Sequim planning commission adopts draft supplemental housing code ahead of full zoning rewrite; public hearing set Feb. 17

The Sequim Planning Commission on Feb. 3 reviewed a draft of supplemental housing requirements that staff says are necessary to implement recent Washington state housing laws and to prepare for a full rewrite of the zoning code later this year.

Staff member Travis told commissioners the updates are intended to align the city's development code with state statutes, provide clearer definitions for housing types and to put in place processes for items the state now requires.

The draft addresses several state-driven changes and some local policy choices. Among the key provisions, the draft would: require single-family lots to allow up to two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with newly capped sizes for new ADUs at 1,000 square feet; allow conversions of existing spaces (basements, garages) to exceed that cap; adopt state minimums for residential parking (including exemptions for ADUs within a set transit radius) and locally remove parking requirements for permanent supportive housing; permit supportive housing where hotels and motels are allowed while holding density caps in the R-48 zone; codify a state process for temporary housing on religious properties with a required memorandum of understanding and background checks; and create a conditional-use pathway for…