Committee forwards co‑living housing code updates to council first reading
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Summary
The committee forwarded proposed Title 19 amendments to implement Washington's co‑living statute, clarifying definitions, zoning applicability, density and parking rules (including 0.25 spaces per sleeping unit) and directing the ordinance to first reading Feb. 17.
The Land Use & Transportation Committee voted Feb. 2 to forward proposed amendments to the Federal Way Revised Code, Title 19, implementing the state co‑living statute (RCW 36.78.535).
Planning Manager Holly Bozak explained the changes required by the 2023 legislation and the local amendments staff drafted: definitions for "co‑living housing" and "sleeping units," updates to use charts in zones that allow six or more units (multifamily residential, neighborhood business, community business, city center frame and core), and density, open‑space and parking rules tailored to co‑living units. The amendments treat each sleeping unit as one‑quarter of a dwelling unit for density calculations, set an open‑space requirement of 25 square feet per sleeping unit (exempt if five units or less), and allow the city to require 0.25 parking spaces per sleeping unit unless the project is within half a mile of a major transit stop (in which case no parking may be required under state rules).
Bozak said the city completed a SEPA determination in September, notified Commerce in November, and held planning‑commission hearings; both the planning commission and mayor recommended approval. Council members asked about parking impacts, local precedents and whether developers would voluntarily provide more parking; staff replied the statute limits required parking levels but market demand often leads developers to provide additional parking.
The committee moved and passed forwarding the ordinance to first reading on Feb. 17.
Next steps: the ordinance will have first reading at the Feb. 17 council meeting and a second reading is scheduled for March 3 if the council advances it.
