September 17, 2014

New rules for micro housing get an OK

A Seattle City Council committee approved new regulations for microhousing on Tuesday.

The rules replace the current microhousing model and were put together by Council Member Mike O'Brien. They call for “small efficiency apartments” that must have a minimum size of 220 square feet, two sinks and a food preparation area that includes “a cooking appliance.” They would be regulated as individual dwelling units.

Requiring an appliance for cooking is the biggest change because most existing microhousing units do not have kitchens. Instead several units share a common kitchen.

These units would also be larger than microhousing units, which average about 150 square feet, according to Seattle's Department of Planning and Development.

“Small efficiency” projects would be allowed in all areas zoned for multifamily projects.

The new rules would allow another type of project called “congregate residences.” They would have small “sleeping rooms” and could share common kitchens. Sleeping rooms would not be required to have food preparation areas or appliances.

Congregate residence projects would only be allowed in higher density areas within urban centers and urban villages.

The full council is expected to vote on the microhousing regulations Oct. 6.

No parking would be required in areas near transit stations, urban centers and multifamily zones within urban villages that have frequent transit service. In other zones, developers would have to provide one parking space for every two small efficiency units, and one space for every four units of congregate housing.

According to city records, 68 microhousing projects totaling 3,609 rooms are in permitting, under construction or finished.