This chapter classifies land uses and activities into use categories on the basis of common functional, product or physical characteristics. Characteristics include the type and amount of activity, the type of customers or residents, how goods or services are sold or delivered, and certain site factors. The use categories provide a systematic basis for assignment of present and future uses to zones. The decision to allow or prohibit the use categories in the various zones is based on the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

The names of the use categories start with capital letters throughout this title.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Considerations.

1. 1. Uses are assigned to the category whose description most closely describes the nature of the primary use. The “Characteristics” subsection of each use category describes the characteristics of each use category. Developments may have more than one primary use. Developments may also have one or more accessory uses. Developments with more than one primary use are addressed in subsection (C) of this section. Accessory uses are addressed in subsection (D) of this section.

1. 2. The following items are considered to determine what use category the use is in, and whether the activities constitute primary uses or accessory uses:

1. 1. 1. The description of the activity(ies) in relationship to the characteristics of each use category.

1. 1. 2. The relative amount of site or floor space and equipment devoted to the activity.

1. 1. 3. The relative amounts of sales from each activity.

1. 1. 4. The customer type for each activity.

1. 1. 5. The relative number of employees in each activity.

1. 1. 6. Hours of operation.

1. 1. 7. Building and site arrangement.

1. 1. 8. Vehicles used with the activity.

1. 1. 1. The relative number of vehicle trips generated by the activity.

1. 1. 10. Signs.

1. 1. 11. How the use advertises itself; and

1. 1. 12. Whether the activity would be likely to be found independent of the other activities on the site.

2. Uses Not Listed.

If a use is not listed, the planning and economic development services director may determine that a proposed use is substantially similar to other uses permitted or not permitted in the respective zones, and therefore should also be permitted or not permitted.

3. Developments with Multiple Primary Uses.

When all of the primary uses of a development fall within one use category, then the development is assigned to that use category. For example, a development that contains a retail bakery and a café would be classified in the Retail Sales and Service category because all the primary uses are in that category. When the primary uses of a development fall within different use categories, each primary use is classified in the applicable category and is subject to the standards for that category.

4. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses are allowed by right in conjunction with the use, unless stated otherwise in the standards. Also, unless otherwise stated, they are subject to the same standards as the primary use. Common accessory uses are listed as examples with the categories.

5. Use of Examples.

The “Examples” subsection of each use category provides a list of examples of uses that are included in the use category. The names of uses on the lists are generic. They are based on the common meaning of the terms and not on what a specific use may call itself. For example, a use whose business name is “Wholesale Liquidation” but that sells mostly to consumers would be included in the Retail Sales and Service category rather than the Wholesale Sales category. This is because the actual activity on the site matches the description of the Retail Sales and Service category.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Group Living is characterized by the residential occupancy of a structure by a group of people who do not meet the definition of Residential Household Living. Tenancy is primarily arranged on a month-to-month basis, or for a longer period. Generally, Group Living structures have a common eating area for residents. The residents may or may not receive any combination of care, training or treatment, as long as they also reside at the site.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses commonly found are recreational facilities, parking of autos for the occupants and staff, and parking of vehicles for the facility.

3. Examples.

Examples include nursing and convalescent homes, assisted living facilities, confidential shelters, residential care facility for adults or youth, and alternative or post incarceration facilities. Group Living may include dormitories, communes, fraternities and sororities, monasteries and convents, and congregate residences that do not meet the definition of co-living.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Residential structures occupied by persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations pursuant to the federal or state law are included in the Residential Household Living category.

1. 2. Lodging where the proportion of units rented on a short-term basis exceeds the limits in SMC 17C.316.040 and SMC 17C.316.050 for the underlying zone is considered a hotel or motel use and is classified in the Retail Sales and Service category. However, in certain situations, lodging where tenancy may be arranged for periods less than one month may be classified as a Community Service use such as short-term housing or mass shelters.

1. 3. Facilities for people who are under judicial detainment and are under the supervision of detention/incarceration officers are included in the Detention Facilities category.

Date Passed: Monday, December 8, 2025

Effective Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026

ORD C36810 Section 9

1. Characteristics.

Residential Household Living is characterized by the residential occupancy of a dwelling or sleeping unit by a household. Tenancy is primarily arranged on a month-to-month basis, or for a longer period. Apartment, SRO, or co-living complexes that have accessory services such as food service, dining rooms, and housekeeping are included as Residential Household Living. Residential structures occupied by persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations pursuant to the federal or state law are included in the Residential Household Living category.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses commonly found are recreational activities, raising of pets, hobbies, and parking of the occupants’ vehicles. Home occupations, accessory dwelling units, short-term rentals, and bed and breakfast facilities are accessory uses that are subject to additional development standards of the zoning code.

3. Examples.

Uses include single-family residences, duplexes, middle housing, apartments, condominiums, retirement center apartments, manufactured housing, co-living, SROs, and other structures with self-contained dwelling or sleeping units.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Lodging where the proportion of units rented on a short-term basis exceeds the limits in SMC 17C.316.040 and SMC 17C.316.050 for the underlying zone is considered a hotel or motel use and is classified in the Retail Sales and Service category.

1. 2. Guest houses that contain kitchen facilities are prohibited as accessory to Residential Household Living uses.

1. 3. In certain situations, lodging where tenancy may be arranged for periods less than one month may be classified as a Community Service use, such as short-term housing or mass shelter.

Date Passed: Monday, December 8, 2025

Effective Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026

ORD C36810 Section 10

1. Characteristics.

Adult business uses include an “adult retail use establishment” and an “adult entertainment establishment.” An “adult retail use establishment” is defined in SMC 17A.020.010. An “adult entertainment establishment” is an enclosed building, or any portion thereof, used for presenting performances, activities, or material relating to “specified sexual activities,” as defined in SMC 17A.020.190, or “specified anatomical areas,” as defined in SMC 17A.020.190, for observation by patrons therein.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include offices, storage of goods, manufacture or repackaging of goods for on-site sale, and parking.

3. Examples.

Examples include adult bookstores, arcades, and adult motion picture theaters. "Adult-oriented merchandise" means any goods, products, commodities, or other ware, including but not limited to, videos, CD ROMs, DVDs, computer disks or other storage devices, magazines, books, pamphlets, posters, cards, periodicals or non-clothing novelties which depict, describe or simulate specified anatomical areas, as defined in SMC 17A.020.190, or specified sexual activities, as defined in SMC 17A.020.190.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. A motion picture theater is considered an adult entertainment establishment if the preponderance of the films presented is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on the depicting or describing of “specified sexual activities” or “specified anatomical areas.”

1. 2. A hotel or motel providing overnight accommodations is not considered an adult entertainment establishment merely because it provides adult closed circuit television programming in its rooms for its registered overnight guests.

Date Passed: Monday, April 18, 2011

Effective Date: Thursday, May 26, 2011

ORD C34711 Section 2

1. Characteristics.

Commercial Outdoor Recreation uses are large, generally commercial uses that provide continuous recreation or entertainment oriented activities. They generally take place outdoors. They may take place in a number of structures that are arranged together in an outdoor setting.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include concessions, restaurants, parking, caretaker’s quarters, and maintenance facilities.

3. Examples.

Examples include amusement parks, theme parks, golf driving ranges, miniature golf facilities and zoos.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Golf courses are classified as Parks and Open Space.

1. 2. Uses which draw large numbers of people to periodic events, rather than on a continuous basis, are classified as Major Event Entertainment.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Commercial Parking facilities provide parking that is not accessory to a specific use. A fee may or may not be charged. A facility that provides both accessory parking for a specific use and regular fee parking for people not connected to the use is also classified as a Commercial Parking facility.

2. Accessory Uses.

In a parking structure only, accessory uses may include gasoline sales, car washing and vehicle repair activities if these uses provide service to autos parked in the garage, and not towards general traffic.

3. Examples.

Examples include short- and long-term fee parking facilities, commercial district shared parking lots, commercial shuttle parking and mixed parking lots (partially for a specific use, partly for rent to others).

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Parking facilities that are accessory to a use, but which charge the public to park for occasional events nearby, are not considered Commercial Parking facilities.

1. 2. Parking facilities that are accessory to a primary use are not considered Commercial Parking uses, even if the operator leases the facility to the primary use or charges a fee to the individuals who park in the facility.

1. 3. Public transit park-and-ride facilities are classified as Basic Utilities.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Drive-through Facilities provide direct services for people in motor vehicles where the driver waits in the car before and while the service is performed.

2. Accessory Uses.

Drive-up windows, menu boards, order boards or boxes, speakers and stacking lanes.

3. Examples.

Drive-through banks, drive-through espresso stands, drive-through windows associated with a restaurant or other retail or service use.

4. Exceptions.

Car wash facilities, gas pump islands, and other vehicle service or repair uses that are considered quick vehicle servicing or vehicle repair.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Major Event Entertainment uses are characterized by activities and structures that draw large numbers of people to specific events or shows. Activities are generally of a spectator nature.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include restaurants, bars, concessions, parking and maintenance facilities.

3. Examples.

Examples include stadiums, sports arenas, coliseums, race tracks (auto, horse, dog, etc.), auditoriums, exhibition and meeting areas and fairgrounds.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Exhibition and meeting areas with less than twenty thousand square feet of total event area are classified as Retail Sales and Service.

1. 2. Banquet halls that are part of hotels or restaurants are accessory to those uses, which are included in the Retail Sales and Service category.

1. 3. Theaters, including drive-in theaters, are classified as Retail Sales and Service.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Mobile food vendors are firms engaged in the selling or offering for sale of prepared food products and beverages to the general public from a mobile food vending unit, which is a readily movable food service establishment such as a push cart, van, trailer, or a structure approved for mobile food vending by the Spokane regional health district. It provides space for limited storage, handling, and/or dispensing of foods. The entire operation must be contained within/on the mobile unit, except that expansion of the operation will be allowed in conjunction with an approved temporary event as allowed under the rules of the Spokane regional health district.

2. Examples.

Examples include mobile food vendors who vend from or onto a public sidewalk, plaza or right of way; mobile food vendors who vend from a location on private property; and, mobile vendors who are approved to vend at City parks or at special events.

3. Exceptions.

1. 1. Mobile caterers who are engaged in the business of transporting, in motor vehicles, food and beverages to residential, business and industrial establishments pursuant to prearranged schedules and dispensing from the vehicles the items to and for the convenience of the personnel or occupants of such establishments are considered a retail sales service.

1. 2. Mobile food vendors who vend from very small pushcarts (twenty cubic feet of cart or less) on the public sidewalk and do not remain in any one place for more than ten minutes may choose to operate in accordance with the provisions of the itinerant vendor permit, SMC 10.40.010

Date Passed: Monday, June 23, 2014

Effective Date: Friday, August 8, 2014

ORD C35098 Section 9

1. Characteristics

Office uses are characterized by activities conducted in an office setting and generally focusing on business, government, professional, medical, or financial services.

2. Accessory Uses

Accessory uses may include medical product dispensing; in addition, cafeterias, health facilities, parking or other amenities primarily for the use of employees in the firm or building may be provided.

3. Examples

Examples include professional services such as lawyers, accountants, engineers or architects; financial businesses such as lenders, brokerage houses, bank headquarters, branch banks or real estate agents; data processing; sales offices; government offices, post office and public utility offices; TV and radio studios; interior decorator studio; art or photographic studios; hair, tanning and personal care services; emergency medical care; medical and dental clinics, medical and dental labs; blood-collection facilities; and veterinarians as long as they are soundproofed and all activities are entirely indoors.

4. Exceptions

1. 1. Offices that are part of and are located with a firm in another category are considered accessory to the firm’s primary activity. Headquarters offices, when in conjunction with or adjacent to a primary use in another category, are considered part of the other category.

1. 2. Contractors and others who perform services off-site are included in the Office category if equipment, materials, and vehicles used in conjunction with the business are not stored on the site and fabrication, services or similar work is not carried on at the site.

Date Passed: Monday, July 23, 2012

Effective Date: Thursday, August 30, 2012

ORD C34888 Section 10

1. Characteristics.

A parking facility that is not accessory to another use and is owned, operated, or maintained by the City or some other public agency.

Date Passed: Monday, April 29, 2024

Effective Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024

ORD C36514 Section 7

1. Characteristics.

Quick Vehicle Servicing uses provide facilities designed for the rapid servicing of vehicles, where the drivers may or may not remain in their vehicles, but where the drivers usually either perform the service for themselves, or wait on the site for the service to be rendered.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include auto repair and tire sales.

3. Examples.

Examples include gas pump islands; unattended card key stations; car wash facilities; auto service facilities, such as air compressor, water and windshield washing stations; quick-lube or quick-oil change facilities; and Department of Ecology vehicle emission test sites.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Truck stops are classified as Industrial Service.

1. 2. Refueling facilities for the vehicles that belong to a specific use (fleet vehicles) which are on the site where the vehicles are kept are accessory to the use.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Retail Sales and Service firms are involved in the sale, lease or rent of new or used products to the general public. They may also provide personal services or entertainment, or provide product repair or services for consumer and business goods.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include offices, storage of goods, manufacture or repackaging of goods for on-site sale, and parking.

3. Examples.

Examples include uses from the four subgroups listed below:

1. 1. Sales-oriented: Stores selling, leasing or renting consumer, home and business goods including art, art supplies, bicycles, clothing, dry goods, electronic equipment, fabric, furniture, garden supplies, gifts, groceries, hardware, home improvement products, household products, jewelry, pets, pet food, pharmaceuticals, plants, printed material, stationary and videos; food sales, and sales or leasing of consumer vehicles including passenger vehicles, motorcycles, light and medium trucks and other recreational vehicles.

1. 2. Personal service-oriented: laundromats and dry-cleaning; photocopy and blueprint services; business, martial arts and other trade schools; dance or music classes; taxidermists; mortuaries; kennels limited to keeping of animals under observation, with no breeding, so long as the kennel is contained entirely within a soundproof building; and animal grooming.

1. 3. Entertainment-oriented: Restaurants, cafes, delicatessens, taverns and bars; indoor or outdoor continuous entertainment activities such as bowling alleys, ice rinks and game arcades; pool halls; indoor firing ranges; theaters, health clubs, gyms, membership clubs and lodges; hotels, motels, recreational vehicle parks and other temporary lodging with an average length of stay of less than thirty days.

1. 4. Repair-oriented: Repair of TVs and electronics, bicycles, clocks, watches, shoes, guns, appliances and office equipment; photo or laundry drop-off; quick printing; recycling drop-off; tailor; locksmith; and upholsterer.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Lumber yards and other building material sales that sell primarily to contractors and do not have a retail orientation are classified as Wholesale Sales.

1. 2. Bulk outdoor sales of landscape materials, including bark chips and compost, is classified as Industrial Service.

1. 3. Repair and service of consumer motor vehicles, motorcycles, and light and medium trucks are classified as Vehicle Repair. Repair and service of industrial vehicles and equipment, and heavy trucks is classified as Industrial Service.

1. 4. Sales, rental or leasing of heavy trucks and equipment is classified as Wholesale Sales.

1. 5. Hotels, restaurants and other services that are part of a truck stop are considered accessory to the truck stop, which is classified as Industrial Service.

1. 6. In certain situations, hotels and motels may be classified as a Community Service use, such as short-term housing or mass shelter. See Community Services.

1. 7. Kennels or other animal boarding places are classified as an Agriculture use.

Date Passed: Monday, July 23, 2012

Effective Date: Thursday, August 30, 2012

ORD C34888 Section 11

1. Characteristics.

Mini-storage Facilities uses provide separate storage areas for individual or business uses. The storage areas are designed to allow private access by the tenant for storing or removing personal property.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include security and leasing offices. Living quarters for one resident manager per site in the Industrial zones are allowed. Other living quarters are subject to the standards for residential uses in the base zones. Use of the storage areas for sales, service and repair operations, or manufacturing is not considered accessory to the Mini-storage Facilities use. The rental of trucks or equipment is also not considered accessory to a Mini-storage Facilities use.

3. Examples.

Examples include single-story and multistory facilities that provide individual storage areas for rent. These uses are also called mini warehouses or mini-storage facilities.

4. Exceptions.

A transfer and storage business where there are no individual storage areas or where employees are the primary movers of the goods to be stored or transferred is in the Warehouse and Freight Movement category.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Firms servicing passenger vehicles, light and medium trucks and other consumer motor vehicles such as motorcycles, boats and recreational vehicles. Generally, the customer does not wait at the site while the service or repair is being performed.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include offices, sales of parts and vehicle storage.

3. Examples.

Examples include vehicle repair, transmission or muffler shop, auto body shop with paint booth, alignment shop, auto upholstery shop, auto detailing and tire sales and mounting.

4. Exceptions.

Repair and service of industrial vehicles and equipment and of heavy trucks; and towing and vehicle storage are classified as Industrial Service.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

A business establishment that is considered to be dangerous and/or noxious due to the probability and/or magnitude of its effects on the environment and/or has the potential for causing major community or health impacts, including but not limited to nuisance, odors, noise and/or vibrations and/or is so chemically intensive as to preclude site selection without careful assessment of potential impacts and impact mitigation.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include offices, cafeterias, parking, employee recreational facilities, warehouses, storage yards, rail spur or lead lines, docks, repair facilities or truck fleets.

3. Examples.

Examples include repair, storage, salvage or wrecking of heavy machinery, metal and building materials; auto and truck salvage and wrecking; heavy truck servicing and repair; tire retreading or recapping; exterminators; recycling operations; fuel oil distributors; solid fuel yards; slaughter houses and meat packing; rendering plant; feed lots and animal dipping; lumber mills, pulp and paper mills, and other wood products manufacturing; production of chemical, rubber, leather, clay, bone, plastic, stone or glass materials or products; concrete batching and asphalt mixing; production or fabrication of metals or metal products including enameling and galvanizing; production of prefabricated structures, including mobile homes; and the production of energy.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Industrial Service firms are engaged in the repair or servicing of industrial, business or consumer machinery, equipment, products or by-products. Firms that service consumer goods do so by mainly providing centralized services for separate retail outlets. Contractors and building maintenance services and similar uses perform services off-site. Few customers, especially the general public, come to the site. Uses that have significant off-site impacts are regulated as High Impact Uses.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include offices, parking, storage, rail spur or lead lines, truck fleet and docks.

3. Examples.

Examples include welding shops; machine shops; tool repair; electric motor repair; repair of scientific or professional instruments; building, heating, plumbing or electrical contractors; printing, publishing and lithography; janitorial and building maintenance services; research and development laboratories; laundry, dry-cleaning and carpet cleaning plants; photo finishing laboratories; truck stop; and towing and vehicle storage.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Contractors and others who perform services off-site are included in the Office category, if equipment and materials are not stored at the site, and fabrication, or similar work is not carried on at the site.

1. 2. Hotels, restaurants and other services that are part of a truck stop are considered accessory to the truck stop.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Manufacturing and Production firms are involved in the manufacturing, processing, fabrication, packaging or assembly of goods. Natural, manmade, raw, secondary or partially completed materials may be used. Products may be finished or semi-finished and are generally made for the wholesale market, for transfer to other plants, or to order for firms or consumers. Goods are generally not displayed or sold on site, but if so, they are a subordinate part of sales. Relatively few customers come to the manufacturing site. Uses that have significant off-site impacts are regulated as High Impact Uses.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include offices, cafeterias, parking, employee recreational facilities, warehouses, storage yards, rail spur or lead lines, docks, repair facilities or truck fleets. Living quarters are subject to the standards for residential uses in the base zones.

3. Examples.

Examples include processing of food and related products; breweries, distilleries and wineries; weaving or production of textiles or apparel; woodworking, including cabinet makers; movie production facilities; manufacture or assembly of machinery, equipment, instruments, including musical instruments, vehicles, appliances, precision items and other electrical items; production of artwork and toys; sign making.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Manufacturing of goods to be sold primarily on-site and to the general public are classified as Retail Sales and Service.

1. 2. Manufacture and production of goods from composting organic material is classified as Waste-Related uses.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Railroad Yards are areas that contain multiple railroad tracks used for rail car switching, assembling of trains and transshipment of goods from other transportation modes to or from trains.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses include offices, employee facilities, storage areas and rail car maintenance and repair facilities.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Warehouse and Freight Movement firms are involved in the storage, or movement of goods for themselves or other firms. Goods are generally delivered to other firms or the final consumer, except for some will-call pickups. There is little on-site sales activity with the customer present.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include offices, truck fleet parking and maintenance areas, rail spur or lead lines, docks and repackaging of goods.

3. Examples.

Examples include separate warehouses used by retail stores such as furniture and appliance stores; household moving and general freight storage; cold storage plants, including frozen food lockers; storage of weapons and ammunition; major wholesale distribution centers; truck or air freight terminals; bus barns; parcel services; major post offices; grain terminals; and the stockpiling of sand, gravel or other aggregate materials.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Uses that involve the transfer or storage of solid or liquid wastes are classified as Waste-Related uses.

1. 2. Mini-warehouses are classified as Mini-storage Facilities uses.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Waste-related uses are characterized by uses that receive solid or liquid wastes from others for disposal on the site or for transfer to another location, uses which collect sanitary wastes, or uses that manufacture or produce goods or energy from the biological decomposition of organic material. Waste-related uses also include uses which receive hazardous wastes from others and which are subject to state hazardous waste standards.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include recycling of materials, offices and repackaging and transshipment of by-products.

3. Examples.

Examples include sanitary landfills, incinerator, limited use landfills, waste composting, energy recovery plants, sewer treatment plants, portable sanitary collection equipment storage and pumping, and hazardous waste collection sites.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Disposal of dirt, concrete, asphalt and similar non-decomposable materials is considered a fill.

1. 2. Sewer pipes that serve a development are considered a Basic Utility.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Wholesale Sales firms are involved in the sale, lease or rent of products primarily intended for industrial, institutional or commercial businesses. The uses emphasize on-site sales or order-taking and often include display areas. Businesses may or may not be open to the general public, but sales to the general public are limited. Products may be picked up on site or delivered to the customer.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include offices, product repair, warehouses, parking, minor fabrication services and repackaging of goods.

3. Examples.

Examples include sale or rental of machinery, equipment, heavy trucks, building materials, special trade tools, welding supplies, machine parts, electrical supplies, janitorial supplies, restaurant equipment and store fixtures; mail order houses; and wholesalers of food, clothing, auto parts, building hardware.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Firms that engage primarily in sales to the general public or on a membership basis are classified as Retail Sales and Service.

1. 2. Firms that are primarily storing goods with little on-site business activity are classified as Warehouse and Freight Movement.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Basic Utilities are infrastructure services that need to be located in or near the area where the service is provided. Basic Utility uses generally do not have regular employees at the site. Services may be public or privately provided. All public safety facilities are Basic Utilities.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include parking; control, monitoring, data or transmission equipment; and holding cells within a police station.

3. Examples.

Examples include water and sewer pump stations; sewage disposal and conveyance systems; electrical substations; water towers and reservoirs; water quality and flow control facilities; water conveyance systems; stormwater facilities and conveyance systems; telephone exchanges; mass transit stops or turnarounds, transit centers, park-and-ride facilities for mass transit; and public safety facilities, including fire and police stations and emergency communication broadcast facilities.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Services where people are generally present, other than mass transit stops or turnarounds, transit centers, park-and-ride facilities for mass transit; and public safety facilities, are classified as Community Services or Offices.

1. 2. Utility offices where employees or customers are generally present are classified as Offices.

1. 3. Bus barns are classified as Warehouse and Freight Movement.

1. 4. Public or private passageways, including easements, for the express purpose of transmitting or transporting electricity, gas, oil, water, sewage, communication signals or other similar services on a regional level are classified as Rail Lines and Utility Corridors.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

This category includes colleges and other institutions of higher learning, which offer courses of general or specialized study leading to a degree. They are certified by the State Board of Higher Education or by a recognized accrediting agency. Colleges tend to be in campus-like settings or on multiple blocks.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses include offices, housing for students, food service, laboratories, health and sports facilities, theaters, meeting areas, parking, maintenance facilities and bookstores.

3. Examples.

Examples include universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, nursing and medical schools not accessory to a hospital and seminaries.

4. Exceptions.

Trade schools are classified as Retail Sales and Service.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Community Services are uses of a public, nonprofit or charitable nature generally providing a local service to people of the community. Generally, they provide the service on the site or have employees at the site on a regular basis. The service is ongoing, not just for special events. Community centers or facilities that have membership provisions are open to the general public to join at any time, (for instance, any senior citizen could join a senior center). The use may provide mass shelter or short-term housing where tenancy may be arranged for periods of less than one month when operated by a public or nonprofit agency. The use may also provide special counseling, education or training of a public, nonprofit or charitable nature.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include offices; meeting areas; food preparation areas; parking, health and therapy areas; daycare uses; and athletic facilities.

3. Examples.

Examples include libraries, museums, senior centers, community centers, publicly owned swimming pools, youth club facilities, hospices, ambulance stations, drug and alcohol centers, social service facilities, mass shelters or short-term housing when operated by a public or nonprofit agency, vocational training for the physically or mentally disabled, crematoriums, columbariums, mausoleums, soup kitchens and surplus food distribution centers.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Private lodges, clubs and private or commercial athletic or health clubs are classified as Retail Sales and Service. Commercial museums (such as a wax museum) are in Retail Sales and Service.

1. 2. Parks are in Parks and Open Areas.

1. 3. Uses where tenancy is arranged on a month-to-month basis, or for a longer period are residential, and are classified as Residential Household or Group Living.

1. 4. Public safety facilities are classified as Basic Utilities.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Daycare use includes childcare centers and family day care providers as defined in RCW 43.216.010. Daycare uses also include the daytime care of teenagers or adults who need assistance or supervision.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses include offices, play areas, and parking.

3. Examples.

Examples include preschools, early learning centers, nursery schools, latchkey programs, and adult daycare programs.

Date Passed: Monday, September 22, 2025

Effective Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025

ORD C36742 Section 8

1. Characteristics.

Medical Centers includes uses providing medical or surgical care to patients and offering overnight care. Medical Centers tend to be on multiple blocks or in campus settings.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses include outpatient clinics, offices, laboratories, teaching facilities, meeting areas, cafeterias, parking, maintenance facilities and housing facilities for staff or trainees.

3. Examples.

Examples include hospitals and medical complexes that include hospitals.

4. Exceptions.

1. Uses that provide exclusive care and planned treatment or training for psychiatric, alcohol or drug problems, where patients are residents of the program, are classified in the Group Living category.

2. Medical clinics that provide care where patients are generally not kept overnight are classified as Office.

3. Emergency medical care clinics are classified as Office.

Date Passed: Monday, April 29, 2024

Effective Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024

ORD C36514 Section 8

1. Characteristics.

Parks and Open Areas are uses of land focusing on natural areas, large areas consisting mostly of vegetative landscaping or outdoor recreation, community gardens or public squares. Lands tend to have few structures.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include club houses, maintenance facilities, concessions, caretaker’s quarters, campgrounds and parking.

3. Examples.

Examples include parks, golf courses, cemeteries, public squares, plazas, recreational trails, botanical gardens, nature preserves and land used for grazing that is not part of a farm or ranch.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Religious Institutions are intended to primarily provide meeting areas for religious activities.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses include religious education school facilities, parking, caretaker’s housing, one transitional housing unit and group living facilities such as convents. A transitional housing unit is a housing unit for one household where the average length of stay is less than sixty days.

3. Examples.

Examples include churches, temples, synagogues and mosques.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

This category includes public and private schools at the primary, elementary, middle, junior high or high school level that provide state mandated basic education.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses include play areas, cafeterias, recreational and sport facilities, auditoriums, parking and before- or after-school daycare.

3. Examples.

Examples include public and private daytime schools, boarding schools and military academies.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Preschools are classified as Daycare uses.

1. 2. Trade schools are classified as Retail Sales and Service.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Agriculture includes activities that raise, produce or keep plants or animals.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses include dwellings for proprietors and employees of the use and animal training.

3. Examples.

Examples include breeding or raising of fowl or other animals; dairy farms; stables; riding academies; fish rearing facilities; kennels or other animal boarding places; farming, truck gardening, forestry, tree farming; and wholesale plant nurseries.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Processing of animal or plant products, including milk, and feed lots are classified as Manufacturing and Production.

1. 2. Livestock auctions are classified as Wholesale Sales.

1. 3. Sale of products produced on site is permitted; provided, that structures for this purpose are limited to five hundred square feet of total floor area per site.

1. 4. Plant nurseries that are oriented to retail sales are classified as Retail Sales and Service.

1. 5. Fish rearing facilities are only permitted in accordance with SMC 17E.060.470.

Date Passed: Monday, September 25, 2023

Effective Date: Monday, December 4, 2023

ORD C36441 Section 1

1. Characteristics.

Aviation and Surface Passenger Terminals includes facilities for the landing and takeoff of flying vehicles, including loading and unloading areas. Aviation facilities may be improved or unimproved. Aviation facilities may be for commercial carriers or for shared use by private aircraft. Aviation and Surface Passenger Terminals also includes passenger terminals for aircraft, regional bus service and regional rail service.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses include freight handling areas, concessions, offices, parking, maintenance and fueling facilities, and aircraft sales areas.

3. Examples.

Examples include airports, bus passenger terminals for regional bus service, railroad passenger stations for regional rail service, airstrips and helicopter landing facilities.

4. Exceptions.

Bus and rail passenger stations for sub-regional service such as mass transit stops and park-and-ride facilities are classified as Basic Utilities.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Detention Facilities includes facilities for the judicially required detention or incarceration of people. Inmates and detainees are under twenty-four-hour supervision by detention/incarceration officers, except when on an approved leave.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses include offices, recreational and health facilities, therapy facilities, maintenance facilities, and hobby and manufacturing activities.

3. Examples.

Examples include prisons, jails, probation centers, secure community transition facilities and juvenile detention homes.

4. Exceptions.

Programs that provide care and training or treatment for psychiatric, alcohol, or drug problems, where patients are residents of the program, but where patients are not supervised by detention/incarceration officers are classified as Group Living. Programs that provide transitional living experience for former offenders, such as halfway houses, where residents are not supervised by detention/incarceration officers, are also classified as Group Living.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Essential Public Facilities are public facilities and privately-owned or operated facilities that are subject to a public service obligation and are typically difficult to site. Of these facilities, those that are of statewide or regional/countywide significance are subject to the Spokane County regional siting process for Essential Public Facilities. For essential public facilities of local significance that are not listed as specific uses, the planning and economic development services director will decide on a case-by-case basis what type of siting process is appropriate.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses include offices, meeting areas, food preparation areas, parking, health and therapy areas and exercise facilities.

3. Examples.

Examples include airports, state education facilities and state or regional transportation facilities as defined in RCW 47.06.140, state and local correctional facilities, solid waste handling facilities, and in-patient facilities including substance abuse facilities, mental health facilities, group homes and secure community transition facilities.

4. Exceptions.

Residential structures occupied by persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations pursuant to the federal and state law are included in the Residential Household Living category (see SMC 17C.190.110).

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Mining includes mining or extraction of mineral or aggregate resources from the ground for off-site use.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses include storage, sorting, stockpiling or transfer off-site of the mined material.

3. Examples.

Examples include quarrying or dredging for sand, gravel or other aggregate materials; mining; and oil, gas or geothermal drilling.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

Wireless Communication Facilities are any towers, poles, antennas or other structures intended for use in connection with transmission or receipt of radio or television signals, or any other spectrum-based transmissions/receptions.

2. Accessory Uses.

Accessory uses may include transmitter facility buildings.

3. Examples.

Examples include broadcast towers, communication towers and point-to-point microwave towers.

4. Exceptions.

1. 1. Receive-only antennas are not included in this category.

1. 2. Radio and television studios are classified in the Office category.

1. 3. Wireless Communication Facilities that are public safety facilities are classified as Basic Utilities.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3

1. Characteristics.

This category includes railroad tracks and lines for the movement of trains. The land may be owned or leased by the railroad. The category also includes public or private passageways, including easements, for the express purpose of transmitting or transporting electricity, gas, oil, water, sewage, communication signals or other similar services on a regional level.

2. Examples.

Examples include rail trunk and feeder lines, regional electrical transmission lines, and regional gas and oil pipelines.

3. Exceptions.

1. 1. Railroad lead and spur lines for delivery of rail cars to sites or for unloading of rail cars on specific sites are classified as accessory to the primary use of the site.

1. 2. Rail lines and utility corridors that are located within motor vehicle rights-of-way are not included.

1. 3. Railroad yards are classified in the Railroad Yards category.

Date Passed: Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Effective Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

ORD C33636 Section 3