Bellevue council narrows some middle-housing rules, approves $150,000 fee option and other tailoring ahead of state deadline

Bellevue'The Bellevue City Council on June 10 gave staff direction to finalize a locally tailored ordinance implementing the state'mandated middle-housing laws, approving several elements of the staff and planning commission recommendation while splitting on others. Council members moved the package toward adoption with one final ordinance expected to return for action June 24, ahead of the state's adoption deadline of June 30.

The council's study-session and public-comment portion ran for several hours and included more than 20 speakers, with advocates and homeowners sharply divided over scale, trees, traffic and property rights. The package implements requirements from House Bill 11 10 (middle housing) and House Bill 13 37 (accessory dwelling units), and adapts some elements beyond the state baseline to Bellevue'specific conditions.

Why it matters: The state bills require jurisdictions to allow more housing options in single-family neighborhoods; Bellevue's final decisions will shape how and where duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, cottages and ADUs can be built, the heights and sizes allowed, parking expectations, and whether developers may pay a fee instead of placing affordable units on site. The council'staff repeatedly noted the June 30 deadline for local adoption to avoid the state'model ordinance taking effect by default.

Key council directions and outcomes

Votes at a glance - Density near transit: Council directed staff to use the state baseline quarter-mile walking distance for automatic six-unit allowances (motion by Councilmember Newenhouse). Outcome: approved (motion passed 4'3). - Middle housing types: Council directed staff to allow all nine middle-housing types recommended by the planning commission (duplex through sixplex,…