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Leavenworth adopts code permitting two accessory dwelling units per lot; council splits 6‑1 on change
Summary
Council adopted ordinance 17-14 to align city ADU rules with recently amended state law and to allow up to two accessory dwelling units per lot; the measure passed 6‑1 with a single no vote.
Leavenworth City Council voted 6‑1 on Aug. 12 to adopt ordinance 17‑14, amending city zoning rules to allow up to two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) per lot and to align local definitions with recent state changes. Councilmember Zeke Reister cast the lone dissenting vote.
Why it matters: The move is intended to increase housing supply by allowing more small, rental‑oriented units on existing lots. Planning staff said most ADUs built in Leavenworth are 900 square feet or smaller so owners often design to avoid additional water/sewer connection charges; council and staff discussed limiting the size of a second ADU as a possible refinement, and one public comment letter raised that issue.
What the ordinance does: It revises Leavenworth Municipal Code chapters referenced in the packet to permit two ADUs on a lot, adjusts lot‑coverage allowances incrementally to accommodate a second unit on small lots, and includes updated definitions that mirror state RCW language cited by staff. The planning commission recommended the changes and asked for a modest increase in allowable lot coverage for each ADU to reflect small lot realities.
Debate and council input: Councilmembers discussed parking minimums (the proposal would limit total required off‑street parking for a single family with two ADUs to three spaces rather than four in some scenarios) and whether to cap the second ADU at a smaller size to preserve neighborhood character. Planning staff and some councilmembers said market forces and lot size will self‑limit how many large ADUs are built; others asked staff to consider a size cap for the second unit in future code updates.
Outcome and next steps: Ordinance 17‑14 passed on a council vote of 6‑1. Staff said the changes implement recently revised state law (cited in staff materials) and will be administered through existing permitting processes; staff also offered to return with finer‑grained options, such as a size limit or STR restrictions for second ADUs, if council wishes to pursue them.
