Interim Zoning - Ordinance 25-0676

Updated January 29, 2026

Meridian Corridor Development Regulations

The City Council adopted an updated Comprehensive Plan in December 2024, which includes updates to several goals and policies regarding development in the Town Center and Commercial zoning districts. Since this update, City staff have received an increased frequency of inquiries regarding potential single-use residential developments along Meridian Ave E (SR 161).  In response, the City amended Edgewood Municipal Code (EMC) Section 18.80.080 by adopting Ordinance 26-0698 on January 27, 2026, to preserve frontages in these zones for non-residential development, in order to implement the updated goals and policies contained in the Comprehensive Plan and remain compliant with the Growth Management Act (GMA).

With the adoption of Ordinance 26-0698, Interim Zoning Ordinance 25-0676 has been repealed and is no longer effective. For more information about this former legislation, please see the Background section below.

Timeline

Here are the public meetings that took place:

Background

To ensure the intended non-residential character of these zoning districts is preserved while permanent regulations can be crafted, the City Council adopted Ordinance 25-0676 on March 25, 2025. The critical items addressed in this Interim Zoning Ordinance are summarized as follows:

  • Clarifies the purpose of the Town Center (TC), Commercial (C), and Business Park (BP) zoning districts
  • Prohibits single-use residential projects in the TC and C zoning districts
  • Prohibits all new residential projects in the BP zoning district
  • Continues allowing single- and mixed-use residential in the Mixed Use Residential (MUR) zoning district
  • Requires all properties in these zoning districts that abut arterial roadways (Meridian Ave E, Emerald St E, 8th St E, 24th St E) to develop permissible non-residential uses within 200 feet of said roadway, while allowing for mixed use (residential and commercial) if 50% of the building footprint area (ground floor) is a commercial use
  • Removes the ability to simply "preserve", or set aside, the required frontage area "for future retail or office type commercial uses"
  • Removes the allowance for vertical mixed use projects to develop ground floor residential if converted to commercial within three years of occupancy (this provision was added several years ago as another incentive, but to date had not been utilized)

This Interim Zoning Ordinance was deemed necessary (pursuant to RCW 36.70A.390) to allow adequate time for the City to adopt permanent development regulations. RCW 36.70A.390 authorizes the City Council to adopt an interim zoning control ordinance for one (1) or more six (6) month periods without first holding a public hearing on the proposed interim zoning control ordinance, so long as a public hearing is held within 60 days of its adoption. This public hearing was held on May 13, 2025 (meeting materials), where no public comments were provided. 

The City is authorized under RCW 35A.63.220 and 36.70A.390 to pass an interim zoning and official control ordinance for up to one (1) year if a work plan is developed for related studies providing for such a longer period. Staff worked with the Planning Commission and City Council to develop Ordinance 26-0698, which was adopted on January 27, 2026 (see above).

If you have any questions about this process and the final ordinance, please contact city planning staff at comdev@cityofedgewood.org.