainfall record, based upon the water year for King County as recorded at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
"Street."
A public or private right-of-way or roadway providing access for vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic, and also for utility services. See also definitions of "public street" and "private street."
"Street frontage."
Any portion of a lot or combination of lots which directly abut a public right-of-way.
"Street type."
One of the three types of streets in downtown Newcastle for purposes of regulating building uses, design and pedestrian street improvements (see Chapter 18.15 NMC).
"Structure."
Any improvement which is permanently constructed in or on the ground, or over the water; excluding patios, paved areas, structural or nonstructural fill and similar improvements of a minor nature.
"Structure, residential."
A structure that incorporates one or more dwelling units.
"Student factor."
The number derived by a school district to describe how many students of each grade span are expected to be generated by a dwelling unit. Student factors shall be based on district records of average actual student-generated rates for new developments constructed over a period of not more than five years prior to the date of the fee calculation; if such information is not available in the district, data from adjacent districts, districts with similar demographics, or county-wide averages must be used. Student factors must be separately determined for single- family and multifamily dwelling units, and for grade spans.
"Subdivision."
"Subdivision" means the division or redivision of land into 10 or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions for the purpose of sale or lease, or transfer of ownership, except as provided in NMC 20.01.030(D), and includes all resubdivision of land.
"Subdivision, short."
The administrative approval of the division or redivision of land into nine or fewer lots for the purpose of sale or transfer of ownership. A short subdivision also may include any number of tracts for ingress, egress, utilities, open space preservation, critical area preservation, or other approved public service.
"Submerged land."
Any land at or below the ordinary high water mark.
"Substantial improvement."
Any maintenance, repair, structural modification, addition or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure either before the maintenance, repair, modification or addition is started or before the damage occurred, if the structure has been damaged and is being restored.
"Support structure."
The structure to which antenna and other necessary associated hardware is mounted. Support structures include but are not limited to the following:
A.
"Lattice tower" means a support structure which consists of a network of crossed metal braces, forming a tower which is usually triangular or square in cross-section.
B.
"Monopole" means a support structure which consists of a single pole sunk into the ground and/or attached to a foundation.
C.
"Existing nonresidential structure" means existing buildings or existing structures as specified in NMC 18.25.020 to which antennas may be attached which conform to the requirements of NMC 18.25.020.
"Surface water conveyance."
A drainage facility designed to collect, contain and provide for the flow of surface water from the highest point on a development site to receiving water or another discharge point, connecting any required flow control and water quality treatment facilities along the way. The elements of a surface water conveyance system include, but are not limited to, gutters, ditches, pipes, biofiltration swales and channels.
"Surface water discharge."
The flow of surface water into receiving water or another discharge point.
(Ord. 2025-671 § 4; Ord. 2026-683; Ord. No. 2026-689)