Zoning Information
Seattle’s Land Use Code is lengthy and complicated, containing numerous zoning designations. The properties held by the churches are under the following zoning designations: SF 5000, LR2, LR3, LR3 RC, NC2, and NC3P 65. Below is information about these zones that pertain to the work of the Nehemiah Initiative. For the complete zoning code, please see the Seattle Land Use Code.
Single Family Residential (SF 5000)
Permitted, Excluded, and Conditional Uses
Principal Uses Permitted Outright:
- Single-family dwelling unit
- Parks, open space, and community gardens
- Nursing homes
- Adult family homes
Accessory Uses Permitted:
- Accessory dwelling units
- Urban farms
- Swimming pools
- Solar collectors
- Bed and Breakfasts
- Transitional Encampments
- Columbariums, garden wall crypts, and mausoleums
Permitted Conditional Uses:
- Community centers
- Child care centers
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Religious facilities
- Libraries
- Existing institutes for advanced study
- Other similar institutions
Prohibited Uses:
- Hospitals
- Colleges
- Museums
- Private clubs
- Vocational schools
For more information on uses in an SF 5000 zone, please refer to the Seattle Land Use Code.
Height Restrictions
The height limit for buildings in a SF 5000 zone is dependent upon the lot width. If the lot width is greater than 30 feet, the height limit is 30 feet. If the lot width is 30 feet or less, the height limit is 25 feet.
Maximum Floor Area Ratio
The maximum floor area ratio (FAR) for SF 5000 zones is dependent on the lot area. If the lot is 5,000 square feet or greater, the maximum FAR is 0.5. If the lot is less than 5,000 square feet, there can be up to 2,500 square feet of total chargeable floor area. The applicable FAR limit applies to the total chargeable floor area of all structures on the lot.
For further detail on FAR and what is included in the FAR, please see the Seattle Land Use Code.
Additional Information
Seattle’s Single Family Residential Zones Quicksheet
Multi-Family Residential (LR2)
Permitted, Excluded, and Conditional Uses
Principal Uses Permitted Outright:
- Residential
- Parks and playgrounds
- Community gardens
- Institutions, such as religious facilities, community centers, private schools, and child care centers, meeting development standards
Accessory Uses Permitted:
- Private garages and carports
- Private swimming pools and hot tubs
- Solar collectors
- Urban farms
- Accessory dwelling units
Administrative Conditional Uses:
- Institutions other than public schools not meeting development standards
- Park and ride facilities
Prohibited Uses:
- Parking
- New cemeteries
- Medical services
For more information on uses in an L2 zone, please refer to the Seattle Land Use Code.
Height Restrictions
The height limit for buildings in an L2 zone depends upon the type of multi-family residential building and if it is in an MHA zone. All church properties are in MHA zones. The building types are in four categories: cottage housing, rowhouse, townhouse, and apartments. For the purposes of the Nehemiah Initiative, we are assuming that cottage housing will not be considered. Under the other three housing types, the height limit is 40 feet.
Maximum Floor Area Ratio
The maximum floor area ratio (FAR) for L2 zones depends on if it is in an MHA zone, which all church properties are. Therefore, the maximum FAR is 1.4. A possible exception to this is if the building type is an apartment and that building meets specific amenity requirements, specified in the Seattle Land Use Code. In those cases, the maximum FAR is 1.6.
Additional Information
Seattle’s Lowrise Multifamily Zones Quicksheet
Multi-Family Residential (LR3)
Permitted, Excluded, and Conditional Uses
Principal Uses Permitted Outright:
- Residential
- Parks and playgrounds
- Community gardens
- Park and ride facilities in parking garages
- Surface parking on lots existing as of January 1, 2017
- Institutions, such as religious facilities, community centers, private schools, and child care centers, meeting development standards
Accessory Uses Permitted:
- Private garages and carports
- Private swimming pools and hot tubs
- Solar collectors
- Urban farms
- Accessory dwelling units
Administrative Conditional Uses:
- Institutions other than public schools not meeting development standards
- Park and ride facilities
Prohibited Uses:
- Parking outside of surface lots existing as of January 1, 2017
- New cemeteries
- Medical services
For more information on uses in an L3 zone, please refer to the Seattle Land Use Code.
Multi-Family Residential (LR3 RC)
Permitted, Excluded, and Conditional Uses
Principal Uses Permitted Outright:
- Residential
- Parks and playgrounds
- Community gardens
- Park and ride facilities in parking garages
- Surface parking on lots existing as of January 1, 2017
- Institutions, such as religious facilities, community centers, private schools, and child care centers, meeting development standards
- Ground floor commercial uses:
- Sales and services
- Medical services
- Restaurants
- Business support services
- Offices
- Food processing and craft work
- Retail sales, major durables
- Live-work units
- Flexible-use parking
Accessory Uses Permitted:
- Private garages and carports
- Private swimming pools and hot tubs
- Solar collectors
- Urban farms
- Accessory dwelling units
Administrative Conditional Uses:
- Institutions other than public schools not meeting development standards
- Park and ride facilities
Other Conditional Uses:
- Parking at or below grade accessory to nonresidential uses or live-work units in adjacent commercial zones
Prohibited Uses:
- Parking outside of surface lots existing as of January 1, 2017
- New cemeteries
- Medical services
- Drive-in businesses
- Outdoor sales, outdoor display of rental equipment, and outdoor storage
For more information on uses in an L3 zone, please refer to the Seattle Land Use Code.
Height Restrictions
The height limit for buildings in an L3 zone depends upon the type of multi-family residential building and if it is in an MHA zone. All church properties are in MHA zones. The building types are in four categories: cottage housing, rowhouse, townhouse, and apartments. For the purposes of the Nehemiah Initiative, we are assuming that cottage housing will not be considered. Under the other three housing types, the height limit is 50 feet.
Maximum Floor Area Ratio
The maximum floor area ratio (FAR) for L2 zones depends on if it is in an MHA zone, which all church properties are. Therefore, the maximum FAR is 2.3.
Additional Information
Seattle’s Lowrise Multifamily Zones Quicksheet
Seattle Land Use Code – Multifamily
Neighborhood Commercial (NC2-40)
Permitted, Excluded, and Conditional Uses
Principal Uses Permitted Outright:
- The permitted uses in NC2-40 zones are numerous; therefore, for a full understanding of uses that are permitted outright, please refer to the Seattle Land Use Code
Administrative Conditional Uses:
- Drinking establishments
- Lodging
- Work-release centers
- Park and ride facilities on surface parking lots
Prohibited Uses:
- Cemeteries
- Animal shelters and kennels
- Outdoor sports and recreation
- Heavy commercial sales and services
- Wholesale showrooms
- Major vessel repair
- High-impact uses
- General and heavy manufacturing
- Jails
- Non-collegiate congregate residence
- Warehouses
- Outdoor storage
For more information on uses in an NC2 zone, please refer to the Seattle Land Use Code.
Height Restrictions
The height limit for buildings in a NC2-40 zone is 40 feet.
Maximum Floor Area Ratio
The maximum floor area ratio (FAR) for NC2-40 zones is dependent on if the building is single- or mixed-use. If the building is single-use, either residential or non-residential, the maximum FAR is 3.0. If the building is mixed-use, the maximum FAR is 3.25.
Additional Information
Seattle Land Use Code – Commercial
Neighborhood Commercial (NC3P-65)
Permitted, Excluded, and Conditional Uses
Principal Uses Permitted Outright:
- The permitted uses in NC3P-65 zones are numerous; therefore, for a full understanding of uses that are permitted outright, please refer to the Seattle Land Use Code
Administrative Conditional Uses:
- Work-release centers
- Park and ride facilities on surface parking lots
- Helistops
Prohibited Uses:
- Cemeteries
- Animal shelters and kennels
- Outdoor sports and recreation
- Heavy commercial services
- Major vessel repair
- High-impact uses
- General and heavy manufacturing
- Non-youth service center jails
- Outdoor storage
For more information on uses in an NC3P-65 zone, please refer to the Seattle Land Use Code.
Height Restrictions
The height limit for buildings in a NC3P-65 zone is 65 feet.
Maximum Floor Area Ratio
The maximum floor area ratio (FAR) for NC3P-65 zones is dependent on if the building is single- or mixed-use. If the building is single-use, either residential or non-residential, the maximum FAR is 4.25. If the building is mixed-use, the maximum FAR is 4.75.
