Yesterday the Seattle City Council voted 9-0 in favor of allowing detached allowing accessory dwelling units (aka “backyard cottages”) on eligible properties in all single family zones. These backyard cottages cannot exceed 800 square feet in size (including garage and storage space) and will not be allowed on lots smaller than 4,000 square feet or lots that fall within shoreline jurisdiction. Additionally, backyard cottages will not be allowed on properties that already possess a basement or attic apartment. Still, the legislation provides an interesting new housing option in single family zones. According to Councilmember Sally Clark, “This is a smart and modest step to create affordable housing options, help someone pay their mortgage, get older on their property, or to make a room for a son or daughter moving back home.”
For more information about the legislation, including links to the ordinance, click here.
Northwest Hub has been following the progress of the backyard cottage amendments. Past coverage can be found here:
http://www.northwesthub.org/seattle-backyard-cottage
http://www.northwesthub.org/backyard-cottages-august-meeting
http://www.northwesthub.org/planning-committee-backyard-cottages-sept-167
Matthew Stock, an attorney with the Buck Law Group—a Seattle-based land use, environmental, dispute resolution and civil litigation firm that is a Northwest Hub sponsor—can be reached by sending an email to mstock@bucklawgroup.com.
