Covington staff push state-mandated middle-housing, ADU code updates; council to decide disputed setbacks

Covington planning staff asked the City Council on Tuesday to adopt a package of zoning changes required by Washington state law that would allow middle housing types and expand accessory dwelling unit (ADU) options across the city.

Selena Lyons, the city—s planning director, told the joint council–planning commission study session that the changes respond to 2023 state laws and a model ordinance. "The state requires middle housing types in all residential districts," a staff presenter said, summarizing House Bill 1110. Planning staff also described updates tied to House Bill 1337 on ADUs and other technical and design changes needed to align Covington—s code with the new statutes.

The Planning Commission recommended the draft ordinance to the council, and commissioners indicated by majority vote that they prefer reducing interior side and rear setbacks from the current 7.5 feet to 5 feet. Council members asked staff to return to the council with three options: keep 7.5 feet, adopt 5 feet, or adopt 5 feet with an alternative rear-setback approach. The city must adopt an ordinance or the state model ordinance will take effect; staff said they plan to send the city—s ordinance to the Washington State Department of Commerce for a mandatory 60‑day review ahead of the June 30, 2025 statutory deadline.

Why it matters: The package changes how single-family lots may be developed in Covington. Under staff proposals, the city would permit duplexes, triplexes and other "middle housing" types outright where single-family housing is now the baseline, allow two ADUs per lot in configurations allowed by statute, and align dimensional standards so middle housing is treated the same as single-family housing.…