Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

A. In order to regulate the use of land and structures, the City is divided into the following land use zoning district classifications. The development potential of any individual property under these zoning classifications shall be based on the net buildable area of that property, and shall be further subject to the availability of necessary utilities, critical area regulations, impact mitigation and other applicable development policies, regulations and standards.

Parcels Containing Two (2) or More Zoning Districts.

1. For parcels containing two (2) or more zoning districts (“split zoning”), the location of the zoning district boundary shall be determined by the Director.

2. For parcels containing two (2) or more zoning districts, the applicable regulations for each zoning district shall apply within the zoning district boundaries as identified on the Zoning Map.

3. When a zoning district boundary interferes with existing structures or setbacks, the Director may approve a minor adjustment of the boundary.

B. Each zoning district and the abbreviated designation suffix are listed below. See subsections (C) and (D) of this section and Chapter 18A.40 LMC for more details about each zoning district.

Single-Family Residential Zoning Districts

Name

Symbol

Residential 1

R1

Residential 2

R2

Residential 3

R3

Residential 4

R4

Mixed Residential Zoning Districts

Name

Symbol

Mixed Residential 1

MR1

Mixed Residential 2

MR2

Multifamily Zoning Districts

Name

Symbol

Multifamily 1

MF1

Multifamily 2

MF2

Multifamily 3

MF3

Neighborhood Business Zoning Districts

Name

Symbol

Arterial Residential/Commercial

ARC

Neighborhood Commercial 1

NC1

Neighborhood Commercial 2

NC2

Commercial Classifications

Name

Symbol

Transit-Oriented Commercial

TOC

Central Business District

CBD

Commercial 1

C1

Commercial 2

C2

Commercial 3

C3

Industrial Zoning Districts

Name

Symbol

Industrial Business Park

IBP

Industrial 1

I1

Industrial 2

I2

Military-Related Zoning Districts

Name

Symbol

Military Lands

ML

Air Corridor 1

AC1

Air Corridor 2

AC2

Clear Zone

CZ

Public/Institutional Zoning District

Name

Symbol

Public/Institutional Zoning District

PI

Open Space/Recreation Zoning Districts

Name

Symbol

Open Space and Recreation 1

OSR1

Open Space and Recreation 2

OSR2

C. Relationship between Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Designations and Zoning Districts.

Land Use Designation

Land Use Zoning District

Air Corridor 1 (AC1)

Clear Zone (CZ)

Air Corridor 1 (AC1)

Air Corridor 2 (AC2)

Air Corridor 2 (AC2)

Clear Zone (CZ)

Air Corridor 1 (AC1)

Air Corridor 2 (AC2)

Arterial Corridor (ARC)

Arterial Residential/Commercial (ARC)

Corridor Commercial (CC)

The Transit-Oriented Commercial (TOC) only within Lakewood Station District

Commercial 1 (C1)

Commercial 2 (C2)

Commercial 3 (C3)

Downtown

Central Business District (CBD)

High-Density Multifamily (HD)

Multifamily 2 (MF2)

Multifamily 3 (MF3)

Industrial (I)

Industrial Business Park (IBP)

Industrial 1 (I1)

Industrial 2 (I2)

Public and Semi-Public Institutional (PI)

Public Institutional (PI)

Multifamily (MF)

Multifamily 1 (MF1)

Military Lands (ML)

Military Lands (ML)

Mixed Residential (MR)

Mixed Residential 1 (MR1)

Mixed Residential 2 (MR2)

Neighborhood Business District (NBD)

Neighborhood Commercial 1 (NC1)

Neighborhood Commercial 2 (NC2)

Open Space and Recreation (OSR)

Open Space and Recreation 1 (OSR1)

Open Space and Recreation 2 (OSR2)

Residential Estate (RE)

Residential 1 (R1)

Residential 2 (R2)

Single-Family (SF)

Residential 3 (R3)

Residential 4 (R4)

D. Purpose and Applicability of Zoning Districts.

1. Single-Family Residential Zoning Districts.

a. Purpose. The Residential 1 (R1) and Residential 2 (R2) zoning districts provide for a continuation of large residential lots in specific areas where a pattern of large lots and extensive tree coverage exists. These zoning districts seek to preserve the identity of these residential areas, preserve significant tree stands and riparian environments along lake shores and within stream corridors, and reduce traffic volumes in the east-west arterial corridors.

The Residential 3 (R3) and Residential 4 (R4) zoning districts are the City’s primary residential zones, which provide for single-family dwellings in established residential neighborhoods. The Residential 4 (R4) designation provides for increased residential density through smaller lot sizes and allowance for residential development comprising two (2) units per lot.

b. Applicability. The R1 and R2 zoning districts are applicable to lands designated Residential Estate in the comprehensive plan.

The R3 and R4 zoning districts are applicable to lands designated Single-Family in the comprehensive plan.

2. Mixed Residential Zoning Districts.

a. Purpose. The Mixed Residential 1 (MR1) and Mixed Residential 2 (MR2) zoning districts promote residential renewal to small-lot detached single-family residential dwellings, attached single-family dwellings, and two-family residential development. Small scale multifamily residential is permitted in the MR-2 zone. These districts provide for moderate residential density using a variety of urban housing types and designs. The mix of housing may take a variety of forms, either mixed within a single site or mixed within a general area, with varied dwelling types. Development standards for the Mixed Residential zoning districts are intended to encourage increased residential densities.

b. Applicability – Mixed Residential Zoning Districts. The MR1 and MR2 zoning districts are applicable to land designated Mixed Residential in the comprehensive plan.

3. Multifamily Zoning Districts.

a. Purpose. The Multifamily 1 (MF1) zoning district provides for a variety of medium-density housing types and designs offering a wide choice of living accommodations for famlies of diverse composition and lifestyles. The designation incorporates a combination of urban design elements to enhance the living environment while integrating the housing into a neighborhood. Urban design elements such as private and public open space, pedestrian orientation and connections, and security are integrated into the housing to create a high standard of community cohesion and character.

The Multifamily 2 (MF2) zoning district provides for high-density housing types and designs, especially of a multiple-story design, that combine urban design elements to enhance the living environment. Urban design elements stress pedestrian orientation and connections, security, transportation, and integration of housing.

The Multifamily 3 (MF3) zoning district is intended to integrate urban, high-density, multi-story housing in close proximity to a principal or minor arterial, with commercial/residential districts. The MF 3 zoning districts are predominantly located adjacent to land zoned NC2, CBD, or SD.

b. Applicability – Multifamily Zoning Districts. The MF1 zoning district is applicable to lands designated Multifamily in the comprehensive plan.

The MF2 and MF3 zoning districts are applicable to lands designated High Density Multifamily in the comprehensive plan.

4. Neighborhood Business Zoning Districts.

a. Purpose. The Arterial Residential/Commercial (ARC) zoning district provides for continuance of residential uses, many of which are existing, along busy City streets while permitting the incorporation of low-intensity and low-impact commercial uses into these compact areas.

The Neighborhood Commercial 1 (NC1) zoning district is intended to foster a sense of neighborhood identity and provide limited services within a neighborhood. The district provides for a small-scale mix of activities, including residential, retail, office, and local services, which serve the surrounding neighborhood.

The Neighborhood Commercial 2 (NC2) zoning district is intended to foster a sense of urban community in Lakewood. The district provides for a concentrated mix of activities, including residential, retail, office, and local services, which may serve the surrounding neighborhood or may serve more than one (1) neighborhood and attract people from other areas.

b. Applicability. The ARC zoning district is applicable to lands designated Arterial Corridor in the comprehensive plan.

The NC1 and NC2 zoning districts are applicable to lands designated Neighborhood Business District in the comprehensive plan.

5. Commercial Zoning Districts.

a. Purpose. The Transit-Oriented Commercial (TOC) zoning district is an interactive mixture of uses which focus on regional transportation networks while providing for urban design, people orientation, and connectivity between uses and transportation routes.

The Central Business District (CBD) zoning district is the primary retail, office, social, urban residential, and government center of the City. The complementary and interactive mixture of uses and urban design provides for a regional intensity and viability with a local character. The regional focus and vitality of the district is evident in the urban density, intensity, and composition of the uses in the district. Local character is reflected in the district’s design, people orientation, and connectivity between uses, structures, and public spaces, that foster a sense of community.

The Commercial 1 (C1), Commercial 2 (C2), and Commercial 3 (C3) zoning districts promote employment, services, retail, and business uses serving and linking neighborhoods to Lakewood’s major transportation networks. The geographic relationship of the corridors to major road networks and their limited integration with adjacent neighborhoods promote employment, services, retail, and business/light industrial uses linked to access the major transportation networks. The C3 zoning district is distinguished by its arterial location and focus on “big-box” type uses which form an anchor for a large-scale commercial development.

b. Applicability. The TOC zoning district is only applicable to lands designated Corridor Commercial in the comprehensive plan that are also within the Lakewood Station District established in the comprehensive plan.

The CBD zoning district is applicable to lands designated Central Business District in the comprehensive plan.

The C1, C2, and C3 zoning districts are applicable to lands designated Corridor Commercial in the comprehensive plan.

6. Industrial Zoning Districts.

a. Purpose. The Industrial Business Park (IBP) zoning district provides for a coordination of uses and design to facilitate an active integration of employment, services, and business/light industrial uses.

The Industrial 1 (I1) zoning district provides for regional research, light manufacturing, warehousing, concentrated business/employment parks, and other major regional employment uses. These industrial lands are the primary working areas of Lakewood, integrated into the community economically and environmentally while maximizing a regional economic presence based on Lakewood’s geographic position.

The Industrial 2 (I2) zoning district provides for high-intensity or high-impact uses and major regional employers.

b. Applicability. The IBP, I1, and I2 zoning district are applicable to lands designated Industrial in the comprehensive plan.

7. Military-Related Zoning Districts.

a. Purpose. The Military Lands (ML) zoning district formally recognizes the autonomy associated with federal and state ownership of the military installations adjacent to and within Lakewood and the unique character of their operations and support structures, which are not typical of civilian land uses and require special consideration by the City as a host community for the installations.

The purpose of the Clear Zone (CZ), Air Corridor 1 (AC1), and Air Corridor 2 (AC2) zoning districts is to promote land use and development that is compatible with the aircraft noise and accident potential associated with the proximity to McChord Air Force Base (AFB) aircraft flight operations. The potential risk to life and property from hazards associated with military aircraft operations necessitates control of the intensity, type, and design of land uses within the air corridor.

b. Applicability. The ML zoning district is applicable to lands designated Military Lands in the comprehensive plan.

The CZ, AC1, and AC2 zoning districts are applicable to lands located within the area designated as Air Corridor 1 and Air Corridor 2 in the comprehensive plan and within the area identified as the Clear Zone in the most recent JBLM Air Installation Compatible (AICUZ) study. The AICUZ study is available for review at the Lakewood Community and Economic Development Department or by contacting Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).

8. Public/Institutional Zoning District.

a. Purpose. The Public/Institutional (PI) zoning district provides for moderate-scale and large-scale activities relating to the purpose of state and local governmental entities, except for military uses which are separately designated and zoned; special districts; and semi-public institutions providing necessary public services. The designation allows for the specialized needs of providing public services to all areas of Lakewood.

b. Applicability. The PI zoning district is applicable to lands designated Public and Semi-Public Institutional in the comprehensive plan.

9. Open Space/Recreation Zoning Districts.

a. Purpose. The Open Space and Recreation 1 (OSR1) and Open Space and Recreation 2 (OSR2) zoning districts provide for open space and public or semi-public recreational activities throughout the City.

b. Applicability. The OSR1 and OSR2 zoning districts are applicable to lands designated Open Space and Recreation in the comprehensive plan.

Unless otherwise shown on the official zoning map, all open bodies of water, including, but not limited to, American Lake, Lake Steilacoom, Gravelly Lake, Lake Louise, Waughop Lake, Wards Lake, Seeley Lake, Boyles Lake, Carp Lake, Lost Lake, Mud Lake and Barlow Pond, shall be considered to be within the OSR1 zoning district.

In addition, the OSR1 and OSR2 zoning districts are considered compatible with and may be applied to areas within all other comprehensive plan land use designations. The OSR1 zoning district zoning district may be applied to publicly or privately owned or controlled property used for natural open space and passive recreation. The OSR2 zoning district may be applied to privately and publicly owned active recreational uses and cemeteries. [Ord. 726 § 2 (Exh. B), 2019.]