by Pam Johnston

Bills 1157, 1232, 1337, 5033 and 5235 in the legislature impacting city planning. Most are doing so by proscribing Accessory Dwelling Unit code or allowing multifamily units on single family lots. ADUs (Attached Dwelling units) and DADU (Detached) are rental units on the same property as housing.

Bill 5235 measures include

  • Properties with ADUs do not require owner occupancy. Thus, it removes tight owner oversight of rentals of accessory dwellings.

  • Allows any number of people to reside in a home up to the maximum building capacity. This allows rooming houses.

  • Bellevue currently prohibits the business practice of renting single-family homes as rooming houses in single-family neighborhoods. Bellevue had this problem near Bellevue College. In California similar legislation was passed. Investors use the ADU code to create rooming houses.

Normally cities plan by listening – understanding the concerns and unique challenges of each place. The State sets goals and gives incentives. Please contact your state representatives and let them know what you think. Emails and phone numbers can be found at leg.wa.gov or by calling: 1.800.562.6000.