CITY OF DES MOINES SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM

Des Moines Shoreline Master Program
Bulkhead 2 . A wall, seawall, embankment or other structure erected parallel to the shoreline that
retains or prevents sliding or erosion of land or protects land from wave action.
Bungalow court 3 . A group of three or more detached one-story, one-family, or duplex dwellings
located upon a single lot or building site, together with all open spaces required by this title.
Business or commerce 3 . The purchase, sale, offering for sale, or other transaction involving the
handling or disposition of any article, service, substance, or commodity for livelihood or profit;
or the management or occupancy of the office buildings, offices, recreational, or amusement
enterprises; or the maintenance and use of buildings, offices, structures, or premises by
professions and trades or persons rendering services.
Camp, public 3 . Any area or tract of land used or designed to accommodate two or more
camping parties, including cabins, tents, camping trailers, or other camping outfits.
Carrying Capacity 2 . The ability of a natural or man-made system to absorb population growth
or physical development without significant degradation or breakdown.
Channel bottom 3 . The submerged portion of the stream cross-section which is totally an aquatic
environment. The channel bottom may be seasonally dry.
Channel migration zone (CMZ) 1 . The area along a river within which the channel(s) can be
reasonably predicted to migrate over time as a result of natural and normally occurring
hydrological and related processes when considered with the characteristics of the river and its
surroundings.
Clearing 3 . The destruction and removal of vegetation by burning, mechanical, or chemical
methods.
Coastal Zone Atlas of Washington 3 . A document prepared by the Washington State
Department of Ecology (publication No. DOE 77-21-6) to assist local governments in making
land and water use decisions for the shoreline areas and marine aquatic areas under their
jurisdiction. The document contains the following coastal surveys: geology, slope stability,
flooding, sand and gravel resources, critical faunal and floral areas, coastal drift sector inventory,
and land cover/land use.
Commercial and recreational shellfish areas 3 . Areas that include all public and private
tidelands or bedlands suitable for shellfish harvest, including shellfish protection districts
established pursuant to chapter 90.72 RCW.
Compensation 3 . The replacement, enhancement, or creation of an undevelopable
environmentally critical area equivalent in functions, values, and size to those being altered or
lost from development.
Conditional use 1 . A use, development, or substantial development which is classified as a
shoreline conditional use or is not classified within the SMP.
KEY: 1. RCW or WAC 2. 1988 SMP Glossary 3. City Zoning Code 4. New Definition
Department of Ecology approval effective November 1, 2010
116 Adopted by City of Des Moines Ordinance No. 1502