Staff to return redlined parking code after new state laws; possible statewide parking cap discussed

Edmonds planning staff told the Planning Board on Wednesday that state legislation requires edits to the city’s residential parking rules and that staff will prepare a redline (strikeout/insert) version for the board’s review.

Brad summarized three state laws the city must reflect in local code: the meeting packet referenced HB 6015 (parking requirements for residential uses), SB 6617 (rules about ADU parking near major transit), and HB 2343 (limits for affordable, senior and certain multifamily parking requirements). Brad said planning and engineering staff will produce a redlined code update for the board’s upcoming meeting so the city meets the statutory changes.

The board also discussed a pending legislative proposal (not yet adopted at the time of the meeting) that would create a statewide maximum parking standard—roughly described at the meeting as about 0.5 stalls per dwelling unit for many uses—and observed that such a law would require broad changes across the city’s municipal code if enacted.

Several board members noted practical consequences for neighborhoods if off-street parking is reduced, citing examples where curbside parking reduces travel-lane width and complicates service or emergency access. The board asked staff to work with engineering to address circulation and sidewalk impacts as they bring a draft update back to the board.

Ending — Next steps: Staff will coordinate with engineering and return a redlined residential-parking code for Planning Board review at a future meeting.