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ADUs

Backyard cottages like this one should be coming to Burien thanks to the City's new reform. (Photo by Doug Trumm)

Governor Partially Vetoes Backyard Cottage Bill at Request of Housing Advocates, AARP

Providing more housing options in single-family zones is a policy idea that state legislators have kicked around for years. This session, the Washington State...
Bird's eye view of downtown Bremerton with the marina and some midrise buildings in the foreground.

Bremerton Eases Backyard Cottage Restrictions

Bremerton is allowing an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on every single-family lot and waiving parking and owner-occupancy requirements. The City tabled a measure to...

Kenmore and Kirkland Reform Accessory Dwelling Regulations, Snohomish County Could Be Next

Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) reform has been taking off across the Puget Sound region. Seattle, Tacoma, and Burien all approved sweeping changes to ADUs...
Backyard cottage with woman in patio and sunset.

City Launches “ADUniverse” Website for Pre-approved Backyard Cottage Designs

On Tuesday, the City of Seattle rolled out a website called ADUniverse that will offer 10 pre-approved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) designs and other...

City’s Plan for Pre-approved Backyard Cottages Shouldn’t Require Uncompensated Labor

It has been nearly two years since Mayor Jenny Durkan directed the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections to fast-track pre-approved designs of backyard...

In Pursuit of the Affordable Backyard Cottage

Last summer when the Seattle City Council passed legislation that encouraged development of backyard cottages across the city, the move was generally met with...

What Seattle’s “Best in the Nation” Mother-In-Law Apartment and Backyard Cottage Reform Does

On Monday, the Seattle City Council unanimously (8-0 vote) adopted a land use reform bill, easing restrictions on building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in...

ADUs In, McMansions Out, and Could Fourplexes Be Next?

The Seattle City Council voted 8-0 Monday to pass accessory dwelling unit (ADU) reform, making it much easier to add a backyard cottage and/or...