A sweeping reform of Seattle's current accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules is currently underway. Proposed legislation sets the stage for an ADU boom to potentially match Vancouver and Portland.
Legislation to reform the city's ADU rules is making its way through Seattle City Council. "The proposed legislation heard in committee addresses eight key policy areas for attached and detached accessory dwelling units [...], ranging from unit size and parking requirements to owner-occupancy requirements and height limits," Stephen Fesler writes. "If reform is made, the legislation could help spur a new cottage industry in accessory dwelling unit (ADU) building."
Fesler discusses a number of rule changes in the proposed ordinance—subject to amendment—including the following:
- Increased number of unrelated persons allowed per lot
- Larger allowed ADU size
- Higher ADU height limits
- ADUs may be allowed to cover a larger percentage of lot area
- Elimination of off-street parking requirements for new ADUs
- Removal of owner occupancy requirements
- New floor-area ratio (FAR) limits to combat mansionization
FULL STORY: Legal Hurdles Cleared, Seattle is Advancing Accessory Dwelling Reform
Op-Ed: Seattle Merely 'Inching Forward' on ADUs
They're a good start. But compared to similar policies in cities like Portland and Vancouver, Seattle's new policies around accessory dwelling units may be lackluster.
Seattle Companies Want to Drive Down Prohibitive ADU Costs
Legal barriers to accessory dwelling units may be disappearing in some places, but costs can still be prohibitive. Several companies are stepping forward with more affordable options.
Accessory Dwelling Units as Mansionization Control
One benefit of more accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be less mansionization of oversized single-family homes.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research