The intent of this zone is to encourage a compatible mix of commercial and residential development. Standards are intended to present an attractive and welcoming appearance to visitors at the entrances to the city and at selected nodes along major roads; manage traffic impacts; encourage more non-motorized trips and reduce stormwater runoff. Commercial development should be scaled down when adjacent to residential areas to improve compatibility between uses. (Ord. 1484-04 § 7 (part), 2004)

Use restrictions in the mixed commercial (MC) zone shall be as follows:

A.    Permitted Uses.

1.    Retail, general services, recreational and cultural uses, light manufacturing, low-intensity agriculture;

2.    Residential units contained above the first story of a commercial building, limited to eight such units per building;

3.    Repealed by Ord. 1709-11;

4.    Public utilities, other than wireless communications facilities;

5.    Health facilities and services;

6.    Alcohol production establishments, subject to the following conditions:

a.    A minimum of fifty percent of the building floor area shall be designated for retail/commercial use. Outdoor seating areas are specifically excluded from floor area calculations. Any associated kitchen floor area is specifically included in the calculation for retail/commercial floor area; and

b.    The required number of parking spaces shall be calculated by using a combination of Section 17.36.030(G), “high intensity sales and service,” and (M), “industry, wholesaling, warehousing, nonpassenger transportation facilities except ministorage.”

B.    Conditional Uses.

1.    Quasi-public uses.

2.    Wireless communications facilities.

3.    Public uses.

4.    All other uses not otherwise prohibited.

C.    Prohibited Uses. All uses not allowed as permitted or conditional uses are prohibited. Adult entertainment is a prohibited use in this zone. (Ord. 2046-23 § 2, 2024; Ord. 2044-23 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1840-16 § 1, 2016: Ord. 1709-11 § 1, 2011; Ord. 1522-05 § 1, 2005: Ord. 1484-04 § 7 (part), 2004: Ord. 1312-98 § 1 (part), 1998: Ord. 1309-98 § 6, 1998: Ord. 1013 § 2.04.01, 1985)

A.    Minimum setbacks to adjacent zones:

1.    Setbacks to residential (R-5, R-7 and R-15) zones: front setbacks on an arterial street shall be a minimum of twenty feet. On a nonarterial street, front setbacks shall be a minimum of ten feet. Side setbacks shall be a minimum of thirty-five feet, which may be reduced to twenty feet if building step-backs as required by the design standards and guidelines are incorporated into the site design pursuant to Chapter 15.44. Rear setbacks shall be a minimum of twenty feet.

2.    Setbacks to all other zones: front setbacks on an arterial street shall be a minimum of twenty feet. On a nonarterial street, front setbacks shall be a minimum of ten feet. Side setbacks shall be a minimum of twenty feet. Rear setbacks shall be a minimum of twenty feet.

3.    Setbacks to the MC zone: buildings shall maintain a minimum ten-foot setback to all lot lines when adjacent to other properties zoned MC.

B.    Maximum building height: thirty-five feet.

Exception: sixty feet, if minimum side and rear setbacks required in subsection A of this section are doubled. (Ord. 1729-12 § 1, 2012: Ord. 1677-10 § 1 (part), 2010; Ord. 1522-05 § 2, 2005: Ord. 1484-04 § 7 (part), 2004: Ord. 1387-00 § 1, 2000: Ord. 1312-98 § 1 (part), 1998: Ord. 1013 § 2.04.02, 1985)

A.    Lot area: There is no categorical minimum lot size for permitted uses in this zone. However the lot size may be made a condition of approval in design review and conditional uses if relevant in those proceeding.

B.    Lot frontage on a public street or private street: twenty feet. (Ord. 1484-04 § 7 (part), 2004: Ord. 1312-98 § 1 (part), 1998: Ord. 1013 § 2.04.03, 1985)

On-site hazardous waste treatment and storage facilities as accessory to a permitted or conditional use are allowed a conditional use; provided, such facilities comply with the state hazardous waste citing standards and Sedro-Woolley and State Environmental Policy Act requirements. (Ord. 1484-04 § 7 (part), 2004: Ord. 1312-98 § 1 (part), 1998: Ord. 1063 § 3 (Exh. B § 2.04.04), 1998)

All developments in this zone which are subject to environmental review shall comply with the design review standards of SWMC Chapter 15.44 for conformance with this and other provisions of the city code. (Ord. 1484-04 § 7 (part), 2004)

Repealed by Ord. 2096-25. (Ord. 1484-04 § 7 (part), 2004)