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City staff outlines four 2025 code updates including critical areas, coliving and tree rules
Summary
Planning staff told the Committee of the Whole the city is updating its Critical Areas Ordinance, adopting guidance for coliving housing, and proceeding with two tree‑code updates; several items will return to council this fall for hearings and adoption.
City planning staff updated the Committee of the Whole on Sept. 16 about four code updates targeted for completion in 2025, including a state‑required update to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), new rules for coliving housing, a minor tree‑code legal update and a landmark tree code project.
Why it matters: The CAO update is required by state law and will change stream protections to statewide riparian standards; changes will affect permitting and environmental review for development. The coliving provisions implement Commerce guidance allowing shared‑housing arrangements in designated zones; tree code work responds to prior legal rulings and public concern about the urban forest.
Scope…
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