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Port Orchard staff proposes interim middle-housing ordinance to meet state deadline
Summary
Staff proposed an interim ordinance adopting Department of Commerce model middle-housing provisions to meet state HB 1110 requirements for tier-3 cities by June 30, 2025; commissioners discussed adopting tier-2-ready language later and asked about timeline and design standards.
City planning staff presented a proposed interim ordinance to implement middle-housing standards consistent with state law (House Bill 1110) and Department of Commerce guidance, and asked the Planning Commission to review the interim approach before formal code revisions and a public hearing.
Staff said Port Orchard is currently a Tier 3 city under state guidance and must meet minimum requirements by June 30, 2025. The interim ordinance would adopt the Department of Commerce’s Tier‑3 model provisions so the city complies on time while staff continues work on a longer-term Tier‑2 ordinance. Key topics in the interim approach include definitions (POMC 20.12), allowing middle-housing building types as permitted uses (POMC 20.32), adjustments to residential districts (POMC 20.34) including unit-density allowances, moving residential design standards into a building-type chapter (cited as 20.139 moving into 20.22), a new “unit lot” subdivision section (20.27) for middle-housing ownership flexibility, accessory dwelling unit code alignment (20.68), and parking and circulation updates (20.124) anticipated to align with potential future state changes.
Commissioners discussed whether to adopt the Department of Commerce model “as-is” or to include Tier‑2 definitions and provisions now so future updates are simpler. Staff said the draft includes text marked in bold for immediate inclusion and that where Tier‑2-required definitions exist, it may make sense to add them now to avoid repeated edits. Commissioners asked how long it will take to finish Tier‑2 work; staff said the June 30 deadline makes the interim approach necessary and that full Tier‑2 adoption will require additional time and refinement.
One commissioner noted that some model-code provisions may improve the city’s design standards and that staff is attempting to include improvements where appropriate without disrupting the interim compliance goal. Staff said if the city failed to adopt an interim ordinance, the Department of Commerce model ordinance would supersede local code; staff advised avoiding that outcome. The commission was asked to provide feedback so staff can return with detailed code language and hold a public hearing in June with an expected recommendation to city council.
No formal vote was taken; commissioners provided feedback and staff confirmed next steps.
