The city is divided into zoning districts established in this code with the intent to provide for the geographic distribution of land uses as contemplated by the city’s goals and policies; to maintain stability in land use commitments through the provision of harmonious groupings of uses possessing compatible characteristics and levels of activity; to maintain commitments in public service facilities such as transportation systems, parks and utilities; and to provide an efficient and compatible relationship of land uses and land use districts. (Ord. 743 § 1, 2004).

Land use districts in the city are hereby established as follows:

(Ord. 1071 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 984 § 1, 2018; Ord. 743 § 1, 2004).

(1) R-20 – Residential Very Low Density; Single-Family. The primary purpose of the R-20 zone is to allow areas for the lowest density of single-family homes meeting the dimensional requirements in NPMC 18.15.020.

(2) R-15 – Residential Very Low Density; Single-Family. The primary purpose of the R-15 zone is to allow areas for a low density of single-family homes meeting the dimensional requirements in NPMC 18.15.020.

(3) R-12.5 – Residential Very Low Density; Single-Family. The primary purpose of the R-12.5 zone is to allow areas for a medium density of single-family homes meeting the dimensional requirements in NPMC 18.15.020.

(4) R-7.2 – Residential Low Density; Single-Family. The primary purpose of the R-7.2 zone is to allow areas for a higher density of single-family homes meeting the dimensional requirements in NPMC 18.15.020.

(5) R-5 – Residential Low Density; Multifamily. The primary purpose of the R-5 zone is to allow areas for court-type apartments or multiple dwelling units containing no more than four dwelling units meeting the dimensional requirements in NPMC 18.15.020.

(6) RM-2400 – Residential Medium High Density; Multifamily. The principal objective and purpose to be served by this classification and its application is to allow areas to have greater population density than is allowed in more restrictive classifications, and at the same time to maintain a residential environment consistent with such greater population density. This classification permits accommodations for those who desire to live in a residential atmosphere without the necessity to individually maintain a dwelling unit. This is a medium density multifamily use meeting the dimensional requirements of NPMC 18.15.020.

(7) RM-1800 – Residential Medium High Density; Multifamily. The principal objective and purpose to be served by this classification and its application is to allow areas to have greater population density than is allowed in more restrictive classifications, and at the same time to maintain a residential environment consistent with greater population density. This classification permits accommodations for those who desire to live in a residential atmosphere without the necessity to individually maintain a dwelling unit. This is a high density multifamily use meeting the dimensional requirements of NPMC 18.15.020.

(8) MU – Mixed Use. The purpose of the MU zone is to combine professional office, medical clinics, and business office, limited personal services, multiple-family residential, cottage style housing and related uses. Locations should be in proximity to transit use. Development should minimize impacts to adjacent single-family residential areas, where applicable.

(9) NC – Neighborhood Center. The purpose of the NC zone is to combine shopping, business, and personal service activities into cohesive neighborhood focal points that promote pedestrian usage. As secondary uses, professional offices and multiple-family residential uses are encouraged to add vitality to the neighborhood centers. Locations should be in proximity to transit use. Development should provide safe and connected vehicular and pedestrian routes within and to the sites and minimize impacts to adjacent single-family residential areas, where applicable. Uses and buildings existing at the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be allowed to continue with their present use or form until such time as the use or building exterior is changed. (Ord. 888 § 2 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 743 § 1, 2004).

In Chart 18.10.060, land use classifications are listed on the vertical axis and zoning districts are shown on the horizontal axis.

(1) If no symbol appears in the box at the intersection of the column and the row, the use is not allowed in that district.

(2) If the symbol “P” appears in the box at the intersection of the column and row, the use is permitted subject to general requirements for the use and the zoning district.

(3) If the symbol “C” appears in the box at the intersection of the column and the row, the use is permitted subject to the conditional use provisions specified in NPMC 18.22.010 and to general requirements for the use and the zoning district.

(4) If a number appears in the box at the intersection of the column and the row, the use is permitted through the applicable review process and subject to the special limitation indicated in the corresponding note. (Ord. 888 § 2 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 743 § 1, 2004).

(1) In the case of a question as to the inclusion or exclusion of a particular proposed use in a particular use category, the planning manager shall have the authority to make the final determination based on the characteristics of the operation of the proposed use and the planning manager’s interpretation of the Standard Land Use Coding Manual and the Standard Industrial Classification Manual.

(2) In the case of a conflict between the general description and the use chart, the chart shall prevail. (Ord. 888 § 2 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 743 § 1, 2004).

(Ord. 1071 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 1055 § 5, 2023; Ord. 1016 § 4, 2021; Ord. 979 § 1, 2019; Ord. 980 § 1, 2018; Ord. 936 § 2, 2016; Ord. 888 § 2 (Exh. A), 2012; amended at city request, August 2011; Ord. 815 § 1, 2008; Ord. 769 § 1, 2005; Ord. 748 § 1, 2005; Ord. 743 § 1, 2004).