Planning board recommends ban on short-term rentals in co-living buildings, leaves broader co-living zoning unresolved

Edmonds — The Edmonds Planning Board on Aug. 13 debated how far to expand co-living housing after state legislation and voted to recommend banning short-term rentals shorter than 30 days in co-living dwellings, while leaving unresolved whether the city should allow co-living broadly across multifamily and mixed-use zones beyond the state minimum.

Planning staffer Rosa Paz reviewed the state requirement, telling the board: "cities must allow Calabrio housing on any lot that allows at least 6 multifamily residential units." She said the statutory requirements must take effect by Dec. 31, 2025, and described co-living as a housing type in which sleeping units are rented independently while residents share kitchen facilities.

Why it matters: House Bill 1998 (passed in 2024, as presented to the board) sets a statewide baseline that cities must meet. The Planning Board’s choices — whether to stick to the state-prescribed threshold (lots that can accommodate six multifamily units) or to allow…