“Salmonid” means a member of the fish family salmonidae including: chinook, coho, chum, sockeye, and pink salmon; rainbow, steelhead, searun cutthroat, cutthroat trout, brown and bull trout; brook and Dolly Varden char; kokanee and whitefish.

“Scenic corridor” means any strip of land adjacent to public roadways that is visible to the motoring public and has natural aesthetic significance.

“Scenic easement” means an easement, the purpose of which is to limit development or protect a view or scenic area.

“School” means a place for systematic instruction in any branch or branches of knowledge.

School, Elementary. See “Elementary school.”

School, High. See “High school.”

School, Middle. See “Middle school.”

Schools, Other. See “Other schools.”

“Screening” means a device or materials used to conceal adjacent land or development. Screening may include walls, berms, or vegetation that must be of sufficient density to block the view of adjacent land or development from either side of the screen. The screen, if vegetative, shall be planted and maintained to completely block the view of adjacent land or development after 12 months. The screen shall be maintained or constructed at such a density as to block the view to adjacent properties.

“Scrub-shrub wetland” means a regulated wetland with at least 30 percent of its surface area covered by woody vegetation less than 20 feet in height as the uppermost strata.

“Seating capacity” means the actual number of people that can be accommodated in an area based upon the number of seats, or one seat per 20 inches of bench or pew length. For other areas where seats are not fixed, the seating capacity shall be determined by the building code of the city of Stanwood.

“Seminary” means an educational institution for religious study.

“Septage” or “domestic septage” means a liquid or solid material removed from septic tanks, cesspools, portable toilets, type III marine sanitation devices, vault toilets, pit toilets, RV holding tanks, or similar systems that receive only domestic sewage. Septage may also include commercial or industrial septage mixed with domestic septage if approved in accordance with the provisions in WAC 173-308-020(3)(g).

“Septage facility” means a facility which receives septage and/or domestic septage for the purpose of treating and/or processing.

“Setback” means the horizontal distance between the front line, sideline, or rear line of the building site to the front, side, or rear of the building or structure, respectively. Setbacks shall be measured perpendicular to and parallel with property or right-of-way lines and footprint of the building or structure. Where any building or structure is not built parallel to any property line, the setback distance shall be measured perpendicular from that part of the building or structure which is closest to the relevant property line. The front, rear and side yard setbacks established for the various uses in the different zoning districts in this code are the lines beyond which no part of a building may project, except as may be otherwise provided in this code.

“Sewage lift station” means the station in a sewer system where the wastewater needs to be pumped (lifted) to a higher elevation so that gravity can be used to bring the wastewater to the treatment plant.

“Sewage treatment plant” means any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage and does not include the definition of septage facility.

“Shoe repair” means an establishment providing shoe repair services, and it may also sell shoes and shoe-related items.

“Shopping center” means a group of architecturally unified commercial establishments built on a site that is planned, developed, owned, and managed as an operating unit related in its location, size and type of shops to the trade area which the unit serves.

“Shorelands or shoreland areas” (SMP) means those lands under the jurisdiction of the Shoreline Management Act extending landward for 200 feet in all directions as measured on a horizontal plane from the ordinary high water mark; floodways and contiguous floodplain areas landward 200 feet from such floodways; and all wetlands and river deltas associated with the streams, lakes, and tidal waters that are subject to the provisions of the Shoreline Management Act, Chapter 90.58 RCW; the same to be designated as to location by the Department of Ecology.

“Shoreline areas” (SMP) means all “shorelines of the state” and “shorelands.”

“Shoreline stabilization” (SMP) means structural and nonstructural methods to address erosion impacts to property and dwellings, businesses, or structures caused by natural processes, such as currents, floods, tides, wind, or wave action.

“Shorelines of statewide significance” partially or completely within the city means the following shorelines:

“Short plat” means the map or representation of a short subdivision showing thereon the division of a tract or parcel of land into lots, blocks, streets and alleys, or other divisions.

“Short subdivision” means the division or redivision of land into nine or fewer lots, tracts, parcels, sites or divisions for the purpose of gift, sale, lease or development.

“Short term rehab facility” means a skilled nursing facility that provides in-patient intensive physical, occupational and speech/swallowing therapy and registered nurse medication and treatment management under the supervision of the physician after an admission to the hospital. Length of stay is generally 30 days or less before patient returns home.

“Should” (SMP) means, in areas that are subject to the provisions of the Shoreline Management Act, Chapter 90.58 RCW, that a particular action is required unless there is a demonstrated, compelling reason, based on policy of the Shoreline Management Act and this chapter, against taking the action. The director, in consultation with the DOE, shall make the determination about whether or not an applicant has demonstrated that there is a compelling reason against taking an action.

“Side lot line” means any lot line that, as defined by this code, does not constitute a front or rear lot line.

“Side yard” means a yard between the side line of the lot and the nearest line of the principal building and extending from the front yard to the rear yard, or, in the absence of either of such yards, to the front or rear lot line, as the case may be, except that on a corner lot the side yard adjacent to a street shall extend the full depth of the lot.

“Sidewalk” means that portion of a transition strip improved for pedestrian traffic in accordance with standards fixed by the public works director. “Transitions strip” means that portion of the public street abutting a tract of land lying between the traveled portion of the street and the property lines.

“Sign” means letters, figures, symbols, trademarks, or logos, with or without illumination, intended to identify any place, subject, person, firm, business, product, article, merchandise or point of sale. A sign also includes balloons attached to sign structures, products, streamers, spinners, pennants, flags, inflatables or similar devices intended to attract attention to a place or business, as well as architectural or structural forms, illuminated panels, spandrels, awnings and other structural or architectural features not common to classic vernacular or noncorporate regional architecture and that are intended to convey a brand, message or otherwise advertise a location or product, whether or not such features include text or graphics and whether or not they serve other practical purposes such as lighting, covering or enclosure of persons or products. A sign includes any device which streams, televises or otherwise conveys electronic visual messages, pictures, videos or images, with or without sound or odors. A sign does not include letters, figures, symbols, trademarks, or logos wholly within the interior of a building and not visible from the exterior of a building or visible but more than three feet away from a transparent door or window.

Sign, Blade. “Blade sign” means a sign other than a wall sign that is attached to an architectural feature of a building, is suspended horizontally, projects more than six inches from the building, and hangs over a sidewalk or walkway.

Sign, Business. “Business sign” means a sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service or activity conducted or offered upon the premises where the sign is located.

“Sign face” means the portion of a sign that is or may be used for copy.

Sign, Freestanding. See “Freestanding sign.”

Sign, Gross Area. The “gross area” of a sign shall be the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of such a sign. However, such perimeter shall not include any structural elements lying outside the limits of such a sign and not forming an integral part of the display.

Sign, Ground. “Ground sign” means a sign supported by uprights or braces placed on or in the ground and not attached in any manner to a building or structure.

Sign, Group. “Group sign” means a sign or signs on one sign structure serving two or more businesses sharing a parking facility.

Sign, Identification. “Identification sign” means a sign on the premises bearing the name of a residential development, the name of a group housing project or of a school, college, park, church or other public or quasi-public facility, or a professional or firm nameplate, and bearing information identifying, but not describing, occupancy of the premises on which such sign is located.

Sign, Monument. “Monument sign” means a sign detached from any building that is supported upon the ground by a solid base with no opening between the base and the sign.

Sign, Occupancy. “Occupancy sign” means a sign on the premises bearing the name or address of the piece of property, the name of the owner or resident, and/or any permitted home occupation, and bearing information pertaining only to the premises on which such sign is located.

Sign, Off-Premises. “Off-premises sign” means a sign that draws attention to or communicates information about a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise or activity that exists or is conducted, sold, offered, maintained, or provided at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.

Sign, On-Premises. “On-premises sign” means a sign that draws attention to or communicates information about a business, service, commodity, accommodation, attraction, or other enterprise or activity that exists or is conducted, sold, offered, maintained, or provided on the premises where the sign is located.

Sign, Outdoor Advertising. “Outdoor advertising sign” means any card, cloth, paper, metal, painted, glass, wooden, plaster, stone, or other sign of any kind or character, placed for outdoor advertising purposes on the ground or on any tree, wall, rock, post, fence, bush, building, structure, or thing whatsoever. The term “placed” as used in the definition of “outdoor advertising sign” and “outdoor advertising structure” shall include erecting, constructing, posting, painting, printing, tacking, nailing, gluing, sticking, carving, or other fastening, affixing, or making visible in any manner.

Sign, Portable. “Portable sign” shall mean signs or poster boards of any material which are capable of being moved by one person without machinery from one location to another for the purpose of advertisement or announcement for business or other purposes. The term “portable sign” includes, but is not limited to, signs mounted on trailers and signs mounted on frames placed on the surface of any lot.

Sign, Projecting. “Projecting sign” means a sign other than a wall sign that is attached to and projects from a building. This definition includes clocks and other structures that call attention to and advertise a location.

Sign, Readerboard. “Readerboard sign” means a sign with a face that allows changeable text.

“Sign structure” means any construction used or designated to support a sign.

Sign, Temporary. “Temporary sign” means any sign that is used temporarily and is not permanently mounted, painted or otherwise affixed, excluding signs addressed in SMC 17.110.080 and 17.110.085, including any poster, banner, placard, stake sign or sign not placed in the ground with concrete or other means to provide permanent support, stability and rot prevention. Temporary signs may only be made of nondurable materials including, but not limited to, paper, corrugated board, flexible, bendable or foldable plastics, foamcore board, vinyl canvas or vinyl mesh products of less than 20 oz. fabric, vinyl canvas and vinyl mesh products without polymeric plasticizers and signs painted or drawn with water soluble paints or chalks. Signs made of any other materials shall be considered permanent and are subject to the permanent sign regulations of Chapter 17.110 SMC.

Sign, Wall. “Wall sign” means a sign that is in any manner affixed to the exterior wall of a building and that projects not more than 16 inches from the building wall, provided the copy area of such signs remains on a parallel plane to the face of the building facade.

“Significant natural area” means land and/or water areas of major environmental value, including fish or wildlife habitat areas, valuable biological or natural productivity areas, and unique or fragile ecological units or ecosystems that require special treatment and protection.

“Significant tree” means an existing, healthy tree which, when measured four and one-half feet above grade, has a minimum diameter of eight inches, as measured according to the International Society of Arboriculture’s “Guide for Plant Appraisal,” most recent edition.

“Single-family dwelling” means a detached building designed for or occupied exclusively by one family.

“Single owner” means a person who or entity which alone has legal or equitable title to any property in question.

“Site development permit” means the permit used to provide a coordinated review of zoning and other development regulations and to ensure that proposed site development complies with the city’s comprehensive plan, zoning regulations, public works standards and other applicable development regulations.

“Site plan” means a graphic and textual presentation of a development proposal in accordance with the appropriate sections of this code.

“Skating rink” means a surface for ice skating or roller skating located indoors or outdoors.

“Skilled nursing facility” means a state and Medicare licensed skilled nursing facility where tenants require the services of a licensed nurse (RN and LPN) or therapist (PT, OT, ST) on a daily basis. Direct care for activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and grooming are provided by certified nursing assistants. Residents are provided housing, meals, activities, and therapy by an interdisciplinary team consisting of social workers, activity staff, direct care givers and nurses under the supervision of their doctor.

“Slaughterhouse” means an establishment where animals are butchered for market.

“Slum” means a building or area that is unkempt, deteriorating, hazardous, unsanitary, or lacking in standard facilities, including electricity, potable water and sanitary sewerage facilities.

“Small animal husbandry (commercial)” means the raising of mink, fox, nutria, rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, guinea hens and similar small animals and fowl not for the primary consumption of or use by the occupants of the premises.

“Small animal husbandry (noncommercial)” means the raising of small animals for the primary consumption of or used by the occupants of the premises.

“Small appliance and tool” means an establishment repairing a wide variety of electrical, gas and mechanical appliances and tools.

“Small engines” means an establishment repairing small engines (excluding automobiles).

“Smokescope” means an optical instrument specifically designed for estimating the density of smoke or stack effluent.

“Soil” means the surface layer of the earth, supporting plant life.

“Soil removal” means removal of any kind of soil or earth matter, including top soil, sand, gravel, clay, rock or similar materials or combination thereof, except for the purposes of common household gardening or maintenance.

“Sole source aquifer” means a groundwater resource so designated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Solid waste disposal/recycling center” means a facility providing solid waste disposal or sorting and/or processing of recycled material for resale.

“Special use” means a use permitted in one or more districts, but because of special characteristics peculiar to the use of the site requires a special degree of control to make such uses consistent with and compatible to other existing or permitted uses.

“Species” means any group of animals classified as a species or subspecies as commonly accepted by the scientific community.

“Species, endangered” means any fish or wildlife species that is threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range and is listed by the state or federal government as an endangered species.

“Species of local importance” means those species of local concern due to their population status or their sensitivity to habitat manipulation, or that are game species.

“Species, priority” means any fish or wildlife species requiring protective measures and/or management guidelines to ensure their persistence at genetically viable population levels as classified by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, including endangered, threatened, sensitive, candidate and monitor species, and those of recreational, commercial, or tribal importance.

“Species, threatened” means any fish or wildlife species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout a significant portion of its range without cooperative management or removal of threats, and is listed by the state or federal government as a threatened species.

“Spill” means the unpermitted release or escape of a regulated substance directly or indirectly to soils, surface waters, or groundwaters.

“Sporting goods store” means an establishment selling equipment and clothing for outdoor use and athletic activities.

“Standards (groundwater)” means standards established by EPA regulations and/or state of Washington regulations, which are represented by health-based numbers such as the maximum contaminant levels (MCL).

“Start of construction” includes substantial improvement and means the date the building permit was issued, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, placement or other improvement was within 180 days of the permit date. The “actual start” means either the first placement of permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as the pouring of slab or footings, the installation of piles, the construction of columns, or any work beyond the stage of excavation; or the placement of a manufactured home on a foundation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, such as clearing, grading and filling; nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways; nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers, or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings, such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main structure. For a substantial improvement, the “actual start of construction” means either the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building.

“Stationery store” means an establishment selling greeting cards, wrapping paper, writing paper and supplies, office supplies and miscellaneous gifts.

“Storage” means the safekeeping of any goods or products in an unoccupied space for eventual removal not expected within 72 hours or for continuous replacement by same or similar goods or products.

“Storage, commercial detached accessory” means the safekeeping of any goods or products used for a commercial activity within a detached subordinate structure located on the same lot as the primary structure, the use of which is clearly incidental to that of the main building or to the principal use of the land.

Storage, Outside or Outdoor. See “Outside storage” or “outdoor storage.”

“Story” means that portion of a building, other than a cellar or mezzanine, included between the surface of any floor and the floor next above it, or if there be no floor above it, then the space between the floor and the ceiling next above it. A mezzanine shall be deemed a full story when it covers more than 33 percent of the area of the story underneath said mezzanine, or if the vertical distance from the floor next below it to the floor next above it is 24 feet or more.

Story, First. See “First story.”

“Stream” means water contained within a channel, either perennial or intermittent, and classified according to WAC 222-16-030 and as listed under water typing system. Streams also include natural watercourses modified by man. Streams do not include irrigation ditches, waste ways, drains, outfalls, operational spillways, channels, stormwater runoff facilities or other wholly artificial watercourses, except those that directly result from the modification to a natural watercourse.

“Stream typing system” means classification of streams according to WAC 222-16-031 as listed under SMC 17.125.050.

“Street” means a public thoroughfare which provides the principal means of access to abutting properties including an avenue, drive, boulevard, parkway, highway and any similar way, but not including an alley.

“Street line” means the dividing line between any street, road or other thoroughfare and the adjacent lots.

Street, Public. See “Public street.”

“Structural alteration” means any material or dimensional changes in the structural elements of a building such as bearing walls, columns, beams, and roofs.

“Structural trim” means the molding, battens, capping, nailing strips, latticing, and platforms that are attached to a sign structure.

“Structure” means anything constructed or erected that requires permanent location on the ground or attachment to something having location. A building is always a structure; a structure may or may not be a building. (For the purposes of this code, the term “structure” shall not be construed to include any roadway, driveway, at-grade paved parking lots, patio or courtyard, or any other paved surface, or swimming pool.)

“Structure,” for the purpose of Chapter 17.120 SMC, Critical Areas – Frequently Flooded Areas – Specific Standards, shall mean a walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid tank, which is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home.

“Subdivider” means any person, firm or corporation proposing to make, or have made, a subdivision.

“Subdivision” means the division of land into five or more lots, tract parcels, sites or other divisions of land for the purpose of transfer, sale, or lease and includes all resubdivision of land. The division of land shall be cumulative over any period of time. This definition applies whether or not a dedication is involved.

“Substantial damage” for the purpose of Chapter 17.120 SMC, Critical Areas – Frequently Flooded Areas – Specific Standards, shall mean damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damage condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

“Substantial expenditure,” with regard to projects that have been approved for development under the terms of this code, shall constitute at least 10 percent of the total, expected cost to complete the project as it was approved. The total expected cost shall be derived from the cost figures used in the application for the building permit for the project, less the cost of the land.

“Substantial improvement” means any repair, reconstruction, or improvement to a structure taking place during last 24-month period, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure either:

“Surface water” means waters that flow over the land surface and frequently interact with groundwater.

“Swimming pool” means any in-ground or above-ground structure designed for swimming, wading or other aquatic recreational purposes. (Ord. 1486 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 1449 § 2, 2017; Ord. 1444 § 4, 2017; Ord. 1440 § 2, 2017; Ord. 1418 § 5, 2016; Ord. 1398 § 14, 2015; Ord. 1377 §§ 1 – 3, 2014; Ord. 1373 § 17, 2014; Ord. 1349 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1323 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1308 § 5, 2012; Ord. 1294 § 5, 2011; Ord. 1276 §§ 1, 2, 2010; Ord. 1262 §§ 3, 4, 5, 2010; Ord. 1253 §§ 23, 24, 2009; Ord. 1252 §§ 1, 2, 2009; Ord. 1250 § 6, 2009; Ord. 1164 § 4, 2004; Ord. 1123 § 2, 2002; Ord. 1110 § 3, 2002; Ord. 1094 § 1, 2000; Ord. 929 Ch. 5, 1995).