Kirkland planners direct staff to draft co‑living code with hybrid parking standard and no inclusionary requirement

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Planning staff briefed the Kirkland Planning Commission on proposed code amendments to implement Washington House Bill 1998 and directed staff to draft an ordinance that uses a hybrid parking standard and does not require inclusionary on‑site affordable units for co‑living developments. The briefing, led by associate planner Martha Rhubarb, explained that HB 1998 requires cities to allow co‑living housing as a permitted use on lots where at least six multifamily units are allowed and sets limits on density counting and room‑size restrictions. “Today's presentation is a briefing on the Code Amendment Project and approach for minimum compliance with State House Bill 19 98 for co living housing,” Rhubarb said. Commissioners and staff discussed density, unit configuration, parking, and how existing local rules for “residential suites” overlap with the new state requirements. Under the state law,…