Issaquah committee backs moving Title 18 policy amendments to full council

The Issaquah Planning, Development and Environment Committee recommended sending a package of technical, state-required and policy changes to the city's Title 18 zoning code to the full City Council for action on June 23.

Acting Planning Manager Kristen Leeson told the committee the 2025 amendments are a mix of minor clarifications, changes required by state law and staff-identified policy fixes after the city's 580-page Title 18 overhaul. "We recommend moving it forward to June 23 as presented," Leeson said.

Why it matters: The amendments aim to correct drafting errors from the comprehensive update, bring Issaquah into compliance with recent state rules (including provisions affecting conversions, parking and co-living), and add local policy refinements on topics such as amenity space, heat-pump noise limits and small-scale urban agriculture (roosters, chickens and beekeeping). Several council members said the package addresses clear problems, but some urged additional community discussion on policy items that could affect housing cost or design.

Key changes discussed include: clarifying that adult family homes and daycare providers are not subject to the home-occupation permit requirement and creating a dedicated code section…