Snohomish City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 14

211 Business Park

14.211.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to identify regulations specific to the business park zoning district in order to ensure the purpose of the zoning district, as established in SMC 14.30.040(C)(4), is achieved. The objective of these regulations is to expand development in areas that have otherwise been environmentally restricted while remaining consistent with state law. (Ord. 2438, 2022; Ord. 2523, 2025)

14.211.020 General Requirements.

A. Business parks shall have access to a minor arterial; however, direct access shall be taken from the lower classification of roadway, if an option is available. Access shall be provided in accordance with City traffic plans and constructed per Public Works Design and Construction Standards.

B. Criteria for approval of the site development plan shall include the prevention of strip commercial development (defined as a linear pattern of commercial establishments within a low-rise building with a prominent parking lot and easy vehicular access) and the protection of environmentally critical areas.

C. A minimum of five acres will normally be required for a business park development; however, existing smaller parcels that cannot be aggregated together to establish a five-acre project will be allowed, subject to appropriate review and conditions. See SMC 14.211.030(A).

D. Multifamily residential use is permitted, subject to the following limitations:

1. The street-facing ground floor uses shall be commercial, unless not required pursuant to subsection (D)(2) of this section.

2. Parcels one acre in size and smaller are not required to provide commercial use as a condition of multifamily development.

3. The residential density does shall not exceed 24 dwelling units per acre, except in accordance with SMC 14.285.040.

E. Two or more noncontiguous parcels in the business park zoning district may be determined to constitute one development site when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The parcels are within 1/4 mile, measured between nearest property lines, so that land development conditions and issues are substantially similar.

2. The parcels are in common ownership throughout the permitting and construction process.

3. Construction activity upon all parcels is requested, reviewed, and permitted through one land use development application.

4. Signs, structures, and other improvements on all parcels exhibit common architectural design features.

5. The names given to the related developments on the noncontiguous parcels have common words and themes.

6. The parcels are connected by a pedestrian walkway.

F. Development in the business park zone shall be subject to design review using the General Design Standards per Chapter 14.230 SMC. (Ord. 2438, 2022; Ord. 2523, 2025)

14.211.030 Dimensional Requirements.

A. Minimum Area. A minimum of five acres shall be required for a business park development, with the exception of existing smaller parcels that cannot be aggregated. If existing smaller parcels cannot be aggregated to amount to five acres, the development may be allowed provided it meets the requirements of this chapter and is approved by the Director or designee.

B. Setbacks. Structures shall be a minimum distance of 50 feet from any property line abutting a residential zone. Where not abutting a residential zone, the minimum setback shall be zero, subject to compliance with the landscape screening requirements in Chapter 14.240 SMC.

1. The site shall consist of a minimum of 20 percent landscaping and open space. Open space may consist of undisturbed vegetation or water and will include the five percent area of required landscaping. The remaining 20 percent not landscaped shall be provided in open space. Up to 50 percent of the landscaping and open space requirement for a business park development may be provided by permanent dedication of a conservation easement to the City, a land trust, or another entity acceptable to the City of Snohomish. Such conservation easement shall restrict property to remain designated as open space in perpetuity within the same business park zone where the development is located.

2. At least five percent of the site must be fully landscaped totaling no less than 2,000 square feet of the development. The landscaped area shall be situated toward the primary entrance of the development and public right-of-way.

3. Developments adjoining a street shall also provide a landscape corridor of trees, planted no more than 50 feet on center. Landscape plant materials used in low impact development facilities may be considered. Such landscaping shall not obscure the sight distance for traffic and pedestrians at the intersection of streets or driveways.