Stalled by Appeal, Reformed ADU Legislation is Moving Forward

Seattle City Council will be reviewing and fine tuning a new law regarding ADUs, or accessory dwelling units.  After months long appeal process, the reform could make it easier to build these “backyard cottages”.  With the current up zoning in Seattle, many fear this change would make Seattle even more dense and overpopulated. 

Proponents of the ADU reform are hoping these changes will help with the lack of affordable homes in the Seattle area.  One of the changes City Council is looking into is being more lenient on parking requirements, previously requiring a parking spot which for some, can be quite costly. 

Another change is owner occupancy requirements.  The City Council is wanting to deter developers from tearing down homes in order to build a single-family home and an ADU in the backyard or building large single-family homes that isn’t affordable.  The owner must be living in the main house in order to rent out the ADU.  For a second ADU, the occupancy requirement is only a year of continuous occupancy. 

This proposed legislation change is schedule for a hearing with the Seattle City Council Sustainability and Transportation Committee and the Housing Affordability and Livability Committee on May 29th.  A public hearing is scheduled for June 11th with a possible discussion on amendments by June 18th.  A vote could pass as early as before the end of June.