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City adopts ADU changes: curb-frontage exemptions and 50% traffic impact fee for ADUs
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance 4971 to implement two provisions required by state law: exempting accessory dwelling units from curb/gutter/sidewalk frontage improvement requirements and charging ADUs 50% of the single-family residence traffic impact fee; the changes must be in place before the state's 2026 compliance deadline.
The Ellensburg City Council on Sept. 15 adopted Ordinance 4971 to amend city code so accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are exempt from curb, gutter and sidewalk frontage-improvement requirements and so traffic impact fees for ADUs are set at 50 percent of the single-family-residence rate.
Lily Fry, the city’s housing program manager, said the ordinance implements two final elements required by House Bill 137 (the ADU statute cited by staff) and its enabling code. “The exemption of curb, gutter and sidewalk or frontage improvement requirements for ADU building permits is specifically required by this legislation,” Fry said. She added that the city must make these changes by 2026 and that there were no changes to the ordinance since the Sept. 2 first reading.
Why it matters: The council’s action puts the city into compliance with the state law’s ADU provisions ahead of the 2026 deadline. The curb-frontage exemption reduces initial construction costs for ADU applicants; the 50 percent traffic-impact fee reduces proportional fees charged for additional units on a lot.
What passed: The council conducted a second reading and adopted the ordinance amending sections of the Ellensburg City Code (sections referenced in the ordinance language included code sections tied to ADUs and impact fees). The ordinance text in the record amends sections 4.6 0.60 and 14.4 0.170 of the Ellensburg City Code, per the clerk’s reading.
Public comment and council action: Staff answered questions from council and there were no public commenters on the ordinance at second reading. A councilmember moved and a second was recorded; the clerk called the roll and the ordinance was adopted by roll call.
What this did not do: The adoption does not change other local ADU standards beyond the two changes required to comply with state law, nor did it alter land-use permissions beyond the stated exemptions and fee adjustments.
Ending: City staff said they will implement code changes and update permit workflows to reflect the curb-frontage exemption and the ADU traffic-impact fee at 50 percent before the state’s compliance deadline in 2026.
