N Definitions.
Native Growth Protection Area (NGPA). An area where native vegetation is preserved for the purpose of preventing harm to property and the environment, including but not limited to providing open space, maintaining wildlife corridors, maintaining slope stability, controlling runoff and erosion, and/or any other purpose designated by approval.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Native Soils. Soils that are naturally occurring and native to Western Washington and that have not been disturbed or modified.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Native Soil (Cultural Resources). Soil or dirt in which the natural stratigraphy is generally undisturbed while allowing for minor disturbances from natural and weather events, changes in natural features such as vegetation and hydrology, and from animal and prehistoric human activities. (Ord. 2982)
Effective on: 1/2/2020
Native Vegetation. Those plants which are indigenous to the coastal Pacific Northwest. It does not include lawns, but does include native grasses, such as bunchgrass. (Resource for identifying native plants: Pojar, Jim and MacKinnon, Andy. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska. Redmond, WA: Lone Pine Publishing, 1994). (SMP)
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Natural and Other Recreational Parks. Public and private park and recreation facilities that do not fall within another specific park definition in this code. The natural and other recreational parks use class includes the former parks, open space, trails and gardens use class, described as wildlife refuges; wetland, stream, and wildlife mitigation areas; arboretums; pea patches; and play areas. (Ord. 3083)
Effective on: 7/2/2022
Neighborhood Character. The various elements of a neighborhood that give it a distinct “personality,” including but not limited to land uses (e.g., residential/commercial mix and population), urban design (e.g., bulk, scale, form), visual resources (e.g., public view corridors and vistas), historic resources (e.g., historic landmarks), natural features (e.g., streams and steep slopes), and physical features (e.g., streets and public places).
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Neon Sign. A sign with a light source supplied by a neon tube which is bent to form letters, symbols, or other shapes.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Net Buildable Area. The area of a lot excluding any areas where building is prohibited.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
New Customers of Electrical Utility Facility. Electric service locations not already in existence as of the date that electric utility facilities are constructed pursuant to the land division exemption in RZC 21.74.010.B.2.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Noise. See RMC Chapter 6.36, Noise Standards.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Noise Wall. A wall typically placed around the perimeter of the property constructed of durable and decorative materials to mitigate the impact of noise exclusive of berms and limited to eight feet in height unless approved by the Technical Committee.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Nonconforming Lot, Legal. A lot, the area, dimensions, or location of which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision, or amendment of the zoning ordinance but that fails by reason of such adoption, revision, or amendment to conform to the present requirements of the zoning district.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Nonconforming Sign. An advertising structure or sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior to the adoption of the zoning ordinance, and which has subsequently come under the requirements of the zoning ordinance, but does not now completely comply.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Nonconforming Structure, Illegal. A structure or building, the size, dimensions, or location of which was not lawfully built according to the zoning ordinance that was in effect at the time.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Nonconforming Structure, Legal. A structure or building, the size, dimensions, or location of which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision, or amendment to the zoning ordinance but that fails by reason of such adoption, revision, or amendment to conform to the present requirements of the zoning district.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Nonconforming Use, Illegal. A use or activity which was not permitted by the zoning ordinance that was in effect at the time the use or activity began.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Nonconforming Use, Legal. A use or activity that was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of the zoning ordinance but that fails by reason of such adoption, revision, or amendment to conform to the present requirements of the zoning district.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Nonconforming Use or Development. A shoreline use or development which was lawfully constructed or established prior to the effective date of the act or the applicable master program, or amendments thereto, but which does not conform to present regulations or standards of the program. (SMP)
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Non-Water-Oriented Use. Those uses that are not water-dependent, water-related, or water-enjoyment uses. (SMP)
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Northwest Adaptive Vegetation, Plants. A tree, shrub or groundcover plant of a species that is not native to Western Washington but is adapted to the Pacific Northwest climate and region for growing conditions and success of survivability.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Nude or Semi-Nude Model Studio. Any place where a person, who appears nude or semi-nude, or who displays any specified anatomical areas, is provided for money or any other form of consideration, to be observed, sketched, drawn, painted, sculptured, photographed, or similarly depicted by other persons. The following uses are exceptions from the definition of a “nude or semi-nude model studio”:
1. A proprietary school licensed by the State of Washington;
2. A junior college, college, or university supported partly or entirely by taxation;
3. A private college or university that maintains and operates educational programs in which credits are transferable to a junior college, college, or university supported partly or entirely by taxation; or
4. A place housed in a structure:
a. that has no sign visible from the exterior of the structure and no other advertising that indicates a nude or semi-nude person is available for viewing; and
b. where, in order to participate in a class, a student must enroll at least three days in advance of the class.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Nursery and Preschool. An establishment furnishing early learning and activities for children under grade school age.
Effective on: 4/16/2011
Nursing, Supervision, and Other Rehabilitative Services. The provision of inpatient nursing and rehabilitative services by licensed health care staff in establishments that can accommodate patients for extended care.
Effective on: 4/16/2011