Tumwater staff outline state-required housing and development-code changes as part of comp-plan update

Tumwater planning staff presented required housing-related amendments to the city's development code and design guidelines at the July 9 General Government Committee meeting, saying parts of the update must be adopted by the comprehensive-plan periodic update due in December 2025.

Why it matters: The staff presentation said the changes will alter where and how "middle housing" and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) may be permitted in residential areas, limit local design-review restrictions, set minimums or ceilings for parking requirements, and implement new state SEPA exemptions intended to increase housing supply.

Erica, a city staff member who led the presentation, said the changes stem from multiple state bills and deadlines, and summarized the near-term obligations: "Senate bill 55 58 ... middle housing, ADUs and the design review amendments are now due with the periodic update for all jurisdictions." She told the committee the city must update its zoning, permit procedures and fees because "the city's role in development ' zoning regulations, permit procedures and fees ' directly influence the location, intensity and the type of uses that can be built."

Key proposed and required changes

- Middle housing: Staff said state law requires jurisdictions to allow a set of "middle housing" types in areas traditionally zoned single-family. Tumwater staff told the committee they plan to remove the single-family residential category and replace it with residential low, medium and high density zones, with minimum and maximum densities and a required menu of middle-housing types. The staff list of middle-housing types…