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Lynnwood council weighs how many homes a single lot can hold as state law raises ADU size and unit minimums
Summary
Council debated two approaches to implementing recent state housing laws as staff outlined changes to the Unified Development Code, including a new 1,000-square-foot ADU baseline, options for units-per-lot limits and design standards to preserve the city’s Northwest woodland character.
Lynnwood City Council on Monday considered two staff options for updating the city’s Unified Development Code that would implement new state housing laws and set how many dwelling units are allowed on single-family lots.
The planning team told council members state legislation requires at least two units per lot in residential zones and allows four units within a quarter-mile of bus rapid transit or light rail; separate state language also requires allowance for two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) per lot and sets a new ADU size baseline at roughly 1,000 square feet.
City planning staff said the code rewrite aims to consolidate existing development rules (LMC chapter 135 and titles 18, 19 and 20) into a clearer, shorter Unified Development Code and to codify objective design standards. Planning manager Karl (Karl, community planning manager) framed the choice Council must make as either: (1) limit lots by housing typology (a “1+2”…
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