12.14.120 Building height – Exceptions to limit.
The following structures may be erected above the height limits as set forth in BMC 12.14.110:
A. Roof structures housing or screening ventilating fans, HVAC (heating and cooling equipment), or similar equipment required for building operation and maintenance;
B. Fire or parapet walls, flagpoles, chimneys, smokestacks, communication transmission and receiving structures, utility line towers and poles, water towers/storage tanks, and similar structures;
C. On properties with any of the following zoning designations: R 2,800, R-AC, OP, NB, CB, CG, or LI, architectural elements including, but not limited to, peaked roofs and steeples; provided, that the increase in height shall not increase usable floor area;
D. Structures containing certain manufacturing processes within the Canyon Park regional activity center, in accordance with BMC 12.48.020, or the North Creek regional activity center, in accordance with BMC 12.56.080;
E. Repealed.
F. Primary and secondary schools in the R 40,000, R 9,600, R 8,400, R 7,200, R 5,400d, R 5,400a, and R 4,000 zones, through the conditional use permit process, in accordance with the following:
1. The maximum height for school buildings shall be 35 feet except as provided in subsection (F)(2) of this section.
2. Architectural elements which do not increase usable floor area, including but not limited to peaked roofs, may extend above 35 feet but in no case shall exceed a height of 55 feet, subject to the following:
a. For each one foot of building height over 35 feet, the required building setback shall be increased one foot from street property lines and two feet from interior property lines. Such increased setbacks shall apply only to that portion of the building exceeding 35 feet in height.
b. For each one foot of building height over 35 feet, the required interior lot line landscaping width shall be increased 0.25 foot (three inches) along those interior lot lines from which the portion of the building over 35 feet is visible.
c. Additional site and building design requirements may be imposed through the conditional use permit process if deemed necessary to mitigate the visual impacts of buildings over the normal height limit and otherwise ensure that such buildings comply with the criteria for approval of conditional use permits, as set forth in BMC 12.28.040. (Ord. 2025 § 2 (Exh. C), 2009; Ord. 1946 § 2, 2005; Ord. 1922 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1876 § 2, 2002; Ord. 1815 § 1, 2000; Ord. 1629 § 1, 1996. Formerly 12.14.130).