Planning staff previews required code amendments tied to comprehensive plan: middle housing, ADUs, emergency housing and more

Planning Manager Katie Baker delivered a lengthy overview April 1 of code amendments Puyallup will consider this year to implement state law changes and the city’s periodic comprehensive-plan update.

Key items Baker described: - Middle housing (House Bill 1110): State law requires that zones allowing single-family housing also allow middle housing types (duplexes, triplexes, cottage housing, townhomes). Puyallup must allow at least two units per development lot in affected zones. There is a June 30 adoption deadline for interim measures; staff proposed an interim zoning ordinance to meet the timeline while permanent code language is developed with the Planning Commission. - Accessory dwelling units (House Bill 1337): The state requires up to two ADUs per lot in zones that allow single-family housing, with maximum sizes up to 1,000 square feet; owner-occupancy requirements must be removed and parking rules modified. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing; council may see ADU amendments in June. - Emergency housing / STEP (Department of Commerce): The city must demonstrate capacity for 458 beds under state requirements, but current siting standards (buffers,…