HALA

Harrell Proposal Would Relax Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules, Implement State Law

Mayor Harrell unveiled legislation allowing larger ADUs and streamlining regulations to make them feasible on more lots. The proposal would implement a state requirement and offer some additional reforms beyond that baseline.
Aerial view of houses near Lake Washington at sunset.

Op-Ed: The Case for Accessory Dwelling Units

Accessory dwelling units like backyard cottages and basement apartments support sustainable development plans as they typically require fewer resources during construction, are energy-efficient, and minimize urban sprawl. They are one effective way to add density to single family areas.

Op-Ed: Seattle Council Is Trying to Make Housing More Expensive

Tell your councilmember to vote against the transportation impact fee. On Tuesday, amidst a deep housing affordability crisis, the outgoing Seattle City Council is setting...

Op-Ed: Excessive Water Hook-up Fees Stunt Seattle’s ADU Building Boom

Seattle Public Utilities is using “No Tap” water mains to extort homebuilders for system upgrades. The gauntlet created by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) for access...

Lawsuits Block Thousands of Downtown Seattle Homes, $39 Million for Affordable Housing

Called “Run-of-the-Mill NIMBY” in Court, Delays Mount As Existing Condos Sue for Views. Using lawsuits and an aggressive opposition campaign in Seattle’s design review process, a small...
a path between two townhouses with evergreen trees

Bellevue Initiates Middle Housing Planning, but State May Beat Them to It

With a unanimous vote to conclude Tuesday's meeting, Bellevue City Council initiated planning work that would allow middle housing -- such as accessory dwelling...

Despite Slowdown Worries, 2021 Sets A Townhouse Production Record in Seattle

Last year, The Urbanist covered a Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) report suggesting that townhouse development in Seattle might be...

Majority of Bellevue Residents Support Inclusionary Zoning, Worry About Affordable Housing in New Poll

In a survey of 475 Bellevue residents commissioned by the Bellevue Housing Research Coalition and conducted by Change Research, 68% of those polled said...