[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6188078,"mediaKeyId","5064129-44d0d0c98031c080c59028c767db4f12","parentId",5064129,"title","Covington council adopts code changes to implement state middle‑housing and ADU laws","audioSeconds",1377,"startMs",4158000,"endMs",5535000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064129-44d0d0c98031c080c59028c767db4f12&start=4158&end=5535","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064129-44d0d0c98031c080c59028c767db4f12/thumbnail_4158000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6188078/Covington/King-County/Washington/Covington-council-adopts-code-changes-to-implement-state-middlehousing-and-ADU-laws","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188078-0184f2404daaa1e31c3f47ef04153999/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961729&Signature=agxzpBaCpV-RF49we3iwepiyBIDKPk2BsFzEpbTyHvBYXRB9FvHpBXMMdJbvo8OMFpjVB435reVQVc5xhIczWPTxbd9KyLeYMb8Q4BWiPd1HPetDqk-bHmiqVz5F6-oO~t6gn07QY3qAsSOpaHxcWVayfoo1e-R6FNl9Dx5wOqwn4SdZWTwnQLyO5fxJxdpPFjhQCLeRzhOtQLxGB-sAlJcJUat~twdmtZmkLtixtUAR4fRNIYN6VA0e3Y-p7FQMOfMDsfm12~vZhSZenXtsc1dJrZpzVAvanXBaEAtQrOZotwM1FIf1f5E-0jgnA9B9I-0Rcj5SKx~zkZIOhlwfNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Covington City, Washington","date","2025-06-23T19:00:32Z","article","The Covington City Council voted June 10 to amend Title 18 of the Covington Municipal Code to implement state middle‑housing and accessory‑dwelling‑unit (ADU) laws described in the presentation as house bill 11 10 and house bill 13 37.

Planning staff said the ordinance updates local definitions, dimensional and density rules, and parking and design requirements so the city’s code aligns with the 2023–2024 state mandates that require cities to allow specified middle‑housing types in single‑family zones and to loosen some ADU restrictions.

Why this matters: the changes alter what housing types are permitted on single‑family lots within Covington, affect development review and permitting, and will prompt follow‑on work for design standards, impact fees and building-code coordination.

Planning manager Selena (staff) summarized the code changes to the council and noted Covington was mostly compliant with existing rules but needed updates to meet the state’s definitions and mandatory allowances. As described in staff’s presentation, the ordinance:

- Entitles single‑family lots to at least two housing units where single‑family is permitted; permitted configurations include duplexes through six‑plexes (the presentation described this requirement as coming from \"HB 11 10\").
- Expands ADU allowances, permitting up to two ADUs per lot (attached, detached, attic/basement ADUs are included) and reduces some parking requirements tied to ADUs.
- Sets parking minimums by lot size: for lots 6,000 square feet or smaller, the city may require only one off‑street parking stall; larger lots may have higher requirements per the updated code text.
- Retains the city’s interior setback standard at 7.5 feet after council and planning‑commission discussion; staff removed discretionary design rules that the state forbids for middle housing but included minimal, nondiscriminatory form‑and‑site standards allowed by law.

Staff said the city will now begin follow‑on work items required to implement the ordinance effectively, including updates to building and fire access standards to accommodate new housing forms, reconciliation of parking code language adopted in 2023, review of impact‑fee policy for ADUs, and a possible review of incentives for affordability.

Planning staff emphasized this is the first step in a multi‑part program. Selena told the council, “townhomes was probably the most debated definition we were running into at the land use level with our current planners.” The presentation also flagged the recently passed lot‑split bill (referred to in the meeting materials as “h 10 96”) that will require additional code work to implement an over‑the‑counter lot‑split process.

Council discussion ranged from procedural support to policy caution. Several council members said they expect staff to return with monitoring and reporting on outcomes. Councilmember Sean asked staff to include counts of new middle‑housing units and sales data in future reports; staff agreed to provide annual reporting to the Department of Commerce and to return to council with local performance data and any proposed affordability incentives.

The ordinance passed after a motion and second; the council recorded the vote as passed during the June 10 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Covington City Council Meeting - June 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Covington City Council voted June 10 to amend Title 18 of the Covington Municipal Code to implement state middle‑housing and accessory‑dwelling unit requirements referenced as house bill 11 10 and house bill 13 37.","taxTitle","Covington, King County, Washington","taxId",71066,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6188080,"Covington lobbyists summarize 2025 Washington session: Jenkins Creek money, SR 18 funding and a 6¢ gas tax increase",1332,83000,1415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064129-44d0d0c98031c080c59028c767db4f12&start=83&end=1415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064129-44d0d0c98031c080c59028c767db4f12/thumbnail_83000.jpg","/articles/6188080/Covington/King-County/Washington/Covington-lobbyists-summarize-2025-Washington-session-Jenkins-Creek-money-SR-18-funding-and-a-6-gas-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188080-d2dfe59c6b3b63ba1e922fcc2031e516/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961729&Signature=Wxq59uHyB6WkfLtL5Qh6zvx1Yo4GMdLzxXYcoyAsmstEpIQZoDIYAd8tE-zVm3uyVOuNLPiXpJCls2hg5NQi9U9XlYYM0pZC-5ravCcquM3AMkcsVDsWqg7HH7EJvpRrPkImDnjt37ryjSrahsc6CmxNw20zozONdN27j0lmj3xaUieeYc7Vb00KY0W9MnhuyXMWvMc5ZsaDgx0n0QetkPh2VT4x1F6Tmr~aHfYQu5faD0Id5MiVXVHSRMNfIO3A80YOsg~5E4sT4PLJ5egsyOCyWYzNtaxY6H6SQ8GKs5Rj6u72mWWy6Ti5Ow-2JYAAt6HxfD9xYyxzLdmoGIg5xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Emily Shea and Brianna Murray, the city-contracted lobbyists who represented Covington in Olympia this year, told the City Council on June 10 that the 2025 legislative session produced several outcomes the city should expect to affect transportation, parks and public safety funding.

The most immediate wins for Covington included a $500,000 capital-budget allocation for the Jenkins Creek Trail and preservation of existing funding for the city’s State Route 516 project. Council members were also told the final transportation budget allocates $15 million to the State Route 18 widening and safety project in the upcoming biennium and $25 million in the next biennium, while the project’s schedule will shift so advertisement occurs in 2029 rather than 2027.

Why this matters: the allocations change the timing and cash flow for two projects long discussed by Covington officials — Jenkins Creek Trail and SR 18 — and the transportation revenue package also changes how local governments receive new gas-tax revenue.

Shea and Murray framed the session as a long, contentious budget year. Shea said the 2025 session lasted 105 days and produced new operating, capital and transportation budgets after leadership addressed a large operating shortfall. According to the presentation materials and the lobbyists’ remarks, the state’s 2025–27 operating budget left roughly $2.3 billion in reserves, relied on about $4.5 billion of new taxes and fees, and the capital budget relied primarily on bond sales to fund local grants and projects.

On Covington priorities, the brief included these items:

- Jenkins Creek Trail: Covington requested $867,000 in the capital budget; the final budget provided $500,000 toward the project. Shea credited Representative Stearns of the 47th Legislative District for helping secure the award and noted the city also received a $1,950,000 Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program grant that will contribute to the project.

- SR 18 widening and safety project: The lobbyists said the final transportation budget included $15 million in the upcoming biennium and $25 million in the subsequent biennium; design and mitigation work will continue and WSDOT will advertise the project in 2029 rather than 2027. Murray told council members the house and senate had markedly different proposals during negotiations and the final conference outcome spread funding over multiple biennia.

- Transportation revenue changes: The legislature approved a 6¢ increase in the gas tax and indexed it to inflation; the new package sets aside 2.5% of the additional funds for local revenue sharing to cities. Murray noted the legislature considered, but did not advance, a broader road-usage charge as an immediate alternative because public feedback was strongly opposed.

- Public safety grants and local sales-tax authority: The legislature adopted a version of the public safety bill that funds $100 million in hiring grants and authorizes counties and cities to impose a 0.1% (one-tenth) sales-tax increase for public safety. On the bill’s conditions, Murray said local agencies must comply with recent law-enforcement reform policies enacted since 2019 and that there is “some ambiguity” about how certain new requirements will be implemented; she added the Association of Washington Cities is coordinating with the Criminal Justice Training Commission to clarify timelines.

Other items noted by the lobbyists included changes to local finance rules and housing policy developments. Shea summarized that the legislature passed house bill 1791 (as presented to council) to expand allowable uses of certain refunds for operations, maintenance and affordable housing projects, and the session included multiple housing bills touching lot splits, accessory dwelling units and compliance review processes under the Growth Management Act.

Council questions focused on the public-safety sales-tax authority and how local agencies will meet the bill’s training and operational conditions; Murray said King County’s Sheriff’s Office is already addressing some requirements and that state agencies and associations are working to define implementation details. On transportation finance, council members pressed whether the decline in gas-tax collections is due to increasing vehicle efficiency and electric vehicles; the lobbyists confirmed the legislature continues to study road-usage charges but opted for a gas-tax increase in 2025 because public opposition remains strong.

A written, session‑end report the lobbyists provided to council contains line‑by‑line budget summaries and a bill list; Shea said the full report is included in the council packet and that the lobbyists will continue interim work and monthly updates to the city.","Emily Shea and Brianna Murray, the city-contracted lobbyists who represented Covington in Olympia this year, told the City Council on June 10 that the 2025 legislative session produced several outcomes the city should expect to affect transportation, parks and public safety funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6188070,"Covington clarifies Republic Services rules: weather credits kick in after two consecutive missed collections; on‑call bulky‑item policy explained",588,3298000,3886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064129-44d0d0c98031c080c59028c767db4f12&start=3298&end=3886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064129-44d0d0c98031c080c59028c767db4f12/thumbnail_3298000.jpg","/articles/6188070/Covington/King-County/Washington/Covington-clarifies-Republic-Services-rules-weather-credits-kick-in-after-two-consecutive-missed-collections-oncall-bulkyitem-policy-explained","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188070-ed69ffbd8e046c696c05787ea1a753f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961729&Signature=CXs88uOwX2E24SSDpd8IlOCNUHpyQs8OpqrMnj4lxQl8VP~2H7LdIiXjfExI~Ox7ryEQH3h9Bpnk1rwiq5byb1ceqExkvQ4tPSHHbi0BCGx1QhJELt5xASVfw6bcYZVpmCk0x08-tGm80aRp7piWETPhITT0qI~ibBjRebIykgOBofHpnjSZ96JgxV9MC3CkfxivOGp5gE8cHz9XYfFFsCsIddsgrfhV39-sKN5LhxBkACsC4T33larnzwKjwHHBcsaLvXLFuMwfnx2R6xsclnRj-loBa0doL5byekXo91nPKtI2yL7wrzkfRcy3jQpx7OB3KuRFA323hg~dXVuCHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff returned to the City Council on June 10 to clarify two specific provisions in Covington’s franchise contract with Republic Services — the inclement‑weather credit policy and the on‑call bulky‑item collection rule.

Why this matters: the clarified language determines when residential customers qualify for billing credits after missed collections and how many bulky items can be scheduled for pickup under the contract’s on‑call service.

Don (staff) told council that earlier discussion had given the impression credits might be automatic after a single missed collection due to weather; staff said the contract specifies credits kick in only after two or more consecutive missed collection weeks and are prorated for the affected service component. Don summarized the rule plainly: “It would kick in after that second miss.”

On bulky waste, staff clarified that the on‑call bulky‑item allowance is “up to two bulky items” but the contract allows flexibility: an account can schedule two bulky items in a single request or schedule one bulky item on two separate requests. Staff and council described contract provisions for recovery collections and the city’s ability to request temporary collection locations or additional pickups in major disruptions.

Council members asked how recovery collections are scheduled. Staff read contract language noting that if a single scheduled collection day is missed in two consecutive weeks, recovery collection would occur the following possible day that same week (for example, the next weekday) and that recovery collections should occur on the next regular collection day if multiple days are missed over multiple weeks. Staff also noted the contract contemplates extra staffing and trips by the hauler when collections are missed, so credits are small and are limited to instances of sustained disruption rather than a single missed day.

No formal council action was required; the meeting record shows council accepted the clarifications and asked staff to share details with residents when needed.","City staff clarified on June 10 how credits and recovery collections will be handled under Covington’s contract with Republic Services: credits for missed service due to inclement weather apply after two or more consecutive missed collection weeks, and the on‑call bulky‑item service allows up to two bulky items per household, either together or as separate requests.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":91,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6188074,"Covington council approves 2026 SCIP work plan and $15,085 membership contribution",609,2689000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064129-44d0d0c98031c080c59028c767db4f12&start=2689&end=3298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064129-44d0d0c98031c080c59028c767db4f12/thumbnail_2689000.jpg","/articles/6188074/Covington/King-County/Washington/Covington-council-approves-2026-SCIP-work-plan-and-15085-membership-contribution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188074-e0e5b6b14a1269c1211fb1960eb3b17f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961729&Signature=kDkBUAs3y0I9-9B8dsuMbe2mV18~H~g0e6GCh3pbYKFhX0XAtOncvrliXZQZrO3A29c-~LCPToRVCwLZwGrFxMbKO7u0ig7L~QGlnEEp0CpFrXpFLa1AA96W2dbQDSfOgHG4ik8j2ko1rq0vdoWSEVE57LAVRhW-upHuhlo4MtNza4yT05fulWJ5IzdIZ~ZvRTKFohjhA0X8dp5Wcbq1WcsNf3VV1RutxKiL1eHoc-2473H6UFDqmpoftWLEhpWoYCw64BQXih-Va9~nBVKNBt-aoJXpw8ZWszE5YHiXFZMmAIyeMry8mkLQfDpCkOhDp8nzll6tX6uShdskOSR~qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Covington City Council on June 10 approved a resolution adopting the South King Housing and Homelessness Partners (SCIP) 2026 work plan and funding Covington’s member contribution of $15,085 for 2026.

Claire Goodwin, executive manager for SCIP, presented the consortium’s mission and the executive board‑adopted 2026 work plan and budget. Goodwin described SCIP as a subregional affordable‑housing consortium of 11 South King County cities plus King County that coordinates capital and policy work to expand and preserve affordable housing across the subregion.

Why this matters: Covington’s membership in SCIP pools modest city contributions to support loans and grants for affordable‑housing construction and preservation across South King County, and the city’s continued contribution provides the jurisdiction a seat at SCIP decision‑making.

Key details from the presentation:

- 2026 SCIP operating budget: $501,975; approximately 64% of SCIP’s expenses are for the salaries and benefits of two SCIP staff.
- Member contributions: SCIP uses population tiers to set dues; the executive board adopted a policy to increase member contributions by 15% annually through 2026 to work toward a balanced budget. Covington’s 2026 member contribution is $15,085.
- Interest earnings: SCIP recommended applying a portion of interest earned in 2024 to create or bolster an unrestricted reserve; the presentation noted Covington’s share of the interest to be applied to the reserve would be $29,074 (allocation of interest requires member authorization).
- Use of funds: SCIP intends to continue funding its housing capital fund, data updates to the affordable‑housing inventory dashboard and other professional services; SCIP has previously leveraged funds to support construction and preservation projects in the subregion.

Council members praised SCIP’s leverage of small member contributions to support regional housing efforts and moved to approve the work plan and authorize the contribution. The motion carried without recorded opposition.","The Covington City Council on June 10 approved the South King Housing and Homelessness Partners (SCIP) 2026 work plan and authorized a $15,085 membership contribution for the city.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6188064,"Covington posts first‑quarter finances: assessed value up 10.8%, $34.3M in LGIP investments, staff eyes early debt payoff",727,1932000,2659000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5064129-44d0d0c98031c080c59028c767db4f12&start=1932&end=2659","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5064129-44d0d0c98031c080c59028c767db4f12/thumbnail_1932000.jpg","/articles/6188064/Covington/King-County/Washington/Covington-posts-firstquarter-finances-assessed-value-up-108-343M-in-LGIP-investments-staff-eyes-early-debt-payoff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188064-ceb2b3c018233f0a32bd63243cacfc8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961729&Signature=MTtXNOYt6kF6zSOXILSPF2LcftiiwfNsmw-T5lR0hbBOxfK0KLlsILaDGQoAaqBjiDsQapb9~D7v2ufM9oMX0HHP8VeOK7k-tkc29Z1izORUf2urdxZjlCykOxa4wah~DBBJ1unZI~qrLtQH5bPcgCPRhig~ESUy65tI9obQSy~iKiX3fcd2ZOIc7KSVSrBYTyc72Mn5OG0Js9fhxdITr5ZjwE4TH8f9PSNt9fV8OWGRoG3lUdfAG57wmOGoSsas9tA6iL4oMmLW~pmxq10lmex-bTB4EKts0mR-uyZ8C-srQTLVO9AUcUJ~6aY-n654hXiS8QTPILPWTPNLGj8Ukw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff reviewed Covington’s first‑quarter financial results during the June 10 meeting, providing an account of revenues, collections and reserves through March of the fiscal year.

Why this matters: the report updates council on near‑term revenue performance, reserve levels and cash‑management decisions that influence budgeting and capital planning.

Highlights from Casey’s presentation:

- Property tax and assessed value: Through first quarter the city had collected about $123,000 in property taxes; the current levy for 2025 is a little over $3.3 million and the levy rate is about $0.71 per $1,000 of assessed value. The city’s assessed value was reported at approximately $4.7 billion, an increase of roughly $450 million (about 10.8%).

- Real estate excise tax (REET): First‑quarter REET collections were reported at about $180,000, or roughly 22.5% of the adopted budget for that revenue source.

- Retail sales and use tax: First‑quarter unrestricted sales‑tax receipts were about $1.6 million (28.4% of the annual budget). Some retail categories were slightly below 2024 levels while construction‑related receipts were higher. The city also reported early collections from a 0.2% TBD sales‑tax increment that began in January.

- Utility taxes and B&O tax: Utility tax collections totaled about $748,000 (24.6% of budget); biannual billing cycles mean sewer and water‑related tax collections will show more in second quarter. Business & Occupation tax first‑quarter collections were modest in April but year‑to‑date totals improved once April remittances were received.

- Cash and investments: Cash and investments totaled about $42.8 million; the city held roughly $34.3 million in the Local Government Investment Pool (earning about 4.4% in March) and about $8.5 million in outside U.S. government agency investments earning between 4% and 5%.

- Debt and reserves: Casey said the city has enough refunds to consider an early payoff of certain debt through 2027, potentially saving about $200,000 in interest; staff plans to evaluate the option further and return recommendations to council.

- Development services and permits: Permit activity was stronger than the prior year, with 36 single‑family‑residence permits reported through March (compared with 10 in the same period in 2024). Development fee collections improved and overall permit revenue was up versus 2024.

Casey concluded the overview with fund‑by‑fund summaries and a reminder that many property‑tax receipts occur in second quarter; council members thanked staff for the detailed report and asked no action items beyond continuing standard financial monitoring.","Finance staff presented the city’s first‑quarter financial report June 10. Key items: assessed value rose to about $4.7 billion (10.8% increase), the current levy is roughly $3.3 million, the local government investment pool balance was about $34.3 million, and staff said they are evaluating early payoff of debt to save interest.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Covington council adopts code changes to implement state middle‑housing and ADU laws

Covington lobbyists summarize 2025 Washington session: Jenkins Creek money, SR 18 funding and a 6¢ gas tax increase

Covington clarifies Republic Services rules: weather credits kick in after two consecutive missed collections; on‑call bulky‑item policy explained

Covington council approves 2026 SCIP work plan and $15,085 membership contribution

Covington posts first‑quarter finances: assessed value up 10.8%, $34.3M in LGIP investments, staff eyes early debt payoff