Issaquah council adopts package of Title 18 land‑use amendments to correct errors, add state‑required changes

The Issaquah City Council on July 21 unanimously approved a package of ordinances (Nos. 3097–3110) making minor corrections, adding state‑required changes and adopting several policy amendments to the city’s Title 18 land‑use code.

The amendments correct errors found after the 2023 overhaul of the code, add language required by recent state laws and adjust local rules on amenity space, wayfinding, backyard animal husbandry and some mechanical equipment standards. Acting planning manager Kristen Leeson told the council the update repackaged the changes into three categories: ‘‘minor amendments’’ (clarifications and corrections), ‘‘state required’’ amendments and ‘‘policy’’ amendments.

Council members and staff said the package is mainly quality control after the citywide rewrite implemented two years ago. The state changes incorporated into the ordinances include provisions from Senate Bill 5258 (impact‑fee adjustments tied to unit size), House Bill 1042 (allowing certain conversions of commercial or mixed‑use buildings to multifamily without all new‑development requirements), and House Bill 1998 (co‑living unit allowances). The administration also updated references to the Washington Administrative Code for residential parking and electric vehicle charging standards.

During public comment, speakers urged additional policy changes the amendments do not address. Kevin Nichols, an Issaquah resident, said he supported a specific change that would allow bars and taverns in some mixed‑use residential areas outside urban villages and urged more ‘‘third spaces’’ in neighborhoods. Another caller asked the council to add protections for culturally sensitive trees and to reconsider granting deviations in hillside development. Leeson and Council Member Hall said the Planning, Development & Environment (PDE) Committee and staff plan a broader work‑program discussion to prioritize additional Title 18 changes requested by developers and community members.

The council also clarified one policy fix in the package: provisions that had been interpreted to apply citywide for ‘‘additional height’’ incentives were restored to their earlier geographic limits and will not apply citywide. The package also modified the city’s amenity‑space requirements so developers who can show infeasibility may provide some of the required private amenity in common spaces rather than attached to each unit.

Council Member Hall, chair of the PDE Committee, said the committee recommended approval but also asked for a future, deeper discussion at the Committee of the Whole to prioritize longer‑term policy changes and tradeoffs with CPD staff capacity. Several council members expressed support both for the technical corrections and for scheduling a longer policy conversation on items such as stepbacks, amenity requirements, commercial spacing and certification menus.

The ordinances take effect five days after publication. The council approved the package by a 7–0 vote.

The meeting also included routine items that will return for additional council review, including a separate public hearing and an item on street‑right‑of‑way vacation that staff said will be returned to the August 11 consent calendar for action.