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University Place council adopts ordinance to meet state middle-housing rules
Summary
Council approved code changes to allow middle housing — generally two units per lot and up to four if one unit is affordable — add unit-lot subdivision language, and adopt affordability rules tied to HUD and state thresholds.
The University Place City Council on Monday passed an ordinance amending portions of Titles 13, 19 and 21 of the municipal code to bring local rules into conformity with recent state middle‑housing legislation (referenced in the meeting as “HB 11 10”).
Kevin Brisky, community and economic development director, told the council that “the state legislation requires the city to pass an ordinance to come into conformity with middle housing, which is to allow up to 2 dwelling units on every lot and up to 4 if 1 is designated affordable.” The ordinance also includes optional design standards and a unit‑lot subdivision process, Brisky said.
Why it matters: The state law shortens local discretion on single‑family zoning and creates pathways intended to increase housing supply and offer lower‑cost and for‑sale options. Council members repeatedly said they wanted the city to adopt a local implementation rather than have the state impose default rules.
Council discussion and details
Brisky and Kenneth George, planning manager, answered council questions about how affordability and unit‑lot subdivisions will work under the local code. Brisky summarized the affordability thresholds the staff used: for a for‑sale unit the state’s criterion is 80% of area median income, which staff estimated would equate to a sale price of about $355,000 based on a 30‑year mortgage; for rental product the affordability test uses 60% of area median income and must include utilities — staff gave an example rent for a two‑bedroom of $1,564 including utilities. Brisky said those figures will fluctuate as HUD income limits and mortgage rates change.
Under the adopted language, a project proposing up to four units with one designated affordable must record a 50‑year affordability covenant that “runs with the land,” Brisky said, and that requirement applies to subsequent owners. The ordinance also adds a unit‑lot subdivision option that allows the parent lot to meet minimum lot size requirements while creating smaller “unit lots” for individual ownership; Brisky said the change does not change unit counts and “doesn’t change any of the requirements for access, for utilities” and “it still doesn’t preclude someone from having to meet all the parking requirements.”
Council members thanked staff for the work under a tight timeline. Mayor Pro Tem Wood noted the city was facing a state deadline at month‑end to have a local ordinance in place or else the state rules would apply automatically. Multiple council members said the code will require learning and minor adjustments as the city implements unit‑lot subdivisions.
Vote and next steps
Council member [mover name on record] moved to pass the ordinance; the motion was seconded and the council voted by roll call. The city clerk recorded six ayes and no nays; the ordinance passed.
Staff will publish the ordinance amendments and the planning department will process unit‑lot subdivision applications and affordability covenants under the new code. Planning staff said they will provide guidance materials to applicants explaining parking, utilities easements and the 50‑year covenant requirement.
Ending
Council members expressed cautious optimism that the changes will increase housing options while noting they will monitor outcomes and work with state lawmakers if practical adjustments are needed during implementation.
