Snohomish County Council - File #: 2025-0765

• File #: 2025-0765
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Pending Assignment to Committee
• File created: 2/20/2025
• In control: Committee of the Whole
• Title: Ordinance 25-014, relating to Growth Management; Revising Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations; Amending Snohomish County Code (SCC) Sections 30.28.010, 30.28.070, and 30.66B.057, Amending Definitions in Chapters 30.91A and 30.91D SCC, and Adding a New Definition in Chapter 30.91P SCC
• Code sections: SCC 30.28.010 - Accessory Dwelling Units, SCC 30.28.070 - Nonconforming structures, SCC 30.66B.057 - Review of Duplex Building Permit Applications, SCC 30.91A.035 - Accessory Dwelling Unit, SCC 30.91A.040 - Accessory dwelling unit, attached, SCC 30.91A.050 - Accessory dwelling unit, detached, SCC 30.91D.210 - Development, SCC 30.91D.460 - Driveway, SCC 30.91D.465 - Driveway, shared, SCC 30.91D.480 - Duplex, SCC 30.91D.500 - Dwelling, multiple family, SCC 30.91D.510 - Dwelling, single family, SCC 30.91D.515 - Dwelling, single family attached, SCC 30.91P.307 - Principal Unit

Executive/Council Action Form (ECAF)

ITEM TITLE:

Title

Ordinance 25-014, relating to Growth Management; Revising Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations; Amending Snohomish County Code (SCC) Sections 30.28.010, 30.28.070, and 30.66B.057, Amending Definitions in Chapters 30.91A and 30.91D SCC, and Adding a New Definition in Chapter 30.91P SCC

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DEPARTMENT:  Council

ORIGINATOR:  Ryan Countryman for Megan Dunn

EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDATION:  Approve

PURPOSE: This ordinance revises regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). It allows new opportunities and incentives for ADU development in urban zones, including additional allowances for ADUs associated with single family dwellings required by recent state legislation and other discretionary allowances for AUDs associated with duplexes (up to two ADUs) and single family attached dwellings. It also includes definitional and other changes for consistency with recent legislation and to ensure new allowances for ADUs are eligible for the same exemptions that are currently applicable to the associated principal dwelling unit.

BACKGROUND: Councilmember Dunn sponsored this ordinance which the County Council referred to the Planning Commission by Motion 24-266 (ECAF 24-1363). The Planning Commission recommended approval and recommended two amendments to further incentivize ADU development (greater flexibility regarding setbacks from roads and allowing a higher maximum lot coverage). After the Planning Commission made its recommendation, the Washington Department of Commerce advised the County that existing provisions related to architectural standards in SCC 30.28.010(1)(f) and (g) may conflict with RCW 36.70A.681(1)(h). The final ordinance proposes to strike SCC 30.28.010(1)(f) and (g) based on the advice from Commerce.

OTHER DEPARTMENTAL REVIEW/COMMENTS:  AATF: Jessica Kraft-Klehm 2/12/25