Sumner adopts state‑mandated co‑living zoning change after resident raises parking and accessibility concerns

Sumner City Council on April 6 adopted Ordinance 2953, amending the city’s zoning code to allow co‑living housing — residential developments made up of independently rented sleeping units with shared kitchens — in zones where multi‑family buildings of six or more units are permitted.

Community and Economic Development Director Ryan Windisch told the council the change implements state law and incorporates the planning commission’s unanimous recommendation. "This ordinance went in front of the council at a study session here in February... It would amend our zoning code to allow for coliving housing, which is defined in state laws as residential development comprised of independently rented sleeping units with shared kitchen facilities," Windisch said.

During public comment, resident Nick Bierman described his lived experience in co‑living housing in Seattle and raised concerns about unit size, accessibility and parking. "We're talking about units that vary from about 150 square feet to about 400 square feet," Bierman said, adding that many units lack full cooking facilities and that limited on‑site parking can push vehicles onto neighborhood streets. He told council he believed a parking study would show impacts if co‑living developments locate in Sumner.

Deputy Mayor Elfers and Councilmember Hockstetter both noted the change is driven by state law and thanked staff for adapting the measure to local needs. Elfers said: "This is a state mandate... It may be something that fits Seattle more than Sumner, but that's the way the laws are happening in Washington state right now." Hockstetter added the staff and commission "did their best to make it fit our city."

Windisch said the planning commission asked for a traffic study in its recommendation but staff's position during council review was that a parking study was not required at this time; the commission had issued a unanimous recommendation to approve after a January public hearing. The council adopted the ordinance on roll call.

The ordinance takes effect per city adoption procedures. Councilmembers and staff indicated the measure will allow co‑living as a housing option in appropriate zones but did not adopt a local parking study requirement at the meeting.