Planning 2017-10-26 ITEM 4 - ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT REGULATION - STAFF REPORT

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L17-0067 ADU Regulation Update Page 2 • The unit is incorporated into the primary single-family residence, not a separate unit, so that both units appear to be of the same design as if constructed at the same time, • Minimum of three parking spaces on the property with an ADU less than 600 square feet, and a minimum of four parking spaces for an ADU over 600 square feet, and • The ADU is not sold as a condominium. Seattle's experience with loosening restrictions on ADUs and Portland's dramatic increase in the number of ADUs built over the past few years have spurred a policy debate about this housing type. An MRSC article about revising city regulations to encourage accessory dwelling units from its Homelessness and Housing Toolkit is included as Attachment A. A table comparing Tukwila's current ADU standards to neighboring jurisdictions as well as Portland is included as Attachment B. DISCUSSION Staff began public outreach and education about this issue in mid-July by developing a survey about possible changes to current ADU standards. The intent was to give the Council a general sense of the public support for or opposition to the possible changes. The survey was publicized at "See You in the Park" events, emailed to Tukwila boards and commissions, emailed to 468 single family and duplex landlords with rental housing licenses, published in the July Tukwila Reporter and posted on the City's Facebook account. We received 165 responses to the survey, see the results in Attachment C. Overall a majority supported making changes to all of Tukwila's current standards, though for some questions such as maintaining the owner occupancy requirement there was less than a 10% spread. Staff took the survey results and policy options to the Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee and City Council. Below is a discussion of key policy recommendations aimed at allowing more flexibility for ADUs while trying to retain neighborhood protections. Policy Recommendations 1. Begin allowing detached ADUs Tukwila is the only city in the area that does not allow detached ADUs. They provide greater flexibility and a greater degree of privacy between owner and tenant. However, these units are also more visible so there should be standards that make them compatible with and visually subordinate to the main house. Attachment D shows examples of detached ADUs that would meet the size limitations recommended below. • Not allowed if there is an attached ADU on site (only 1 ADU per parcel) • Unit may be up to 800 square feet (must still meet the existing standards for total building footprints of 2,275 sf and maximum impervious area of 4,875 sf for a 6,500 sf lot) W:A@SHAREPOINT FOLDER RESTRUCTURE\Code Updates\Code Amendments\ADU Proposal\PC Staff Report 10-26-17.docx 10