The City of Seattle recently adopted ordinances 127375 and 127376 to boost housing supply and options in Seattle’s residential zones. Much of Seattle is zoned as Neighborhood Residential (NR), where most of the changes in the ordinances apply. This zone is characterized by moderate density housing that includes:
- Attached units (e.g. townhouses)
- Detached units (e.g. one unit dwelling)
- Stacked units (e.g. apartments)
- Accessory dwelling units
Other residential uses permitted in this zone are:
- Adult family homes
- Congregate residences
- Low-income housing
- Permanent supportive housing
The City also allows limited commercial uses in this zone.
These ordinances brought our code into compliance with state laws related to middle housing. The state laws are intended to incorporate more density across the state while still being compatible with single family development. The legislation also updated the City’s zoning use and development standards to align with the One Seattle Plan, Seattle’s comprehensive plan.
Some of new development standards in NR zones include:
- Maximum floor area allowed based on density. Higher floor area allowed for stacked units, such as apartment buildings.
- Most NR lots can have up to 4 units, instead of one. Some lots are allowed up to 6.
- Maximum height of buildings increased to 32 feet, while up to 42 feet if certain standards are met.
- Maximum lot coverage is increased to 50% of the lot area or 60% for stacked units.
- Environmentally Critical Areas are excluded when calculating lot area.
- Required front, side, and rear yards have been replaced by setbacks, which increased the buildable area on most lots.
- Accessory Dwelling Units in all zones may be up to 1,000 square feet, or 1,200 square feet if includes 3+ bedrooms.