04/16/2023
🏘️ If you're a homeowner or real estate investor in Washington State, you'll want to understand the new regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) that were recently passed by the Senate committee. By July 1, 2024, fully planning cities and counties must ensure local development regulations allow for the construction of ADUs within urban growth areas (UGAs) and comply with a set of policies and requirements.
So what are these policies and requirements? For starters, local regulations must permit ADUs in structures detached from the principal unit and allow an ADU on any lot that meets the minimum lot size required for the principal unit. Additionally, there can be no maximum gross floor area requirement for ADUs that is less than 1,000 square feet, and there can be no roof height limits on an ADU of less than 24 feet, unless the height limit on the principal unit is less than 24 feet.
Moreover, local regulations cannot impose setback requirements, yard coverage limits, tree retention mandates, restrictions on entry door locations, aesthetic requirements, or requirements for design review for ADUs that are more restrictive than those for principal units. Detached ADUs can be sited at a lot line if the lot line abuts a public alley, unless the city or county routinely plows snow on the public alley. ADUs can also be converted from existing structures, including detached garages. And local regulations cannot prohibit the sale of a condominium unit independently of a principal unit solely on the grounds that the condominium unit was originally built as an ADU.
Fully planning cities and counties must comply with a minimum of three of the following policies: not establishing a requirement for the provision of off-street parking for ADUs, not assessing impact fees on the construction of ADUs that are greater than 50 percent of the impact fees that would be imposed on the principal unit, not requiring the owner of a lot on which there is an ADU to reside in or occupy the ADU or another housing unit on the same lot, and allowing at least two ADUs on all lots that allow for single-family homes.
These new regulations are significant for the real estate industry in Washington State. By allowing the construction of ADUs in urban growth areas, the legislation will increase the supply of housing, provide additional rental income opportunities, and create more flexible living options for homeowners. However, these new regulations may also impact property values, rental markets, and other aspects of the real estate industry in the state.
Stay tuned for more updates on how these regulations will impact the real estate industry in Washington State, and how you can take advantage of this new opportunity to grow your portfolio
