Lynnwood staff present unified development code; fire sprinklers for new homes ignite debate

Lynnwood—s community planning manager and consultants on June 2 briefed the City Council on a proposed Unified Development Code (UDC) intended to implement new state middle-housing laws, increase housing supply and streamline permitting, and outlined a South County Fire recommendation to require residential fire sprinklers for most new construction.

The council heard that the UDC would consolidate several titles, repeal the existing zoning code, and allow more units per lot under state-mandated middle-housing changes. "The unified development code that is before council tonight is the next milestone along the path of proactive planning and continuous improvement," Community Planning Manager Carl Algren said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the package is meant to speed permitting and allow more units on existing lots to address housing supply, but it also contains new construction standards that could raise per-unit costs. A central point of debate was a South County Fire recommendation to require NFPA 13D-style residential sprinkler systems for most new single-family, middle-housing and ADU construction. Council members expressed support for life-safety goals but pressed staff and the fire marshal for clearer cost estimates and alternative thresholds before the scheduled public hearing.

What staff proposed - Code structure and timing: Staff said the UDC consolidates development regulations into a single code, leaving administrative sections…